Sri Lanka National Node for IYA2009
Sri Lanka Astronomical Association will act as the National Node. AALK was founded as the Ceylon Astronomical Association in 1959 with Sir Arthur C Clarke as President will be in its Golden Jubilee year in 2009. Prof. Kavan Ratnatunga who is currently resident in Sri Lanka, has volunteered to be the National Node Chairman and Single Point of Contact for IYA2009 to the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The following organizations have joined the effort
Sri Lanka Astronomical AssociationArthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technology (ACCIMT)
Astronomy & Space Study Center (ASSC)
Colombo Planetarium
University of Moratuwa
University of Colombo
In Sri Lanka, there is a significant interest in Astronomy both among the general public as well as among school children. Most of the leading Schools have had active Astronomical Clubs for many years. In the Sri Lanka National node activities we will bring together the main organizations and institutions in Lanka which have been associated mostly with amateur astronomy, with Professional Astronomers of Lankan origin who are mostly doing research overseas.
Sri Lanka National Committee for IYA2009
We has appointed a National Committee for IYA2009 which consist of a chairman, secretary, and committee members. Committee members are selected as two volunteers from each above mentioned organizations. Other members from School based Astronomy clubs will be co-opted into the committee is they become active in organizing events for IYA2009