Dr. Anura Rathnayake wins the Global Change Award Winner 2016

Published on
2017/08/14 - 15:55

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Dr. Anura Rathnayake, the avant-garde Sri Lankan scientist who is a quality product of the University of Moratuwa, was able to win the 3rd place at the ‘Global Change Award’ organized annually by the H&M foundation with his revolutionary innovation ‘Content Thread’, which facilitates sorting and recycling of clothes using a digital filament. The competition was carried out in order to encourage the introduction of game changing new technologies that are safe, sustainable and promote climate positivity. This prestigious event was held on the 5th of April 2017 at the ‘City Hall’ in Stockholm, Sweden which is world famous for hosting the Nobel Peace Prize banquet each year. Dr. Anura Rathnayake, who managed to conquer the world despite of the fact he was born in a remote border village in Sri Lanka, developed his concept and competed against approximately 3000 revolutionary technological concepts presented by 130 countries including the United States, Australia, Canada,  the United Kingdom and Japan. His bold creativity and disruptive innovation that made the ‘Content Thread’ concept stand out among other innovations and brought immense pride to the motherland is truly an inspiration to everyone. 

Dr. Rathnayake’s road to success was rather rough than smooth with obstacles and his life story of how he suffered to become a man who revolutionized the world awed us. He lived in a remote border village called Nikawewa in Welioya area which was under the terrorists’ grip for three decades. He is the eldest of four and received his primary education from Buddhangala Madhya Maha Vidyalaya in Padaviya, Parakramapura. In a time and society where education was merely a dream, his sole aim was to to win the  life with immense interest and effort in studies. Neither the cruel war nor the oppression could destroy his tenacity.

Considering poverty a blessing, he ended up becoming one of the brightest students in University of Moratuwa and earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 2002. In year 2004, he moved to England and received his Master of Science in Engineering in 2007 from University of Bolton. Determined to achieve more, he received his Postgraduate Degree related to new research and his Doctorate Degree related to Electronic Textiles from Nottingham Trent University in England, obtaining the highest qualification in his education journey.

His astonishing story of becoming an outstanding scholar and scientist is an inspiration to all of us.