Rusin Thathsara, a third-year student from the Department of Building Economics at the University of Moratuwa, has been awarded the esteemed “Youth Astronomical Authorship Honourable Award.” This honour, conferred by the Royal Foundation and gazetted by the Government of Sri Lanka, celebrates Thathsara’s remarkable contributions to Sri Lankan astronomy and scientific literature.
At just 22, Thathsara has achieved milestones that include authoring the first book on space construction in South Asia, pioneering the concept for Sri Lanka’s first virtual space city, and writing the country’s inaugural Hindu astronomy book. His prolific writing spans over 100 articles in both astronomy and science journals, making him a trailblazer in youth-driven scientific discourse. His journey into astronomy was shaped under the guidance of Anura C. Perera.
Thathsara’s foray into authorship was marked by his debut book, Oxygen from Kamal Sir, which garnered international attention and even broke records, adding further accolades to his growing profile. This recent award not only highlights Thathsara’s contributions but also marks the first time a university student in Sri Lanka has received such a prestigious honor in the field of astronomy.
His groundbreaking work stands as an inspiration to Sri Lanka’s youth, encouraging a new generation to explore the wonders of science and the universe.
