Sri Lankan innovation ‘Smart Drain’ wins global recognition at WIPO Awards 2025
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka made history on the international stage as ‘Smart Drain’, an innovative urban drainage solution developed by Dr Nadeesha Chandrasena and her team, was named one of the ten winners of the prestigious World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Awards 2025 on Friday (11).
The award ceremony took place at the WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, with its Director General, Daren Tang, presenting trophies to the winning teams.
The WIPO Global Awards celebrate pioneering startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that use intellectual property (IP) to drive impactful innovation across sectors such as health, climate resilience, agrifood systems, creative industries, and ICT.
Smart Drain, recognized under the environment category, is a cutting-edge stormwater drainage system designed to prevent urban flooding, even when conventional drains are blocked by solid waste. Its unique mechanism separates solid matter from water, ensuring uninterrupted drainage and offering a scalable, climate-resilient infrastructure solution for cities vulnerable to heavy rainfall and climate change-induced flooding.
“This win is not only a recognition of our work, but a testament to the innovative potential of Sri Lankan engineers and scientists to solve real-world problems,” said Dr Chandrasena.
The 2025 Global Awards drew more than 800 applicants from 95 countries, with just ten winners selected by an independent international jury of experts in IP, innovation, creative industries, business, and investment. This marks the first time a Sri Lankan innovation has received this honour, highlighting the country’s emerging role in global innovation and technology development.
The WIPO Global Awards aim to spotlight and support the most promising IP-driven enterprises globally, offering winners not only recognition but also enhanced visibility, mentorship opportunities, and international networking.
-ENCL
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