Institute of Chemistry Ceylon
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| Established | 1971 |
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| President | Mr K. R. Dayananda |
| Key people | Prof J.N.O.Fernando |
| Formerly called | Chemical Society Ceylon |
| Location | Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka |
| Website | www.ichemc.edu.lk |
The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon is the successor to the Chemical Society of Ceylon (founded 1941) and was established in the year 1971 for the general advancement of the science and practice of chemistry. It is a not-for-profit organization, learned society catering to the Chemical Sciences as well as a professional, qualifying and examination body looking after and responsible for the maintenance and enhancement of the profession of Chemistry in Sri Lanka. It is the oldest such body in any branch of the basic sciences in Sri Lanka. The Golden Jubilee of the Institute was held in 1991 & the Diamond Jubilee in 2001. The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon was incorporated by Act of Parliament No. 15 of 1972.
Chemistry was taught as a pre-medical subject at Ceylon as early as 1900 in Ceylon. Later it was taught at the Ceylon Technical College for medical students and students taking the external general degree examination of the University of London. The University College in Ceylon was established in January 1921. With the establishment of the University College as an institution for graduate studies, chemistry was one of the science departments, set up under the Headship of Mr. W. Rae. With Mr. L. P. C. Chandrasena joining Mr. Rae, courses for the London External Degree Examination in B.Sc. (General) and B.Sc. (Special) were started.
At that period of time, there were the three Research Institutes set up by the colonial regime; Tea Research Institute, Rubber Research Institute and Coconut Research Institute. Besides, there were the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Institute and the Government Analyst's Department. Except for the University College and the Government Analyst's Department, the organisations were not in Colombo.
Mr. D. H. Balfour with chemistry as a subject in his Tripos from Cambridge University, joined the Ceylon Civil Service. He felt that there were possibilities of starting chemical industries in Ceylon. He convinced the Minister of Industries, Mr. C. G. S Corea and obtained a Treasury Grant to carry out research. He set up the Industrial Research Laboratory where chemistry graduates initially worked before they found suitable employment.
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