From Science Fair to Pest Control: One Young Inventor's Green Solution

COLOMBO (News 1st); A bright young mind from the Kurunegala Defence Services College has devised a promising solution to combat the white fly, a notorious pest ravaging Sri Lanka's vital coconut plantations.

Thushara Sewwandi Basnayake, a Grade 11 student, has not only invented a successful trap but also garnered gold medals in innovation competitions for her ingenuity.

Basnayake's invention exploits the white fly's attraction to both yellow hues and the natural scent of coconut trees. 

She has created a solution that mimics the tree's aroma, effectively luring the pests into her trap. 

"The white fly is most active between 3 and 4 am," explained Basnayake.

Capitalizing on this behavior, she ingeniously incorporated solar lights into her trap design. The lights, powered by the sun, illuminate a sticky sheet coated with a solution, effectively capturing the unsuspecting flies during their peak activity hours.

This innovative approach holds immense potential for mitigating the widespread damage caused by white flies, which have significantly impacted Sri Lanka's coconut production. 

Basnayake's invention offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to harmful chemical pesticides, potentially paving the way for a more sustainable future for the island nation's crucial coconut industry.

The young inventor's achievement has not gone unnoticed. 

Her dedication and ingenuity have been recognized by multiple innovation competitions, where she has proudly claimed gold medals for her groundbreaking work.