Prof Nilwala Kottegoda received the “Yakada Miniha” Iron Citizen Award for silent contributions to the development of the country at a prestigious ceremony held at Waters Edge on 2nd July 2019.

The ceremony was the launch of a bid to recognize individuals who have contributed to the development of Sri Lanka in numerous ways. The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development has initiated a massive multipart Programme “Pannaraya” and after careful consideration identified ten individuals to be called as iron-souls or branded as “yakada minissu”. Prof Kottegoda was recognized for the economic impact of her breakthrough slow releasing fertilizer.