Abstract:
The Quaternary Research Working Group (QRWG) of Sri Lanka was set up at
the 11th AGM of Geological Society of Sri Lanka (GSSL) in 1995 to encourage the researchers
who are keen on Quaternary Studies of Sri Lanka. For this purpose, the QRWS successfully
completed two field visits in the southern and northwestern coastal zones to observe the
Quaternary and Holocene formations of Sri Lanka, although, we failed to organize an International
Conference or proposed a one-day awareness Workshop/Seminar due to lack of funding.
Hence, the Quaternary Research in Sri Lanka comes into view as a neglected field. However,
the Group compiled a bibliography including twenty-six (26) subject categories relating
to the Sri Lankan Quaternary. However, it is very difficult to fulfill the research gaps in
relation to Quaternary Geography, Quaternary Climatology and Quaternary Ecology in
detail.
The Quaternary studies of Sri Lanka emerged since 1908, and pioneer scientists were
British, Canadians, Germans, Indians and Sri Lankans. They described the Palaeolithic stone
tools, cannibalistic Balangoda Man, the fossils of extinct animals and past climatic phases of
Sri Lanka. Stratigraphic sequences, constituent material, locations and some age determinations
on Quaternary formations have been completed by a few scientists. These scientists are
undertaking Quaternary studies emphasizing different disciplines with limited facilities and
funding. Also, the lack of age determination facilities in Sri Lanka is the main obstacle for the
Quaternary studies of Sri Lanka.
