The National Institute of Fundamental Studies, also known as NIFS, is the premier institute of basic and applied research in Sri Lanka. It was established in 1981 by an act of parliament[1] and initially located in Colombo and then in 1985 relocated to Kandy. The goal of establishing NIFS was to stimulate the growth of knowledge by the enhancement of the countries national scientific research capability, in selected fields to eventually build a knowledge-based Sri Lankan society. Objectives of the institute thus are to conduct basic research in the fields of mathematics, chemistry, life sciences and social sciences as well as dissemination of gained knowledge. NIFS also trains around 32 graduate students at any given time.