DR L SAMAN K HETTIARACHCHI obtained PhD degree from the University of Aberdeen, UK carrying out research on liming acid tea soils, after graduating from University of Peradeniya with a BSc Special honours degree majoring chemistry. Professionally, he is an Agricultural Chemist, having specialized in soil science and plant nutrition, and involved in technological and policy interventions for the promotion of rational fertilizer use in tea and other crop sectors in Sri Lanka.