Professor GRA Kumara, the Director of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies is a Research Professor specializing in materials science, energy conversion, and energy storage. He received his undergraduate education at the University of Peradeniya and completed his M.Phil. degree at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He later obtained his Ph.D. in material science from Shizuoka University under a Monbukagakusho Scholarship in Japan. He has also held Visiting and Honorary Professorships in Japan and has established several international research collaborations.

His research interests include dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells, supercapacitor energy storage systems, advanced carbon materials (notably Sri Lankan vein graphite and coconut shell charcoal). Professor Kumara has published more than 100 peer-reviewed research papers, gaining international recognitions. He is a holder several patents related to energy storage and carbon materials. His current research focuses on low-cost, environmentally friendly energy technologies using locally available materials such as coconut shell activated carbon and Sri Lankan graphite.