A team comprising of four students who excelled at the 6th National Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad -2012 was sent to Volos, Greece from 27^th July – 05^th August 2013 to participate at the 7th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) conducted under the patronage of the Ministry of Education, Greece. The team was headed by Prof. Chandana Jayaratne of Colombo University as the National Coordinator on Astronomy Olympiads. Mr. Saman Arvinda of Colombo University participated as the second leader. The team was given usual vigorous training in theory and practical sides of astronomy prior to their departure by the present and past students of the Mathematical and Astronomical Society of the Colombo University, the staff of the Sri Lanka Planetarium and by the scientists at the astronomical observatory of the Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, Katubedda, Moratuwa.

The Following five students from Sri Lanka participated at the 7^th IOAA held from 27^th July – 05^th August 2013.

Mr. Attanayaka Chamantha Isuru Abeyratne

Nalanda College, Colombo-10

Mr. Wickramaarachchi Don Yohan Iresh

Royal College, Panadura

Mr. Walimuni Tharindu Randika Mendis

Nalanda College, Colombo-10

Mr. Chathushka Geetharanda Karunathilaka

Thakxila Central College, Horana

Out of the 41 teams participated Sri Lanka received the 13th place in the Team Competition and one of the students Mr. Attanayaka M. Chamantha Isuru Abeyratne received an Honorable Mention (Merit Award) at the 7th IAAO. The main purpose of conducting national astronomy olympiads and sending best students to International Olympiads is to popularize Astronomy and Astrophysics in Sri Lanka, and to attract bright high school students all over the country to follow Science streams.