The China-Sri Lanka Academic Exchange Workshop, hosted by the Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, was held on the 21st of November 2024 at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

The main objective of the event was to foster knowledge-sharing and explore the theme of "Connectivity-Led (Regional) Developmentalism in the Turbulent Era."

The workshop began with a meeting between the delegates and Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya to discuss potential avenues for academic collaboration between Sri Lanka and China. The meeting was held at the Vice-chancellor’s office.

The event was spearheaded by Cadre Chair and Senior Professor Lal Mervin Dharmasiri, Head of the Department of Geography, and featured Professor Zhigao Liu from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China, as the chief guest. Professor Zhigao Liu delivered an honorary speech on “Connectivity-Led Developmentalism in the Turbulent Era,” emphasizing China's developmental initiatives.

The program also included a series of lectures and presentations. Professor A. G. Amarasinghe, Professor V. D. N. S. Gunawardhana, Dr. Malsha Mayoshi, and Lecturer (Probationary) K. Nishanthi from the Faculty of Social Sciences delivered insightful lectures on the Sri Lanka-China relationship, Evolution of development in Sri Lanka and Labor Infrastructure, while Mr. Jingxiang Feng, Ph.D. Candidate from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) presented key aspects of Regional Development Strategies in China Since 2000.

The workshop facilitated Chinese scholarship opportunities, and meaningful discussions on academic exchange and collaboration, highlighting the importance of bilateral relationships in education and research. It served as a platform for fostering international partnerships and strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and China in the field of geography and social sciences.

The event also witnessed the participation of the staff of the Department of Geography and a few staff members from the Faculty of Social Sciences.