A workshop for schoolchildren, organized as part of “Sanjanani 2026: Communication and Public Relations Festival,” was successfully held on February 26, 2026, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. The event was organized by the Department of Mass Communication.

Conducted under the theme “Media Education, Digital Literacy, and Disinformation,” the workshop aimed to enhance students’ understanding of contemporary media trends and their practical applications. Students and teachers from over 30 schools participated in the programme.

The workshop featured insightful lectures delivered by distinguished academics and media professionals. Mr Nalaka Gunawardena, Media Analyst and Researcher and a current member of the National Media Policy Committee, delivered the first lecture on “Social Media and Sri Lankan Society.” Senior Lecturer Wijayananda Rupasinghe of the Department of Mass Communication spoke on “Media Policies and Their Usage.” Additionally, Senior Lecturer Dr Manoj Jinadasa, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, conducted a session on “The Social Impact of Digital Media.”

The event was also attended by Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, along with academic staff members and students of the Department of Mass Communication.

The creative writing launching event “Paṅkaja” was held on February 26, 2026, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

The event was organized by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, as part of “Sanjanani 2026: Communication and Public Relations Festival,” conducted under the theme “Media Education and Literacy: Toward a National Media Policy.”

The ceremony was held under the precedence of Senior Lecturer Tharindu Dhananjaya Weerasinghe of the Department of Human Resource Management and Senior Lecturer Sudesh Kawishwara of the Department of Sinhala.

Organized under the theme “Chatravantayingē Nirmāṇa Dvāra Pravēśaya”, “Paṅkaja” featured the launch of the poetry collection titled “‘Kavi Pihāṭu’ 21 Vāṭṭuva Hā Tavat Kavi.” The publication was prepared under the supervision of Ven. Professor Malwane Chandrarathana Thero and Senior Lecturer Sudesh Kawishwara from the Department of Sinhala. It was edited by Dr Manoj Jinadasa, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Mass Communication, together with Senior Lecturer Saman Rajapaksha of the Department of Mass Communication.

The anthology comprises poems written by several students of the Department of Mass Communication, including emerging poets Kalaru Weerasinghe, Idusha Tennakoon, Namal Sajith, Upamali Hadagala, Chathurangi Deshani, Tiruni Imaya, Maleesha S. Amarasinghe, and Bhagya Kumarasinghe.

The event was attended by Dr Manoj Jinadasa, members of the academic staff, and students of the Department of Mass Communication.

The “Ālambana” Photography Exhibition, organized as part of “Sanjanani 2026, Communication and Public Relations Festival” by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, was ceremonially inaugurated for the eighth time on 25th February 2026 at the University Art Gallery.

The exhibition is scheduled to be held on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of February 2026.

Mr Anurudda Lokuhapuarachchi, Director, International Media and Strategic Communications, Presidential Secretariat, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Mr Bhanuka Kaluarachchi, a renowned Wildlife Photographer, attended as the Guest of Honour.

During the opening ceremony, certificates were awarded to the winners in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Additionally, a special photo collection by Mr Lokuhapuarachchi and Mr Kaluarachchi was showcased on the first floor of the Art Gallery.

The event was also attended by Senior Lecturer Dr Manoj Jinadasa, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, along with academic and non-academic staff members of the department and the undergraduates of the university.

The inauguration ceremony of “Sanjanani 2026: Communication and Public Relations Festival,” annually organized by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, along with the “Harasara” Awarding Ceremony held in parallel with the festival, was successfully conducted on 25th February 2026 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University.

This year’s festival was held under the theme “Media Education and Literacy: Toward a National Media Policy,” and took place under the patronage of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

The Harasara Awarding Ceremony, now in its 19th year, honoured distinguished personalities for their invaluable contributions to the advancement of communication and media studies in Sri Lanka. The awardees were Professor Wimal Dissanayake, one of the founding lecturers of the Department of Mass Communication; Emeritus Professor Savithri Gunasekara, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo; and Mr Wijayananda Jayweera, Senior Journalist. The awards were presented by Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya. Professor Wimal Dissanayake attended the event via Zoom from the USA, while Emeritus Professor Savithri Gunasekara and Mr. Wijayananda Jayweera addressed the gathering, sharing reflections on their professional journeys and contributions to the field.

The inauguration and awarding ceremony were attended by Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Dr. Manoj Jinadasa, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Mass Communication; Heads of Departments from the Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities; academic staff members of the Department of Mass Communication and other departments; and students of the Department of Mass Communication.