The Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, successfully held its Dean’s List Award Ceremony 2025 on January 2, 2025, for the second consecutive time at the Faculty Auditorium. The ceremony recognized outstanding undergraduates who achieved exceptional academic performance during the academic year 2022/2023.

A total of 184 undergraduates representing 12 departments within the Faculty were honoured and awarded Dean’s List certificates in recognition of their academic excellence. The event was organized by the Faculty Quality Assurance Cell (QAC) to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication and achievements of high-performing students in the Faculty.

The ceremony was graced by Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, along with the Heads of Departments, members of the Faculty Quality Assurance Unit, academic staff members, and the award-winning students. Delivering his remarks, the Dean commended the undergraduates for their commitment and hard work, noting that their accomplishments reflect the high academic standards upheld by the Faculty. He also expressed appreciation for the continued efforts of both academic and administrative staff in fostering a culture of excellence and integrity within the University.

The Dean’s List Award Ceremony will continue to be held annually at the conclusion of each academic year to celebrate the achievements of outstanding students and to reaffirm the Faculty’s enduring commitment to academic excellence and student development. 

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The Junior Academics Staff Research Symposium – 2025, organized by the Staff Development Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, was successfully held on 19th December 2025 at the Social Sciences Faculty Auditorium. The symposium brought together junior academics, senior scholars, and invited experts to promote academic dialogue and strengthen the research culture within the Faculty.

The symposium was organized in collaboration with the Research Centre for Social Sciences (RCSS), University of Kelaniya, and played a significant role in enhancing research engagement, academic networking, and professional development among junior academic staff.

The symposium featured Dr Jan Libich, Associate Professor at La Trobe University, Australia, as the Keynote Speaker. His keynote address offered insightful perspectives on contemporary research trends and academic development in the field of social sciences. The event was chaired by Dr Thumira Gunasena from the Department of International Studies, coordinator of the Staff Development programme of the University of Kelaniya. The panel discussion included distinguished academics, namely Dr Nilantha Ramanayaka, Head of the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Kelaniya; Dr Chris Haywood from Newcastle University, United Kingdom; and Professor Dr G. Kulanthaivel from the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research, India. Their expertise and constructive engagement enriched the academic quality of the symposium and provided valuable guidance to emerging researchers.

The event was conducted under the theme ‘Bridging the Past, Present, and Future: Interdisciplinary Insights into Society,’ emphasizing the value of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding social issues and contributing to knowledge production in the social sciences. The symposium provided a platform for junior academic staff to present their research findings, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful scholarly discussions.

Further, the Symposium was attended by the heads of the departments of the Faculty of Social Sciences, along with the academic staff members of the University of Kelaniya, and presenters.

“Abhisara Abhiman,” an event organized by the Unik Radio Student Society of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, to commemorate the centenary of Sri Lankan radio (1925–2025), was successfully held on December 16, 2025, at the Auditorium of the Staff Development Centre, University of Kelaniya.

Twelve distinguished personalities who have made significant contributions to the development of Sri Lankan radio in fields such as presenting, technical services, and engineering were honoured at the event. They were Emeritus Professor Sunanda Mahendra, Mr Karunaratne Amarasinghe, Mr Hudson Samarasinghe, Mr Wijeratne Warakagoda, Mr Chandana Thilakaratne, Mr Vijaya Koraya, Dr Gamini Kariyawasam, Mr P. L. Dharmawardhana, Dr Lionel Pinto, Ms Grace Tennakoon, Ms Visalakshi Hameed, and Ms Raheem Shaheed.

A key highlight of the celebration was the launch of a souvenir published to mark the centenary of Sri Lankan radio. The honoured guests were also presented with tokens of appreciation and gifts in recognition of their invaluable service to the field.

The event was graced by Professor Sunanda Maddumabandara, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya; Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Emeritus Professor Chandrasiri Rajapaksha; Dr Manoj Jinadasa, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Mass Communication, along with the academic staff members of the department; Senior Lecturer Saman Rajapaksha, Senior Treasurer of the Unik Radio Student Society and Director of the Communication and Media Unit; heads of departments and academic staff of the Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities; Mr. Indika Jayaratne, Director of Research Training and Foreign Relations at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC); journalists; staff members of the Communication and Media Unit; and students of the Department of Mass Communication.

The Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, hosted a guest lecture by Prof. Manual Selvaraj Bexci, Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Arts, Psychology, and Humanities at Lincoln University College, Malaysia. The event, held on December 10, 2025, at the Social Sciences Faculty New Auditorium, focused on ‘Identifying Research Readiness in Media and Communication Studies.’

Prof. Bexci, an expert in medical journalism, health communication, ICT-based health models, political economy, and cultural heritage communication, highlighted key competencies required for emerging researchers and discussed the evolving challenges of conducting media and communication research in the digital era.

The session was warmly welcomed and attended by Dr. Manoj Jinadasa, Head of the Department of Mass Communication; Dr. Achala Abeykoon, Research Unit Coordinator; Dr. Mangala Keerthy Pasquel; Senior Lecturer Amali Uthpala Nandasiri; and Lecturers Ayesh Wijesinghe, Dasini Madurasinghe, Sudesh Abeynayaka, Janani Pamodya, Nipuni Bagya, and Hansika Sewwandi, along with other academic staff. Academics from the Departments of International Studies and Archaeology, including Prof. Chaminda Abesinghe and Prof. Chandima Bigahawatta, were also present.

Lecturer Dasini Madurasinghe compered the event, while Dr. Manoj Jinadasa led the panel discussion following the lecture. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students from Mass Communication, Public Relations, and Media Management participated actively.

Importantly, the guest lecture was coordinated by Nithya Sewwandi, an MPhil postgraduate of the Department of Mass Communication, who is also a postgraduate supervisee of Prof. Bexci at Lincoln University Malaysia.