The felicitation ceremony and launching of the academic festschrift of Professor Emeritus Mr. Ariyarathna Athugala of the Department of Mass Communication was held on 15th February at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium.
Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences expressed their congratulations to Professor Emeritus Mr. Ariyarathna Athugala. Professor Emeritus Mr. Sunanda Mahendra of the Department of Mass Communication, Senior Lecturer Mr. Dhamma Dissanayake of the University of Colombo, and Professor Emeritus Mr. Sena Nanayakkara of Rajarata University also delivered their expressions.
Senior Lecturer Mr. Wijayananda Rupasinghe, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, and Senior Lecturer Mr. Aruna Lokuliyana of the Department of Mass Communication presented a special souvenir to Professor Emeritus Mr. Ariyarathna Athugala and Senior Lecturer Ms. Samanthika Priyadarshani, of the Department of Mass Communication presented the “Athugala Festschrift” to him. In addition, a documentary film directed by the Lecturer Ms. Ileka Ruwanpathirana was also shown on the academic and artistic life of Professor Emeritus Mr. Ariyarathna Athugala. Appreciating the services of Professor Emeritus Mr. Ariyarathna Athugala, Commissioner Mr. Niroshan Thambawita also presented a special souvenir on behalf of the Sri Lanka Press Council. Deans, Heads of the Departments, Lecturers, Non-Academic Staff, and Students of the University of Kelaniya as well as Lecturers from other universities participated in this event. The participation of artists representing the field of arts was exceptional.