The first awareness workshop under the project “Fostering Climate Change Action Ambassadors: Empowering Youth for Climate Resilience,” a collaboration between Janathakshan GTE Ltd., HSBC, and the Department of Sociology, University of Kelaniya, was launched on the 4th of November 2024 at the Auditorium K2-003.
The workshop brought students and experts together to address critical climate issues, marking the beginning of a nationwide effort to cultivate informed climate advocates among university students.
The main objective of the workshop was to foster Sri Lankan university students into ambassadors for climate action, empowering them to advocate for mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and strategies to address loss and damage within their generation and broader society, ensuring the future of the country is prepared to plan, implement, and act in alignment with the changing climate realities.
The event was graced by the presence of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, as the chief guest, along with Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Senior Professor K. Karunathilake, Head of the Department of Sociology.
Mrs. Manel Jayamanna, Regional Development Specialist, led discussions on the causes and science of climate change, greenhouse gases, and global warming during the technical sessions titled "Understanding the Science of Climate Change," during the first session. Furthermore, the discussion emphasized the urgency of addressing greenhouse gas emissions and their role in global warming.
In the next technical session, Dr. Manoj Ranaweera, Senior Lecturer from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, provided insights into the local and global impacts of climate change. Thus, Dr. Ranaweera’s session focused on climate impacts within Sri Lanka and beyond.
The workshop featured dynamic discussions and student-led initiatives, where attendees actively participated by creating a pledge banner to commit to reducing their carbon footprint. The event also marked a critical step toward fostering climate resilience through youth empowerment. The project will continue over the next two years, with advanced training sessions designed to prepare students as leaders in climate action, ensuring their capacity to influence sustainable practices and policies in the future.
The distinguished attendees included Dr. Janaka Hemathilaka, CEO of Janathakshan GTE Ltd.; Ms. Nilwala Ravihari, Project Manager at Janathakshan GTE Ltd.; Prof. Geethani Amaratunga; Senior Lecturer Dr. Sarath Vitharana; Senior Lecturer Mrs. H. A. Kumudu Sumedha Sanjeewani; Senior Lecturer Mrs. R. P. I. C. Rajapakse; Lecturer Mrs. W. M. Gayathri Panampitiya; Lecturer Mrs. Sachini Nisansala; Lecturer Mr. Auchithya Rathnayake; Assistant Lecturer Mr. K. G. Manujaya Eksith; Assistant Lecturer Ms. D. M. C. Dissanayake; and Assistant Lecturer Mrs. K. N. Haputhanthri. See More