The Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, proudly celebrated a significant milestone with the ceremonial opening of its newly established Geo-Informatics Unit (GIU) on September 4, 2025.

The establishment of the GIS Unit reflects the department’s vision to advance teaching, learning, and research in geospatial sciences, while reinforcing its long-standing commitment to innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence in the field of Geo-spatial education.

The occasion was honored by the distinguished presence of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, along with Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Senior Professor & Chair Lal Dharmasiri, Head of the Department of Geography. Adding further prestige to the event were Emeritus Professor N. K. Dangalle, Former Professor U. A. Chandrasena, and Former Senior Lecturer Sarath Jayakody, who joined the celebration together with all Heads of Departments of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mr. N. N. Kandewatt­a, Assistant Registrar of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The participation of academic staff, non-academic staff, and students of the Department of Geography added warmth and vibrancy to the ceremony, which not only marked the establishment of the GIS Unit but also celebrated a new chapter in strengthening the department’s capacity for geospatial education and research excellence.

The “Lohitha Paramitha” blood donation program, organized by the Staff and Students’ Association of the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, was successfully held on 29th August 2025 at the university gymnasium.

The inaugural session was graced by Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, along with Senior Professor Sudath R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Professor M. M. Gunathilaka, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; academic and non-academic staff members of the university; as well as the academic staff and students of the department.

The event was conducted with the collaboration of the Kalutara and Ragama Blood Bank teams, who extended their valuable service throughout the program.

The initiative reflected the strong commitment of the university community towards social responsibility and humanitarian service, while also fostering unity among staff and students through a noble cause.

The Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya welcomed a delegation from Yunnan University, China on August 15, 2025. The delegation comprised Dr. Wei Ping, Associate Professor at the School of Journalism, and Dr. Zuo Xiaolin, Associate Professor and Vice Dean of the School of Journalism, along with five professors and twelve undergraduate and postgraduate students.

During their visit, they toured the Department Studio and the University Library Museum, and also held a meeting with Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya at the Vice-Chancellor’s office. The discussions focused on future collaborations to enhance intercultural academic exchange, joint studies, and research initiatives aimed at strengthening Media and Communication Studies.

The visit was coordinated by Mr. Sugath Rathnayaka, Lecturer in the Department of Sri Lankan Studies, Foreign Language School, Yunnan University, and a doctoral applicant in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya.

From the University of Kelaniya, Senior Lecturer Dr. Manoj Jinadasa, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, along with Senior Lecturer Dr. Mangala Keerthy Pasquel, Senior Lecturer Dr. Aruna Lokuliyana, and other academic staff of the department engaged in a fruitful discussion with the Yunnan University delegation. 

A scholarly discussion on the film “Walampoori: Seven and Half Dreams”, organized by the first-year undergraduates of the BA (Hons) in Mass Communication Degree Programme offered by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, was successfully held on 07th August 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Lakmal Dharmarathna, Director of the film; Dr. Aruna Lokuliyana and Ms. Samanthika Priyadarshani, Senior Lecturers of the Department of Mass Communication; and Mr. Priyantha Sirikumara and Mr. Anjana Premarathna, actors in the film.

The discussion was moderated by Senior Lecturer Dr. Mangala Keerthi Pasqual of the Department of Mass Communication. Additionally, Senior Lecturer Saman Rajapaksha, Acting Head of the Department of Mass Communication; academic staff members; and students, attended the event.