The University of Kelaniya held a landmark event as part of the Climate Change Accelerator program, marking a significant step forward in student-led climate innovation. The event was organized by the Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate and Seeds of Peace, and was held on the 14^th of October 2024, at the Board Room of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The Climate Change Accelerator, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, empowers students to take the lead in addressing climate issues across South Asia. At the event, two teams from the Department of Geography presented their innovative project proposals aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. Both teams have been secured cash awards of $200 to initiate their projects, positioning them as key players in the university’s climate initiatives.

Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, honoured the event as the Chief Guest. Moreover, the event welcomed an esteemed delegation, including Ms. Zahra Hajyani, Public Engagement Specialist at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi; Mr. Qasim Aslam, Project Director of the South and Southeast Asia Climate Change Accelerator (SSCCA); Ms. Shweta Patole, Senior Program Manager at Seeds of Peace; and Mr. Priyank Badola, Senior Program Coordinator at Seeds of Peace.

One of the highlights of the day was the formal handover of a biogas plant developed by Team Reclaim, symbolizing the practical contributions of students toward sustainability. This biogas plant project is a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering a green campus and driving innovation through hands-on learning. After the program, the delegation team visited the biogas plant located on the university premises, witnessing firsthand the impact of student-driven sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, the event was graced by the participation of Senior Professor Lal Mervin Dharmasiri, Head of the Department of Geography; Professor A. G. Amarasinghe; Dr. Saseeka Wijesakara; Dr. Pansujee Dissanayake, Deputy Director of the Center for Sustainability Solutions; Mr. K. K. K. Darmathilake, Registrar of the university; and staff members of the Department of Geography. The program was hosted by the university coordinator for this program, Lecturer Indunil Ranwella.

With lively discussions between international delegates, faculty, and students, the event provided a valuable platform for sharing ideas and collaborating on solutions to one of the most pressing global challenges - climate change. See More

The Inauguration Ceremony of the 20^th Batch of the Diploma in Mass Communication and the 8^th Batch of the Diploma in Public Relations and Media Management, offered by the Department of Mass Communication of the University of Kelaniya, was held on the 6^th of October 2024, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. The event was headed by Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

The keynote speech of the inauguration ceremony was delivered by the political economist, Dr. Vagisha Gunasekara, under the title “The Role of Narratives in Mass Media”.

The event saw the participation of the academic staff of the Department of Mass Communication, including Senior Lecturer Wijayananda Rupasinghe, Head of the Department of Mass Communication; Lecturer Ileka Ruwanpathirana, Coordinator of the Diploma in Mass Communication; and Lecturer Dilini Gamage, Coordinator of the Diploma in Public Relations and Media Management. In addition, the students of the two diploma courses and their parents also participated in the ceremony. See more

Commemorating World Tourism Day 2024, aligning with the theme of ‘Tourism and Peace, ’ the Tourism Club, Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya proudly organized a series of events on the 27th of September 2024 at the premises of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The event was scheduled for two phases, where the morning session featured Senior Lecturer Dr. Manoji Harischandra, Head of the Department of Philosophy, University of Kelaniya, disseminating knowledge on ‘Tourism and Peace’. Most prominently, during this event, the Tourism Club of the University of Kelaniya launched the ‘Journal of Tourism’, expanding the interest of undergraduates in tourism-based research.

The evening session was conducted by Mrs. Manusha Weerawardena, Trainer/Consultant of Grooming at the Colombo School of Etiquette workshop on ‘Etiquette and Grooming’ delivering a practical demonstration for the undergraduates.

Senior Prof. M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences honoured the event as the Chief Guest, while Senior Lecturer Mrs. Umanga Rammungoda, Head of the Department of Archaeology, Chair/Senior Prof. Prishanta Gunawardhana, Senior Prof. Anura Manatunga, Prof. Herath Madana Bandara and other academic staff members of the Department of Archeology graced the event.  

The program was sponsored by Ms. Madhumali Wijethunga, Founder, Director and CEO of Steeple Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Makola, Kiribathgoda.

This event was an enriching experience, highlighting the importance of tourism in fostering peace and cultural understanding. See More

Following the successful fifth annual meeting among the University of Kelaniya, Kanazawa University, and Chukyo University, Japan, a formal meeting was held by the Japanese delegates with Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, on 5^th of September 2024 at the Vice-chancellor’s office.

The Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Tetsuya Sagawa from Kanazawa University, Professor Shohei Kokudo, Professor Tohiru Koizo, and Professor Takahiro Nakano from Chukyo University, had an extensive discussion.

This meeting underscored the growing collaboration between the three institutions and focused on the future of their academic partnerships. During the meeting, the Japanese delegates expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for her unwavering support in strengthening the relationship between the universities. They also shared their interest in establishing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, and the Graduate School of Health and Sport Sciences and the School of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University. This MoU aims to initiate a student exchange programme that would benefit students from both institutions.

The Vice-chancellor warmly acknowledged the efforts of both the Japanese delegates and the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, praising the progress made in fostering international academic collaboration. She also provided valuable guidance on the steps needed to facilitate the student exchange programme under the existing MoU between Kanazawa University and the University of Kelaniya. She offered specific advice on the procedures for the proposed MoU with Chukyo University.

This meeting further solidified the commitment of all three universities to deepen their collaboration in the fields of sport science, physical education, and student mobility, ensuring that students and faculty benefit from the international exchange of knowledge and expertise.

Senior Lecturer M. K. A. Anoma Rathnayaka, Head of the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Kelaniya, and the academic staff of the same department participated in the discussion. Senior Lecturer Dr. Charika Wickramaratne, Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, was the coordinator of the event. See More