The Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS) of the University of Kelaniya which was established in 1973 celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2023.

In order to mark the anniversary year, Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya launched an anniversary logo. An additional premise called T.G. Piyadasa Premise offered by the Librarian of the University of Kelaniya was also added to the DLIS as the first respected activity.

Launching of anniversary year planner, ICLIM web, VIDYARTHI Journal web, student Journal pustakāla vidyā, and casting of three videos were accomplished at this event.

Followed by the event was a meeting presided over by Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva at the Staff Development Centre of the university. Present at the occasion were Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean – Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. C. C. Jayasundra, Librarian – University of Kelaniya, Professor M. K. Weerasinghe, Head – DLIS, Deans of faculties, Heads of Departments, academic staff, members of the DLIS Alumni, undergraduates, and other invitees. The relatives of the late Mr. T. G. Piyadasa – the founding Librarian of the university who was a pioneer in DLIS also participated in this occasion. 

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A book launching ceremony was held on the 4^th of May 2023 at the auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences to launch the book, 'The Development of Provincial and Local Government Institutions in Sri Lanka: 1833-1872’, by Emeritus Professor M. U. de Silva, a former Senior Professor at the University of Ruhuna.

He is the first postgraduate holder in History at the University of Kelaniya. The ceremony was organized by Research Centre for Social Sciences.

The event was graced by Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences as the chief guest and Emeritus Professor M. U. de Silva as the guest of honor. Emeritus Professor U. B. Karunananda provided a review of the book while the Director of RCSS, Professor A. G. Amarasinghe, family members and colleagues of Professor M. U. de Silva, and staff members of the Faculty of Social Sciences were also present at the occasion.

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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, and the People’s Bank on the 24^th of March 2023 at the Vice Chancellor’s Office of the university.

The objective of signing this MoU was to obtain internship opportunities for undergraduates following the Bachelor of Arts honors in Economics degree program. Accordingly, the People’s Bank agreed to provide 50 internships for undergraduates annually.     

Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya and Mr. K. K. K. Dharmathilaka, the Registrar of the University of Kelaniya signed the MoU on behalf of the University while Mr. Gihan Galaboda and Mr. Prasad Aravinda, Managers at People’s Bank, Kelaniya Branch signed the MOU representing the bank. Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor W. M. Semasinghe, Head of the Department of Economics, Professor Nawarathna Banda, and Dr. Champika Dharmadasa were also present at the occasion. 

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An international conference on ‘Developmentalism Vs. Wellbeing of South Asian Societies’ was organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, jointly with the Maharashtra Bhugolawidya Association India, Solapur University - India, Pangea Geographical Association, and Sri Lanka Association of Geographers (SLAG).

The conference was held on the 23^rd and 24^th of February 2023.

The conference provided a platform for the researchers to submit their research work under 08 sub-themes. The conference was hosted by a team of local and international academics from India, Bangladesh, and many other Asian countries, encouraging mutual understanding while ensuring links within the academic sphere.

The inauguration ceremony of the conference was held on the 23^rd of February with the participation of his excellency Mr. Gopal Baglay, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Snr. Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, Vice Chancellor - University of Keaniya and Dr. Mrunalini Fadnavis, Vice Chancellor - Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University, India. The keynote speaker was Mr. Abdur Rahim Siddiqui - Representative and Country Director at UN World Food Programme (WFP) Sri Lanka.  Mr. Nihal Ranasingha - Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Senior Professor Chandana P. Udawatte - Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission the guest invitees of the conference. Emeritus Professor N. K. Dangalle and Dr. Praveen G. Saptarshi were the resource persons of the conference while Prof. Lal Mervin Dharmasiri was the conference chair.

Memorandums of Understanding regarding academics, students and field research were exchanged between the university of Kelaniya and the Solapur University of India. Moreover, post-conference excursions were arranged for the presenters from foreign countries, covering the city of Colombo and places related to the Ramayana legend in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka with the objective of uplifting the tourism sector and the economy of Sri Lanka.

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