The inauguration ceremony of the 6th batch of the Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), was successfully held on the 8^th of February 2025, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

This event was held with the aim of officially commencing the 6th batch of Diploma in GIS.

Professor Manjula Rangalage at the Department of Environmental Management, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, graced the event as the chief guest and the keynote speaker, while other distinguished guests of the ceremony included Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences; Senior Professor Lal Mervin Dharmasiri, Head and Chair of the Department of Geography; Professor A. G. Amarasinghe, Director of the Research Center for Social Sciences (RCSS); and Dr. Saseeka Wijesekara, the Course Coordinator.

The event commenced with the welcome address by Senior Professor Lal Mervin Dharmasiri. He also provided an overview about the objectives of the Diploma program. Addressing the gathering, Professor A. G. Amarasinghe emphasized the qualities and skills that the students should enhance during the diploma program during his speech. Professor M. M. Gunathilake, speaking at the gathering, mentioned the Department of Geography’s progress and achievements over the years. The keynote speaker, Professor Manjula Ranagalage’s insights were very valuable for the new diploma entrants, as he highlighted the recent trends in the GIS field and available opportunities for GIS scholars.

The token of Appreciation was handed over to Professor Ranagalage, by Professor M. M. Gunathilake and Senior Professor Lal Mervin Dharmasiri.

Additionally, the academic and non-academic members of the Department of Geography, diploma applicants, and other students also participated in the event.

The History Students’ Association of the University of Kelaniya successfully organized a History Seminar for students preparing for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination this year. The seminar took place on the 6th of February 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

A total of 120 students from seven selected schools in the Kelaniya education zone participated in the seminar, which was held under the supervision of Dr. Dhammika Manatunga, Head of the Department of History.

The seminar featured interactive sessions led by undergraduates of the BA (Hons) Degree Program in History, providing participants with valuable insights and exam preparation strategies, including a model paper discussion.

The Department of International Studies at the University of Kelaniya, renowned for its innovative educational initiatives, recently hosted a compelling guest lecture titled "Africa - South Asia Relations: India & Sri Lanka”. The event took place on the 29^th of January 2025 at the auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

This initiative aimed to develop a discussion among students on Africa - South Asia Relations, which often goes unnoticed.

The event featured Professor Shihan de Silva Jayasuriya, a distinguished expert who has conducted extensive research on the African Descendant community living in South Asia, especially in India and Sri Lanka. Adding to her exemplary academic profile, Professor Shihan de Silva Jayasuriya is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies in London, Senior Associate at Lucy Cavendish College at the University of Cambridge, and Research Associate of Modern & Medieval Languages & Linguistics at the University of Cambridge.

Professor de Silva's lecture focused on the historical origin and the present-day experiences of African descendants residing in India and Sri Lanka, an often-overlooked area. She highlighted the primary factors that drove their migration to South Asia, emphasising the roles of slavery, forced movement, and, most significantly, colonialism. Professor de Silva further detailed the dispersal of African descendants within Sri Lanka, noting their presence in regions including Jaffna, Trincomalee, Galle, Siyambadiya, and Kandy. Based on her years of research and experience with the African descendants, Professor de Silva gave an insight into the difficulties faced by the African Descendants in both India and Sri Lanka especially drawing attention to the negative stigma of slavery, poverty, simultaneously emphasising the access to education as their main tool of empowerment.

The event was graced by Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Senior Lecturer Mrs. Yamuna Mendis, Head of the Department of International Studies. See More

The screening and discussion of the films “Beyond The Binary” and “Black Nails”, directed by Mr. Sudesh Abeynayake, Assistant Lecturer of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, was held on the 30^th of January 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

Dr. Manoj Jinadasa, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Mass Communication Studies; Senior Lecturer Fatima Shanas of the University of Colombo; Mr. Thushara Manoj, Chairman and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Trainer of Equite Sri Lanka; and Mr. Sudesh Abeynayake, Film Director joined to make the initial comments in this discussion. Both of these films have been selected for the final round of several national and international film festivals, and among them “Beyond The Binary” is scheduled to be screened at the Chennai Rainbow Film Festival, which will be held in Chennai, India next February.

The event was also attended by Senior Lecturer  Wijayananda Rupasinghe, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, along with the academic staff and the students of the department. See more