The “Ālambana” Photography Exhibition, organized as part of “Sanjanani 2025: Communication and Public Relations Festival” by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, was ceremonially inaugurated for the seventh time on the 4th of March 2025, at the Art Gallery of the University. Accordingly, the exhibition is scheduled to be held from 4th to 6th of March 2025.

Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Thilina Kaluthotage, Freelance Photojournalist, attended as the Guest of Honour, adding significant value to the event. Additionally, a special photo collection by Mr. Kaluthotage was showcased on the first floor of the Art Gallery.

During the opening ceremony, certificates were awarded to the winners, recognizing their outstanding contributions. The event also saw the participation of Senior Lecturer Wijayananda Rupasinghe, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, along with academic and non-academic staff of the department and undergraduates of the university.

The inauguration ceremony of “Sanjanani 2025: Communication and Public Relations Festival” organized annually by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, and the “Harasara” Awarding Ceremony, which is held in parallel to Sanjanani 2025, were successfully held on the 5th of March 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. This year’s festival, themed “AI and EI: Shaping the Future Together,” was held under the patronage of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

The Harasara Awarding Ceremony, marking its 18th year, honored Mr. Shan Wickramasinghe, the founder of ITN, Sri Lanka’s first television channel, in recognition of his pioneering contributions to the country’s television media industry. The award was presented to Mr. Wickramasinghe by Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

Aligning with the festival’s theme, Professor Hiran Amarasekara from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura delivered the keynote speech on Artificial Intelligence, providing insightful perspectives on its impact on communication and public relations. Furthermore, the Souvenir of Sanjanani 2025: a special publication marking the Communication and Public Relations Festival, and the 11^th Edition of “Mādhya Vimarśī,” a scholarly publication by the academics of the Department of Mass Communication, were launched during the event.

The inauguration and awarding ceremony were attended by esteemed academics, including Senior Professor Sudath R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Senior Professor P. A. Paranagama, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies; Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Senior Lecturer Wijayananda Rupasinghe, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, along with heads of other departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences, academic staff members of the Department of Mass Communication, other departments and other universities, and students from the Department of Mass Communication.

The University of Kelaniya had the distinct honour of hosting the launch of Clinical Medical Librarianship, authored by Mrs. Priyanka Dilhani Munasinghe, Senior Lecturer (Sabbatical Leave) at the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya on February 20th, 2025, at the Staff Development Center.

The event, which was organized by the Department of Library and Information Science, marked a significant milestone in advancing medical librarianship's role in clinical practice and healthcare education.

Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, graced the event as the chief guest. The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. Priyanwada Wanigasooriya, Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, who emphasized the importance of this publication in bridging the gap between librarianship and medical sciences.

Following the welcome remarks, the dignitaries were presented with copies of the book, accompanied by a felicitation ceremony. The thematic address was delivered by Senior Professor W.A. Weerasooriya, Department of Library and Information Science from the University of Kelaniya, highlighting the impact of medical librarianship on evidence-based practice and healthcare outcomes. Furthermore, Senior Professor Cadre Chair M. K. Weerasinghe’s presence also graced and coloured the occasion. See More

The Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Kelaniya plays a pivotal role in shaping the field of Library and Information Science (LIS) in Sri Lanka. It provides comprehensive academic programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees ranging from a Bachelor’s in Library and Information Science to a PhD. Additionally; it offers a three-year diploma program leading to a Higher Diploma in LIS. The department focuses on developing both theoretical and practical expertise, offering vital training to create skilled professionals for the LIS field in Sri Lanka.

The department actively promotes international collaboration with European and Asian countries, including India. These partnerships enhance knowledge exchange and training opportunities for students and staff. The department is also a key player in organizing global research events and conferences, fostering international academic dialogue and advancing knowledge in the LIS domain.

In line with its commitment to global engagement, the University of Kelaniya’s Department of Library and Information Science participated in the International Conference on “Building Sustainable Libraries Connecting Communities: Librarianship, Technology, and Collaboration”, held at Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India, on February 7–8, 2025. The conference served as a platform for discussing innovative approaches to library science and community engagement.

Representing Sri Lanka at the conference were Senior Professors MK Weerasinghe and WA Weerasooriya. Professor Weerasinghe delivered the keynote speech, while Professor Weerasooriya gave the valedictory address. During the valedictory session, Senior Professor Weerasooriya was honored for his significant contributions to the Sri Lankan library sector and his efforts in advancing library science education in India.

The conference attracted around ten academic staff members from the University of Kelaniya’s Department of Library and Information Science, along with approximately twenty postgraduate students and researchers. Several researchers from Sri Lankan universities, including Peradeniya, Uva Wellassa, and Kothalawala Defence University, also presented research papers and contributed to the event with guest speeches, special talks, and academic discussions.

Notably, three staff members from the University of Kelaniya received Best Research Paper awards: Senior Lecturer Nadika Rathnabahu, Lecturer Imasha Divyachapa, and Senior Assistant Librarian Dilhani Munasingha. Their recognition reflects the department’s commitment to excellence in research and scholarship in the field of Library and Information Science. See More