MoU signed between the Department of Economics and the People’s Bank

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 24th 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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International Conference - DeWeSAS 2023 at the University of Kelaniya

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 23rd and 24th 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 23rd 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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A workshop on ‘Addressing Labour Market Challenges for Sustainable Development’

A report dissemination workshop organized by the AHEAD research project (AHEAD R2 DOR HEMS KLN No.12) of the Department of Economics, University of Kelaniya was held on the 3rd of March 2023 at the Board Room of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

The theme of the workshop was ‘addressing labour market challenges for sustainable development’.

The objective of this workshop was to disseminate the findings of AHEAD-funded research on ‘The impact of Social Protection on Sustainable Development Goals’.

Mr. R. P. A. Wimalaweera, Secretary - Ministry of Labour & Foreign Employment delivered the keynote speech of the event while Dr. Roshini Jayaweera introduced the main labour market challenges with special reference to the ageing population and presented a proposal for a model adult welfare centre as a partial solution for some of the challenges. Further, Dr. Champika Dharmadasa, Ms. Vimalini Nadaraj, and Ms. Moksha discussed the challenges faced by the lower-skilled migrant workers, informal sector workers, and food security issues in Sri Lanka respectively.

The programme was conducted with the participation of more than 70 members representing different government officials and academia.

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‘National and Students Conferences on Historical Studies’ held at the University of Kelaniya

The “National and Students Research Conferences on Historical Studies” were held on the 2nd and 3rd of February 2023 at the University of Kelaniya, in commemoration of the 75th Independence Day Celebration of Sri Lanka.

It was organized by the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences. The conferences were initiated under the patronage of Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, the Vice–Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

The Inaugural Ceremony of the National Research Conference was held on the 2nd of March at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The keynote address of this ceremony was delivered by Senior Professor Mahinda Somathilaka, attached to the Department of History, of the University of Peradeniya. He discussed the risk of erroneous historiography pertaining to Sri Lankan history by both historians and non-historians. Dr. John Rogers, the Director of the American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies and the guest speaker of the ceremony, spoke on Legal issues in colonial Sri Lanka. Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean, of the Faculty of Social Sciences and several other deans, the registrar of the university, and heads of departments were among the invitees. At this conference, 51 papers were presented in 4 venues in English and Sinhala, and 12 papers were presented virtually in Tamil.

The Inaugural Ceremony of the Students Research Conference was held on the following day (3rd), at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Humanities. The keynote speaker of this ceremony was Emeritus Professor K. M. P. Kulasekara. The guest speaker Mr. Tyler Lehere, a Ph.D. candidate at Wisconsin University and a Fulbright Scholar, who worked with the Department of History for a short period joined the plenary session virtually. He talked about the unsuccessful attempt to enthrone Prince Thep Phipet of Siam in Kandy in the 18th century. Forty-two student researchers from different universities presented their research findings at this conference.

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A special guest lecture on ‘the Sri Lankan Economy after 75 years of Independence

A special guest lecture on the Sri Lankan economy after 75 years of independence, organized by the Economics Student Association, Department of Economics, University of Kelaniya, was held on the 21st of February 2023, at the auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The lecture was delivered by former Central Bank Deputy Governor Dr. W. A. Wijewardena. The explanation of the reasons for the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka and the ideas about the actions that can be taken as pointed out through this lecture. It was further emphasized that to get out of the dark ages, the country has faced, more places should be given to self-standing.

The program took place with the participation of Professor M. M. Gunathilaka, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor W. M. Semasinghe, the Head of the Department of Economics, and Department Heads of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

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Contacts

Dean,
Faculty of Social Sciences,
University of Kelaniya,
Sri Lanka.

Tel : 011 2903802 (Direct line)
Email:
  deanss@kln.ac.lk

Location

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