News and Updates

Faculty Management Committees Established to Strengthen Student Engagement

The Student Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Kelaniya has appointed Management Committees representing each faculty to enhance collaboration and strengthen student participation in university governance.
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To ensure continuous engagement, the SRC has introduced monthly meetings for all committees. In addition, an official website (https://src.kln.ac.lk/), a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579755160155), and a WhatsApp group have been created to facilitate effective networking, communication, and timely dissemination of information among student leaders.

These initiatives collectively aim to promote transparency, connectivity, and collaborative governance across all faculties, marking a significant milestone in strengthening student representation at the University of Kelaniya.

Responsible Citizens Club Established as a Student-Led Initiative

The University of Kelaniya has launched the Responsible Citizens Club (RCC), a dynamic student-led initiative aimed at fostering civic responsibility, ethical awareness, and social engagement among undergraduates.
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The club provides a collaborative platform for students to engage in community-oriented projects, awareness campaigns, and leadership development activities that align with the university’s vision for sustainable and responsible citizenship.

Through this initiative, the University of Kelaniya continues to empower its students to act as proactive change agents—promoting integrity, empathy, and accountability within the academic community and beyond.

Logo Competition Held for the Responsible Citizens Club

The Responsible Citizens Club (RCC) of the University of Kelaniya successfully organized a logo design competition, inviting creative submissions from students to design the club’s official emblem.

The competition encouraged students to showcase their artistic talent and sense of identity, aligning with the club’s vision of promoting civic responsibility and active citizenship. The winning design was officially selected and awarded, symbolizing the values and aspirations of the Responsible Citizens Club.

This initiative highlighted student creativity and engagement, while strengthening the visual identity of one of the university’s most promising student-led movements.

Training Workshop on “Learning to Live with Diversity” for Administrative Officers

The University of Kelaniya conducted a training workshop titled “Learning to Live with Diversity” for its administrative officers, focusing on promoting inclusivity, empathy, and effective workplace communication.
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The workshop emphasized understanding and respecting cultural, social, and personal differences within the university community. Participants engaged in interactive discussions and activities designed to build awareness and strengthen a culture of mutual respect and collaboration across administrative divisions.

This initiative reflects the university’s continued commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all staff and stakeholders.

Film Screenings and Discussions Inspire Critical Dialogue at the University of Kelaniya

The University of Kelaniya hosted two impactful film screenings followed by interactive discussions, engaging students and staff in meaningful conversations about social issues and cultural understanding.

🎬 “Claiming a Social Space in a City” explored urban transformation and inclusivity, encouraging participants to reflect on public spaces and community identity.
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🎬 “OOzi: A Dark Age” was screened as part of Harmony Week 2025, addressing themes of social harmony and human resilience through cinematic storytelling.
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Both events fostered open dialogue and critical thinking, reinforcing the university’s commitment to promoting empathy, cultural awareness, and responsible citizenship through creative expression.

Panel Discussion on “Act Now for a Peaceful World” Promotes Dialogue and Understanding

The University of Kelaniya organized an insightful panel discussion titled “Act Now for a Peaceful World”, bringing together academics, students, and peace advocates to explore strategies for fostering harmony and coexistence in a diverse society.
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The session highlighted the importance of proactive engagement, empathy, and dialogue in building a peaceful world. Panelists shared perspectives on global and local peacebuilding initiatives, emphasizing the role of education, civic responsibility, and youth leadership in conflict resolution and sustainable social development.

This event underscored the university’s continued commitment to nurturing informed, responsible citizens who contribute meaningfully to peace and social harmony.

“200+ Beyond the Struggle” – Photography Exhibition and Panel Discussion Highlight Malayagam Tamil Community

The University of Kelaniya hosted a thought-provoking photography exhibition titled “200+ Beyond the Struggle”, showcasing the powerful work of young photographers from the Malayagam Tamil Community. The exhibition offered a visual narrative of resilience, identity, and cultural heritage, capturing the lived experiences of the community.
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Following the exhibition, an engaging panel discussion brought together the photographers and invited experts to share insights on storytelling, representation, and social inclusion through visual art.

The event served as a platform to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and acknowledge the historical and cultural contributions of the Malayagam Tamil Community to Sri Lankan society.

Multicultural Food Exhibition Celebrates Diversity and Cultural Exchange

The University of Kelaniya organized a vibrant Multicultural Food Exhibition that brought together students and staff from diverse backgrounds to celebrate unity through cuisine. The event aimed to foster cultural exchange by sharing traditional recipes, culinary practices, and the unique flavors that represent the heritage of different communities.
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Participants showcased dishes from various cultures, creating an atmosphere of inclusivity, learning, and appreciation for diversity. The exhibition highlighted how food can serve as a bridge between communities, promoting dialogue, understanding, and friendship within the university.

This initiative reinforced the University of Kelaniya’s commitment to harmony, multiculturalism, and shared human values.

Multicultural Music Performance Showcases Unity Through Art

The University of Kelaniya concluded its Harmony Week celebrations with a multicultural music performance that embodied the spirit of inclusivity and cultural harmony. The event featured a range of musical traditions, including a captivating ‘Parai’ music performance by a talented group of students from the Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
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The performances celebrated Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural identity, uniting audiences through rhythm, melody, and shared emotion. The event served as a platform for inter-university collaboration and creative expression, encouraging respect for cultural diversity and mutual understanding.

This cultural evening marked a memorable conclusion to Harmony Week 2025, emphasizing music as a universal language that connects hearts and communities. 

Three-day workshop for the Change Agents, 16th to 19th of July 2024 at Batticaloa

USAID and Global Communities Sri Lanka with the collaboration of UGC, successfully conducted a workshop for selected change agents from the public universities of Sri Lanka, from 16th to 19th of July 2024. The workshop was on Social Cohesion and Reconciliation activities (SCORE) aimed at training the youth to become change agents for peace in each of their own communities. Five students from every University CSR (Centre for Social Reconciliation) gathered at the Miani Training Institute, Batticaloa where an interactive workshop was conducted. Five undergraduates from the Department of Philosophy represented the University of Kelaniya CSR for this workshop.

The workshop was comprised of group discussion, leadership training activities, team-building exercises, and games in which the change agents were able to get a practical understanding of the concepts of social cohesion and peace. The theoretical and practical aspects of social cohesion and reconciliation were explained to the change agents by CSR directors and resource personnel from Global Communities Sri Lanka. On the last day of the workshop, a post-assessment was done, and the change agents were given the opportunity to express their opinions and ideas on Social Cohesion and Reconciliation.

International Youth Day Convention from 12th to 13th of August 2024 at the University of Vavuniya

The University Students Convention, in commemoration of International Youth Day 2024, took place at the University of Vavuniya, over two days with the participation of youth from 18 universities/campuses across the country. The convention included a variety of sub-activities to make the youth aware of the CSRs’ mandate, improving the engagement of youth in contributing to social cohesion and reconciliation and fostering networking among other youths. The main objectives of this convention were to empower youth to lead community engagement while addressing local challenges to promote social cohesion and to create opportunities for youth to influence the implementation of national policies by engaging with diverse stakeholders for social reconciliation. Nine students from the University of Kelaniya including the five change agents and a representative of the CSR participated in this two-day convention.

The convention included many activities involving improving the mindfulness of the participants and helping with their team-building and communication skills. The second day of the convention showcased the different talents of the participants through different exhibitions of dance, music, drama, and comedy performances. Furthermore, the convention included a “youth voice” session, where the youth participants got a chance to share their personal stories where they have experienced racism or anti-social behaviors which shed light on the current state of social cohesion and reconciliation and made the participants think what can be done to change it. The convention provided a good opportunity for the participants to create a solid network that allows them to undertake future initiatives for social cohesion and reconciliation.

The 18 Knowledge Briefs Convention on 2nd of October 2024

The selected group of five students from the 18 national universities/campuses in the previous three-day workshop at Batticaloa, were trained and empowered to assess the impact of selected USAID SCORE activity interventions, executed in collaboration with a diverse range of partners and which have led to significant grassroots level activities. The change agents from the universities chose their projects on the Batticaloa workshop and proceeded to assess and evaluate their chosen projects with assistance from the CSR coordinators, these change agents completed their field studies. Their findings were presented at the 18 Knowledge Briefs Convention held at Hotel Mirage, Colombo, on the 2nd of October 2024.

The Change Agents team from the University of Kelaniya chose the project “Empowering youth as change agents in peacebuilding and reconciliation via media approaches in the Southern Province” for their evaluation. It involved empowering the youth in Sri Lanka's Southern Province by enhancing their media skills to promote cohesion and reconciliation. Given the rising ethno-religious tensions and violence in Galle, Matara, and Hambantota, the project sought to address negative youth mindsets through media platforms. The Change Agents visited the project area and collected firsthand data from the participants and the project organizers of the original project which was done in 2022. The evaluation of the University of Kelaniya Change Agents’ team was based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection to assess youth engagement, community resilience, skill development, and sustainability. The final project of the team was presented at the convention on the 2nd of October 2024 at the Hotel Mirage, Colombo. By observing other teams' evaluations, Change Agents got a strong understanding of the applicability and importance of social cohesion and reconciliation.