06 July 2026

1st International Research Conference on Palm Leaf Manuscripts (IRCPM 2026) Successfully Held at the University of Kelaniya 

The 1st International Research Conference on Palm Leaf Manuscripts (IRCPM 2026), organized by the Palm Leaf Manuscript Research Library of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, was held on 06 July 2026 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, under the patronage of Emeritus Professor Chandana Abeyrathna, Minister of Public Administration, Sri Lanka.

The conference aimed to promote scholarly engagement with the indigenous knowledge preserved in palm leaf manuscripts while introducing the valuable resources of the Palm Leaf Manuscript Research Library of the University of Kelaniya to the wider academic community. It was held under the theme, ‘Use and Role of Palm Leaf Manuscripts in the Conservation and Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge.’

The conference was graced by the presence of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Senior Professor Kapila Seneviratne, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, as the Guests of Honour. Dr. McNamara, Executive Director of the United States–Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, delivered the keynote address. Furthermore, Mr Padman, Country Director for Room to Read, Sri Lanka, also addressed the gathering.

Professor Chaminda Abeysinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, served as the Conference Chair, while Senior Professor M. K. Weerasinghe, Cadre Chair and Senior Professor in Library and Information Science, and Director of Palm Leaf Manuscript Research Library, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, served as the Conference Convener.

Additionally, the event was attended by Senior Professor Patrick Ratnayake, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Senior Professor Madawa Chandratilake, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Senior Professor P. A. Paranagama, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies; Professor Dhammika Weerasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Technology; Dr S. C. Thushara, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies; Dr C. C. Jayasundara, Librarian; Dr K. R. N. Harshani, Secretary of the Palm Leaf Manuscript Research Library, and Director of the Kalana Mithuru Sewana; research presenters; academic staff members of the Faculty of Social Sciences; and students of the University of Kelaniya. 

The inauguration ceremony for the 6th Batch of the Higher Diploma in Communication and Public Relations 2025, offered by the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, was successfully held on June 15, 2025, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

An insightful keynote speech titled “Public Relations, Communication and Tradition,” was delivered by Emeritus Professor Chandrasiri Rajapksha, during the event.

Further, the ceremony was graced by the presence of Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, as the chief guest.

Additionally, the event also witnessed the presence of Senior Lecturer Dr. Manoj Jinadasa, Head of the Department of Mass Communication; Dr. Mapa Thilakarathna; Senior Lecturer Amali Uthpala Nandasiri, Coordinator of the Higher Diploma in Communication and Public Relations; academic staff members of the Department of Mass Communication; and students of the diploma program

A guest lecture titled "Best Practices, Challenges and Future Prospects in Sustainability Initiatives in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry – A Case Study of New Zealand" was successfully held on the 28th of May 2025 at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. The event was organized by the Department of Archaeology – Students’ Union, Tourism and Cultural Resources Management in collaboration with the New Zealand High Commission, Sri Lanka.

The session featured an insightful presentation by Associate Professor Dr. Julia N. Albrecht from the Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand, a renowned academic and expert in the fields of sustainable tourism, destination management, and visitor governance.

Dr. Albrecht shared a wealth of knowledge on how New Zealand has pioneered sustainable tourism initiatives, focusing on strategies that not only enhance environmental conservation but also promote inclusive tourism development. She emphasized the vital role of indigenous community involvement in tourism planning and decision-making, particularly in preserving cultural values and ensuring that benefits are equitably shared.

The lecture also addressed some of the pressing challenges faced by New Zealand, such as the exceeding of carrying capacity in popular tourist destinations, which impacts both environmental quality and tourist satisfaction. Through real-world case studies and data-driven insights, Dr. Albrecht illustrated how thoughtful, collaborative planning can create more resilient and responsible tourism models.

Following the presentation, a lively Q&A session took place, where Dr. Albrecht responded to questions from students and academic staff members with clarity, warmth, and enthusiasm. Her engaging delivery and thoughtful perspectives made the session highly interactive and enriching for all participants.

The event was graced by the presence of Ms. Gabrielle Isaak, Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, New Zealand High Commission; Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; and Mrs. Umanga Rammunugoda, Head of the Department of Archaeology, alongside several senior lecturers, academic staff, and undergraduates.

This lecture offered a timely reminder of the importance of sustainability in shaping the future of global tourism and provided valuable insights for tourism students and professionals alike.

Undergraduates from the Public Relations and Media Management (PRMM) degree program at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, participated in a workshop jointly organized by the Public Relations Association of Sri Lanka (PRASL) and the Department of Mass Communication in collaboration with the School of Communications & Reputation (SCoRe), India. The workshop was held on June 05, 2025, at the Studio of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya.

Ms. Tamanna Sign, Head of Student Affairs at SCoRe, facilitated the workshop. She delivered an engaging and informative session on the public relations landscape in India, incorporating real-world Indian PR campaigns to prompt interactive discussions. The session concluded with an insightful discussion, during which students shared their key takeaways and reflected on the differences between the PR industries in Sri Lanka and India.

This valuable learning opportunity was made possible through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between PRASL and the University of Kelaniya, aimed at fostering international exposure for PRMM undergraduates and connecting them with global PR industry stakeholders.

The event was attended by Dr. Manoj Jinadasa, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Mass Communication; Mr. Mushthak Ahemd, President of PRASL; Mr. Ashan Jayathilake, Secretary of PRASL; Ms. Twisha Gupta, Marketing and Communication Executive at SCoRe; Ms. Dasini I. Madurasinghe, Subject Coordinator of the PRMM degree program; and academic staff members of the Department of Mass Communication.

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Kelaniyamarked a significant milestone with the launch of its inaugural Dean’s List Award Ceremony, held on May 30, 2025, at the Faculty Board Room. The event was organized by the Faculty Quality Assurance Cell (QAC) to honor and celebrate academic excellence among its student body.

The prestigious Dean’s List recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance throughout the academic year. A total of 136 students from across the faculty’s departments were awarded for their outstanding achievements.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Professor M. M, Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Heads of Departments; members of the Faculty QAC Committee; and students. Delivering the keynote address, the Dean emphasized the importance of celebrating academic merit, noting that “the Dean’s List is more than a certificate—it's a symbol of hard work, consistency, and academic excellence.”

This new initiative reflects the Faculty’s ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of quality, achievement, and student-centered education. By institutionalizing the Dean’s List, the Faculty of Social Sciences aims to inspire and motivate students to pursue excellence in their academic journeys.

The Dean’s List Award Ceremony will be held annually, serving as a cornerstone of recognition within the Faculty’s academic calendar.