24 August 2018 01:27 am
The 36th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the Colombo University was held recently at the Senate Hall, College House, University of Colombo at which a charming felicitation ceremony was conducted to recognize and felicitate seven Senior Distinguished Alumni of the University of Sri Lanka, which was the predecessor of the University of Colombo, for the outstanding services they have rendered to the nation.
They were former Director of the Medical Research Institute, Founder Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and former Cabinet Minister, Vidya Jyothi Tissa Vitarana, educationist, promoter of women’s rights, and Emeritus Professor of Education, University of Colombo, Desabandu Kala Keerthi Prof. Swarna Jayaweera, Co-Founder of the Marga Institute, Desamanya Dr. Godfrey Gunatilleke, Former Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence and Company for almost twenty years, Founder Chairman of LOLC and several other organizations, Desamanya Charitha Prasanna De Silva, Former Archaeological Commissioner and author of several publications
There is no dearth of talent in the University but to produce successful graduates it must ensure that the education it offers stays relevant
At the 36th AGM of the Association, Rajeev Amarasuriya was re-elected as the President and the office-bearers continued in office.
The Chief Guest was former Vice Chancellor, Prof. G.L. Peiris. The AGM was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Senior Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake, Past Presidents of the Association, Academics and Members.
In his address, Rajeev Amarasuriya apprised the membership of the activities undertaken by the Association and the achievements during the past year including positive changes seen in the mindset of most students. He also informed the Membership of Plans to commence an Annual felicitation to recognize Alumni who have significantly contributed in the various fields in society. He also briefed the membership of the project to construct a professional swimming pool for the University of Colombo, which is the biggest project undertaken by the Association.
Speaking at the AGM, the Vice-Chancellor, Senior Professor Lakshman Dissanayake updated the Membership on the developments of the University of Colombo including the commencement of several new faculties and departments. He spoke of the qualitative and quantitative developments the University of Colombo has seen in the last couple of years, and the continued ranking as the top university in Sri Lanka, and the progress in the world ranking as well.
The Chief Guest Prof. G.L. Peiris who delivered the Keynote Address on the topic “National Priorities and role of the University System Today”, spoke on the changes that have taken place in university education in Sri Lanka, and the diversification that had taken place through which a wider range of students have been reached. He also talked about how the evolution of the language policy has enabled greater access. He stated that when the Law Faculty proposed to teach in Swabasha, there had been a lot of opposition from the staff, who felt that it would not be successful. However he said that this move has enabled thousands of lesser privileged students to access legal education, which had hitherto been the preserve only of the rich and well-connected. He said that now students are agitating to be taught the law course only in English - and that this is another sign of the times.
He noted that when the University began to open up and become accessible to a wider range of students, the University was not equipped to accommodate students who travelled from areas out of
He said there was no dearth of talent in the University but that in order to produce successful graduates it must ensure that the education it offers stays relevant. He appreciated the many steps that the present Vice Chancellor has taken in this respect and noted the importance of proficiency in English for graduates.
The Alumni – University Corporate Partners including Nations Trust Bank PLC, LOLC Group, Deutsche Bank, 3Cs and Multiform Chemicals were also felicitated.
The Executive Committee of the Alumni Association for the year 2018/2019 comprises:- President: Rajeev Amarasuriya; Vice Presidents Senior Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake, Vice Chancellor (Ex-