General Convocation 2021

University of Colombo conducted its General Convocation for the year 2021 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall on 13^th and 14^th December 2022 under the patronage of the Vice Chancellor – Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne, Rector, Deans, Directors of the Institutes, Registrar, Bursar, Acting Librarian. A total of 2992 students graduated at this convocation in various study disciplines including Medicine, Health Studies, Science, Law, Arts, Management, ICT, Agro Technology & Rural Sciences, Education, Labour Education, Mass Media, Performing Arts and Indigenous Medicine at this most prestigious academic event of the University of Colombo.
On the 13^th of December 2022, session one was of the Faculty of Arts (General Degrees), Sri Palee Campus, & Institute of Human Resource Advancement. Session two was of the Faculty of Arts(Honours Degrees) and the Faculty of Education. Session three was of the Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Indigenous Medicine. Three sessions were held on the 14^th of December 2022 out of which session one was of the Faculty of Law and the University of Colombo School of Computing. Session two was of the Faculty of Science and the University of Colombo Institute of Agro–Technology and Rural Sciences. Session three of the 14^th December 2022 was of the Faculty of Management and Finance. Open Awards 2021 were awarded at session three on the 14^th of December 2022.

Message from the Chancellor

I take great pleasure extending my heartiest congratulations to all the graduands on their remarkable achievement. It is the culmination of years of labour, dedication and perseverance. You are achieving a greater height in your journey with an external degree from the oldest and the highest ranked university in Sri Lanka. Even though I have not officially graduated from a university, years of experience and hard work for the nation as a Buddhist monk has given me wisdom that one cannot be achieved easily. That is the life of a Bhikku and I wish to remind you as a part of the society you, graduands also have a duty to pay a responsible role.
As the Chancellor of the University, it is my pleasure to applaud and wish all the graduands for your great achievement. Your academic achievements have a great responsibility towards building a better tomorrow for this Island Nation. Finally, I wish you all the best and trust you have the capacity and capability as the graduands to take this nation to greater heights.

Sasana Keerthi Sri Buddha Sasana Shobhana
Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Nayaka Thero
Chief Sanghanayake Western Province
Chancellor, University of Colombo

Message from the Vice Chancellor

I extend my heartiest congratulations to the class of 2021 graduates of the University of Colombo. Today we celebrate your achievement of a major milestone in your life. Your commitment to move forward amid challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic is highly admirable. We as the University of Colombo are extremely proud of your achievements.
Education is a lifelong process and obtaining a bachelor’s degree alone will not produce productive employees or responsible citizens. A degree without literacy, experience, and employment opportunity will have limited value in today’s world. The definition of modern literacy covers various aspects such as language literacy, ICT literacy, digital literacy, financial literacy, scientific thinking, value creation and networking abilities.
Hence, I encourage you all to move forward and ensure that you become well rounded individuals contributing to the country’s development and success.
While the pandemic had created multiple socioeconomic rifts, we applaud your resilience as you move forward. May you achieve all your dreams with tenacity, courage and determination. I am sure that you have the qualities and strengths needed to make progress in your chosen field with honesty and integrity, to address the needs of the disadvantaged in our community with compassion, and to be a role model to our society.
I wish you all the very best for your future endeavours. May you have a wonderful future ahead!

Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne
Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo