General Convocation 2023

Message from the Chancellor

My dear members of the staff & students.
First, I wish the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem for your career & life!! “KATAN-CA SUKATHAM SEYYO”
What has been done well is preferable
It emphasizes the value of doing things properly and skillfully, suggesting that well-executed actions are superior “YAM KATHVA NAMUTAPPATI”
Should perform actions that will not lead to regret later. It emphasizes living and acting in a way that is mindful, ethical, and considerate, so as to avoid feelings of guilt in the future. The world is waiting for you
It is with great pleasure that I am issuing this message to the convocation ceremony as the University’s Chancellor. You are joining a community that makes the country a better place. You have to understand that Academics are paramount but need to discover that the university experience is about so much more. You learned to grow with the expectation, to fulfill what is needed and to do what’s just the country needs and you did it all in the middle of a global pandemic and also during some of the most challenging times in the recent past. Remember to use your knowledge and skill powers for good of the society every day.
Try to learn something new. Help someone and make the country a better place in the world. Colombo University has prepared you well for your next chapter whether that’s entering the workforce, getting set for the society, or planning something else. Our university thrives on a commitment to excellence and influence others to do the same. As you go out into the world you all find members of our university family everywhere and I encourage you to make use of this valuable network and remain connected with our society. I hope you have UOC with cherished memories and the utmost confidence in your knowledge and abilities. I hope you keep our values of excellence and utmost to diverse perspectives and new ideas. Now it’s time to imagine what’s possible and to consider how to make an impact and contribute to the goodness of the public. The world is waiting for you
Go ahead … do the best!!

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

Message from the Vice Chancellor

It is a great honour and privilege to issue this message at this momentous occasion, the General Convocation of the University of Colombo-2023. Today, this institute has over 43,000 learning partners, and nearly 800 academic staff members and annually publishes over 3100 scholarly output. As mentioned in the Benchmarking “Elsevier” Research Snapshot summary document, the University of Colombo’s overall research impact (FWCI) is highest among the Top 5 Universities in Sri Lanka. The University of Colombo was ranked 1st among Sri Lankan universities throughout 2023 in the Webometric rankings, The Times Higher Education World University Rankings placed the University of Colombo within the top 600-800 universities among 1799 universities in 104 countries. This institution, a beacon of knowledge and intellectual pursuit, has played a pivotal role in shaping the minds of countless individuals who have gone on to make significant contributions to Sri Lanka and the world.
As you embark on this new chapter of your lives, I urge you to cherish the invaluable experiences and friendships you have forged within these hallowed halls. The knowledge and skills you have acquired will serve as the foundation for your future endeavours. I extend my warmest compliments to all the awardees for achieving your degrees and higher diplomas from your esteemed study programs. It is indeed a big day for students of the University of Colombo as every student enrolled in a university waits for the day of graduation –the day of convocation, the flagship ceremonial event of the University. This day comes after a long interval for each student but for the University, it has remained an annual event. It is on this day, that the University looks back to measure its achievement, while this day marks the beginning of a new journey for the students. The University feels proud witnessing the smiling faces of its graduates coming out with ceremonial gowns and being graduated on this momentous occasion. I am sure your learning experience has been the most fulfilling and satisfying. Without a doubt, it is an honour to receive a globally recognized degree from the number 1 university in Sri Lanka. I am proud and thankful for the untiring efforts and the continuing support and commitment of our highly qualified staff in producing globally acceptable graduates and good citizens. Graduation should never mean goodbye. As the Vice Chancellor, I sincerely hope you will remain connected in some way to the university. As it will always be a place of interaction among extraordinary and diverse people. I wish you every success. The world needs progressive, responsible, and compassionate graduates like you. And I am certain you will continue to make us proud. Remember that the true measure of success lies not only in your academic achievements but also in your ability to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Use your education to inspire, innovate, and create a better future for all. I encourage you to continue to be curious, to question, and to seek knowledge. The world is constantly evolving, and it is imperative that we adapt and grow with it. As you step out into the world, I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours. May you continue to strive for excellence, pursue your passions, and make a lasting difference.

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