D P P Samarasekara Peace Prize – General Convocation 2024: Mr H M Asindu Munasinghe, Faculty of Law and Mr Deedat Safeer, Faculty of Medicine
Congratulations to Mr H M Asindu Munasinghe, Faculty of Law and Mr Deedat Safeer, Faculty of Medicine, for your remarkable achievement in receiving the Open Awards – D. P. P. Samarasekara Peace Prize at the General Convocation 2024.
Mr H M Asindu Munasinghe, Faculty of Law
Mr H M Asindu Munasinghe is an exceptional student whose achievements reflect both academic excellence and well-rounded leadership. A proud alumnus and a former Head Prefect of Sivali Central College, he earned his Bachelor of Laws (Hons) with a Second Class – Upper Division from the Faculty of Law. He secured a First Class at the Attorney-at-Law Final Examinations at Sri Lanka Law College. He has authored several research papers in Constitutional and Environmental Law and has represented the University as the captain of the Sinhala Debating Team and as an English mooter in national and international tournaments. Beyond his academic accomplishments, Mr Munasinghe is widely recognised for his dynamic leadership and inspiring contributions to extracurricular and community-driven initiatives.
Notably, as a leading volunteer in the Legal Aid Unit of the Faculty of Law, Mr Munasinghe led the organizing committees of its first free legal aid camp at the University in 2022, the first outstation free legal aid camp in Ratnapura in 2023, and free legal aid camps in Kurunegala, Katunayake, and Negombo and the largest free legal aid camp in the University premises in the year 2024, by providing free legal advice paving way for access to justice for thousands of people in need. He has been instrumental in organising awareness sessions on Human Rights and the right to Information, thereby empowering hundreds of Law students. Notably, he led the student organising committee for the first-ever Undergraduate Legal Research Conference in the history of the Faculty, followed by a major legal exhibition, inspiring greater student participation in legal research. He has led the student organising committee in organising the “Address to the Jury Contest 2024” with the Department of Public and International Law, marking the break of a six-year-long hiatus, providing a valuable opportunity for oral legal advocacy. Through his outstanding scholarship, tireless service, and visionary leadership, Mr Munasinghe has set a remarkable example of commitment to the law, to justice, and to the empowerment of the community.
Mr Deedat Safeer, Faculty of Medicine
Mr Deedat Safeer, hailing from S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, entered the Faculty of Medicine and graduated with Second Class Upper Division Honours with distinctions in Medicine, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. During his undergraduate career, he was actively involved in service-oriented projects promoting inclusive healthcare and social equity. He was the lead initiator of Thutusith, a large-scale community kitchen project that provided nutritious meals to over 300 low-income households during the economic crisis. He also contributed significantly to Project Sagna, a national-level sign language initiative, through which a sign language course for doctors and an animated e-handbook were developed to improve communication with deaf patients.
He was the principal author of a qualitative study titled “Aspects of patient rights in a developing country,” published in BMC Medical Ethics, which explored how Sri Lankan patients perceive dignity, autonomy, and care in the local health system. His time at university was marked by a balanced engagement in academics, research, sports, and community service. He captained the Faculty of Medicine tennis team and was awarded faculty colours in both tennis and karate. His efforts reflect a well-rounded approach to medicine, shaped by a strong sense of responsibility to society.
