The Centenary Inauguration Ceremony

The centenary inauguration ceremony of the Faculties of Art, Science and the Library of the University of Colombo was held on the 21^st of January 2021 at the Senate Hall, College House. The ceremony was live-streamed enabling the University community to be a part of it online while a limited on-site participation was hosted at the Senate Hall, respecting the health and safety protocols adopted by the University.

The centenary inauguration ceremony was graced virtually by His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Honorable Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Prime Minister and Honorable Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Education. The keynote speaker of the centenary inauguration ceremony was Her Excellency Ms. Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, who joined the ceremony online. H.E. Singer-Hamdy’s keynote address emphasized the role of education and the importance of universities in steering the enactment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Chandrika Wijeyaratne warmly welcomed the guests of honor, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Professor Kapila Perera, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Professor Sampath Amaratunge and Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission, Professor Janitha Liyanage who graced the ceremony on-site. Honorable members of the council, the Rector, Deans and Directors, Registrar, Librarian, Bursar, members of the Alumni Associations, selected students representing the Faculties of Arts and Science and a member from the supportive staff added colour to the event by joining in person.

This formal ceremony marked the inauguration of the centenary celebrations of the University of Colombo which will be followed by a host of events organized by the departments, units, the institutes of the Faculties of Arts and Science and the University Library throughout the year.