CVCD Conference 2026 Brings Together Higher Education Leaders to Shape Sri Lanka’s Future
The CVCD Conference 2026, held in conjunction with the Commemoration of the 500th Meeting of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors (CVCD), was successfully held on 4 September 2026 at the UCFM Tower, Faculty of Medicine. The CVCD and the University of Colombo jointly organised the event, led by Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo.
Hon. Dr Madura Senavirathne, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, attended as Chief Guest. The programme began with a Welcome Address by Professor WM Terrence Madhujith, Chairman of the CVCD, followed by a commemoration of the 500th CVCD Meeting. The conference featured four panel discussions addressing key priorities and emerging challenges in Sri Lankan higher education.
The first panel, “Equitable Universities for National Progress: Advancing Social Inclusion, Socioeconomic Mobility and Gender Equity & Equality in Sri Lankan Higher Education,” featured Mr Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Senior Professor Kapila Seneviratne, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, and Mrs Preethika Sakalasooriya (AAL), Director (Legal), National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). Professor Terrence Madhujith and Professor Indika Karunathilake moderated the session.
The second panel on “Academic Freedom, University Autonomy and Governance” brought together Professor Kokila Konasinghe, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Professor Nilanthi de Silva, University of Kelaniya, and Dr Maduranga Kalugampitiya, University of Peradeniya. Senior Professor PMC Thilakarathne, Vice-Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka, moderated the session.
The third panel on “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation in Higher Education” featured Hon. (Eng.) Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Digital Economy, Dr Romesh Ranawana, Group Chief Analytics and AI Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC, Mr Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, and Senior Professor Vajira HW Dissanayake, Department of Anatomy, Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The session was moderated by Professor Roshan Ragel, CEO of LEARN, University of Peradeniya.
The fourth panel on “Transforming University Research into National Impact” featured Dr Sudath Samaraweera, Chairman of the National Science Foundation, Professor Anuji Upekshika Gamage, Chairperson of the National Research Council, and Professor Neelika Malavige, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The session was moderated by Emeritus Professor Kalinga Tudor Silva.
All invited panellists were present and contributed to their respective sessions, providing perspectives from government, academia, research institutions and the technology sector. The conference provided an important platform for dialogue and collaboration on social inclusion and equity, university autonomy and governance, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, research, innovation and the contribution of universities to national development.
The programme concluded with the Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks by Professor Indika Karunathilake. The successful conduct of the CVCD Conference 2026 and the commemoration of the 500th CVCD Meeting marked an important milestone in strengthening collaboration and dialogue across Sri Lanka’s higher education sector.
