General Convocation 2025

Founded in 1870, the University of Colombo is the pioneer institution of higher education in Sri Lanka. Built on the foundations of knowledge, discipline, and service to society, our alma mater continues to produce leaders, professionals, and citizens of integrity for the nation. On this day, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who are receiving your degrees after years of perseverance and dedication. At this moment, I recall a verse from the Dhammapada spoken by the Buddha:

අත්තාන හවේ කතං පාපං, අත්තාන සඞ්කිලිස්සති
Attanā have kataṃ pāpaṃ, attanā saṅkilissati
අත්තාන අකතං පාපං, අත්තාන ව සුද්ධිති
Attanā akataṃ pāpaṃ, attanā va suddhiti
සුද්ධි අසුද්ධි පච්චත්තං, නාඤ්වඤෝ අඤ්ඤං විවසෝධවේ
Suddhi asuddhi paccattaṃ, nāñño aññaṃ visodhaye
තමා විසින්ම කරන ලද පාපය තමාම අපවිත්‍ර කරයි
By oneself indeed is evil done; by oneself is one defiled
තමා විසින්ම වනාකරන ලද පාපවයන් තමාම පවිත්‍ර වේ
By oneself is evil left undone; by oneself is one made pure
පවිත්‍රකමත් අපවිත්‍රකමත් තම තමන්ටම අයිතියි. අනුන් අනුන්ව වකවස්වත් පවිත්‍ර කරන්වන් නැත.
Purity and impurity depend on oneself; no one an purify another.

Dear Graduates,
The discipline and sense of responsibility you have upheld within the University should now serve as the guiding light for your journey into society. Ensure that the knowledge and freedom you have gained are used for the good of the country and its people. Stand firm in the face of challenges and remain committed to truth and justice. To the academic staff and parents, I offer my sincere gratitude. It is my sincere hope that you will uphold the name of the University of Colombo and move forward as leaders marked by integrity and compassion. I wish you all a successful and fulfilling future!

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

It is a great honour and privilege to issue this message at this momentous occasion, the General Convocation of the University of Colombo 2025.
My warmest congratulations to all graduates on this remarkable achievement. Completing your degree is a significant milestone and one of the most memorable moments in a student’s journey. Today’s Convocation, the premier ceremonial event of our university, marks the successful culmination of your hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
As you move into the next chapter of your lives, I encourage you to cherish the friendships you built and the experiences you gained during your time at the university. The knowledge, values, and skills you have acquired here will serve as a strong foundation for your future aspirations.
It is truly a proud moment for us to witness your joyful faces in graduation gowns on this special occasion. Receiving a degree from the leading university in Sri Lanka is a distinction you should carry with pride. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to our committed staff whose efforts have helped shape you into capable professionals and responsible members of society.
However, graduation is not the end of your relationship with the University of Colombo. I hope you will continue to stay connected with your alma mater, which will always remain a centre of learning, diversity, and inspiration. The world needs graduates who are innovative, ethical, and compassionate. Always remember that success is measured not only by personal accomplishments but also by the positive impact you make on others and on society. Use your education to create opportunities, bring about meaningful change, and contribute towards a better world.
As you embark on this new journey, continue to learn, grow, and adapt to the challenges of an evolving world. Pursue your dreams with determination, strive for excellence, and leave a meaningful legacy wherever life takes you.
I wish you continued success and happiness in all your future endeavours.

Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake
Vice Chancellor
University of Colombo

Be a light unto yourself
Today, you are most fortunate to have the honour of donning the robe of a degree - a qualification most essential to society in nurturing good human beings. As graduates of the University of Colombo, you are truly blessed. In this digital era, the challenge before you is not to become mere robots, but to emerge as human beings enriched with true humanity.
What then is your duty?
Guided by the teachings of the Supreme Buddha, I take this sacred opportunity to impart to you a timeless verse on the enduring foundation of life:
ආරෝග්‍යා පරමා ලාභා.
සංස්තුෂ්ටී පරමං ධනනං.
විශ්වාසා පරමා ඤාති.
නිබ්බානං පරමං සුඛං.
Which means:
HEALTH IS THE SUPREME GAIN.
CONTENTMENT IS THE SUPREME WEALTH.
TRUST IS THE SUPREME KINSHIP.
NIBBANA IS THE SUPREME BLISS.
This profound teaching reminds us that to be a truly good human being, one must be complete in physical, mental, social, and spiritual qualities.
May your wisdom and virtues flourish, and may you become the light that illuminates the world of tomorrow.
With blessings in the Triple Gem.

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

It is a great honour and privilege to share this message on the momentous occasion of the General Convocation of the University of Colombo 2025. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the graduands on the successful completion of your degrees. Graduation is a long-awaited and memorable milestone in every student’s life, and the Convocation remains one of the flagship ceremonial occasions of our University.
As you embark on this new chapter of your lives, I encourage you to cherish the friendships, memories, and experiences you have gained during your time at the University of Colombo. The knowledge, skills, and values you have acquired will provide a strong foundation for your future endeavours.
We are immensely proud to see you here today, wearing your graduation gowns and celebrating this significant achievement. Earning a degree from one of Sri Lanka’s leading universities is a great honour and a testament to your dedication and perseverance. I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to our dedicated academic and non-academic staff for their tireless efforts in preparing you to become not only competent professionals but also responsible and compassionate citizens.
However, graduation should never mean goodbye. I sincerely hope that you will remain connected with the University of Colombo, which will always be a place of knowledge, diversity, opportunity, and inspiration.
The world today needs progressive, responsible, innovative, and compassionate graduates such as you. Remember that true success lies not only in academic achievements, but also in your ability to make a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of others. Use your education to inspire, innovate, lead, and contribute towards building a better and more sustainable future.
Once again, I warmly congratulate all our graduands on this remarkable achievement and wish you every success, happiness, and fulfilment in your future endeavours.
May you carry the values and spirit of the University of Colombo with you and continue to make us proud.

Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake
Vice Chancellor
University of Colombo