Inauguration Ceremony of the 2025/2026 Intake – Bachelor of Labour Management and Diploma in Labour Education (IHRA)
The Institute of Human Resource Advancement (IHRA) ceremonially inaugurated the 2025/2026 intake of its Bachelor of Labour Management and Diploma in Labour Education programmes on 23 July 2025 at the New Arts Theatre.
This Bachelor’s degree remains the only internal undergraduate programme in Labour Management offered by a state university in Sri Lanka, designed specifically to meet the academic and professional development needs of employees in the labour sector.
Mr G Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest, while Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice Chancellor, served as the Guest of Honour. Delivering the welcome address, Professor W S Chandrasekara, Director of IHRA, extended his gratitude to the guests and participants and highlighted the significance of the occasion. He noted that the inauguration marks a particularly meaningful milestone as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Institute, further underlining IHRA’s longstanding commitment to advancing labour education in Sri Lanka.
The event was further honoured by the presence of Dr Kumari Jayawardena, a pioneering figure in the field, whose contributions have had a lasting impact on labour studies and social development in the country. The inauguration marks the beginning of another academic journey for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and capabilities in the field of labour management, reinforcing IHRA’s role as a leader in workforce-focused higher education.
