The Centre for GENDER Studies of the University of Kelaniya organized their 1^st National Conference on Gender 22’ for Undergraduates in Sri Lankan Universities.

The Conference commenced at 10.30 am on the 21 of September 2022, at the Boardroom of the Faculty of Science.

The Chief Guest of the conference was Cadre Chair & Senior Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, Vice Chancellor - University of Kelaniya while the Keynote Speaker was Dr. Huma Masood, South Asian Gender Consultant – UNESCO Region.  Senior Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, Dean - Faculty of Science, Heads of the Departments, representatives of the Women & Child Bureau, police officers from the National Police Academy, representatives of FISD, NGOs, and the LGBTQ Community and other respective Invitees were present at the occasion.

Dr. Anusha Edirisinghe Director of the Centre for Gender Studies handed over a Conference Proceeding Abstract Volume to the Vice-Chancellor. Ms. M. I. F. Sharfa won the award for the Best Presenter among the 35 who presented their research at the conference.

The 2^nd Phase of the Conference was a Policy Forum. It was held from 3.30 pm at the Boardroom of the Faculty of Science. The purpose of this Policy Forum was to discuss how Gender Sensitive State policies can be implemented. The panelists were Prof. Subhangi Herath – Gender Specialist, University of Colombo, Chair prof. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Professor Avinash Jha, University of Pataliputra, Patna, Bihar, India, and Amila Sampath, Alumni of the University of Kelaniya & President of the LGBTQ Sri Lankan community in the USA.

Senior Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, Dean - Faculty of Science, Heads of Departments, representatives of the Women & Child Bureau, Police officers from the National Police Academy, representatives of FISD, NGOs, and the LGBTQ Community and other respective Invitees were present at the Forum.