“Brain into Business” – NEDA Grant Awards 2025
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The “Brain into Business” Grant Awards Ceremony 2025, organized by the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA), was held on 19 December 2025 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) – Ruby Hall. Through a highly competitive and rigorous evaluation process, six outstanding students from the University of Kelaniya were selected as grant recipients.
A special address was delivered by Mr D. G. R. D. Karunasinghe from the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, who shared his entrepreneurial journey and experiences as a previous award recipient of the “Brain into Business” Grant Awards 2024.
The ceremony was graced by Hon. Sunil Hadunneththi, Minister of Industries & Entrepreneurship Development, as the Chief Guest, while Mr Lakshman Abeysekera, Chairman and Director General of NEDA, attended as the Guest of Honour. Senior Professor Dilkushi Senaratne, Director of the Career Guidance Unit, represented the University of Kelaniya, accompanied by Career Counsellor Mrs R. P. A. Minoon Perera. Senior Professor Dilkushi Senaratne also delivered a special address, highlighting the role of Career Guidance Units in state universities in nurturing entrepreneurial competencies among undergraduates.
The Graduate Entrepreneur Award winners from the University of Kelaniya were Mr W. W. A. D. Sandaruwan, Mr C. C. R. A. Figurado, Mr L. H. G. Gunawardhana, and Mr T. S. M. Fernando from the Faculty of Science; Mr Imeth Sansilu Wijayarathna from the Faculty of Commerce & Management Studies; Mr B. G. Dhanesh Madhushanka from the Faculty of Social Sciences; and Mr S. B. Ashan Piyumantha Samarakoon from the Faculty of Computing & Technology.

