The Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, through its Translation Circle, successfully inaugurated Bhāṣārṇava, an academic colloquium series dedicated to translation studies, with its first session held on Thursday, 29 January 2026, at the K14 001 Auditorium.

The inaugural session, titled ‘Essential Qualities of a Professional Interpreter,’ featured Ms Nirasha Udyani, Interpreter at the High Commission of India, as the Resource Person. Drawing on her extensive professional experience, Ms Udyani provided valuable insights into the linguistic, cognitive, and ethical competencies required of professional interpreters. Her presentation highlighted the importance of accuracy, cultural sensitivity, subject-matter knowledge, and continuous professional development in the field of interpreting.

The session was well attended by undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as academic staff of the Department of Linguistics. An interactive discussion followed the presentation, during which participants engaged actively with the speaker on practical challenges and career prospects in professional interpreting.

Bhāṣārṇava aims to serve as a platform for academic and professional dialogue, bridging theoretical perspectives with real-world practice in translation and interpreting. The Translation Circle of the Department of Linguistics looks forward to organizing future sessions under this colloquium series to further enrich scholarly engagement in the discipline.