The Department of Mathematics at the University of Kelaniya successfully hosted the Inaugural National Actuarial Research & Education Workshop 2026, in collaboration with the Actuarial Association of Sri Lanka and ACTEX Learning, on April 27, 2026, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

Held under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Modern Research & Professional Pathways in Actuarial Science,” the workshop marked a significant step toward strengthening actuarial education and fostering collaboration among universities, industry professionals, and students across Sri Lanka.

The event brought together a large number of participants from leading state universities and higher education institutions, as well as international participants who joined virtually. The workshop aimed to create a unified national platform for actuarial education, moving beyond isolated institutional efforts.

The programme featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Dr. W. A. R. De Mel, Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, who delivered the keynote address. Other speakers included Dr. Vajira Manathunga of Middle Tennessee State University; Mr. Aayush Sancheti from ACTEX Learning; Dr. Himchan Jeong of Simon Fraser University; Ms. Thanuja Krishnaratna, President of the Actuarial Association of Sri Lanka; Ms. Saroja Gunatilleke of S G Actuarial Consultancy; Dr. Milanthi Sarukkali from Actuarial Commons; and Ms. Manosha Hansini of AXA, Hong Kong SAR.

Sessions covered emerging trends in actuarial science, including the use of Large Language Models (LLMs), advanced analytics, and telematics in risk assessment, as well as global education pathways and support for professional examinations.

A key highlight of the workshop was the launch of the Sri Lankan Actuarial Student Club Network, aimed at fostering student collaboration across universities, providing mentorship opportunities, and creating pathways to global actuarial careers and higher education.

The event was made possible through the generous support of industry partners. Gold Sponsors included S G Actuarial Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd., Sri Lanka Insurance Life, and People’s Insurance PLC, while Silver Sponsors included HNB Life Insurance Limited and Classpicker.com.

The event was graced by the presence of Heads of Departments, academic staff, students, and representatives from all state universities and private higher education institutes across Sri Lanka.

The workshop concluded successfully with strong engagement from participants and positive feedback from both academic and industry stakeholders, marking the beginning of a promising new chapter for actuarial education in Sri Lanka.