A workshop conducted for schoolchildren as part of "Sanjani 2025: Communication and Public Relations Festival,” organized by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya was successfully held on the 6th of March 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.
The third field season of the Polonnaruwa Archaeological and Anthropological Urban Landscape Project was conducted from 3rd to 24th of February 2025, in Polonnaruwa. This collaborative research initiative was conducted by the Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya, in partnership with La Trobe University (Australia), the University of Jaffna, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UK), New York University (USA), and the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya (PGIAR). During this season, extensive research activities were carried out, including LiDAR surveys at the Polonnaruwa Hinterland and Sigiriya, field survey and excavations, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys at the Polonnaruwa Hinterland. The project was led by Chair Senior Professor Prishanta Gunawardhana and Dr. Keir Strickland.
As part of the project, a one-day workshop was held on the 25th of February 2025, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. The event was attended graced by Senior Professor M. M. Gunathilaka, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Senior Professor Anura Manatunga, Department of Archaeology; and Senior Professor Gamini Adhikari, Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, as the chief guests. The researchers from La Trobe University and lecturers and students of the Department of Archaeology also attended the event. The workshop focused on discussing key findings from the project and their implications for the field of archaeology. A special felicitation ceremony was also held to honor distinguished scholars for their exceptional contributions to field of archaeology and cultural tourism in Sri Lanka. The following academics were recognized for their service: Dr. Sirinimal Lakdusinghe, former Director of the National Museum of Sri Lanka; Emeritus Professor A. A. D. Amarasekara, former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya; Senior Professor T. G. Kulatunga, Department of History and Archaeology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; and Professor Herath Madana Bandara, Department of Economics, University of Kelaniya. Additionally, both local and international scholars involved in the project presented their insights on recent discoveries and the future direction of the research. This project continues to play a significant role in uncovering the rich history of Polonnaruwa and advancing archaeological research in Sri Lanka.
The inauguration ceremony of “Sanjanani 2025: Communication and Public Relations Festival” organized annually by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, and the “Harasara” Awarding Ceremony, which is held in parallel to Sanjanani 2025, were successfully held on the 5th of March 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. This year’s festival, themed “AI and EI: Shaping the Future Together,” was held under the patronage of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.
The “Ālambana” Photography Exhibition, organized as part of “Sanjanani 2025: Communication and Public Relations Festival” by the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, was ceremonially inaugurated for the seventh time on the 4th of March 2025, at the Art Gallery of the University. Accordingly, the exhibition is scheduled to be held from 4th to 6th of March 2025.
