Professor Nishan Sakalasooriya officially assumed duties as the new Head of the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. The appointment letter was presented to him by Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, on the 25th of September 2025 at the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

Professor Sakalasooriya is a senior academic in the Department of Geography with over two decades of academic and professional experience. His areas of specialization include Disaster Management, Sustainable Development, Regional Planning, and Political Ecology. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography, an MSSc in Geography, and a BA (Hons) in Geography, all from the University of Kelaniya.

His research primarily focuses on project evaluation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable approaches to regional development planning, and community governance for sustainable societies. In addition, he is an active member of the International Geographical Congress, the American Association of Geographers (AAG), and the Sri Lanka Geographers’ Association (SLAG). He has also contributed extensively as a resource person at various workshops, as a guest lecturer, and in curriculum development for Geography and Disaster Management programs in Sri Lanka.

The occasion was graced by the presence of Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, along with academic staff members of the department, including Emeritus Cadre Chair Senior Professor N. K. Dangalla, Professor R. K. L. M. Dharmasiri, and Professor U.A. Chandrasena.