The Undergraduate Research Conference on Social Sciences (URCSS 2025), organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya for the second consecutive time, was successfully held on 26th September 2025 at the faculty premises, under the precedence of Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The theme of this year’s conference was “Ensuring Sustainable Development through the Power of Social Science.”

A total of 258 final-year undergraduates of the Faculty of Social Sciences presented their research findings at this forum. The main objectives of the conference were to enhance students’ academic knowledge, research interests, and competencies; to improve career prospects of undergraduates; to apply knowledge and skills for the future development of the country; to strengthen research and awareness-building capacities among students; to explore new horizons in social science research; to guide young graduates in their research pursuits for national development; to provide a common platform for social science undergraduates to share views and experiences; and to strengthen the partnership among faculty of social sciences, graduates and the private sector.

During the conference, the Keynote Address was delivered by Senior Professor O. G. Dayarathna-Banda from the Department of Economics, University of Peradeniya, under the title “Ensuring Sustainable Development through the Power of Social Science.”

The Conference Chair was Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Conference Convener was Professor A. G. Amarasingha, Director, Research Centre for Social Sciences. Further, the event was attended by the heads of the departments of the Faculty of Social Sciences, academic staff members, and students.