A teacher training workshop for school counselling teachers organized by the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Strategic Brand Identity Development- CESBID was held on the 09th and 10th of October 2018 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The prime objective of this workshop which was held to commemorate World Mental Health Day, was to develop counseling skills of the school counselling teachers and psychosocial skills of the students. Nearly 100 teachers participated in this workshop which was held aiming the school teachers of Colombo Educational Zone.

The event was held under the patronage of Senior Prof. Lakshman Senevirathne, Deputy Vice- Chancellor and Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathne, Dean- Faculty of social Sciences, Mr. R. Wijerathne, Assistant Zonal Director of Education in Counselling (Colombo Educational Zone), Senior Lecturer Dr. Tharanga Dharaneetha, Head- Department of Philosophy, Heads of Departments, academic staff members of the Department of Philosophy also graced the event.

This workshop consisted of six main sessions and the first session was conducted by Mr. R. Wijerathne, Assistant Zonal Director of Education in Counselling (Colombo Educational Zone). He made it an opportunity to express his ideas on the necessity of Counselling in schools. The second session was conducted by the Clinical Psychologist Ms. Sadharika Thennakoon emphasizing the role of school counselling teachers. The third session was conducted by Lecturer Ms. Nathaliya Fernando and she held a discussion on the child development and the issues regarding the child development. The fourth session on counselling skills was conducted by Senior Lecturer Dr. N.G.D. Gayantha. Probationary Lecturer Mr. Ranil Kumaranayake conducted the fifth session on practicality of Psychology. Clinical Psychologist and Lieutenant Commander Dr. Kanthi Hettigoda, Chairman- Sri Lanka Psychological Association conducted the sixth session and she expressed her ideas on the mental health of the youngsters.

At the end of the workshop, certificates were distributed to all the teachers and the certificate award ceremony was held under the patronage Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathne, Dean- Faculty of social Sciences. Moreover, Clinical Psychologist and Lieutenant Commander Dr. Kanthi Hettigoda, Head of the Department of Psychology and its academic staff members also graced the event.