“Vimukthikami Wellassa 1818- 2018”, the national conference on commemorating bicentennial celebration of 1818 rebellion, jointly organized by the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya and the Presidential Secretariat was held on the 30th of November 2018 at BMICH- Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.

Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, Counsellor- National E- Learning Resource Centre, University of Kelaniya delivered the keynote address of the event. Senior Prof. Anura Manathunga, Director- Centre for Heritage Studies and Ven. Prof. Induragare Dhammarathana Thero, Head- Department of Sanskrit conducted two special lectures.

“1818 Nidahas Aragalaye Desiyawas Semaruma” journal and “Keralikara Wellassa” folklore collection which were being composed in relation to the conference on 1818 Uva Wellassa Rebellion were also launched on the same day. Moreover, a stamp was launched commemorating bicentennial celebration of 1818 rebellion. More than 150 replicas equivalent to the sword of Monarawila Keppetipola which is being considered the sword that he had used at the rebellion were distributed to Uva Wellassa villagers and the researchers. “1818” documentary film produced by the Department of Mass Communication was also launched at the ceremony.

The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, the President in Sri Lanka. Prof. D.M. Semasinghe, Vice- Chancellor, Senior Prof. Lakshman Senevirathne, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Dr. Bandula Wellala, Chairman- Sri Lanka Press Council, Prof. Sunanda Mahendra, Senior Lecturer Aruna Lokuliyana, Head- Department of Mass Communication including its academic staff members, researchers who engage and engaged in research studies on 1818 rebellion, Ministers, current generations of the ancestors who toiled at the rebellion, Uva Wellassa villagers and undergraduates graced the event.