The opening ceremony of the Library Museum and the Art Gallery of the University of Kelaniya in commemoration of the 60^th anniversary of the university was held on the 30^th of March 2023 from 2.30 pm onwards at the Main Library premises of the university.

A classical book entitled “kælaṇi sarasavi punarāvalōkanaya: History of the University of Kelaniya” compiled by several academic staff members of the Library was also launched on the same day. Furthermore, The Poetry Library and Vice Chancellors’ Collection was opened coinciding with its 60th anniversary of the university.

The University Library Art Gallery consists of artifacts created by the artists of the university while the Library Museum is considered the first museum to reflect the history of a higher education institution in Sri Lanka. Based on all the remarkable contributions of the Vidyalanka Movement to the development of the current University of Kelaniya, the museum has been named “Most Venerable reverend Natthandiye Pragnakara Nahimi Memorial Museum”.

The ceremony took place under the patronage of Most Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero, Anunayake of Shyamopali Wanshika Maha Nikaya of the Asgiri Chapter, Venerable Senior Professor Neluwe Sumanawansa Nayaka Thero – the Vice-Chancellor of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Venerable Welamitiyawe Gnarathana Thero – the Incumbent of Vidyalankara Pirivena, Venerable Professor Pathekada Gnanissara Thero of the Bhikku University, Anuradhapura, Professor D. M. Semasinghe, the Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva – the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya. The welcome speech of the event was delivered by Dr. C. C. Jayasundara, the Librarian of the University of Kelaniya while Professor J. B. Dissanayake of the Department of Sinhala, University of Colombo delivered the keynote speech.

In addition to the aforementioned dignitaries, the library staff, the academic and non-academic staff, and undergraduates of the university took part in this event.