Sustainability Leadership Training Programme 2026

Welcome to the Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS) of the University of Kelaniya

The Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS) drives the University of Kelaniya’s commitment to sustainability through innovative policies and environmentally sound practices. Established to promote environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability, CSS collaborates with faculties, departments, and stakeholders to embed sustainability across all aspects of university life.

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Sustainability at University of Kelaniya

University programmes on Enhancing Green Cover

University of Kelaniya's tree planting programme celebrates 50th anniversary of botany honours degree

On August 6, 2026, the Department of Plant and Molecular Biology at the University of Kelaniya conducted a landmark tree-planting program at the campus Botanical Garden, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Botany Honours Degree Programme established in 1976. The event directly enhances the university’s green cover, expands existing green spaces, and strengthens biodiversity conservation, thereby significantly boosting the institution's overall sustainability index. Vice-Chancellor Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva inaugurated the initiative by planting Stemonoporus scalarinervis, an endemic species belonging to Sri Lanka's exclusive genus Stemonoporus (family Dipterocarpaceae), preserving the nation's unique botanical heritage on campus grounds. The ceremony also received vital plant donations from Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company in a strong show of corporate-academic collaboration.

University of Kelaniya and Mabroc Teas Launch Forest Patch Development Project

On May 14, 2026, Mabroc Teas (Pvt) Ltd. and the University of Kelaniya formally launched the Forest Patch Development Project through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a strategic public-private partnership dedicated to environmental stewardship. Officially inaugurated with a symbolic tree-planting ceremony at the campus's Mee Aba Sewana, the initiative aims to cultivate a dense, sustainable mini-forest ecosystem that enhances local biodiversity, improves microclimate regulation, and strengthens campus climate resilience. Beyond its immediate ecological benefits, the protected plot functions as an invaluable living laboratory for students, postgraduates, and researchers, offering hands-on opportunities to study forest succession, species tracking, and soil conservation. By uniting Mabroc Teas' corporate sustainability commitments with the university's academic expertise, this collaborative project advances the institution’s long-term sustainability goals while establishing a scalable blueprint for localized urban conservation.

University programmes on Climate Change

Discussion on Sri Lanka’s Future amid El Niño and La Niña Held at University of Kelaniya

The Department of Geography, the Society of Geography, the Research Centre for Social Sciences (RCSS), and the Communication and Media Unit of the University of Kelaniya jointly organized an academic discussion titled ‘The Future of Our Country with El Niño and La Niña’ on August 11, 2026, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. The event was held under the 7th phase of Sansharawani ’26.

The discussion was organized with several key objectives, including enhancing university students’ understanding of how the El Niño and La Niña phenomena affect Sri Lanka’s weather and climate; raising awareness of disaster preparedness and management strategies to cope with climate variability; identifying the potential impacts of these phenomena on agriculture, water resources, and the economy; and providing a platform for the exchange of views and ideas on preparing society and institutions to face Sri Lanka’s future climate conditions.

Post Conference Workshop - A Strategic Roadmap for Academia

Following the inaugural International Conference on Sustainable Studies, a pivotal post-conference round-table discussion was convened to establish a collaborative roadmap for integrating climate resilience into academic frameworks. This high-level dialogue brought together a diverse consortium of stakeholders, including government representatives, academic researchers, faculty members, students, and private industry leaders. The session centered on fostering synergistic partnerships to address the multifaceted challenges of climate change, social sustainability, and the implementation of green initiatives.

By critically assessing current systemic gaps and operational weaknesses, participants identified actionable strategies to bridge the divide between theoretical research and practical application. The discourse emphasized the essential role of academia in catalyzing climate action, outlining a cohesive strategy for interdisciplinary collaboration that empowers institutions to effectively influence policy and drive sustainable development through multi-sectoral engagement.

University programmes on Enhancing Gender Equality

University of Kelaniya Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Gender Studies Centre

On August 14, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo, the Centre for Gender Studies, University of Kelaniya (CGSUK)—Sri Lanka’s pioneer university gender center established in August 2011 under former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sarath Amunugama—celebrated its 15th Anniversary, marking fifteen years of advancing gender equity, equality, research, and policy engagement. Partnering with major international and national bodies like UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the UGC, the Centre has spearheaded crucial studies on unnatural female deaths, gender mainstreaming in teacher education, and national patterns of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Institutionally, CGSUK formulated UoK's Gender Policy Framework and its 2025 Harassment Redressal By-laws, while its historical 2013–2014 national consultations directly paved the way for the UGC's Gender Equity and Equality Centre and state university gender cells. The anniversary program featured a SDG-focused panel discussion, a felicitation ceremony for past leadership and current Vice-Chancellor Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, stakeholder survey presentations, and an award ceremony recognizing youth participants in an SGBV awareness short video competition.

Academic Awareness Session on Gender Equality & Legal Rights

On June 24, 2026, the Centre for Gender Studies at the University of Kelaniya (CGSUK) held an Academic Awareness Session on Gender Equality & Legal Rights at the Faculty of Science Boardroom, marking the second session of its "Give Knowledge to Gain Equality" project launched to implement the university's new By-laws on harassment and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) redressal. The program aimed to enhance legal literacy, gender equality awareness, and understanding of institutional reporting mechanisms among all academic staff levels of the Faculty of Science, ranging from Senior Professors to Demonstrators. Expert insights were delivered by resource persons Senior Professor M. A. D. S. J. S. Niriella (University of Colombo) and Professor E. A. D. A. Edirisinghe (Chair of the CGSUK Advisory Board). Attended by Faculty of Science Dean Professor Jeewantha Premaratna as Special Guest and facilitated by CGSUK Acting Director Professor Sulochani Ramanayake, Event Coordinator Dr. Dilani Wickramarachchi, and Centre Coordinator Ms. Harshani Karunanayake, the event established an impactful platform for academic dialogue and institutional awareness.

News

Cabinet approves Rs. 476 million digital transformation project for University of Kelaniya

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a Rs. 476 million digital transformation project to modernise academic and administrative operations at the University of Kelaniya over a two-year period from 2026 to 2027.

The initiative aims to address limitations in the university’s existing IT infrastructure, which authorities say is no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of a rapidly evolving, digitally driven global higher education environment.

Events

Undergraduates of Taiwan's Tamkang University Visit Sustainability Initiatives at University of Kelaniya

Guest Lecture Highlights Community Biogas as Solution to Energy Crisis

The 1st International Conference on Sustainable Development Studies (ICSDS) 2026

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Welcome to the Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS) of the University of Kelaniya

Quick Links

Discussion on Sri Lanka’s Future amid El Niño and La Niña Held at University of Kelaniya

University of Kelaniya Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Gender Studies Centre

Academic Awareness Session on Gender Equality & Legal Rights

Cabinet approves Rs. 476 million digital transformation project for University of Kelaniya

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