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GreenInsight eMagazine [Issue III]
SLTP 2025 Inauguration Marks a New Chapter in Sustainability Leadership at UOK
SLTP 2025 Inauguration Marks a New Chapter in Sustainability Leadership at UOK
The Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS) at the University of Kelaniya proudly inaugurated the Sustainability Leadership Training Program (SLTP) 2025 intake, continuing its mission to cultivate environmentally conscious, action-oriented youth leaders.
Held at the Faculty of Science, the inauguration ceremony was graced by several distinguished guests including Professor U.P.K. Epa, Founding Director of CSS; Dr. Wasanthi Subasinghe, Director of CSS; Dr. Pansiji Dissanayake, Deputy Director of CSS; Professor Mangala Yatawara, Program Coordinator of SLTP; and Dr. Amila Jeewandara, CSS Faculty Representative from the Faculty of Computing and Technology. Their presence reaffirmed the importance of institutional leadership in shaping sustainable futures.
A significant milestone this year is the expansion of the program to welcome external students beyond the university community. This new step has widened the program’s impact and reach, strengthening its commitment to building sustainability leadership across Sri Lanka. A total of 68 students have registered for the SLTP 2025 cycle, representing diverse academic backgrounds and institutions.
Since its inception in 2017, SLTP has become a flagship initiative under CSS, equipping participants with practical skills, leadership experience, and sustainability literacy. The program’s curriculum spans 15 modules, integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning, fieldwork, and community-based projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event also featured a short documentary celebrating the University of Kelaniya’s 10-year journey as a Green University highlighting achievements in campus greening, plastic reduction, renewable energy, waste management, and policy integration.
With the inclusion of external students and a growing platform for collaborative learning, SLTP 2025 stands as a powerful step forward in shaping the next generation of sustainability leaders—both within and beyond the University of Kelaniya.
Stay connected for more updates as this diverse cohort embarks on their journey to lead sustainable change across Sri Lanka and beyond.
Tree Planting Drive Promotes Green Consciousness at the Faculty of Medicine
Tree Planting Drive Promotes Green Consciousness at the Faculty of Medicine
In a commendable effort toward fostering environmental sustainability, the Faculty of Medicine successfully conducted a tree planting program in collaboration with the Green Society and the Slum Society. This initiative, held on the scheduled day, aimed to enhance greenery and raise awareness on environmental conservation within and beyond the university premises.
A total of 35 plants were planted along the faculty grounds, adding to the aesthetic and ecological value of the environment. As an extension of this initiative, the project team also planted a variety of food plants at a nearby children’s home, promoting both sustainability and community engagement.
The program highlighted the joint commitment of university members and affiliated societies to act on climate goals and contribute positively to community wellbeing. Participants expressed their enthusiasm for continuing such initiatives in the future to build a greener, healthier, and more responsible society.
University of Kelaniya Enhances Plant Identification with QR Code Project at Faculty of Medicine
University of Kelaniya Enhances Plant Identification with QR Code Project at Faculty of Medicine
In a progressive step towards sustainability and environmental education, the Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS) at the University of Kelaniya successfully implemented a project to introduce QR codes for plant species within the Faculty of Medicine (FOM) premises. This initiative aims to improve public engagement with campus biodiversity by providing instant digital access to plant information.
The project involved the printing and installation of about 200 QR codes on signage placed near plant specimens across the faculty’s green spaces. Scanning the QR codes provides users with scientific names, local names, ecological significance, and other relevant details of each species, fostering awareness and appreciation among students, staff, and visitors.
The installation session was attended by key contributors and stakeholders of the project. Dr. Wasanthi Subasinghe, Director of the Centre for Sustainability Solutions, emphasized the importance of promoting plant literacy and integrating technology into environmental conservation efforts. Prof. Nirmala Perera, Chairperson of the Green Club, Faculty of Medicine, highlighted the educational value of the initiative, particularly for medical students who benefit from understanding the links between nature and health.
Also present at the event were Prof. Mangala Yatawara, Project Coordinator, Mr. Buddhika Wickramasingha, Project Assistant at CSS, and Mr. Ruwan, Curator of the Faculty of Medicine premises. Their collaborative efforts ensured the successful planning and execution of this project.
This initiative marks another milestone in the University of Kelaniya’s commitment to sustainability, digital innovation, and interdisciplinary learning. The QR code project not only supports environmental conservation but also contributes to the university’s broader goals aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Project Roopana: Cultivating a Greener Tomorrow at Minu/Veragodamulla M.V.
Project Roopana: Cultivating a Greener Tomorrow at Minu/Veragodamulla M.V.
The Community Projects Avenue of the GreenSpire Club, Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities, successfully concluded Project Roopana on the 12th of June 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at Minu/Veragodamulla M.V. Organized in celebration of World Environment Day, the project aimed to promote environmental consciousness by distributing plants and raising awareness among the younger generation about the importance of protecting the environment.
The event commenced with an inspiring address by Lecturer Mr. Indunil Ranwella, Senior Treasurer of the GreenSpire Club, who emphasized the importance of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. His message was echoed by the principal of Minu/Veragodamulla M.V., Mr. Ranjaka Pushpakumara, who further stressed the school’s role in fostering environmental stewardship among students.
Following the speeches, the highlight of the program took place students, teachers, and GreenSpire members came together to plant trees within the school premises, symbolizing a collective commitment to a sustainable future.
With the distribution and planting of the saplings, Project Roopana came to a meaningful close leaving behind not just new greenery, but also a renewed sense of responsibility toward environmental conservation. This initiative marks yet another step in GreenSpire’s unwavering dedication to building a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
University of Kelaniya Leads Regional Greening Effort for World Environment Day 2025 in Puttalam
University of Kelaniya Leads Regional Greening Effort for World Environment Day 2025 in Puttalam
In a commendable demonstration of environmental leadership, the University of Kelaniya, in collaboration with the Puttalam District Secretariat and the Kansarmen SL Foundation, spearheaded a World Environment Day celebration centered on tree planting and community engagement at the Puttalam Municipal Council Grounds on June 5, 2025.
As a key contributor to the initiative, the University of Kelaniya, through its Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS), donated 200 Kumbuk and Mee saplings, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to fostering greener and more climate-resilient landscapes across Sri Lanka.
The ceremonial tree planting marked the beginning of a wider campaign to expand urban green cover in the district. Saplings were planted along the boundaries of the Municipal Council Grounds, symbolizing a long-term commitment to ecological restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and environmental education.
Representing the Centre for Sustainability Solutions, Dr. Pansujee Disanayaka (Deputy Director), Mr. Indunil Ranwella (Lecturer, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences), and Mr. Chamodya Kodippliarachchi attended the ceremony. Mr. Ranwella delivered an insightful guest speech on the global significance of World Environment Day and emphasized the role of education in building environmental consciousness and empowering youth to take action.
Distinguished guests included the District Secretary of Puttalam, Mr. H.M.S.P. Herath; Additional District Secretary, Mrs. Prabudhika S. Bandara; officials of the District Secretariat; delegates from the Sri Lanka Army and Navy; and members of the Kansarmen SL Foundation.
Observed annually on June 5, World Environment Day calls attention to the urgent need for environmental stewardship. This year’s celebration in Puttalam showcased the power of collaboration between government institutions, civil society organizations, academic partners, and local communities in driving meaningful change for a more sustainable future.
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Advancing Global Green Finance: University of Kelaniya Hosts Insightful Guest Lecture on Sustainable Finance
The Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS) of the University of Kelaniya, successfully hosted a high-level guest lecture titled “Sustainable Finance and Its Global Trends” on 22nd May 2025. The session was delivered by Dr. Ma Jun, President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability, Beijing, and brought together a diverse audience of nearly 70 participants, including academics, policymakers, banking professionals, and university students.
The lecture explored the critical role of finance in supporting the transition to low-carbon, sustainable economies. Dr. Ma Jun shared global insights into emerging policy incentives, investment mechanisms, and the growing demand for ESG-aligned financial instruments. Drawing on international experiences and China’s ambitious climate targets, he emphasized the need for innovative tools to drive large-scale transformation in energy, transport, and infrastructure sectors.
Key highlights from the lecture included strategies adopted by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) and local governments to promote green finance—such as green banking assessments, decarbonization facilities, interest rate subsidies, and project guarantees. Additionally, Dr. Ma elaborated on the Transition Finance Framework, outlining its five key pillars: identification of transition activities, disclosure, financing tools, incentives, and mitigation of social impacts.
One particularly impactful moment was his discussion on China's long-term energy goals, where he revealed that renewables are projected to account for 95% of China’s power supply by 2045. This, he explained, demonstrates the scale of commitment and investment required globally to align with climate targets set out in the Paris Agreement.
The event was graced by several distinguished attendees, including Professor H.A.K.N.S. Surangi, Head of the Department of Commerce and Financial Management and Coordinator of the Faculty’s Quality Assurance Cell; Dr. Sharnika Rathnayake, Deputy Director of the Centre for Banking Studies, Central Bank of Sri Lanka; and Ms. Yuqiao Su, Analyst at the Research Centre for International Cooperation, China. Also in attendance were Dr. Wasanthi Subasinghe, Director of the Centre for Sustainability Solutions, and academic staff members representing the Department of Commerce and Financial Management.
Delegates Discuss Green Financing and the Role of Higher Education
Delegates Discuss Green Financing and the Role of Higher Education
In an inspiring prelude to the guest lecture on Sustainable Finance and Its Global Trends, a distinguished group of local and international experts met with Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, to discuss the critical importance of green financing and the pivotal role of higher education institutions in advancing sustainability initiatives.
The delegation was led by Dr. Ma Jun, President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability in Beijing, a global leader in green finance. During the meeting, Dr. Jun emphasized the urgency for financial institutions and universities to collaborate in shaping sustainable economic systems and promoting environmentally responsible investment strategies.
The Vice Chancellor warmly welcomed the delegation and highlighted the university's ongoing efforts to embed sustainability into education, research, and operations. She reaffirmed the University of Kelaniya’s commitment to supporting the national and global sustainability agenda through academic leadership and cross-sector collaboration.
Joining the discussion were Professor W. M. C. B. Wanninayake, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies; Professor H.A.K.N.S. Surangi, Head of the Department of Commerce and Financial Management and Coordinator of the Faculty’s Quality Assurance Cell; Dr. Sharnika Rathnayake, Deputy Director of the Centre for Banking Studies at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; and Ms. Yuqiao Su, Analyst at the Research Centre for International Cooperation, China. Also present were Dr. Wasanthi Subasinghe, Director of the Centre for Sustainability Solutions, University of Kelaniya, Professor Madurika Nanayakkara of the Department of Commerce and Financial Management, and Mr. Buddhika Wickramasingha, Project Assistant, Centre for Sustainability Solutions.
The meeting underscored the importance of universities taking a proactive role in shaping the next generation of leaders who understand the intersection of finance and environmental stewardship. The dialogue served as a catalyst for exploring future collaborations between academic institutions and global financial sustainability bodies.
🌱 Applications Now Open for SLTP 2025!
🌱 Applications Now Open for SLTP 2025!
Become a changemaker with the Sustainability Leadership Training Program (SLTP) by the Centre for Sustainability Solutions, University of Kelaniya.
💡 Learn practical skills to advance sustainability, leadership, and the UN SDGs.
✅ Eligibility: G.C.E. A/L
📅 Duration: 2 Months (Weekends)
💬 Medium: English / Sinhala
💸 Application Fee: LKR 100.00 (Non-refundable)
💸 Course Fee: LKR 5500.00
📅 Extended Deadline to Apply: 31st May 2025
🚀 Course Commencement: 14th June 2025
🔗 Apply Now: https://css.kln.ac.lk/short-courses/
📞 Contact Us: 077 054 0056 | css@kln.ac.lk
🌍 GUEST LECTURE 🌱
🌍 GUEST LECTURE 🌱
Join us for an insightful session on Sustainable Finance and Its Global Trends by the esteemed Dr. Ma Jun, President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability.
📅 Date: 22nd May 2025 (Thursday)
🕝 Time: 1.30 PM – 3.30 PM
📍 Venue: A.T.H. Sunil Shantha Auditorium, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya
🧠 Organized by the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies in collaboration with the Centre of Sustainability Solutions, University of Kelaniya.
Don't miss this opportunity to explore the future of finance through a global sustainability lens! 🌱💼
#SustainableFinance #GlobalTrends #UniversityOfKelaniya #GuestLecture #FinanceAndSustainability #CSSUOK
Let’s Celebrate a Greener Vesak!
This Vesak, let your devotion shine — without harming the planet.
Choose kindness to all beings and to the Earth! 🌍
Say ❌ NO to:
* Polythene lanterns
* Plastic cups, plates, and wrappers
Say ✅ YES to:
* Paper or cloth Vesak lanterns ✨
* Reusable plates, cups & banana leaves
* Natural decor like coconut leaves & flowers
Change Begins With Me. Let’s protect the Earth as we honor the teachings of the Buddha.
#GreenerVesak #PlasticFreeVesak #EcoFriendly #CSSUOK #Vesak2025
Neptune Recyclers Partners with University of Kelaniya for Sustainability Awareness Program
April 3, 2025
As part of a joint initiative to promote environmental sustainability, Neptune Recyclers partnered with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, to deliver an engaging awareness program on sustainable waste management. Held on April 3, 2025, the event served as a platform to engage and educate medical students on the pressing issue of plastic waste, especially in healthcare and academic settings.The program featured an informative presentation that delved into the challenges of plastic waste, its environmental consequences, and actionable strategies to reduce, reuse, and recycle effectively. The session was designed not only to inform but also to inspire a shift in mindset toward more eco-conscious behaviors among the student community.
Adding a dynamic and engaging touch, the event also included a team-building and motivation activity. This interactive segment encouraged students to collaborate, think creatively, and reflect on their role in fostering sustainable solutions. It successfully underscored the value of teamwork in addressing environmental challenges.
Participants from Neptune Recyclers included Mr. Sanjeewa Udawatte, Manager – Circular Solutions; Mr. Wakeel Zackariya, Project Lead – Sustainability & Circular Economy; Mr. Clement Dion and Mr. Sayuru Jayasekara, both team members from the Circular Solutions unit. Representing the University of Kelaniya, the session was graced by Dr. C.W. Subasinghe, Director of the Centre for Sustainability Solutions (CSS), and Professor Nirmala Perera, Chair of the Green Practice Committee at the Faculty of Medicine.
This collaborative initiative reflects the shared vision of both Neptune Recyclers and the University of Kelaniya in promoting sustainability, enhancing environmental literacy, and empowering the next generation of changemakers through knowledge-sharing and active participation.
The success of this awareness program marks another significant step toward building a greener, more sustainable future—starting with education and engagement at the grassroots level.
තිරසාර හෙට දිනක් උදෙසා🍃✨
"හරිතාවලෝකන"
තිරසාර හෙට දිනක් උදෙසා🍃✨
"හරිතාවලෝකන"
ආරාධිත දේශක, ලහිරු විජේරත්න මහතා විසින් සිදුකරන විද්වත් සාකච්ඡාව,
🗓️ පෙබරවාරි 19 (බදාදා)
🕕 පස්වරු 12.00 සිට 2.00 දක්වා
📍 සාමාජීය විද්යා පීඨ ශ්රවණාගාරයේදී
පැවැත්වේ.
ලියාපදිංචි වීමට👇
https://bitly.cx/hVDlA
අපි හරිතවත් හෙට දිනට අදම පියවර තබමු !
#Project_හරිතාවලෝකන
#GreenSpire_Club
#SocialSciences
#Humanities
#CSS_UOK
"හරිතාවලෝකන"
තිරසාර හෙට දිනක් උදෙසා....! 🍃✨
"හරිතාවලෝකන"
තිරසාරභාවය කෙරෙහි ප්ලාස්ටික් භාවිතයේ බලපෑම් පිළිබඳ සාකච්ඡාව,
🗓️ 2025 පෙබරවාරි 19 (බදාදා)
🕕 පස්වරු 12.00 සිට 2.00 දක්වා
📍 සමාජීය විද්යා පීඨ ශ්රවණාගාරයේදී
පැවැත්වේ.
ලියාපදිංචි වීමට👇
https://bitly.cx/hVDlA
අපි එක්ව, සශ්රීක හෙට දිනකට ශක්තිමත් පියවර තබමු !
#Project_හරිතාවලෝකන
#GreenSpire_Club
#SocialSciences
#Humanities
#CSS_UOK
Together for a Greener 2025 – Say NO to Single-Use Plastics!
Together for a Greener 2025 – Say NO to Single-Use Plastics!
Dear All,
As 2025 approaches, it’s time to lead the change. Single-use plastics harm our environment, health, and future. Let’s take a stand by embracing sustainable choices and saying NO to Single-Use Plastics.
Change begins with me. Together, we can build a sustainable tomorrow!
Join us in this journey – because every choice matters.
Sincerely,
Centre for Sustainability Solutions
University of Kelaniya
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