Faculty News

Imagine receiving the opportunity to study in a foreign country, immersing yourself in a new culture, and gaining knowledge that will shape your future. For 16 undergraduate and graduate students, this dream has become a reality! These bright and hardworking individuals have won scholarships to pursue their studies in China, opening the door to new experiences and learning opportunities.

Winning a scholarship is more than just financial support; it’s a passport to a world of learning, growth, and unforgettable experiences. For these undergraduate and graduate students, being awarded scholarships to study in China represents a significant personal achievement and the chance to immerse themselves fully in the language and traditions they’ve been studying with passion. These scholarships are invaluable gifts, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore new horizons and bring back knowledge that will enrich their lives and contribute to the development of Sri Lanka.

This year, 16 talented undergraduate and graduate students have won prestigious scholarships in recognition of their excellence and dedication to learning Chinese. Their hard work has opened the door to a unique educational journey. These scholarships are not just rewards; they are keys to exciting adventures filled with cultural experiences, personal growth, and academic success.

Out of these 16 undergraduate and graduate students, four have been awarded scholarships for one year, while twelve have received scholarships for six months. They will be studying at some of China’s top universities, known for their academic reputation and vibrant university life. The universities they will attend include Chongqing Normal University (CNU), Southwest University, Dongbei Finance University, Guizhou University, and Lanzhou University. Each university offers a unique learning environment, providing students with diverse opportunities to grow and succeed.

These undergraduates are not just going to China to study; they are embarking on a journey that will shape their futures and strengthen the ties between Sri Lanka and China. One of the scholarship recipients expressed their excitement, saying, “This is a dream come true. I can’t wait to explore the vibrant culture of China and bring back new knowledge to share with my peers.” Their enthusiasm is remarkable, and it’s clear that they are keen to embrace this extraordinary journey with excitement and wholehearted dedication.

Their success demonstrates the results of hard work and dedication. As these students have now officially departed for China to commence their studies, we send them our heartfelt wishes for success and fulfillment. Their journey has begun, and we eagerly anticipate their future accomplishments.

The Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the University of Kelaniya has successfully completed the 3rd Step of the Students’ Welfare Program 2024, generously sponsored by the Glorious Sun Charity Foundation. The event was held on the 28th of July 2024 at the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya.

This scholarship program aimed to alleviate financial burdens and encourage academic excellence in the field of Pali and Buddhist studies, marking the third significant initiative for the year, providing substantial financial support to 352 deserving undergraduates. Accordingly, each undergraduate was awarded with 22,500 LKR.

The Inaugural Ceremony was graced by the participation of the distinguished guests, Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Senior Professor Most Ven. Makuruppe Dhammananda Thero, Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies; Chair Senior Professor Most Ven. Nabirittankadarawa Gnanaratana Thero; Mr. K. K. K. Dharmathilaka, Registrar of the University of Kelaniya; and other esteemed members of the academic staff.

The Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya has emerged as the champion at the 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Foreign College Students-Sri Lanka Final Round 2024 which was organized by the University of Colombo and was held for two consecutive days, on the 27th of May and 28th of May at the University of Colombo and Sri Lanka Foundation Institute accordingly. Under the theme of “One World – One Family “the Overall Competition consisted of a Written Test that measures the Chinese Language and Cultural Knowledge, the General Knowledge of the Contestants, the Speech Contest, and finally the Talent Contest. The Written Test and the Speech Contest were held on the 27th of May and the Talent Contest and the Awarding Ceremony were held on the 28th of May 2024.

Twelve Chinese Language Learning Selected undergraduates from the Preliminary Round held at the University of Kelaniya on the 25th of March 2024, Eleven Chinese Language-learning undergraduates from the University of Colombo, and Ten Chinese Language Learning undergraduates from the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka participated in the competition and it was nothing but tough.

Dr. D.A.N.S. Y Dassanayake, Senior Lecturer at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Wang Fei the Chinese Director of the Lumbini Confucius Classroom, Dr. S. Nimali Priyangika, Senior Lecturer at the Buddhist and Pali University, Associate Professor Ma Zhongwu, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo, Dr. Jani Samarakoon, Sri Lankan Co-Director, Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, Ms. Cheng Cuiqin, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association was the Judge Board of Members of evaluating the Speech Contest.

Mr. He Zhenhai, Program Manager at Chinese Cultural Center, Sri Lanka, Dr. Wu Hongyuan, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute, University of Kelaniya, Professor Anutaradevi Vidyalankara, Sri Lankan Director of Confucius Institute, University of Colombo, Associate Professor Zhu Song, Chinese Director of Confucius Classroom, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Associate Professor Zhang Min, Chinese Teacher, Bandaranaike International Research Center, Mr. J.G. Amarajeewa, Sri Lankan Director of Lumbini Confucius Classroom were the Judge Board Members of the Talent Contest.

After a very intense and tough competition, the first, second, and third-place winners of the Written Test, Speech, and Talent Contest were chosen according to the higher marks. As well as the second runner-up, first runner-up, and the championship of overall rounds were selected after considering the higher points given by the judge board.

The Awarding Ceremony was held on the 28th of May 2024 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Auditorium from 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Ms. Ji Lili, the Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka and Senior Professor (Chair) H.D Karunarathne, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo were the Chief Guest of this ceremony. Furthermore, the lecturers of the University of Colombo and the Other Chinese guests from the Chinese Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, etc. attended the 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Foreign College Students-Sri Lanka Final Round 2024 Award Ceremony.

Hansi Muthukumari, and Buddima Patali, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, and Asha Prabodhani Bandara, R. Shashika Subashini, H. P. Shehani Madhumali in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won the Excellent Prizes from sixteen Excellent Prizes. Last but not least, in the Speech Contest, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, and H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won the Third and Second Prizes respectively. Madusha Prathibhani Vidyavansha, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year, and B. V. Tarindi Sathsarani in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year won the third prize in the Talent Competition.

It is a special incident that our university undergraduates scored the highest marks in the written test and won all the first, second, and third places.

R.L. Jayani Chinthani Rajapaksha, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath and Piyumali Pathirana in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won first place and second place in the Written Test Respectively. Moreover, B. V. Tarindi Sathsarani, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, Visaka Dewsarani Kuruneru, in the Second Year of their Chinese Language Honors Degree, won Third Place in the Written Test.

Apart from all, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, from Chinese Honors Degree Third Year at UOK, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, from Chinese Honors Degree in Second Year at UOK, Piyumali Pathirana, from Chinese Honors Degree in Third Year at UOK won the Runner up, First Runner up and the Second Runner up respectively surpassing 33 Contestants. It’s proud to say that, since 2011, the Chinese Bridge Competition has been conducted, and since the beginning University of Kelaniya has had a record in securing the Championship up to now.

Amid many obstacles and difficulties, the Chinese Language learning students managed to bring honor to the University of Kelaniya through this victory. Also, this marked a new milestone in China-Sri Lanka educational relations. Through this victory, amid many obstacles and difficulties, the Chinese Language learning students managed to bring honor to the University of Kelaniya. Also, this marked a new milestone in China-Sri Lanka educational relations.

H.M Sitara Madhuwanti Herath, who won the Championship in the 23rd Chinese Bridge Competition, is supposed to visit China to participate in the 23rd ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship which will be held soon. Gihara Kasundi, who won Second Place in the Chinese Bridge competition, is supposed to embark on China to watch the 23rd ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship Competition and join a Cultural Tour as well.

The Annual Board Meeting between the University of Kelaniya and the Chongqing Normal University on behalf of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya was held on the 22nd of April 2024 at the University Senate Room. Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Dr. Sudath Senerath, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Ven. Prof. Nadalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, the Head Department of Modern Languages, and Dr. Jani Samarakoon, the Co-Director for the Sri Lankan side at the Confucius Institute at the UOK participated in the Board Meeting representing the University of Kelaniya while Prof. Meng Dongfang, Chancellor of the Chongqing Normal University, Prof. Zhang Lihui, the Dean of the School of International Chinese Culture, Chongqing Normal University, Prof. Peng Kangzhou, Vice Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, Chongqing Normal University, Prof. Ran Yahui, Deputy Director of the Graduate School of Chongqing Normal University as well as Dr. Wu Hongyuan, the Co-Director for the China side at the Confucius Institute at the UOK participated in the Board Meeting representing the Chongqing Normal University.

After a warm welcome, all board members gathered in the Senate Room. Before starting the board meeting Dr. Jani Samarakoon introduced the participants of the board meeting on the UOK side. Furthermore, Prof. Zhang Lihui introduced the participants of the board meeting on the Chongqing Normal University side. Then Dr. Wu Hongyuan presented the summary of the Work & Financial Report of the Confucius Institute for 2022 and 2023 years as well as the Annual Work Report of the 2024 year. Dr. Jani Samarakoon translated the summary of the work report.

Later, Prof. Meng Dongfang the Chancellor of the Chongqing Normal University addressed the Board Meeting. First Prof. Meng expresses gratitude for the warm welcome, especially from the traditional Kandyan Dancing Team and the tradition of lighting the oil lamp symbolizing friendship between two countries. Prof. Meng then highlights the mutual support between CNU and UOK during the pandemic, the significance of the establishment of a CI for language learning, and the benefits of student exchange programs for cooperation. The speaker also praises the quality of education provided by UOK and expresses a commitment to continued support and cooperation between the two universities in future endeavors. Next Senior. Prof. Nilanthi de Siva the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, addressed the Board Meeting. Senior. Prof. Nilanthi formally welcomed the representatives representing the China side and expressed her sincere gratitude for the immense contribution of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya. Moreover, appreciate the services provided by the Confucius Institute to university students, Senior. Prof. Nilanthi further stated the University of Kelaniya hopes to strengthen long-term relations between the two universities through the signed agreement regarding the establishment of the Confucius Institute between the Chongqing Normal University, the Chinese International Education Foundation, and the University of Kelaniya.

The highlight of the Board Meeting was the signing of the renewal MOU with the Chinese International Education Foundation, the Chongqing Normal University, and the University of Kelaniya on the Cooperation on Confucius Institute in person. The Chinese International Education Foundation party is supposed to sign the agreement soon in China.

After a short tea ceremony, the discussion started again, in which, there was an exchange of views between the two parties about what work needed to be done for the academic development of the university students and the increase of service and the work efficiency at the Confucius Institute. After this discussion round, the chancellor of Chongqing Normal University invited the vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya presenting an invitation card to attend the celebration of the seventieth anniversary of Chongqing Normal University. It's a pleasure to mention that the Board meeting was very successful.