Sunday Times 2
University of Colombo alumni felicitates new Vice Chancellor
View(s):The Alumni Association of the University of Colombo held a special ceremony to felicitate newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Professor Lakshman Dissanayake, at the College House of the University of Colombo on Thursday, October 15. State Minister for Education Mohan Lal Grero, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Mohan De Silva and over a hundred senior academic staff and alumni were in attendance.
Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake
Although unable to attend due to an urgent appointment, Minister of University Education and Highways and Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella conveyed his best wishes and support for the new Vice Chancellor through his daughter, Ms. Chamindrani Bandara Kiriella who attended on his behalf.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dissanayake outlined his many plans for the University of Colombo, including the establishment of a service centre, media unit and a new Faculty of Technology. “We have lost many traditions of the University. Procedures have not been followed and ad hoc decisions have been taken. Central administration is in a mess, not because of the officers, but because of things that have happened in the last decade or so due to politicisation of the university,” he said.
Hoping to make the University of Colombo a world class regional university such as the National University of Singapore, Professor Dissanayake requested the support of all members for his three- year tenure.