Two Sri Lankans to be honoured

Durham University of England will this week confer honorary doctorates to two "exceptional people who have played a pivotal role in the post-tsunami recovery efforts in Sri Lanka" - Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Executive Director of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and Professor Ranjith Senaratne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna.

Dr. Ariyaratne

At a ceremony to be held at the University of Ruhuna on February 16, Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, will confer honorary doctorates in civil law (DCL) on Dr. Ariyaratne for his unfailing dedication to humanitarian causes and peace initiatives and Prof. Senaratne for his academic distinction, effective management and visionary development of an international strategy for his institution.

Prof. Senaratne

The university is also conferring the honorary degrees in recognition of the individuals' roles in helping to make 'Project Sri Lanka', which brings together students and staff of Durham University with community and regional partners in the northeast of England in activities to assist with the reconstruction and regeneration of tsunami-devastated communities in southern Sri Lanka, an internationally recognised success as an all-inclusive humanitarian, academic and development project.