Prof. G L Peris (Left) is honoured with a token presentation at a felicitation ceremony of the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo and held at the Senate Hall of the University of Colombo

The Alumni Association of the University of Colombo felicitated their former Vice Chancellor and an illustrious alumnus Prof. G. L.  Peiris, the newly appointed Minister of Education recently at a function held at the Senate Hall of the University of Colombo. The event was attended by Vice Chancellors, Deans, Academics and Alumnus. 

Rajeev Amarasuriya, the President of the Alumni Association, in his Welcome Address said, “As an admired academic and university administrator, we can confidently say that there is no better person to be given the portfolio of the Minister of Education. And during your term of office we look forward to many revolutionary changes in our education system, which has much room for improvement.”. 

He also mentioned the support extended by Prof. Peiris to the Association.  

Addressing the gathering the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Senior Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne congratulated Prof. Peiris on his appointment and wished him all the best. She reiterated that the University of Colombo has been ranked No 1 among all universities in the country as a result of strategic planning targeted at sustainable development goals, extensive research and development work that was carried out by the University with emphasis on value addition, hosting the AUA Youth Forum in 2019, participating in International webinars, and becoming the best performing university after the COVID-19 shut down. 

Thilak Karunaratne, former President of the Alumni Association, traced the milestones of Prof. Peiris’  outstanding education and academic achievements and his political journey. 

Prof G L Peiris said that he was very happy to be back at the University of Colombo which is very familiar territory to him; having been in the University of Colombo for 26 years in different capacities, and ending up as its Vice Chancellor. 

Prof. G.L. Peiris said that each of the 13 universities had to focus on a unique and a different way to be identified for its strengths and capacities. The Minister said that undergraduates need to be taught Information Technology before they graduate from the University and also made competent to work in English if they are to obtain gainful employment.

Prof. G L Peris in his address referred to the contribution made by Past President of the Alumni Association the late Mrs. Sujata Jayawardena by building a Hostel to accommodate Women Undergraduates at Buller’s Lane since at that time the University had rented 32 individual houses to accommodate these students.

The event concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by the Vice President of the Association Suranjani Wickramaratne.