University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Students Hero Statue Sri Jayewardenepura University Sri Lanka

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura has a long history dating back to 1873 when the Vidyodaya Pirivena was established by the erudite monk Venerable Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero who established the pirivena as a center for Oriental learning.[2]

In 1956, following a change of government with Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike as the prime minister and following the policy of promoting national languages and culture, it was decided to establish two new universities by conferring university status on the Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara Pirivenas. Accordingly, the Vidyodaya University and Vidyalankara University Act No. 45 of 1958 established the universities at the Vidyodyaya Pirivena at Maligakanda and the Vidyalankara Pirivena at Kelaniya. In 1958, it was reconstituted as the Vidyodaya University of Ceylon.

Sri Lanka University

In 1961, a new location was selected at Gangodawila, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) southeast from the center of Colombo and in walking distance of a main trunk road known as the High Level Road (A4). This road connects Colombo to Ratnapura and beyond. Part of these lands belonged to the nearby Sunethradevi Pirivena, associated with King Parakramabahu VI (1412–1467). The shift of the university to the new site was effected on 22 November 1961, under the direction of Ven. Sri Soratha Thero. The vice-chancellor invited the Department of the Government Archives to establish its archives within the campus, close to the University Library, to encourage research.

In 1966, the University scene changed for the better under the Higher Education Act no 20.[3] Universities were open for female admission. This was not all that changed; the Vice Chancellor position of the universities’ were no longer restricted to be assumed by the Maha Sanga.

When Ven. Dr. Walpola Rahula Thero was the vice-chancellor, the university grew significantly in stature. When Ven. Dr. Rahula Thero left the university in 1969, linguist Prof. D. E. Hettiarachchi took over. A noted employee of at this time was Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was chairman of the United Corporations and Mercantile Union local on the campus. He was later elected as the President of Sri Lanka and acts as the Prime Minister to the current government.

The revitalization of the university continued until the insurgency in 1971. The political atmosphere at the time heavily affected the education of University students. Following the insurgency, the university premises was taken over by the army and converted into a detention camp for suspected insurgents during the brief period of 1971–1972.[2]

During this period the university managed to conduct lectures at different locations, thereby the students were not completely deprived of the education they deserve.

In 1972, all universities were transformed to a campus status under the University of Ceylon Act 1 of 1972. According to the Act all universities were made campuses of the single university: ‘University of Sri Lanka’.[4] In 1978 the University status was restored with the next cycle of change in management of higher education.

Its full-time student population is over 18,000,[5] enrolled in the faculties of Applied Sciences, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management Studies and Commerce, Medical Sciences, and Technology.

Jayewardenepura Faculty of Applied Sciences

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The Sumangala Building

The University first commenced its academic activities with five faculties: Buddhist studies, Philosophy, Languages, Arts, Ayurveda and Science. The five faculties worked under 22 departments.[2]

A view of Department of Physics over the garden

Today the university has seven main faculties: Applied Sciences, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management Studies and Commerce, Medical Sciences, and Technology. University has built its reputation around the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce which is the most

In 1962, Department of Science elevated to a Faculty of Applied Sciences and G. C. N. Jayesuriya became the first Dean of the Faculty. The current Dean of the Faculty is Sudantha Liyanage from the Department of Chemistry.[7]

The Department of Medical Education and Health Sciences (DME&HS)[8] was established to improve and sustain the quality of the learning/teaching processes in the faculty and to conduct certificate, diploma of degree courses in Health Sciences. Although Medical Education units are in the university system, the DME&HS is the 'first and only one' department established under the system to develop, implement and review activities related to improving the efficiency of learning/teaching related to Medical and Health Sciences. The DME&HS is successfully facilitating collaborative work in implementing medical and para-medical (Allied Health Sciences) programmes including Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical and Laboratory Science degrees.

The Postgraduate Institute of Management is a semi-autonomous body affiliated to the university. It promotes advanced education and professionalism in management in Sri Lanka through the provision of postgraduate instruction, training, research, and development in the branches of management and administrative studies.

The university has several important institutes and Units in place to further develop education.

University of Sri Jayewardenepura has won the Sri Lanka University games for three consecutive years. The University emerged overall champions of the 12th Sri Lanka University Games Organized by Wayaba University of Sri Lanka in 2016. This was the first time in the history a university was able to achieve this award.

The university has also produced the first undergraduate to participate in the Olympic games representing the country. Sumedha Ranasinghe of the University took part in the Rio Olympics 2016 with the intention of bringing glory to his motherland.[19]

The Vidyalankara University was created at the same time as the Vidyodaya University. Today Vidyalankara University is known as the University of Kelaniya.