Golden Jubilee Celebration
The Department of Demography, University of Colombo, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Inauguration Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebration was held on August 23, 2023, from 2.00 to 4.00 pm at the Senate Hall, University of Colombo. The ceremony was graced by Senior Professor Chandana Udawatta, Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission, as the Chief Guest, and Ms. Sharika Cooray, Acting Country Representative, UNFPA Sri Lanka, as the Guest of Honor. Additionally, Senior Professor H. D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, and Senior Professor Lasantha Manawadu, Dean, Faculty of Arts, graced the occasion with their presence. The Inauguration Ceremony was followed by a book launch titled “Shifting Tides: An Exploration of Population Dynamics in China and Sri Lanka which is an international collaboration with the Population Research Institute, Yunnan University, China, was the end product of the joint conference held back in 2018 in Sri Lanka between the Department of Demography, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the Population Research Institute, Yunnan University, China. Arriving at the most significant part, the book was launched and presented by Emeritus Professor Lakshman Dissanayake, former Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, to the distinguished guests, marking the 50 years of teaching and research of the Department of Demography. Afterwards, Emeritus Professor Lakshman Dissanayake addressed the gathering as the Chief Editor of the book, emphasizing the book launch from the beginning. Then, Associate Professor Qinghongxu delivered her remarks virtually on behalf of Professor Lyu Zhaohe, the Chinese editor of the book. Concluding the event, many have felicitated the Department of Demography for celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, including the pioneers of the department: Emeritus Professor KAP Siddhisena, Emeritus Professor Indralal De Silva, Senior Lecturer W. A. D. G. Abayasekara, Dr. Indra Gajanayake, and Professor Swarna Ukwatta, as well as foreign scholars around the world: Emeritus Professor Peter McDonald, Australian National University; Associate Professor Gour Dasvarma, Flinders University; Dr. Aude Bernard, University of Queensland; and Dr. Shireen Jejeebhoy. A tree planting ceremony took place after the book launch; one (1) Nutmeg and three (3) Robarosiya plants were planted as a commemoration of the department’s 50th anniversary. The significance of this ceremony was that this is the very first Nutmeg plant planted on the university premises. At the end of the tree planting ceremony, Senior Professor H. D. Karunaratne, Senior Professor Lasantha Manawadu, Emeritus Professor Lakshman Dissanayake, Professor Manori K. Weeratunga, Head of the Department, Department of Demography, Professor Sunethra Perera, Department of Demography, as well as undergraduates of the department, shared their thoughts and felicitated the department for its Golden Jubilee. The official media partner of this event was Supreme TV, and the event was broadcast on Rupavahini TV News, which facilitated the book launch outreach to a larger audience.
