Business

How the University of Peradeniya has weathered the politico-economic storms of the decades

Published

2 years ago

2024/08/29

Emeritus Professor W.I. Siriweera

Extracts from the speech delivered by one of Sri Lanka’s most eminent historians, Emeritus Professor W.I. Siriweera, on being conferred the Degree of the Doctor of Letters by the University of Peradeniya at its convocation of August 22nd, 2024.

Peradeniya University began in 1952 when sections of the old University College in Colombo including the Faculties of Law, Arts, Oriental Studies, Agriculture and Veterinary Science were shifted there with around 1200 students. They were accommodated in five Halls of Residence: Jayatilake, Arunachalam, Marrs, James Peiris and Hilda Obeysekara. Halls of Residence have proliferated subsequently and according to the UGC statistics the internal student population at Peradeniya in 2022 was 15108. Student profile has also changed substantially. The sex ratio of the Arts Faculty in 1960 was 56.5 per cent males and 43.5 per cent females. This has changed over the years and in 2008/2009 the approximate percentage of females has increased to 79 per cent and by 2022 to 81 per cent. The percentage of girls in Agriculture, Dental Sciences, Veterinary Science and Allied Health Sciences is also relatively high.

In student politics, the traditional left was powerfully represented in the campus until late 1960’s. The Fourth International Trotskyites dominated the scene while there were quite a few Moscow wing or Peking wing communists. They agitated against and highlighted global events. For example, in June 1960, the untimely demise of the African leader Patrice Lumumba was sufficient reason for the anti-imperialist, anti bourgeois, socialist to the core intellectuals in training, to march to Kandy in a massive procession to let the people of Kandy know of the great injustices perpetrated by the imperialists on the people of Africa.

It was a long procession carrying placards and banners with strong anti-imperialist slogans. We were crying out slogans asking the Imperialists to go home. But we did not know who these Imperialists were or where they were. Those who did not know the slogans cried out whatever that came to their mind: even the titles of popular Indian films at the time.

By 1968/69 all other Marxist or leftist groups were overtaken by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and also later by its offshoot: the Peratugami Samajavadi Pakshaya. These two groups have dominated student politics up to now. Unlike the earlier left-wing politicians, they have focused attention on local problems within a Marxist framework. Agitations against student suppression, against limited financial allocations, against efforts to privatize education have been their main concerns.

Food culture in Halls of Residence has also changed considerably since the beginning of the university. Professor Halpe, one of the first undergraduates has stated that “life was luxurious”. According to him food served in the Halls of Residence was better than home cooked ones.

Campus meals in 1950’s and 1960’s were of a high standard. For breakfast, toast and eggs or boiled chick peas were served. Those who did not like eggs, got a sizeable chunk of Kraft cheddar cheese. For lunch, rice and curry with beef or fish with several vegetables were served. Dinner was varied with fish or beef alternated with western food like vegetable soup, beef steaks with mashed potatoes and bread. Dessert followed both lunch and dinner.

However, as everything else, food situation too has gradually deteriorated over the years. By early 1970’s serving meals at the dining tables was discontinued and students had to queue up with their meal tickets to be served at the food counters. Even this practice was stopped in the early eighties and since then undergraduates, academic staff living in Halls of Residence and sub-wardens purchase meals from canteens or prepare their meals in rooms.

Drama activities were at their best in mid nineteen fifties and early nineteen sixties. Professor E.F.C. Ludowyk had played a key role in this development. He had persuaded the university authorities to hire Jubal, an East European, on contract basis to promote Western drama. About the same period, professor Sarathchandra was instrumental in establishing the Open Air Theatre with the surrounding terraces.

His dramas such as Maname and Sinhabahu mesmerized the crowds in that balmy atmosphere. In the case of reviving Tamil folk theatrical traditions, professor Vidyanandan played a key role.

After mid nineteen sixties, Golden era of Peradeniya university came to an end. Cultural as well as academic activities declined. But the university has been resilient in trying circumstances and has faced up to challenges and realities of the time. Amidst changes, the university has survived with some of its spirit intact.

It is up to the academic staff, students and administrators to retain its spirit irrespective of the vicissitudes of the campus environment and campus life.

All News Advertisement

Business

Major investment push in Sri Lanka’s solar economy

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ashish Khanna

By Ifham Nizam

Sri Lanka’s renewable energy sector is poised for a significant investment surge as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) moves to operationalise a comprehensive Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), positioning the island as a key emerging hub for solar deployment and green financing in South Asia.

A high-level ISA delegation led by Director General Ashish Khanna is currently in Colombo (April 6–9), engaging with policymakers, multilateral lenders, and private sector stakeholders to fast-track a pipeline of solar projects exceeding 4 gigawatts (GW) under the Renewable Energy Project Development Plan (2025–2030).

From Policy to Projects: Unlocking Capital Flows

At the heart of the mission is a decisive shift from policy frameworks to bankable project execution. The CPS outlines a multi-year roadmap aimed at mobilising private capital, strengthening regulatory systems, and accelerating project approvals—long seen as a bottleneck in Sri Lanka’s energy sector.

Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody emphasised that the strategy provides “clarity across the solar value chain,” particularly in investment mobilisation and regulatory alignment. For investors, this signals reduced risk and improved predictability—two critical factors for scaling infrastructure financing.

Industry analysts note that Sri Lanka’s solar ambitions could unlock billions of dollars in investments over the next decade, especially as global funds pivot toward climate-aligned assets in emerging markets.

A key commercial opportunity emerging from the ISA mission is the focus on floating solar projects and battery energy storage systems (BESS). These segments are expected to attract both foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology partnerships.

Floating solar, in particular, offers Sri Lanka a competitive advantage due to its extensive reservoir network. Coupled with battery storage integration, it enhances grid stability—an essential requirement as renewable penetration increases.

The mission includes a dedicated Floating Solar Workshop aimed at accelerating project readiness, indicating near-term opportunities for engineering firms, developers, and financiers.

University-Industry Linkages to Drive Green Jobs

A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at the University of Moratuwa is expected to strengthen local technical capacity and innovation.

Beyond academia, the initiative is designed to support testing, certification, and workforce development—critical for creating a domestic solar ecosystem. This move aligns with broader efforts to localise value chains and reduce dependence on imported expertise.

Khanna highlighted that the STAR-C would play a pivotal role in job creation and skills development, reinforcing the economic multiplier effect of renewable energy investments.

Sri Lanka’s push toward solar is also driven by macroeconomic imperatives. With global fossil fuel prices remaining volatile, the country’s heavy reliance on imports has strained public finances.

Solar energy, which has already surpassed 1 GW in installed capacity, is expected to contribute nearly 75% of emissions reductions under Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) for 2026–2035.

More importantly, it offers a pathway to reduce foreign exchange outflows and enhance energy security—key priorities as the country navigates post-crisis economic recovery.

Business

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

DevPro Guarantee Limited (DevPro) and Affno Virtual Market (Pvt) Limited (AVM) recently entered into a partnership to launch a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) digital marketplace platform “Green Tape Agri Exchange’ to uplift smallholder farmers/ producers in the spice value chain by connecting them with end buyers.

Smallholder farmers are the backbone of Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, managing nearly 80% of the nation’s farmland and producing about 80% of nation’s food production. They are essential to food security, rural employment, and economic stability. However, poverty among smallholder farmers is a persistent rural crisis. Recent studies have highlighted the depth of this issue with approximately 82% of the country’s poor being concentrated in rural areas where agriculture remains the primary livelihood.

Due to inefficient marketing systems – poor market access, inadequate storage facilities and a lack of information on market prices – smallholder farmers often receive less than the optimal market prices which considerably limit their ability to expand operations, improve productivity and achieve scale.

Speaking on the partnership, DevPro’s Executive Director Chamindry Saparamadu said ‘as an organization committed to building a sustainable agriculture sector, we are pleased to collaborate with AVM to explore means to address market barriers through digital innovation. Our ultimate objective is to empower smallholder farmers and strengthen the local economy by creating a transparent and sustainable supply chain’. The CEO/ Managing Director of AVM Suren Kannangara said ‘we are excited to partner with DevPro to digitally transform the agricultural value chain. Green Tape Agri Exchange represents a scalable, data-driven model to digitize fragmented markets, improving price discovery, reducing intermediaries, and creating predictable, quality-driven market access for both farmers and buyers.

Business

Nestlé brands NESCAFÉ and MAGGI triumph at SLIM-KANTAR People’s Awards 2026 for fifth consecutive year

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Nestlé’s household favourites continued their winning streak at the SLIMKANTAR People’s Awards 2026, taking home two awards this year. NESCAFÉ was voted People’s Hot Beverage Brand of the Year while MAGGI emerged as the joint-winner for People’s Snack Brand of the Year respectively for the fifth consecutive year. Organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the SLIM-KANTAR People’s Awards is widely considered as one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in the country, rewarding brands and personalities that are closest to the hearts of Sri Lankans.

Loved by Sri Lankans for its distinct aroma and rich taste, NESCAFÉ is made with the goodness of 100% pure coffee beans to create great coffee experiences that make life better. Made using Sri Lankan spices and the finest ingredients, the tasty goodness of MAGGI noodles has been a household favourite by Sri Lankans for over 40 years.

Sharing his thoughts, Bernie Stefan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka said “The People’s Awards hold special meaning for us as they are shaped entirely by consumer choice. Being recognised for the fifth consecutive year for NESCAFÉ as Hot Beverage Brand of the Year and MAGGI as Snack Brand of the Year reflects the enduring trust Sri Lankan consumers place in our brands – trust that has been built over generations during our 120‑year journey in Sri Lanka. This recognition belongs to our teams, whose commitment to quality and understanding local tastes continues to earn the confidence of consumers. We are grateful for this continued support and remain focused on serving Sri Lankan households with tasty and nutritious products”.

Guided by its purpose of ‘unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come’, Nestlé Lanka has been enriching Sri Lankan lives for 120 years, nourishing generations with tasty, and nutritious products across the country. The company remains committed to supporting healthier families, empowered communities, and a greener planet. Nestlé Lanka manufactures over 90% of its products locally at its state‑of‑the‑art factory in Kurunegala, upholding the highest standards of safety and quality.