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Kelaniya emerges as highest ranked Lankan uni in Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings
The University of Kelaniya has emerged as the highest-ranked university in Sri Lanka in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, securing a position in the global 401–600 band.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the university’s ongoing efforts towards sustainability and excellence in higher education, with the ranking recognising its contributions through teaching, research, community engagement and institutional practices.
The ranking was based on evidence submitted by the University of Kelaniya and its research output during 2024 and 2025. The university recorded particularly strong performances in several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including No Poverty (SDG 1), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings, formerly known as the THE Impact Rankings, is the only global university ranking system that evaluates institutions based on their contribution towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2026 edition assessed 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories, measuring their performance across all 17 SDG categories as well as overall sustainability performance.
The University of Kelaniya’s recognition as the leading Sri Lankan university in the rankings highlights its commitment to integrating sustainability principles into academic activities, research initiatives and social responsibility programmes.
University authorities said the achievement reflects the institution’s continued focus on addressing global challenges through education, innovation and partnerships while contributing towards sustainable development at national and international levels.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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