Diamond Jubilee of University of Peradeniya

With the dawn of the year 2017, the University of Peradeniya marked its proud journey of 75 glorious years, since its establishment as the University of Ceylon in 1942, in Colombo.

A grand ceremony was held on 10th January with the presence of many distinguished guests from the administration and the academia, to celebrate this occasion. The University of Peradeniya is the oldest, the largest and the first educational institution of its kind, which is renowned for its natural beauty as well.

Sir Ivor Jennings, the first Vice-Chancellor of the university, wrote ”No university in the world would have such a setting”, on his first visit to the campus site in 1944. This unmatched setting was architectured by Sir Patrick Abercrombie.

The University of Peradeniya has walked through a number of life stages over the years;

•    From 1942 to 1952 – “University of Ceylon”
•    From 1952 to 1972 – “University of Ceylon Peradeniya”
•    From 1972 to 1978 – “Peradeniya Campus, University of Sri Lanka”
•    From 1978 to present – “University of Peradeniya”.

Since 1942, this fully fledged university have been continuously working towards its vision to “Be a centre of excellence in higher education with national, regional and global standing”, under the guidance of 13 Chancellors and 21 Vice Chancellors, offering quality education to the local and foreign students.

Currently, the University of Peradeniya offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in its nine faculties.

Reported by Kavin Ranawella