University of Kelaniya

Professor Narada Fernando was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya by His Excellency President, with effect from the 24th of August 2026. The welcome ceremony for Prof. Narada Fernando was held on the 24th of August 2026 at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office of the University of Kelaniya, where he officially assumed duties as the Vice-Chancellor.
The ceremony commenced with Prof. Narada Fernando offering floral tributes to the statue of the Venerable Ratmalane Sri Dharmaloka Thero, followed by a Pirith chanting ceremony. The event was graced by the presence of Senior Professor Kapila Seneviratne, Chairman of the University Grants Commission; the outgoing Vice-Chancellor Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva; former Vice-Chancellors of the University of Kelaniya; and members of the Council.
The ceremony was also attended by Senior Professor P. A. Paranagama, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies; Senior Professor Madawa Chandratilake, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Professor Dhammika Weerasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Technology; Professor Jeewantha Premaratne, Dean of the Faculty of Science; Professor Chaminda Abeysinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Senior Professor Patrick Ratnayake, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Dr S. C. Thushara, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies; Dr C. C. Jayasundara, Librarian; Mr K. K. K. Dharmathilaka, Registrar; Ms M. M. N. T. K. Yalagama, Acting Registrar; Mrs S. Wejesekara, Acting Bursar; Heads of Departments; Directors of Centres and Units; and members of the academic, administrative, and non-academic staff.
Prof. Narada Fernando is a Professor in the Department of Finance at the University of Kelaniya, with extensive academic, administrative, governance, and professional experience in finance, banking, higher education, and institutional management.
Prof. Narada Fernando obtained his Bachelor of Business Management (Accountancy) Special degree from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, in 1996. He completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the West Bengal University of Technology, India in 2005, with a full scholarship awarded under the Colombo Plan for Technical co-operation. He successfully completed his PhD at Central China Normal University (CCNU), China, in 2012 following the award of a Chinese Government Full Scholarship.
Prof. Narada Fernando previously served as the Chairman of People’s Bank, one of Sri Lanka’s major state-owned commercial banks. In this capacity, he provided strategic leadership at the highest level of the institution, contributing his expertise in finance, governance, institutional strategy, and public-sector management.
During the period 2017 – 2023, as Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, Prof. Narada Fernando provided academic and administrative leadership to one of the University of Kelaniya’s prominent faculties. His responsibilities included strategic academic development, quality enhancement, institutional administration, stakeholder engagement, and strengthening the Faculty's contribution to national human capital development.
Before being elected Dean, as the Head of the Department of Finance, Prof. Narada Fernando contributed to the academic and institutional development of the Department, including programme development, curriculum enhancement, academic administration, research promotion, and engagement with the professional and financial sectors.
During his tenure as the Director of the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya, he contributed to strengthening university students’ employability, career development, industry engagement, and transition from higher education to professional employment.
His leadership experience as Professor, Head of Department, Dean, Director, Board Member, and Chairman of a major state bank demonstrates a distinctive combination of academic and executive leadership.
The appointment of Professor Narada Fernando as Vice-Chancellor marks a significant milestone in the history of the University of Kelaniya. His distinguished academic career, extensive administrative experience, leadership in higher education, and expertise in finance, governance, and institutional management reflect a strong commitment to the advancement of the University. The University community warmly welcomes Professor Narada Fernando to this esteemed office and looks forward to benefiting from his vision, experience, and leadership in further strengthening the University’s academic excellence, institutional development, and contribution to national and global society.

Congratulations, Prof. Narada Fernando!

The University of Kelaniya extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Narada Fernando on being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

We wish him every success as he leads the University towards greater excellence, innovation, and continued progress through visionary leadership.

Wishing you a successful tenure and a bright future for the University of Kelaniya!

The University of Kelaniya extends its sincere gratitude to Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, for her six years of dedicated leadership and visionary service.

Her invaluable contributions have played a significant role in strengthening the University and advancing its growth and success.

We deeply appreciate her remarkable service and inspiring leadership, and wish her continued success and happiness in all her future endeavours.

Thank you, Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, for your outstanding service to the University of Kelaniya.

The Centre for Gender Studies, University of Kelaniya (CGSUK) marked its 15th Anniversary on 14th August 2026 at the Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo, celebrating fifteen years of contribution to gender equity, equality, research, education, awareness and policy engagement in Sri Lanka.

Established in August 2011 under a University Council memorandum during the tenure of Prof. Sarath Amunugama as Vice-Chancellor, CGSUK became the first Centre for Gender Studies within the Sri Lankan university system.

A special felicitation ceremony in honour of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, was held on 18 August 2026 at the Vice-Chancellor’s office, University of Kelaniya.
The ceremony was organized to express the sincere gratitude and appreciation of the University of Kelaniya Alumni Association for Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva’s dedicated service, commitment, and leadership as Vice-Chancellor, as well as her continued contribution as a distinguished alumna of the University

The Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies (FCMS), University of Kelaniya, successfully conducted the Diploma and Higher Diploma Inauguration Ceremony 2026 on 16th August 2026 at Sri Dharmaloka Hall of the University, marking the commencement of a new academic journey for students admitted for the Academic Year 2026/2027.

Fly high graduands 😍!
The 159th General Convocation of the University of Kelaniya was held ceremoniously on the 17th of August 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo.

" රාව ප්‍රතිභා "
දිනය - 2026.08.14
වේලාව - පෙ.ව. 11.00 සිට
ස්ථානය - සමාජීය විද්‍යා පීඨ ශ්‍රවණාගාරය

The Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies (FCMS), University of Kelaniya, successfully organized an international academic and student exchange program with INTI International University, Malaysia, on 4 August 2026 at the Faculty Board Room of the FCMS.
The program brought together academics and students from both universities, creating a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, international exposure, and cross-cultural academic engagement.