CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE UNVIERSITY

The University of Peradeniya is the heir to an eighty year old university tradition which commenced with the inception of the University of

Ceylon, the first institution of its kind established in Colombo on 1st July 1942. It moved to the salubrious environment at Peradeniya in

1952. The Universities Act No. 16 of 1978 came into effect on 1st January 1979, granting a new identity to this institution as ‘University of

Peradeniya’. The University of Peradeniya is the largest and a state owned comprehensive university with a vibrant university culture. The University of Peradeniya being the prime seat of higher learning in the country has been ranked as the number one university in the country (2020).

The University covers nearly 780 hectares of land, and the developed area covering approximately 130 hectares is occupied by the administrative & academic buildings and other facilities. The University of Peradeniya is famous for its lush greenery. Most trees begin to bear flowers around March, signaling the dawn of spring. The unique combination of the rich foliage and the built environment gives the place a rare aesthetic beauty, earning Peradeniya the title, ‘the garden university of Sri Lanka’. A breath-taking view of the university premises could be experienced from the Upper Hantana Road and numerous hiking trails along the Hantana range.

The University currently comprises of nine academic faculties and three postgraduate institutes, serving for over 12,500 full-time undergraduates and around 8,500 postgraduate students at a given point of time. Fourth Postgraduate Institute is being established for medical sciences. The University has a well-equipped library network system to support teaching, learning and research, with a central library and seven satellite libraries, with over 850,000 books, and access to journals and other educational resources.

The University of Peradeniya was originally planned as a fully-fledged residential university with hostels for all undergraduates and housing for all employees. The increase in the number of the students and staff has made some limitations on providing residential facilities to all.

A whole range of sports and recreation facilities is available for the staff and students. The University has a well-equipped gymnasium, a swimming pool, playing fields and grounds facilitating track and field events. There is also a Faculty Sports and Recreation Centre dedicated to the staff.

The services to the university community are provided by several service units and divisions. Social interaction and well-being are considered as integral parts of the educational process at Peradeniya. Numerous social, cultural, religious, sports and recreational activities provide a platform for students and staff from various disciplines and backgrounds to interact with each other, irrespective of their religious, ethnic, linguistic or social barriers, creating unity, togetherness and brotherhood.

1. MILESTONES OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

1.1 Establishment of University of Peradeniya

The proclamation establishing the University of Ceylon was issued on 9th June 1942 and Dr. Jennings University Calendar undertook the enormous task of establishing the university by amalgamating the Ceylon University 2018/19 College and the Medical College into a single unit. A unitary, residential and autonomous university was established on 1st July 1942.

The university established in 1942 has changed its identity several times as stated below due to changes of its location and subsequent legislation:

University of Ceylon 1942 - 1952

University of Ceylon, Peradeniya 1952 - 1972

University of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya Campus 1972 - 1978

University of Peradeniya 1979 date

1.2 Moving the University to Peradeniya

1946 Commencement of constructing the university buildings at Peradeniya. University Calendar

2018/19

Two consultants, Sir Patrick Abercrombie and Mr. Clifford Holliday, did the planning and layout of the university complex while Mr. Shirley De Alwis attached to the Public Works Department assisted in designing work. The first phase of the project was to be entirely on the right bank of the river Mahaweli and the construction work was entrusted to the Public Works Department. The second phase was the building of a bridge across the river Mahaweli and the development of its left bank. 1952 The first batch of students moved from Colombo to Peradeniya. These were students from the

Departments of Law and Agriculture and the third and fourth year students of the Department of Veterinary Science, which was at that time attached to the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. The major move took place in 1952 when the staff and students of the Faculty of Arts and Oriental

Studies, together with the Main Library and the University Administration, were transferred to Peradeniya. The completion of this major move on 6th October 1952 marked the formal establishment of the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya.

This important event of the university becoming fully operative at Peradeniya was celebrated in a subdued fashion with the Vice-Chancellor planting a tree opposite the entrance to the Lodge, as the government was keen to postpone the ceremonial opening arranged for 1952, owing to the death of King George VI and until Queen Elizabeth II could participate in the opening ceremony.

Chancellors

Sir Andrew Caldecott (1942-1944)

Sir Henry Monk-Mason Moore (1944-1949)

Lord Soulbury (1949-1954)

Vice-Chancellors

Sir Ivor Jennings (1942-1955)

1.3 1952 to 1972 - University of Ceylon, Peradeniya

1954 Opening ceremony of University of Ceylon at Peradeniya was held with the participation of University Calendar Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, who while declaring open the university stated that 2018/19

“You have remarked Mr. Chancellor, that it is not easy to open a university, because once

established it is always open. However, like the shopkeepers of London during the bombing, I can

declare this place to be “more open than usual....”

1962 Owing to the increased demand for university education, over 1000 students admitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, and 692 were admitted as external students.

1. Implementation of the Higher Education Act No. 20 of 1966 to introduce a measure of state control and to curb academic self-government.

Several structural changes were introduced. The University Courts were abolished and the Councils were replaced by Boards of Regents. A National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) was set up in Colombo to supervise and regulate the universities. Under the new Act, the Vice-Chancellors would be selected rather than elected.

1. The University of Ceylon were split into two separate and independent universities as the University in Peradeniya continued to function as the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, while the Colombo campus obtained a new identity as University of Ceylon, Colombo.

Chancellors

Lord Soulbury

(1949-1954)

Sir Oliver Goonetilleke

(1954-1962)

Mr. William Gopallawa

Vice-Chancellors

(1962-1978)

Sir Ivor Jennings

(1942-1955)

Sir Nicholas Attygalle

(1955-1966)

Mr. S.J. Walpita

(1966-1968)

Mr. M.J. Perera

(1968-1969)

Prof. E.O.E. Pereira

Registrars

(1969-1971)

Mr. H B Balmord

(1952-1956)

Mr. W A Jayawardhane

(1956-1966)

Mr. D.S Abeysinghe

(1970-1976)

1.4 1972 to 1978 - Peradeniya Campus, University of Sri Lanka

1972 The new orders were spelt out in the University Act No.1 of 1972 by which four universities -

Peradeniya, Colombo, Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara and the Ceylon College of Technology, University Calendar

Katubedda, Moratuwa became five constituent campuses of a single university - the University of 2018/19

Sri Lanka having a central administration in Colombo.

The Heads of campuses were designated as Campus Presidents and the Minister of Education appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the single University of Sri Lanka. Under this system of centralized control, the NCHE was abolished, the Boards of Regents were abolished, and the Senates of the Campuses were given diminished roles as advisory bodies.

This radical change brought about a further change in the identity of the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, which now became University of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya Campus.

Many changes were also introduced under a process of “rationalization” that affected institutions as well as individuals. The academic regrouping involved the closure (or transfer) of certain departments, merger of faculties, and the transfer of personnel to new “centres of excellence”.

1977 A new government came into power in Sri Lanka, an obvious and unavoidable task in their hands was to draw up new legislation to replace the University Act No.1 of 1972, which could not be implemented in full for over 5 years.

Chancellors

Mr. William Gopallawa (1962-1978)

Mr. J.R. Jayawardene (1978-July 1979)

Vice-Chancellors

Prof. B.L. Panditharatne

(1978-84)

Prof. B.A. Abeywickrema University of Sri Lanka

Mr. L.H. Sumanadasa (1972-1978)

Prof. P.P.G.L. Siriwardena

Registrar

Mr. D.S Abeysinghe (1970-1979)

1.5 University of Peradeniya 1979 to date

1979 The Universities Act No.16 of 1978 based on the new Universities Bill came into effect on 1st University Calendar

January 1979. This Act brought back some of the central features of the Ceylon University 2018/19

Ordinance of 1942 with a difference: the powers of the Senates were restored, the Councils and Courts were re-established and elections for the posts of Vice-Chancellor re-introduced. The independence of the universities was restored but the creation of a University Grants Commission (UGC) with centered powers than those traditionally associated with such bodies, brought in a new measure of control over the finances, student admissions, and scheme of recruitment and promotions in universities.

The most significant change that the Universities Act No.16 of 1978 brought to Peradeniya was the restoration of the university's autonomy under the new identity “University of Peradeniya”.

Chancellors

Mr. J.R. Jayawardene (1978-July 1979)

Mr. Victor Tennekoon

(July 1979 – Jan 1984)

Mr. T.B. Panabokke

(Feb. 1984 - 1989)

Mr. Frederick E. De Silva

(1990 - 1993)

Prof. E.R. Sarachchandra

(1993 to 1996)

Prof. R.G. Panabokke

(1999 to 2002)

Deshamanya R.K.W. Gunesekera

(2002 to 2006)

Dr. Premadasa Udugama

(Feb 2007 to Jan 2012)

Prof. P.W. Epasinghe

(Feb 2012 to Jan 2017)

Prof. K.M. De Silva

(May 2017 to date)

Vice-Chancellors

Prof. B.L. Panditharatne

(1978-1984)

Prof. M.A. Fernando

(1984-1985)

Prof. R.G. Panabokke

(1985-1988)

Prof. A.P.R. Aluwihare

(1988-1989)

Prof. C.L.V. Jayatilleke

(1989-1991)

Prof. J.M. Gunadasa

(1991-1994)

Prof. C.M. Madduma Bandara (1994-1997)

Prof. R.A.L.H. Gunawardana

(1997-2000)

Prof. K.G.A. Goonasekara

(2000 to July 2006)

Prof. H. Abeygunawardena

(Aug. 2006 to July 2009)

Prof. S.B.S. Abayakoon

(Aug. 2009 to July 2012)

Prof. A. Senaratne

(Aug. 2012 to July 2015)

Prof. U.B. Dissanayake

Registrars

(Aug. 2015 to date)

Mr. W B Adhikaram

(1979-1983)

Mr. C G Abeyakoon

(1984-1993)

Mr. Wimal Dissanayake

(1993-1998)

Mr. W H Sumanasiri

(2000-2004)

Mr. T.M.D.R. De Alwis

(March 2006-Jan. 2009)

Mr. UD Dodanwala (Actg.)

(Sept. 2008- June 2012)

Dr. M.N. Jayawardena (June 2012- July 2014)

Mr. P.H. Ariyaratna (July 2014-Aug. 2015)

Mr. UD Dodanwala (Actg.) (Sept. 2015-Nov. 2016)

Mr. U.D.Dodanwala (Nov. 2016-April 2018)

Mr. R.V.S.P. Rajapaksha (Actg.) (June 2018 to 23 Oct. 2020)

Mr. R.V.S.P. Rajapaksha (24 Oct. 2020 to date)

1.2 ACADEMIC AND DIVERSIFICATIONDEVELOPMENT IN T HE UNIVERSITY DURING EIGHT DECADES: EXPANSION

1.2.1 1942 to 1952 - University of Ceylon

1. The University of Ceylon at its inception was an institution of very modest proportions consisting of four faculties, viz., Arts, Oriental Studies, Science and Medicine, of which the first three were University Calendar located at Thurston Road (now Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawathe) while the Faculty of Medicine 2018/19 was located at Kynsey Road.

There were only 55 staff members in all four Faculties (consisted of 41 academic departments) including 15 Professors, 20 Lecturers, 8 Assistant Lecturers and 12 others. There were 904 students distributed among four Faculties: Arts and Oriental Studies (396), Science (250), and Medicine (268).

1. The Dental School was established as Department of Dental Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ceylon.

1947 In pursuance of the policy of the government for the university to function in Colombo until the buildings at Peradeniya were made ready for occupation.

1947 The first batch of students from the Departments of Law and Agriculture came into residence at Peradeniya.

1. The first batch of students from the Departments Veterinary Science came into residence at Peradeniya.

1. Engineering education with the establishment of the Faculty of Engineering was started in Colombo.

1.2.2 1952 to 1972 - University of Ceylon, Peradeniya

1952 The formal establishment of the University of Ceylon at Peradeniya

The staff and students of the Faculties of Arts and Oriental Studies, together with the Main Library and the University Administration, were transferred from Colombo to Peradeniya.

This period also saw the establishment of the University of Peradeniya Library, which originated as the Ceylon University College Library in 1921. This College Library became the University of Ceylon Library in 1942 and was moved to the Ground Floor of the Arts Block, Peradeniya, in October 1952.

1954 The Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Science was established at Peradeniya.

The transfer of the Department of Dental Surgery to Peradeniya also took place.

The Faculty of Science at Peradeniya (the second Faculty of Science in the University system) was started at the commencement of the university session of 1961/62 with five departments of study. The first batch of students comprised of 40 biological science students and 76 physical science students.

1. The University Library was moved to the new Main Library Building. Since then, the library facilities at Peradeniya has expanded from one Main Library to a library network. The library system consists of a main library which mainly caters to the discipline of Humanities and Social Sciences, and branch libraries cater to other disciplines.

1. The first stage of the second Medical School commenced.

1. The first batch of medical students was admitted in January.

1962 The Dental School became a part of the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya.

1964 The Faculty of Engineering was transferred to Peradeniya in October.

University Calendar

2018/19

Refer Chapter 11 for details

1.2.3 1972 to 1978 - Peradeniya Campus, University of Sri Lanka

1. The implementation of the University Act No.1 of 1972 and subsequent rationalization of courses University Calendar created a series of difficulties to the University at Peradeniya. Some of the members of the 2018/19

academic staff had to move to other universities while certain departments such as Western Classics, English and Education, too, were moved to other campuses.

The Faculties of Arts and Oriental Studies, which are among the oldest in the University, underwent a major overhaul during the “rationalization” process that followed the University of Act No. 1 of 1972.

Eight of the seventeen Departments of study including Pali, Sanskrit, Western Classics and Education were closed down, and the two faculties merged into a single Faculty – the Faculty of Arts.

1. The Faculty of Agriculture became a separate Faculty with six departments.

1. Under the University Act No. 20 of 1966, the Medicine, Dental and Veterinary Schools were amalgamated into the Faculty of Medical, Dental & Veterinary Sciences of the Peradeniya Campus, University of Sri Lanka, with a Chairman in each School. The Chairman of the Medical School was also the Dean of the Faculty.

1. The Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA) was established.

1978 A part of the Faculty of Arts was relocated at a new University Campus at Polgolla. By 1978, the student enrolment of the Faculty of Arts alone was 2500.

1.2.4 University of Peradeniya 1979 to date

Under the Universities Act No. 16, 1978, the university not only regained its independence but also some University Calendar academic departments that it had lost at the beginning of the decade was re-introduced. Since then, the 2018/19 university has shown steady development in number of undergraduate and postgraduate degree

programmes, student enrollments and number of academic department and faculties.

By separation of Dental and Veterinary Schools from the Medical Faculty, the Faculty of Veterinary

Medicine and Animal Sciences was established in 1980 and the Faculty of Dental Sciences in 1986.

1996 The Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS) was established as a national institute under an act of

Parliament under Section 24A of the Universities Act. No. 16 of 1978.

2007 The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences was established

1. The Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS) is a national institute established by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2014, by an Ordinance made by the University Grants Commission under Section 24A of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978.

1. The Faculty of Management was established

2019 The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) was established as a national institute under an act of Parliament under Section 24A of the Universities Act. No. 16 of 1978.

The key academic developments that have taken place in each Faculty since 1979 are given below in a sequential order.

1.2.4.(a) Faculty of Agriculture

University Calendar

1983 Two new Departments of Study, namely, Department of Food Science and Technology and 2018/19 Department of Soil Science were created in place of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry

1991 The Faculty of Agriculture (FA) pioneered the introduction of the course-unit-based education system and moved into a trimester-based education

1991 The FA introduced Annual Staff Research Sessions

1993 The Department of Animal Science of the FA introduced Annual Student Research Sessions.

1996 Two new departments of study, namely Department of Agricultural Economics and Department of Agricultural Extension were established in place of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

1998 The FA became the first Faculty in the Sri Lankan Universities to move into semester-based education

1998 The FA established the Agribusiness Centre (AbC) as its first outreach centre in order to strengthen Faculty-industry interactions

1. The FA celebrated the 50th Anniversary by holding an Exhibition

1. The FA commenced felicitating retired faculty staff members 2002 The number of departments in the FA increased to eight with the establishment of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management and Department of Agricultural Extension in place of Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

1. The FA introduced teacher and course evaluation by student to B.Sc. Agriculture degree programme

1. The Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (AgBC) was established by the FA to promote research, training and outreach in the field of biotechnology through the Science and Technology Capacity Building Programme under the ADB to support its outreach programmes

1. The Department of Agricultural Economics was renamed as Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management

1. The FA introduced its second 8-semester degree Programme the B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology programme

1. The FA received Rs. 97.3 million from the World Bank through a competitive grant scheme to improve the quality and relevance of undergraduate education (IRQUE).

1. The FA changed the name of the B.Sc. Agriculture degree to read as B.Sc. in Agricultural Technology and Management

1. The FA moved away from the traditional teacher-centered education to a student-centered outcome based approach and introduced a new curriculum for the B.Sc. Agricultural Technology and Management degree

1. The FA established the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU) as its third outreach arm with a view to improve agriculture education in Sri Lanka for sustainable development

1. The FA celebrated 60 years of higher education in agriculture in grand style by holding an exhibition

1. The FA introduced its third 8-semester degree Programme the B.Sc. in Animal Science and Fisheries programme.

1. The FA introduced Study Abroad Training Program through AEU to world’s leading universities as an annual event

2012 The FA received Rs. 25 million from the World Bank through a competitive grant scheme to improve Higher Education in the Twenty First Century (HETC) focusing on the B.Sc. degree in Food Science and Technology

2014 The FA introduced Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium (FAuRS) as an annual event in the Faculty calendar to provide a common platform for the graduands from all Departments of Study to communicate the results of their final year research projects

1. The FA joined with the Sri Lanka Inventors’ Commission to evaluate its final year research projects to be recognised and awarded as potential inventions/ innovations at the FAuRS

1. The FA started publishing of “Hanthana Blossoms” as a compilation of the best research briefs published through undergraduate research projects

1. The FA organized the IV International Conference on Postharvest and Quality Management of Horticultural Products of Interest for Tropical Regions (PQMHP 2017)

1. The FA established the practice of appointing Honorary Visiting Professor positions as another activity of internationalization of its degree programmes.

2018 The FA established a Community Development Unit at the Mahailluppallama Sub Campus as its fourth outreach arm

2018 The FA celebrated 70 years of higher education in agriculture in grand style by holding AgTech-

2018 exhibition at the Mahailluppallama Sub Campus which also celebrated its 50th Anniversary

2018 The FA received Rs.100 million from the World Bank through a competitive grant scheme under Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) project. The Faculty proposal was the first among the science-based faculties of tier one Universities of Sri Lanka.

2018 The FA started teacher evaluation by peers.

2018 The FA partnered with the National Institute of Language Education and Training (NILET) to offer Sinhala language for Tamil students and Tamil language for Sinhala students.

1. The FA established and functions student a forum as a mechanism of promoting student discussions on curriculum and program development.

1. The FA published Manual of Procedures for Preparations and Conduct of Examinations and Releasing of Results with Senate approval.

1. The FA established Ethical Clearance Committee.

The FA implemented recognition of staff research by Annual Research Excellence Award through Faculty Research Committee under three categories (Professors, Senior Lecturers and Probationary Lecturers).

1. The FA received Rs 15 million each from the World Bank through a competitive grant scheme under Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) project to Departments of Crop Science and Soil Science for ELTA-ELSA Department Proposals. The Departments of Crop Science and Soil Science became the first and second, respectively among 17 Departments of the science-based faculties of tier one Universities of Sri Lanka.

1. The FA published Books on “Decades on Research, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya” Volume 1 (1948-2008) and Volume 2 (2009-2018)” to document the history of research activities conducted by members of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.

1.2.4.(b) Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

2007 The Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (FAHS) was established as the 8th Faculty of the University of Peradeniya to offer degree Programmes for Nursing and Paramedical sciences

2007 The FAHS commenced offering four-year undergraduate honours degree programmes in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Radiography and Radiotherapy

2012 The very first batch of FAHS students graduated at the convocation held in April 2012

2017 The FAHS celebrated its 10th year anniversary with the opening of a new building complex to house the administrative block, two laboratories and an auditorium

1. The Department of Basic Sciences was established

1. Faculty Higher Degree Committee was established

2018 Faculty Quality Assurance Cell was established

2018 University Rajya Osusala was established as a joint venture between State Pharmaceutical Corporation and the Department of Pharmacy

1. The FAHS received medical and laboratory equipment worth Rs. 330 million through Austrian government’s soft loan scheme

1. Commencement of Higher Degree Programmes

2019 Programme Review of Physiotherapy degree was completed successfully

1. Conducted Undergraduate Research Congress for the first time

1. Programme Reviews for study programmes in Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Radiography and Radiotherapy were successfully completed.

1.2.4.(c) Faculty of Arts

1988 The Dumbara campus was integrated to the Faculty of Arts to augment the staff strength of the Faculty of Arts

2001 The course unit-based curriculum was adopted by the Faculty of Arts

2001 The Departments of Fine Arts was established in the Faculty of Arts

2001 The Department of Management was established in the Faculty of Arts. The Department of Education moved to the new building

2007 Establishment of Special Needs Resource Unit

2006 A joint B.Sc degree Programme on Computation and Management was established in collaboration with the Faculty of Science

2009 The Department of Law was established at the Faculty of Arts

1. Establishment of the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences (PGIHS)

1. Establishment of the Faculty of Management

1. Commencement of the Bachelor of Education Degree Programme

1. The Department of Philosophy & Psychology was separated out as two independent departments and were renamed as Department of Philosophy and Department of Psychology respectively.

1. UGC approval was granted to offer the Bachelor of Science in Geographical Information Science and Bachelor of Social Work Degree programmes.

1. Commencement of Learning Management System

2019 Laid foundation for a seven storied building

2019 Established a Coordinating Unit of Internships, Volunteering and Community Outreach (CIVCO)

2019 Established the Needy Students’ Fund to support students with special economic needs

2021 Commencement of Bachelor of Science in Geographical Information Science (GIS) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree Programmes

1.2.4.(d) Faculty of Dental Sciences

1980 The Dental School was departmentalized into 5 departments of study, namely, Department of Community Dental Health, Oral Medicine & Periodontology, Oral Pathology & Oral Surgery, Prosthetic Dentistry, and Restorative Dentistry.

1986 The Dental School received its Faculty Status.

1990 The Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Surgery became two independent departments, namely, Department of Oral Pathology and Department of Oral Surgery.

1995 The new Department of Basic Sciences was established.

1. Establishment and affiliation of Divisions of Para Clinical Sciences, namely, Division of Medicine, Surgery, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Pathology.

1. The Faculty of Dental Sciences moved to the modern building complex, and the Dental Teaching Hospital with modern facilities was commissioned. This building complex and the hospital were funded by the Japanese Government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

1. The Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) commenced in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the aim of disseminating skills and knowledge to the Dental Surgeons in neighbouring countries (2001– 2005).

1. Establishment of the Dental Auxiliary Training School.

1. Establishment of the Computer Aided Learning Unit and the Anatomy Museum.

1. Establishment of the Unit for Development of Dental Education (UDDE).

1. Re-designation of the Department of Oral Surgery as “Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

1. The sister link programme was established between Faculty of Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Japan and Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya.

2008 Establishment of the Faculty Library.

2013 Establishment of “The Center for Research in Oral Cancer” in collaboration with Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

1. 30th Anniversary Celebration to commorate the establishment of the Faculty .

1. First batch of dental undergraduate student (2017/2018) enrolled in the five year curriculum of Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree programme started their academic course on 30th January 2017 making a historic day of dental education of Sri Lanka.

2019 Ceremonially opened the new building for the Centre for Research in Oral Cancer (CROC).

2019 Establishment of the Smile Train Cleft Centre (STCC).

2019 Establishment of Comparative Human Biology and Natural Products Research Laboratories.

1.2.4.(e) Faculty of Engineering

1. The Faculty received a substantial aid package from Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to purchase equipment and vehicles from Japan.

1. The UGC approved the creation of a Department of Computer Sciences.

1985 The Computer Center was absorbed into the newly established Department of Computer Sciences.

1985 The Engineering Education Unit (EEU) was established in the Faculty of Engineering, primarily with the view of coordinating activities in the areas of Staff development, Curriculum development, provision of audio-visual facilities for educational purposes and freshmen orientation.

1. The Engineering Research Unit was established to support the research and development activities of the faculty.

1. The Peradeniya Engineering Faculty Alumni Association (PEFAA), the first faculty alumni association to be established in a university in Sri Lanka, was formed in September.

1. Engineering Design Centre (EDC) of the Faculty of Engineering was established as a Science and Technology project of Asian Development Bank with the objective of supporting Sri Lankan Industries through Industrial Consultancy, sponsored Research & Development (R&D) activities and continuing professional development.

1. The SIDA/SAREC grant was awarded to the faculty as a Research collaboration attempt between the University and the Swedish International Development co-operation.

1. The Computer Center was declared and started functioning as an independent unit of the Faculty.

1. The Faculty obtained another set of equipment from JICA, and these were installed and handed over to the Faculty in 2000 when the Faculty celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

1. The Faculty celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a well-attended exhibition and a Jubilee Conference.

1. The Engineering Research Unit was transformed to the Centre for Engineering Research and Postgraduate Studies (CERPS) in order to effectively coordinate research activities and regulate the postgraduate studies, in the Faculty of Engineering.

2001 The semester based course‐unit system was introduced and a batch of 312 students started their studies in the first year under the new system.

1. The name of the Computer Science department was changed to Department of Computer Engineering and the Bachelor of Engineering degree specialized in Computer Engineering commenced.

1. UGC approved the proposal to establish a Department of Engineering Management. The mission of the new department was to produce engineers and professionals well versed with the requisite management skills.

1. Specific Agreement on Research Cooperation between the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and UNDP on Research co-operation for the period from 1st October 2003 to 30th September 2007 was signed.

1. The Department of Chemical Engineering was renamed the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering.

1. The 1st international conference on Industrial and Information Systems was organized by the Dept.

of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The conference became an annual event of the department for the next 15 years.

2008 The intake was increased to 415 students per batch.

2008 A major curriculum revision was carried out in order to fine tune the system to cater to the increase in the number of students and requirements of the course unit system.

2008 The Faculty obtained the IESL accreditation certification for its well established degree programme.

1. The grand exhibition “EngEx 2010” was successfully held in the faculty premises to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the faculty.

1. The Faculty revised regulations relating to the BScEng degree programme.

1. The Faculty obtained the Quality Assurance and Accreditation certificate for its outstanding degree program from UGC.

2012 The SATREPS (The Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) Japanese research award for Solid Waste Management worth over US$4 million was awarded to the Department of Civil Engineering. This is the first ever research project sponsored under this scheme in Sri Lanka.

2015 The Faculty started to offer its 11 postgraduate degree programmes every year.

1. The Faculty was successful in securing internationally competitive grant of Rs. 400 Mn directly from NORAD for a five-year project on capacity building in water related postgraduate studies (WaSo-Asia Project) partnering with 4 foreign universities and one local university.

1. The Faculty received Rs.200 Mn grant from UGC to upgrade the laboratory facilities.

1. The Department of Production Engineering was renamed as Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering.

1. The High Voltage Laboratory of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering was renamed as Wilfred P. Jayasekara High Voltage Laboratory.

1. The IEEE International Conference of Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) was organized by the Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering in collaboration with POMS USA.

1. Introduced new courses from the Department of Engineering Management to cater for the accreditation and industry needs of specialization programmes.

1. First Postgraduate programme of the Department of Engineering Management commenced under the name of Postgraduate Programme in Construction and Project Management.

2019 The specialization on Production Engineering was renamed as Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering.

1.2.4.(f) Faculty of Management

1. The Government approved the establishment of the Faculty of Management on 20th October 2014.

1. The Faculty of Management was established as a fully-fledged independent faculty in the University on January 28 with the appointment of heads of five departments, namely Business Finance, Human Resource Management, Management Studies, Marketing Management and Operations Management.

1. Six certificate programmes in Accounting & Finance, Human Resource Management, Business Management, Hospitality & Tourism Marketing, Personal Selling and Entrepreneurship & Venture Development were introduced.

2016 Five diploma programmes in Accounting & Finance, Human Resource Management, Business Management, Marketing Management, and Project Management were introduced.

2018 The Faculty of Management was awarded Grade “A” for the Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors) Degree Program by the Quality Assurance Council of the University Grants Commission.

1. The Faculty won the competitive grant of AHEAD awarded by the World Bank.

1. The Faculty published maiden issue of the faculty journal ‘Peradeniya Management Review” and faculty magazine “Management Reader”.

2019 Postgraduate Unit was established in January.

2019 The Faculty launched postgraduate programmes (Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting & Finance, Postgraduate Diploma in Management, MBA, M.Sc. in Accounting & Finance, M.Sc. in Management and Ph.D. under the Postgraduate Unit of the Faculty).

2019 The Faculty conducted the maiden International Research Conference on 14th November, 2019

2019 The Faculty established Teachers Welfare Association.

1. The Faculty formed Faculty Teachers Union (Peradeniya Faculty of Management Teachers Association (PFOMTA).

1. Faculty Students Affairs Committee was established in November.

1.2.4.(g) Faculty of Medicine

1980 Establishment of the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, with professorial units in Medicine, Surgery,

Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Psychiatry. Commencement of Child Psychiatry, Mental Retardation and Sexual Medicine clinics

1987 Establishment of the Department of Anesthesiology

1990 The first ever immunohistochemistry facility was established at the Department of Pathology

1992 Establishment of the Nuclear Medicine Unit

2002 Establishment of the new pre-clinical building which houses the departments of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry

2004 The system-based curriculum was introduced

2004 Establishments of the Skills Lab, Technical Resource Centre and e- Library

2006 The Medical Education Unit's Staff Development Programme received accreditation by the University Grants Commission

2008 Establishment of the Muscle Histochemistry Laboratory in the Department of Pathology

2012 Establishment of the Department of Radiology

2012 The Faculty celebrated its Golden Jubilee with an International Conference titled “Contribution to Science and Society”

1. Re-establishment of the Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine
2. First international conference on tropical medicine by Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine 2016 Extension of professorial paediatrics unit to Sirimavo Bandaranaike Children Hospital, Peradeniya
3. Inauguration of Clinical Research Laboratory

2018 Inauguration of Summit and Student Room

1. Establishment of Anatomy Museum
2. Establishment of Postgraduate School of Medicine (PGSM)
3. The Medical Education Unit was upgraded to the Department of Medical Education

1.2.4.(h) Faculty of Science

1984 A Computer Unit was established.

1986 English Langauge Teaching Unit (ELTU) was established to assist the Sinhala and Tamil Media students.

1. Science Education Unit (SEU) was set up in the Faculty with the aim of popularizing Science

1. Computer Science was introduced as a subject in the degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Science

1993 New Science Library was inaugurated

1. The Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS) was established on the premises of the Faculty of Science on a proposal made by the Faculty Board of Science

1. The Department of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology and the Department of Statistics & Computer Science were established in the Faculty of Science 2001 The Faculty of Science adopted semester-based curricula.

1. Special Degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology commenced. A new B.Sc degree Programme in Applied Science commenced. Science-Industry Interaction Cell (SIIC) was established.

1. A joint B.Sc degree Programme in Computation and Management with the Faculty of Arts commenced. The Faculty of Science started a new B.Sc degree Programme in Statistics and Operational Research.

2006 The Faculty received Rs.24 million from the Quality Enhancement Fund of the World Bank funded IRQUE project of the Higher Education Ministry.

2008 Special Degrees in Biology and Statistics were introduced.

2013 The Science Education Resource Centre was established.

1. The new collaborative research laboratory QBITS was declared open.

1. Actions were taken to introduce the following three B.Sc Honors Degree Programmes

1. Data Science
2. Microbiology
3. Bio-Medical Sciences

2019 The Department of Geology was shifted to the new building at the Faculty premises

2019 The Department of Statistics and Computer Science was shifted to the new building

2019 Proposals were submitted to establish a new Department of Environmental and Industrial Sciences

1.2.4.(i) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science

1980 The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (FVMAS) was established as a fully independent unit with three departments of study: Veterinary Pre-clinical Studies, Veterinary Para- clinical Studies, and Veterinary Clinical Studies

1992 A major curriculum revision was conducted under the guidance of Lord Professor E.J.L. Soulsby of the University of Cambridge, UK

1. Changed to a semester-based system with another major curriculum revision

1. Renaming of the existing departments as Basic Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Clinical Sciences and the establishment of the Department of Farm Animal Production and Health

1. Received Rs.95 million under the Improving Relevance and Quality of Undergraduate Education (IRQUE) Project, Quality Enhancement Fund (QEF) Programme for a 5-year duration

1. Establishment of the Centre for Aquatic Animal Disease Diagnosis and Research (CAADDR)

1. Commencement of the Master of Veterinary Science (MVSc) Programme

1. The fifth department of the faculty, Veterinary Public Health and Pharmacology, was established

2007 Establishment of the Rabies Control Unit under the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology in collaboration with the Hokkaido University, Japan

1. Publication of the Subject Benchmark Statement in Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council of the University Grants Commission

1. The commissioning of the new Veterinary Teaching Hospital

2013 Received Rs. 10 million under the Higher Education for the Twenty First Century (HETC) Project, Quality and Innovation Grant (QIG) Window 4, Research Dissemination and Commercialization Project for a 2-year duration

1. Received Rs. 40 million under the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development

(AHEAD), Innovations and Commercialization Enhancement (ICE) Project for a 3-year duration

1. Commenced a 5-year BVSc programme with a major curriculum revision conducted under the guidance of Massey University, New Zealand, under the Veterinary Education Twinning Programme of the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE)

1.2.4.(j) Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA)

1979 The Agriculture Education Development Project became a reality and provided long-term and short-term technical assistance to approximately 28 persons per year. 38 persons from the Faculty of Agriculture received Ph.D. training in various universities in the USA

1. Over 20 officers of the Department of Agriculture graduated from the University of Peradeniya under split degree programme sponsored by the Diversified Agricultural Research Project (DARP)

1. PG Diploma in Farming Systems in Asia was introduced and conducted for Government Officers

1987 The PGIA constructed 15 houses during 1987 – 1991 for academic staff of the Faculty of Agriculture under a World Bank financed “Agricultural Research Project”

1987 The Computer unit was established

1989 An Annual Congress was initiated to disseminate research at the PGIA to the scientific community

1989 The British Council Overseas Development Agency (ODA) sponsored 48 M.Phil.Research Projects of PGIA students at the time of its termination in 1989 (1979 - 1989)

1996 The number of Boards of Study was increased up to 10 with the amendment to the PGIA Ordinance

1. The PGIA /Faculty library was moved to the new building

1. The PGIA has instituted the award of 10 scholarships for full time research students of the M.Phil.

and Ph.D. Degree Programmes with its own funds

1. UNOPS/DANES (Danish Agriculture Education Services) assisted the PGIA to develop its curricular and new degree programmes

1. PGIA commemorated its Silver Jubilee by organizing seminars/workshops

1. Offered Regional Training Programmes under sponsorship of Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Govt. Officers of the Asian countries

2001 University Senate approved to award PG Diploma

1. An external review was completed for the years 1990- 1998

1. PGIA commenced offering of research based degree programmes of (M.Phil. and Ph.D).

1. Introduced an aptitude test to screen new entrants

1. A new Board of Study in Business Administration was created with the amendment of Ordinance

1. PGIA established a Research Facilitation Fund

1. The HETC QIG Window 3 Project of the Ministry of Higher Education awarded a research grant of Rs.30 m to the PGIA. Under this project PGIA trained 4 Ph.D. and 4 M.Phil. students

2013 MIS of the PGIA was introduced under a HETC grant

1. Established a Research publication facilitation fund to facilitate research students to make their presentations held abroad for conferences/symposiums

1. Colombo Branch of the PGIA commenced offering of its degree programmes in Colombo

1. All 31 M.Sc. degree programs offered under 11 Boards of Study were aligned with the SLQF guidelines

2019 Revitalizing “Tropical Agriculture Research Journal” of PGIA -The first issue of the 31st volume was launched at the Inaugural Session of the 31st Annual Congress with a new outlook having the objective of making it a journal that maintains the highest scientific integrity. The journal is made

open for papers year around and will also be open for non-postgraduate research. The Tropical Agriculture Research Journal of PGIA is an indexed Journal in Directory of Open Access.

1. Implementation of student friendly re-registration process allowing students to transfer of credits up to a maximum of 2/3rd of the course work credit requirement of a new degree programme earned from a degree programme previously registered at the PGIA.

1. First Ph.D. Student graduated under the collaborative cohort Ph.D. programme between Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia and Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA)

1.2.4.(k) Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS)

1996 Establishment of the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS)

1996 Inception of the ten Boards of Study

1996 Transfer of all postgraduate programmes from the Faculty of Science to the PGIS

1996 Registration of the first batch of Ph.D students

1996 Inauguration of M.Sc. Programmes in Medical Physics and Gemology & Industrial Minerals

1. Commencement of the first PGIS short course on Sampling Techniques

1. Inauguration of M.Sc. Programmes in Environmental Science, Wildlife, Ecology & Management, Analytical Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Physics of Materials and Parasitology

1. Graduation of the first batch of M.Sc. students in Postharvest Technology of Fruits and Vegetables

1. Graduation of the first three Ph.D. students transferred from the Faculty of Science

1998 Inauguration of M.Sc. Programmes in Industrial Mathematics, Science Education and Applied Statistics

1. First International Workshop on Acid Rain Monitoring & Atmospheric Modeling

1. Graduation of the first Ph.D. student registered at the PGIS

1. Inauguration of M.Sc. Programme in Chemical Ecology & Pesticide Chemistry

1. Inauguration of M.Sc. Programmes in Clinical Biochemistry, Biodiversity Conservation Management, Computer Science and Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology

1. First ‘Scientific Writing’ Workshop

1. Inauguration of M.Sc. Programme in Fish & Wildlife Management

1. Inauguration of M.Sc. Programmes in Oceanography and Experimental Biotechnology

1. Inauguration of M.Sc. Programme in Plant Sciences

1. Inauguration of M.Sc. Programme in GIS & Remote Sensing

1. Commencement of the first ‘GIS’ short course

1. Inauguration of M.Sc. Programmes in Medical Microbiology, Disaster Management and Water Resources Management

1. 10th Anniversary of PGIS was marked by a poster session of M.Phil. and Ph.D. Research Students

2006 Establishment of the Young Researchers’ Forum

2006 Inauguration of Postgraduate Diploma Programmes in Science Education and Information Technology

2008 Inauguration of M.Sc. Programmes in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology and Biodiversity, Ecotourism & Environment Management

2012 Initiation of the International Symposium on Water Quality & Human Health

2012 Inauguration of M.Sc. Programme in Applied Epidemiology

2014 Implementation of the incentive scheme for research publications

2014 Initiation of PGIS Research Congress as an annual event

2016 Initiation of the annual publication “Postgraduate Research Highlights” at the PGIS-20th Anniversary Celebrations

2016 Inauguration of M.Sc. Programmes in Pharmaceutical Botany and Information Technology

2018 Inception of the 11th Board of Study in Biomedical Sciences

1. Initiation of international student exchange through ‘Erasmus’ programme

1. Initiation of international collaborations with Taiwan and Japanese Universities

1. Inauguration of Masters Programme in Data Science

2020 Initiation of research projects in collaboration with the Industry

2020 Initiation of PGIS Research Grant Scheme

1.2.4.(l) Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS)

2013 Ordinance was passed by the Parliament for the establishment of the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences in December 2013

2015 Appointment of the first Director of the Institute

2015 Establishment of Board of Management and Boards of Studies

2017 Development of Corporate plan and Action plan of the Institute

1. First Annual Research Congress of the Institute was held in March 2017

1. Publication of the Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, the research journal of the PGIHS

2018 Appointment of the Director for following three years

1. The Action Plan and Corporate Plan were approved by the Board of Management of the Institute

1. Development of Research policy and regulations, and other policies and guidelines of the Institute.

New by-laws of the Institute were approved by the Board of Management.

1.2.4.(m) Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences

2019 Establishment of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS)

1.2.4.(n) University of Peradeniya Library Network

1980 Agriculture Library was amalgamated with the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture Library and was housed in the 1st floor of the PGIA building

1980 Medical Library extended its services to the newly established Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science

1988 Dumbara Collection was absorbed to the Main Library Collection

1. Setting up of the Science Library in its new building

1. Establishment of the Vet. Medical Library

1998 Setting up of the Mahailluppallama Sub-campus library attached to the Faculty of Agriculture

2000 Shifting of the Engineering Library to the newly-constructed two-storied building

1. Establishment of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Library
2. Establishment of the Faculty of Dental Sciences Library

1. Establishment of the ICT (Information & Communication Technology) division in the Library network

1. Establishment of the collection of drama related artifacts and manuscripts belonging to the late Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra, in the main Library

1. Launching of a five volume publication on history of the establishment of the first university in Ceylon, titled “Peradeniya: The Founding of a University”

1. Completion of automation of faculty libraries using ‘Alice for Windows’ library management system

1. Automation of the Main Library using Koha library management system

1. The shifting of the Dental Library to the newly-constructed building

Establishment of the Digital Resources Development & Staff Training Division

Establishment of the Palm leaf Manuscript Preservation & Conservation Unit

1. Application sent by a team of Library Staff for the US Embassy Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (Small Grant) 2020 Fund Programme, has been selected for Global Competition at Washington DC, USA

1. Completing the Library Database by entering prices of Library materials.

2020 Commencement to promote E-resources and E-library concept

1.2.4.(o) Centre for Distance and Continuing Education (CDCE)

1964 The establishment of the External Examination Branch

1964 The commencement of the first external degree programme, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

1. The replacement of the External Examinations Branch with the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education

1. The commencement of the first on-line degree programme, the Bachelor of Business Administration (On-line) (BBA)

1. The graduation of the very first batch of BBA online students

1. The Commencement of offering Diploma in Management & Development

programme through Centre for Distance and Continuing Education

1. Introduction of Bachelor of Arts General (External) degree programme

(New Syllabus)

1. Obtaining ISO 9001:2015/SLS ISO 9001: 2015 certification which was valid until 25/12/2018

2020 Introduction of Advanced Certificate in Laboratory Handling Programme

1.3 ADDITION OF OTHER CENTRES AND UNITS OF THE UNIVERSITY

1979 Establishment of the External Examinations Branch and later in 2007 was transformed as the

Centre for Distance & Continuing Education of the UoP

1987 Establishment of the English Language Teaching Unit

1992 Establishment of the Centre for Environmental Studies

1999 Establishment of the Staff Development Centre

2001 Establishment of the Network Communication Service Unit

2003 Establishment of the Information Technology Centre

2005 Establishment of the Career Guidance & Counseling Unit

2012 Establishment of the International Research Centre in 2012 and it was transferred to International

Affairs Office (IAO) in September 2017. From 01st January 2020, International Affairs Office (IAO) was formally renamed as International Relations Office (InRO)

1. Establishment of the Internal Quality Assurance Unit which was converted to the Centre for Quality Assurance (CQA) in 2021.

1. Establishment of the Multidisciplinary National Institution Incubation Centre (MuNIC)

1. Establishment of the Business Linkage, Innovation, Incubation & Technology Transfer Office (BLII-TTO)

2020 Establishment of the University Research Council

1.4 STUDY PROGRAMMES Please refer Chapter 7 for details

1.5 HOSTELS

1. Sangaramaya and Kehelpannala Bhikku Hostels 2. Akbar Nell Hall

3. Arunachalam Hall 4. James Peiris Hall

5. Hindagala Hall 6. Jayathilaka Hall

7. Marcus Fernando Hall 8. Marrs Hall

9. New Akbar Hall 10. Sarasavi Uyana Hall

11. Ivor Jennings Hall 12. Senaka Bibile Hall

13. Hilda Obeysekara Hall 14. Ramanathan Hall

15. Sangamitta Hall 16. Wijewardana Hall

17. Ediriweera Sarachchandra Hall 18. Gunapala Malalasekara Halls

19. Mahiluppallama Girls Hall 20. Mahiluppallama Boys Hall

21. Sarasavi Medura 22. Lalith Athulathmudali Hall

23. AQ 40 Hall 24. Mahakanda Hall

1.6 UNIVERSITY GUEST HOUSES

No Name of the Guest Houses

1. Gal Bangalawa
2. Lady Hill
3. Upper Hanthana
4. PGIA Guest House

1.7 NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES IN 2020

Name of the Faculty Number of Students

(as at 31st December 2020)

Faculty of Agriculture

1058

Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

694

Faculty of Arts

3519

Faculty of Dental Sciences

311

Faculty of Engineering

1659

Faculty of Management

639

Faculty of Medicine

1263

Faculty of Science

1829

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science

308

Total

11280

1.6 STAFF STRENGTH (CADRE ALLOCATION)

Staff Category Number of Staff

(as at 31st December 2020)

Academic Staff

865

Library Staff

14

Administrative Staff & Financial Staff

56

Other Executive Staff

13

Medical Officers

4

Academic support Staff

59

Technical Staff

396

Clerical & Allied Staff

539

Primary Staff

1233

Total

3179