An island-wide program to train undergraduate students from Sri Lankan state universities in environmental sustainability leadership was organized by the Center for Environmental Sustainability (CES), University of Peradeniya (UoP), in collaboration with the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China, and the Joint Research and Demonstration Center (JRDC), Peradeniya.
The program is planned to be conducted in three stages. During Stage 1, over 260 students from 16 state universities participated in a 20-hour online lecture series held from February 20 to March 1, 2025. The lecture series covered various topics, including threats to biodiversity, environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, sustainable energy, circular economy, and environmental management. Over 185 participants successfully completed the online program and got qualified to sit for the selection exam, which was held on March 9, 2025, at the Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya. Of the 147 students who sat for the exam, 32
were selected for Stage 2. Stage 2 of the training program was held at JRDC on March 15 and 16, 2025. The 32 participants represented the University of Peradeniya, University of Jaffna, University of Kelaniya, University of Colombo, University of Ruhuna, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, and Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
Day 1 commenced with participant registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by the inauguration session at JRDC, attended by Prof. Terrence Madhujith, Vice-Chancellor of UoP, Prof. Ranjith Pallegama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UoP, and Dr. Nalin Suranjith, Acting Director of CES. Participants then engaged in an interactive session on leadership skills for environmental sustainability, conducted by Mr. Suchinthana Dasun (Career Guidance Unit, UoP). In the afternoon, participants visited the research laboratory of Prof. Namal Priyantha, Faculty of Science, UoP. This was followed by a session led by Mr. Asel Pandigama (Faculty of Science), who shared his recent experiences from a fellowship program in the USA, which his team earned through a competition organized by the NGO ‘Seeds for Peace’, the U.S. Embassy, and CES.
The highlight of the day was a nocturnal field excursion in the Lower Hantana area. Guided by Dr. Gajaba Ellepola and Mr. Kumudu Wijesooriya (Department of Zoology, UoP), participants observed a plethora of nocturnal amphibian, reptilian, and insect fauna. The excursion concluded amidst heavy rain, adding to the adventure. The day concluded with a dinner discussion at JRDC around 10:00 p.m.
Day 2 began with two lively discussion sessions featuring Prof. Rohana Chandrajith (Department of Geology, UoP), Prof. Namal Priyantha (Department of Chemistry, UoP), and Dr. Chaminda Wijesundara (Department of Environmental and Industrial Sciences, UoP). Hosted by Dr. Nalin Suranjith, Acting Director of CES, these sessions provided participants with the opportunity to interact with experts and discuss their research work. Participants then attended a workshop on Communication Skill Development for Sustainability Leaders, conducted by Mr. Kanishka Gambarapitiya (Media and Community Relations Center, UoP). The workshop focused on the effective use of social media for environmental advocacy. In the afternoon, participants took part in a hackathon to propose solutions to environmental issues of their choice. Dr. Nadeesha Koralegedara (Department of Geology, UoP) and Dr. Manjula Wijesinghe (Department of Chemistry, UoP) facilitated the session. The proposed solutions were presented at the end of the session and evaluated by a panel comprising Dr. Shalika Kumburegama and Dr. Gajaba Ellepola (Department of Zoology, UoP), Mr. Mahanama (Department of Engineering Management, UoP), Dr. Nadeesha Koralegedara, and Dr. Manjula Wijesinghe.
The training program concluded with a closing ceremony attended by Prof. Terrence Madhujith (Vice-Chancellor, UoP), Prof. Ranjit Pallegama (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UoP), Prof. Tilak Hewawasam (Chairman, Central Environmental Authority), Prof. Sanath Rajapakse (Dean, Faculty of Science, UoP), Prof. Nanda Balasooriya (Director, Postgraduate Institute of Science), Prof. Thilak Bandara (Head, Department of Geography, UoP), Dr. Chaminda Wijesundara (Head, Department of Environmental and Industrial Sciences, UoP), and several resource persons from the program. During his address, Prof. Madhujith emphasized the University of Peradeniya’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its remarkable achievements. Certificates of successful completion were awarded to all participants. The program concluded with a dinner reception at JRDC, attended by invitees, the organizing committee, and the participants.
Eleven students were selected based on their performance in Stage 2. At stage 3, those participants will compete in a competition on March 25, 2025, at the International Water Conference on Climate Change and Environmental Pollution: Challenges and Solutions for Food Security and Public Health, which will be held at JRDC. A cash prize will be awarded to each winner of stage 3, by the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, at Chinese Academy of Science, China.
