The New Year 2026 was ceremonially commenced at the University of Peradeniya on January 1st at 8.00 a.m. at the Senate Building, under the patronage of the Chancellor with the participation of the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Following multi-religious observances, the National Flag was hoisted and the National Anthem was sung. A two-minute silence was then observed in remembrance of all those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, including members of the Tri-Forces and war heroes. Thereafter, the Public Service Pledge was administered, marking the formal commencement of official duties for the New Year.
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Professor Terence Madhujith reflected on the significant achievements of the University during the year 2025. Some of the significant achievements he highlighted are as follows;
- The University of Peradeniya making the history by becoming the first university in the country to admit the first two batches of students who sat for the GCE Advanced Level examination in 2024.
- Five academics being ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world
- The university securing the first in GreenMetric World University Rankings in the country for the second consecutive time.
- The Faculty of Engineering successfully staging the ENGEX 2025 in celebration of its Diamond Jubilee.
- The Faculty of Medicine recording an outstanding achievement by securing 17 places within the top 100 of the common merit list.
- Achieving nearly 100% financial progress.
- Receiving a clear audit opinion after 17 long years.
- Entering into five major new Memoranda of Understanding and developing academic and research collaborations with 17 universities across the globe.
- The Canadian High Commission celebrating the Canada Day at University of Peradeniya on June 30th
- For the first time, the University holding an Alumni Felicitation Ceremony, honoring 20 distinguished alumni who have made exceptional contributions to society and their professions.
- Hosting more than 15 major national and international conferences and symposia.
- Professor Roshan Ragel becoming the first academic from the Global South to receive the 2025 IEEE Computer Society Mary Kenneth Keller Award.
- Establishment of the Psychological Well-being and Assessment Centre at the Faculty of Arts and the Wound Care Centre at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.
- Digitizing the Mahawamsa, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage document and making the same available for readers in the digital format.
- Celebrating the talents and dedication of our non-academic staff through a Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony.
- In recognition of high-quality research, introduction of cash award for researchers publishing in Q1 journals.
He further mentioned that the university was able to safeguard more than 11,000 students from raging waters of the Mahaweli River during the Ditwah cyclone. He further emphasized that immediate steps would be taken to restore and rebuild the University following the recent flood disaster. The Vice-Chancellor also expressed his deep appreciation for the collective efforts of all staff and stakeholders during the crisis and noted with gratitude that no loss of life was reported during the disaster.
The Acting Registrar of the University, Mr. K. A. B. Damunupola, also addressed the gathering. The event was attended by Deans of the Faculties, Directors of Postgraduate Institutes, members of the Academic, Administrative, and Non-Academic staff, as well as a group of students.
The ceremony was coordinated by the Public Relations Office, in collaboration with the Senate Office and the University Media Unit, under the overall facilitation of the Acting Public Relations Officer, Mr. Mahesh Abeywickrama.
