Commencement of Official Duties for the New Year 2026

Published on

2026/02/02 - 10:39

The University of Moratuwa officially commenced its duties for the New Year on 1 January 2026, adhereing to the Public Administration Circular No. 34/2025 issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Two minutes of silence were observed in remembrance of the members of the Tri-Forces and others who sacrificed their lives in service of the motherland.

Subsequently, the academic, administrative, academic support, and non-academic staff of the University collectively participated in the reading of the Oath / Affirmation of the Public Service, reaffirming their commitment to integrity, dedication, efficiency and loyalty to the public.

In his New Year address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. N. D. Gunawardena highlighted that, compared to other universities in Sri Lanka, the University of Moratuwa continues to experience exceptionally high demand across all Faculties, reflecting its strong reputation and national relevance. He emphasized that the primary responsibility of the University is producing of high-quality graduates, noting that at the most recent Convocation, more than 2,700 graduands received their first degrees, postgraduate degrees and diplomas including several PhDs.

The Vice-Chancellor further stated that the University recorded the highest number of PhD graduates in its history at the Convocation, with 24 doctoral degrees awarded, marking a significant institutional milestone. He expressed his sincere appreciation to the academic staff for their dedication and commitment, which made these achievements possible.

He further stated that a high volume of research publications and the allocation of LKR 90–100 million in research reward grants, was recorded in 2025, the highest level achieved within the Sri Lankan university system. He also highlighted the strong growth of the BIT external degree programme, jointly offered by the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) and the Faculty of Information Technology, which recorded high student enrolment during the past year.

The Vice-Chancellor further noted that, despite staff shortages and financial restrictions, the University has continued to perform strongly due to the robustness of its systems and, more importantly, the dedication, discipline, and perseverance of its staff members. He also expressed his sincere appreciation to the staff for initiating innovative and out-of-the-box approaches that have contributed significantly to the continued success and progress of the University. The Vice-Chancellor called upon all Faculties, Departments, Divisions, and Units to continue adopting the successful approaches implemented in recent years in order to further strengthen academic activities, quality assurance mechanisms, and timely service delivery.

While acknowledging ongoing challenges, the Vice-Chancellor noted that certain issues arise due to factors beyond the University’s direct control, particularly in areas involving external parties such as procurement, supplies, and construction-related activities. He stated that special attention would be given in 2026 to minimizing delays and addressing such challenges proactively.

The Vice-Chancellor also expressed his appreciation to the Director, Centre for Open and Distance Learning, for agreeing to provide a special allowance of Rs. 5,000 to all administrative and non-academic staff of the Univeristy with the December - 2025 salary, funded from the earned income of the CODL BIT programme. He noted that this payment was made in recognition of the valuable contributions of both direct and indirect staff involved in the successful operation of University income-generating activities.

He further emphasized that University cost-recovery initiatives such as consultancies depend not only on direct academic and technical contributions, but also on essential indirect support services. Recognising these collective efforts is vital for sustaining motivation, teamwork, and institutional efficiency, particularly under prevailing economic conditions.

Accordingly, the Vice-Chancellor requested Departments, Centers, and Units engaging in cost recovery activities to consider adopting similar practices, ensuring that staff members who directly and indirectly support such activities receive a fair and equitable share of the benefits.

In concluding his address, the Vice-Chancellor extended his gratitude to staff members who retired, were transferred, or left the University during the past year, acknowledging their valuable contributions. He offered special thanks to Prof. D. P. Chandrasekara, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, for his immense contribution towards improving staff welfare, infrastructure, and institutional systems.

The Vice-Chancellor concluded by wishing all members of the University community a very Happy New Year and a successful year ahead.

As a highlight of the ceremony, the University honoured forty-four dedicated members of the academic, administrative, academic support, and non-academic staff of the University of Moratuwa and the Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa (ITUM) who achieved significant milestones in their service. Recipients of the Long Service Awards, having completed 25, 30, and 40 years of service, were recognised for their unwavering dedication. Those who reached the remarkable milestone of 40 years of service were presented with a distinguished plaque, while others received medals corresponding to their years of commitment.

Recipients of Bronze Medal (25 Year of Service)