The opening ceremony of the newly constructed building – Sri Wimaladharma Mansion attached to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura was held on 16th December 2022 in accordance with the Buddhist religious rituals. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Anu Nayake Maha Thera, Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunge, Chairman of the University Grant Commission, Senior Professor Sudantha Liyanage, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Professor Shirantha Heenkenda, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, inaugurated the new faculty building. As well as, heads of the departments, members of the academic staff, administrative staff, non-academic staff, and students were presented at the ceremony.
The dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda welcomed all the guests who presented at the event. He mentioned the objectives of the construction of the new building and the services to be provided. It was followed by the guest address of Prof. Praneeth Abyesundara from the Department of Anthropology of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The vice chancellor, Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage has conveyed his thanks to the dean of the faculty, the construction company, and for the labourers for their dedication and sincerity in building the new building up to the satisfaction during a difficult time. In addition, the Chairman of the University Grant Commission, Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge has brought up the value of safeguarding the property for the future generation.
The We@FHSS mobile app was also officially launched for students of the faculty during the occasion. The app will provide students with a vast range of services including checking students’ results and attendance and getting students’ confirmation letters etc.
The foundation stone laying ceremony of the new building was held on 17th July 2020 and construction activities were successfully completed within two years and five months of time. The new building comprised six floors, and it provides space for academic departments, and fully-fledged lecture halls where up to 1000 students can study at a time. In addition to that, sound laboratories, biological laboratories, computer laboratories, board rooms, and an auditorium with 600 seaters will be available in the building.