Leadership

Since my appointment as the Chairman of the Faculty Health and Safety Committee in 2021, I have led the development and implementation of a robust safety plan for our faculty. This plan includes not only the strategic placement of fire extinguishers and the establishment of clearly marked emergency exits but also the provision of comprehensive training for staff regarding the use of fire extinguishers. This training ensures that our team is well-prepared and confident in handling potential fire emergencies. Additionally, I have organized "Shramadana" campaigns to clean and maintain the surrounding areas, which have been crucial in reducing the spread of dengue by effectively controlling mosquito populations. These combined efforts significantly enhance the health and safety of our entire faculty community. 

As the Chairman of the faculty staff-students liaisons committee, you played a pivotal role in fostering a strong relationship between faculty and students, particularly through organizing new student orientation events. These events were key in helping new students acclimate to the campus and foster a sense of community. Additionally, you spearheaded the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) program, which encouraged collaborative learning. This initiative involved higher-level students aiding their peers academically, supported by a structured system of resources and paid assistantships for student tutors, significantly enhancing the educational experience on campus. 

In 2017, I had the honor of being elected as the President of the Sports Council at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. My tenure was marked by leading a dynamic and diverse team of over 1,000 athletes competing in 36 different sports events. I focused on fostering unity among this varied group, bridging differences in opinions, religions, fields of study, and genders. Our collective efforts and strategic planning paid off spectacularly as we clinched the Inter-University Men's, Women's, and Overall Championships. Further highlighting my tenure, I organized the 43rd Annual Colours Night, a significant and prestigious event hosted at the 5-star Waters Edge in Colombo. This event was made possible with the invaluable support of the University Alumni. Additionally, in an effort to enhance sports facilities at the university, I had the privilege of attending a meeting with His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, the President of Sri Lanka, at the "Japura Pradeepa Pranama" event. This meeting, facilitated by Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, the former Vice Chancellor of USJ, was a significant step towards improving the sports infrastructure at our university.

In 2018, I had the honor of being appointed as the Vice-captain of the Sri Lanka University Rugby Team for the World University Rugby Championship held in Namibia. Our team successfully secured the 8th rank in the tournament, following South Africa, Australia, and France, who achieved the first three positions. This achievement stands as the highest ever for a Sri Lankan team in the history of the World University Championship 

In 2012, I had the honor of being appointed as the Rugby Captain for Kingwood College in Kandy. Under my captaincy, our team achieved the prestigious position of Runner-up at the All Island Schools Rugby Sevens Championship. My leadership abilities on the field were recognized beyond match victories; I was awarded the title of Best Leader at Kingwood College, a testament to the dedication and guidance I provided to my team. 

In 2016-2017, I had the honor of being appointed as the Rugby Captain for University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Under my captaincy, our team achieved the prestigious position of Runner-up at the KDU sevens Rugby Sevens Championship and was able to place 4th in Inter- University Rugby Championship and I contributed my team by being the highest try score of the 2016 championship with 14 tries in 5 matches. for these performance I was awarded as the best rugby player in 2016 and was awarded Sri Lanka University Colours for Rugby from 2015-2018 

Sri Lanka is grappling with significant pollution challenges, primarily due to the extensive use of plastics, including 20 million grocery bags, 15 million lunch sheets, and 10 million PET bottles daily. The Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has found that only 5%-9% of these plastics are recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills or incinerators. Amidst growing environmental concerns, there's a vital push for companies, especially those in the IT/BPO sector, to lower their plastic consumption and carbon emissions. The adoption of a Zero Plastic Policy is advocated to aid companies in transitioning towards sustainable practices, offering them a competitive advantage in the global market by integrating sustainability into their business models.

Adding to the efforts towards sustainability, I had the privilege of serving as the chief guest and the head of the advisory board at the Annual General Meeting of Zero Plastic Peradeniya on February 16, 2024, which took place at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. I extend my warmest congratulations to all the newly appointed members of the initiative. It's a call to action for everyone involved to contribute meaningfully towards the betterment of our planet by focusing on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This commitment not only highlights the urgency of addressing environmental issues but also underscores the collective responsibility we share in fostering a sustainable future.

The projects undertaken by Peradeniya underscore this commitment:

• Eco-Craft Project: This initiative has opened new avenues for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses while promoting the use of eco-friendly products like ornaments and toys in our daily lives.

• Go Beyond: This project aims at raising awareness among school students regarding the causes and consequences of plastic waste accumulation in our environment, with a focus on reducing plastic usage.

• Natura: A photography competition targeted mainly at the Facebook community, encouraging participation through cash prizes, to highlight the beauty and importance of our natural environment.

• Yuthukama Project: An awareness campaign held in conjunction with the Kandy Esala Perahera, focusing on cultural and environmental consciousness.

These initiatives by Peradeniya are exemplary steps towards environmental sustainability, reflecting a deep commitment to reducing plastic use and promoting a greener, cleaner world.

The "Snehadara" initiative, led by the Department of Finance, was launched at Kosgala Vidyalaya in Rathnapura in October 2016. As the chief organizer, I played a key role in budgeting, liaising with the school, and coordinating various parties. The project, driven by second-year finance students, provided the school with several resources. This included Buddha statues for each classroom, desktop computers, library books, and a range of stationery supplies. Moreover, every student from Grade 1 to 11 received personal educational materials like exercise books, school bags, and compass boxes, significantly enhancing their learning environment 

I co-led the "Senahaseyathrawa" initiative with a team of fellow university students. Our goal was to support those who were impacted by the 2017 floods in the Kalutara district. These floods were a result of continuous heavy rainfall in Sri Lanka starting from May 26, 2017. The disaster affected over half a million individuals and tragically led to a death toll of over 200. In response, our project played a vital role in delivering essential assistance to the affected individuals, including dry rations, clean water, clothing, and necessary medication.