Batch of ’76 Donation to the Faculty of Science
In April 2026, the Batch of 1976 of the Faculty of Science celebrated the 50th anniversary of entering the University. To commemorate this milestone, the alumni organized a batch trip to Kataragama and also decided to raise funds to make a meaningful contribution to the faculty.
Following discussions with the Dean and the Senior Assistant Registrar (SAR), it was identified that one of the faculty’s most urgent needs was the provision of two waste management facilities to accommodate garbage, including canteen waste, paper, plastic, and other recyclable materials. Once this was identified as a priority, a member of the batch, Mr. P. Wanniarachchi, generously offered to sponsor the entire project. The remaining funds raised by the batch were then allocated to donations for the individual departments.
To maximize the impact of these contributions, the departments were invited to identify items they most needed. This approach enabled the Batch to provide equipment and resources in kind, avoiding delays associated with lengthy procurement procedures. Based on the requirements submitted by the Heads of Departments, orders were placed with the respective vendors.
Although the donated items and facilities were delivered and installed as they became available, a formal handover ceremony was held on 21 April 2026 in the Science Faculty Boardroom, in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean. The ceremony was also sponsored by the Batch of 1976. The total value of the donations, including equipment and construction work, exceeded Rs. 13 million.
A distinctive feature of this initiative was that no funds were transferred directly to the University. Instead, all payments were made promptly by the batch organizers, while the donated items were selected through close consultation with the Dean and the Heads of Departments to address the faculty’s highest-priority needs. The Batch of 1976 gratefully acknowledges the valuable support and contributions of all the University officials who participated in this collaborative effort. It is hoped that this initiative will serve as a model for future alumni batches as they celebrate similar milestones and seek to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of the faculty.
