On July 23, 2024, Library staff of the University of the Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA), led by Mrs. Mudhitha Ankumbura, Senior Assistant Librarian visited the Science Library of the University of Colombo. This initiative was par with the staff development of the Visual and Performing Arts Library. Mrs. Sajeewanie Somaratna, Senior Assistant Librarian, Mr Madushan Lankathilake, Assistant Librarian and the staff of the Science Library warmly welcomed the VAPA team.

The primary objective of the visit was to explore innovative technologies and best practices employed in the Science Faculty library. The team was impressed by the Science Library's state-of-the-art facilities; RFID Self-Check-in/out process, automated circulation process and library security system powered by RFID technology. The team observed how the library had thoughtfully designed learning spaces to cater to the diverse preferences of different user groups incorporating cutting-edge technological adaptations.

The Librarian of VAPA, Dr G R Padmasiri and the staff of VAPA expressed their sincere gratitude to Senior Professor Upul Sonnadara, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Mrs Sajeewanie Somaratna, Senior Assistant Librarian and the staff of the library for providing an opportunity to improve their library experiences by sharing the best practices of the Science Library with them.

Mr. M.M. Rifaudeen, the Librarian, along with the library staff of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL) paid a visit to the University of Colombo Library on 20th July 2023 to witness the best practices at the Main Library and cutting-edge technologies at the Science Library of the University of Colombo. The Acting Librarian Mrs. Sajeewanie D. Somaratna warmly welcomed and provided them with an opportunity to experience the modern library facilities at the Science Library and to discover special collections at the Main Library.

The SEUSL Library team first visited the Science Library and explored the novel technologies and facilities being used in the Information & Learning Centre (Science Library). They were intrigued by the concept of the ‘Learning Space’ and unique elements of services at the Science Library such as the “RFID Self-Check-in/out Machine,” Media Unit, and other facilities. The team then visited the Main Library and observed the collections and their arrangements at the Ceylon Room, Periodicals and Research Collections.

The SEUSL team and the staff had a friendly discussion with the senior staff of the Library and exchanged their experiences on library operations and services in their respective libraries. The Librarian of the SEUSL officially thanked the Acting Librarian of the University of Colombo for giving them an opportunity to share the best practices with them during their visit. Library staff of the University of Colombo also enjoyed having interactions with their counterparts from the SEUSL

On the first day of their academic journey, the first-year undergraduates (2022 intake) of the Faculty of Science embarked on their first visit to the science library as part of their orientation day activities on the 29th of May, 2023. The Acting Librarian of the University of Colombo, Mrs Sajeewanie Somaratna, Assistant Librarian of the Faculty of Science, Mr Madhushan Lankathilake and the staff of the Science Library warmly welcomed the students and introduced the science library resources and services. During the Library tour, undergraduates were introduced to state-of-the-art library spaces facilitated with modern equipment. The library staff provided demonstrations on navigating the library’s Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and self-check-in/out machine, and showed both the printed and electronic collection for empowering the students to effectively utilize the available resources for their research and academic pursuits.

A team from the National Library and Documentation Services Board of Sri Lanka visits the Science Library of the University of Colombo. Mr. W. Sunil, the Director General of the National Library and Documentation Services Board of Sri Lanka (NLDSB), Mrs. Padma Bandaranayake, the Director of the National Library and Documentation Centre (NLDC), and other Deputy Directors, Heads of Departments, and the staff of the NLDSB visited the Science Library of the University of Colombo on May 24th, 2023. Both Senior Professor Upul Sonnadara, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Mrs. Sajeewanie Somaratna, Acting Librarian of The University of Colombo warmly welcomed all the delegates to the Science Library. The objective of the visit was to explore the modern technology and innovative spaces accommodated in the Science Library. The team had the opportunity to observe and familiarize themselves with the state-of-the-art amenities provided by the Science Library, including the automated circulation process and library security system powered by RFID technology. They also participated in a library tour and experienced different learning spaces with modern technology. This event would contribute to collaborative library operations to connect a wider range of services and stakeholders in Sri Lanka.

The Colombo University Faculty of Science Alumni Association of North America (CUFSAA-NA) has once more supported the academic progress of the students of the Faculty of Science – this timeby facilitating subscription services for a set of e-books critically needed to the Science Library. The CUFSAA donation includes subscriptions worth 4376 USD, for a total of 29 e-books. This donation was officially commemorated in a virtual ceremony held on the 25^thof October 2022 from 8.00 to 9.00 AM Sri Lanka time, via the zoom platform. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Members of CUFSAA-NA in the USA, academic staff of the Faculty of Science, including the Heads of Departments and the Library Committee members, administrative staff members and student representatives of the Faculty joined the meeting. Following the welcome remarks by Dr. Pradeepika Saputhanthri, the Chairperson of the faculty Library Committee, Mrs Sajeewanie Somaratna, Senior Assistant Librarian of the Faculty of Science presented an introduction to the Science Faculty Library, the Information and Learning Centre (ILC),and to the e-book donation project. The Vice-Chancellor, Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Senior Professor Upul Sonnadara, addressed the gathering by sharing insightful thoughts and infor­mative views. Dr. Vicumpriya Perera, the President of CUFSAA-NA, presented the activities conducted by the CUFSAA-NA in supporting the Faculty of Science, and Sri Lankan community in general, while Dr. Reshan Fernando, Chair of the e-book donation project subcommittee briefed the audience on how the project was successfully completed in a period of time. Concluding the event, Mrs Sajeewanie Somaratna (SAL/Science) expressed her sincere gratitude to CUFSAA-NA on behalf of the Faculty of Science by delivering the vote of thanks.