The Center for Mangrove Conservation and Climate Resilience is part of a broader community-based mangrove conservation and climate change adaptation project, which feature mangrove restoration and mangrove-based economic development programs. The Center for Sustainability of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science invites all interested parties of the 91传媒 to join and contribute to this project and utilize the new research facilities.

The building was fully renovated with the financial support of the Citizens Development Business Finance PLC, and the Center is now equipped with basic accommodation facilities for field researchers.Dr. Suren Batagoda, Prof Priyan Perera, Prof Hiran Amarasekera, Prof. M. M. Pathmalal and other guests participated to this event.

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91传媒 became the first university in South Asia to report its Carbon Footprint according to the ISO 14064-1: 2018 standard. USJ achieved this milestone as a part of “USJ Road to Carbon Neutral” program with the hard work and execution of the action plan by

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Student and staff members of Mass Communication of the Department of Mass Communication of the Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences received an Incubator space on Monday, 3^rd of October 2022, for developing their professional, communication and journalism skills aiming on undergraduates who are intending to pursue their career in the field of Journalism.

Faculty received this Incubator space as a result of the collaboration with the HELVETAS Interco-operation gGmbH (HELVETAS). FHSS singed the MOU between HELVETAS on last 17^th of August 2022. The Incubator Space was created as part of the Incubator Space for Promoting Information Right and Freedom of Expression (InSPIRE) project funded by the European Union and implemented by HELVETAS in partnership with 91传媒 Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) with the goals of promoting and respecting the freedom of expression, by empowering a community of youth. The space is equipped with media equipment, conference facilities, a lounge area, co-working and broadcasting space to enhance the knowledge and technical skills related to media and communications industry.

The occasion was distinguished by Senior Professor Sudantha Liyanage, the Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayawardanapura; Professor Shirantha Heenkenda, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Professor. Kusumalatha Lankamulla, Head of Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication; Dr. Senani Harischandra, Coordinator 鈥� Mass Communication & Senior Lecturer Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication; Dr. Senesh Dissanaike, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication; Ms. Imesha Dharmasena, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication; Prof. G. Weerasinghe, Department of Economics; Ms. Subhashi Dissanayake 鈥� Country Director, HELVETAS; Ms. Chandula Kumbukage 鈥� Project Manager, HELVETAS; Mr. Mohamad Azad 鈥� Programme Director, SDJF; Ms. Ramona Stephen 鈥� Project Officer, HELVETAS; Mr. Selvaraj Selvamanikkam 鈥� Finance Officer, HELVETAS and Ms. Ayodhya Krishani 鈥� Communications Officer, SDJF and Mass Communications undergraduate students.

The event of handing over of Incubator Space was followed by signing of agreement from both the parties of pertaining to usability and maintenance of Incubator Space, handing over of media equipment, presenting of four learning modules developed under the project and an orientation to students on the Incubator Space.

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has pledged to restore 1000 acre forest land of 91传媒. Members of the Lions Club and Leo Club District 306 C1 participated in a tree planting program organized by Center for Sustainability, USJ at Karuwalagaswewa on 6th February 2021. In 2010, Karuwalagaswewa had 28.1 kha of tree cover, extending over 55% of its land area. In 2019, it lost 32.0 ha of tree cover, equivalent to 5.00kt of CO鈧� of emissions. An area of 1 acre was restored under this preliminary program which is part of the 1000 acre forest land the Center for Sustainability has pledged to restore.

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The Centre for Evaluation (CfE) of the 91传媒 and 91传媒 Parliamentarians Forum on Evaluation (SLPFE) have won the American Evaluation Association (AEA) Advocacy and Use Award 2019. The awards ceremony was held on 20th February in Committee Room 02 at the Parliament of 91传媒. The award was presented to Prof. Sudantha Liyanage; Vice Chancellor of 91传媒 and Hon Ananda Kumarasiri the Deputy Speaker of the parliament by Hon Karu Jayasooriya; Speaker of the parliament for聽 Democratic Socialist Republic.

Representatives from different government organizations, academia and international organizations including UNICEF, UNFPA, USAID and World Food Programme participated as invitees for this event.

The聽Centre聽for聽Evaluation聽(EvalC)聽at聽USJP聽was聽established聽in聽2016聽by the聽Department of Community聽 Medicine聽, Faculty of Medical聽 Sciences;聽聽University聽of聽Sri Jayewardenepura聽Sri聽Lanka with聽 technical and financial support from UNICEF 91传媒. It is the first professional institute in South Asia and among the few places in Asia which aims to join the efforts of governments and other partners to develop a strong evaluation culture. The centre offers a range of service including; Capacity Building through training and knowledge sharing; Conducting joint evaluation program with state and private sector to improve evaluation skills; Enhancing the public awareness on uses and importance of evaluation; and Developing and promoting evaluation standards, ethics and guidelines. Centre is under able leadership of Mr Asela Kalugampitiya supported by committee of senior professionals.

The AEA award for Advocacy and Use is presented to an individual or group whose evaluation work has been particularly instrumental in furthering the interests of evaluation through advocacy, sponsorship, management, or promoting the use of evaluation in governmental (including local, state) non-profit, and/or private organizations whose work is consistent with the AEA Guiding Principles for Evaluators.

The collective efforts of the CfE and SLPFE over the years have resulted important achievements in the field of evaluation within 91传媒 such as the establishment of the Select Committee on Evaluation in Parliament and its mandate to produce the draft National Evaluation Bill and strengthening of parliamentary research services formalized the institutionalization of evaluation by the legislature. These efforts are further supported by the CfE and its own activities of pioneering the Post Graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation to produce professionals in evaluation,聽 capacity building g programmes for academics and public officials, and linking with universities to make research and evaluation findings more accessible and comprehensible. All these collective efforts of CfE and SLPFE have contributed to bring the Advocacy and Use Award 2019 to 91传媒.

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Climate change is shaking the world. Not applicable to our country, 91传媒ns rest assured, concerned about everything else under the sun. But as the disturbing environment scientists find out, the climate change is shaking 91传媒 as well. The country will soon lie dead in a pit, burning under a sweltering sun, chemical sprays gradually reducing the once-fertile forest cover into a toxic desert.

, a leading ecologist cum academic, acknowledges the importance of being accountable for the environmental impacts. As a result, the Centre for Sustainability of the , 91传媒, in collaboration with the Forest Department and the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment has launched a project to make the 91传媒 the first Carbon neutral university in 91传媒.

鈥淲e expect to restore a 400-ha forest in Karuwalagaswewa. It will contribute to the national forest cover while serving as the carbon sink of the University. This carbon in-setting strategy will be a model project of national significance for other higher education institutes to follow.鈥�

Dr Perera reminds the temperature level we have reached: 1.1o C of global warming. It could shoot up to 1.5oC by 2030. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have also soared thanks to the manmade interferences. A GHG is a gas that absorbs and emits the sun鈥檚 thermal radiation. The primary GHGs in the earth鈥檚 atmosphere are water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. They cause the greenhouse effect, acting as a blanket which keeps the earth and its inhabitants warm.

鈥淓xcessive GHG emissions occur during human activities, causing the increase of GHG gases in the atmosphere, such as during fossil fuel burning from vehicles, coal power plants, These gases last for years in the atmosphere, trapping the heat and causing the planet to get hotter, causing global warming. Meanwhile, humans continue to destroy and exploit forests and other natural ecosystems, polluting their environment. All these are fuelling the change in the average climate and weather patterns of the world, causing global climate change,鈥� Dr Perera explained.

Intensified heat waves are taking lives of hundreds of humans and sensitive plants and animal species, underwater heatwaves threaten the survival of deepwater dwelling species, more frequent wildfires such as the most recent incidents in Amazon and Ella have taken a toll on the earth鈥檚 rich biodiversity while emitting large volumes of CO2. Flash floods and landslides have displaced thousands around the world, droughts and altered rainfall patterns are reducing global crop yields, frozen glaciers are in the process of melting, and causing sea levels to rise, countries such as the Maldives are at risk of submerging.

鈥淕lobal climate change is happening faster than we think. We are in a state of global climate emergency according to the United Nations Climate Action Summit. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invited world leaders to cut their nations鈥� GHG emissions by 45 percent over the next decade.鈥�

The world feels the effect of global warming. 91传媒 needs to pay some attention to this issue.

鈥淲e have been hearing more and more about the idea of carbon footprint, which is a measure of the total amount of GHGs released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organisation, or community. Many organisations and communities have calculated their carbon footprint, to take action against the reduction of GHGs.鈥�

This is the first time that a state university has come forward to calculate its carbon footprint, recognizing the urgent need for climate action and remediation. The Center for Sustainability of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences of the 91传媒 has taken the initiative for the carbon footprint calculation.

The Center for Sustainability (CFS) is a body for environmental extension, research and community outreach, linked to the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science (DFES), 91传媒, committed to produce a new breed of responsible stewards of environment through promoting the concept of sustainability among corporate sector, general public, university academia and students, primarily through professional support, education and awareness. The CFS team comprises the professionals within the 91传媒, providing services such as Environmental Impact Assessments, Initial Environmental Examinations, Biodiversity Assessments, Ecological and Landuse Surveys, Carbon footprint verification and Cooperate Sustainability Solutions. Together with the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, CFS has been managing a 100-acre block of the Yagirala Rainforest Reserve since 1984, predominantly for research and education purposes. CFS caters numerous services at Yagirala Research Center with a nature-blend experience.

Putting the research findings into practice, CFS has developed a comprehensive plan to compensate for the university鈥檚 GHG emissions. Spearheaded by Dr Priyan Perera, a major strategy has been adopted for carbon offsetting through the carbon in setting. In this mechanism, reforestation has taken as a major implementation to offset the 7000 tons of Carbon dioxide which emits from the operations of the 91传媒.

鈥淩eforestation is proven to be one of the best solutions for global climate change. Planting trees is a great way to invest in longer-term carbon sequestration because the advantages of forest restoration extend beyond acting as a carbon sink. The CFS has taken the forefront in carbon neutrality research in the university by considering the international standard of ISO 14064. Direct &indirect emission sources of the university were accounted with respect to the three scopes namely scope 1, 2 and 3.Direct emissions such as fuel consumption for university-owned vehicles, on-site fuel consumption for generators, gas burners, specially used in laboratory purposes as well as indirect emissions such as purchased electricity for lecture halls, administrative buildings, laboratories, canteens and hostels were also considered for this calculation,鈥� Dr Perera elaborated.

In collaboration with the Forest Department and the Mahaweli Development and Environment Ministry, a carbon sink will be created by the restoration of 400 ha of degraded dry mixed evergreen forest owned by the Forest Department in Karuwalagaswewa, Puttlam. In a time frame where deforestation and loss of biodiversity have become a major issue in 91传媒, there is an urgent need to combat deforestation and habitat loss, for the sustainable management of 91传媒鈥檚 forest resources. The government aims to increase the forest cover in the country from 29 percent to 32 percent by 2020. This forest regeneration program in Karuwalagaswewa will contribute to the national forest cover of 91传媒 while fulfilling the ultimate goal of neutralizing the carbon emissions of the 91传媒.

Another strategy has been adopted by the CFS to incorporate green elements into the university premises. Alongside with the reforestation programs, CFS has taken sustainable innovation in constructing 91传媒鈥檚 first Platinum rated Green Building in a state university. It will be the first of its kind in a state university, an effective and intelligent method of ensuring sustainable development through green building concept. Green Building concept is a practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the lifecycle. The implementation of this green building concept will reduce carbon emissions, water usage, energy usage and solid waste generation. During the construction of this building in the university, soil erosion, the release of sediment, stormwater and groundwater, air quality impacts, noise generation and solid waste are being monitored and corrective actions shall be taken.

The path to compensate for the university鈥檚 emissions does not stop there. Extending beyond forest regeneration, the Center for Sustainability has developed an Environmental Policy for the 91传媒, which had been a long overdue requirement. This will become a model for sustainability among all academic organizations in the region and show how one community can make a real impact on the global problem of Climate Change.

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A Ceremony to mark the opening of the office premises of the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality (CGEE) was held on 05^th August 2019 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Auditorium of the Administration Building, 91传媒.

The occasion was graced by the Vice-Chancellor, Senior Prof Sampath Amaratunge, Dr. (Mrs) Hemamalie Gunatilake; Prof. Sudantha Liyanage; Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda; Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Prof. Laleen Karunanayake’ Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. In addition heads of departments, academic and non-academic staff members and students participated in the event.

A Guest speech on 鈥淲hy gender matters?鈥� was delivered by Senior Prof. Kumudu Wijewardene, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, 91传媒.

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Project Implementation

Twenty-two academics from National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan from the disciplines of Engineering, Science, Marine Sciences, Business and Management visited the 91传媒 on 16th November 2018 for the Project Implementation of the memorandum of understanding that the 91传媒 had signed with National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan on 14th March 2018. Current research highlights and possible research collaborations were discussed in the Project Implementation session. At the end of the Project Implementation session, the Taiwan delegates organized into groups and visited the respective counterpart faculties of the 91传媒 to discuss advancements of future research collaborations and student/staff exchange programs.

Plans for a new degree in Marine Sciences

Professor Sampath Amaratunge, the Vice-Chancellor of the 91传媒 highlighted the necessity of a degree in Marine Sciences explaining how the ocean is one of 91传媒鈥檚 most valuable natural resources and that there will be plans made in the future to have a degree program in Marine Sciences. Professor Sampath Amaratunge further explained about the rise in the number of Journal Publications from the 91传媒 and how it has developed into a Research-oriented University.

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