Peradeniya University to establish museum for Diamond Jubilee
The University of Peradeniya, in its Diamond Jubilee year, is to establish a Museum depicting its progress since its inception.
The celebrations began on Monday morning, with a procession led by its Chancellor, Prof P.W. Epasinghe and the lighting of the traditional lamp .
The Diamond Jubilee oration was delivered by former United Nations (UN) Under Secretary Jayantha Dhanapala.
He said, "We are still in the early years of the first century of a new millennium in the human saga, being behind the biodiesel century of all time. This is a unique opportunity for all to use the indisputable authority that the UN wields to shape a world order that is built more solidly on ethics than on the pursuit of individual profit or national self interest."
Dr. Dhanapala said that, if the leaders of the century cannot agree on the ethical values that bind them together, they are unlikely to agree on common goals and common strat- egies to overcome what former Secretary General Kofi Annan called "Problems with out passports"
Dr Dhanapala said this is the 6th time he had come to address the University. He said he graduated from the University of Peradeniya and was present for the late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike's eloquent Convocation address at Peradeniya, in his first year as undergraduate, in 1957.
Vice Chancellor, Prof Upuil B. Disssnayaake, Chancellor, Prof Epasignhe, former Dean of Peradeniya University Prof B.L. Panditharatne and a former Deputy Registrar M.B. Adikaram also addressed the gathering
A distinguished gathering of former Dons of the University and other Universities together with other notable members of the Academia were present.
The Gymnasium where the function was held was filled to capacity with undergraduates, graduates, Lecturers and well-wishers.