• Peradeniya Science Batch of ’74 Hands Over Refurbished Physics Lecture Theatre

Marking 52 years of enduring fellowship and academic bond, the Science Entrants - Batch of 1974 of the University of Peradeniya ceremonially handed over the fully refurbished Physics Upper Lecture Theatre to the University on May 9, 2026. The date holds profound significance for the 1974 batch, as it was exactly 52 years to the day since they first entered the Faculty as undergraduates. The project, born out of a desire to give back to their Alma Mater, was funded entirely by the generous contributions of batch members to their reunions. The initiative stands as a powerful testament to what a lifelong friendship spanning over five decades can achieve for the current and next generation of students.

The ceremonial handover was graced by the Chancellor, Prof  Lakshman Dissanayake; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof  Terrence Madujith; the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof  Sanath Rajapakse; and the Head of the Department of Physics, Prof  Kalinga Bandara. Other faculty members, alongside members of the 1974 batch and the organising committee, were also in attendance to witness the culmination of their collective efforts. The comprehensive renovation addressed critical infrastructure needs within the theatre, including repairing the leaking roof, and replacing three ceiling fans and eight wall fans for student comfort. The theatre also underwent a full aesthetic renewal, with a complete colour-washing and the repainting of all tables and benches in the lecture room. 

In his address, Dean Prof Rajapakse expressed his deep gratitude to the 1974 batch for undertaking this much-needed renovation. In recognition of this effort, several items acknowledging the 1974 batch have also been featured on the Cyril Suduwella and Emeritus Professor W G D Dharmaratne addressed the gathering on behalf of the 1974 batch. Suduwella expressed his profound appreciation to all who helped to successfully complete this project—most importantly, all batchmates whose contributions created the vital funding for the work, alongside the guidance of Prof Rajapakse, Prof Kalinga Bandara, and Prof V Sivakumar. He also thanked the contractor, Acville Homes and Construction Company, for doing an excellent job of repairing the lecture theatre without interrupting ongoing lectures and examinations.

While the Science Batch of ’74 is proud of this achievement, the project brought a bittersweet reality to light. During the refurbishment, significant additional damage was discovered in other sections of the roofing that the batch’s current funds could not cover. Consequently, the organisers wish to invite other alumni groups and well-wishers to come forward and help address the remaining infrastructure needs within the Science Faculty.

As the Batch of ’74 unveils its commemorative plaque, they do so with the hope that this legacy of friendship will inspire a spirit of giving among alumni and a renewed commitment to securing funding from the authorities for institutional maintenance.

The plaque reads as follows:

TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS AND COMMEMORATE 50 YEARS OF FELLOWSHIP, THIS LECTURE THEATRE WAS REFURBISHED BY THE SCIENCE FACULTY ENTRANTS OF 1974 IN PROFOUND GRATITUTE TO THEIR ALMA MATER