The Center for Contemporary Indian Studies (CCIS) of the University of Colombo successfully hosted the workshop titled “Indo-Digital Nexus: Innovations and the Future of International Relations” on 26 November 2025 at the Conference Hall of the Faculty of Management and Finance. The programme was organised and executed under the leadership of Professor R. Senathiraja, Director of CCIS, and brought together leading academics, diplomats, and undergraduates to explore the growing intersections between digital innovation and international relations.
The event was honoured by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, and Professor A. A. Azeez, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The Chief Guest, Mrs. Roshni Thomson, First Secretary and Spokesperson of the Indian High Commission in Colombo, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of India–Sri Lanka academic collaboration and the transformative role of digital technology in reshaping contemporary geopolitical engagement.
The workshop featured a series of scholarly presentations by eminent academics from Sri Lanka and India. Dr. Pavithra Jayewardena, Dr. Dipika Bansal, Professor Mallika Kumar, Dr. Thumira Gunasena, and Ms. Tharishi Hewavithangamage presented research on digital diplomacy, algorithmic governance, and the future of international relations. Each session was followed by a Q&A segment, allowing students to engage directly with the presenters and broaden their academic perspectives.
Undergraduates from the Department of International Relations of the University of Colombo and the Department of International Studies of the University of Kelaniya participated in the workshop. Their active involvement throughout the programme reflected a strong interest in global digital developments and the transformative impact of technology on foreign policy.
CCIS officially announced the Thesis Grant Call during the event for undergraduates interested in Contemporary Indian Studies. Students are invited to submit proposals on or before 26 December 2025, after which three proposals will each receive a grant of Rs. 20,000.
All participants received certificates at the end of the event. CCIS further announced that an edited volume compiling the workshop’s research papers, complete with an ISBN, will be published in the coming weeks. The workshop concluded by reaffirming CCIS’s commitment to fostering research, regional collaboration, and academic dialogue under the leadership of Professor R. Senathiraja.
Center for Contemporary Indian Studies (CCIS)
University of Colombo
Email: ccis@cmb.ac.lk | Phone: +94 11 250 0433
Website: https://ccis.cmb.ac.lk
