Under the leadership of Prof. R. Senathiraja, Director of the Centre for
Contemporary Indian Studies (CCIS), the Centre organized an Indian Graduate
Alumni Gathering on 22 January 2026 at the Faculty of Graduate Studies,
University of Colombo. The event served as a platform to strengthen academic,
cultural, and alumni engagement between Indian graduates and the University of
Colombo.
The gathering was graced by Mr. Sandeep Chaudri, First Secretary (Education),
High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, and Prof. Indika Mahesh Karunathilake,
Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, who served as the Chief Guests of
the event. Their presence underscored the significance of academic collaboration,
international partnerships, and people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka.
The event was also attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, the Dean of the
Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the Director of the International Office, along
with senior academic staff members and university administrators. A notable
number of Indian graduates of the University of Colombo participated in the
gathering, sharing their academic experiences and professional journeys while
reconnecting with the University community.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the abstract compendium titled
“Indian Context Studies: Abstract Compendium – Series I”. This publication marks
an important milestone for the Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies and reflects
its commitment to promoting scholarly research and academic discourse on India-
focused studies.
The Indian Graduate Alumni Gathering 2026 reaffirmed the University of
Colombo’s dedication to fostering international academic networks, promoting
interdisciplinary research, and strengthening alumni relations. The Centre for
Contemporary Indian Studies continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral
academic cooperation and creating meaningful platforms for intellectual exchange.