University of Jaffna students to join University of Sri Jayewardenepura peers for a two-day celebration of language and culture.

‎On the 19th and 20th of August 2026, the Department of English and Linguistics at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, will welcome student delegates from the University of Jaffna for “Many Voices, One Language” — a two-day inter-university collaboration programme.

‎The event marks the first in a planned series of initiatives by the Department, for its approaching 30th anniversary. As part of these celebrations, the Department is looking back on three decades of championing English not merely as an academic subject, but as a living connector between cultures — and “Many Voices, One Language” is envisioned as the first tangible step in that vision, bringing students from the University of Jaffna and University of Sri Jayewardenepura together to learn, converse, and build friendships across regional lines.

‎A Platform for Dialogue and Discovery

‎Over the two days, student delegates from both universities will take part in a series of academic and cultural exchanges designed to encourage genuine dialogue rather than one-way presentation. The programme opens with a panel discussion in which students from the University of Jaffna and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura will exchange perspectives on the topic: “Is Censorship in education ever justified?”

‎A literary reading segment will feature acclaimed writers Vivimarie Vanderpoorten and Chiranthi Rajapakse, offering students a rare opportunity to engage directly with two distinctive voices in Sri Lankan English writing. Beyond the formal sessions, delegates will also take a tour of the Sri Jayewardenepura campus and explore parts of Colombo, alongside social and cultural activities designed to help participants get to know one another.

‎Building Bridges Beyond the Classroom

‎Organisers say the programme’s ambitions extend well beyond a single event on the academic calendar. By bringing together students from the North and the West, the Department hopes to strengthen ties between the two universities, celebrate the country’s rich cultural diversity, and encourage the kind of intercultural dialogue that outlasts a two-day itinerary.

‎”Many Voices, One Language” is expected to lay the groundwork for lasting academic and personal connections between the participating students — networks that, organisers hope, will continue to grow long after the delegates return home, contributing to a more inclusive and connected academic community across Sri Lanka.

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