The 5th Convocation Ceremony of the Nāgānanda International Institute for Buddhist Studies, Manelwatte, Kelaniya, took place on the evening of the 14th at the main hall of the institute, under the patronage of Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thero, the Vice-Chancellor of the institute.
During this ceremony, 107 local and international lay and monastic undergraduate candidates were awarded their Bachelor of Arts degrees for their successful completion of studies in the Faculty of Buddhist Studies during the previous academic years. Additionally, 92 local and international lay and monastic candidates received postgraduate degrees, including Master of Arts, Master of Philosophy, and Doctoral degrees from the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The keynote address was delivered by Senior Professor Patmalal M. Manage, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The event was well-attended, with notable guests including Ven. Dr. Dampe Vijithrathana Thero, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, as well as Directors Ven. Pasgoda Sumiththa Thero and Ven. Sooriyawewa Sumedha Thero. Other attendees included members of the Mahasanga, Mrs. Chandima Janaki, the Additional Secretary for the Non-State Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Deans of the institute—Emeritus Professor Asanga Thilakaratne, Professor P.B. Mandawala, and Dr. Sajeewa Pemasinghe—the Directors, the Registrar, the Bursar, members of the academic and non-academic staff, the graduates’ parents and well-wishers, as well as nearly a thousand attendees overall.
