ICGD - 2023

The International Conference on Gender Disparities (ICGD) 2023 organized by the Centre for Gender Studies of the University of Kelaniya was held on the 7th and 8th of July 2023 at Ramada Hotel, Colombo. The primary objective of this conference was to foster the promotion of gender equality. Researchers from Sri Lanka, India, Russia, France, and Myanmar presented their research papers at this conference.

Senior Professor Chandana P. Udawatte, - Vice-Chairman of the University Grants Commission participated as the Chief Guest of the inauguration ceremony while Ms. Azusa Kubota – Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) participated as the Guest of Honor. Chair Professor of English and Senior Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe of the Department of English, University of Kelaniya delivered the keynote speech at this conference.

The appreciation ceremony of the conference was held on the 8th of July 2023 from 11.00 am onwards. The Guest Speech of the ceremony was delivered by Professor Sunitha Sharma, the Vice-Chancellor of the Pataliputhra University, India on “Gender Pay Gap in Private Sector”. Mr. M. N. Ranasinghe, Honourable Secretary of the Ministry of Education participated as the Chief Guest of the appreciation ceremony while Mr. Gamini Waleboda – Minister of Parliament, and Mr. Anuapa Pasqual – Minister of Social Empowerment, Cadre Chair and Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva – Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Senior Professor S. R. D. Kalingamudali – Dean of the Faculty of Science participated as the Guests of Honor.

Emeritus Professor Dr. Sarath Amunugama – Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Y. M. Sunanda Maddumabandara – Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Bandara Wanninayake – Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, Dr. Chamli Pushpakumara – Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Technology, Professor N. A. K. P. J. Seneviratne – Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dr. Sudath Senarath – Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Janaki De S. Hewavisenthi – Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor M. M. Gunathilake – Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Dr. E. A. D. Anusha Edirisinghe - Director of the Centre for Gender Studies, Senior Lecturer Saman Rajapaksha – Director of the Communication and Media Unit, and representatives from UN Agencies and UNESCO were also present at the occasion.