Durham University to honour two renowned personalities

The Durham University will commemorate two exceptional people who have played a pivotal role in the post-tsunami recovery efforts in Sri Lanka this week.

The event will include awarding honorary degrees to the vice-chancellor of one of the country's leading universities and the executive director of one of the largest non-governmental organisations in Sri Lanka.

The ceremony will take place at the Ruhuna University on February 16. Professor Sir Kenneth Caiman, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, will confer honorary doctorates in civil law (DCL) on Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Executive Director of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, for his dedication to humanitarian causes and peace initiatives and Professor Ranjith Senaratne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, for his academic distinction, effective management and visionary development of an international strategy for his institution.

The university is also conferring the honorary degrees in recognition of the individuals' roles in helping to make 'Project Sri Lanka', which brings together students and staff of Durham university with community and regional partners in the North East of England to assist in the rehabilitation of tsunami affected communities in Southern Sri Lanka.Durham University Professor Joy Palmer-Cooper, Director of Project Sri Lanka explained why she nominated the two graduands.

"Dr. Airyaratne is a man of international acclaim in the medical, development and peace initiatives. He has worked with us since the establishment of Project Sri Lanka and has been unstinting in his personal support for the project, she said. "Professor Ranjith Senaratne and the University of Ruhuna have been pivotal in setting up the academic exchange programs between the two universities and visits of Durham students to Sri Lanka.

Over 500 guests have been invited to the ceremony including the vice-chancellors of Sri Lankan universities, ministers, clergy, parents of Sri Lankan students at Durham University.

Professor Joy Palmer Cooper will present the two honorary graduands followed by an address by Sir Kenneth Caiman.

The Durham University members will open the Moraketia School, which was reconstructed with the help of the Alnwick Rotary Club. The 'Project Sri Lanka' is a British Council and HEFCE supported project by Durham University.