The Harmony Centre, University of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, organised the 1st International Conference on Harmony and Reconciliation’ (IHCHR 2023) in Vavuniya from 19 to January 20 2023, with the support of The Gate Foundation.
The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor of Ruhuna University, Professor Sujeewa Amarasena, who participated as the Chief Guest. Dr Senthan Selvarajah, CEO of The Gate Foundation and Co-Director of The Centre for Media, Human Rights and Peacebuilding, UK and Professor and Chair in ethnomusicology at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, were the Guest of Honour for the function. Advisory Committee Member of The Gate Foundation and Asst. Professor at Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Mr Rajib Timalsina was the Special Guest.
Prof. T. Jeyasingham, former Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University; Prof. Mohammed Abu Nimer, Director of the Peace Building and Development Institute of the American University in Washington; Emeritus Prof. Savitri W. E. Goonesekera, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, delivered the keynote addresses for the conference.
Many scholars from abroad and from Sri Lanka participated and submitted research papers.
The director of Harmoney Center, Ms S. Mathivathany, coordinated the conference under the guidance of the University of Vavuniya Vice Chancellor, Prof. T. Mangaleswaran.
Please find the article published in the Sunday Observer about this conference by clicking the button below.
The Gate Foundation signs MoU with the University of Vavuniya to promote research and innovation.
- The Gate Foundation has signed an MoU with the Harmoney Centre, University of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, to promote scientific research and innovation in Sri Lanka.
- The MoU was signed on January 18, 2023, by the University of Vavuniya Vice Chancellor Prof. T. Mangaleswaran and CEO of The Gate Foundation, Dr Senthan Selvarajah, in the presence of deans of the faculties and staff.
- This Memorandum of Understanding aims to promote international partnership, scholarly collaboration, cultural interaction, research programmes and knowledge exchange programmes by supporting educational, professional and cultural activities among the harmony centre and students of the two institutions.
'Venmathi Handloom' provides livelihood to war-affected women in Batticaloa.
- A proposal for a handloom factory selected in a pitching event, The Gate Foundation 2012, in the war-affected district of Batticaloa has taken shape.
- According to this proposal, a ‘Venmathi Handloom’ factory has been set up in Pudukudiripu, Batticaloa, to employ women who have lost their livelihoods due to war.
- Mr S. Mangaleswaran, one of the founders of The Gate Foundation, helped set up the factory. The income generated in this factory will be used for further development of this factory.
- The women working in this factory are trained in handloom and weaving. Sarees, Pillows, Sarongs, Curtains, Bedsheets and hankies are manufactured in high quality and are sold locally and exported to foreign countries.
Gate Members visit Sri Lanka to discuss future activities
- The Gate Foundation made a direct visit in February 2023 to observe the projects initiated in the North and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka and discuss future projects.
- During the visit, meetings were held with the Deans and Vice-Chancellors of the University of Jaffna, Eastern University and the University of Vavuniya as well as the Community Organizations and NGOs.
- In these meetings on behalf of The Gate Foundation. Mr K. Jeyaraj, Dr Senthan Selvarajah, and Mr S. Managleswaran were present.
Gate Foundation supports Conference on Harmony and Reconciliation
Panel Discussion on promoting peace, Justice, and Tolerance through Media in Sri Lanka
