The ceremony opens with a Welcome Address delivered by Prof. Emeritus Ranjith Dissanayake, who serves as the Conference Co-Chair and CEO/Founder of gapHQ. His address sets the tone for the conference by emphasizing the importance of university–industry collaboration and its role in driving sustainable development.

This is followed by the Introduction of the Chief Guest by Senior Professor R.M.U.S.K. Rathnayaka from the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, who highlights the Chief Guest’s contributions and relevance to the conference theme.

The Chief Guest Address is then delivered by Senior Professor K.L. Wasantha Kumara, Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka. His speech provides valuable insights into national-level academic development, policy direction, and the importance of strengthening links between higher education institutions and industry sectors.

The Guest of Honour address is then delivered by Mr. Ravi Nissanka, Chairman of the Industrial Development Board of Sri Lanka. His speech highlights the importance of industrial innovation, entrepreneurship development, and fostering stronger collaborations between industry and academia to support sustainable economic growth and national development.

The ceremony proceeds with the introduction of the first keynote speaker by Prof. C.S. Bandara from the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya. The first keynote speech is delivered by Prof. Emeritus Clarence W. de Silva from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada. His presentation brings an interdisciplinary perspective, connecting engineering system models with social concepts such as equity, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrating how technical frameworks can be applied to community development.

Keynote speech 1       Clarence W. de Silva is a Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada.

Following this, Prof. Guttilla Yugantha Jayasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Ruhuna, presents a brief backstory of the University–Industry Collaboration under the FOUNTAIN initiative, highlighting its achievements and impact. A short video presentation then showcases the highlights and memorable moments of the FOUNTAIN project, reinforcing the significance of collaborative efforts.

The second keynote session begins with an introduction by Prof. Janaka Gunaratne from the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture. The second keynote speech is delivered by Prof. Irene Lill from the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tallinn, offering a European academic perspective and further enriching the global dimension of the conference.

Keynote speech 2 : Prof. Irene Lill, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture at Tallinn.

The ceremony also includes a segment for Tokens of Appreciation, recognizing the valuable contributions of speakers, organizers, and partners.

The Closing Remarks are delivered by Dr. Pradeep Gajanayake, Conference Manager and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, who summarizes the key messages of the session and encourages continued engagement throughout the conference.

The opening ceremony concludes with a Networking Dinner, providing participants with an opportunity to interact, exchange ideas, and build meaningful collaborations. Overall, the ceremony effectively integrates academic excellence, international perspectives, and collaborative spirit, setting a strong foundation for the conference proceedings.DAY 2 – CONFERENCE & GUICS SUMMIT (26TH MARCH 2026)