Uva Wellassa University (UWU) opens

Rasika SOMARATHNA in Badulla

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the Uva-Wellassa University at Badulla yesterday. Ministers Prof. Viswa Warnapala, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Vice Chancellor Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya are also in the picture. Picture by Sudath Silva

The Uva-Wellassa University, located close to Badulla town and established with the idea of giving equal higher educational opportunities to the students of the country, was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

The university comprises three faculties that would offer eleven different degree level courses. The new campus built at a cost of Rs. 12 billion has the capacity to accommodate 1300 students. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has promised to provide another Rs. 2.1 billion for its further development. The Uva Province as one of the underdeveloped provinces in Sri Lanka has been clamouring for such a facility for some time.

In response the government decided to establish a University in the Uva Province. The Uva Wellassa University (UWU) of Sri Lanka was established in Badulla, at a distance of three kilometers away from along the Badulla - Passara Road, using surroundings of a panoramic location in the hills.