5th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the Department of Business Economics
The 5th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the Department of Business Economics was held on 6 May 2026, from 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m., at the New Faculty Board Room of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The meeting commenced with the singing of the University Anthem. Prof. Ananda Rathnayake, Head of the Department of Business Economics, delivered the welcome address and acknowledged the presence of academic staff members and alumni representatives from different batches of the Department.
The minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting were presented by Ms. Yashoda, the outgoing General Secretary, and were adopted by the members. Mr. Kevin Jansz, Acting President of the Association, subsequently presented the report on the activities undertaken during the previous term.
The report highlighted several key initiatives, including Reminiscence 2025, the annual alumni gathering held on 26 July 2025 at The Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. It also recognised the Association’s response to Cyclone Ditwah, through which a total of LKR 134,000 was raised by alumni, students, and the Association to support affected undergraduates. This included LKR 48,000 contributed by alumni representing five batches, with assistance provided to four undergraduates.
Another notable achievement was the publication of Volume 03 of The Business Economist, the newsletter of the Alumni Association. The publication covered the period from 2022 to 2024 and featured the achievements of junior and senior business economists, the progress of the Department, the activities and community initiatives of BIZCON, and articles contributed by students and alumni.
The Treasurer’s Report and financial statements were presented by Mr. Asel Hettiarachchi and were accepted by the members.
During the election of office bearers for the upcoming term, Mr. Dilanka Jayawardena was appointed President, while Ms. Nadunika Peiris was appointed General Secretary. Mr. Kevin Jansz and Mr. Buddhin Waidyanatha were appointed First Vice President and Second Vice President, respectively. Ms. Lihini Shehan was appointed First Assistant Secretary, Ms. Pawanya Balasooriya was appointed Second Assistant Secretary, and Mr. Asel Hettiarachchi was appointed Treasurer.
Ms. Pubani Liyanage, Mr. Dhanuka Dharmapala, Ms. Dinithi Jayasuriya, Mr. Pasan Rathnayaka, Mr. Lahiru Shehan, and Mr. Deshan Kanishka were appointed as Committee Members for the upcoming term.
A significant new initiative approved at the meeting was the establishment of the BIZCON Alumni International Chapter. The chapter was introduced to strengthen the Department’s engagement with alumni living and working overseas and to expand its international network.
Country representatives were appointed for Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada. Several international representatives joined the meeting online, further reflecting the growing global presence of the Department’s alumni community.
