Annual Field Visit – 2025

The Annual Field Visit—2025 of the Department of Public Administration was successfully conducted on the 25th and 26th of September 2025 as a two-day program atMandaram Nuwara for the third-year students of the Department.

Day 01 included a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, followed by the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary. Lunch was arranged at the Polgolla Cooperative Office. Later, a special discussion was held at Morapaaya Temple with the Mathurata Divisional Secretariat Office. The session began with a welcome speech by the Divisional Secretary, Mathurata, followed by an introduction to the operations of the Divisional Secretariat Office. An insightful discussion on the implementation strategies of the “Clean Sri Lanka” project was also conducted. In addition, the Tourism Circle shared valuable insights into emerging tourism trends and entrepreneurial experiences, followed by an interactive open discussion.

Day 02 began with a visit to the Goodwood Viewing Point in Mandaram Nuwara. Afterwards, students were divided into two teams for field visits and data collection to explore the question: “Is the tourism policy in Mandaram Nuwara sustainable?”

• Team 01 engaged in discussions with Kolapathana Villa and other stakeholders, followed by a visit to the Kolapathana Waterfall and its surrounding natural environment.
• Team 02 visited the Mandaram Eco Resort Hotel, participated in a discussion and tour of the Tea & Experience Factory, and concluded the day with a visit to the Kabaragala Waterfall.

We gratefully acknowledge the guidance and valuable contributions of the following officers who supported us throughout the visit:

Mr. G.A.N. Indrajith—Range Forest Officer, Kandy; Mr. D.G.P.L. Warnasooriya—Beat Forest Officer, Hataraliyadda; Mr. A.O.G.S. Rathnayake—Divisional Secretary, Mathurata; Mr. Kithsiri Hapuhinna—Forest Officer; Mr. Senarath B. Nayakorala—Tourism Officer; Mr. Dhananjaya Nayakorala—Elamulla GND; Mrs. Padmini Priyadarshani—Mandaram Nuwara GND; Mr. Sampath Senanayaka—Tourism Circle; Mr. Prasath Samarakoon—Development Unit; Ms. S.A.S. Dismi Jayasuriya—Assistant Divisional Secretary, Hataraliyadda; and Ms. Chinthani Nirmani Herath—Assistant Divisional Secretary, Gampola.

This annual field visit provided students with valuable exposure to public administration practices at the divisional level, enhanced their understanding of tourism entrepreneurship, and created opportunities for hands-on learning in data collection, analysis, and report writing, contributing meaningfully to their academic development.

The field visit was organized by Senior Professor Lalitha S. Fernando, with the assistance of Ms. H.K.A.U. Nonis (Temporary Assistant Lecturer). Academic staff, including Mr. H.H. Madhubasha [Lecturer (Probationary)], Ms. W.K.C.S. Walpola (Temporary Assistant Lecturer), Ms. E.A.G. Ekanayake (Temporary Assistant Lecturer), and Ms. S.C. Gamage (Temporary Assistant Lecturer), also supported and actively participated in the field study.