Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE) 2021, the signature conference of the University of Peradeniya, was successfully held on the 11th and 12th of November 2021. The event was hosted by the Faculty of Arts this year. The Inaugural Ceremony, which was held on the 11th, was graced by Senior Professor Chandrika N. Wijeyaratne, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo, as the chief guest, and the event was attended by Professor M.D. Lamawansa, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya; Professor Terrence Madhujith, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Directors of the four Postgraduate Institutes; the Deans of the nine Faculties of the University; and the Chairperson and members of the Organizing Committee of iPURSE 2021. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Wimal Dissanayake of the University of Hawaii, USA, who spoke on the topic "The Complex Interplay: Writer-Text-Reader-Context". The conference consisted of about 550 paper and poster presentations covering eight thematic areas. The technical sessions were held at 12 venues. iPURSE 2021 also included two Invited Orations--one by Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, the Former Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Management of the University of Sri Jayewardenapura, and the other by Prof. Malik Peiris, the Chair of Virology at the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong. The Closing Ceremony, which was held on the 12th, was marked by a special felicitation programme to honour the recipients of the University Research Excellence Awards.

Watch the Inaugural Ceremony : https://youtu.be/Y4Q4AkOcmKc
Watch the Closing Ceremony : https://youtu.be/edLOPfJkvc0