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A special Donation Ceremony, organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, was held on 17 September 2026 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, with the participation of a distinguished delegation from the China Council of Lions Clubs, Sichuan Province, China. The ceremony marked an important occasion in further strengthening educational and cultural cooperation between China and Sri Lanka. During the event, the China Council of Lions Clubs donated office equipment, teaching equipment, educational resources, and cultural materials to the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya to support Chinese-language teaching and cultural activities.

The ceremony was attended by Professor Narada Fernando, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya; Senior Professor Patrick Ratnayake, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Dr Udara De Silva, Head of the Department of Modern Languages; Ms M. M. N. T. K. Yalagama, Registrar (Acting) of the University of Kelaniya; Professor Guan Pin, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute; and Dr Kumari Jayasooriya, Sri Lankan Director of the Confucius Institute.

Representing China, the distinguished delegation included Captain Liu Huili, Chairman Li Xi, Director Ni Lisheng, Chairman Wang Li, Chairman Cai Zhixin, Secretary-General Huang Yongming, Chairman Cheng Cuiqin, Chairman Sheng Bin, Chairman Liu Qiu, Chairman Liu Hao, and Secretary-General Chen Xingbo. Lion Dr Jeewantha Perera, District Governor of Lions District 306 D3, Sri Lanka, also participated in the ceremony.

The donation is expected to contribute to the advancement of Chinese language education and the promotion of Chinese culture at the University of Kelaniya, enhance students’ understanding of Chinese language and culture, and create further opportunities for educational and cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka. The event served as a meaningful platform for further strengthening China–Sri Lanka educational and cultural cooperation, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and fostering greater mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

 

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9 September 2026 — The entire team of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya paid a courtesy visit to Professor Narada Fernando, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, on 9 September 2026. The team extended its warm congratulations on his appointment and engaged in a fruitful discussion on the development of the Confucius Institute, China–Sri Lanka university cooperation, and key programmes planned for the coming months.

The meeting was attended by members of the Board of the Confucius Institute, Senior Professor Patrick Ratnayake, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Udara de Silva, Head of the Department of Modern Languages, Dr. Kumari Jayasooriya, Sri Lankan Director of the Confucius Institute, Professor Guan Pin, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, as well as all Chinese language teachers and volunteers currently serving at the Institute.

During the meeting, Vice Chancellor Professor Narada Fernando shared his personal experiences of studying and participating in academic activities in China. Drawing on his first-hand experiences, he spoke about his understanding of China and expressed his keen interest in further strengthening educational and cultural exchanges between Sri Lanka and China.

Professor Guan Pin, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, congratulated Professor Fernando on his appointment and expressed appreciation for the continued support and strong commitment demonstrated by successive Vice Chancellors of the University of Kelaniya towards the development of the Confucius Institute.

Professor Guan also provided an overview of the key collaborative programmes currently being implemented between Chongqing Normal University and the University of Kelaniya, as well as plans for future academic and cultural exchanges. The discussion focused on several important upcoming initiatives, including the 2+2 Joint Undergraduate Programme in International Chinese Language Education, the Chinese Summer Camp scheduled for October, the World Chinese Language Conference in November 2026, and the Southeast Asia Local Chinese Language Teachers Training Programme scheduled for December 2026.

Professor Guan expressed his expectation that, under the leadership and support of Vice Chancellor Professor Fernando, the Confucius Institute would continue to strengthen its role as a platform and bridge connecting Sri Lanka and China. He further emphasized the Institute’s commitment to expanding cooperation between universities in Sri Lanka and China in areas such as talent development, student and faculty exchanges, and international Chinese language education.

He also expressed the hope that the University of Kelaniya and Chongqing Normal University would develop an increasingly substantive and diverse partnership, contributing positively to the advancement of educational and cultural exchange between Sri Lanka and China.

Vice Chancellor Professor Fernando positively acknowledged the achievements and development of the Confucius Institute in recent years, as well as the progress made through the collaboration between the University of Kelaniya and Chongqing Normal University. He expressed his keen interest in further strengthening academic and institutional cooperation between the two universities. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close communication, deepening mutual cooperation, and working together to bring the development of the Confucius Institute and the partnership between the University of Kelaniya and Chongqing Normal University to a new level.

On 23 August 2026, the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya successfully conducted the third HSK/HSKK examination of 2026. More than 200 candidates registered for the examination, which covered HSK Levels 1–5 and HSKK Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels, meeting the assessment needs of Chinese language learners at different stages of proficiency in Sri Lanka.

To ensure the safe, standardized, and orderly administration of the examination, the Confucius Institute organized a pre-examination training session for all examination staff. During the training, Prof. Guan Pin, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute and Head of the HSK Test Centre, made comprehensive arrangements for the examination. The session clearly outlined staff responsibilities, key timelines, individual duties, examination procedures, and requirements for maintaining strict examination discipline.

On the day of the examination, all examination-related procedures were carried out in an orderly, efficient, and standardized manner. Under the guidance of the examination staff, candidates completed all required procedures, including facial recognition verification, security checks, information verification, and orderly entry into the examination rooms.

Throughout the examination, invigilators strictly adhered to examination regulations and procedures. They closely monitored the examination rooms and carried out their duties in accordance with the established requirements, maintaining a disciplined and professional examination environment. Their rigorous and responsible approach demonstrated the strong professional competence and commitment of the Confucius Institute’s examination team. Moving forward, the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya will continue to uphold its commitment to providing standardized, efficient, and high-quality examination services. The Institute will further improve its examination management system, refine operational procedures, and enhance the standardization of examination administration. Through professional and accessible assessment services, the Institute aims to support the development of Chinese language education in Sri Lanka, contribute to the improvement of teaching quality, and further promote language and cultural exchanges between Sri Lanka and China.

The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), the official standardized examination assessing Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers, was successfully conducted on 28th June 2026 at the University of Kelaniya. The mock examination, originally scheduled to be held alongside the main examination, was conducted earlier on 21st June 2026.

This year, a total of 312 candidates from various regions across Sri Lanka participated in the examination. Notably, several international candidates also sat for the examination, reflecting its growing global recognition and increasing international relevance. To ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of the examination, a dedicated team of 20 staff members was deployed.

The examination was organized under the guidance of Senior Lecturer Mrs. Sulochana Rathnayake, Co-Director (Sri Lanka), and Mr. Guan Pin, Co-Director (China). Significant contributions were also made by Ms. He Yanling and other Chinese language lecturers and staff members of the Confucius Institute. In addition, lecturers from the Chinese Language Unit of the Department of Modern Languages served as invigilators.

Special appreciation is extended to the Technical Officers of the Faculty of Humanities for their invaluable technical support, which ensured the smooth conduct of the examination. The University’s security division also provided assistance throughout the examination day.

Thanks to the dedication and cooperation of all parties involved, the HSK examination was conducted successfully. The examination concluded on 28th June 2026, and the results are expected to be released within one month. We extend our best wishes to all candidates for excellent results.

On 24 June, at the invitation of Ananda College, Colombo, the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya conducted a Dragon Boat Festival cultural exchange program with the participation of Chinese Director Guan Pin and two Chinese language teachers. The program aimed to promote understanding of traditional Chinese culture and strengthen educational and cultural exchange among students.

The event was organized and coordinated by the students of the Ananda College Chinese Language Association and attracted the participation of more than one hundred students. Through a series of interactive and educational activities, participants were introduced to the cultural significance and traditional practices associated with the Dragon Boat Festival.

The program commenced with a Zongzi (traditional Chinese rice dumpling) making session. An instructional video was first presented to introduce the preparation process, ingredients, and traditional wrapping methods. Students subsequently participated in a practical demonstration and hands-on experience under the guidance of the teachers.

For many participants, this was their first opportunity to experience the preparation of Zongzi. Students actively engaged in the activity by learning traditional wrapping techniques and exploring the cultural meanings associated with this important festival tradition. The session provided an immersive platform for experiential learning and cultural appreciation.

During the cooking process, the Chinese language teachers conducted a thematic cultural lecture on the Dragon Boat Festival. The presentation introduced the historical background and cultural significance of the festival and highlighted traditional customs including dragon boat racing, hanging mug wort, carrying scented sachets, and the practice of eating Zongzi.

Interactive discussions and cultural quizzes were incorporated into the session to encourage active student participation and facilitate meaningful cultural engagement. Students demonstrated strong interest and enthusiasm throughout the program, contributing to a dynamic and productive learning environment.

The cultural activities continued with a paper-cutting workshop based on the Dragon Boat Festival theme. Under the guidance of the teachers, students created Zongzi-themed paper-cut artworks, providing an additional opportunity to engage with elements of Chinese traditional arts and crafts.

The program concluded with a Zongzi tasting session, allowing participants to experience first-hand a traditional Chinese festive food and further appreciate its cultural significance.

This cultural exchange program reflects the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya’s continued commitment to promoting Chinese language and culture through educational outreach and innovative intercultural engagement. By facilitating opportunities for direct cultural experience and dialogue, the Institute continues to contribute to strengthening educational and cultural relations between Sri Lanka and China.

The active participation and effective coordination demonstrated by Ananda College, Colombo and its student community further contributed to the success of the program and highlighted the value of collaborative cultural exchange initiatives.
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