වර්ණ’24, The Art, Sculpture, Handicraft, and Photography exhibition and ගීතාවර්ජනා ,The musical event organized by the Art Circle of the Faculty of Engineering

The Art, Sculpture, Handicrafts and Photography exhibition and competition titled “වර්ණ ’24 and musical event titled “ගීතාවර්ජනා”’ which was organized by the Art Circle of the Faculty of Engineering of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was held on 23^rd and 24^th July  2024 at the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) premises. The event was formally opened by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence and Administration) Major General DCA Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC.

Undergraduates, academic and non-academic staff members, and their children of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University were invited to showcase their talents in arts, sculpture, handicrafts, and photography. All the exhibits provided by participants were displayed at the FGS premises.

Complementing the visual feast of “වර්ණ ’24,” the “ගීතාවර්ජනා” musical event celebrated the musical talent and passion within the Faculty of Engineering. This event featured a series of performances, including solos, duets, and group ensembles, showcasing a wide range of musical categories from classical to contemporary. The speakers who shared their musical insights included Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral HGU Dhammika Kumara VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS); Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr-Ing Thushara Weerawardane; Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Prof. Charitha L Goonasekara; and Dean of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences, and Humanities Dr. Lakshika Liyanage. Talented individuals from the academic staff and undergraduates contributed to a memorable evening of music and artistry.

The extravagant event concluded with a certificate awarding ceremony, with the Vice Chancellor gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest. The ceremony also included dance performances by members of the Art Circle of the Faculty of Engineering. Awards were given to the best creations in eight categories.

The competition was judged by a distinguished panel comprising Mr. P. Pradeep Chandrasiri (Visual Artist, Theatre and Film Production Designer, Visiting Lecturer), Mr. W.G.A.P. Dharmapala (Lecturer, University of Visual and Performing Arts), and Mr. Divanka Randula Podduwage (Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya).

Winners of the Competition:

• Best Life paint – Amandi Kulathilaka – Intake 40, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities
• Best Object Drawing – Lidula Isiwara – Intake 40, Faculty of Engineering
• Best Copied Art – Nadini Imantha – Intake 38, Faculty of Allied Health Science
• Best Landscape Drawing – Pravindi Kahandawala – Intake 40 – Faculty of Engineering
• Best Design Drawing – Disula Dodangoda – Intake 41, Faculty of Medicine
• Best Photograph – Janitha Rajapaksha – Intake 40, Faculty of Engineering
• Best Handicraft – JSNS Jayasooriya – Intake 39, Faculty of Engineering
• Best Sculpture – AKKD Ambegoda – Intake 40 , Faculty of Technology