University of Ruhuna Alumni to fete Ronnie de Mel tomorrow

Ronnie De Mel

Text and pic by P. D. De Silva

The Alumni of the University of Ruhuna have organised a ceremony to felicitate former Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament Ronnie de Mel who was the visionary behind establishing the University of Ruhuna. 

The felicitation ceremony will be held at the University’s Wellamada complex on Sunday (12) morning.

As the Member of Parliament for Dondra in 1967, it was Ronnie de Mel who first proposed to parliament that the University of Ruhuna should be established. As Minister of Finance he was able to see his dream materialise.

It was he who recommended that world-renowned architect Jeffrey Bawa be given the opportunity to dream up the scenic university complex which is seen today.

Although the Colombo branch of the Alumni of the University of Ruhuna felicitated Ronnie de Mel earlier this year, it is the first time in the 38-year-old history of the UOR that the Alumni of the University will felicitate the pioneer of their alma mater.

To date more than 50,000 students have graduated from the University of Ruhuna.