The representatives of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) had a discussion with SJP on 17th May, 2016 at the university premises for future university greening projects. Organized by the Department of Accounting (DA) of FMSC, the discussion provided an opportunity for UNEP and UNITAR to appreciate the actions already taken and future plans underway to make SJP a green university.

Speaking at the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Sampath Amaratunge expressed the university’s strong willingness and commitment to overcome some of the existing challenges to sustainability, particularly the problem of waste within the university. He further stated the changes that have already been initiated in greening the SJP.

Under SWITCH-Asia program, sponsored by the European Union, SJP has received support through a small grant awarded by UNITAR and UNEP to run a pilot project at the FMSC to raise awareness and educate students on the topic of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and implement a waste management plan within FMSC. The ultimate aim of this project is to develop a waste management strategy for SJP and improve the capacity and understanding on SCP of student and faculty staff, thus contributing for enabling SCP in ‪‎Sri Lanka. UNITAR aims to internationally publicize the great efforts of SJP to become a model green university in Sri Lanka and share the success story with other local universities and global university networks.

This discussion was attended by Dr Anura Kumara, Dean – FMSC, Prof. Samanthi Senaratne, Acting Head- DA, some academic staff members of DA and representatives of the National Cleaner Production Centre of Sri Lanka, who facilitate this project.

As a part of the FMSC pilot project, a workshop was held on the same day for the second year students of the DA on “Managing and accounting for waste” at the university premises. Conducted by Mr A D Nuwan Gunarathne, Senior Lecturer of the DA, this workshop aimed at creating awareness on sustainable waste management practices and providing guidance in carrying out a waste audit for the students.