For those who have chanced to visit the 4th floor of the Administration Building of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, a beautiful painting would greet them prior to them ascending to the next floor or before entering the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.
This highly overlooked Painting has a strong grounding within the history of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The painting which belongs to the Kandyan tradition depicts “Prince Siddhartha’s tour de Force in Archery Skills.” The painting was donated to founding Vice-Chancellor of the Vidyodaya University, Rev. Welivitiye Sri Soratha Thero in 1962 by the Department of Cultural Affairs.
In an effort to place the artifact on record a short ceremony was held at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor on the 02nd of September 2020. Prof. K.M. Alexander, Head Department of History and Archeology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura who was present at the event explained the historical transmission of the painting within the University.
Furthermore, in the presence of Sr. Prof, Sudantha Liyanage, Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Rev. Dambara Amila Thero, Senior Lecturer, Department of History and Archeology and Ms. N.M.P. Neththasinghe, Museum curator, Archeology Museum, University of Sri Jayewardenepura the painting was officially handed over to the Office of the Vice Chancellor.
