Page 76 - FMS Today Volume 1 Issue 1

The esteemed Founding director of SAUC Prof.

Dayananda Somasundara, guided the academic,
administrative and non-academic staff through his
vision to convert the University College into a National
University. The aspiration of everybody in the

university, in the region, and all those concerned was a
national University for the Sabaragamuwa Province.
Realization of that long felt and much awaited dream
took placed on the 7th November 1995. That was the

issue of the Gazette notification announcing the
establishment of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
(SUSL). The history records accordingly; by virtue of

powers vested in him by clause No. 21 of the University
act No. 16 of 1978, the Hon. Minister of Education and
Higher Education, by Gazette notification No. 896/2 of
7th November 1995, declared the establishment of
Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka allied with Uva

Affiliated University College (UAUC) at Rahangala and
the Buttala Affiliated University College (BAUC). During
the time of affiliation, the directors of the UAUC and

BAUC were Venerable Rev. Elle Wimalananda Thero
and Prof. Arthur Bamunuarachchi respectively. Prior to
this amalgamation, the BAUC at Buttala was affiliated to
the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, while the UAUC
at Rahangala affiliated to the University of Peradeniya

and University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

At a ceremonial gathering, on 2nd February At the foundation of SUSL, it embodied of four
1996, the newly established Sabaragamuwa faculties; Faculty of Business Studies (at
University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) was declared Belihuloya), Faculty of Social Sciences and

open by Hon. Mrs. Sirimawo R.D. Languages (at Belihuloya), Faculty of
Bandaranayake, the then Sri Lankan prime Agricultural Sciences (at Rahangala) and
minister and the very first Female prime Faculty of Applied Sciences (at Buttala).These

minister in the World. In the same year itself, four faculties offered five Degree programs;
all University legal bodies were formed Bachelor of Science (Business Studies),
including the Council, the Senate and the Bachelor of Arts (Languages), Bachelor of Arts
respective Faculty Boards. The esteemed (Social Sciences), Bachelor of Science

position of Vice-Chancellor was held by (Agricultural Sciences) and Bachelor of
Founding director of SAUC Prof. Dayananda Science (Applied Sciences). At the off-set,
Somasundara and the position of Rector SUSL offered special degree programs of
(UAUC) was held by Prof. A. Ekanayake. three-year duration.

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