The Lingua Lounge and Debating Wing successfully hosted its second overall initiative, Startup: Uni Arena Debate Workshop Series, which served as the inaugural session of its dedicated debate series. Held on May 7th at 1:30 PM at the 8th Floor Auditorium, Saegis Campus, the event drew an active participation of 45 undergraduate students. The workshop was conducted by distinguished resource scholars Mr. Gimhan Sooriyabandara (Attorney-at-Law and Founder/President of Colombo Independent Debaters’ Society) and Mr. Vishwa Kaushalya (Founder/President of Badulla Independent Debaters’ Society and Debate Coach). Designed around the theme "Speak. Persuade. Impact.", the primary objective was to equip attendees with essential tools to think critically, speak confidently, and master persuasive argument techniques. Throughout the session, participants were introduced to foundational debate structures, learning how to articulate compelling arguments and construct powerful counterarguments. The interactive format provided a collaborative space for students to practice public reasoning and sharpen their analytical capabilities. By overcoming hesitations and embracing critical discourse, the undergraduates took a major step toward becoming impactful speakers. The session concluded with notable achievements in boosting student confidence, fostering logical reasoning, and establishing a solid groundwork for future competitive debating. This event marked another major triumph for the club, setting a strong precedent for the remaining sessions in the ongoing debate series.

The Lingua Lounge and Debating Wing successfully hosted its inaugural interactive workshop, SpeakUp 01, aimed at empowering students to overcome stage fright and master effective communication. Held on April 6th, 2026, starting from 1:30 p.m. at the 8th Floor Auditorium, the event brought together 45 enthusiastic undergraduate participants. The primary objective of the session was to help students navigate public speaking anxiety, conquer stage fright, and build genuine self-assurance in a supportive environment. Throughout the program, attendees engaged in collaborative discussions, learning practical strategies to turn fear into confidence and speak with clarity. The interactive atmosphere encouraged open dialogue, enabling students to connect with one another and share their experiences without hesitation. By replacing nervousness with self-belief, the workshop served as a vital stepping stone for personal and academic growth. Participants left equipped with practical tools to master the art of effective communication in various public settings. Marking a remarkable milestone as the club's very first workshop, the event concluded as an inspiring success, paving the way for future empowering initiatives.

The official inauguration ceremony marked the formal commencement of our club's activities for the academic year. The primary objective of this landmark event was to unite members around a shared purpose and strategic direction. During the ceremony, our leadership team formally unveiled the club's core vision and mission to the attendees. Our vision outlines the ultimate long-term aspirations and positive impact we aim to achieve. Complementing this vision, the mission statement defines the actionable steps and core values that will guide our work. The event provided a vital platform to align all members with these foundational goals from day one. Keynote speakers emphasized the importance of teamwork, dedication, and active participation in fulfilling our mission. The ceremony generated tremendous enthusiasm and fostered a strong sense of unity among everyone present. By establishing our purpose early, we have laid a clear blueprint for all our future projects and initiatives. Overall, this successful inauguration serves as a strong foundation for an impactful and goal-driven year ahead.

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) hosted the launch of Beyond Rank: The Leadership and Legacy of Major General Milinda Peiris on 25 August 2026. The book presents the life, leadership, and lasting contributions of Major General Milinda Peiris (Retd.), former Vice Chancellor of KDU.    Written by Kithsiri Amaratunga and published by Vijitha Yapa Publications, the book traces Major General Peiris’ journey from his early life and military career to battlefield leadership, diplomacy, and higher education. It provides an account of the experiences and values that shaped his career and approach to leadership.    The launch brought together a distinguished gathering of guests from the defence, academic, diplomatic, and public sectors. The guests included General Gerry de Silva, the Chief Guest; Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke; Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage; Army Commander Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne; IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya; General Shantha Kottegoda, Chancellor of KDU; and Rear Admiral Dhammika Kumara, Vice Chancellor of KDU.    Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the defence services, members of the diplomatic community, academics, and other distinguished guests also attended the event.    Beyond Rank goes beyond a traditional account of a military career. It explores Major General Peiris’ experiences in military service, battlefield leadership, diplomacy, and higher education. The book also highlights the values that guided his leadership, including courage, resilience, integrity, compassion, gratitude, and a strong commitment to service.    A key focus of the book is Major General Peiris’ contribution to the growth and transformation of KDU. During his tenure, the university expanded from two wings to 11 faculties. His leadership also contributed to the academic development of the university and its progress towards greater national and international recognition.    Through the story of one distinguished career, Beyond Rank offers valuable insights into leadership, institutional development, and service to the nation. Beyond Rank reminds readers that positions and ranks may change, but meaningful contributions can create a legacy.    The launch of the book at KDU therefore serves not only as a celebration of Major General Peiris’ life and achievements but also as a recognition of his enduring contribution to the development of the university and the wider field of higher education.    Saegis Campus extends its warmest wishes to Major General Milinda Peiris for continued success in all his future endeavours. 

The Saegis International Research Conference (SIRC) 2026 was successfully held on 30 July 2026 at Saegis Campus, bringing together researchers, academics and scholars from various disciplines and institutions to share knowledge, present contemporary research, and engage in meaningful scholarly dialogue.   A key highlight of the conference was the Keynote Address delivered by Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunga, which provided an insightful academic perspective and set the intellectual tone for the conference. The programme also featured a Plenary Panel Discussion involving distinguished academics from Sri Lanka and India. The panel comprised Professor Dr. Seema Sharma of Assam down town University, India; Professor Rangana Shalika of Sabaragamuwa University; Professor Lasith Gunawardana of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura; and Dr. Romola Rassol of PGIE, The Open University of Sri Lanka, with the discussion moderated by Mr. R. M. Wijewardhana of the University of Ruhuna.   The SIRC 2026 Conference Proceedings booklet has been published online, providing a formal scholarly record of the research presented at the conference held on 30 July 2026. The proceedings feature research papers selected through a double-blind peer-review process, reflecting the multidisciplinary scope and academic quality of the conference. With an ISSN, the proceedings represent an important contribution to the dissemination and visibility of research undertaken by local and international scholars. The publication also strengthens the research profile of Saegis Campus and provides a valuable academic resource for researchers, academics and students. Selected papers are further considered for publication in the Saegis Multidisciplinary Journal.   The conference further strengthened the international academic partnerships of Saegis Campus through collaboration with Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, and Assam down town University, India. It also provided an important platform for research dissemination, academic networking, and future collaborative research.   SIRC 2026 marked a significant milestone in the continuing development of the research culture, academic excellence, and international scholarly engagement of Saegis Campus.