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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) partners with the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ in establishing a South Asian Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Gender Equality, Sexual and Reproductive Health Research and Interventions signifying the longstanding partnership between the two institutions which dates back to 1973. The scope of the Centre of Excellence encompasses promoting multidisciplinary research, capacity building, service delivery and fieldwork in sexual and reproductive health and beyond. The proposed CoE’s functions encapsulate sharing learning across the region, digital health innovation, fostering innovation to promote gender equality and providing opportunities to pilot initiatives to take research to policymakers to support informed decision-making.
The Vice Chancellor,  Senior Professor (Chair) appointed a Multidisciplinary Technical and Coordination Committee for steering the ideation of the Centre of Excellence. The Committee comprises Senior Professor , Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor , Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor , Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor , Head of the Department of Demography, Dr , Director, International Office and Professor , Department of Sociology representing the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´. The inaugural meeting of the South Asian Centre of Excellence aimed at reviewing the terms of reference for the Committee and agreeing upon the operational modalities of the Multidisciplinary Committee was held on 11 January 2023 at the Senate Hall, College House, ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ with the representation of both institutions.
UNFPA members included Mr Kunle Adeniyi, Representative, Sri Lanka Country Director, Ms Madusha Dissanayake, Assistant Representative, Ms Poorani Radhakrishnan, National Programme Analyst – Population Data & Ageing, Ms Sarah Soysa – National Programme Analyst – Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Ms Anushika Amarasinghe, Consultant – Planning and Partnership Development. The ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ was represented by the Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor Karunaratne, Senior Professor Manawadu, Professor Weeratunga, Dr , the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Herath and Dr Manoratne.