Events of the year 2024
The Annual Carol Singing and Christmas Oli Vizha 2024 was held on December 19, 2024, at the Kailasapathy Auditorium, University of Jaffna. This much-anticipated event was organized by the Department of Christian Civilization in collaboration with the Good Shepherd Chaplaincy, bringing together students, faculty, and religious leaders in a vibrant celebration of faith, unity, and the spirit of Christmas. The programme commenced at 10:30 AM, filling the hall with joyful music, cultural performances, and spiritual reflections
The Department of Christian and Islamic Civilizations, University of Jaffna, is pleased to report that Ms. Mary Winifreeda Chandrasekar, Senior Lecturer of the department was honoured with the ‘Good Research Book’ award for her scholarly work in Tamil medium, ‘Sculpture and Architecture in the Old Testament in the Bible’ ‘திருவிவிலியத்தின் பழைய ஏற்பாட்டில் சிற்ப கட்டடக்கலைகள்’. The prestigious recognition was conferred by the Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Northern Provincial Council, Jaffna, at an awarding ceremony held on December 17, 2024.
On December 13, 2024, the Department of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, had the privilege of welcoming Ms. Dakerlin Mukhim, General Secretary of the Student Christian Movement (SCM) India. She was accompanied by Rev. Nilushan Herath (Co-General Secretary, SCM Sri Lanka), Mr. Timothy Kumarathunga (Treasurer, SCM Sri Lanka), and Rev. V. Daniel Jeyaruban (Jaffna Regional Coordinator, SCM Sri Lanka). This visit marked an important milestone in strengthening ecumenical ties and fostering greater collaboration between SCM India, SCM Sri Lanka, and the Department of Christian Civilization.
The Going Down Ceremony of the final-year students of the Department of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, was held on November 8, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Chaplaincy. This special occasion was a heartfelt farewell to the outgoing students, marking the culmination of their academic journey in the department. The event was filled with gratitude, reflection, and celebration, as faculty members, juniors, and guests gathered to honour the outgoing batch.
As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the University of Jaffna, the Department of Christian Civilization, in collaboration with the Jaffna Diocesan Catechetical Centre, organized a seminar for religion teachers on October 20, 2024, at the Kailasapathy Auditorium, University of Jaffna. The seminar, themed ‘Catechism in the Postmodern Society’, aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by postmodern thought to traditional catechism and to explore innovative strategies for teaching faith in contemporary contexts.
The Department of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, in collaboration with the Student Christian Movement of Sri Lanka (SCMSL), participated in the inter-university workshop on “Climate Justice” from October 11 – 13, 2024. This workshop, designed as an experiential learning initiative, provided students with practical insights into climate-related issues while emphasizing faith-driven environmental responsibility.
In a momentous and spiritually significant event, the Department of Christian Civilization at the University of Jaffna organized a celebration to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Students’ Union at the Good Shepherd Centre on the 06th of October 2024. It was a dual celebration, that is, the University of Jaffna’s own Golden Jubilee which was ceremonially inaugurated as Jaffna Campus on the 06th of October 1974 by the then Prime Minister Sirimao Bandaranayake and the Golden Jubilee of the Catholic Students’ Union which was established in the same year with the founding of the Jaffna Campus.
The Department of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, organized a study tour for Level II students from October 2 – 4, 2024, with the objective of enhancing experiential learning by exposing students to key historical, artistic, and religious sites. This academic excursion provided an opportunity for students to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world experiences, aligning with the curriculum’s focus on Christian art, interreligious dialogue, and cultural coexistence.
On September 11, 2024, the Department of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, proudly hosted the launch of the second edition of Pamalai, a remarkable poetry collection by Varakavi B.L. Amirthanathapillai. Originally published in 1944 at St. Joseph Catholic Press, Jaffna, Pamalai holds a unique place in Tamil literature as it is composed in the Chiththirakavi form – an intricate poetic structure where the lines remain the same regardless of the direction in which they are read. Due to the complexity of this literary style, only a select few poets have mastered its execution, making this work an invaluable part of Tamil literary heritage.
On August 20, 2024, the Department of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, hosted an official visit from the Student Christian Movement of Sri Lanka (SCMSL). The delegation included Rev. Nilushan Herath (Co-General Secretary), Mr. Timothy Kumarathunga (Treasurer), and Rev. V. Daniel Jeyaruban (Jaffna Regional Coordinator). This meeting served as a platform for ecumenical dialogue and student engagement, reinforcing the department’s commitment to theological education, social responsibility, and interfaith cooperation.
The Uduvil Conference – 2024, a significant academic and theological event, was held on June 1, 2024, at Uduvil Girls’ College. Organized by the Theological Team of the Jaffna Christian Union, this prestigious conference has been a platform for intellectual and social engagement since its inception in 1944, emphasizing the social involvement of Christianity in contemporary issues.
On February 27, 2024, selected students from the Department of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, participated in a Leadership Programme organized by the Jaffna Regional Student Christian Movement (SCM). The event, held from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Technology Building of St. John’s College, Jaffna, aimed to cultivate leadership skills, Christian values, and collaborative engagement among students.
On February 26, 2024, the Department of Christian Civilization, University of Jaffna, hosted a significant encounter with the Student Christian Movement of Sri Lanka (SCMSL). The event brought together SCMSL office bearers, including Ms. Natali Natanielz (Vice Chairperson), Rev. Nilushan Herath (Co-General Secretary), Ms. Anna Claudia (Co-General Secretary), and Mr. Timothy Kumarathunga (Treasurer), who were accompanied by Rev. V. Daniel Jeyaruban, Jaffna Regional Coordinator.
The Second International Research Conference on Christian Studies at the University of Jaffna, organized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Department of Christian Civilization of the University of Jaffna in collaboration with the Asian Network of Public Theology was held on the 01st and 02nd of February 2024.
The conference reflected upon the theme of ‘the role of religions in challenging times’ with a focus on the topic of ‘doing public theologies in Asia: prospects and challenges’. About 350 research scholars and students participated and 75 researchers presented papers on various sub-themes of the conference. There were 16 online paper presenters from New Zealand, South Korea, US, Czech Republic, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brazil and India. The other 59 were onsite presenters from Sri Lanka and around the globe.