SCRSenior Common Room · OUSL

The Senior Common Room

A place where colleagues of the Open University of Sri Lanka come together — not only beyond their professional roles, but as a community.

Who We Are

The SCR is the social and networking home of OUSL's academic and administrative staff, run for its members, by its members.

Executive Committee 2025/2026

Committee

The current SCR committee coordinates our events, upkeep of the common room, and communication with members throughout the year.

Chandana Kulasuriya

President

Kokila Ranasinghe

Secretary

Chamila Dias

Treasurer

Manoja Seneviratne

Vice President

H.B. Pavithra Sandani

Assistant Secretary

I. A. Premarathne

Past President

P.R. Haputhanthri

Committee Member

Ayomi Indika Irugalbandra

Committee Member

Yohan Mahagamage

Committee Member

Dinithi Uthpala Ranasinghe

Committee Member

W. Manoj

Committee Member

D.H.R.J. Wimalasiri

Committee Member

Previous Committee Members

Across the decades, leadership of the SCR has passed through many hands — from its early years among the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology, to today's broader representation.

Year/s	President	Secretary	Treasurer
2023 – 2025	Isuru Premaratne	Mayanthi Jayakody	Chandana Jayewardane
2020 – 2023	Lala Madawattegedara	Uthpala Jayewardane	Shantha Abeysinghe
2017 – 2020	Athula Samarakoon	K. Sivashankary	P. K. J. de Mel
2015 – 2017	V. Sivaloganathasan	Deepika Siriwardane	T. Mukunthan
2014 – 2015	Dharshani Weerahewa	Selvaras Janaha	Harsha Balasooriya
2012 – 2014	Susantha Perera	Sasheeka Karunanayake	Chathura Herath

What We Do

At OUSL, the SCR functions as the Senior Welfare Society, with a history spanning more than three decades. Beyond recreation, it offers a space where academic and administrative matters can be discussed and resolved collaboratively, outside the rigidity of formal procedures — while knowledge and experience flow freely between senior members and newcomers, across faculties and disciplines.

Monthly Talks

Long-running gatherings that go beyond formal presentation — lively discussion, an exchange of ideas, and good company.

Annual Trips

From day outings to overnight stays, our trips bring staff together in a relaxed setting, away from campus routine.

Evening Gatherings

Music, film, poetry and theatre evenings — informal platforms for members to share their talents and unwind together.

Knowledge Sharing

Experience flows freely between senior members and newcomers, with conversations and discussions that cut across faculties — bridging administrators, academics, and staff from diverse disciplines.

Reading Culture

A quiet reading culture thrives here, with regular newspaper readers gathering daily and sharing what they come across with others in the room.

A Space to Unwind

At its core, the SCR offers relaxation and stress relief — a tradition of social gathering, distinct from the formal meetings and structured settings of university life.

Where We Gather

SCR @ S&T

The SCR common room with long shared tables

SCR @ HSS

Photos of the SCR @ HSS space will be added here.

News & Events

A look back at recent SCR gatherings, and what's coming up.

Wednesday, 6 May 2026 · 3:00–4:00 p.m. · Seminar Room, Faculty of Natural Sciences

Body Aesthetics

Maintaining Body Aesthetics: How to Harmonize Physical Appearance with Psychological Wellbeing

An interactive seminar with Dr. Nuwan Kumara Wijayatunga, a renowned expert in aesthetic medicine and cosmetology, on enhancing appearance while nurturing a healthy mind and a confident self. Open to all members of the University.

A speaker at an earlier SCR Body Aesthetics session

Members attending an earlier SCR Body Aesthetics session

From an earlier Body Aesthetics session at the SCR

22 October 2025 · Faculty of Health Sciences Auditorium

Film & Dialogue

An Evening with Sampath Perera

A screening of the short film Lovefield was followed by an engaging discussion with Mr. Sampath Perera, whose insightful reflections encouraged members to explore cinematic expression and the film's social message. SCR–OUSL extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Perera and to all members who participated.

Sampath Perera at the Film & Dialogue event

Members attending the Film & Dialogue event

From the Film & Dialogue evening at the SCR

12 March 2026 · SCR (S&T)

Madhura Nandana

An Evening of Sinhala Theatre Songs

An evening celebrating Sinhala theatre songs, organised by SCR–OUSL and performed by SCR members themselves — bringing colleagues together to enjoy the musical heritage of Sinhala theatre and strengthen fellowship through music.

29 January 2026 · 3:00–4:00 p.m. · Seminar Room, Faculty of Natural Sciences

Duruthu Kavi Horawa

An Evening of Poetry with Buddhadasa Galappaththi

A poetry discussion programme organised by the Senior Common Room, bringing together the distinguished poet Mr. Buddhadasa Galappaththi for an engaging discussion on modern Sinhala poetry. A large gathering of participants took part with keen interest and enthusiasm. SCR–OUSL extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Galappaththi for sharing his time and expertise.

Members with the poet at the Duruthu Kavi Horawa event

Members attending the Duruthu Kavi Horawa event

From the Duruthu Kavi Horawa evening at the SCR

Masterpieces

Celebrating the creativity and artistic talents of SCR–OUSL members.

This space showcases paintings, poems, short stories, and other forms of two-dimensional art created by SCR–OUSL members. We cordially invite the members to share their creations here and inspire one another.

📩 Submit your masterpieces to the SCR Secretary at scr@ou.ac.lk for display in this section.

Gallery

Abstract Painting by Chandana Kulasuriya — Oil on Canvas

Featured Masterpiece

වසන්තේ ඇවිත්

Lyrics: Dinithi Uthpala Ranasinghe · Music: Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe · Vocal: Kumudika Gayanthi Aththanayaka

Notice Board

The latest from the committee.

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A Brief History

The Senior Common Room's story, from its founding to today.

1980s

Where it all began

The SCR's history can be traced back to the 1980s. Over the years, it evolved into a dedicated social and networking hub for the University's academic and administrative staff — a place where colleagues come together not only beyond their professional roles, but also as a community.

The early years

Monthly talks and growing traditions

From its inception, the SCR promoted staff socialisation, strengthened the academic community, and supported staff welfare through a variety of activities. One of the most regular and much-anticipated was the monthly talk — gatherings that went beyond formal presentation, offering staff the chance to exchange ideas and simply enjoy each other's company.

A widening circle

Trips, evenings, and shared leadership

SCR committees maintained a tradition of annual trips — from day outings to overnight stays — alongside evening gatherings. Committee positions, once held predominantly by academics from the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology, expanded over time to include academics from other Faculties and Centres.

Paduru

A tradition is born

One of the most memorable additions to the SCR calendar came with a later committee, which introduced 'Paduru' — a musical evening held following the Annual General Meeting. What began as an addition to the programme soon became its highlight, an informal platform for staff to share their musical talents and celebrate togetherness.

2020–2022

A pause, not an end

Like much of university life worldwide, SCR activities experienced a lull during the COVID-19 pandemic, when gatherings came to a standstill. Yet the spirit of the SCR endured.

2023 — Today

Vibrancy, regained

Since becoming active again in 2023, the SCR has regained much of its vibrancy — organising annual trips, musical evenings, and movie talks, while continuing to create opportunities for staff to connect and unwind. Its history reflects the friendships and traditions built by generations of OUSL staff, and it continues to foster a sense of community and fellowship within the University.

Reach Us

We warmly welcome all academic and administrative members to connect with the Senior Common Room. Whether you wish to become a member, participate in our activities, share creative work, or collaborate on future events, we would be pleased to hear from you.

We look forward to your engagement and participation in enriching the SCR community.

Get in touch

✉️ scr@ou.ac.lk
Download Membership Form