Sir Ivor Jennings Museum Reopens, Marking a New Chapter in Sri Lankan Higher Education Heritage

The University of Colombo officially re-opened the Sir Ivor Jennings Museum at College House on 11 April 2026, following extensive refurbishment and the introduction of new interpretive features. The ceremony was attended by Vice Chancellor Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, along with senior university leadership including deans, directors, and administrative officials.

The museum is housed within the historic College House, originally the 1912 Regina Walauwa of the de Soysa family, now recognised as a landmark in Sri Lanka’s higher education history. It documents the institution’s evolution from the 1921 University College to the University of Ceylon in 1942 under Sir Ivor Jennings, and later the establishment of the University of Colombo.

Through rare photographs, archival materials, and restored architectural elements, the museum preserves and presents a century of academic development. It stands as a tribute to Sri Lanka’s higher education legacy and the enduring role of the University of Colombo.