The Tourism Club of the University of Kelaniya, operating under the Tourism and Cultural Resource Management Degree Programme of the Department of Archaeology, presented a special staging of the iconic Sinhala drama Maname on 31 July 2025 at the University Outdoor Stage.

The event attracted an audience of more than 1,700, including university students, academic and non-academic staff, alumni, and theatre enthusiasts from outside the University. The impressive turnout reflected the strong interest generated by the programme and its contribution to the University's cultural activities.

Created by the late Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra, Maname holds a distinguished place in the history of modern Sri Lankan theatre. Drawing on traditional performance traditions while incorporating innovative theatrical approaches, the drama has remained an influential work in Sri Lanka’s performing arts heritage. Its presentation at the University Outdoor Stage offered audiences the opportunity to experience this celebrated production in an open-air university setting, while encouraging engagement with an important aspect of Sri Lanka’s theatrical heritage.

The staging of Maname served a dual purpose as both a cultural programme and a fundraising initiative of the Tourism Club. The funds generated by the event will support the Club’s forthcoming activities, particularly Tourism Week, which is intended to provide students with opportunities for practical learning and greater exposure to tourism and hospitality.

The event also provided students with valuable hands-on experience in organising and managing a large-scale public programme. Tourism Club members were involved in event planning, promotion, logistics, audience management, hospitality, coordination, and on-site operations. These responsibilities enabled students to apply knowledge gained through their academic studies in a practical setting while developing skills in communication, teamwork, coordination, problem-solving, and event management.

The successful organisation of the programme demonstrated the value of experiential learning in tourism education. It also created an opportunity to bring together students, staff, alumni, and members of the wider community through a shared appreciation of Sri Lankan performing arts.

The successful staging of Maname represents an important achievement for the Tourism Club and provides a foundation for its future cultural and educational initiatives. Through programmes that connect cultural heritage, tourism education, and practical experience, the Club continues to create opportunities for students to develop professional competencies while contributing to the cultural life of the University.

The Tourism Club of the Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, extends its sincere appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of the programme and supported its efforts to create meaningful opportunities for student learning, cultural engagement, and future tourism-related activities.