InRO News
TİKA Delegation Meets Vice-Chancellor to Discuss Post-Disaster Recovery Support
March 11, 2026
A delegation from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) met with the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya on 5th March 2026 at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office to discuss potential collaboration in supporting the University’s post-disaster recovery efforts.
The visiting delegation comprised Mr. Kazim Karabacak, South Asia Desk Officer of TİKA, and Ms. Yasemin Melez Biçer, TİKA Expert (Architect). They met with Prof. Terrence Madhujith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, together with Prof. S. P. K. Malaviarachchi, Director of the International Relations Office (InRO), and Ms. Thushanika Pakkiyarasa, Project Manager of the InRO.
During the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor briefed the delegation on the impact of the natural disaster that affected the University several months ago, which caused significant damage to parts of the campus, including the Faculty of Management, hostels, the gymnasium, the IT Centre, and surrounding infrastructure. The discussion focused on the University’s recovery efforts and priority needs.
The TİKA delegation expressed interest in supporting feasible small-scale initiatives related to post-disaster recovery. Potential areas of collaboration discussed included the completion of the container-based expansion of the University Health Centre, support for laboratory and research facilities, disaster risk reduction measures such as improving riverbank protection and addressing landslide-prone areas, and possible partial support for the relocation of the Faculty of Management.
The delegation also noted that TİKA is planning several development initiatives in Sri Lanka in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Colombo and invited the University to share its project proposals and priority areas for consideration.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing their willingness to explore practical avenues of collaboration to support the University’s recovery and future resilience.
