Graduation 2026: A Celebration of Excellence, Pride and New Beginnings

Tharika Perera

On Saturday 21st February, the halls of BMICH were filled with pride, applause and emotion as graduates from four distinguished academic pathways gathered to celebrate the culmination of years of hard work.

Students graduated from:

• Economics, Management, Finance and Social Sciences (EMFSS) – University of London Programmes with academic direction from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
• LLB (Bachelor of Laws) – University of London
• BSc Psychology – University of London with academic direction from King’s College London
• Deakin University programmes

As academic processions moved across the stage and families watched with anticipation, each name called represented resilience, discipline and ambition brought to life.

A Year of Remarkable Academic Distinction

This year’s ceremony stood out for its exceptional academic achievements.

From the EMFSS University of London programmes, an outstanding 25 graduates achieved First Class Honours, a powerful testament to intellectual rigour and consistent excellence across globally benchmarked assessments.

The BSc Psychology programme marked a particularly historic milestone. This was the first graduating batch of the Psychology programme. Among this pioneering cohort, the programme proudly celebrated a First Class Honours graduate, setting a powerful academic precedent for future batches.

As the first group to complete the programme, these Psychology graduates carry a special distinction. They have not only earned their degrees, but have also laid the foundation for the identity, culture and academic standard of the programme moving forward.

These distinctions reflect more than strong examination results. They reflect analytical precision, academic maturity and sustained commitment.

Special Academic Awards – EMFSS

The ceremony also honoured students who demonstrated exceptional performance throughout their academic journey.

Letters of Commendation

Awarded for strong academic performance in the respective academic year:

• Fathima Qadirah Israth Bazeer
• Gavika Heenatigala
• Jaime Clarissa Johnson
• Jelalus Suyothi Rihab
• Jordan Mathew Choksy
• Liyaanah Rauff
• Pulithi Parindee Mohottige
• Shanuka Jayasekara

Three Country Prizes

Presented in recognition of outstanding first-year academic performance from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka:

• Fathima Sheneez Rizwan
• Hettiarachchige Joseph Romesh Reshan Tissera
• Liyaanah Rauff
• Pulithi Parindee Mohottige
• Ruaani Shanelka Rajapakse

Academic Achievement Awards

Recognising outstanding performance across the degree programme:

• Devindri Sakya De Silva
• Fathima Qadirah Israth Bazee
• Fathima Sheneez Rizwan
• Jayasekera Arachchige Shakya Chathumni Jayasekara
• Liyaanah Rauff
• Munasinghe Appuhamilage Senith Hirunima Munasinghe
• Ruaani Shanelka Rajapakse
• Shanuka Jayasekara
• Tantirige Asvinya Vinethri Perera

World Prizes

These World Prizes recognise students who achieved the highest marks globally in specific modules an achievement of international distinction.

• Dhruvinke Anthonypillai
• Liyaanah Rauff
• Sanchitha Paranagama
• Fathima Sheneez Rizwan
• Gavika Heenatigala
• Rayhaan Mubarak
• Fathima Qadirah Israth Bazee
• Muhammad Taqee Riyaaz Rasheed

LLB – Certificates of Excellence

The LLB programme also celebrated outstanding subject-level achievement.

Recipients of the Certificate of Excellence included:

• Mandara Abilash Kalupahanage – Public International Law
• Fathima Ameera Dilshard – Company Law
• Malisha Sevandie Fernando – Criminology
• Sithy Zafeera Kamaldeen – Introduction to Islamic Law
• Fathima Ameera Dilshard – Introduction to Islamic Law

Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship 2026

A proud highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship to:

• Dhanani Rashma Kodithuwakku – Diploma in Biomedical Science

This prestigious scholarship offers 50 percent coverage of international tuition fees at Deakin University and participation in the Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Programme in Australia.

A Valedictorian’s Message to Remember

The ceremony reached an emotional high point with the address delivered by Valedictorian Fathima Sheneez Rizwan.

Speaking to her fellow graduates, she reminded them that graduation is not an endpoint but a beginning:

“But remember that this isn’t the pinnacle of your life nor is it the pinnacle of your achievements. It should never just end here, go out there and make your own statement.”

Her words resonated deeply across the hall as she concluded with a message of courage and ambition:

“Class of 2025, congratulations and fly high. The world is now yours, now go and make it extraordinary.”

The applause that followed was not merely celebratory, it was affirming, hopeful and forward-looking.

More Than a Graduation

Graduation was more than a formal ceremony. It was a reflection of global academic partnerships, intellectual excellence and the resilience of students who navigated rigorous international curricula.

As caps were adjusted, photographs taken and embraces shared, one truth became clear:

This was not the end of a journey, it was the beginning of many.

The Class of 2025 now steps into the world equipped not only with degrees, but with confidence, discipline and the responsibility to shape what comes next.

And as the valedictorian so powerfully declared the world is now theirs.