On the same date, January 29, 2025, the Project Management Club conducted the first webinar of the year via the Zoom platform at 7:30 PM. This intellectually enriching session was titled “Bridging Regional Disparities: Enhancing Development and Project Management Practices in Sri Lanka.” The webinar featured an esteemed guest speaker, Dr. A. Antonyrajan, Senior Lecturer and expert in geography, remote sensing, GIS, and social work. His extensive academic and research background provided an authoritative foundation for the topic.
The session began with a redefined exploration of regional disparities, in which Dr. Antonyrajan introduced a modified interpretation that linked regional underdevelopment with imbalances in power distribution and policy focus. He emphasized the evolution of development thinking, from traditional centralized strategies to modern, decentralized models that better serve local populations. He further elaborated on global comparisons in regional development frameworks, encouraging students to understand the importance of devolution of power and its impact on balanced economic growth. One of the most stimulating elements of the session was the critical question posed to the audience about whether regionalism poses a threat to national unity or strengthens political stability and inclusiveness. This prompted thoughtful discussion and engagement from participants. The Head of the Department, Mrs. S. Mathivathany, contributed her reflections, expressing appreciation for the depth of the presentation and encouraging future sessions on the practical implications of governance structures in Sri Lanka. The webinar concluded at 8:45 PM, leaving students with a deeper understanding of regional development challenges in the Sri Lankan context.
