Beyond Mahapola
The Beyond Mahapola Conference is the inaugural national convening under Beyond Mahapola, a platform designed to unite intellectuals across generations, disciplines and regions, revitalising a core vision of Late Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali. The Conference seeks to transform a shared educational opportunity into a sustained culture of dialogue, leadership and public responsibility.
For over four decades, initiatives by Late Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali have enabled access to higher education for thousands of Sri Lankans. The Beyond Mahapola Inauguration and the subsequent annual conference, seeks to go beyond already existing efforts by uniting intellectuals and graduates across the spectrum to mark a transition from gratitude to responsibility, bringing together to reflect on national challenges, exchange ideas, and develop structured working models on key public policy themes.
Beyond Mahapola
INAUGURAL CEREMONY
Join us on the 15th of May, 2026 at the Lotus Hall, BMICH, where intellectuals and graduates across Generations and Fields of Study will come together for the First Formal Step 'Beyond'.
This Inaugural Ceremony will mark the beginning of a National Platform bringing together all intellectuals to engage, reflect and contribute to what comes next!
The Inaugural Ceremony will feature:
In Retrospect
Expert Dialogue
Conference Overview
The Inaugural Ceremony will also provide time for intellectuals and graduates to network and register for the upcoming Beyond Mahapola Conference.
Beyond Mahapola Conference 2026
Following the Inaugural Ceremony, the Lalith Athulathmudali Foundation and the Lalith Athulathmudali Research Centre endeavours to convene intellectuals and graduates across generations to an annual conference.
This conference will allow the interaction between graduates of a specific sector as well graduates in different levels of their career.
Quick Look @ The Conference
Format: One-Day National Conference
Structure: Main Plenary + 4 Technical Sessions + Launching Pad for Next Initiatives
What to Expect
Main Plenary Session
A national-level dialogue setting the intellectual and moral tone of the Conference.
Seven Thematic Technical Sessions
During the event, participants will take part in a series of technical sessions focusing on different areas related to development and policy.
Before the sessions begin, you will be able to select the topic that interests you the most. Based on your preference, you will be assigned to a session where you will work with other participants who share similar interests.
Each session will include guided discussions and collaborative activities, allowing participants to share ideas, explore challenges, and contribute to practical solutions within the topic area.
No prior experience is required. These sessions are designed to be interactive, supportive, and engaging for all participants.
Requirements for Registration
To ensure meaningful engagement and structured participation, the following requirements apply:
1. Team-Based Participation
-
Teams must consist of 3–5 members
-
Teams are self-formed
-
Each team must designate functional roles:
-
Spokesperson
-
Research Strategist
-
Policy Crafter
-
Storyteller
-
Connector
-
Where teams have fewer than five members, roles may be combined.
However, if you do not have anyone to form a team, you always have the option of registering under 'Indvidual Participation'. On the day of the conference, individual participants will be combined to form teams.
2. Language Requirement
-
The Conference operates on a trilingual platform.
-
However, at least two members of each team (the Spokesperson and Storyteller Roles) must be conversant in English, as formal procedural elements will be conducted in English.
-
If you are registering as an individual participant, it will be convenient for the organising committee if you are conversant in English.
For More Information, read the Conference Guides Below:
Beyond Mahapola Conference Guide (English)
Beyond Mahapola Conference Guide (Sinhala)
Be part of the first edition of the Annual Mahapola Conference.
Join a national gathering of alumni, scholars and professionals committed to transforming educational legacy into collective responsibility and action.
