On two memorable occasions, our club launched Faculty Rewind, a project designed to reconnect current students with the rich heritage of our faculty by honoring the journeys of those who walked these halls before us. The initiative wasn’t just about nostalgia, it was about turning the wisdom, struggles, and triumphs of alumni into living lessons for the next generation.
Phase 1: A Conversation with Visionary Leadership
The first phase featured Mr. Prashantha Lal De Alwis, PC, the current Principal of Sri Lanka Law College, who returned to relive his time in the faculty. Through an intimate, reflective session, he shared stories of mentorship, academic rigour, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career.
Students had the rare opportunity to engage directly with a distinguished leader, asking questions about career pathways, ethical practice, and personal growth. Mr. De Alwis emphasized how the faculty’s culture of critical thinking and camaraderie prepared him for real-world challenges, insights that resonated deeply with attendees.
Phase 2: Women in Law, Culture, and Memory
For Phase 2, timed to coincide with International Women’s Day, we interviewed a practicing lawyer whose faculty memories offered a powerful lens into the evolution of women in law. The conversation explored women in law where barriers broken, progress made, and the road ahead.
It was also an opportunity to delve into the connection between Law and Art/Culture: how creativity intersects with legal practice and advocacy, heartfelt recollections of faculty life, friendships, and formative experiences.
This dialogue didn’t just celebrate heritage, it sparked meaningful discussion about inclusivity, representation, and the cultural dimensions of justice.
Faculty Rewind achieved something rare: it bridged generations. By listening to alumni, students gained real-world examples of excellence and integrity, pactical wisdom, career advice that textbooks can’t provide, a deeper connection to the faculty’s identity and values,
inspiration, and the confidence to pursue ambitious goals with purpose.The project also strengthened community bonds, reminding us that every student today is part of a lineage of thinkers, advocates, and leaders.
What’s Next
We plan to make Faculty Rewind an annual tradition, inviting more alumni from diverse fields to share their journeys. Whether you’re a current student, alumni, or faculty member, your story matters, and it could be the spark that lights someone else’s path.
Stay tuned for upcoming sessions. Together, we’ll keep the legacy of our faculty alive, one story at a time.
Penned by : Rtr. Sahanma Methsarani
Rotaract Club of Faculty of Law University of Colombo 