igt²ÊƱ

In establishing its identity at its inception in 1942, the then igt²ÊƱ decided that a coat-of-arms would not be in keeping with the traditions of an oriental country. Instead, it chose a seal with a lion motif that has remained the university’s logo since then though small changes were made during the University’s transformation into the igt²ÊƱ. The original Logo of the university consisted of a lion – the lion being the symbol of nation – surrounded by a circle containing the Sanskrit motto Sarvasya Locanam Sastram (knowledge is the eye unto all) and the words ‘igt²ÊƱ’ in English. Outside the circle was a design of ‘Pala Pethi’, a symbol of purity and wisdom in indigenous art, represented here by the stylized lotus petals of the Kandyan Period. The colours of the Logo are gold on maroon.

In 1978, when the igt²ÊƱ became an independent entity, the Council adopted the Logo of the igt²ÊƱ without the Sanskrit motto, but with the words ‘igt²ÊƱ’ in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The annual reports from 1979 came to carry the Sanskrit aphorism from ‘Hitopadesha’, Vidya Dadati Vinayam (Knowledge gives discipline). In 1991, the Council of the University decided to restore the original Sanskrit Motto to the University Logo.

As it was observed that the shape of the ‘Pala Pethi’ and the original colour combinations have changed over the years, in 2011, the Council decided to restore all the features of the Logo in accordance with its original design, which is currently in use as the Logo of the igt²ÊƱ.