ðɪ aɪdˈiə əvə jˌuːnɪvˈɜːsᵻɾi ʌv ɹuːhˈuːnə wʌz pɹəpˈoʊzd baɪ ðə kˈæbᵻnət mˈɪnɪstɚɹ ʌv ˌɛdʒuːkˈeɪʃən ænd hˈaɪɚɹ ˌɛdʒuːkˈeɪʃən æt ðə tˈaɪm, dˈɑːktɚ. nɪsˈæŋkə wˈaɪdʒjɚɹˌætni.
The idea of a University of Ruhuna was proposed by the Cabinet Minister of Education & Higher Education at the time, Dr. Nissanka Wijeyeratne.