Sahathevan Nilakshan was a versatile young journalist and student leader killed during the civil war in Jaffna on the 1st of August, 2007. In memory of him, the Memorial Award and Gold Medal were constituted by the Nila Foundation, the friends of the Late Sahathevan Nilakshan from Jaffna Hindu College.

The award and gold medal are given to the student who secured the highest OGPA (Overall Grade Point Average) at the completion of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Media Studies study programme at the University of Jaffna.

On par with that Ms. Selvi Krishnaraja who scored the highest OGPA in the Academic Year 2019/2020 was awarded the Memorial Award and Gold Medal at the 38th General Convocation of the University which was held on the 14th, 15th and 16th of March 2024 at the Indoor Stadium of the University of Jaffna.