Professor W. M. WijeratneRetired Senior Professor
W.M. Wijeratne was selected as a member of the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya in 1984. He was awarded M.A. for his two year full time research on the 'A Linguistic study of the Tamil dialect used by Upcountry Tamils'. In 1990 he was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship in the UK. He entered to the University of Edinburgh where he was awarded Ph.D. based on the research on ' Estate Tamil: A morphosyntactic study'. He engaged in different university development projects as the /proposal writer/coordinator/chair person/ member etc. He also rendered his service to other national institutes such as the National Institute of Education, Department of Official Languages, The National Institute of Language Education and Training (NILET), The National Language Commission, the department of Education and other Higher Educational Institutes. At present, he is a Senior Professor in the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya.
Position
Senior Professor
Academic Qualifications
B.A. (Hons), M.A., Ph.D
Specialized Field
Morphology, Syntax, Tamil
| Books | |
| 01. | Wijeratne, W.M. 2013 Dhampiya Atuva Getapadaya: (Sinhala, Pali, Sanskrit) Word Index, Colombo S. Godage and brothers (pvt) Ltd. |
| 02. | Wijeratne, W.M. Palliyaguru, C. 2010 Trilingual Vocabulary (Tamil, English, Sinhala). National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka. |
| 03. | Wijeratne, W.M. T.G.R. DelaBandara 2009 "Pathashaliya Sinhala DemalaShabdakoshaya (School dictionary of Sinahala and Demala) National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka. |
| 04. | Vyavaharika Demala Bhasa Praveshaya -Sinhala translation of ‘An Introduction to Spoken Tamil’ by J.W.Gair, S.Suseendirarajah, W.S.Karunatilleke, Colombo University of Sri Lanka , External services Agency. 1978- University of Kelaniya . 1999. 608 pages |
| 05. | Saddharamarathnavali. (An Extra reading for Advanced literature course) (in Sinhala) DarshakaPublishers. 1998 |
| 06. | Demala Bhasha Praveshaya (in Sinhala) ) (An introduction to Tamil language) (co-author S.J.yogaraja).Darshaka Publishers. 1998. |
| 07. | Sinhala Eluttup Payitci (in Tamil) (An introduction to Sinhala alphabet) (co- author S.J.yogaraja). DarshakaPublishers. 1997. |
| Articles | |
| 01. |
W.M. Wijeratne 2012 "Functional Category Approach to Deverbal Nouns in Tamil"In Studies in the Religion, Culture, and History of Sri Lanka, Essays in Honour of W.S. Karunatilleke. Eds. Carol Anderson, Susanne Mrozik, R.M.W. Rajapaksha, W.M. Wijeratne, Colombo S. Godage and brothers (pvt) Ltd. PP. 367-394http://www.kln.ac.lk/humanities/depts/linguistics/images/pdf/wijetathne/abstract.pdf |
| 02. |
W.M. Wijeratne 2009 "Estate Tamil: a new variety of Tamil. "Estate Tamil: A new variety"Journal of Social Sciences Sri anka, A quarterly Review. Vol. 1 No. 1. Eds. SunandaMaddumabandara, PiyadasaRanasinghe. Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. PP. 43-58.http://www.kln.ac.lk/humanities/depts/linguistics/images/pdf/wijetathne/estate%20tamil.pdf |
| 03. |
W.M. Wijeratne 2008 Verbal Nouns in Spoken Sinhala. In Dakkhina: Papers on Buddhist thought, linguistics and Sri Lankan culture, A Felicitation volume presented to James Wells Gair on his 80th birthday. Eds. R.M.W. Rajapaksha, K. Kulasekara, J. Paolillo, T.R.G. DelaBandara. Colombo. S. Godage and brothers (pvt) Ltd. .PP. 115-132.http://www.kln.ac.lk/humanities/depts/linguistics/images/pdf/wijetathne/verbal%20nouns.pdf |
| 04. | Inflectional and derivational morphemes and the design of the grammar." Dinesa, eds. Ven. G. Wimalananda Thero, A.I. Divakara. (In Sinhala). 2007. pp 52-67. |
| 05. |
Phonemic Systems of Indian Tamil and Estate Tamil: A contrastive Study. 'Kalyani' The Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Kelaniya . Vol. xiv, 1995- 2007 Eds. Prof. TGR Dela Bandara, Prof.R.M.W. Rajapaksha, Dr.K.M.P. Kuasekare. 2007. pp. 77-88.http://www.kln.ac.lk/humanities/depts/linguistics/images/pdf/wijetathne/phonemic%20systems.pdf |
| 06. | "Error Analysis and its importance." In Sumanaprabha: The Felicitation Volume for the most venerable Oakkampitiye Sumanajothi Thero. Eds.Ven.Okakampitiye Pannasara Thero, Therele Dhammarathanam Thero. Colombo . Author Publication. 2007. pp 148-149. (In Sinhala) |
| 07. | “Bhaasha mishranaya: Samaajavaagvidyaatmaka vimasumak. “Language Hybridization: some sociolinguistic considerations.” By Sunandra K.Gambhir Hindi Vol. 2. Ed. Upul Ranjith Hewawithana Gamage, Nirosha Salwathura. Department of Hindi, University of Kelaniya . 2007. pp.98-136. |
| 08. | "Second language Acquisition and Error analysis: A case study of the language errors perfomed by the (Sinhala) students who study Tamil as a second language." In Vagvidya 08 (The journala of the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya .) Eds. Ven. Galkiriyagama Wimalananda Thero, R.M.W. Rajapksha, Ashoka Premarathne. Kelaniya, Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya . 2002-2003. pp.15-36. (In Sinhala). |
| 09. | "Auxiliary verbs in Sinhala" In Journal of Faculty of Humanities, Vol. iii. Eds. Gamini Dela Bandara, Ven. Induragare Dhammaratana Thero, Maithree Wickramasinghe, Lakshman Seneviratne. Kelaniya,Faculty of Humanities,University of Kelaniya. 2000/2001. pp. 055-072 (In Sinhala). |
| 10. | "Contribution of Panini in Panini" In Archana: Prof. M.H.F. Jayasuriya Felicitation Volume. Eds. Ven.Navagamuwe Revata Thero, Ven. Tapovanaye Sutadhara Thero, Prof. Gamini Dela Bandara, Vijita Welagedara. Colombo . S. Godage and Brothers. 2002. pp.25-39. (In Sinhala) |
| 11. | "Tamil language in Sri Lanka – A short note", (by Prof. S.Suseendirarajah, inStudies in Sri Lankan Tamil linguistics and culture,eds. K. Balasubramanian, K. Ratnamalar, R. Subathini, Jaffna , University of Jaffna , 1999. pp. 433-436).) In Abhisarana. Venerable Morawaka Soratha felicitation volume. Eds. Ven. Galkiriyagama Wimalananda Thero, Pelempitiye Mahinda Thero. Cyprus , Sri Lanka Buddhist Society. 2006. pp.371-374. (In Sinhala) |
| 12. | Reflections of certain social differences in Jaffna Tamil." (By S.Suseendirarajah. in Studies in Sri Lankan Tamil linguistics and culture, eds. K. Balasubramanian, K. Ratnamalar, R. Subathini, Jaffna, University of Jaffna, 1999. pp.118-126 |
| 13. | In Sammaani: Venerable Alavaturee Siri Dhammakiththi Maha Thero Felicitation Volume. Eds. Ven. Okkampitiye Pannasara Thero, Ven. Kotagama Wacissara Thero. Colombo . Author publication. 2005.pp194-204. (In Sinhala) |
| 14. | Indian Tamil and Sri Lanka Tamil: A Study in contrast (Noun System,)" (by S. Suseendirarajah, Indian Journal of Linguistics, Vol. 11, No.2, Calcutta ,.1975)}Samprekshana: The journal of Vagvidya Parsadaya. Vol. 4 Ed. K.H.C.Kaushalya, Kelaniya, Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya . 2000. pp. 85-104. (In Sinhala) |
| 15. | Linguistic Studies of Tamil Language in Sri Lanka : An overview. (in Sinhala) Sambhasha 11. Eds. Ven. Welamitiyawe Dhammarakkhita Nayaka Thero, Ven. Tumbulle Seelakkhndha Nayaka Thero, Prof. W.S.Karunatilleke, Dr.G.S.B.Senanayaka, Wijita Welagedara. . Piriven & Religion Unit, Department of Education and Higher Education. Colombo . 2000. pp. 638-670. |
| 16. | Definiteness in Sinhala, (in Sinhala) Vagvidya 7, Eds. K. Nagitha thero,D.M.Wickramasinghe. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya . 2000. pp. 164-189. |
| 17. | Official Languages used in SAARC Region. (in Sinhala) Nuwana 10. Education and Higher Education Ministry. 1999. pp. 61-63. |
| 18. | National Identity and Language (in Sinhala) Samprekshana 3. Eds. Anuradha Hettiaracchi, Samudra Lalani. Vagvidya Parishad. (Linguistic Society) Department of Linguistics. 1999. pp. 33-39. |
| 19. | What is a research and their main characteristics. (in Sinhala) Lipisaraniya on research methodology (a collection of occasional Papers). Eds. K. Nagitha thero, Chinta Ranasinghe, Nirosha Subhasini Premaratne, Wathsala Weerasinghe. Department of Linguistics. 1999. |
| 20. | Drama performed in Sri Lanaka. (in Sinhala) A Translation. Abhinaya. Vol. 2. Eds. Gamini Dela Bandara, Anura Wickramasinghe, Roland Abeypala. Sub- Committee for Sinhala Drama.1998. 84-98. |
| 21. | Pronouns in (old) Sinhala, An Analysis based on Saddharmaratnavali. (in Sinhala) Sambhasha 8. Ed. WijithaWelagedara. Piriven & Religion Unit, Department of Education and Higher Education. Colombo . 1998 pp. 26-32. |
| 22. | Deverbal Nouns (Kriyarthaka Sagna) in Hindi (in Sinhala) Hindi Journal. Ed. Hewawithana Gamage Upul Ranjith. Department of Hindi, University of Kelaniya . 1998. pp. 40-48 |
| 23. | Literary excellence exhibited by Ven. Dharmasene in depicting characters in Saddharmaratnawali. (in Sinhala) Sambhasha 8. Ed. Wijitha Welagedara. Piriven & Religion Unit, Department of Education and Higher Education. Colombo . 1997 pp. 37-42. |
| 24. | Tamil Dialects in Sri Lanka . (in Sinhala) Sambhasha 7. Ed. Wijitha Welagedara. Piriven & Religion Unit,Department of Education and Higher Education. Colombo . 1996 pp. 124-132. |
| 25. | Verbal Nouns in –iima in (Literary) Sinhala. (in Sinhala) Vagvidya 6. Eds. K. Nagita thero, D.M.Wickramasingha. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya. 1996, pp 21-32. |
| 26. | Languages Spoken in Sri Lanka . (in Sinhala) Kalana. G.S.B. Senanayaka Felicitation Volume. Eds. T. Sutadhara thero, H.T.Basnayake, W.S.Karunatilleke. S. Godage & Bros. 1996. pp 120- 130. |
| 27. | Language, its usage and analysis. (in Sinhala) Samadhi. Dodampahala Chandrasiri Maha Nayaka Felicitation Volume. Eds. .Sutadhara thero,Darshana Ratnayake. Sri Kalyani Vanshika Tapovana Sangha Sabhawa. Colombo. 1996.pp. 199-211. |
| 28. | Licensing Functional Categories. Edinburgh Linguistic Department Conference ’94. Ed. Simon Kirby, The University of Edinburgh . 1994. pp. 142-151. |
| 29. | Deverbal Nominals in Tamil and Sinhala (with Mary Tait) Functional Categories, Argument Structure, and Parametric Variations. Edinburgh Working Papers in Cognitive Science, Vol. 9. Eds. C.S.Rhys, D. Adger, A Von Klopp. 1994 pp. 107-114. |
| 30. | Compounds in Sinhala. Vagvidya 4. (in Sinhala) Eds. K. Nagitha thero,A.C.Premarathne. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya . 1991. pp. 23-32. |
| 31. | Language and Society. (in Sinhala) Vagvidya 3. Eds.D.M.Wickramasinghe, Hema Weerakoon. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya . 1986/87. pp. 7-20. |
| Seminar papers | |
| 01. | First Annual Symposium on Social Sciences & Humanities. Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities. Sabaragamuwa University . 2007. Topic: "Implication of Language Contact on Word Formation". |
| 02. | 7 th Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Graduate studies, University of Kelaniya . 2006. Topic: "Dhampiya Atuva Getapadayehi penen nipata pilibanda vagvidyatmaka adhyayanayak" (A linguistic analysis of the post posions in Dhampiya Atuva Geta Padaya)". |
| 03. |
10th International Conference On Sri Lankan Studies. The Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. 2005. |
| 04. | Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Graduate studies, University of Kelaniya . 2005. Topic: "pada sadhanaye nava pravanta" ( New trends in word formation)". |
| 05. | Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Graduate studies, University of Kelaniya . 2003. Topic: "Case suffixes with tensed verbs: A morphosyntactic study". |
| 06. | Changing perspectives in Language research. Scotish Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (Scotish CILT). 2002. Topic: "Issues in Second Language teaching: A case of teaching Tamil and Sinhala as second languages in Sri Lanka ". |
| 07. | Linguistic Circle Meeting. Institute of Linguistics , University of Malta . 2002 Topic: "Implication for teaching/learning a Second Language: The case of Tamil". |
| 08. | Syntax-Semantic meeting, Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh . 2002 Topic: "(Final) Verb + Ta constructions in Sinhala". |
| 09. | Annual Research Symposium 2000. November 24, 2000 , organized by FGS, University of Kelaniya . Topic: "Language Contact and Language Evolution: A case of Derivational Affixes". |
| 10. | Participant, A Radio interview on International Peace Day 14 September 1999, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. |
| 11. | Seminar organized by the Department of Linguistics. 16.06.1998 Topic: "Definiteness in Sinhala" |
| 12. | Workshop on Research Methodology organized by Dept. of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya on 05/06.12.1997 Topic: "Research Methodology: An Introduction". |
| 13. | Linguistic Association of Great Britain (LAGB), Spring Meeting, 5-7 April, 1994. University of Salford Topic: "Functional Projections and Deverbal Nominals in Tamil" |
| 14. | LAGB, Autumn Meeting, 13-15 September, 1994 Topic: "Negation in Tamil". |
| 15. | Edinburgh Linguistic Department Conference 1994 Topic: "Licensing Functional Categories". |
| 16. | Linguistic Circle, The University of Malta Institute of Linguistics , 01 March 1995 Topic: "Deverbal Nominals in Tamil". |