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The Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, received commendation under the Best Faculty Website category at the Ceremony of Long Service Awards and Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2026, which was held on 1 January 2026 at the Sri Dharmaloka Hall, University of Kelaniya. Senior Lecturer Jayamal de Silva of the Department of Linguistics, who serves as the Webmaster and the Coordinator of the Computer-Assisted Learning and Web Unit of the Faculty, was presented with the commendation certificate.

The prestigious ceremony was held under the patronage of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, in celebration of the outstanding achievements and dedicated service of the academic and administrative community.

The commendation awarded to the Faculty of Humanities stands as a testament to its commitment to digital innovation and effective communication with the wider community.

The web team of the Faculty currently consists of the Web Master (Faculty Lead - Web and Analytics), and Ms Randika Padmasiri, the Faculty Associate - Web and Analytics.

Mr Jayamal de Silva, a Senior Lecturer in Translation Studies/Methods attached to the Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, has authored a new academic book titled Bhāṣā Parivartana Adhyayanaya. The book was formally presented to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, at the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

The Head of the Department, Rev. Dr Kapugollawe Anandakiththi Thero, also attended the occasion.

The publication is an improved and expanded edition of Mr de Silva’s earlier work, Bhāṣā Parivartana Pravēśaya, which was first published in 2018. The new volume offers a comprehensive theoretical account of translation, reflecting recent developments in the field while building on the foundation established in the original text. Both books are published by S. Godage and Brothers.

The book is expected to serve as a valuable academic resource for students and scholars of linguistics and translation studies, making a meaningful contribution to the advancement of translation scholarship within the university and beyond.

The presentation of the book to the Vice-Chancellor marks another notable achievement by Mr de Silva and highlights the ongoing commitment of the Department of Linguistics to academic research and publication.

The Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, has organized a series of staff development lectures to be conducted by Professor Theresa McGarry of the Department of Linguistics, Trinity State University, USA.

Accordingly, the first lecture, titled ‘Inductive Learning and Teaching,’ was successfully held on Thursday, 11 December 2025, at the Department premises.

Professor Theresa McGarry is currently affiliated with the Department of Linguistics at the University of Kelaniya, where she is engaged in collaborative research on the Sinhalese language.

The session was attended by Ven. Dr Kapugollawe Anandakiththi Thero, Head of the Department of Linguistics, together with both permanent and temporary academic staff members of the Department.

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The University of Kelaniya welcomed Professor Theresa McGarry, a distinguished academic from the Department of Literature and Language, East Tennessee State University, USA, on 9th October 2025 under the International Visiting Fellowship Programme.

Hosted by the Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Professor McGarry will contribute to teaching across the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Linguistics during her six-month fellowship. In addition to her teaching role, she will collaborate with Dr. Kapugollawe Anandakiththi Thero, Head of the Department of Linguistics, on joint research projects, including “A Typological and Syntactic Analysis of Conditional Structures in Colloquial Sinhala” and “The Sinhala lu Marker: Syntactic, Semantic, and Pragmatic Perspectives on Reportive Marking.”

On her arrival, Professor McGarry met with Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, at the Vice – Chancellor’s Office, to discuss avenues of academic collaboration and international partnership.

A Fulbright Scholar, Professor McGarry brings extensive expertise in syntax and applied linguistics. Her presence not only enriches the academic and research profile of the Faculty of Humanities but also reflects the commitment of the Department of Linguistics to fostering global scholarly exchange and strengthening the University’s international collaborations.