Contact:
Department: Department of Modern Languages
University Location: (Room Number) K16 001
University Address: Department of Modern Languages,
University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Telephone: (Office) +94-11-2-903721 / (Extension) 724
E-mail: udaradesilva@kln.ac.lk / desilvaudara@yahoo.com
Educational Qualification:
- Ph.D. Graduate School of Language & Society, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan 2015.
- M.A. Graduate School of Language & Society, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan 2012.
- M.A. in Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2004/2005.
- B.A. (General) Degree, First Class Honors, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka 2004.
Teaching Experience:
- Senior Lecturer (Grade I) 2019 - Present
- Senior Lecturer (Grade II) 2016 - 2019
- Lecturer 2008 – 2016
Research and Publications:
Selected Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- de Silva, U.I. (2022). The Challenges of Translation: A Case Study of Translations from Japanese to Sinhala, in Odyssey of Partnership 70 Years Japan-Sri Lanka Relations (Ed.) H.D. Karunaratne, pp. 371-389. ISBN 978-624-5873-53-1
- de Silva, U.I. (2020). L2 Self of Sri Lankan Learners of Japanese as a Foreign Language. Journal of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Vol. 9 (1), pp.83-96. https://hss.ruh.ac.lk/JFHSS/Vol9Iss1/Volume%209%20Issue%201_Paper%205.pdf ISSN 1800-3486 https://doi.org/10.15057/27244
- de Silva, U.I. (2015). Language Learning Motivation: A Case Study of Sri Lankan JFL Learners in the University Level, Gensha, Vol.1 (9), pp. 418-432. http://hermes-ir.lib.hit-u.ac.jp/hermes/ir/re/27244/gensha0000904320.pdf
- de Silva, U.I. (2015). Language Learning Motivation and Achievement: Sri Lankan University Students of Japanese as a Foreign Language, Hitotsubashi Nihongo Kyooiku Kenkyuu, Vol. 3, pp.61-72. http://hermes-ir.lib.hit-u.ac.jp/hermes/ir/re/27989/jle0000300610.pdfISBN978-4-904595-59-6, https://hdl.handle.net/10086/27989
Selected Conference Proceedings And Abstract Presentations
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de Silva U.I. (2025). 日本語学習動機のダイナミクス―スリランカ人日本語学習者を対象に― Motivational Dynamics of Sri Lankan Japanese Language Learners, Proceedings of the Sri Lanka Research Symposium on Japanese Studies, 2025 スリランカ日本語教育研究会2025年, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka, 03rd October 2025.
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Lokugamage, S. & de Silva, U.I. (2025). Fostering Inter-cultural Understanding through Translations- A Study of Japanese Literary Translations into Sinhala, 22nd International Conference on Sustainable Development 2025, Ontario International Development Agency & International Centre for Interdisciplinary Research for Law and Centre for Research in Social Justice & Policy, Laurentian University, Canada, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 03rd & 04th September 2025.
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Lokugamage, S., de Silva, U.I, Gunawardana, S., Senarathna, I. (2025). 昔話からみられるスリランカと日本の繋がり(Links between Sri Lanka and Japan as Seen through Folk Tales), 日本昔話学会2025年度大会The Japanese Folktale Conference 2025, Shizuoka University of Arts and Culture, Hamamatsu, Japan, 05th & 06th August 2025.
- de Silva, U.I. & Lokugamage, S. (2024). Exploring Avenues for Sustainability Literacy- Focusing on Japanese Folktales, Proceedings of the 10th Ruhuna University International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, 05th December 2024.
- de Silva, U.I. (2007). Japanese Language Studies in Sri Lanka: A Critical Analysis, Proceedings of the 8th Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 19th December 2007.
Books
- Senarathna, I., de Silva, U.I., Lokugamage, S., Gunawardhena, S.A. (2024). Ekamath Eka Kaleka Japan Rate. Samaywardhana Publishers, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Book Chapters
- de Silva, U.I. (2020). ‘Hima’, Short Story Translation of ‘Yuki’ by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Videsha Sahithya Pariwarthana Sangrahaya 2019–2020 (A collection of Translated Short Stories), Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya, pp. 224–226.
- de Silva, U.I. (2018). ‘Agni Deviyo’, Short Story Translation of ‘Aguni no Kami’ by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Videsha Sahithya Pariwarthana Sangrahaya 2017–2018 (A collection of Translated Short Stories), Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya, pp. 66–80.
Other Publications
- Rathnayake, D., Gunawardhana, S., de Silva, U. I., Wimalasena, G., Jayasuriya, D., Aonuma, K., (2010) Suriranka koukou e reberu– A Level - Sachini San to Issho- (prescribed Japanese Language textbook for GCE Advanced Level Examination), 2010, Educational Publications Department, Sri Lanka.
Professional Qualifications:
- Japanese Language Proficiency, Level 1 (2004, 2010).
- Teacher Training, Japan Foundation, 2010.
- Japanese Language Certificate, Soka University, Japan 2002.
- President, Japanese Language Teachers’ Association of Sri Lanka. (2008/ 2009)
Scholarships & Awards:
- Erasmus+ “International Credit Mobility” grant, Staff Training Mobility at University of Rouen Normandy, France. 2023.
- Tsukada Memorial Award for the best Master’s thesis by a foreign student, Graduate School of Language & Society, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan, 2012.
- Monbukagakusho scholarship awarded by the Japanese Government for Post Graduate Studies, 2010.
- Grant by the Japan Foundation for the participation in the Short-term Teacher Training Programme conducted by the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute, Kita-Urawa, Japan, 2010
- Association of International Education Japan (AIEJ) scholarship to participate in the Student Exchange Programme at Soka University, Tokyo, Japan, 2001.
Research Interests:
- Motivation in learning second/foreign languages & Second Language Acquisition Studies
- Japanese language education in Sri Lanka
- Translation studies
- Japanese folklore