The Excellence in Humanities Awards 2024 ceremony, organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Humanities, took place on the 20th of December 2024, at the Ven. Prof. Kotahene Sri Pragnakeerthi Thero Memorial Hall (K14) Auditorium. This event, presided over by Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, marked the second consecutive year of celebrating the exceptional contributions of faculty members who have enhanced and advanced the field of humanities.
Excellence Awards in Humanities were awarded in eight categories. The award for the Creativity Excellence in Humanities was bestowed upon Senior Lecturer Anuradha Subasinghe of the Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television for the honour brought to the university by winning the award for the Best Costume Design at the State Drama Festival 2022 for his drama, the Magical Fiancé. The award for Scholarly Excellence in Humanities was awarded to Dr. Amila Kaluaarachchi of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies for his outstanding scholarly contributions to the field of humanities.
Under the Foreign Relations Excellence in Humanities awards, three departments of the Faculty of Humanities were recognised for their outstanding contributions to international relations and successful Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) that have significantly advanced the field of humanities. The Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, the Confucius Institute, and the Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television were among the recipients of the award for establishing resilient and far-reaching foreign collaborations and promoting the global exchange of knowledge in the humanities.
The reputational Excellence in Humanities award was presented to Professor Dilrukshi Rathnayake of the Department of Modern Languages in recognition of her exceptional achievement in receiving the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for her outstanding service and contributions to Japanese language education in Sri Lanka. This prestigious commendation honours individuals for their efforts in strengthening friendships between Japan and other countries.
The Coordinating Excellence in Humanities award recognized outstanding efforts in coordinating study programs that attract both local and international students, generate revenue, and contribute to the advancement of humanities education across eight distinct categories, and at this year’s awarding ceremony, seven departments of study were proudly recognised for their
achievements. Accordingly, the Certificate Course in Sinhala for Foreign Students by the Department of Sinhala under the Foreign Category of Certificate Courses, Certificate Course in Chinese by the Confucius Institute under the Local Category of Certificate Courses, Diploma in Buddhist Studies for Foreign Students by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies under the Foreign Category of Diploma Courses, Diploma in Tamil by the Department of Linguistics Local Category of Diploma Courses, BA (Hons) in Buddhist Studies conducted at the Benhiuan Academy of China by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies under the Foreign Category of Bachelor’s Programmes, MA in Sinhala for Foreign Students by the Department of Sinhala under the Foreign Category of Postgraduate Programmes, and MA in Linguistics by the Department of Linguistics under the Local Category of Postgraduate Programmes were awarded with the Coordinating Excellence in Humanities awards.
The Coordination Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to eight remarkable individuals whose coordination efforts have significantly enriched the collaborative spirit within the institution: Dr. K. M. Udara Iroshini de Silva, the Coordinator of the Staff Development Unit, Faculty of Humanities; Dr. E. Jaani Alwis Samarakoon, Co-Director for Sri Lanka of the Confucius Institute; Dr. H. S. M. M. Jayawardena, Faculty Coordinator for the Strategic Plan and Action Plan; Dr. Vindhya Weerawardhane, Coordinator of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Humanities; Dr. Amila Kaluarachchi, Unit Head of the Internship and Skill Development Unit; Dr. Anjalee Wickramasinghe, Director of the Research Centre for the Faculty of Humanities; Senior Lecturer Hasara D. Hirimuthugoda, Director of the Inclusivity Centre, Faculty of Humanities; and Lecturer B. A. N. H. Basnayaka, Career Guidance Coordinator for the Faculty of Humanities.
The Service Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to Senior Professor C. D. S. Wettewe for her exceptional role as the Director of the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya, and to Dr. E. Jani Alwis Samarakoon for the positions held as the Co-Director (for Sri Lanka) of Confucius Institute, Academic Warden, and a Student Counsellor, as a tribute for exemplifying a spirit of selfless service, going above and beyond to contribute to the welfare of the academic community.
The Contribution Excellence in Humanities awards were awarded to Senior Professor K. L. K. Neelakshi C. Premawardhena, Department of Modern Languages; Senior Lecturer Ven Devagoda Piyarathana Thero, Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies; Senior Lecturer Gevani Prahalathan, Department of English Language Teaching; Dr. Amila Kaluarachchi, Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies; Dr. Anjalee Wickramasinghe, Department of Sinhala; and Senior Lecturer W. U. P. Perera, Department of Hindi Studies, appraising the immense contribution made to their respective departments.
In recognition of their outstanding service to the Faculty of Humanities, exceptional individuals representing each department of the faculty were awarded Special Honorary Service Awards at the Excellence in Humanities Awards 2024. Retired Professor B. D. Nandadeva of the Department of Fine Arts, Emeritus Professor Daya Wickramasinghe of the Department of Linguistics, Emeritus Professor Hemantha Sirisena of the Department of Modern Languages, Retired Professor Ananda Wijerathne of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Retired Senior Professor Ven. Kahapola Sugatharathana Thero of the Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies, Emeritus Professor Ananda Abeysiriwardhane of the Department of Sinhala, and Emeritus Professor Shirley Lal Wijesinghe of the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture were among the recipients of the Special Honorary Service Awards.
The event was graced by Senior Professor Sudath R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies; Professor Bandara Wanninayake, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies; Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Dr. C. C. Jayasundara, Librarian; Heads of Departments of the Faculty of Humanities, Mr. K. K. K. Dharmathilaka, Registrar; and academic and non-academic staff members of the Faculty of Humanities.
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