Faculty News

The Centre for International Affairs and the German Section of the Department of Modern Languages were privileged to host the German novelist Ms. Ronya Othmann, author of the best-selling novel “Die Sommer” (The Summers) at the university on 7th February 2024 at the Boardroom of the Faculty of Humanities.

Ms. Othmann read from her original German version of the novel to the staff and students of German and presented some of her poems. The audience comprised the staff of the German section and students of German from all three years of the BA Degree Programme and the BA Honours Programme.

Senior Professor Neelakshi C. Premawardhena, Director, Centre for International Affairs welcomed the gathering. Mr. Stefan Winkler, the Director of the Goethe Institute, Colombo introduced the author Ms. Ronya Othmann. Ms. Marie Waarlo, the Librarian of the Goethe Institute was also present at the occasion. The Sinhala translation of the novel “Die Sommer” has been compiled by Ms. Ashani Ranasinghe, a Visiting Lecturer in German at the Department of Modern Languages.

Following the reading from the novel and the poems staff and students were involved in a fruitful discussion session with the author. This interactive dialogue facilitated a deeper understanding of her work and fostered a meaningful exchange of ideas.

The Centre for International Affairs and the German Section of the Department of Modern Languages are grateful to Ms. Ronya Othmann for sharing her literary works and extend their sincere thanks to the Director, Goethe Institute Mr. Stefan Winkler and the Librarian Ms. Marie Waarlo for providing this rare opportunity to the staff and students of German at the university.

The inauguration ceremony of the 6th Batch of the Diploma in Buddhist Psychology and Counseling, 2024 conducted by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the University of Kelaniya, was held on the 27th of January 2024 at Professor Kotahene Pragnakeerthi Nahimi Memorial Hall of the Faculty of Humanities.

Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, and Ven. Senior Professor Makuruppe Dhammananda Thero, Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, graced as the chief guests of the event while Professor Emeritus Asanga Thilakaratne of the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Colombo delivered the keynote speech. Ven. Lecturer Suriyawewa Wijayawimala Thero serves as the coordinator of the course.

The event was graced by Professor K. B. Jayawardhane, Head of the Department of Sanskrit and Eastern Studies, Senior Lecturer Anoma Rathnayaka, Head of the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, and Academic Staff of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies. Public officials representing various public institutes, officials of police and tri forces, teachers, and independent professionals representing various sectors participated as the students of the diploma.

The literature forum on “Ceylon in Ivan Bunin’s Russian Perspective” organized by the Russian Studies Unit of the Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya, in collaboration with the Russian Literary Circle of the Russian House in Colombo, was held on the 24th of January 2024 at K14 Boardroom of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.

This forum was organized under the supervision of Ven. Dr. Meemure Gunananda Thero in celebration of the commemoration of the 70th death anniversary of Ivan Bunin, the first Russian writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. The event featured presentations on Ivan Bunin’s literary contribution and a certificate distribution ceremony for essay competition winners.

Promoting Russian literature regarding the literary works of Ivan Bunin, exploring the interconnections between literature and art, history, and political activism, providing a program that engages and inspires the interest of students in Russian literature, and setting up an inclusive forum that brings together people with a common interest in literature were key objectives of the forum.

The event was graced by Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya as the Chief Guest, His Excellency Mr. Levan S. Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives as the Guest of Honor and Mrs. Maria L. Popova, Director of the Russian House in Colombo, Deans of the Faculties of the University of Kelaniya including Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Ven. Professor Nedalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Head of the Department of Modern Languages as honorable guests. Heads of the Departments and Academics of the University of Kelaniya and Members of the Russian Literary Circle also participated in the forum.

The Excellence in Humanities Awards 2023 was held on the 20th of December 2023 at the auditorium of the Ven. Prof. Kotahene Sri Pragnakeerthi Thero Memorial Hall (K14). Organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Humanities for the first time in the history of the University of Kelaniya,

the awarding ceremony honoured and celebrated the outstanding contributions in the field of humanities by recognising and acknowledging staff members who have contributed to enhancing and developing the discipline in various ways.

Excellence Awards in Humanities were awarded under six categories. The award for the Creativity Excellence in Humanities was bestowed upon Senior Professor Kamani Jayasekara of the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture for the honour brought to the university by being the proud recipient of ‘Sahithya Ratna’ Lifetime Award at the 65th State Literary Awards Ceremony. The second recipient of the Creativity Excellence in Humanities was Senior Lecturer Priyankara Rathnayake of the Department of Drama, Cinema and Television for being nominated for national-level awards at Raigam Teles 2022 and Derana Film Awards 2022.

The award for Scholarly Excellence in Humanities was awarded to Senior Professor K.L.K.N.C. Premawardhana of the Department of Modern Languages for her outstanding scholarly contributions to the field of humanities.

The award for the Coordinating Excellence in Humanities was awarded to the Diploma in Tamil, Department of Linguistics, for coordinating a Diploma programme with the highest number of local participants, and Senior Lecturer Kaumadee Bamunusinghe, the Coordinator of the Diploma accepted the award.

The Coordination Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to four remarkable individuals whose coordination efforts have significantly enriched the collaborative spirit within the institution: Senior Lecturer Dr Vindhya Weerawardhane, the Coordinator of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Humanities, Senior Lecturer Dr H.S.M.M. Jayawardhane, the Coordinator of the Strategic Plan & Action Plan, Faculty of Humanities, Senior Lecturer Dr Anjalee Wickramasinghe, the Director of the Research Centre, Faculty of Humanities, and Lecturer Mr B.A.N.H. Basnayake, the Faculty Representative of the Career Guidance Unit.

The Service Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to Senior Professor K.L.K.N.C. Premawardhana for her outstanding role as the Director of the Centre for International Affairs of the University of Kelaniya and Senior Professor C.D.S. Wettewe for her exceptional role as the Director of the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya, 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 Lecturer Gevani Prahalathan of the Department of English Language Teaching and Senior Lecturer T.L.D. De Silva of the Department of Fine Arts appraising the immense contribution made to their respective departments.

At the Excellence in Humanities Awards 2023, Most Venerable Professor Kollupitye Mahinda Sangarakkhitha Nayaka Thero, The Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Emeritus Sarath Amunugama, a Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Senior Professor Lakshman Senevirathne, a Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Ven. Dr Dodamkumbure Dhammadassi Thero, the Former Director of ICCMS, were awarded the Special Service Acknowledgement Awards as a testament to the tireless efforts, innovative thinking, and transformative impact they have had on the academic landscape.

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 2023. Retired Professor Somarathna Balasuriya of the Department of Sinhala, Retired Ven. Professor Nawagamuwe Rewatha Thero of the Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies, Professor Emeritus Sumanapala Galmangoda of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Professor Emeritus Sarath Amunugama of the Department of Modern Languages, Late Professor Emeritus W.S. Karunathillake of the Department of Linguistics, Late Professor Manique Gunasekera of the Department of English, Late Senior Professor Indra Dassanayake of the Department of Hindi Studies, Retired Professor Mangalika Jayathunga of the Department of Fine Arts, Retired Senior Lecturer Rev. Dr. Nihal Abeyasinghe of the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture, Late Professor Manique Gunasekera of the Department of English Language Teaching, and Retired Senior Lecturer Chandrasiri Bogamuwa of the Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television were among the recipients of the Special Honorary Service Awards.

Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments of the Faculty of Humanities, Registrar, Librarian, and academic and non-academic staff members of the Faculty of Humanities were among the distinguished guests.