Faculty News

The 1st National Conference on Sinhala Studies (NCSS) 2023, organized by the Department of Sinhala, University of Kelaniya was successfully held on the 24th of October 2023, at the University of Kelaniya, under the theme of Cultural Identity and Sinhala Literary Studies.

The aim of the conference was to inquire into and investigate how the changing behavior patterns due to the rapidly changing ecosystem and modern technology create the characteristics of the identity of a language, its creative use of literature, residual arts, and intangible heritage, both as an intellectual inquiry and as a creative expression.

The conference brought together nearly 90 leading academic researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results through interdisciplinary research papers that investigate cultural identity and Sinhala literary studies in a dynamic way.

Senior Professor Raj Somadeva delivered the keynote speech at the event. The event was graced by Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya as the Chief Guest, Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Sudath R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor H. A. A. Swarna Ihalagama, Head of the Department of Sinhala, Chair and Senior Professor M. A. Nimal Karunaratne, Academic, and Non-Academic Staff of the Department and Students.

“Remembering Professor Manique 2023”, an event in commemoration of the former Chair Professor of English, Professor Manique Gunasekera was held on the 11th of October 2023 at the University of Kelaniya. The event was organized by the English Students’ Association (ESA) of the Department of English.

Professor Manique’s family and friends, together with the academic staff and students at the university graced this occasion to mark the launch of the ‘Remembering Professor Manique Gunasekera Project’ and share their memories of the late professor.

The event commenced with the distinguished guests lighting candles in memory of Professor Manique, followed by Dr. Shashikala Assella, the Head of the Department of English welcoming the gathering. Professor Prabha Manuratne was then invited to share her memories of Professor Manique. She spoke on the profound contributions of Professor Manique towards Sri Lankan English and her experiences with Professor Manique during her undergraduate years. Following her speech, Professor Eisha Hewabowela, Ms. Lilanka Boteju, Professor Arjuna Parakrama, and General Lalin Fernando reminisced about their cherished memories with Professor Manique.

During the event, the English Students’ Association launched the “Remembering Professor Manique Gunasekara Project” with the aim of disseminating knowledge, raising awareness, and improving the English language literacy of the students of Wedamulla Maha Vidyalaya. This project will serve as a tribute to Professor Manique’s enduring legacy, with the sincere aspiration to perpetuate the impact she has left behind. Furthermore, the project stands as a catalyst for enhancing the civic engagement of students within the Department of English. 

The inaugural initiative of the project will host a child protection awareness program at Wedamulla Maha Vidyalaya in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Colombo City. The Immediate Past President of Rotary Club of Colombo City Mohamed Husni spoke on the partnership and expressed the organization’s willingness to support the civic engagement of students. Furthermore, the principal of Wedamulla Maha Vidyala Ms. Nilusha Dantasinghe expressed her support and appreciation of the project.

Concluding the event with gratitude, the President of the English Students’ Association Thadini Liyanage extended sincere thanks to everyone in attendance for honouring the memory of Professor Manique Gunasekera.

An Indian Food Festival was organized by the Hindi Parishad and the Department of Hindi Studies on 13th September 2023 at Polwaththa Ground, University of Kelaniya.

The objectives of organizing this event were to celebrate the National Hindi Day of India and to experience intercultural diversity.

Food items like Poori, Indian Roti, Aloo Paratha, Poha, Laddu, Onion Pakoda, Bread Pakoda, and beverages like Masala Chai (Tea) were available at the festival. Participants had the opportunity to have Mehendi Art also.

Dr. Ankuran Dutta, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center participated as the Chief Guest of the event.

The event was graced by Senior Prof. S. R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Mukesh Mishra, Siddharth University, Gorakhpur, Prof. Nilanthi Rajapakshe, Head of the Department of Languages, Cultural Studies and Performing Arts, University of Sri Jayewardenepura were among the other honorable guests. Staff of the Department of Hindi Studies, members of the academic and non-academic staff of the university, students, and the public were present at the event.

Sambhashana, the Monthly Academic Colloquium of the Faculty of Humanities organized by the Faculty of Humanities, was held on the 7th of September 2023 at the K14 Auditorium via Zoom, University of Kelaniya.

The topic of the event was “The Musical Culture of Ceylon Africans: A Case Study of Maanja Tradition in the Sirambiadiya Village, Sri Lanka”.

Senior Lecturer Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities was the chief guest of the event, and Professor Kusum Herath, Department of Sinhala was the coordinator of Sambhashana. The resource person of the event was Senior Lecturer Chandana Ruwan Kumara, Department of Fine Arts.

The event was graced by Senior Lecturer Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Kusum Herath, Department of Sinhala, Professor K.B. Jayawardhane, Head of the Department of Sanskrit and Eastern Studies, Senior Lecturer Upul Jayantha Ranepura, Head of the Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television, Senior Lecturer Lanka de Silva, Head of the Department of Fine Arts, Senior Lecturer Chandana Ruwan Kumara, Department of Fine Arts, Professor Aruna Wanninayake, Department of Physics and Electronics, Academic Staff and Students.