Faculty News

: FOH News; 21 September 2023

Japan - Sri Lanka Cultural Exchange Program - Global Youth Leader

A cultural exchange program uniting Japanese and Sri Lankan students was held from 17th August to 23rd August 2023.

This initiative was organized by the UNSDGs in collaboration with the Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya. 18 students from Japan, 42 members of UNSDGs, 15 undergraduates from the Japanese Unit in the Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya, and 5 high school students from Sri Lanka participated in the program.

The Japanese team was warmly welcomed by the students at the University of Kelaniya and high school students studying Japanese Language at the Granbell Hotel in Colombo. They attended a meeting at the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) in Sri Lanka and visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and the President's House. The team then embarked on a journey to explore Sri Lanka's cultural and natural wonders, including the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the New Giragama Tea Factory, the University of Peradeniya, and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. They also visited the Amaya Lake Hotel in Dambulla.

The team also visited the University of Kelaniya, where they attended a special lecture led by H.E. Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka. Additionally, a panel discussion was conducted, featuring notable participants such as Mrs. Anna Suzuki, Secretary of the Ambassador, Mr. Sakurazawa from JICA, Mr. Sato from Granbell Hotel, Mr. Kawano, President of Japanese School, Prof. Ananda Kumara from a Japanese University, and a staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ven. Prof. Nedalagamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Head of the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Kelaniya, and Professor Dilrukshi Ratnayaka, Department of Modern Languages also actively participated in the engaging discussions.

Presentations were done on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by student pairs at the NYSC. Certificates of participation were distributed, and the day concluded with a farewell party. The program concluded with an exciting cricket match at Royal College in Colombo, fostering ties between the two cultures.

: FOH News; 08 September 2023

Workshop on Abstract Writing - HUG 2023

In line with the 6th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium (HUG 2023), a workshop on Abstract Writing was successfully held on the 06th of September 2023 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Sri Dharmaloka Hall in order to enhance the research writing skills of the undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.

Ms Sepali Bamunusinghe, Senior Lecturer of the Business Communication Unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, joined the workshop as the resource person. Nearly 1,000 undergraduates attended the workshop. Dr Sudath Senarath, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr Anjalee Wickramasinghe, Director of the Faculty Research Centre, Ven. Udagaladeniye Dhammawimala Thero and Ms Neetha Senevirathne, the Coordinators for HUG 2023, and the Academic Staff Members of the Faculty of Humanities also attended the event.

HUG 2023 is scheduled to be held on the 08th of February, 2024, and abstract submission is now open for the undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.

: FOH News; 01 September 2023

Launching of the book “Sāhithya Nirmānaya Hā Yathārtha Ñānaya”

The book entitled “Sāhithya Nirmānaya Hā Yathārtha Ñānaya” authored by Prof. Jinadasa Danansooriya was launched on 24th August 2023 from 1:30 pm onwards at the auditorium of the Faculty of Humanities (K14 001), University of Kelaniya.

The event was organized with the objective of launching the book by the Sinhala Society & Literary Criticism Circle. Chair Professor Nimal Mallawa Arachchi, of the University of Kelaniya participated as the Chief Guest of the event.

The event was graced by Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Senior Professor N. A. K. P. J. Seneviratne, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, all academic members of the Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Social Sciences, Mr. Eric Ilayaparachchi, Mr. Sirinimal Lakdusinghe, Mr. Sugath Watagedara, and Mr. M.R. Chulasinghe.

: FOH News; 02 August 2023

The International Conference on the Humanities (ICH) 2023

The International Conference on the Humanities (ICH) 2023 organized by the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya was held on the 27th and 28th of July 2023 at the Auditorium of Ven. Prof. Kotahēnē Srī Pragnākīrti Nāyake Thero Memorial Hall (K14) of the university.

The conference was organized with the objective of promoting quality research in the Humanities discipline under the theme of ‘Humanities: The Future Ahead’. The conference further aimed to inquire into and investigate the impact of modern world challenges in re-envisioning the importance of humanities, both as an intellectual inquiry and as a creative expression through the conference tracks.

The event was held under the patronage of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya. Professor Arjuna Parakrama of the Department of English, University of Peradeniya delivered the keynote address of the inauguration ceremony which was held on the 27th of July 2023. The Launching of the ICH 2020/21 full paper volume also took place on the same day.

Present at the occasion were Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Bandara Wanninayake, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, Senior Professor S. R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and the academic staff members and the undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities.

: FOH News; 24 July 2023

The University of Kelaniya Hosts Special Event to Establish Student Forum for Translation Studies Undergraduates

A special event to formulate a student forum for Translation Studies undergraduates of the University of Kelaniya, organized by The National Languages Equality Advancement Project (NLEAP) and the Centre for Development Research and Interventions (CDRI) and hosted by the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya was held on the 19th of July 2023, at the K14 boardroom of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya.

Four discussion sessions were held under the topics ‘Need of a Forum for Translation Students and General Overview of Translation Services in Sri Lanka and Worldwide’, ‘Official Languages Policy of Sri Lanka: An Overview of Policies, Laws, Administrative Arrangements’, ‘The role of languages in promoting cultural diversity and inclusion: an understanding on the importance of skillful translation’, and ‘Formation of Forum for Translation Students and Way Forward’. The sessions were conducted by Mr. Niyas Raskin, Language Policy and Teaching Specialist of NLEAP; Mr. M. Thirunavukarasu, the Deputy Director of NLEAP; Mr. Dhamma Dissanayake, Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science and Public Policy, University of Colombo; and Ms. K. N. Gamage, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya. Dr. Kavitha Rajarathnam, Head, Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Academic Staff members of the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, representatives from NLEAP and CDRI, and undergraduates of Translation Students also participated in the event.