Previous Next

Senior Lecturer Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero was appointed as the new Head of the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

The appointment letter was handed over to the Head by the acting Vice- Chancellor, Senior Prof. Lakshman Senevirathne on the 6th of April 2019 at the Vice- Chancellor’s Office.

Present at the occasion were Ms. Dhammika Ambegoda, Assistant Registrar- Academic Establishment Division and academic staff members of the Department of History.

Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kelaniya. After winning the Commonwealth Scholarship he proceeded to Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi where he completed his MA and MPhil degrees.

History of religion, role of religion in contexts, social healing and reconciliation are some of his research interests.

He is the founder and director of Walpola Rahula Institute (WRI), where programmes are being conducted to heal the society bringing together divided communities due to the armed conflict and due to the recent religious tensions in Sri Lanka. He also uses social media as a tool to disseminate the message of peace and is well known as a monk who has a different worldview.

Previous Next

A seminar for G.C.E. O/L History students organized by the Department of History, University of Kelaniya was held on the 27th of November 2018 at Deniyaya Central College, Pasgoda Maha Vidyalaya and Pitabeddara Maha Vidyalaya. The seminar was organized with the objective of enhancing the knowledge on the subject and discussing model papers

The workshop was focused on G.C.E. O/L History students of three selected schools in Deniyaya Educational Zone.

Present at the occasion were Senior Lecturer Mrs. Nadeera Hewawasan, Head- Department of History, academic staff members of the Department of History, undergraduates, school teachers and O/L History students.

Previous Next

‘Iithihaasika Paryaawalokanaya 1818- 2018’: bicentennial celebration ceremony of 1818 rebellion organized by the History Students’ Union of the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya was held on the 31st of October, 01st and 02nd of November 2018 at the premises of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. This occasion which was held in relation to bicentennial celebration of 1818 rebellion, consisted of a research conference, an educational programme, an inter- school quiz competition and a cultural show.

The research conference was held on the 31st of October at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences and an academic discourse was also held covering all the fields relevant to 1818 rebellion.

The event was held under the patronage of Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathne, Dean- Faculty of Social Sciences. Senior Lecturer Dr. Ravi Dissanayake, Director- Centre of Excellence for Strategic Brand Identity Development- CESBID, Senior Lecturer Mrs. Nadeera Hewawasan, Head- Department of History, Lecturer Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero- Coordinator of the event including all the academic staff members of the Department of History and academic staff members of the other departments graced the event. Moreover, History subject teachers of the schools that took part in the competition, school children and undergraduates participated in the event.

Around 18 schools participated in the quiz competition which was held in relation to this event and the teams which represented the schools were paired for the competition. The teams from Ananda College- Colombo, Sanghabodhi College, Konwewa Vidyalaya, Galahitiyawa Central College, Anuruddha Balika Vidyalaya, Alakaka Maha Vidyalaya, Biyagama Central College, St. Joseph’s College, Pasyala Maha Vidyalaya, Siri Parakumba Maha Vidyalaya were the winners of the competition. Some undergraduates who follow B.A. (special) Degree in History represented the board of judges.

An educational exhibition organized by the undergraduates who follow BA Honours Degree Programme in History was also held on all the three days of the event at the University Art Gallery.

The series of events was put to an end after the cultural show which was held on the 02nd of November at Dharmaloka Hall, with the objective of developing soft skills of the undergraduates.