The Department of International Studies at the University of Kelaniya, renowned for its innovative educational initiatives, recently hosted a compelling guest lecture titled "Africa - South Asia Relations: India & Sri Lanka”. The event took place on the 29th of January 2025 at the auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
This initiative aimed to develop a discussion among students on Africa - South Asia Relations, which often goes unnoticed.
The event featured Professor Shihan de Silva Jayasuriya, a distinguished expert who has conducted extensive research on the African Descendant community living in South Asia, especially in India and Sri Lanka. Adding to her exemplary academic profile, Professor Shihan de Silva Jayasuriya is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies in London, Senior Associate at Lucy Cavendish College at the University of Cambridge, and Research Associate of Modern & Medieval Languages & Linguistics at the University of Cambridge.
Professor de Silva's lecture focused on the historical origin and the present-day experiences of African descendants residing in India and Sri Lanka, an often-overlooked area. She highlighted the primary factors that drove their migration to South Asia, emphasising the roles of slavery, forced movement, and, most significantly, colonialism. Professor de Silva further detailed the dispersal of African descendants within Sri Lanka, noting their presence in regions including Jaffna, Trincomalee, Galle, Siyambadiya, and Kandy. Based on her years of research and experience with the African descendants, Professor de Silva gave an insight into the difficulties faced by the African Descendants in both India and Sri Lanka especially drawing attention to the negative stigma of slavery, poverty, simultaneously emphasising the access to education as their main tool of empowerment.
The event was graced by Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Senior Lecturer Mrs. Yamuna Mendis, Head of the Department of International Studies. See More