Professor L. D. Sarath Vitharana officially assumed duties as the Head of the Department of Sociology, University of Kelaniya, on 6 April 2026 at the Department of Sociology premises. 

Professor Vitharana commenced his academic career at the University of Kelaniya on 1 January 2003. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer Grade II in 2008 and to Senior Lecturer Grade I in 2014. In recognition of his academic excellence and service, he was elevated to the rank of Professor in 2022.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Sociology in 1998 from the University of Kelaniya. He later obtained his MSSc Degree in Sociology in 2001 from the same university. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sociology at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, in 2010.

Professor Vitharana’s research interests include Development Sociology, Political Sociology, and Sri Lankan Society and Culture.