A Discussion about a Duo of Short Films

The screening and discussion of the films “Beyond The Binary” and “Black Nails”, directed by Mr. Sudesh Abeynayake, Assistant Lecturer of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, was held on the 30th of January 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

Dr. Manoj Jinadasa, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Mass Communication Studies; Senior Lecturer Fatima Shanas of the University of Colombo; Mr. Thushara Manoj, Chairman and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Trainer of Equite Sri Lanka; and Mr. Sudesh Abeynayake, Film Director joined to make the initial comments in this discussion. Both of these films have been selected for the final round of several national and international film festivals, and among them “Beyond The Binary” is scheduled to be screened at the Chennai Rainbow Film Festival, which will be held in Chennai, India next February.

The event was also attended by Senior Lecturer  Wijayananda Rupasinghe, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, along with the academic staff and the students of the department. See more

Dr. Dhammika Kumari Manatunga Assumes Duties as the New Head of the Department of History

Dr. Dhammika Kumari Manatunga, Senior Lecturer (Grade I), assumed duties as the new Head of the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, on the 9th of January 2025. The appointment letter was officially handed over to the Head by Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, at the Vice Chancellor's Office. The appointment officially came into effect on the 22nd of December 2024.

Dr. Manatunga brings over two decades of academic and administrative experience to her new role. She is a member of the Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists, a life member of the Sri Lanka Historical Association, a life member of the Royal Asiatic Society, Sri Lanka Branch, and a life member and committee member of the Alumni Association of the University of Kelaniya. Moreover, she has served as a member of the Editorial Board for the Book on Indian History for G.C.E. (A/L) (Department of Educational Publications) and as a member of the Advisory Board for the Atlas for G.C.E. Advanced Level Students (National Institute of Education, 1998-1999).

Dr. Manatunga's administrative roles at the University of Kelaniya include Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Sociology Degree Program (2023-2024), Senior Treasurer of the History Students’ Union (2009-2013), Student Counsellor (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2015-2016), Organizing Committee Member of the Alumni Association (2002), and Managing Committee Member of the Bandaranayake Girls Hostel (2002).

Her academic qualifications include a Ph.D. in History from the University of Kelaniya, an MSc Degree in Archaeology from the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology with a Merit Pass (1995) from the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya. She also holds a BA (Hons.) Degree in History from the University of Kelaniya, obtained in 1991.

Dr. Manatunga has made notable contributions to research and publications. She has served as the Chief Editor of the e-journal Cirantana since 2023, Co-editor of the journal Maṃgalābhinandana in 2018, and Co-editor of the journal Cirantana published by the Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya (1996-2008). Additionally, she is the author of the book Päraṇi Laṃkāvē Pālana Saṃvidhānaya (Tharanga Publications, 2009). She has also presented her research at numerous national and international conferences and journals, further showcasing her expertise in the field.

Presentation of the Book “Smārṭ Aḷevikaraṇaya” to the Vice-Chancellor

The book titled “Smārṭ Aḷevikaraṇaya”, authored by Mr. Dimuthu Chathuranga Gunasena, Junior Research Fellow in Public Relations and Media Management at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, was officially presented to Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya. The presentation took place on the 1st of January 2025, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. Published by Godage Publications, the book explores the relationship between advertisements and consumer behavior in the context of smartphones. See more

Team “Reclaim” of the University of Kelaniya Secures Second Place at Climate Tank Accelerator

The "Climate Tank Accelerator" community awareness program on climate change, organized by the American government, together with the non-governmental organization, Seeds of Peace, was successfully held on the 12th of December 2024 at American Corner premises in Kandy.

2500 university students representing 5 South Asian countries were registered for this, and after completing an online certificate course in the first phase, 18 teams from various universities representing Sri Lanka were selected at the end of the first phase. After the completion of the first phase, each group started their projects and around 80 projects were submitted from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal representing various universities.

The SL Team 06, representing the University of Kelaniya, consisted of Chamodya Kodippiliarachchi, Aditya Hapuarachchi, Aruni Tennakoon, and Savindu Dilshara from the Department of Geography. The team "Reclaim" presented under the theme "Less Waste, More Energy" under the supervision of lecturer Indunil Ruwanwella.

The biogas unit designed focusing on the canteen of the university's new girls’ hostel premises, as per the project, was officially handed over to the university during a ceremony, held on the 14th of October 2024, at the Board Room of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and was  attended by Professor M. M. Gunathilaka, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Senior Professor and Chair Lal Mervin Dharmasiri, Head of the Department of Geography along with other academic and non-academic staff members of the department; Mr. K. K. K. Dharmathilaka, the Registrar along with the members of the university administration; and representatives of the United States of America.

The certificate and prize-giving ceremony  of the competition was held on the 12th of December 2024 at the American Corner premises in Kandy, and the Reclaim team representing the University of Kelaniya was awarded the second place in Sri Lanka and a cash prize of $500. In addition, the delegation representing the American Embassy, ​​who appreciated this project as a very effective project, invited the Reclaim team for their future projects.

Afterwards, the team also met with Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, on the 16th of December 2024 at the Vice-chancellor’s office. See More

Contacts

Dean,
Faculty of Social Sciences,
University of Kelaniya,
Sri Lanka.

Tel : 011 2903802 (Direct line)
Email:
  deanss@kln.ac.lk

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