The History Students’ Association of the University of Kelaniya successfully organized a History Seminar for students preparing for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination this year. The seminar took place on the 6th of February 2025 at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

A total of 120 students from seven selected schools in the Kelaniya education zone participated in the seminar, which was held under the supervision of Dr. Dhammika Manatunga, Head of the Department of History.

The seminar featured interactive sessions led by undergraduates of the BA (Hons) Degree Program in History, providing participants with valuable insights and exam preparation strategies, including a model paper discussion.

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 29^th 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

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 30^th 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, Senior Lecturer (Grade I), assumed duties as the new Head of the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, on the 9^th 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 22^nd 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.