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.

Kelaniya University Students Organize Drug Prevention Awareness Program - Fu First 2025

The first-year students specializing in Sport and Recreation Management at the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, organized a drug prevention awareness program  (Fu First 2025) on January 28, 2025, at D.A. Rajapaksha Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda. This initiative was conducted as part of the "Group Seminar and Skills Development" (SRMG 23512) course.

A total of 90 Grade 9 students participated in the session, which was conducted by Dr. Charika Wickramaratne. The event was graced by Senior Lecturer M.K.A. Anoma Rathnayaka, Acting Head of the Department, Senior Lecturer Ms. Deepika Wehigaldeniya, as well as the Principal and Deputy Principals of D.A. Rajapaksha Vidyalaya.

This program aimed to raise awareness among school students about the dangers of drug use and the importance of making informed life choices.

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

Dr. Priyanwada Wanigasooriya assumes duties as the New Head of the Department of Library and Information Science

Dr. Priyanwada Wanigasooriya assumed duties as the new Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. The appointment letter was handed over to the Head by Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, on the 17th of December 2024, in the Vice Chancellors office.

Dr. Wanigasooriya is a Senior Lecturer (Grade I) in the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Kelaniya. With over two decades of academic and professional experience, she has been instrumental in promoting bibliographic control, cataloging, and library service quality in Sri Lanka. She holds a Ph.D. in Library Science from Wuhan University, China; an MSSc in Library and Information Science; and a B.A. (Hon.) from the University of Kelaniya.

Dr. Wanigasooriya’s research focuses on bibliographic control, knowledge management, and library automation, with notable contributions such as the Handbook of MARC21. She has presented papers at international conferences and is a recipient of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Senior Researcher in 2021.

In addition to her academic contributions, Dr. Wanigasooriya serves as a member of key national committees, including the National Library of Sri Lanka. She is a resource person for various workshops and has played a pivotal role in curriculum development for Library and Information Science programs in Sri Lanka.

The event was attended by Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, along with all the academic staff members of the department, including the Cadre Chair, Senior Professor M. K. Weerasinghe, and Senior Professor W. A. Weerasooriya. See More

Contacts

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

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

Location

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