History & Archaeology Department · 2020. 5. 15. · follows innovative and novel museology theories and methods. Sigiriya and the Ancient city of Polonnaruwa and their magnificent

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UOR DEPARTMENT of HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS - 2019

History & Archaeology Department

University of Ruhuna

Message from the Head of the Department

It is with pleasure that I write this message for the Department Newsletter 2019.

The students who study history and archeology are regularly being taken beyond the lecture room

for the practical tasks. They are often being led to the field for fieldwork and continuous assessments

thereby improving their knowledge, skills and attitudes. Similarly, the academic staff of our

department engage in various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. They render their services

in both national and international callings. This Newsletter includes significant moments of such

activities.

I am grateful to my colleagues who contributed wholeheartedly to make this endeavor a success, and

especially Ms. Harshani Pathmakulasooriya, Mr. Tharanga Anuruddha, Ms. Rasika Darshani and

Ms. Dulanjalee Silva who dedicated their time in processing and sequencing the information.

Kanthi Jayasinghe

PhD (Ruhuna), MA (J,pura) BA (Ruhuna)

Head /Department of History and Archaeology

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Upgrading the Department Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum housed at the Department of History and Archaeology is being upgraded

with the funding from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The objective of this upgrading

is to develop it into a museum that is capable of teaching, training, researching and disseminating

knowledge through the display of artifacts and special educational programmes. This upgrading

includes;

a. Redesigning the museum, including display and lighting

b. Enhancing the museum collection in terms of its quantity and the range of material

c. Cataloguing and creation of a digital and online database

d. Redesigning the storage for museum and archaeological field lab material

e. Establishing a museum management system

The completion of this work will fulfill a long cherished desire and requirement of the archaeology

programme and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in general, as archaeological museums

have played a key role in such faculties around the world.

This museum upgrading is undertaken under the guidance of the Museum Curator,

Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa, with the assistance of the Archaeology staff.

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Field Works

Field Archaeology Unit – Activities - 2019

In 2019, Field Archaeology Unit offered three opportunities for students to acquire field experience in

archaeological field methods, including survey, exploration and, excavation. We firmly believe that it is

important for students to gain hands-on experience in the methods and techniques of archaeological field

research.

Field Survey and Exploration Training Program – Tissamaharama

Second year Archaeology students of our department

engaged a field exploration training for ACL 21633 -

Field Report I-Exploration: Cartography, and

Photography course unit. It had been set for three

weeks and students were sent to Tissamaharama Area.

In the first few days, they were assigned to the

“Weheragodella Excavation Project” run by the

Central Cultural Fund. They studied the complex core

values of the excavation site from the pre-excavation

techniques to post-excavation analysis, under Alfred

De Mel, a renowned excavation technician from the

Department of Archaeology. In weekends, students

participated in a series of lectures on selected topics in

Archaeology, delivered by experts in Sri Lanka

archaeology. As an example, they had the opportunity

to take part in a special lecture delivered by Dr. Nimal

Perera. In the midst of all this, they also took a tour of

the Historic City of Tissamaharama. As a special assignment, they assisted in classifying the objects in

the Yatala Vehera Museum.

The second week saw them at the “Devramvehera Rajamaha Viharaya”, as young explorers. Their

operation was to properly record all archaeological ruins in the temple premises through photography,

documenting, and make plans for archaeological sites by surface exploration. The total area covered by

them was 45 acres. 46 archaeological sited were investigated. Scattered stone pillars and piles of bricks

were used to identify such potential sites. The area of the site was determined based on the distribution of

artifacts, such as piles and bricks. Detailed reporting techniques such as scale mapping and photography

were used in dealing with freestanding structures such as historic buildings. The location of archaeological

sites was recorded with the help of GPS technology.

Under the guidance of Senior lecturer, Mr. Seevali Manathunge, and Temp. Assistant lecturers, Mr.

Thranga Anuruddha, Ms. Harshani Pathmakulasooriya and Ms. Imalka Senerath the students successfully

completed the fieldwork related to exploration on June 30, 2019.

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Field Archaeology Training Program

- Polonnaruwa

Besides the field training offered inside the

university, we were lucky to open up an

opportunity for our students to participate in

an archaeological field training program

based in Polonnnaruwa. They were fortunate

enough to excavate the basement of

Polonnaruwa Shiva Devala 01. Project

Manager and other officials of Polonnaruwa

Project, Central Cultural Fund helped us a

lot to train our students in various ways.

They were trained to; keep concentration

while exposing artifacts, record and

document uncovered artifacts, sampling an

archaeological specimen, take necessary

steps as first-aids to conserve artifacts, write

field notes and field archaeology reports and

more.

Field Archaeology Training Program

This was based in the university premises. We

were able to develop an opportunity for

students with prior archaeological training

before heading to a proper archaeological

excavation project. Students handled almost

all the main basic field archaeology equipment

with a demonstration of each and were guided

in basic field methods pertaining to an

archaeological excavation.

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Workshops

Painting Conservation Workshop

Archaeology third year students (14) participated in one-

day workshop on painting conservation organized by

Central Cultural Fund, Matara, on 19th July 2019. The

event was held at Samudragiri Viharaya, Mirissa. A

number of experts in field of conservation led the

workshop with demonstrations and lectures and the

students spent the day learning the fine practical

workings in field conservation, putting the theories and

methods they have learnt in classroom to action. The

resource persons, Prof. Nandadeva Wijeseekara of

University of Kelaniya, Mr. Dias Wagaarchchi and Mr.

D. Mithrananda from the conservation branch of CCF,

and Mr. Anura Dissanayake of Conservation officer of

Matara CCF regional office, conducted a thought

provoking and an active workshop, where the students

both enjoyed and learned a great amount. Senior

lecturers, Mr. Seevali Manathunge, Mr. Chandrasiri

Chithrananda and Temp. Assistant lecturers, Mr.

Thranga Anuruddha, Ms. Harshani Pathmakulasooriya

and Ms. Imalka Senerath attended the workshop with

the students.

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Field Visits

Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa

Apart from Field Archaeology trainings, students of

archaeology are encouraged and are trained in the

concepts of museology and study of ancient

architecture. 30 students from the third year, who

followed the above course units, were taken in to field

on 2019.06.24-25, to provide them with the practical

knowledge imperative in Museology and in Ancient

architecture studies under the course units, ACL31653

Ancient Architecture in Sri Lanka, ACL 31643

Archaeological Heritage Management & Elements of

Museology. The field visit took them to Ibbantauwa

megalithic burial ground site, Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa

museums that are among museums in Sri Lanka that

follows innovative and novel museology theories and

methods. Sigiriya and the Ancient city of Polonnaruwa and their magnificent architectural feats were

visited and explained to the students for the studies of architecture.

30 students attended the field visit along with senior lecturers, Mr. Seevali Manathunge, Mr. Chandrasiri

Chithrananda and Temp. Assistant lecturers, Mr. Thranga Anuruddha and Ms. Imalka Senerath.

Ancient Rohana

Both Degree programs offered by the Department of History and Archaeology, are inherently connected

with the practical experiences obtained in the field. Ancient

Rohana field visit, on 20/21 June of 2019 covered the

objectives of providing the practical knowledge on how to use

archaeological sources to study history, development of

research knowledge, development of subject's knowledge

with demonstrations in field, using GIS, photography,

studying maps and documentations, and developing skills in

copying Inscriptions. This study of Magama sub-kingdom was

a project that incorporated HIS21613- political history of Sri

Lanka, HIS21623- study of Sri Lankan historical sources,

ACL 31613 - Paleography and Epigraphy of Sri Lanka and

ACL41631 Archaeology of Ruhuna course units.

24 students from the Second Year History Degree Program and 02 and 13 students respectively from

Second and Third Year Archaeology Degree Program participated in the field visit. Senior Lecturers Dr.

Kanthi Jayasinghe (HoD), Mr. Seevali Manathunge, Mr. D.C. Chithrananda, Dr. Darshana Bandara,

Lecturer (probationary) Ms. Sonali Dasanyake and Temp. Assistant Lectureres, Ms. K.H.M.R.D.

Malkanthi, Ms. Imalka Senarath, and Ms. T.D.K. Silva participated and guided the students through their

work.

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An Ethno-Archaeological Field Training Programme for Archaeology (Special) Final

Year Undergraduates

thno-archaeology is a specialization in

archaeology. This branch of archaeology

involves studying contemporary non-urban/ non-

complex indigenous populations for understanding

their life styles and social engagements with the

aim to comprehend past human societies. A three

day Ethno-archaeological field training programme

was conducted for Archaeology (Special) final year

undergraduates of the University of Ruhuna at the

village of Meemure in the Kandy District from 27th

to 30th June 2019. During this field training,

students were trained to collect information about

various aspects of rural villages, such as settlement

pattern, subsistence and livelihood strategies,

rituals and belief systems, as well as language used

in these traditional practices. The focus of this field

training was to teach students to use Ethno-

archaeological analogies for the purpose of

interpreting archaeological/material evidence and

using them as supplementary data for often patchy archaeological record. This field training was led by

Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa with the able assistance of Mr. Amalka Wijesuriya, Ms. Harshini

Pathmakulasuriya and Mr. Tharanga Anurudda.

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Our Students

We, the Department of History & Archaeology are

the proudest custodians of immeasurable talents

and ingenuity that will enrich our country and the

world in the near future. Here are some noteworthy

achievements of our best and brightest students.

Kalangi Rodrigo, one of our 2nd year Archaeology

students is currently working on National

Geographic documentary on Dani tribe, Indonesia.

She took part in "Indonesia: Endangered Tropical

Forest Ecology" organized by The Borneo Nature

Foundation" and partially funded by IFR in August

of 2019.

She stayed 21 days in the middle of high dense

untouched rainforest of Borneo, and had the

opportunity to study the tropical peat-swamp forests

environment of Indonesian Borneo, focusing on the

ecology and biodiversity of these ecosystems, local

livelihood needs and priorities; the impacts of

human activities on biodiversity and social benefits,

current conservation challenges, and local, national

and international efforts to mitigate these threats.

She also gained practical experience with in situ

scientific research and conservation efforts in the

Indonesian rainforest environment.

Earlier in 2019, she is to travelled there, assigned

into a special task to exploring Indigenous tribal

people, who're still practicing cannibalism and her

work was sent to National Geographic Society. For

her work she was gifted with "Gold Membership of

Young Explorers Society of Asia Pacific Region" in

2019. She is currently working on a National

Geographic branded documentary of the above

mentioned Tribal people in Collaboration with

Robert Rodrigues Zuro, Oxford Ph.D. Candidate of

Primatology. we were invited to do presentations in

Malaysia and Japan. which is currently in

progression.

We are proud of Ms. Rodrigo’s work and her keen

interest and passion in archaeology. The

Department congratulate and wishes her luck on her

future endeavors.

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Ms. A.W.I.N. Ambagahawatta and Ms. G.M.A.

Madhushani are final year History students. They are

both exceptional and beautiful dancers in Traditional

Kandyan style and free styles. Amidst their final year

goals and challenges, they participated, and won the

first place in the category of Traditional dancing in

Inter-Faculty Dancing and Literature Competition in

2019. Their talents and passion in dancing took them to

International Cultural Program 2019 held in Vellore

Institute of Technology (VIT University) India, where

they dazzled the stage and made their home and

University proud.

Ms. P.D.M. Sandarenu and Mr. Prasanna Manjitha

are two students of History, studying in their third year.

They won the first place in the category of Free Style

dancing in Inter-Faculty Dancing and Literature

Competition in 2019. These two dancers are immensely

talented and we are proud of these two students and

wish them all the success in their future.

Omali Wanasundara is another talented student our

Department have. In the Inter-Faculty Dancing and

Literature Competition last year she was awarded a

special commendation in Short Story (Sinhala)

category. Ms. Wanasundara is a Third Year student of

History.

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ports is another avenue that our students

excel while engaging with their

academic accomplishments. The past years

saw a number of our students ascertaining

their ranks among the best sportsmen and

women in the University by receiving

University Colors Awards. Ms. Bhagya

Maduwanthi Mallawaarchchi is a Final

Year History student who took part in Inter-

University Games in 2018 and 2019, Sri

Lanka University Games (SLUG) 2019 and

in sports festivals in University since her

First Year. She was awarded the University

colors in year 2018 and 2019 for her

exceptional aptitude in her event; Elle. We

are proud of her and congratulate her on this

win. She is the editor of the University

Sports Council magazine, and has taken part

in Karate and Elle (2017), Softball, Kabadi and Elle (2018), and Netball and Karate (2019) events in

Faculty sports festivals as well. Ms. Mallawaarachchi is also a member of the University Veediya (Street

Drama Troupe).

Mr. Hasitha Madhushan Sudasinghe one of our Final Year

History students, published a novel ඔබට නනොනෙන නෙම්

හසුන in 2019.

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Our Department

Some highlights of the Department Events.

Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Program- 2020

The Department of History and Archaeology undertook the task

to prepare two proposals for Ambassadors Fund for Cultural

Preservation Program- 2020, on behalf of the University. With

the esteemed guidance of Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Saman

Chandana and our Head of the Department, Dr.J.K.A.Kanthi, a

team led by Senior Lecturer, Mr. Chithrananda and comprised of

Senior Lecturer Mr. Seevali Manathunga, Lecturer

(probationary) Mr. Amalka Wijesuriya and Temp. Assistant

Lecturers Mr. Tharanga Anuruddha and Ms. Harshani

Pathmakulasooriya prepared two proposals on;

1. Preservation of the Architectural Designs of World-

Renowned Architect Deshamanya Geoffrey Manning Bawa, at

The University of Ruhuna, (Wellamadama Complex)

2. Revamping of Wijetunge Ancestral House at Matara Dutch

Fort into Geoffery Bawa Memorial Museum

Department Welcome for the New Batch

It is tradition to welcome the new batch with celebrations. On 14th June, we welcomed our new batch, and

the whole event was organized beautifully by the Third Year batch. The new batch was welcomed with

open arms and the introductions were made. The whole staff and the student body of thee Department

participated to the event.

Among the celebrations, the Final Year batch made a memorable note to the whole event. They donated

a collection of books to the Department library that will be a great gift, not only to the batch they just

welcomed, but to all the generations of students to pass through these doors. The Department heartily

thank them for their commendable gesture.

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Annual Department Field Visit 2019

(Sabaragamuwa and Central Hills)

The students and the staff of the

Department chose the central hills and

Sabaragamuwa province for their annual

field visit in 2019. From 20th December to

23rd, 40 students from both Degree

programs, participated to the field visit

under the supervision of Senior Lecturers

Dr. Darshana Bandara, Mr. Kanchana

Janapriya, Lecturer (probationary) Ms.

Sonali Dassanayake and Temp. Assistant

Lecturers Ms. K.H.M.R.D. Malkanthi and Ms. T.D.K. Silva. The field visit was organized with the aims

of providing the students with the practical training in field, utilizing archaeological sources in

reconstruction of the part, studying pre-historic sites, realizing the architectural distinctiveness of colonial

constructions, studying the sources of contemporary history of the island and, map reading and learning

to use GPS. The sites visited and studied for this purpose were, Sankhapala, Gatambe, Gariston cemetery,

Kandy, Horton planes, Ranchamadama, Udaranchamadama, Balangoda, Maduwanvela house, Demodara

bridge, Bogoda bridge, Belihuloya, and, Kotmale dam.

Adding to both the educational aspect and the

recreation, the evenings were spent in discussions and

small cultural shows organized by the students

voluntarily.

The field visit succeded in raising the awareness and

knowledge of the students in using a multi perspective

and multi disciplinary approach in research and in

pursuing knowldge. Both the staff and the students

enjoyed the comradereie and the conviviality among the students and the staff.

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Achievements

Vice Chancellor’s Award

Ms. Dulanjalee Silva, was awarded the Vice

Chancellor’s award for the most outstanding

graduates are selected from faculties based on

academic performances and their achievements

in extracurricular activities. She completed her

school education in G/ Gonagala M.V School,

Induruwa and attended the university in 2014.

Ms. Silva, an outstanding student in academics,

is also a veritable sports star. Ms. Silva, a captain

of the faculty volleyball team in 2016, the captain

of the university volleyball team in 2017-2018,

vice-captain of the faculty Elle team and faculty

athletic captain in the same year, represented the

University in inter. University sports events, in

volleyball, Elle and an athletic. She also was a

committee member of the university sports

council from 2015 to 2018.

Ms, Silva participated in an inter-faculty dancing

and literature competition in 2015. She received

the first place for provincial level and the second

place for the all-island level in inter- cultural

center dancing and literature competition

(prathibha) in 2015 as well.

Attending to research conferences and taking

part of researches she made her mark in

academics as well. Her the focus on her studies

and hard work made her eligible to be graduated

with second class upper division honors.

Ms. Silva is the first student in the history of

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences to

receive the Vice Chancellor’s award, the highest

honor an undergraduate can receive. As a

Department we are proud of Ms. Silva and wish

her best in all her future works.

Ms. Dulanjalee Silva currently works as a Temp.

Assistant Lecturer in the Department of History

and Archaeology.

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Staff

Our staff, dedicated to raise undergraduates of highest caliber, are

genuine knowledge seekers themselves.

Achievements

1. Senior Lecturer in History, Ms. J.K.A. Jayasinghe, Head of the

Department, received her PhD from University of Ruhuna in the General

Convocation 2019.

2. Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa delivered a Keynote Address on

“Sri Lanka’s historic connections with Tamralita and beyond” at the

International Workshop cum Conference on “Tamralipta in the

Historic Perspective” at Tamralipti in Kolkata, India, which was held

on 27th and 28th December 2019. This was followed by field visits to

the possible location of Tamralipti township and other places of

historical significance with which Sri Lanka was likely to have had

connections in the past. Later he held discussions with a number of

leading institutions related to Archaeology and Heritage

Managements, such as the Victoria Memorial Museum in Kolkata

and the Department of Archaeology, University of Calcutta for

possible collaborations. The Asiatic Society of Kolkataheld a

reception for Dr. Bohingamuwa as he is the Editor of the Journal of

the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka.

3. Ms. Sonali Dasanayake, lecturer (probationary), won the award for the

Best Abstract of the track of Food Culture at the International Conference

on Intangible Culture Heritage 2019, held by Faculty of Humanities and

Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura.

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Research Highlights Publications & Book launches 1. Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa attended following International Conferences/ Workshops and

presented Research Papers mentioned below:

1. Irrigation and Rice cultivation in Ancient Sri Lanka Rice. Rice Conference 2019, Department of

Archaeology and Ancient History, The M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, India (20th–21st March

2019), https://www.academia.edu/38684742/Rice_Workshop_2019_Programme_and_abstracts

2. Glass in Ancient Sri Lanka: Production and use of glass, glass beads and bangles. Conference-cum-

Workshop on History, Science and Technology of Ancient Indian Glass, Indian Institute of

Technology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India (21st – 25th March 2019)

2. Senior Lecturer, Ms. Lakmini Gamage

published following Full papers in refereed

journals

1. Gamage , L .,2019. Analysis of grievances

based on economic factors : the emergence of

Tamil Militant Movements in Sri Lanka in the

early 1970s, Social Affairs ,1(10) ,pp.38-51.

Available at

https://www.socialaffairsjournal.com/images/Journal_Downloads/Archives/2019_Spring/2.Lakmini-Gamage_SAJ10_revised.pdf?type=file

Gamage ,L .,2019. Human Dignity-related grievances: One of the prominent reasons for the emergence

of Sri Lankan Tamil militant movements in

the early 1970s – A historical analysis,

Journal of the Faculty of Humanities and

Social Sciences ,University of Ruhuna,8

(1).June ,2019.

She presented A historical analysis of the

underlying causes behind the emergence of

a volatile socio-political climate in the

Jaffna peninsula in the early 1970s’’, paper

in 2nd International Symposium on Social

Science & Humanities, organized by the National Center for Advanced Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

https://www.academia.edu/38684742/Rice_Workshop_2019_Programme_and_abstracts

https://www.socialaffairsjournal.com/images/Journal_Downloads/Archives/2019_Spring/2.Lakmini-Gamage_SAJ10_revised.pdf?type=file

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International Training Programs

Experimental Archaeological Training

1. Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa, Senior lecturer in Archaeeeology,

attended the ‘Experimental Archaeological Workshop’ organized as

part of the “Conference-cum-Workshop on History, Science and

Technology of Ancient Indian Glass, Indian Institute of

Technology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India (21st – 25th March 2019).

Organized by Dr. Alok Kumar Kanungo of the IIT, Gandinagar, this

event was attended by experts in research areas of ancient glass and

glass object production from across the world. The workshop was

conducted by Prof. Jonathan M. Kenoyer, Department of

Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, USA. Artisans and

craftsmen from Varanasi, Purdalpur and Kapadwanj demonstrated

their traditional craft methods. Ethno-archaeology and

Experimental Archaeology are two areas of interest of Dr.

Bohingamuwa. In 2017, he organized a similar Experimental

Archaeology Workshop on stone tool making at the Department of

History and Archaeology, University of Ruhuna.

2. Training in Numismatics Studies

Ms. Upeksha Gamage, Senior Lecturer in

Archaeology, completed a residential hands-on

training on Ancient Indian Coins organized by the

Indian Numismatic, Historical and Cultural

Research Foundation in Nashik (INHCRF), India.

This training was held from 18th to 24th September

2019 at the INHCRF. Established in 1980, INHCRF

is a leading Numismatic Institute in South Asia,

which promotes training and research on Indian coins. Ms. Gamage has been teaching and researching on

Numismatics in the department for over a decade and this training will further strengthen her work.

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Dissemination of Knowledge

1. Dr. Kanthi Jayasinghe, Senior lecturer in

History and Head of the Department,

participated in a radio discussion on the topic

of “අපි නෙොත් කියවමු” (Let Us Read), in

Ruhunu Sevaya, Radio station.

2. Seevali Manatunga, Senior lecturer in

History, participated as a resource person

in 'Rupawahini Jathika Pasela' (History of

Sri Lanka for School Children) TV

program telecasted by the National

Television Network in 2019 April.

3. Mr. Deva Michael de Silva, Senior lecturer in History, published නබෞද්ධ පුනර්ජීවනනේ පියො

ඕලනකොට් තුමො ෙ ගුණොනන්ෙ හිමි ෙ? Last year. The ceremonial presentation of the book was held at

Maha Kappina Walawwa Seemamalaka Viharaya, Walithara, Balapitya, on 24.02.2019.

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4. Ms. Upeksha Gamage, Senior Lecturer in

Archaeology, participated as a resource

person in the monthly lecture series organized

by the Underwater Archaeological Museum,

Central Cultural Fund, Galle. As part of this

programme, she delivered a lecture on Coin

Usage in Ancient Sri Lanka at the Vidyaloka

Vidyalaya, Galle on 29th October 2019, as a

guest lecturer.

5. Dr. Darshana Bandara, Senior lecturer in History, participated as

a resource person for the Teacher’s Training Program in Unavatuna

Teaching College from 05.01.2019- 19.01.2019. He was a resource

person in several other programs held in various other institutions

throughout the year, including, Southern Province Ministry of Rural

Development and Cultural Affairs on 12.12.2019 for the workshop

for the Attitude Development of the Government Officials, the

Faculty of Medicine on 04.10.2019 for the medical doctors on the

topic of “Sigirya: An Archaeological Perspective”, Tangalle

Teaching Center in August and November for the lecture series for

teachers, and Piriven institutions in Hambantota district for a

documentary program for the Piriven teachers.

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Appointments, Positions Held and Memberships

1. Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa, Senior lecturer

in Archaeology was appointed as the Editor of

the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri

Lanka (JRASSL) on 30th March 2019 for a period

of two years. The JRASSL, with an uninterrupted

publication history since its inception is a peer

reviewed and internationally reputed journal,

published biannually. Dr. Bohingamuwa is also a

member of the RASSL Council. He is involved

in editing a number of volumes to be published

as part of the 175th anniversary celebrations of

the Society, one of them being ‘A Volume on Sri

Lankan Pali Literature”.

2. Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa, Senior lecturer

in Archaeology was appointed as the Editor-in-

Chief of the proceedings of the 17th Academic

Sessions and 16th Vice Chancellor’s Awards held

on 4th March 2020, organized by the Faculty of

Humanities and Social Sciences of the University

of Ruhuna. This volume was successfully

launched as scheduled.

3. Mr.Seevali Manatunga, Senior lecturer in

Archaeology, was elected in the Annual Election

of SLCA elected as a Committee Member for

2019/20 -Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists.

4. Ms.Janeeka De Silva, Senior lecturer in

History, served as a Member of the Sports

Technical committee of the SLUG (Sri Lanka

University Games) 2019, organized by the

University of Ruhuna and she was the Faculty

Representative for the Sports Council of the

University for the last three years period.

5. Ms.Janeeka De Silva, Senior lecturer in History

was the chairperson of the Publicity Committee of

International conference (RUICHSS) and of the

RASAS conference, organized by the Faculty of

Humanities and Social Sciences.

5. Mr. Amalka Wijesuriya, lecturer

(Probationary) in Archaeology is one of a

principal researchers of the ‘Godavaya

Underwater Archaeology Excavation Project’.

He carried out his fieldwork between mid-

November to end of December in 2019. He has

been excavating a 2000 years old wooden

shipwreck in Godavaya under this project.

6. Mr. Tharanga Anurudda, Temporary Assistant

lecturer in Archaeology was appointed as a

Council member of the of Sri Lanka Council of

Archaeologists for two years period of time.

7. Mr. Tharanga Anurudda, Temporary Assistant

lecturer in Archaeology was elected as a Council

Member of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri

Lanka on 30th March 2019 for two years. He was

appointed for this position for a period of two

years.

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Promotions

Senior lecturer (Grade II) Mr. Deva Michael De Silva and Senior lecturer (Grade II)

Dr. M.V. Chandrasiri was promoted to Senior lecturer (Grade I) in 2019.

New recruitments

Our Department welcomed two new permanent academic staff members and three temporary

academic staff members this past January.

Lecturer (probationary) for the History degree program

Ms. Sonali Dassanayake

Lecturer (probationary) for the Archaeology degree program

Mr. Amalka Wijesuriya

Temporary Assistant Lecturers in Archaeology

Ms. Harshani Pathmakulasooriya

Mr. Tharanga Anuruddha

Ms. Imalka Senarath

Temporary Assistant Lecturers in History

Ms. Dulanjalee Silva

Editor in Chif - J.K.A. Kanthi

Editorial Bord

H.E.B. Pathmakulasooriya

N.H.T. Anuruddha

Rasika Darshani

Dulanjali Silva

Designed – N.H.T Anuruddha

Published by – Department of History & Archaeology

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Documents

History & Archaeology Department · 2020. 5. 15. · follows innovative and novel museology theories and methods. Sigiriya and the Ancient city of Polonnaruwa and their magnificent