The Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya proudly organised the Excellence in Humanities Awards – 2025 for the third consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to recognising and celebrating outstanding contributions to the field of Humanities.

The annual event honoured and appreciated the invaluable efforts of academic and administrative staff members who had significantly enriched and advanced the discipline through teaching, research, coordination, service, and outreach.

The Award Ceremony was held on Friday, 20th February 2026, at the K14 Auditorium, Faculty of Humanities. The event was graced by the Chief Guest, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva.  Dr Sudath Senarath, Dean of Faculty of Humanities; Professor C. Pathirawasam, Director of the Quality Assurance Centre; Heads of Departments; and members of the academic and administrative staff of the Faculty of Humanities were also in attendance.

Under the category of Scholarly Excellence in Humanities, awards were presented to Dr Amila Kaluarachchi from the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, and Senior Lecturer Hasara Dasuni Hirimuthugoda from the Department of Hindi Studies.

The Foreign Relations Excellence in Humanities awards were conferred upon the Department of English, the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, and Confucius Institute, University of Kelaniya.

For Coordinating Excellence in Humanities, recognition was given to several academic programmes and coordinators, including, the Certificate Course in Chinese Language offered  by the Confucius Institute, Diploma in Buddhist Studies for Foreign Students offered by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Diploma in Tamil offered by the Department of Linguistics, BA & BA Honours Programmes for Foreign Students offered by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, MA in Buddhist Studies offered by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, and MA in Linguistics offered by the Department of Linguistics.

Individual awards for coordination excellence were presented to Ven. Dr Dewagoda Piyarathana Thero, Coordinator, Staff Development Unit; Dr Vindhya Weerawardhane, Coordinator, Internal Quality Assurance Cell; Senior Lecturer B. A. N. H. Basnayaka, Coordinator, Career Guidance Unit; Dr Anjalee Wickramasinghe, Director, Research Centre; Dr J. A. K. P. Jayasooriya, Director, Centre for Chinese Studies; Senior Lecturer Jayamal de Silva, Coordinator, Computer-Assisted Learning and Web Unit; and Senior Lecturer Divanka Randula Podduwage, Coordinator, Centre for Gender Studies.

The Service Excellence in Humanities awards honoured Senior Professor C. D. Senaratne, Director, Career Guidance Unit; Dr E. Jani Alwis Samarakoon, Academic Warden & Student Counsellor; and Senior Lecturer R. M. C. Ranasinghe, Chief Student Counsellor, Faculty of Humanities.

Under Contribution Excellence in Humanities, awards were presented to Ven. Dr Dewagoda Piyarathana Thero, Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies; Senior Lecturer Gevani Prahalathan, Department of English Language Teaching; Senior Lecturer Sulochana Rathnayake, Department of Modern Languages; Senior Lecturer Ven. Muwapetigewela Pagngnaloka Thero,  Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Senior Lecturer B. B. M. Jayasundara, Department of Sinhala; Senior Lecturer Hasara Dasuni Hirimuthugoda, Department of Hindi Studies; Senior Lecturer Jayamal de Silva, Department of Linguistics; and Dr R. M. S. Priyadarshani, Education Unit.

In addition, the Faculty conferred Honorary Awards in recognition of exceptional and lifelong contributions to the advancement of Humanities. The awardees were Retired Professor Ven. Dewalegama Medhananda Thero, Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies; Late Ven. Embogama Wimalagnana Thero, Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies; Late Professor D. C. R. A. Goonetilleke, Department of English; Late Senior Professor Kamani Jayasekara, Department of Western Classical Culture & Christian Culture; Professor Emeritus Kulatilaka Kumarasinghe, Department of Sinhala; Professor Emeritus R. M. W. Rajapakshe, Department of Linguistics; Professor Asoka de Zoysa, Department of Modern Languages; Chair & Senior Professor Upul Ranjith Hewawithanagamage, Department of Hindi Studies; Chair & Senior Professor Patrick Ratnayake, Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television; and Senior Professor C. D. Senaratne, Department of English Language Teaching.

The Excellence in Humanities Awards – 2025 stood as a testament to the Faculty’s dedication to academic excellence, quality enhancement, international engagement, and service to the university community. Through this annual celebration, the Faculty of Humanities continued to strengthen its vision of fostering scholarship, innovation, and meaningful contribution to society.

The Excellence in Humanities Awards 2024 ceremony, organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Humanities,  took place on the 20th of December 2024, at the Ven. Prof. Kotahene Sri Pragnakeerthi Thero Memorial Hall (K14) Auditorium. This event, presided over by Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, marked the second consecutive year of celebrating the exceptional contributions of faculty members who have enhanced and advanced the field of humanities.

Excellence Awards in Humanities were awarded in eight categories. The award for the Creativity Excellence in Humanities was bestowed upon Senior Lecturer Anuradha Subasinghe of the Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television for the honour brought to the university by winning the award for the Best Costume Design at the State Drama Festival 2022 for his drama, the Magical Fiancé. The award for Scholarly Excellence in Humanities was awarded to Dr. Amila Kaluaarachchi of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies for his outstanding scholarly contributions to the field of humanities.

Under the Foreign Relations Excellence in Humanities awards, three departments of the Faculty of Humanities were recognised for their outstanding contributions to international relations and successful Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) that have significantly advanced the field of humanities. The Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, the Confucius Institute, and the Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television were among the recipients of the award for establishing resilient and far-reaching foreign collaborations and promoting the global exchange of knowledge in the humanities.

The reputational Excellence in Humanities award was presented to Professor Dilrukshi Rathnayake of the Department of Modern Languages in recognition of her exceptional achievement in receiving the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for her outstanding service and contributions to Japanese language education in Sri Lanka. This prestigious commendation honours individuals for their efforts in strengthening friendships between Japan and other countries.

The Coordinating Excellence in Humanities award recognized outstanding efforts in coordinating study programs that attract both local and international students, generate revenue, and contribute to the advancement of humanities education across eight distinct categories, and at this year’s awarding ceremony, seven departments of study were proudly recognised for their

achievements. Accordingly, the Certificate Course in Sinhala for Foreign Students by the Department of Sinhala under the Foreign Category of Certificate Courses, Certificate Course in Chinese by the Confucius Institute under the Local Category of Certificate Courses, Diploma in Buddhist Studies for Foreign Students by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies under the Foreign Category of Diploma Courses, Diploma in Tamil by the Department of Linguistics Local Category of Diploma Courses, BA (Hons) in Buddhist Studies conducted at the Benhiuan Academy of China by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies under the Foreign Category of Bachelor’s Programmes, MA in Sinhala for Foreign Students by the Department of Sinhala under the Foreign Category of Postgraduate Programmes, and MA in Linguistics by the Department of Linguistics under the Local Category of Postgraduate Programmes were awarded with the Coordinating Excellence in Humanities awards.

The Coordination Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to eight remarkable individuals whose coordination efforts have significantly enriched the collaborative spirit within the institution: Dr. K. M. Udara Iroshini de Silva, the Coordinator of the Staff Development Unit, Faculty of Humanities; Dr. E. Jaani Alwis Samarakoon, Co-Director for Sri Lanka of the Confucius Institute; Dr. H. S. M. M. Jayawardena, Faculty Coordinator for the Strategic Plan and Action Plan; Dr. Vindhya Weerawardhane, Coordinator of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Humanities; Dr. Amila Kaluarachchi, Unit Head of the Internship and Skill Development Unit; Dr. Anjalee Wickramasinghe, Director of the Research Centre for the Faculty of Humanities; Senior Lecturer Hasara D. Hirimuthugoda, Director of the Inclusivity Centre, Faculty of Humanities; and Lecturer B. A. N. H. Basnayaka, Career Guidance Coordinator for the Faculty of Humanities.

The Service Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to Senior Professor C. D. S. Wettewe for her exceptional role as the Director of the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya, and to Dr. E. Jani Alwis Samarakoon for the positions held as the Co-Director (for Sri Lanka) of Confucius Institute, Academic Warden, and a Student Counsellor, as a tribute for exemplifying a spirit of selfless service, going above and beyond to contribute to the welfare of the academic community.

The Contribution Excellence in Humanities awards were awarded to Senior Professor K. L. K. Neelakshi C. Premawardhena, Department of Modern Languages; Senior Lecturer Ven Devagoda Piyarathana Thero, Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies; Senior Lecturer Gevani Prahalathan, Department of English Language Teaching; Dr. Amila Kaluarachchi,  Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies; Dr. Anjalee Wickramasinghe, Department of Sinhala; and Senior Lecturer W. U. P. Perera, Department of Hindi Studies, appraising the immense contribution made to their respective departments.

In recognition of their outstanding service to the Faculty of Humanities, exceptional individuals representing each department of the faculty were awarded Special Honorary Service Awards at the Excellence in Humanities Awards 2024. Retired Professor B. D. Nandadeva of the Department of Fine Arts, Emeritus Professor Daya Wickramasinghe of the Department of Linguistics, Emeritus Professor Hemantha Sirisena of the Department of Modern Languages, Retired Professor Ananda Wijerathne of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Retired Senior Professor Ven. Kahapola Sugatharathana Thero of the Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies, Emeritus Professor Ananda Abeysiriwardhane of the Department of Sinhala, and Emeritus Professor Shirley Lal Wijesinghe of the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture were among the recipients of the Special Honorary Service Awards.

The event was graced by Senior Professor Sudath R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies; Professor Bandara Wanninayake, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies; Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Dr. C. C. Jayasundara, Librarian; Heads of Departments of the Faculty of Humanities, Mr. K. K. K. Dharmathilaka, Registrar; and academic and non-academic staff members of the Faculty of Humanities.

The Excellence in Humanities Awards 2023 was held on the 20th of December 2023 at the auditorium of the Ven. Prof. Kotahene Sri Pragnakeerthi Thero Memorial Hall (K14). Organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Humanities for the first time in the history of the University of Kelaniya,

 the awarding ceremony honoured and celebrated the outstanding contributions in the field of humanities by recognising and acknowledging staff members who have contributed to enhancing and developing the discipline in various ways.

Excellence Awards in Humanities were awarded under six categories. The award for the Creativity Excellence in Humanities was bestowed upon Senior Professor Kamani Jayasekara of the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture for the honour brought to the university by being the proud recipient of ‘Sahithya Ratna’ Lifetime Award at the 65th State Literary Awards Ceremony. The second recipient of the Creativity Excellence in Humanities was Senior Lecturer Priyankara Rathnayake of the Department of Drama, Cinema and Television for being nominated for national-level awards at Raigam Teles 2022 and Derana Film Awards 2022.

The award for Scholarly Excellence in Humanities was awarded to Senior Professor K.L.K.N.C. Premawardhana of the Department of Modern Languages for her outstanding scholarly contributions to the field of humanities.

The award for the Coordinating Excellence in Humanities was awarded to the Diploma in Tamil, Department of Linguistics, for coordinating a Diploma programme with the highest number of local participants, and Senior Lecturer Kaumadee Bamunusinghe, the Coordinator of the Diploma accepted the award.

The Coordination Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to four remarkable individuals whose coordination efforts have significantly enriched the collaborative spirit within the institution: Senior Lecturer Dr Vindhya Weerawardhane, the Coordinator of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Humanities, Senior Lecturer Dr H.S.M.M. Jayawardhane, the Coordinator of the Strategic Plan & Action Plan, Faculty of Humanities, Senior Lecturer Dr Anjalee Wickramasinghe, the Director of the Research Centre, Faculty of Humanities, and Lecturer Mr B.A.N.H. Basnayake, the Faculty Representative of the Career Guidance Unit.

The Service Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to Senior Professor K.L.K.N.C. Premawardhana for her outstanding role as the Director of the Centre for International Affairs of the University of Kelaniya and Senior Professor C.D.S. Wettewe for her exceptional role as the Director of the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya, as a tribute for exemplifying a spirit of selfless service, going above and beyond to contribute to the welfare of the academic community.

The Contribution Excellence in Humanities awards were awarded to Senior Lecturer Gevani Prahalathan of the Department of English Language Teaching and Senior Lecturer T.L.D. De Silva of the Department of Fine Arts appraising the immense contribution made to their respective departments.

At the Excellence in Humanities Awards 2023, Most Venerable Professor Kollupitye Mahinda Sangarakkhitha Nayaka Thero, The Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Emeritus Sarath Amunugama, a Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Senior Professor Lakshman Senevirathne, a Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Ven. Dr Dodamkumbure Dhammadassi Thero, the Former Director of ICCMS, were awarded the Special Service Acknowledgement Awards as a testament to the tireless efforts, innovative thinking, and transformative impact they have had on the academic landscape.

In recognition of their outstanding service to the Faculty of Humanities, exceptional individuals representing each department of the faculty were awarded Special Honorary Service Awards at the Excellence in Humanities Awards 2023. Retired Professor Somarathna Balasuriya of the Department of Sinhala, Retired Ven. Professor Nawagamuwe Rewatha Thero of the Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies, Professor Emeritus Sumanapala Galmangoda of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Professor Emeritus Sarath Amunugama of the Department of Modern Languages, Late Professor Emeritus W.S. Karunathillake of the Department of Linguistics, Late Professor Manique Gunasekera of the Department of English, Late Senior Professor Indra Dassanayake of the Department of Hindi Studies, Retired Professor Mangalika Jayathunga of the Department of Fine Arts, Retired Senior Lecturer Rev. Dr. Nihal Abeyasinghe of the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture, Late Professor Manique Gunasekera of the Department of English Language Teaching, and Retired Senior Lecturer Chandrasiri Bogamuwa of the Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television were among the recipients of the Special Honorary Service Awards.

Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments of the Faculty of Humanities, Registrar, Librarian, and academic and non-academic staff members of the Faculty of Humanities were among the distinguished guests.