FACULTY OF ARTS

UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

Undergraduate Prospectus 2013/14

Table of Contents
Page
Foreword
Message from the Vice-Chancellor
Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Message from the Dean
The University of Colombo
The Faculty of Arts
Information & Documentation Centre
The Course Unit System
Examination Procedures, Offences and Punishments

iii
iv
v
vi
1
2
3
7
22

Academic Departments
Department of Demography
Department of Economics
Department of English
Department of Geography
Department of History
Department of International Relations
Department of Political Science and Public Policy
Department of Sinhala
Department of Sociology
Computer Teaching Unit
English Language Teaching Unit
Arabic and Islamic Civilization Unit
Journalism Unit
Mathematics Unit
Pali and Buddhist Studies Unit
Student Computer Unit

26
30
39
44
49
53
57
60
64
69
70
76
78
80
81
85

ii

Foreword
This prospectus is published for the new entrants to the Faculty of Arts, University of
Colombo. It provides undergraduates with information on the academic programme for
the first year, the Course Unit System, examination procedures, scholarships and
prizes, and facilities and services available in the Faculty of Arts.
You are advised to read this prospectus carefully. If you need clarification on any
subject dealt with in this prospectus, or any other information, you should not hesitate
to contact the relevant offices and authorities in the Faculty of Arts. Information on
academic staff members contained in this prospectus reflects the situation as at 31
December 2013.

iii

Message from the Vice-Chancellor

It gives me great pleasure to send this brief message for the
Undergraduate Prospectus for the Academic year 2014/2015
published by the Faculty of Arts.
I very warmly welcome you all, the new entrants, to the
largest Faculty, the Faculty of Arts, of the premier and the
most prestigious University of Colombo. I am sure that you
are well aware that the university you are fortunate enough
to enter to pursue higher education, is an internationally
ranked well recognized University. I am pleased to congratulate you on your high
achievements at a very competitive G.C.E. (A/L) examination and I wish you all to
maintain a high standard at your undergraduate academic programme.
The Faculty has developed excellent curricula, thus providing the opportunity to you to
specialize in a number of subject areas. You are also very fortunate to pursue your
studies with the assistance of a well-qualified and internationally reputed team of
academic staff under the able leadership of Professor Athula Ranasinghe, the Dean of
the Faculty of Arts. You have ample opportunities to enhance your knowledge base,
language and ICT competencies, and to develop your soft skills, talents and creativity.
The Faculty produces graduates who are resourceful and able to channel their talents
and capabilities towards national development and for humankind.
My earnest request to you, the new entrants, is that you concentrate on your academic
and co-curricular activities to achieve your goal with a view to fulfilling the aspiration
of your parents and to supporting the university authorities to maintain a peaceful and
conducive learning environment in the university.

Dr. W.K Hirimburegama

ViceChancellor
University of Colombo

iv

Deputy ViceChancellors Message

As the Deputy ViceChancellor, I am very pleased to warmly
welcome you to the University of Colombo, the
metropolitan University in Sri Lanka. The University has its
own seven faculties, one campus and six affiliated Institutes.
The Faculty of Arts is the largest Faculty of the University
and the best among the Arts faculties in the university
system in Sri Lanka. You must be proud to enter such a
Faculty and earn a degree in Human Sciences. I request you
to be committed to your studies and learn the subjects
while developing your skills and competencies, all towards becoming a productive
citizen of Sri Lanka.
Congratulations to you on your decision to study at the Faculty of Arts, University of
Colombo. For me, there will be no more important challenge over the next few years
than to ensure that this Faculty offers you an exceptional university experience. We will
provide you with the best possible conditions to succeed, in return for which you will
be expected to work hard, be conscientious and accept responsibility for your learning
and progress.
On behalf of the entire university community, I would like to wish you all the best.
Professor Premakumara de Silva
Deputy ViceChancellor
University of Colombo

A Message from the Dean, Faculty of Arts

I am pleased to welcome you, the first year students entering
the Faculty of Arts of the University of Colombo, to the
academic year 2014/2015. You are undoubtedly a privileged
group to enter this most prestigious University in Sri Lanka.
The University of Colombo has a long tradition of excellence in
teaching, learning, research and in making valuable
contributions to the community at large. It has acquired
recognition and reputation throughout the world as a centre
of academic excellence. This is also the metropolitan university of the country and the
students are at a distinct advantage in having access to many cultural, economic and
political institutions and activities in the city.
As Colombo University undergraduates, you will have the best possible learning
experience. Our undergraduate programmes reflect the latest thinking and advanced
knowledge, giving your undergraduate education an added distinction. Our course unit
system offers you greater flexibility in terms of selection of courses, education and
training that will prepare you as an employable graduate.
I earnestly request you to make the best use of the environment, resources and
opportunities available to you at this institution. Please make sure to use the precious
years you spend in this university to seek knowledge and also to work towards a
vibrant and peaceful community in the country.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Professor Athula Ranasinghe
Dean, Faculty of Arts
University of Colombo

vi

The University of Colombo

The history of Higher Education in Sri Lanka is closely linked to the history of the
University of Colombo. The Ceylon Medical College (from which the present Faculty of
Medicine has evolved) was established in 1870. University College was established for
higher learning in the arts and sciences in 1921. University College, then affiliated to
the University of London, was housed in College House, which is the central
administrative building of the University today. The University of Colombo became an
autonomous university in 1978. This is a legacy of higher education which inspires
pride in undergraduates entering the University of Colombo.
Over the past several decades, the University of Colombo has expanded substantially in
terms of academic excellence, study programmes, student enrolment, and facilities. It is
one of the largest universities in the country, with seven Faculties, six Institutes and
several affiliated centres of learning.
Owing to its location in the metropolitan centre, the University of Colombo has the
advantage of being at the hub of cultural, economic and socio-political activity in the
country. It offers students opportunities to access libraries, research centres,
professional associations, theatres, art galleries, cinema halls etc. Students can make
use of these facilities for their academic work as well as for personal enrichment.

THE FACULTY OF ARTS

Faculty Mission Statement

To promote collectively scholarship, critical inquiry, competencies
and skills in the Social Sciences and Humanities in keeping with the
highest academic and ethical standards in teaching, research,
training and evaluation.
To provide students with not only specific skills and competencies but
also a broad social and humanistic orientation so that they could fit
into a changing world of work with a sense of responsibility and
moral commitment.
The Faculty of Arts, located between Reid Avenue and Prof. Stanley Wijesundara
Mawatha, is currently the largest faculty in the University of Colombo in terms of
student population and enrolment. The Faculty has nine Departments and several
teaching Units offering courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Apart from
undergraduate BA courses, several Departments offer courses towards Diploma,
Masters, MPhil and PhD degrees.
The Faculty of Arts has responded in various ways to the challenges and problems of
higher learning and employment. The introduction of the Course Unit System in 1998
was a major step towards offering students greater flexibility in terms of the possibility
of selecting from a variety of courses, as well as the duration of study, and new
methods of teaching, learning and evaluation. The establishment of the Student
Computer Unit and Computer Teaching Unit within the Faculty has enabled students to
become computer literate an essential skill in the economic and academic climate of
today within a short period of time. Many students specializing in subjects such as
Geography, Economics and Sociology also take Computer Applications as a regular
course unit. The Department of Economics has introduced an internship programme
for final year Special Degree undergraduates with a view to enhancing the

employability of students. The Departments of Economics and Sociology have

introduced study streams for their four-year degree programme accommodating
changing trends in the economy.
The Faculty has also introduced new study streams for three-year BA degree
programmes to elevate the status of academic study programmes and enhance the
employability of graduates. Plans are also underway to change the medium of
instruction of all programmes to English in the near future.
The English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) provides undergraduates with a working
knowledge of English through its Proficiency Courses in English. There cannot be any
dispute that a working knowledge of English offers students a distinct advantage to
function with confidence in todays society.
The following sections outline the Facultys Offices, Departments and Units, as well as
its services, alongside a guide to the Course Unit System and information on
examination procedures, scholarships and prizes.
Offices and Student Services of the Faculty of Arts
Office of the Dean
The Office of the Dean is the central administrative unit of the Faculty. The Dean is the
academic and administrative head of the Faculty and is supported by the Senior
Assistant Registrar, Heads of Departments, Coordinators of Units, the Director of
Studies, the Academic Counsellor, Coordinator of the Information and Documentation
Centre (IDC), and the administrative staff headed by a Senior Assistant Registrar and a
Senior Assistant Bursar.

Information and Documentation Centre (IDC)

The Information and Documentation
Centre (IDC) is the central
coordinating
office
for
the
administration and monitoring of the
Course Unit System (CUS). Its tasks
are to monitor the CUS; maintain
student
records;
coordinate
information and academic activities
amongst Departments and the
student
community;
prepare
examination schedules and logistics;
distribute
class
lists
to
all
Departments and Units, and notify
students of the course units on offer for the academic year.
The IDC will be open from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm on weekdays. All undergraduate
students are requested to consult the IDC only during office hours.

For details and clarification on the Course Unit System, undergraduate students should
consult Dr. U.P.P. Serasinghe, Academic Counsellor/Coordinator of the IDC, Dr. Shermal
Wijewardene, Director of Studies, and Department Representatives nominated by the
Departments and Units or by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Information on
Department Representatives can be found on the IDC notice boards. Students are
cautioned against being misled by information on the Course Unit System from other
sources.

Student Computer Unit

The Student Computer Unit (SCU) offers a variety of services and facilities for students
of the Faculty of Arts. On payment of a fee of Rs. 1000, students may access the
Computer Unit during the course of their studies. Services offered include Wi-fi
internet access, word processing (for assignments, books, reports and thesis work),
and print-outs. The Unit also has scanning and CD/DVD writing facilities. It also offers a
computer literacy programme for beginners.
The Coordinator of the Unit is Prof. Lasantha Manawadu of the Department of
Geography. The Unit is open from 8.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and
from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Mathematics Unit
The Mathematics Unit provides Mathematics enhancing analytical skills for all students
of the Faculty of Arts. Currently, it offers Mathematics as a foundation course in Sinhala,
Tamil and English for first-year students of the Faculty. Students are encouraged to
seek the assistance of the Coordinator of the Unit, Dr. DDPM Dunusinghe of the
Department of Economics, and/or the instructors in Mathematics for problem solving
in Mathematics and Statistics and/or further information. Plans are underway to offer
Mathematics to students in other years.

Student-Staff Liaison Committee

This committee consists of student representatives and a number of faculty members.
Its goal is to facilitate a continuous dialogue between students and the Faculty on
student needs and issues. Prof. S.T. Hettige is currently the Chairperson of this
committee. Students are encouraged to report any matter requiring urgent attention to
this committee.
Student Cultural Centre
The Student Cultural Centre is an initiative of the then Ministry of Human Resource
Development, Education and Cultural Affairs through the Arts Council. It offers classes
in drama, dance, singing, photography, martial arts and art. The Centre is coordinated
by R.M. Dissanayake of the Department of Geography, who is also Chairman of the Arts
Council. The day-to-day functions of the Centre are coordinated by a representative
nominated by the Ministry for Culture and Arts. Students are encouraged to visit this
centre for information on its activities.
Career Guidance Unit
The Career Guidance Unit offers a variety of services ranging from guidance on future
careers to capacity building, skill development, curriculum vitae (CV) preparation,
preparation for job interviews, English classes, mentoring programmes with the
private sector, and job search programmes. The Director of this Unit is Prof. L.
Manawadu who is attached to the Faculty of Arts.
Personal Tutors
All first year students are grouped and each group is assigned a personal tutor as a
mentor. The mentor is a member of the academic staff of the Faculty of Arts. Students
should meet their personal tutors regularly and are encouraged to bring to the notice of
their mentors any personal or academic matters they wish to discuss.
Library

The Main Library of the University is open to students from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. with
extended hours until 8.00 p.m. during study leave. The library is open on weekends
from 8.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. Students will be issued library cards when they register for
the first academic year.
The library floor plan is given below:
1st floor:
Circulation counter, catalogue, permanent reference, photocopy
service and Librarians office
2nd floor:
Law collection
rd
3 floor:
Reference
th
4 floor:
Periodicals, Sri Lanka collection and research collections
5th floor:
Lending section. (Books are loaned for a period of two weeks. This
section closes at 3.00 p.m. on weekdays)
First year students are permitted to borrow one book from the lending section
and one from the reference section.
Faculty Contact Details
Offices/Officers
Dean, Faculty of Arts
Director of Studies
Senior Assistant Registrar
Information and Documentation
Centre (IDC) Academic
Counsellor/Coordinator
Department of Demography
Department of Economics
Department of English
Department of Geography

Telephone
2500457
2500474
2500442
5745210

E mail ID
dean@arts.cmb.ac.lk
swijewardene@gmail.com
logendra@admin.cmb.ac.lk

2586111
2582666
2500438
2500458

info@demo.cmb.ac.lk
head@econ.cmb.ac.lk
head@english.cmb.ac.lk
hod@geo.cmb.ac.lk

Department of History
Department of International Relations
Department of Political Science
and Public Policy
Department of Sinhala
Department of Sociology
Computer Teaching Unit (CTU)
English Language Teaching Unit
Islamic Civilization Unit
Journalism Unit
Mathematics Unit
Student Computer Unit (SCU)
Library
English Extension Courses Unit
Senior Student Counsellor (SSC)
Health Centre
Students and Staff welfare

5745212
2500433
2554262

headhistoryuoc@gmail.com

2500453
2500452
2500443
2506705
0718043190
2500431
2158445
2505836
2586432
2504735
2583108
2584985
2582336

sinhaladpt@yahoo.com
sociology.archive@hotmail.com
ctu.art.uoc@gmail.com
eltu@eltu.cmb.ac.lk
icvunit_fa@yahoo.com
communic@arts.cmb.ac.lk

headpolitical@gmail.com

scuarts@gmail.com
librarian@lib.cmb.ac.lk

The Course Unit System

Introduction
The Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, has implemented the Course Unit System
(CUs) since 1998. It offers many benefits to students such as extended lecture hours
per unit in both semesters, flexibility in designing ones own study programme, and
increased transparency in relation to course outlines and evaluations.
The Academic Year and Semesters
The academic year is divided into two semesters Semester I and Semester II. The
Calendar of Dates for the academic year provides you with information on the duration
of the semesters, period of study leave, and examinations.
Registration Policy of Course Units
It is mandatory to select course units (CUs) for both semesters at the beginning of the
academic year. All first year students should obtain Form A1 from the Information
and Documentation Centre (IDC) and return the duly completed form to the IDC within
two weeks of the commencement of the academic year. The deadline for changing CUs
is also within the first two weeks of the semester. Students are requested to retain a
photocopy of the completed Form A1 for their records until the end of the first year.
Subject Categories and Codes
In the Faculty of Arts, CUs come under several main subject categories. These main
subject categories are announced annually by the Faculty, as subject categories may
change. Students are advised to consult the IDC for specific details. The current list of
main subject categories and the associated subject codes are given in Table 1.
Subject
Category
Pali and Buddhist
Studies
Demography
Economics
English
Geography
History
International
Relations

Subject
Code
BST/PLG

Subject Category

Subject Code

Islamic Civilization

ICV

DMG
ECN
ENG
GYG
HIS
INR

Communication and Media Studies

Political Science and Public Policy
Sinhala
Sociology
Foundation*
Elective

CMS
PSC
SLG
SOC
FND
ELT

Table 1: Subject Categories and Codes

*FND Course Units are offered for first year students, and Elective Course Units (ELT) are
offered for second and third year students.

Course Units and Codes

Each CU has its own identification code (subject code + unit code). For example,
the subject code ECN indicates the Economics stream. The first two digits of the
unit code indicate the year and the semester in which the course unit is offered.
E.g. ECN 1101 is the Elementary Micro Economics course unit offered in the 1st
semester of the first year, and ECN 1202 is the Elementary Macro Economics unit
offered in the second semester of the first year.
Streams of Study
The Faculty of Arts now offers students who wish to study for a three-year degree
in Arts the opportunity of following interdisciplinary streams of study. Currently,
Peace and Conflict Studies, and Gender Studies are offered as interdisciplinary
streams of study. In addition, the Department of Economics offers several streams
for its Special Degree students. The Department of English has introduced course
combinations that give students a focus in English Language Studies or English
Literature. The Department of Sociology has also been offering a study stream on
Social Work for its Special Degree students since 2008. The Faculty is planning to
offer two more streams of study on Disaster Management, and Data Management
and Survey Techniques in the near future. Please check with relevant
departments and/or IDC for further details on study streams.
Course Unit Selection
A minimum number of five students should be registered to take a particular
course unit before it can be offered by a Department/Unit.
There are three important options you need to consider when selecting CUs.
(i)

Do you want to read for a three-year degree in Arts and/or opt for a
particular study stream?

Or
(ii)

Do you want to read for a four-year Special Degree in Arts majoring in one
subject?

Or
(iii)

Do you want to read for a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) which

belongs to the four-year degree category with Education as the major in
the final year of study?

Selection for Special/BEd Degree

Once you have decided on the desired study programme, you must be aware of
the rules and regulations provided in the By-Laws of the Bachelor of Arts Degree
Programme that govern the conduct of the CUS. One such important regulation is
the minimum number of course units mandatory for a student to complete in each
academic year.

Year of Study
1st Year in Arts
2nd Year in Arts
3rd Year in Arts
4th Year in Arts

MCUR
10
11
11
10

Table 2 : Minimum Course Unit Requirements (MCUR)

The decision on how to distribute CUs between two semesters is entirely up to
each student, depending on the timetable and on the availability of the course
unit. However, the maximum number of CUs that a student may offer in a
semester in any combination (current/repeat/incomplete) is seven.
Credit-based Course Unit Selection
A credit is defined as fifteen (15) contact teaching hours. At present, each CU is
given three (03) contact teaching hours per week. As each semester has fifteen
(15) weeks, one CU is weighted as three (03) credits.
The minimum number of credit requirements for the first year in Arts is thirty
(30). Hence, when you successfully complete 10 CUs, you obtain thirty (30)
credits. Currently, all CUs offered by the Faculty of Arts are worth three (03)
credits. Therefore, students are advised to follow the MCUR guideline given in
Table 2, above, to complete the first year workload successfully.
Plans are underway to implement a fully-fledged credit-based system in the
Faculty of Arts in the near future. Such a system would include CUs with different
credit values. Students will be able to select different combinations of CUs with
less credit values and/or CUs with more credit values to fulfil the minimum
credit requirements.

First Year in Arts

Students must select 10 units for the academic year in the following manner:

Principal
Subject II

Principal
Subject III

English FND

FND

For those who must take Foundation Course

Units in English and IT (as determined by the
placement tests)

11

For those who have been exempt from taking

Foundation Course Units in English and IT (as
determined by the placement tests)

11

Total

Principal
Subject I

Six (6) CUs, two from each principal subject, which have equal ranking in weight
+
Two (2) English FND units. It is mandatory for all first year undergraduates,
except those exempt from the English placement test, to select the two
Foundation Course Units (FNDE 1108 and FNDE 1209) in English offered by the
English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU)
+
Two (2) FND units. Students who are exempt from the English Proficiency course
must select 4 FND CUs. Table 3 explains how students should select the minimum
required number of CUs for the first year in Arts.

Source: By-Laws, Bachelor of Arts Degree

Table 3: Sources from which the 10 CUs should be selected for the first year in Arts

Mandatory CUs
For first year undergraduates, certain CUs are mandatory and other CUs require
auxiliary CUs. For example, when a first year student selects Demography as one
of his/her three principal subjects, it is mandatory to take DMG 1101 and one
other CU from the Demography stream. Similarly, when Economics and/or
Geography is on the list of the three principal subjects, it is mandatory to select
FND 1106 or FND 1206 to comply with the requirements of these Departments.
For those wishing to read for Bachelor of Education from the second year, it is
necessary to select FND 1110 in the first year in Arts. Similarly, for those wishing
to take a specific study stream, it is mandatory to select the relevant FND units
offered. For example, FND 1106 or FND 1206 is a pre-requisite for the four-year
degree in Demography. Students are advised to consult the relevant departments
for up-to-date information on such requirements, as Departments make regular
changes to their curricula.
Selection for Special Degree programmes is based on students performance at
the first year examinations. Selection for the Bachelor of Education (Special)
degree programme is based on students performance at the first year
examination and in the FND 1110

10

Non-Credit CU(s)
Under the CU System, students can register for non-credit or audited CU(s). The
maximum number of non-credit CU(s) that can be selected is two per
academic year. Details of these non-credit CU(s) will appear in the students
result sheet and transcripts. However, they will not be taken into account when
calculating the Grade Point Average (GPA).
Policy on Changing CUs and/or Subject Categories
Students may make changes to their original selection of CUs and/or subject
categories within the first two weeks of the first semester. Information on
these dates is provided in the calendar of dates, and it is mandatory for students
to act accordingly. Students may not change course unit(s) and/or subject(s) after
this period.
Students may make changes to their CUs in the first week of the second
semester. Students should not change CUs for which they have been registered,
without first obtaining the approval of the Head of the Department, the Dean/Arts
and the IDC Coordinator. If a student wishes to select a CU(s) from the second
semester by dropping certain CU(s) selected for the first semester, such requests
should be made to the IDC within two weeks of the commencement of the
academic year, after which they will not be accommodated. All such requests
should be submitted in writing and addressed to the Coordinator/ IDC.
Timetables
Master timetables for CUs and for the final examinations for both semesters will
be available at the beginning of each academic year. These should be considered
as final unless otherwise stated by the Departments/Units. In selecting CUs,
students are advised to pay attention to the scheduling of classes and
examinations to ensure that they do not select a combination of courses for which
the timing of classes and examinations coincide.
Course Unit Selection for BEd Programme
The total number of CUs for the BEd programme depends on the requirements
and guidelines given by the Faculty of Education. However, students who read for
the BEd degree are requested to be in line with the requirements and regulations
for a three-year degree in Arts up to Part II of the BEd programme.
Students opting to join the BEd programme from the second year are advised
when selecting subjects in the first year in Arts to select as many as possible of the
subjects that are taught in schools. The subjects that are taught in schools at
present are Languages, Economics, History, Geography, Political Science and
Religious Studies.

11

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Can students who are exempt from the English placement test still select
compulsory English Foundation CUs?
No

2.

Would it be possible to select English as a subject if the student has not

offered English at the GCE A/L?
The answer is yes, but only students who are exempt at the English placement
test are eligible to make this request. Such students also have to sit for a
competency test conducted by the Department of English before being admitted
to the English subject stream. Students are advised to contact the Department of
English for details.

3.

Would it be possible to select a course unit that the student has not offered
in the GCE A/L?
The answer is also yes. Such students could offer a course unit such as
Economics, Geography and Demography if such departments are in a position
to offer supplementary classes. Students with no prior background in the
subject area can attend these classes in addition to the usual three-hour sessions
per week allotted in the master timetable. Students are requested to contact the
lecturer concerned and/or the Head of the Department for details.

4.

Can a student withdraw a CU(s) after sitting the end-of-semester

examination of that particular CU(s)?
Once a student has sat for the final end-of-semester examination, he/she has
completed the whole process of evaluation assigned for the CU(s) in question.
Therefore, it is not possible to withdraw a CU(s) and substitute it with another
after the student has sat for the final end-of-semester examination.

5.

Can a student withdraw a CU(s) before the end-of-semester examination?

Students can make written requests to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, through
the IDC Coordinator, to withdraw CU(s) from the final end-of-semester
examination for valid reasons. Such requests should reach the IDC two (02)
weeks before the commencement of the examination. The Faculty will carefully
scrutinize these requests and will grant permission only for requests with valid
reasons. Once a student withdraws the CU, all continuous evaluation(s)
completed for the CU will also become null and void. The student has to go
through the entire evaluation process associated with the new CU when it is
offered in subsequent semesters. Students may also request to offer a new CU(s)
in place of the withdrawn unit(s). All such requests should be addressed in
writing to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts through the IDC Coordinator.

12

6.

Can a student select CUs ahead of time? Can she/he select CUs from a
future academic year?
Students can only select CUs offered during the current academic year, as well
as any incomplete/repeat CUs (if any) from a previous year.

7.

Can non-credit or audited CU(s) with better grades be exchanged for credit
course(s) with poor grades?
No. Non-credit and credit CUs are two different categories, and students are
required to maintain this distinction throughout the degree programme.

8.

Can students request repeat end-of-semester examinations?

The Faculty does not entertain requests for repeat end-of-semester
examinations. At the end of the first semester, final end-of-semester
examinations are held only for course units offered during that semester.
Therefore, if a student misses a final end-of-semester examination, he/she has
to wait until the relevant course unit(s) is offered again.

9.

Can students sit for the end-of-semester examination without completing

continuous evaluations assigned for the unit(s)?
No. According to the By-Laws, it is mandatory to complete at least 50% of all
continuous evaluation assigned for the unit(s) for the student to be eligible to sit
for the end-of-semester examination. For example, in cases where there are two
assessments assigned for a particular CU, students are required to complete at
least one of the assessments to make them eligible to sit for the end-of-semester
examination of the CU in question. Those who sit for the end-of-semester
examination without completing the minimum required number of assessments,
(whether inadvertently or purposely) will be considered repeat candidates.
Students are strongly advised that it is not possible even to make requests to
complete continuous evaluations after completing the end-of-semester
examination without prior arrangements with the Department concerned.

Evaluation Policy

Continuous Assessment
Under the continuous assessment system, students will be evaluated at least once
during a semester before the final examination/assessment. The end-of-semester
examination is the final point of the whole process of evaluation assigned for the CU(s)
except for those courses which require internships/training/practical. At each
evaluation (which may be in the form of written tests, take-home assignments, oral
presentations etc.) students earn marks. The usual weightage of marks is distributed as
follows: 40% for continuous assessment, and 60% for the end-of-semester
examination. However, as Departments have the flexibility to change this weightage,
students are advised to consult their Departments for examination guidelines.

13

Final Examinations
A student has to complete the whole system of continuous assessment offered in a
semester in order to obtain the maximum grades for each CU. However, in order to be
considered as having completed a CU, a student should have completed at least 50% of
all continuous assessments and the final examination. When a student sits for the endof-semester examination, it indicates that he/she has completed the process of
evaluation with regard to the respective semester and CU(s), except in those courses
with internships/training/practical that may be held after the end of examination.
Students will be permitted to sit the mid-term and end-of-semester examinations only
if they have a valid university registration for the current academic year and have
registered for the relevant course units with the IDC. A list of students and the CU(s) for
which they have registered will be available at the IDC between Weeks 5 and 6 of the
first semester.
Duration
The duration of the end-of-semester examination will be two hours unless informed
otherwise by respective Departments.
Disability
However, in the case of differently-abled students if their disability could impede their
writing speed they are eligible for extra time. To claim this extra time the students
should produce a letter issued by the University/Chief Medical Officer certifying that
their disability will impede their writing speed at the examination. The student should
submit this letter to the supervisor in the examination hall. The extra time will be
given twenty (20) minutes for each hour of the examination. The Senior Assistant
Registrar, Examinations, should be informed by the supervisor in the case of a student
needs extra time.
Absence at Examinations
Students who, because of a genuine reason such as illness, are unable to sit the end-ofsemester examination(s) should submit a medical certificate issued by the Chief
Medical Officer (CMO)/University Medical Officer (UMO) of the University of Colombo
or a valid Medical Certificate recommended by the CMO/UMO within two weeks of
the date of the missed examination, along with the perfected form issued by the
IDC. Only MCs recommended by the CMO/UMO will be accepted by the Faculty. The
CU(s) will then be considered incomplete. When the CU(s) is offered again, students
can sit for the end-of-semester examination and complete the CU(s) at a future date
without hindering their prospects for a class. Therefore, the IDC urges all
undergraduates to take utmost care in the matter of submitting MC(s), in order to
minimize/avoid inconvenience.
The UMO will consider MCs issued only by a government Hospital/District Medical
Officer. MCs issued by private medical practitioners will be considered only in the case
of medical leave for less than five (05) days. In such a situation, students are

14

required to forward MCs to CMO/UMO with the form issued by the IDC within seven
(07) days of the last date of recommended medical leave. In addition, the
CMO/UMO may request documents, such as receipt of payments for the MC from a
Government Hospital, prescription(s) of the medicine taken, test reports if any, etc.
Please refer to the guidelines on the submission of medical certificates by
undergraduates during the period of examinations (page 21).
Students, who are unable to sit for the final examination due to genuine reasons other
than illness, can make appeals to the Appeal Board with supporting documents. The
Appeal Board carefully scrutinises such applications before arriving at a final decision.
All such appeals are required be handed over to the IDC within two weeks from the
date of the examination.
Students can withdraw CU(s) from the end-of-semester examination due to valid
reasons. Students who wish to do so should submit their request to the Coordinator of
the IDC, along with supporting documents, two weeks before the end-of-semester final
examination begins. Once withdrawn, all continuous evaluation results pertaining to
the unit(s) will also become null and void (refer also FAQ 4 and 5).
Index Numbers
The registration number assigned to a first year student will also be his/her
examination/index number. E.g. Index number A12170 and Reg. No. 2007/BA/12170
Policy of Make-Up Examinations
End-of-semester examinations/assessments are not repeated under any circumstances.
If a student fails to sit the end-of-semester examination of a particular CU(s), he/she
can sit for it in the next academic year, or in the following semester of the same
academic year, but only if the CU(s) is being offered in that semester.
Mid-term exams, assignments, classroom tests, oral presentations, etc. in general are
not repeated either. The dates of these tests are notified at the beginning of each
semester by academic staff. It is therefore the responsibility of the student to sit for
these tests and complete his/her assignments on time.
However, if a student is unable to complete an assignment due to unavoidable
circumstances, she/he can request the lecturer(s) in writing for a make-up test.
Requests should reach the lecturer(s), along with supporting documents, within two
weeks of the original date of the assignment or mid-semester exam. Students are
advised, however, that the respective Departments will make the final decision on such
requests.
All make-up tests/assignments should be completed before the end-of-semester
examination of the CU(s) commences. Departments that decide not to offer make-up
tests will inform students of their decision at the beginning of the semester.

15

Under the CU System, students can complete their missed evaluations in future
semesters. Students who have successfully completed their continuous evaluations but
have not been able to complete the end-of-semester examination of a particular CU(s)
due to a genuine reason can request the relevant Department, through the IDC
Coordinator, to carry forward the marks obtained at the continuous assessment until
she/he sits the end-of-semester examination of the CU(s) in question. The maximum
period for which such marks can be carried forward is two consecutive academic
years.
Application for Final Examinations
Seventy percent (70%) attendance by students is required as eligibility to sit the endof-semester examinations. The application forms for end-of-semester examinations can
be obtained from the Examinations Branch of the University of Colombo. Duly
completed application forms should be handed over to the IDC within the stipulated
time period. Students cannot apply for examinations in CUs other than those CUs for
which they have registered.
Repeat/Incomplete Course Units
Students are required to inform the IDC about repeat and/or incomplete CUs at the
time of handing in the examination application forms for the current year of study. For
all repeat attempts, the required examination fees must be paid. Students should obtain
the relevant information from the Examinations Department of the University of
Colombo. Students have the original attempt and two subsequent attempts to pass a
CU(s).
Failed CU(s)
It is mandatory to complete all failed CU(s). A student can obtain his/her Degree only if
she/he has passed all the required CUs.
When a failed CU(s) is successfully completed, the actual grade earned by the student at
the repeat attempt will be shown in the detailed results sheets, transcripts, etc. with the
special symbol RC. However, when computing the Grade Point Average (GPA), the
grade point value assigned to repeat CU(s) will be 2.00 only.
Under the CU system, students who read for a three-year General Degree programme
have up to five consecutive years from the first year to complete the Degree without
penalty. Students reading for a four-year Special Degree programme have a maximum
period of six consecutive years from the first year. Students need to obtain prior
permission from the Faculty Board/Senate to prolong their period of study in this
manner. Students who prolong the period of study without prior approval by the
Faculty Board/Senate will be disqualified from obtaining a class.
Withdraw-Failing CU(s)
Students can substitute CU(s) in place of a repeat CU(s) under the Withdrawn-Failing
category. In such cases, students have to obtain written permission from the Dean/Arts
and the Head of the Department concerned to select a new CU(s) in place of a failed

16

unit(s). It should be noted, however, that this new CU(s) will be considered a
repeat attempt and assigned a maximum of grade C- (GP 2.0)
Non-Credit or Audited CU(s)
When applying for the examination, students are required to clearly mark all noncredit CU(s) with the special symbol AU (for audit category).
Criteria for Evaluation
Table 4 presents information on grades, marks ranges, and associated grade points.
Marks 80 % and Above
Between 75% and 79%
Between 70% and 74%
Between 65% and 69%
Between 60% and 64%
Between 55% and 59%
Between 50% and 54%
Between 45% and 49%
Between 40% and 44%
Between 30% and 39%
Between 0% and 29%

Grade A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C-*
D
E

Grade Point 4.00

3.75
3.50
3.25
3.00
2.75
2.50
2.50
2.00*
0.00(Fail)
0.00(Fail)

Table 4 : Mark Ranges, Grades, and Grade Points

Incomplete
No Credit
Audit
Withdrawn
Withdrawn-Failing
Repeat Completed

I
NC
AU
W
WF
RC

* Minimum performance for a pass

Source: By-Laws, Degree of Bachelor of Arts
Grade Point Average (GPA)
The GPA is the system on which Honours and Passes are awarded. The GPA is
calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned throughout a students
study period (excluding the First Year in Arts) by the number of minimum required
CUs. For a three-year Degree programme this minimum number of CUs is 22 while for a
four-year Degree programme it is 32.
Calculation of GPA
GPA = GP/N
Where,
GP =
Total of grade points
N
=
Number of CUs.

17

When a student has completed more CU(s) than the minimum number stipulated
in the By-Laws, the grade points of all completed CUs by the student will be taken
in to account for GPA calculation.
Table 5
Cut-off Points of GPA

1st Class
= GPA 3.50
nd
2 Upper
= 3.25 GPA< 3.50
2nd Lower
= 3.00 GPA< 3.25
Ordinary pass = 2.00 GPA< 3.00

Interdisciplinary Streams of Study in the Faculty of Arts

Streams of Study
From the academic year 2005, the Faculty
of Arts has offered students who wish to
read for a three-year General Degree in
Arts the opportunity of following
interdisciplinary streams of study.
This year the Faculty will offer

What do I have to do?

1. The IDC will provide you with a list of
courses in years 1, 2 and 3 which fall into the
streams of study.
2. You have to take 7 courses in all from this
list during your three years of study, and
successfully complete those in order to
obtain a certificate of Interdisciplinary Focus.
1) Gender Studies
3. After you have selected the course units
2) Peace and Conflict Studies
you should register for these courses at the
IDC. In the first year the course you take
Objectives
under the study stream will be an FND
The streams of study will enable General course. In the second and third years, these
Degree students to have a particular focus courses will be classified as Electives.
of study and to obtain interdisciplinary
knowledge in the subject; to obtain a Why should I follow a stream of study?
certificate of Interdisciplinary Focus in Offering a stream of study will enable you to
addition to the Degree certificate; enhance have lectures, seminars and discussions from
his/her employability by showing that many departments on the subject. This
he/she has successfully completed a means that you will have a wide range of
stream of study (i.e. a student who knowledge, perspectives and approaches
completes the Gender Studies stream and from these various departments. For
obtains a certificate can show employers example, the Gender Studies Stream will have
that he/she has a particular orientation of input from the Departments of Economics,
History
and
International
study
and
an
interdisciplinary Sociology,
Relations,
English,
Sinhala
and
the
Journalism
understanding in the area of Gender
Studies.); strengthen his/her capacity to Unit. Similarly, the Peace and Conflict Study
follow postgraduate courses in the relevant Stream will have input from the Departments
of Economics, Political Science and Public
field.
Policy, International Relations, History etc.
Completing a stream of study does not, Your knowledge and a certificate of
however, mean that a student has Interdisciplinary Focus will enable you to
talk to future employers of your interest in
specialized in that subject.
the subject, your commitment in offering and
completing 7 courses in the subject, and your
broad knowledge of the field.

18

Examination Offences
Any candidate can be punished for the following examination offences: possessing
unauthorized documents or removing examination stationery; disorderly conduct;
copying; obtaining or attempting to obtain improper assistance or cheating or
attempting to cheat; impersonation; aiding and abetting the commission of any of these
offences.
Prizes and Scholarships for First Year Students

The Freda L. Dias Memorial Scholarship for the female student of the Kalutara
District who performs best in order of merit at the First Examination in Arts or the
First Examination in Commerce.

The Ginige-Cook prize for the student who performs best in Geography at the First
Examination in Arts.

The Neil Bandaranaike Memorial Prize for the student who performs best in the
First Examination in Arts.

Faculty of Arts Scholarship for the student with the best marks at the First
Examination in Arts.

Faculty of Arts Studentship for the student with the second best marks at the First
Examination in Arts.

The Kanika Pandit Memorial Scholarship for a student whose parental income is
less than Rs.42,000/-, does well at the First Examination in Arts and displays
awareness of social issues.

The Mendis-Mackwood Scholarships (four) for students who perform well at the
First Examination in Arts. Parental income is considered in awarding these
scholarships.

The Sumitomo Corporation Scholarships (three) for students who perform well at
the First Examination in Arts. Parental income is considered in awarding these
scholarships.

Prizes and Scholarships for Senior Students

The Neil Bandaranaike Memorial Prize for the student who performs best at the
Final Examination in Arts.

The Neil Bandaranaike Memorial Prize for the student who performs best at the
Second Year Examination in Arts.

The N.D.S. de Silva Memorial Prize for the student who performs best [with a First
or Second Class (upper division)] at the Special Degree Examination in Sociology.

19

The M.W. Jayasuriya Memorial Prize for the student who performs best at the
Economics (Special) Examination Part 1. The student should obtain an A grade in a
minimum of 03 papers and a B grade in the remaining papers, and should be
placed first at the examination with an overall aggregate of not less than 60%.

The M.W. Jayasuriya Memorial Prize for the student who performs best [with a First
Class or Second Class (upper division)] at the Special Degree Examination in
Economics.

The Professor of Economics Gold Medal for the student who performs best [with at
least a Second Class (upper division)] at the Special Degree Examination in
Economics.

The Tikiri Abeysinghe Memorial Award for the student who performs best [with at
least a Second Class (upper division)] at the Special Degree Examination in History.

The Prof. M.B. Ariyapala Award for the student who performs best [with a First
Class or Second Class (upper division)] at the Special Degree Examination in
Sinhala.

The Kalabhushana Donu Devindu Mohotty Memorial Award for the student who
performs best in the Dissertation in Sinhala with at least a B grade, and at least a
Second Class (upper division) at the Special Degree Examination in Sinhala.

The Kalabhushana Donu Devindu Mohotty Memorial Award for the student who
performs best [with at least a Second Class (upper division)] at the Special Degree
Examination in Sinhala.

Maldivian Studies Scholarship to foster an understanding of the Republic of the

Maldives through extensive research and publication.
The Leitan Award for Political Science/Public Policy for the student who has shown
the highest competence at the Special Degree Examination in Political Science with
at least a Second Class Upper Division (Honours).

The Dr. Chanaka Amaratunge Gold Medal for Political Science.

The Dr. Chanaka Amaratunge Memorial Scholarship for a fourth year student in
Political Science.

The Professor Shelton Kodikara Award for International Relations - Gold medal

The Amara Mohotty Award for International Relations - Gold medal

The Professor Indrani Munasinghe Award in Sri Lankan History

The Professor Yogambikai Rasanayagam Gold Medal in Geography

The Professor Kusuma Abeysinghe Gunawardena Memorial Award

The Professor G.D. Wijayawardena Prize for Classical Sinhala

20

Departmental Study Streams

In addition to the interdisciplinary study streams, departments offer students the
opportunity to have a subject focus within their degree. For example, the Department
of Economics offers five such study streams for its third and fourth year Special Degree
students, namely Finance and Banking, Economic Theory and Applications, Trade and
Industry, and Development Policy Management and Transport Economics and
Commercial Shipping. The Department of English offers its Special Degree students a
focus in English Language Studies or English Literature. The Department of Sociology
offers a Social Work study stream for its Special Degree students. Similarly, the
Department of Geography will offer a Data Management and Survey Techniques study
stream for the three-year degree. Students should be aware of these programmes from
the first year, in order to plan their future academic career. Please contact the relevant
departments for details.
Guidelines on Submission of Medical Certificates by Undergraduates during the
Period of Examination.
Category I
An undergraduate student who falls ill during a period of examination should report to
the Chief Medical Officer (CMO)/University Medical Officer (UMO) of the University of
Colombo immediately. The CMO/UMO will examine the undergraduate and issue a
Medical Certificate if necessary.
Undergraduate students are required to submit the MC issued by the CMO/UMO to the
Dean of the Faculty of Arts, along with the duly completed form issued by the IDC.
Category II
When a student falls ill during the period of examination, if he/she cannot visit the
CMO/UMO due to the seriousness of the illness or/and because he/she is residing
outside Colombo, the student is required to obtain medical treatment preferably from
the nearest Government Medical Institution. However, students can also obtain
treatment from registered medical practitioners or institutions. In such a situation, the
MC obtained should be forwarded to CMO/UMO, with the duly completed form issued
by the IDC, within seven (07) days from the last date of recommended medical leave.
In this situation, only the following types of MCs will be accepted by CMO/UMO for
consideration. They are,
(i) MCs issued by a Government Hospital/District Medical Officer
(ii) MCs issued by a registered private General Practitioner in case of less than five (05)
days of medical leave
The CMO/UMO may also request the following documents along with the MC for
further proof of illness. They are (i) receipt of payment for the MC from Government
Hospital (ii) Prescriptions of the medicines taken (iii) Medical reports such as blood
tests, etc. if medical leave of more than 05 days is required.

21

Examination Procedure, Offences and Punishments

Regulations made by the Senate and approved by the Council of the University of
Colombo under Section 136 read with Section 29 of the Universities Act No. 16 of
1978 amended by the Universities (Amendment) Act No. 7 of 1985.
REGULATIONS
These Regulations may be cited as the Examination Procedure, Offences and
Punishment Regulations No. 1 of 1986.
Examination Procedure
1. Candidates are required to be at the Examination Hall at least 15 minutes before
the commencement of each paper, but shall not enter the Hall until they are
requested to do so by the Supervisor.
2. No candidate shall be admitted to the Examination Hall for any reason
whatsoever after the expiry of half-an-hour from the commencement of the
examination. Nor shall a candidate be allowed to leave the hall until half-anhour has lapsed from the commencement of the examination or during the last
15 minutes of the paper.
3. On admission to the Hall, a candidate shall occupy the seat allotted to him and
shall not change it except on the specific instructions of the Supervisor.
4. A candidate shall have his Student Record Book and the Admission Card with
him in the Examination Hall on every occasion he presents himself for a paper.
His candidature is liable to be cancelled if he does not produce the Record Book,
when requested to do so. If he fails to bring his Record Book on any occasion, he
shall sign a declaration in respect of the paper for which he had not produced
the Record Book in the form provided for it and produce the Record Book to the
Registrar on the following day. If a candidate loses his Record Book in the course
of the Examination he shall obtain a duplicate Record Book/Identity Card from
the Registrar, for production at the Examination Hall.
5. Admission Cards signed in the presence of the Supervisor/Invigilator shall be
handed over to the Supervisor/Invigilator on each occasion when a candidate
sits a paper.
6. Candidates shall bring their own pens, ink, mathematical instruments, erasers,
pencils or any other approved equipment or stationery which they have been
instructed to bring.
7. Examination stationery (i.e. writing paper, graph paper, drawing paper, ledger
paper, precise paper etc.) will be, supplied as and when necessary. No sheet of
paper or answer book supplied to a candidate may be torn, crumpled, folded or
otherwise mutilated.
8. No candidate shall have on his person or in his clothes, or on the Admission
Card, Time Table, Record Book or any other object he is permitted to bring into
the Examination Hall, any notes, signs, formulae, or any other unauthorized

22

material. Books, notes, parcels, hand bags etc. which a candidate has brought
with him should be kept at a place indicated by the Supervisor/Invigilator. The
envelope in which the Admission Card has been posted to him should not be
brought into the Examination Hall.
9. A candidate may be required by the Supervisor to declare any item in his
possession or person.
10.Every candidate shall enter his Index Number at the appropriate place on the
answer book and on every continuation paper. He shall also enter all necessary
particulars as indicated in the cover of the answer book. A candidate who
inserts on his script an Index Number other than his own is liable to be
considered as having attempted to cheat. The Supervisor/Invigilator has the
authority to check the answer scripts of the candidates. A script that bears no
Index Number or an Index Number which cannot be identified is liable to be
rejected. No candidate shall write his name or any other identifying mark on the
answer scripts.
11.Candidates are under the authority of the Supervisor and shall assist him by
carrying out his instructions and those of his Invigilators, during the
examination and immediately before and after it.
12.Every candidate shall conduct himself in the Examination Hall and its precincts
so as not to cause disturbance or, inconvenience to the Supervisor or his staff or
to other candidates. In entering and leaving the Hall, he shall conduct himself as
quietly as possible. A candidate is liable to be excluded from the Examination
Hall for disorderly conduct.
13.Absolute silence shall be maintained in the Examination Hall and its precincts. A
candidate is not permitted for any reason whatsoever to communicate or to
have any dealings with any person other than the Supervisor/Invigilator. The
attention of the Supervisor/Invigilator shall be drawn by the candidate by
raising his hand from where he is seated.
14.After the examination has commenced, no candidate shall be permitted to leave
the Examination Hall even temporarily. In case of an emergency, the
Supervisor/Invigilator shall grant his permission to do so but the candidate will
be under his constant surveillance.
15.Candidates shall stop work promptly when ordered by the
Supervisor/Invigilator to do so. If this instruction is not followed, the
Supervisor/Invigilator has the authority to make an endorsement to this effect
on the answer scripts.
16.All calculations and rough work shall be done only on paper supplied for the
examination, and shall be cancelled and attached to the answer script. Such
work should not be done on admission cards, time tables, question papers,
record books or on any other paper. Any candidate who disregards these
instructions is liable to be considered as having written notes or outlines of
answers with the intention of copying.
17.Any answer or part of an answer which is not to be considered for the purpose
of assessment shall be neatly crossed out. If the same question has been
attempted in more than one place the answer or answers that are not to be
considered shall be neatly crossed out.

23

18.Every candidate shall hand over the answer script personally to the
Supervisor/Invigilator or remain in his seat until it is collected. On no account
shall a candidate hand over his answer script to an attendant, a minor employee
or another candidate.
19.A candidate who has handed over his answer script shall under no
circumstances be entitled to call it back.
20.No candidate shall remove his or any other candidates answer scripts from the
Examination Hall.
21.No candidate shall copy or attempt to copy from any book or paper or
notes or similar material or from the scripts of another candidate. Nor shall any
candidate either help another candidate or obtain help from another candidate
or any other person. Nor shall any candidate conduct himself so negligently that
an opportunity is given to any other candidate to read anything written by him
or to watch any practical examination performed by him. Nor shall any
candidate use or obtain any other unfair means to render improper assistance at
the examination.
22.No candidate shall submit a practical or field book or dissertation or project
study or answer script which has been done wholly or partly by anyone other
than the candidate himself.
23.No person shall impersonate a candidate at the examination nor shall any
candidate allow himself to be so impersonated by another person.
24.If circumstances arise which in the opinion of the Supervisor render the
cancellation or postponement of the examination necessary, he shall stop the
examination, collect the scripts already written and then report the matter as
soon as possible to the Vice-Chancellor/Registrar.
25.The Supervisor/Invigilator is empowered to require any candidate to make a
statement in writing on any matter which may have arisen during the course of
the examination and such statement shall be signed by the candidate. No
candidate shall refuse to make such statement or to sign it.
26.Every candidate who registers for an examination shall be deemed to have sat
the examination unless:
(a) He is permitted by the Senate for a valid reason to withdraw from such
examination on a ground acceptable to the Senate within the specified
period or
(b) He submits a medical certificate prior to the commencement of the
examination. The medial certificate shall be from the University Medical
Officer. If this is not possible, the medical certificate should be obtained
from a Government Medical Practitioner and submitted to the University
Medical Officer at the earliest possible time, but in any case not later than
one week from the first day of the examination.
27.When a candidate is unable to present himself for any part or section of an
examination, he shall notify or cause to be notified this fact to the Registrar
immediately. This should be confirmed in writing with supporting documents
within 48 hours by registered post.

24

28. A student who withdraws or absents himself from an examination shall not be
eligible for Honours at the next examination unless the Senate decides
otherwise.
29.Candidates who are unsuccessful at the first attempt will be given two further
consecutive attempts to complete the examination.
30.No student shall sit an examination, if he has exhausted the number of attempts
that he is allowed to sit that particular examination, unless he has been granted
special permission to do so by the Senate.

25

DEPARTMENT OF DEMOGRAPHY
The Department of Demography, University of Colombo, began its activities in 1997 as
a result of an upgrading of the Demographic Training and Research Unit (DTRU),
which was established within the Faculty of Arts of the then Colombo Campus of the
University of Sri Lanka, with the assistance of the United Nations Fund for Population
Activities (UNFPA) in 1973. The Department serves as the sole academic body of Sri
Lanka in providing undergraduate and postgraduate level teaching, research, and
training in Demography and Population Studies. At present, the Department is staffed
by 2 Senior Professors, 2 Senior Lecturers, 3 Lecturers, 1 Probationary Lecturer, 1
Assistant Lecturer and 4 Tutors.
1. Academic Staff
Professor W. Indralal De Silva BDevS (Colombo), MA. (ANU), PhD. (ANU) Population
projections, fertility, mortality, sexual and reproductive health, migration
Professor Lakshman Dissanayake BA, BPhil (Colombo), MA (Brussels), PhD.
(Adelaide) Regional demography, Regional development planning, Health demography
and post-disaster reconstruction.
Dr. S. Ukwatta BDevS. (JPura), PGDip. Pop. St (Colombo), PGDip. Cart.
(The Netherlands), MA (Colombo), PhD (Adelaide) Internal and international
migration, fertility, gender issues
Dr. E.L Sunethra J. Perera Head of the Department. BA, PG Dip, MA (Colombo), PhD.
(Mahidol) Internal and international migration, mortality and morbidity, sexual and
reproductive health, economic demography, population and development issues,
population ageing.
A.M.K.A. Boyagoda BA, PGDip, (Colombo), MSc. (LSE) Fertility and reproductive
health, family change and female headed households vulnerability
K.D.M.S.K. Weeratunga BA, PG Dip. , MPhil, (Colombo) Regional demography, disaster
management, population and environment
N.W.P.D.B. Nishanthi Perera BA , PG Dip. (Colombo) Sexual and reproductive health
W.D.D.G. Abeywickrama BA (Colombo)
2. Support Staff
Technical Officer:
Stenographer:
Clerk Gr. I:
Library Assistant:
Labourers:

Sarojani Perera
Kalyani Nanayakkara
S. Dhammika, K. Dharmadasa
W.V. Jayamali Udawatta
P.U. Rodrigo, A.A.D. Thameera Lakshan

26

3. Coordinators
Name

Coordinator

W.D.D.Gayathri Abeywickrema

Examinations

Nishanthi Perera

IDC representative

Dr. Swarna. Ukwatta

Internship Programme

Dr. E. L. Sunethra J. Perera

MA in Demography & Postgraduate Diploma in

Population Studies
Certificate Course on Methods of Survey
Research and on Survey Data Analysis using
SPSS
Training Workshop in Application of Research
Methods in Social Sciences

Dr. E. L. Sunethra J. Perera

Professor W. Indralal De Silva

4. Courses offered by the Department of Demography

Undergraduate Courses
Course unit code Course unit title
DMG 1101
Introduction to Demography
DMG 1204
DMG 1217
DMG/FND1202

Demography of Sri Lanka

Population Issues
Introduction to Data Analysis (SM/ TM)

DMG 2120
DMG 2122
DMG 2126
DMG 2127
DMG 2128
DMG 2218
DMG 2219
DMG 2221
DMG 2223
DMG/ELT2225
DMG 3142

Social Demography
Quantitative Methods for Demography
Population Theories
Population Policies and Programmes
Population & Environment
Migration Studies
Population and Development
Demography of the Family
Demographic Analysis
Sexual & Reproductive Health
Population Dynamics, Family Planning &
Health
Population Ageing
Fertility Studies
Regional Demography
Mortality Studies
Population Forecasting for Social &
Economic Planning.
Human Resource Development &
Manpower
Urban Demography

DMG 3147
DMG 3148
DMG 3149
DMG 3152
DMG 3243
DMG 3245
DMG 3246

27

Lecturer
Dr. S. Ukwatta/
Nishanthi Perera
Nishanthi Perera
Gayathri Abeywickrema
Dr. S. Ukwatta
R. Srikanthan
A.V. Manojani
Anuradha Nirmalee
Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake
Gayathri Abeywickrama
A.V. Manojani
Dr. E.L. Sunethra J. Perara
Nishanthi Perera
Nishanthi Perera
Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake
Nishanthi Perera
Nishanthi Perera
Dr. S. Ukwatta
Nishanthi Perera
Gayathri Abeywickrama
Dr. S. Ukwatta
Dr. E.L. Sunethra J. Perera
Dr. E.L. Sunethra J. Perara
Gayathri Abeywickrama

Course unit code

DMG 3250
DMG/ELT 3251
DMG 4160
DMG 4162
DMG 4164
DMG 4166
DMG 4168
DMG 4261
DMG 4263
DMG 4265
DMG 4267
DMG 4269
DMG 4270

Course unit title

Population and Disaster Management
Research Methodology
Computer Applications for
Demographic Analysis
Bio Statistics
Research Methods for Population
Sciences
Advanced Demographic Analysis
Labour Force Projection Methods
Population Models and their
Applications
Business Demography
Economic Demography
Internship
Literature Review
Dissertation

Lecturer
Dr. S. Ukwatta
Dr. E.L. Sunethra J. Perara
Dr. E.L. Sunethra J. Perara
Dr. E.L.Sunethra J. Perara /
Dr. E.L. Sunethra J. Perara
Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake
Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake
Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake
Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake
Dr. E.L. Sunethra J. Perara
*TBA
*TBA
*TBA

*TBA To be announced

Postgraduate Courses
Postgraduate Diploma in Population Studies
The Department of Demography of the University of Colombo conducts a one-year
Postgraduate Programme in Population Studies leading to a Diploma. Population
Studies being an interdisciplinary subject, this programme is primarily directed
towards academics, professionals and officers who work in the field of population and
related disciplines. The course is geared to provide students with theoretical
knowledge as well as methodological applications in Population Studies.
MA Programme in Demography
The Department of Demography of the University of Colombo conducts a one-year MA
Programme in Demography. This provides an opportunity for further study in the field
of population for persons who possess a sound academic background in Population
Studies/Demography and work experience in the field of population or a related
discipline. The MA degree programme is by course work and research combined, and
takes one year for completion.
MPhil/ PhD Programme in Demography
The Department of Demography of University of Colombo conducts an MPhil/PhD
Programme in Demography. The programme is directed towards students who have
demonstrated an outstanding performance in Population Studies at the postgraduate
level with proven ability in undertaking research. The MPhil degree programme is by
research and takes two years for completion. MPhil candidates who have demonstrated
outstanding performance in their proposal defence will be upgraded to PhD in
Demography.

28

Certificate courses
The Department of Demography conducts the following short courses:
1. Certificate Course on Methods of Survey Research and Survey Data Analysis
using SPSS
2. Training Workshop in Application of Research Methods in Social Sciences
5. Internship programme:
The Department of Demography has developed links with private and public
organizations to provide internship opportunities for Special Degree students.
6. Libraries and Resource Centres:
The Department of Demography maintains a reference library. The library contains
about 6000 books, journals and working papers.
7. Computer Lab:
The Department has one computer lab.
8. Student Societies:
Demographic Students Society
9. For information
Mailing address:

Department of Demography
University of Colombo
P.O. Box 1490
Colombo
Head of the Department
: Dr. E. L. Sunethra. J. Perera
Department Telephone
: +94112586111
Fax
: +94112581110
E-mail
: info@demo.cmb.ac.lk

29

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
The Department of Economics is one of the oldest and most popular departments in the
Faculty of Arts with 427 undergraduates, including students who take Economics as
one of three subjects in the General Arts degree programme, those taking Special Arts
degree in other subjects and in the Bachelor of Education, in addition to those following
the Economics Special degree programme. The Department of Economics initially
focused on undergraduate training until the early 1980s when it began turning its
attention towards the development of teaching and training at postgraduate level. The
Department of Economics in the University of Colombo was the first department to
start a taught postgraduate programme in Sri Lanka, when it commenced the
Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Development in 1984. The Department currently
offers 08 extension programmes, including 03 Masters, 02 Postgraduate Diplomas, and
1 PhD programme.
01. Academic Staff
The Department of Economics has 7 Professors, 13 Senior Lecturers, 3 Lecturers, 2
Probationary Lecturers and 9 Temporary Assistant Lecturers.
Ven. Prof. W Wimalaratana Head of the Department. BA (Peradeniya), MA
(Colombo), PhD (Nijmegen). Research Interests: Rural Development, Agro Tourism,
Buddhist Economics and Poverty.
Prof. Nimal Attanayake- BSc (Ceylon) MA (Delhi) DLSHTM (London), PhD (London).
Research Interests: Health Care Evaluation, Health Financing, Economics of Malaria
Control, Health and Poverty.
Prof. Sunil Chandrasiri-BA (Ceylon), BPhil (Colombo), MBA (Hartford), PhD (La
Trobe). Research Interests: Trade and Industry, Environmental Impact, Labour Market
and Higher Education
Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne- BA (Colombo), MA (ISS), MPhil (ISS), PhD (Amsterdam).
Research Interests: Macroeconomics, International Economics, Development
Economics
Prof. Amala de Silva BA (Colombo), MA (Sussex), DPhil (Sussex). Research Interests:
Health, Poverty, Gender, Costing of Health Systems and Diseases, Inequality
Prof. Athula Ranasinghe - BA(Colombo), MA (Thammasat), PhD (Amsterdam).
Research Interests: Statistics, Econometrics, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Labour
Economics, Economics of Education, Human Resources Management
Prof. Ranjith Bandara- BA (Peradeniya), MA (Colombo), MSc (ANU), PhD
(Queensland). Research Interests: Environmental and Natural Resource, Economics
Development and Agricultural Economics, Tourism Economics and Ecotourism,

30

Sustainable Agriculture and Price Analysis, Non-Market Valuation, Poverty and Rural
Development, Entrepreneurship Development
Dr TL Gunaruwan- BSc (Colombo), MSc (AIT), PhD (Paris). Research Interests: Public
Transport Planning and Economics, Risk Management, Integration of Environmental
Concerns into Development Planning, Power Sector Economics and Policy
Dr SP Premaratne BA (Colombo), MA (Colombo), PhD (Netherlands). Research
Interests: Micro-finance, E-business, Entrepreneurship, Business network and Small
Business Development, Gender Analysis (gender budgeting), Rural Development
Dr DCP Aluthge - BA (Colombo), MA (Colombo), MPhil (Maastricht), PhD
(Amsterdam). Research interests: Finance and Development, Financial Markets,
Monetary Policy, Inflation
Dr UPP Serasinghe BA (Peradeniya), MA (Colombo), MSc (AIT), PhD (JNU). Research
Interests: Decentralization and Development, Trade and Development, Taxation and
Public Financial Policies, Neo-Liberal Policies and Macro Economics, Informal Sector
Economy
Dr K Amirthalingam BA (Jaffna), MA (Colombo), MPhil (JNU). Ph.D. (Colombo)
Research Interests: Internal displacement and Resettlement/Relocation, Taxation,
Trade Liberalization
GI Aponsu BSc (Colombo), MA (Colombo), MPhil (Hong Kong). Research Interests:
Mathematical Economics, International Trade, International Economic Relations,
Introduction to Economics, Economic of Public Policy, Microeconomics,
Macroeconomics, International Business, Statistics
Dr DAC Silva BA (Colombo), MA (Colombo), MPhil (Maastricht), Ph.D.(Amsterdam).
Research Interests: Tourism Economics and Hotel Management, Poverty Studies,
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Eco tourism for Sustainable Tourism
Dr M Ganeshamoorthy BA (Peradeniya), MA (Colombo), Ph.D. (Netherlands).
Research Interests: Trade Policies of Developing Countries, Globalization, Political
Economy of Public Finance
SNK Mallikahewa BA (Ruhuna), MSc (Kelaniya). Research Interests: Monetary Policy
Effectiveness in Sri Lanka, Effects of Informal Financial Institutions on the Sri Lankan
Economy, Formal Financial Intermediaries and SME Development
TS Liyanaarachchi - BA (Colombo), MA (Colombo), MCOM (Melbourne), MPhil
(Colombo). Research interests: International Macro Economics, Time Series and
Financial Econometrics, Economic Geography and Poverty
Dr N Ravinthirakumaran BA (Jaffna), MA (Colombo), PhD (Singapore) Research
Interests: Political Economy, Economic Development, Poverty and Ethnic Conflict

31

Dr. DDPM Dunusinghe BA (Colombo), MA (Colombo), MA. (Kyusha) Ph.D (Colombo)

Research Interests: Regional Trading Agreements, Foreign Aid, Econometric Model
Building, Poverty Analysis
SRSDK Weerawansa BA (Kelaniya), MBA (Sri Jayawardanapura), MA (Colombo)
Research Interests: Business Economics, Business Environment, Economics of Human
Resource Management, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International Trade,
International Business
STK Kulatunga BA (Colombo), MA (Colombo) Research Interests: Conflict
Economics, Post Conflict Development, Mainstreaming Informal Financial Markets
TAM Pushpakumara BA (Colombo). Research interests: Labour Market,
Econometrics, Statistics, Microeconomics
SL Senarath BA (Colombo), MA (Colombo). Research interests: Political Economy,
Institutional Economy and Demographic Economics
BMWUCB Jayasundara - BSc. Information and Communication Technology (Colombo),
MBA (PIM Jayawardenapura) Research Interest: Project Management
02. Support Staff
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

K.H.S.M. Gunaratne Senior Staff Assistant (C.S)

D.C. Kandanaarachchi Technical Officer
G.H.S.P. Malkumara Computer Applications Assistant
K.D.Dayasiri Karyala Karya Sahayaka
Upendra Soysa -Labourer

03. Coordinators
Programme Name

Coordinator

MPhil/PhD in Economics (2013)

Prof. Athula Ranasinghe- Athula@econ.cmb.ac.lk

MPhil/PhD in Economics (2014)

Ven Prof. W. Wimalaratana wimala10@gmail.com

Masters of Financial Economics (MFE)

Rev. Prof. W. Wimalaratana wimala10@gmail.com

Masters in Economics (MECON)

Dr. K. Amirthalingam koamir22@gmail.com

Postgraduate Diploma in (Leading to

Master) Travel and Tourism
Economics
Diploma in Economic
Development (DED)
Executive Diploma in Business and
Financial Economics (EDBFE)
Diploma in Microfinance (DMF)

Dr. D.A.C.Silva - drsuranga3@gmail.com

Diploma in Travel and Tourism

Economics and Hotel Management
(DTTEHM)

Dr. D.A.C.Silva - drsuranga3@gmail.com

Dr DDPM Dunusinghe - pmdunu@yahoo.com

Dr.S.P.Premaratne sppremaratne@yahoo.com
Dr.S.P.Premaratne sppremaratne@yahoo.com

32

04. Courses offered by the Department of Economics

Unit Code
ECN 1101

Name of the Course Unit

Elementary Micro Economics

ECN 1202

Elementary Macro Economics

FND 1216

Quantitative Methods for

Economics

ECN 2114
ELT2131
ECN 2116

Rural Development and Agriculture

Marketing
Micro Economics

ECN 2117

Money and Banking

ECN 2120

Economics of Human Resource

Management
Introduction to Public Finance

ECN 2135

ECN 2137/ELT Introduction to Tourism Economics

2121
and Management

Medium
S
E
T
S
E
T
S
E
T
S/E

Name of Lecturer(s)
S.N.K. Mallikahewa
Dr. M. Ganeshamoorthy
N. Gurusanth
Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne
Prof Sirimal Abeyratne
Dr K. Amirthalingam
Chinthaka Jayasundara
N. Gurusanth

S/E
T
S/E
T
S/E

Ven. Prof. W.
Wimalaratana
Indrajith Aponsu
N. Gurusanth
Dr U.P.P.Serasinghe
Visiting Staff
S.R.S.D.K. Weerawansa

S/E
T
S/E

Dr UPP Serasinghe
Dr K. Amirthalingam
Dr D.A.C. Silva

ECN 2118

Business Environment

S/E

S.R.S.D.K. Weerawansa

ECN 2134

International Economic Relations

S/E

Indrajith Aponsu

ECN 2226

Macro Economics

ECN 2227

Business Statistics

S/E
T
S/E

Dr U.P.P. Serasinghe
Dr M. Ganeshamoorthy
Prof Nimal Attanayake

ECN 2228/ELT World Economy

2232

S/E

Ven. Prof. W.
Wimalaratana

ECN 2220

S/E

S.R.S.D.K. Weerawansa

ECN 2236

Economics of Human Resource

Management
Financial Markets

S/E

ECN 2115

Macro Economics

I. Perera/
W.A.D.N. Dilrukshi
Prof Sirimal Abeyratne

ECN 2119

Micro Economics

Prof Amala de Silva

ECN 2132

Mathematical Economics

Chinthaka Jayasundara

ECN 2224

Economic Analysis

Dr DDPM Dunusinghe

ECN 2223

Quantitative Techniques

Dr DDPM Dunusinghe

33

ECN 2230
ECN 2238
ELT 2121

ELT 2219

Applied Economics
Statistical Methods
Introduction to Tourism Economics
and Management
Business Environment
Rural Development and Agriculture
Marketing
Economics of Human Resource
Management
Sri Lanka in the World Economy

ELT 2227

Introduction to Economics

S/E
T
S/E

ELT 2232

World Economy

S/E

ECN 3141

Issues in Economic Development

ECN 3143
ECN 3148

Economics of capital Budgeting

Consumer Studies and Marketing

S
T
S
S

ECN 3145
ECN 3161
ECN 3169

E
E
E

ECN 3176
ECN 3251
ECN 3252
ECN 3253

Introduction to Econometrics
Monetary Economics and Policy
Economic Development of Sri
Lanka
Development Economics
Business Economics
International Economics
Sri Lankan Economy

ECN 3268

Poverty Analysis

ECN 3279

Project Appraisal & Planning

ELT 2123
ELT 2131
ELT 2133

E
E
S/E

Prof Amala de Silva

Chinthaka Jayasundara
Dr DAC Silva

S/E
S/E
S/E

SRSDK Weerawansa
Ven Prof. W
Wimalaratana
SRSDK Weerawansa
Dr UPP Serasinghe
Dr M Ganeshamoorthy
Prof Nimal Attanayake

ECN 3280
Environmental Economics
ECN 3181/ELT Principles of Marketing
3152
ECN 3264
Economics of Financial Markets &
Policy
ECN 3255
Econometric Analysis (Time Series)

T
T

Ven. Prof W.
Wimalatratana
GI Aponsu
Dr. M Ganeshamoorthy
BMWUCB Jayasundara
Ven. Prof W
Wimalaratana
Dr. DDPM Dunusinghe
Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne
Ven. Prof W
Wimalaratana
Dr K. Amirthalingam
SRSDK Weerawansa
GI Aponsu
Ven Prof W
Wimalaratana
Dr K. Amirthalingam
I Perera/ WADN
Dilrukshi
I Perera/ WADN
Dilrukshi
Dr M Ganeshamoorthy
Dr K Amirthalingam

Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne

Dr D.D.P.M. Dunusinghe

ECN 3284
ECN 3256

Comparative Economic System

Investment Planning and Appraisal

E
E

Prof. Nimal Attanayake

Dr D.D.P.M. Dunusinghe

ECN 3285

Economics of Sustainable
Development
Industrial Economics & Policy
Introduction to Transport
Economics
Economics of Sea and Air Transport
Gender Economics

E
E
E

Ven Prof. W.
Wimalaratana
Dr D.A.C. Silva
Visiting Staff

E
S/E

Visiting Staff
Prof. Amala de Silva

ECN 3273
ECN 3282
ECN 3263
ELT 3145

E
S
S
S
T

34

ELT 3243

Tourism Economics & Hotel

Management
Consumer Studies and Marketing

S/E

Dr. D.A.C. Silva

ELT 3246

Poverty & Social Integration in Sri

Lanka

S/E

ECN 4103

Research Methodology - Thesis

Writing

ECN 4160
ECN 4161

Maritime Regulation & Insurance

Standards and Functions of Marine
Agents
Planning of Shipping and Port
Operations
Economics of Sea Transport
Topics in Advanced Economics
Theory
Industrial Policy
Environmental Economics
Regulation of Financial Markets
Central Banking & Monetary Policy
Principles of Insurance
Practice of Banking
Advanced Econometrics Cross
Section
Health Economics
Agricultural Economics
Economic Analysis of Projects and
Investment Planning
Labour Economics
Post Keynesian Economics
Internship I Work
experience(minimum of 12 weeks)
Internship II Research Paper
Not conduct lectures
International Finance

Lectures
not
conduct
E
E

Ven Prof W
Wimalaratana
I Perera/
WADN Dilrukshi
T. Samarasekara
Dr DDPM Dunusinghe

ELT 3150

ECN 4162
ECN 4163
ECN 4171
ECN 4173
ECN 4175
ECN 4180
ECN 4181
ECN 4184
ECN 4185
ECN 4188
ECN 4192
ECN 4193
ECN 4198
ECN 4197
ECN 4199
ECN 4201
ECN 4202
ECN 4272

Visiting staff
Visiting staff

Visiting staff

E
E

Visiting staff
Dr SP Premaratne

Dr SP Premaratne

E
E
E
E
E

BMWUCB Jayasundara
SNK Mallikahewa
Visiting Staff
Visiting Staff
Dr DDPM Dunusinghe

E
E

Prof Amala de Silva

Visiting
Dr S.P. Premaratne

E
E

S.N.K. Mallikahewa
Dr M. Ganeshamoorthy

All Senior Staff

E

Dr M. Ganeshamoorthy

E
E
E

Ven Prof W.
Wimalarathana
Dr. S.P. Premaratne
Dr D.D.P.M. Dunusinghe

Dr. D.D.P.M. Dunusinghe

ECN 4280

Current Issues in the World

Economy
Entrepreneurship
Advanced Econometrics :Time
Series
Financial Sector Econometric
Models
Comparative Economic Systems

Prof. Nimal Attanayake

ECN 4264

Transport Policy Analysis

Visiting Staff

ECN 4285
ECN 4289
ECN 4290
ECN 4294

35

Streams :
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

06.

Banking and Finance

Economic Theory and Applications
Trade and Industry
Development Policy and Management
Transport Economics and Commercial Shipping

Internship Programmes
Students following the Special Degree in Economics at the Department of
Economics of the University of Colombo are required to undergo an internship
training programme in the second semester of their final year. During the
internship period each student is required to work closely with an institutional
supervisor attached to the respective organization where the student is
following his/her internship. The institutional supervisor (mentor) involves the
student in the organizations work by assigning specific tasks and helps the
student to increase his/her soft skills as well as skills relevant to the
organization where the student is undergoing internship training. Students are
required to maintain a log book, with entries on a weekly basis, and must get the
signature of the institutional supervisor as proof of the work the student has
carried out during the week. Students are also entrusted to a university staff
member who will liaise with the institutional supervisor regarding their work.
This programme is geared to developing the quality of undergraduates, in order
to improve their competitiveness in the job market and enhance their skills for
the future.

07.

Prizes
Undergraduates of the Department of Economics receive annually
scholarships from the following sources.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Prof. Indrarathne Foundation - three scholarships for the Best Student in the
First Year
Neil Bandaranayake Memorial Prizes for the Best Student in Arts
Jayasooriya Prize for Best Student in Economics
Prof. PC Rodrigo - three scholarships for the Best Student in the First Year

08.

Student Support Nil

09.

Libraries and Resource Centres

The Economics Library, located in the Arts Faculty of the University of Colombo,
has a collection of over 8000 books, journals, theses, and reports. The library
holds core reading material relevant to the undergraduate programs, certificate
courses, diplomas and postgraduate courses conducted by the Department of
Economics.
The Development Resource Centre located next to the library provides access to
all World Bank publications free of charge.

36

All registered students are entitled to use the library. It is open from Monday
through Sunday from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm.
Users are allowed to borrow two (02) books at a time for a period of 3 - 5 days.
A book loan can be extended only once and that too only if no one else has
reserved it. A fine of 20/- per day will be charged in respect of each book not
returned by the due date. Contact the Library on +94 112502722 or
library@econ.cmb.ac.lk for more information.
10.

Economics Computer Unit (ECU)

The Economics Computer Unit provides computer facilities for final year
Economics Special Degree students and postgraduate students of the
Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts. The ECU is presently equipped with
23 Client Computers, Server, B&W printer and colour printer.
Training and Self-use
The ECU programme consists of two components: training and personal use.
Under the personal use component of the ECU, facilities are made available to
students to use computers for self-learning and for academic purposes. During
personal use/training sessions, in addition to the teacher or instructor,
Computer Applications Assistant will also assist students. Undergraduate
students should get prior permission from the Head of the Department of
Economics or Co-coordinator/ECU for both training and personal use sessions.
Registered postgraduate students can use the ECU for both training and
personal use, but for training programmes only with a prior booking.
Postgraduate students can use the ECU for personal use at any time unless the
ECU is occupied for a training programme.
Training programmes
Training programmes can be conducted at the ECU by outside
organizations/persons on payment for computer usage and fee for ECU
employee. Such training programmes can only be conducted in the evenings
between 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. on week days, between 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm on
Saturday and between 9.00 am 6.00pm on Sunday.
ECU will conduct Computer Training programmes for students who need to
use econometrics and acquire basic computer skills. These training programmes
will be conducted for a team of students and not on an individual basis. Students
will have to pay a reasonable fee for these training programmes.

37

11. Student Societies

I.
Economics society
Senior Treasurer: SRSDK Weerawansa
II.

Tourism Society
Senior Treasurer: Dr. DAC Silva

III.

The Association of Postgraduate Alumni in Economics

The Association of Postgraduate Alumni in Economics, University of
Colombo, was formed in December 2000 to foster fraternity amongst the
alumni and also to strengthen postgraduate training in Economics in
Sri Lanka.

12. Links with foreign universities and foreign student exchange programmes
South Asian Economics Students Meet - SAESM
The South Asian Economics Students Meet (SAESM) is an annual event which is
organized by the Departments of Economics in the South Asian region, including
University of Colombo (Sri Lanka), University of New Delhi (India), Lahore
University of Management Science (Pakistan), Katmandu University (Nepal) and
University of Dhaka (Bangladesh). SAESM started its journey from New Delhi in
2004 and has been successfully hosted by Lahore in 2005, Dhaka in 2006,
Colombo in 2007, New Delhi in 2008 and Dhaka in 2009. In 2010 the meet
returned to Colombo, on a much grander scale. This meet is an attempt to bring
together students pursuing undergraduate programmes in Economics in South
Asian countries and to provide them a platform to discuss and learn about the
development of this region and in turn to contribute towards ensuring a better
and progressive South Asia for all. In 2011 the meet will be in University of
Deghistudidi Trento. During this year under review major attention was given
to organizing student participation for the SAESM in December to be held in
Lahore, Pakistan. The Department of Economics has been involved with this
programme since 2004. Dr D.D.P.M. Dunusinghe and S.R.S.D.K. Weerawansa are
currently coordinating SAESM. The Department invited students from other
Economics departments of the university system of Sri Lanka to participate in
this international event.
13.

For Information
Mailing Address:

Department of Economics,
University of Colombo,
PO Box 1490, Colombo,
Sri Lanka.

Head of the Department

: headeconomicscolombo@gmail.com
Department General
: info@econ.cmb.ac.lk
Department Computer Lab : itunit@econ.cmb.ac.lk
Department Telephone:
Department Fax:
Library Tel:

+94112582666/+94112580154
+94112502722
+94112502722 +94112596889

38

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
The Department of English offers a range of courses for students who are interested in
English Literature, Language and Cultural Studies. It caters to a diverse student
community, and focuses on both practical and theoretical aspects of teaching and
learning English. The Department consists of seven permanent members of staff with a
wide range of interests from post-colonial and feminist theory to Literature, Linguistics
and Theatre Studies. The Department of English has 1 Senior Professor, 1 Professor, 3
Senior Lecturers, 1 Lecturer, 1 Probationary Lecturer, 2 Temporary Lecturers and 1
Tutor.
1.

Academic Staff

Prof. Neloufer de Mel - MA (Peradeniya), PhD (University of Kent at Canterbury).

Research Interests: Afro-Caribbean Literature, Nationalism and Theatre, Gender
Studies, Post-colonial/Culture Studies.
Dr. Dushyanthi Mendis - Head of the Department. MA (Ohio), PhD (University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor). Research interests : Corpus Linguistics, Discourse and Genre
Analysis, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), Language Policy and Planning.
Prof. Neluka Silva - MSc (Oxford), PhD (Leeds). Research interests : European Drama,
South Asian Writing and Theatre, Post-colonial and Culture Studies, Sri Lankan
Teledrama and Film, Applied Linguistics.
Dr. Shermal Wijewardene - MPhil (Oxford), PhD (Monash). Research interests:
Womens Writing, Critical Theory, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Film Studies.
Dinithi Karunanayake (On PhD study leave) - MA (London). Research interests:
South Asian Literature, Postcolonial, Cultural and Translation Studies, AfricanAmerican Womens Writing, Sri Lankan Writing in English.
Dr. Shravika D. Amarasekera - MA (Kelaniya), MA (Manchester), PhD (Manchester).
Research interests: Childhood Studies, Sri Lankan Writing in English, Postcolonial and
Culture Studies.
Pavitra Tantrigoda (On PhD study leave) -BA (Colombo). Research interests: Critical
Theory, Culture Studies, Globalization, Shakespeare Studies.
2. Support Staff
D.I.J.G. Walpita Senior Staff Assistant
T.W. Sisiralal Labourer Gr. I
E.A.J.K. Alwis Labourer Gr. III
3. Coordinators
Post

Coordinator

Examinations Coordinator

Dr. Shravika D. Amarasekera

IDC Representative

Dr. Shermal Wijewardene

MA in English Studies

Dr. Shermal Wijewardene

39

Courses offered by the Department

Unit Code

Name of the Course

Unit

Medium of
Instruction

Name of
Lecturer(s)

ENG 1103

Introduction to Drama
and Fiction
Written Composition

EM

Prof. N. Silva

EM

Introduction to the
English Language
Introduction to Poetry
and Poetry Criticism

EM

Ruhanie Perera
Esther
Surenthiraraj
Esther
Surenthiraraj
Dr. D. Mendis

Year 1
Semester One

FND 1105
ENG 1201

Semester Two
ENG 1202

Year 2
General Degree Programme
ENG 2114
Gendering Literature
ENG 2116 History of the English
Language
Semester One

ENG 2121
ENG 2117
ELT 2124

Semester Two

ENG 2220
ENG 2222
ENG 2223

Special Degree Programme

ENG 2124

Semester One

ENG 2127
ENG 2128
ENG 2118
ENG 2219

Semester Two

ENG 2230
ENG 2231
ENG 2232

Metaphysical and
Neoclassical Poetry
Discourses in Migrant
Writing
Gendering Literature

EM

EM
EM

Prof. N. de Mel
Temporary
Staff/*TBA

EM
EM

Temporary
Staff/*TBA
Ruhanie Perera

EM

Prof. N. de Mel

Medieval Drama to 1642 EM

Literary and Cinematic
EM
Narrative
The Novel in the 18th
EM
and 19th Centuries

Prof. N. Silva/*TBA
Prof. N. de Mel

History of the English

Language

EM

Temporary
Staff/TBA

Gendering Literature
Metaphysical and
Neoclassical Poetry
Discourses in Migrant
Writing
The Novel in the 18th
and 19th Centuries
Medieval Drama to
1642
Literary and Cinematic
Narrative
English Across the
World

EM
EM
EM

Prof. N. de Mel
Temporary
Staff/*TBA
Ruhanie Perera

EM

Dr. S. Wijewardene

EM

Prof. N. Silva/TBA

EM

Prof. N. de Mel

EM

Esther
Surenthiraraj

40

Dr. S. Wijewardene

Year 3
General Degree Programme
ENG 3143
ENG 3144
Semester One

ENG 3148
ENG 3145
ENG 3166
ENG 3246
ENG 3261

Semester Two

ENG 3267
ENG 3251

Special Degree Programme

ENG 3149
ENG 3162
Semester One

ENG 3158
ENG 3163
ENG 3165
ENG 3252

Semester Two

ENG 3259
ENG 3264
ENG 3268

The Romantic Age

EM

Studies in
Sociolinguistics
Sri Lankan English
Studies
Thematic Approaches
to the Modern Novel
Shakespeare Studies

EM

Dr. S. D.
Amarasekera/*TBA
Dr. D. Mendis

EM

Esther Surenthiraraj

EM

Ruhanie Perera

EM

Modern Drama Studies

I
Introduction to Second
Language Acquisition
Poetry of the Victorian
Era
Studies in
Contemporary South
Asian Literature

EM

Prof. N. Silva
Dr. S. Wijewardene
Ruhanie Perera

Shakespeare Studies

EM

Thematic Approaches
to the Modern Novel
Sri Lankan English
Studies
Studies In
Sociolinguistics
The Romantic Age

EM

Prof. N. Silva
Dr. S. Wijewardene
Ruhanie Perera

EM

Esther Surenthiraraj

EM

Dr. D. Mendis

EM

Studies in
Contemporary South
Asian Literature
Modern Drama Studies I

EM

Dr. S. D.
Amarasekera /*TBA
Prof. N. Silva

EM

Ruhanie Perera

Introduction to Second
Language Acquisition
Poetry of the Victorian
Era

EM

Dr. D. Mendis
Esther Surenthiraraj
Dr. S. D.
Amarasekera

41

EM
EM
EM

EM

Dr. D. Mendis
Esther Surenthiraraj
Dr. S. D.
Amarasekera
Prof. N. Silva

Year 4

Semester One

ENG 4170

Discourse Analysis

EM

ENG 4175

Modern Drama Studies

II
Medieval Poetry:
Geoffrey Chaucer
Dissertation 1:
Introduction to
Research Methodology
Independent Study:
War and Community:
Literary and cinematic
Treatments from South
Asia.
John Miltons Paradise
Lost
Stage and Performance
Postcolonial African
Writing
Dissertation II
Language Policy and
Planning
Independent Study :
First Language
Acquisition and
Bilingualism

EM

Dr. D. Mendis
Esther
Surenthiraraj
Prof. N. Silva

EM

Dr. S. Wijewardene

EM

Dr. S. D.
Amarasekera

EM

Prof. N. de
Mel/Ruhanie
Perera

EM

EM
EM

Dr. S. Wijewardene
Ruhanie Perera
Ruhanie Perera
Dr. S. D.
Amarasekera
*TBA
Dr. D. Mendis

EM

Prof. N. Silva

ENG 4180
ENG 4197
ENG 4198

ENG 4271

Semester Two

ENG 4272
ENG 4277
ENG 4281
ENG 4282
ENG 4283

EM
EM

*TBA To be announced

Postgraduate Courses
The Department of English offers a two-year MA programme with a research
component, titled the MA in English Studies. It focuses on Literature, Linguistics,
Language and Culture Studies. More details are available on the Department website.
4.

Student support

Writing Workshops The Department of English offers a series of writing workshops

for students whose writing and language skills need improvement. Students can
register with a writing tutor who will address their specific writing problems. The
Department also has an early warning system for students whose grades are weak
and for students who are thought to be underperforming.
5.

The Resource Centre

The Department of Englishs Resource Centre, located in Room 116 of the Faculty of
Arts, houses a sizable collection of books and other resource material useful to students
of English. Students taking English as a subject can obtain membership and borrow up
to two books for a period of two weeks. In addition to this, the Resource Centre offers
photocopying facilities and limited computer facilities to students of the Department.

42

6.

Student Societies

The Department of English gives direction to the English Drama Society of the
University of Colombo (DramSoc) and its current Senior Treasurer is Professor Neluka
Silva of the Department of English. The DramSoc regularly sponsors workshops for
students of the University interested in theatre. In the past, workshops have been
conducted by well-known dramatists such as William Scott Richards and Ruwanthi De
Chickera.
7.

Links with foreign universities

Since 2006, the Department of English has been involved in a collaborative linguistics
research project with Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany, in compiling an
electronic corpus of written and spoken Sri Lankan English. The Department is also a
partner in a student and staff academic exchange program which comes under the
purview of an MOU signed between Justus Liebig University (JLU) and the University of
Colombo. Under this exchange program, the Department has hosted a Senior Lecturer
and four undergraduate students from JLU, and sent three of its own students for a
semesters study in Giessen, Germany in the past year.
8.

For further information

Mailing address: Department of English
University of Colombo
P.O. Box 1490
Colombo
Department Telephone: +94112500438
Fax
: +94112500438
Email
: head@english.cmb.ac.lk

43

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
The Department of Geography is one of the first few Departments to be established in
the University of Ceylon in Colombo in 1942. This department was shifted to University
of Peradeniya in 1952 when the Faculty of Arts moved there. Subsequently when a
second Faculty of Arts was begun in 1963 in Colombo, affiliated to the University of
Ceylon in Peradeniya, several sub-departments were established. The Department of
Geography has 2 Professors, 1 Associate Professor, 7 Senior Lecturers, 3 Lecturers, 5
Temporary Assistant Lecturers, 1 Temporary Tutor and 1 Temporary Research
Assistant, and 1 academic support member.
1. Academic Staff
Prof. S.A. Norbert - Head of the Department. MSc, MPhil (Madras). Research interests:
Climatology, Regional Development, Regional Planning and Tourism
Prof. L. Manawadu, MSc (AIT), PhD (Colombo). Research interests: Urban Planning,
Special reference to GIS and RS,
Prof. W.N. Wilson, BA, BPhil. (Colombo), MA (Colombo), Dip. Gemorphology (ITC
The Netherlands). Research interests: Geomorphology
R. M. Dissanayake, BA (Ceylon), Dip Gemorphology (ITC The Netherlands), Dip Land
Settlement and Develoment (Ceylon). Research interests: Hydrology and Air photo
interpretation
R. Srikanthan, BPhil (Colombo), Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Survey (ITC The
Nethlands), MA (Colombo). Research interests: Cartography, Quantitative Geography,
Population studies
R.N. Gunatilake, MPhil (Colombo). Research interests: Transport Geography,
Quantitative Geography, Population, Research Methodology
D.M. Karunadasa, MPhil (Colombo). Research interests: Cartography, Agricultural
Geography and Regional Development
E.M.S. Ranasighe, MA (Brunei). Research interests: Meteorology and Climatology
M. O. Perera, MPhil (Norway). Research interests: Human Geography, Population
Geography, Economic Geography, Industrial Geography
Dr. R.U.K Piyadasa, MSc, PhD (Moscow). Research interests: Hydrogeology and
Engineering Geology
F. Ruzaik, MSc (Sri Jayawardenapura). Research interests: Environmental pollution &
Management, Environmental Hazards, Eco tourism & Forestry
C.M.K.N.K. Chandrasekera, MSc (Peradeniya). Research interests: Biogeography,
Ground water pollution.
Y.A. Karunarathna, BA (Colombo), MSc (Peradeniya), PG Dip (ISM Colombo)

44

Academic Support staff

D.K.C. Mahakumarage - Computer System Analyst, (MSc, Colombo), Computer Science,
BSc (Colombo)
2. Support Staff
Y. N. Neranjala
R.S. Vithana
M.A.N.R. De Zoysa
P.K. Sujani
G.V.S. Dayawansa
B.W.H.B. Senanayake

Staff Assistant
Library Assistant
Technical Officer
Technical Officer
Lab Attendant
Office Labourer

3. Coordinators
Programme

Programme Coordinator

Postgraduate Diploma in Environment and

Regional Development

R. Srikanthan

Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

Library
Examinations

Dr. R.U.K Piyadasa

C.M.K.N.K. Chandrasekera
F. Ruzaik

Courses offered by Department of Geography

Course unit
code
GYG 1102
GYG 1106

Course unit title

Lecturer

Cartography
Principles of Geography

GYG 1202

Cartography

ELT 2118
GYG 2117

Environment & Development

Economic & Social Geography

GYG 2118
GYG 2126
GYG 2127

Geomorphology
Advanced Geomorphology
Population Geography

GYG 2128

Cartography

GYG 2129

Locational Analysis

GYG 2133

Physical Environment of Sri Lanka

GYG 2135

Principles of Geology

Y.A. Karunarathne
Prof. W.N. Wilson
Prof. S.A. Norbert
Fareena Ruzaik
R. Srikanthan
Y.A. Karunarathne
All staff
S. Suaytha
P.L.C. Gunarathna
Y.A. Karunarathne
Prof. W.N. Wilson
R. Srikanthan
K.K.E Perera
Prof. L. Manawadu
R. Srikanthan
Y.A. Karunarathne
Prof. L. Manawadu
R. Srikanthan
R.M. Dissanayake
Dr. R.U.K. Piyadasa
Y.A. Karunarathne
Fareena Ruzaik
Dr. R.U.K. Piyadasa

45

Course unit
code
GYG 2216

Course unit title

Lecturer

Cartography & Field Techniques

GYG 2220
GYG 2221
GYG 2225

Bio-Geography
Climatology
Mathematics

GYG 2230

Third World Urbanization

GYG 2231

Meteorology & Climatology

GYG 2232

Locational Models in Geography

GYG 2234
GYG 3141

Development Perspectives of Sri

Lanka
Geography of Sri Lanka

GYG 3142

Tropical Environment of Geography

GYG 3148

Agriculture, Industry & Settlements

GYG 3149

Hydrology

GYG 3150
GYG 3152

Past Climates & Climatic Changes

Research Methodology & Field
Techniques
Computer Applications
Regional patterns in Development

R. Srikanthan
Y.A. Karunarathne
V.P.I.S. Wijeratne
K.K.E Perera
D.K.C. Mahakumarage
M. Murali Manoharan
K.K.E. Perera
P.J Krushni
P.L.C. Gunarathna
S.Suaytha
R. Srikanthan
Prof. L. Manawadu
Y.A. Karunarathne
F. Ruzaik
All staff
F. Ruzaik
F. Ruzaik
Y.A. Karunarathne
Dr. R.U.K. Piyadasa
Prof. W.N. Wilson
Prof. L. Manawadu
R. Srikanthan
Y.A. Karunarathne
R.M. Dissanayake
P.J. Krushni
*TBA
R. Srikanthan
V.P.I.S. Wijeratne
D.K.C. Mahakumarage
Y.A. Karunarathne
R. Srikanthan
Dr. R.U.K. Piyadasa
F. Ruzaik
All staff
S. Suaytha
P.J. Krushni
V.P.I.S. Wijeratne
Prof. S.A. Norbert
K.K.E. Perera
Prof. L. Manawadu
Prof. W.N. Wilson
R. Srikanthan
V.P.I.S. Wijeratne
F. Ruzaik
F. Ruzaik
M.O. Perera
Prof. S.A. Norbert
R. Srikanthan

GYG 3158
GYG 3243
GYG 3245

GYG 3253

Environmental Hazards &

Management
Geographical Thought
& Methodology
Bio-Geography

GYG 3254

Agro Climatology

GYG 3259
GYG 3261
GYG 3262

Introduction to GIS
Coastal Geomorphology
Quantitative Analysis

GYG 3263
GYG 4171

Medical Geography
Comparative Regional Studies

GYG 4183
GYG 4190

Applied Meteorology & Climatology

Population Studies

GYG 3251

46

Course unit
code
GYG 4173

Course unit title

Lecturer

Air Photo-Interpretation

GYG 4179
GYG 4272
GYG 4181

Advanced Agricultural Geography

Applied Geomorphology
Applied Hydrology

GYG 4191
GYG 4197
GYG 4280
GYG 4275
GYG 4277
GYG 4282
GYG 4284
GYG 4289

Applied Soil Science

Dissertation
GIS Application
Environmental Pollution &
Planning
Transport Geography
Applied Bio-Geography
Rural and Regional Development
Air Photo Interpretation

GYG 4294
GYG 4292
GYG 4293
GYG 4298

Advanced Industrial Geography

Geography of Tourism & Recreation
Environmental Geology
Dissertation

Prof. S.A. Norbert

Prof. W.N. Wilson
R.M. Dissanayake
Not offered
Prof. W.N. Wilson
Prof. S.A. Norbert
R.M. Dissanayake
Dr. R.U.K. Piyadasa
All staff
Prof. L. Manawadu
Dr. R.U.K. Piyadasa
F. Ruzaik
R.N. Gunathilake
H.K.N. Karunarathne
Prof. S.A. Norbert
Prof. S.A. Norbert
H.K.N. Karunarathne
M.O. Perera
Prof. S.A. Norbert
Dr. R.U.K. Piyadasa
All Staff

*TBA To be announced

4.1

Postgraduate Diploma in Environment & Regional Development

This programme provides candidates with a comprehensive theoretical and
practical background in the field of Environmental and Regional Development.
Further this programme provides an opportunity to candidates to follow a
Masters Degree in Geography after the successful completion of the diploma.

4.2

Certificate Course in Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

Disaster Risk Management is a comparatively new area of social concern and
practice. However, it is a very relevant concern for development cooperation
given that natural disasters have devastated an increasing number of regions,
destroyed investments and set back progress in development. This course helps
in strengthening the capacity of individuals to reduce the impact of disaster
through enhancing their knowledge and skills to promote and adopt disaster
reduction practices as an integral part of the development process at
community, national, and sub-regional levels.

Prizes
Prof. Kusuma Gunawardena Memorial Prize
Prof. Y. Rasanayagam Award

47

6.

Libraries and Resource Centre

The Department of Geography library is overseen by Library Assistant, R.S.
Vithana.

7.

Laboratories
The Department of Geography has well-equipped laboratories such as the GIS
Lab, the Soil Laboratory (donated by NUFFIC Netherlands Universities Fund for
International Cooperation), Cartography Laboratory and Computer Lab. P.K.
Sujani and M.A.N.R. Zoysa are the Technical Support Officers for these
laboratories.

8.

Student Societies
The Department of Geography has a Geography Students Society.

9.

For further information :http:/www.com.ac.lk/academic/arts/Geo/index.htm,

Tel/Fax: 0112500458
Email: hod@geo.com.as.lk

48

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
The Department of History in its present form is heir to one of the oldest departments
in the University of Colombo, created when the University of Ceylon established a
second Faculty of Arts in Colombo in the early 1960s. World renowned distinguished
scholars such as Professor Lakshman Perera, Professor Tikiri Abeyasinghe, Professor
Lorna Dewaraja, Professor Kumari Jayawardena, Professor Shelton Kodikara, Professor
B.E.S.J. Bastiampillai, Professor G.R.T. Leitan and Professor Indrani Munasinghe have
been at the forefront of the discipline as we know it today. The vision of the
Department is to be a centre of excellence through intertwining knowledge
enhancement with research excellence. To achieve the mission of ensuring excellence
in learning and knowledge creation with an ethical commitment, the Department
strives to provide students with some key competencies that will help them in their
future professional life. It aims to equip them with the necessary skills to adapt to any
type of challenging work environment. It aims to create a graduate who will have a
sense of justice and integrity, intellectual honesty and tolerance towards difference.
The Department of History has 4 Senior Lecturers, 1 Probationary Lecturer and 2
Tutors.
1. Academic Staff
Dr. Nimal Ranjith Dewasiri Head of the Department. MPhil (Colombo), PhD
(Leiden). Research interests: State Formation, Colonial encounter, Peasant Students,
Post-Colonial State Building in Sri Lanka
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena - MPhil (Peradeniya), PhD (York). Research interests: Social
and Cultural History, Gender Studies
Nirmalee Wijegoonewardena - MPhil (Colombo), Post Graduate Diploma in Peace
and Conflict Studies (Uppsala). Research interests: Modern South Asia, War & Military
History, War Studies
Dr. Anuththaradevi Widyalankara - MA (Uppsala), PhD (Kelaniya). Research
interests: Architectural History, Material Culture and Social History, Studies on
Cultural Minorities
A.K.C. Sewwandi - BA (Colombo), MSc (Kelaniya). Research interests: Social History of
Pre-modern Times
J.A.D.Jayakody - BA (Colombo)
K.M.N.S.Weerasingha - BA (Colombo)
2. Support staff -

K.A.D.Thilini Rangika
Temporary Computer Application Assistant

Position
Examinations Coordinator
IDC Representative, Certificate/MA in
History
Course Coordinator

Name
Dr. Y.A.Widyalankara
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena

49

3. Courses offered by the Department of History

Undergraduate Courses
Course
Code
HIS 1101
HIS 1202
FND 1113
FND 1211

Course Title

Lecturer
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
Dr. Y.A.Widyalankara
Dr. Janaki Jayawardene/ Coordinator
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri

HIS 2122

Introduction to History
Sri Lanka & World History
Introduction to Gender Studies
Peace and Conflict Processes in Sir
Lankan: A multi-disciplinary
introduction
Sri Lanka in the Pre-modern Times I

HIS 2123
HIS 2136
HIS 2137
HIS 2220
HIS 2224
HIS 2238
HIS 2239
HIS 3250
HIS 3164

History Writing New Directions

History of Religions
History Of Colonialism in Sri Lanka
Modern Europe
History of the Indian Ocean
Methods of Historical inquiry
History of the Americas
History of Art
History of Capitalism

Dr. Janaki Jayawardena

Dr. Y.A.Widyalankara
A.K.C.Sewwandi
Nirmali Wijegoonawardena
Dr. Y.A.Widyalankara
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena
Nirmali Wijegoonawardena
Dr. Y.A.Widyalankara
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena

HIS 3169
HIS 3170
HIS 3171
HIS 3266

African History up to 1870

Themes in Indian History
Themes in History of the Middle East
Sri Lanka in the Pre-modern Times II

Nirmali . Wijegoonawardena
A.K.C.Sewwandi
A.K.C.Sewwandi
A.K.C.Sewwandi

HIS 3267

East & South East Asia Political,

Economic & Cultural Changes
Gender, Nation and Ideology
History of Colonialism in Sri Lanka II
Selected Documents

A.K.C.Sewwandi

HIS 3268
HIS 3272
HIS 4175
HIS 4189/
PSC 4185
HIS 4190
HIS 4193
HIS 4197

Dr. Y.A.Widyalankara

Dr. Janaki Jayawardena

Dr. Janaki Jayawardena
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena

The State, The Military, Revolts and

Revolutions
History of Eastern Europe
Evolution of the Modern
Historiography in Sir Lanka
Dissertation

Nirmali Wijegoonawardena
Nirmali Wijegoonawardena
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri

HIS 4276

Economic Changes in Sri Lanka since

Independence

HIS 4291

Languages for Historical Inquiry

HIS 4292
HIS 4294
HIS 4297

Discourse Analysis of Popular History

of Sri Lanka
Society and Politics of Post-Colonial Sri
Lanka

Supervision by all staff members of the

Department
Dr. Y.A.Widyalankara
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
Prof.L.A.D.A.Tissa Kumara
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
Nirmali Wijegoonawardena
Supervision by all staff members of the
Department

Dissertation

50

Postgraduate Courses
Certificate Course in History
The Department has decided recently to begin a Certificate Course in History targeting
school teachers who teach grades eight to ten or Ordinary Level (O/L) and those who
teach Advanced Level (A/L) classes. Since history has become a compulsory subject in
the school curriculum, it is a great necessity to give a broader understanding of the
subject as well as different teaching methods to teach History. The course is designed
to give a thorough understanding of the subject and at the same time to facilitate rethinking the countrys past through modern debates and concepts.
Modules
Introduction to History
Issues and Debates in Sri
Lankan History
Issues in World History
Classical Civilizations

Lecturer
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena
Dr.Anuththaradevi
Widyalankara

Postgraduate Diploma in Historical Studies

This taught course will help university graduates in particular become competitive in
order to seize new opportunities that will arise for history specialist teachers, by
providing them with an in-house training in new teaching methods, new trends in the
discipline and a deeper understanding of subjects related to the school history
curriculum.
M.A in Historical Studies
This one-year programme will combine writing a thesis with taught courses. It will be
open to graduates who have specialized in History or who have followed the
postgraduate diploma.
Course Unit
Historiography
History as critique: New Trends in
Historical Writing
Themes and debates in Sri Lankan
History
Themes and Debates in World History
Optional
Teach History (for history teachers):
skills, methods, practical training or
Documents (for more research
oriented students)
Guest Lecturers

Name of the Lecturer

Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Ph.D (Leiden)
Dr. Anuththaradevi Widyalankara, PhD(Kelaniya)
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena, Ph.D (York)
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Ph.D (Leiden)
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Ph.D (Leiden)
Dr. Anuththaradevi Widyalankara, PhD(Kelaniya)
Nirmali Wijegoonewardena , MA (Colombo)
Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Ph.D (Leiden)
Dr. Janaki Jayawardena, Ph.D (York)
Dr. Anuththaradevi Widyalankara, PhD(Kelaniya)
Prof. Nira Wickramasinghe
Prof Gananath Obeysekere
Prof. Sudarshan Seneviratne
Dr. Kumari Jayawardena

51

5. Prizes
Prof. Tikiri Abeysinghe Memorial Award for the Best Student in History (Special
Degree)
Prof. Indrani Munasinghe Award for the Best Results in Sri Lankan History.
6. Student Support
The Department of History conducts an Academic Support programme targeting
students who follow a Special Degree in History. This includes a close examination of
the student, especially in terms of studies, academic writing, academic reading etc. The
main object is to produce a graduate who has analytical skills and sound knowledge.
7. Libraries and Resource Centres
The Department does not have a separate library for itself but has access to a library
that combines three Departments-History, Political Science and International Relations.
This Library consists of a variety of books ranging from subject-related books to fiction.
2. Student Societies
The History Society provides a broad ground for students to carry out extra activities
not strictly subject-oriented or focused on history but many other activities such as
seminar series, drama festivals, field trips, and film weeks etc.
9. For Further information
http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/arts/history/index.htm
Tel: +94115745212
+94112055658
Fax:
+94112055658

52

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The Department of International Relations, the newest Department of the Faculty of
Arts, came into existence on 29 July 2010. The Department of International Relations of
the University of Colombo is the only Department which offers a Special Degree
programme for undergraduates as well as a Masters Degree programme in
International Relations in the entire Sri Lankan University system. The Department
currently has 1 Professor, 1 Senior Lecturer, 1 Senior Lecturer (Transitional), 4
Probationary Lecturers and 1 Tutor in its staff.
1. Academic Staff
Prof. Nayani Melegoda Head of the Department. BA, (Colombo), MA (British
Columbia), PhD (Leeds). Research interests: International Relations, Foreign Policy,
United Nations Peacekeeping, and Geopolitics of South Asia.
Dr. Maneesha S. Wanasinghe - Pasqual - BA (Colombo), MA (Notre Dame) PhD
(George Mason University). Research interests: Conflict Analysis, Peacebuilding,
International Relations, Peace Studies, Human Security, and Human Rights.
Dr. B. A. C. Ajith Balasooriya - BA (Colombo), MA (Hiroshima), PhD (Hiroshima).
Research interests: UN in Peacebuilding, International Intervention, Japanese Politics
and International Relations.
S. Chaminda Padmakumara -BA (Colombo), MA (Colombo). Research interests:
International and Regional Organizations, South Asian International Relations, and
Asia-Pacific Relations.
V. G. Krishanthi D. Wimalasiri - BA (Colombo), MA (Pondicherry), MA Candidate
(Colombo). Research interests: South Asian Studies, China, and International Relations:
Theories & Concepts.
Hasith E. Kandaudahewa - BA (Colombo), MA Candidate (Colombo). Research
interests: Foreign Policy, American Studies, Political Economy and International
Relations.
K. P. Pavithra U. Jayawardena - BA (Colombo), MA Candidate (Colombo). Research
interests: International Relations, United Nations and Human Security.
K. M. Shashikamal M. Kodithuwakku - BA (Colombo), MA Candidate (Colombo).
Research interests: Human Security.
2. Support Staff
M. Lawanga R. D. S. Weerakkody: Computer Applications Assistant (Grade III)
H. T. Yasaratne: Labourer (Grade I)

53

3. Coordinators
Name
Prof. Nayani Melegoda

Coordinator
Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)

Dr. Maneesha S. Wanasinghe - Pasqual Certificate Course in International Relations (CCIR)

S. Chaminda Padmakumara
Examination Coordinator
Student Counsellor to the Faculty
IDC Representative
Web-page Representative

4. Courses offered by the Department of International Relations

General and Special Degree in International Relations

Year/Semester
Year One
Semester One
Semester Two
Year Two

Semester One

Semester Two

Unit
Title
Code
Lecturer
Course Unit for General and Special Degree Students
Chaminda Padmakumara
Introduction to
INR 1101
Peshan Gunaratne
International Relations
Krishanthi Wimalasiri
Prof. Nayani Melegoda
International Relations
INR 1204
Prof. Amal Jayawardane
in Praxis
Chaminda Padmakumara
Course Unit for General and Special Degree Students
Prof. Amal Jayawardene
Foreign Policy of Sri
INR 2119
Pavithra Jayawardena
Lanka I: up to 1977
Shashikamal Kodithuwakku
Theory and Methodology
Krishanthi Wimalasiri
INR 2132
of International
Hasith Kandaudahewa
Relations
Prof. Nayani Melegoda
History and International
INR 2135
Chaminda Padmakumara
Relations of the USA
Shashikamal Kodithuwakku
Introduction to
Dr. Ajith Balasooriya
INR 2136
International
Organizations
Theory and Practice of
Dr. Maneesha Wanasinghe
INR 2140
Diplomacy in
Pasqual
International Relations
Human Rights in
Dr. Maneesha Wanasinghe
INR 2234
International Relations
Pasqual
Introduction to Regional
Krishanthi Wimalasiri
INR 2237
Organizations
Prof. Nayani Melegoda
Contemporary Issues in
INR 2238
Hasith Kandaudahewa
South Asia
Shashikamal Kodithuwakku
Society and Politics of
Dr. Ajith Balasooriya
INR 2239
East Asia and the Pacific

54

Year Three

Semester
One

Year Four

Semester
One

Course Unit for General and Special Degree Students

Dr Maneesha Wanasinghe
Conflict Analysis Theory
INR 3143
Pasqual
Technique and Practice
M.S. Asees
International Political
Krishanthi Wimalasiri
INR 3157
Economy
Hasith Kandaudahewa
Peshan Gunaratne
INR 3164
International Security
Pavithra Jayawardena
Contemporary Latin
Hasith Kandaudahewa
INR 3165
America
Pavithra Jayawardena
Geo Politics & Economy
Dr. Ajith Balasooriya
INR 3169
of East Asia
N.L.A. Kalam
International Law and
Chaminda Padmakumara
INR 3248
World Order
Krishanthi Wimalasiri
Middle East and North
Dr. Ajith Balasooriya
INR 3255
African Politics
Prof. Amal Jayawardane
Foreign Policy of Sri
INR 3267
Pavithra Jayawardena
Lanka II: since 1977
*TBA
Dr Maneesha Wanasinghe
Internationalization of
INR 3268
Pasqual
Human Security
*TBA
Course Units for Special Degree Students
Dr Maneesha Wanasinghe
International Peace
INR 4185
Pasqual
Studies
INR 4186
INR 4187
INR 4188
INR 4197
INR 4281
INR 4282

Semester
Two

INR 4289
INR 4290
INR 4297

Contemporary India
Russia since World War
II
European Integration
through Diplomacy
Dissertation
International
Humanitarian Law
USA in Global Politics
China in the Modern
World
International
Environmental
Governance
Dissertation

Dr. Ajith Balasooriya

Prof. Amal Jayawardena
Chaminda Padmakumara
All Staff
*TBA
Dr Maneesha Wanasinghe
Pasqual
Dr. Ajith Balasooriya
Chaminda Padmakumara
All Staff

*TBA To be announced

Certificate Course in International Relations

CCIR 101
CCIR 102
CCIR 103
CCIR 104

Introduction to International Relations

International Politics
International and Regional Organizations
Peace building

55

Postgraduate courses offered by the Department of International Relations

Masters in International Relations
Year One

Year Two

MAIR 501
MAIR 502
MAIR 503
MAIR 601
MAIR 602

International Relations: theories and concepts

South Asia in World Politics
Public International Law
International Politics
International Economic Relations
Extended Essay

5. Prizes
Amara Mohotty Memorial Award for the Best Performance at the International
Relations Special Degree.
The recipient of this award should have secured at least a Second Class Honours (Upper
Division) at the International Relations Special Degree Examination in Arts and been
placed first in order of merit. The award shall be presented at the General Convocation
annually.
Professor Shelton Kodikara Award for International Relations.
The award shall be presented to the student who secures the highest GPA with a
First/Second Class (Upper Division) pass in the International Relations Special Degree.
The award shall be presented at the General Convocation annually.
Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS) Sri Lanka Scholarship.
The award shall be presented to a fourth (4th) year student in International Relations
based on his/her academic performance (the highest GPA) in the 2nd & 3rd years of
study.
6. Internship Programs: Intensive training for International Relations students at

Ministry of External Affairs

Governmental Institutions
State and private Banks
Government and International Schools
Media Institutions
International Organizations
Non-Governmental Organizations
Research Institutions

7. Library and Resource Centre

The Departments of History, Political Science and International Relations together have
one Library and Resource Centre.
8. Links with Foreign Universities/Student Exchange

Asian Institute for Political Economy (Summer Study Programme at the University of
Hong Kong)
Hiroshima University, Japan
International University, Japan (IUJ)
Pondicherry University, India
South Asia University

9. Further Information : Department of International Relations (011-2500433)

http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/arts/intrelations/index.html

56

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE & PUBLIC POLICY

The Department of Political Science and Public Policy as it is today is a relatively new
academic department in the University of Colombo. It was established in October 2001
by bifurcating what was the Department of History and Political Science. The
Department`s vision is: Cultivating Critical Knowledge for Constructive Social and
Political Change. The department conducts undergraduate programmes in Sinhala and
Tamil. It collaborates with the Departments of Sociology, History and International
Relations in offering some course modules.
The Department offers a Master of Arts in Political Science programme initiated in
collaboration with the Department of Political Science and the Department of Sociology
and Human Geography, University of Oslo, Norway. The Department offers MPhil and
PhD degrees and conducts a Certificate Course in Politics and Governance as a sixmonth short course.
The academic staff of the Department consists of 1 Senior Professor, 6 Senior Lecturers
and 5 Temporary Assistant Lecturers.
1. Academic Staff
Mahesh Senanayake Head of the Department. MA (Colombo), Attorney-at-Law.
Research interests: Human Rights & Constitutional and Electoral Reforms.
Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda - PhD (Hawaii). Research interests: Contemporary Political
Change, Ethnic Conflicts & Peace Process.
D. G.N. Rambukwella - MA (Waikato) New Zealand. Research interests: Youth
Politics, Militant Movements and Sri Lankan Politics.
Dr. M. S. Anees - MA, PhD (Nagoya). Research interests: Foreign Policy of Sri Lanka
and Public.
K. S. K. Ariyadasa - MA (Colombo). Research interests: Political Theory & Philosophy,
Political Parties and Party System.
G. V. P. D. R. Silva - MPhil (Peradeniya). Research interests: Gender Politics, Disaster
management.
D. M. D. Dissanayake - MPhil (Colombo). Research interests: Local Governance, Public
administration.
2. Support Staff
D. Hettiarachchi Typist (Grade I)
K. W. Wasantha Kumara
3. Coordinators
Post

Coordinator

Project Director
Examinations coordinator

Mahesh Senanayake
K. S. K. Ariyadasa

IDC Representative
MA Coordinator

G. P. V. D. R. De Silva

57

4. Courses offered by the Department of Political Science & Public Policy

Course Unit
Code
PSC 1101
PSC1202
PSC2116

Course Unit Title

Lecturer

Political Science: An Introduction

D. M. D. Dissanayake (S)
Dr. M. S. Anees (T)
Aspects of Sri Lanka`s Government and Mahesh Senanayake (S)
Politics
Dr. M. S. Anees (T)
Modern Constitution & Government
L. H. L. C. Keerthirathne (S)
Y. S. Sivasubramaniyam (T)

PSC2118

Main currents in Political Thoughts

PSC2117
PSC2125

Political & Constitutional Changes in Sri

Lanka After Independence
Politics in South Asian States

PSC2129

Principles and Problems of Human Rights

PSC2220
PSC2226

Approaches to Public Policy

Administration
Methodology in Social Research

PSC2227

Approaches to Comparative Politics

PSC2239

PSC3142

Constitutional
Law:
Theories
and
Application
Civil War And Peace Processes in
Comparative Perspective
Public Policy & Administration

PSC3146

Ethnicity, Nation and Nation-States

PSC3147/
SOC3144
PSC3148

Political Sociology

PSC3150

Methods & Approaches in Political Science

Research

PSC3161

Gender Politics: Theories & Concepts

PSC2240

PSC3251
PSC3252
PSC3262
PSC3263
PSC 3265

And

Main Currents in Political & Social Theory I

K. S. K. Ariyadasa (S)
R.M. Nimras (T)
A. Senadeera (S)
M.N.M. Faslan (T)
N. C. R. Silva (S)
J.F. Rismila (T)
Mahesh Senanayake (S)
Y. S. Shivasubramaniyam (T)
D. M. D. Dissanayake (S)
*TBA
Pradeep Nirosh Peris (S)
T.Gz. MeeNilankco (T)
G. P. V. D. R. De Silva (S)
*TBA (T)
L. H. L. C. Keerthirathne (S)
Y. S. Shivasubramaniyam (T)
N. C. R. Silva (S)
*TBA (T)
L. H. L. C. Keerthirathne (S)
Dr. M. S. Anees (T)
Vijaya Dissanayake (S)
*TBA (T)
Dr. Nishara Farnando (S)
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees(T)
K. S. K. Ariyadasa (S)
R.M. Nimras (T)
Pradeep Nirosh Peiris (S)
T. Gz. MeeNilankco (T)

Darshani de. Silva (S)

J.F. Rismila (T)
Main Currents in Political & Social Theory K. S. K. Ariyadasa (S)
II
R.M. Nimras (T)
Public Administration in Comparative L. H. L. C. Keerthirathne (S)
Perspective
*TBA (T)
Currents Trends in Local Governance
D. M. D. Dissanayake (S)
*TBA (T)
Political
Institute
in
Comparative N. C. R. Silva (S)
Perspective
*TBA (T)
Political Geography : An Introduction
Vijaya Dissanayake (S) *TBA (T)

58

PSC4171
PSC4185/
HIS4189
PSC4186
PSC4187
PSC4190
PSC4276
PSC4278
PSC4279
PSC4280
PSC4291

Public Administration in Sri Lanka

D. M. D. Dissanayake (S)
Dr. M. S. Anees (T)
The State, The Military, Revolts and N.Wijayagoonawardana (S)
Revolutions
M.S. Asees (T)
Dissertation Part 1
Pradeep Nirosh Peiris (S)
S. Sivasubramaniyam (T)
Gender in Politics & Policy Process
G. P. V. D. R. De Silva (S)
R.M. Nimras (T) (T)
Democracy and Democratization
A. Senadeera (S)
R. Rukshan
Social Movements in World Politics
G. P. V. D. R. De Silva (S)
Y. S. Shivasubramaniyam (T)
Political Issues in Modern Development
N. C. R. Silva (S)
Dr. M.S. Anees (T)
Advanced Studies in Constitutionalism
Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda (S)
S. Segar Susaritha (T)
Dissertation Part II
G. P. V. D. R. De Silva (S)
Dr. M. S. Anees (T)
Conflict and Peace Processes in Sri Lanka
Mahesh Senanayake (S)
T.Gz. MeeNilankco (T)

*TBA To be announced

5. Prizes
The Department offers the following prizes for Special Degree students in Political
Science who complete the degree with the highest GPA.
Dr. Chanaka Amarathunge Memorial Medal
Professor Tracy Leitan Gold Medal
6. Student Support
The Department offers the following mentoring and advisory mechanisms for students:
Student consultation hours by all staff members.
Several members of the Department have been working as temporary
student counsellors.
An annual field trip for final year Political Science Students to support
their field research.
Collaboration of the Student Union in the Faculty.
Informal Mentoring
7. Library
Undergraduate and Postgraduate students as well as staff members of the Department
have access to a library common to the Departments of History, International Relations
and Political Science in the Faculty.
8. Links with foreign universities and foreign student exchange programmes
The Master of Arts in Political Science Programme is part of a tripartite collaboration
between the University of Colombo, the University of Oslo, Norway and the University
of Gaja Mada, Indonesia. Five fellowships are offered each year under this programme.
9. For Further Information: http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/arts/politic/index.htm
Tel: (+94) 112554266 / 113070367

59

DEPARMENT OF SINHALA
The history of teaching Sinhala in higher education in Sri Lanka is closely linked with
the University of Colombo. Formal university education in Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala
began with the establishment of a University College in 1921. In the University college,
the oriental languages were all confined in one department of study. It was only in
1944 that a separate Department of Sinhala was established under the University of
Ceylon in Colombo. At present, Sinhala is a popular subject among undergraduates, and
the Department offers a wide range of course units for General and Special degree
programmes in the field of Sinhala language, literature, arts and culture. The
Department also offers a taught MA degree, and MPhil and PhD research degrees in
Sinhala. The Department of Sinhala has well-qualified staff, with 2 Professors, 6 Senior
Lecturers, 4 Lecturers, and 8 Temporary Lecturers with specialization in their
respective fields of study.
1. Academic Staff:
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara - Phd (Colombo). Research interests: Classical Sinhala
Literature, Historical Grammar, Sinhala Folklore
Prof. Sarath Wijessoriya - MPhil (Colombo). Research interests: Modern Sinhala
Literature, Sinhala Drama, Creative Writing
Rev. Agalakada Sirisumana Head of the Department. MPhil (Colombo). Research
interests: Classical Sinhala Literature, Sinhala culture
Latha Gurusinghe - BA (Colombo), MPhil (Colombo). Research interests: Modern
Sinhala literature, Feminist literature
Premasiri Nagasinghe BA (Colombo), MA (Kelaniya), MPhil (Colombo), PG Dip
Counseling (Colombo). Research interests: Sinhala culture, Classical Sinhala literature,
Art & Architecture
Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa- BA (Colombo), MA (Lancaster), MPhil (Peradeniya), PhD
(Cambridge). Research interests: Modern Sinhala Usage and Grammar, Sociolinguistics,
Language and Communication, Academic Writing
Kumudu Karunaratne BA (Colombo), MA (Kelaniya), MPhil (Colombo) . Research
interests: Modern Sinhala Literature
Krishantha Fedricks BA (Colombo) MA (Kelaniya), MA in Linguistics (California).
Research interests: Modern Linguistic Theory, Semiotics.
Ranjith Senanayake BA (Ruhuna), MPhil (Peradeniya). Research interests: Classical
Sinhala Literature/Sinhala Drama; Modern Sinhala Fiction
Kalyani Wijesundara - BA (Colombo), MA (Kelaniya). Research interests: Inscriptions
of Ceylon
Jayanthi Bandara BA (Colombo), Dip in Journalism (Colombo), PGDip in Archaeology
(Kelaniya), MA (Colombo).
Deepachandi Abeysinghe - BA (Kelaniya), MA (Kelaniya), MPhil (Colombo). Research
interests: Indian English Literature

60

2. Support Staff:
K. Chaturika Jayathilaka Computer Applications Assistant
T. K Mapalagama Labourer
3. Coordinators
Examination Coordinator Kalyani Wijesundara
Coordinator MA in Sinhala Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa
Coordinator Dip in Sinhala P. Nagasinghe
4. Courses offered by the Department
BA General Degree
Course
unit code
SLG 1101
FND 1104
SLG 1202
FND 1212
SLG 2117
SLG 2118
SLG 2119
SLG 2126
SLG 2216
ELT 2220
SLG 2219
SLG 3141
SLG 3143
SLG 3144

Course unit title

Lecturer

Introduction to Language
Issues in Arts and Culture
Introduction to Literature
Sinhala Literary Tradition and
Communication
Modern Sinhala Fiction
Translated Literature in Sinhala
Creative Writing
Modern Sinhala Poetry
Modern Sinhala Usage
Sri Lankan Culture and Buddhist
Environment
Creative Writing
Classical Sinhala Literature
Sinhala Drama
Introduction to Sinhala Culture

Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa

Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya
Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya
Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa
Latha Gurusinghe
Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya
Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya
Latha Gurusinghe
Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa
Rev. Agalakada Sirisumana
Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya
Rev. Agalakada Sirisumana
Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya
Premasiri Nagasinghe

BA Special Degree
Course
unit code
SLG 2126
SLG 2127
SLG 2128
SLG 2130
SLG 2134
SLG 2229
SLG 2231
SLG 2235
SLG 3156
SLG 3158
SLG 3159
SLG 3160
SLG 3257

Course unit title

Lecturer

Modern Sinhala Poetry

Modern Sinhala Novel & Short Story
Medieval Sinhala Prose Phase I
Introduction to Linguistics
Introduction to Sociolinguistics
Medieval Sinhala Prose Phase II
Descriptive Analysis of Sinhala Usage
Sinhala Literature Matara Period
Classical Sinhala Poetry Phase I
Sinhala Drama
Language and Communication
Traditional Sinhala Grammatical Studies
Classical Sinhala Poetry Phase II

61

Latha Gurusinghe
Latha Gurusinghe
Rev. Agalakada Sirisumana
Krishantha Fedricks
Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa
Rev. Agalakada Sirisumana
Krishantha Fedricks
Rev. Agalakada Sirisumana
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara
Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya
Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara /

Course
unit code
SLG 3242
SLG 3261
SLG 3266
SLG 3277
SLG 4172
SLG 4173
SLG 4175
SLG 4184
SLG 4187
SLG 4197
SLG 4271
SLG 4274
SLG 4285
SLG 4298

Course unit title

Lecturer

Language, Society and Power

Modern Linguistic Theories
Sociology of Literature
Sinhalese Folklore
Sinhala Epigraphy and Inscriptions/
Palaeography
Study of World Literature
Traditional Arts and Crafts of Sri Lanka
Sinhala Language Studies (Historical)-I
Principles of Aesthetics and Literary
Criticism
Principles of Academic Writing
Literature of the Anuradhapura Period
Sinhala Society and Culture
Sinhala Language Studies (Historical)- II
Dissertation

Kalyani Wijesundara
Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa
Krishantha Fedricks
Premasiri Nagasinghe
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara
Rev. Agalakada Sirisumana
Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya
Jayanthi Bandara
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara
Deepachandi Abeysinghe
Dr. Sandagomi Coperahewa
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara
Premasiri Nagasinghe
Prof. Ananda Tissa Kumara

MA, Diploma and Certificate Courses

MA in Sinhala (one year)

Diploma in Sinhala (one year)
Programme on Sinhala language and Culture for Visiting Chinese Scholars
Certificate in Sinhala for Foreigners (six-month programme)

5. Prizes:
The following prizes are awarded at the General Convocation in recognition of
academic excellence and best performance at the annual examinations.
M.B. Ariyapala Memorial Prize for the Best Dissertation in Classical Sinhala
Literature
Prof. G.D. Wijayawardene Award for Classical Sinhala Literature
Don David Mohotti Prize for the Best Dissertation in Sinhala

Don David Mohotti Prize for the Best Performance in Sinhala

Prof. Kusuma Karunaratne Prize for Modern Sinhala Literature
Martin Wickramasinghe Memorial Prize for the Best Dissertation in Modern
Sinhala Literature
6. Libraries and Resource Centres
The Department Library contains around 3000 volumes related to Sinhala language,
literature and culture. The library is primarily a reference collection for staff and
students, and it contains a great deal of valuable books and BA and MA dissertations
relevant to Sinhala studies.

62

7. Computer Facilities
There is a computer terminal situated in the Library which provides access to the
Internet and other IT facilities for students who are following the Sinhala Special
Degree course.
8. Student Societies
Sinhala Sangamaya (Sinhala Society) is a registered student society of the University. It
organizes various literary and cultural events related to Sinhala language and
literature.
9. Links with Foreign Universities
The Department of Sinhala has signed MOUs with the following foreign universities
Wako University, Japan
Beijing Foreign Studies University, China
For further information

http:www.com.ac.lk/academic/arts/Sinhala/index.htm
Tel:/Fax (94) 011- 2500453
Email sinhaladpt@yahoo.com

63

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
The University of Colombo initiated the teaching of Sociology by introducing a threeyear degree programme in Sociology with the establishment of its Department of
Sociology and Social Welfare in 1969. The teaching of the Department was trilingual
from its inception, although the official medium of instruction was Sinhala. Tamil
medium instruction began in 1970. Initially, students were given the opportunity to
follow a three-year BA Degree programme, majoring in Sociology, with an additional
year leading to a BPhil Degree which was equivalent to a four-year undergraduate
Special Degree programme. Currently the Department offers Sociology as a subject for
undergraduates at two different levels: a four-year Special Degree in Sociology and
Sociology as a subject for a three-year General Degree. At present the Department has
well-qualified staff specializing in different areas in Sociology, Anthropology,
Psychology and Social Work. Approximately 1000 students are enrolled in both
undergraduate and graduate programmes in Sociology. The Department offers a Social
Work study stream for Special Degree students. All General Degree courses are also
offered in Tamil medium, depending on the availability of staff and on the demand.
Starting from 2014, the Department intends to offer all Special Degree course units in
the English medium, and as the first step, all second year Special Degree course units
will be offered in English this year. All postgraduate courses in the Department are
conducted in English, and planning is underway to introduce a one-year Masters
degree programme and some certificate courses in the Sinhala medium, considering
growing student requests for such programmes.
1. Academic Staff
Prof. S.T. Hettige Senior Professor (Chair of Sociology). BA, BPhil (Colombo), PhD
(Monash). Research interests: Migration, poverty, education, youth and identity and
politics, inequality, governance and development, community studies.
Dr. Subhangi M.K. Herath BA, MA (Colombo), PhD (Waterloo, Canada). Research
interests: Sociological theory, Gender relations, environmental sociology, social issues
including, suicide, crime and deviance, poverty, social inequality.
Prof. Ramanie Jayathilaka BA, BPhil (Colombo), MPhil (Sussex), PhD (JNU).
Research interests: Migration, gender issues, rural social change, disaster related
issues.
Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe BA, MA (Sorbonne), PhD (Brest, France). Research
interests: violence and conflict-related psychological distress and wellbeing, cultural
relevance of psychosocial interventions, migration, domestic violence.
Dr. N. Chandrasiri Niriella BA, MA (Colombo), M. Phil (TISS), PhD (JNU). Research
interests: sociology of urban housing, urban politics, cities and ethnicity, urban
neighbourhood studies, urban politics, urban low income communities, sociology of
work, formal organizations, research methods in social sciences.

64

Dr. Chandani Liyanage Head of the Department. BA, MA (Colombo), PhD (Delhi).
Research interests: sociology of medicine, social policy and development, social issues,
mental health, disaster management, community development.
Prof. Premakumara de Silva BA, MA (Colombo), MSc, PhD (Edinburgh). Research
interests: Religion and ritual, nationalism, local democracy, violence and globalization.
W. Jagath S. de Silva BA, MA (Colombo). Research interests: war and law affected
children, family related problems of middle east migrant workers, sociology of family,
violence against women and children, political environment in Sri Lanka & policymaking for child protection.
Dr. Nishara Fernando BA, MPhil (Colombo), PG. Dip. in Sociology (La Trobe,
Australia), PhD (Bonn). Research interests: applied sociological research methods,
poverty and livelihood security, urban and rural level relocation, natural disasters and
reconstruction, indicators and social vulnerability assessment.
Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe BA, MPhil (Colombo), PhD (Slovenia). Research interests:
mental health and social work.
Dr. F.F. Haniffa BA, MA, PhD (Columbia). Research interests: Gender, ethnicity,
media.
Dr. Iresha Lakshman BA (Colombo), PhD (Monash). Research interests: Education,
gender, urban studies.
Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara PhD (York, Toronto). Research interests: Social theory,
politics, citizenship.
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees (Undergraduate Coordinator) - BA (Peradeniya), MA (Colombo),
PhD (Peradeniya). Research interests: Environmental sociology, environmentalism,
solid waste crisis, water pollution, water politics, integrated water resource
management & political ecology.
A. Robinson BA (Jaffna), MA (Delhi), MPhil (JNU). Research interests Youth, identity
politics and nationalism and Diaspora.
Jagath Bandara Pathirage BA (Colombo), MSc (Edinburgh). Research interests:
Social Anthropology Migration, Anthropology of Hope, Anthropology of Body,
Landscape, Development, Transnationalism.
Chamathka Devasiri - BA (Colombo), M.Sc (Waterloo).
Avanka Fernando - BA (Colombo).
Tharindi Udalagama - BA (Colombo).
Unnathi Samaraweera - BA (Colombo).

65

Support Staff
I
ii
iii

K.A. Nawarathne Staff Assistant

Renuka Weerakkody Staff Assistant (Typist)
N.G.A.K.T.S. Nissanka Library Assistant

3.

Coordinators
Postgraduate Coordinator Undergraduate Coordinator -

4.

Courses offered by the Department of Sociology

Unit Code
SOC 1101

SOC 1202

Name of the Course Unit

Fundamentals of Sociology

Principles of Psychology

FND 1201

Culture, Identity & Politics

SOC 2116

Classical Sociological Theory

SOC 2118

Social and Cultural Aspects

of Development

SOC 2121

Social Institutions

SOC 2219

Research Methodology

SOC 2220

Sociology of Gender

SOC 2228
SOC 2124
SOC 2126
SOC 2132
SOC 2133

Understanding Sri Lanka

Society
Social Inequality
South Asian Ethnography
Environmental Sociology
Introduction to Urban
Sociology

Dr. Nishara Fernando

Dr. M.T.M. Mahees

Name of Lecturer (s)

Prof. Premakumara de Silva
Dr. Chandani Liyanage
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees
Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe
Dr. Chandrasiri Niriella
A. Robinson
Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara
Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees
Dr. Chandani Liyanage /
Nirosha Ruwanpathirana
A. Robinson
Tharindi Udalagama
Avanka Fernando
A. Robinson
Dr. Nishara Fernando
Dr. Chandrasiri Niriella
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees
Dr. Ramanie Jayatilaka
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees
Unnathi Samarweera

Medium of
Instruction
SM / EM / TM

SM / EM / TM
SM /EM
SM /TM
SM /TM
SM / EM / TM
SM / EM/ TM
SM /TM

Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara

SM / EM

Tharindi Udalagama
Prof. Ramanie Jayatilaka
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees

SM / EM
SM / EM
SM / EM

Dr. Chandrasiri Niriella

SM / EM

66

SOC 2138

Introduction to Social Work

SOC 2223

Social Statistics
Understanding Sri Lanka
Society
Concepts and Approaches in
Social Psychology

SOC 2228
SOC 2229
SOC 2234

Minorities and Society

SOC 2269

Social Work with Groups at

Risk of Exclusion

SOC 3142

Social Policy and Social

Development

SOC 3144/
PSC 3147

Political Sociology

SOC 3147

Applied Social Research

SOC 3243

Sociology of Religion

SOC 3246

Contemporary Social Issues

SOC 3248
SOC 3260
ELT 3254
SOC 3153
SOC 3155
SOC 3168
SOC 3173
SOC 3241

Sociology of Work and

Formal Organizations
Gender and Development
Youth, Identity and
Globalization
Independent Study I
(Literature Review)
Introduction to
Psychological
Theories and Methods in
Social Work
Neo-Classical Sociological
Theory
Qualitative Analysis

SOC 3262
SOC 3267

Independent Study I
(Research Design)
Community Mental Health
Education and Society

SOC 4172

Sociology of Development

SOC 3253

SOC 4178
SOC 4180
SOC 4185

Crime, Deviance & Social

Justice
Sociology of Medicine
Sociology of the City
Sociology of Arts

SOC 4187

Community Social Work

SOC 4175

Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

Avanka Fernando
Dr. Nishara Fenando

SM / EM
SM / EM

Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara

SM / EM

Avanka Fernando

SM /EM

Tharindi Udalagama
Dr. Chandani Liyanage
Chathurika Weerasooriya
Prof. S. T. Hettige / Nilani
Renuka/ Thushara Manoj/
A. Robinson
Dr. Nishara Fenando
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees
Dr. Nishara Fenando
A. Robinson
Avanka Fernando
A. Robinson
Dr. Chandani Liyanage
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees

SM /EM
SM /EM
SM /TM
SM /TM
SM /TM
SM /TM
SM /TM

Dr. Chandrasiri.Niriella

SM

Prof. Ramanie Jayatilaka

Chamathka Devasiri
A. Robinson

SM

Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

SM / EM

Chamathka Devasiri

SM / EM

Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

Virajini Wijepala

SM / EM

Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara

SM

Dr. Chandani Liyanage

Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

SM

Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

SM / EM

Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

Chamathka Devasiri
Prof. Ramanie Jayatilaka
Chamathka Devasiri

SM /EM
SM

Dr. Subhangi M.K. Herath

SM

Dr. Chandani Liyanage

Dr. Chandrasiri Niriella
Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara
Dr. Chandani Liyanage / Virajini
Wijepala

SM
SM
SM

67

SM /TM

SM

SM /EM

SOC 4197
SOC 4239

Independent Study-II
Collaborative Social Works

SOC 4274
SOC 4281

Contemporary Rural Society

Colonial and Post -Colonial
Sociology
Sociology of Mass Media
Sociology of Knowledge
Contemporary Social Theory
Independent Study II

SOC 4282
SOC 4284
SOC 4286
SOC 4297

Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

Prof. Ramanie Jayatilaka
A.T. Darshana
Prof. Ramanie Jayatilaka
Prof. Premakumara De Silva

SM / EM
SM / EM

Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara

Dr. Kumudu Kusum Kumara
Dr. M.T.M. Mahees
Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe

SM /
SM / EM
SM
SM/EM

SM
SM

5.

Prizes
N. De S. Silva Memorial Prize for the best Sociology student for the year. Two
more awards are to be established in 2014.

6.

Study Streams
Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Social work

7.

Student support
Training in Sociological Research methodology
Field training programme
Extensive use of audio visual during courses films, documentaries,
Power point presentations
Guest lecture series

8.

Library and Computer Labs

Students have access to the Department library which comprises a considerable
collection from various fields in Sociology. At the moment, the Department
cannot provide computer facilities to students due to a lack of computers.
However, students can use the Faculty computer rooms.

9.

Student Societies
Sociology Students Association and the Sociology Alumni Association

10.

International links and student exchange programes

The Department of Sociology has a link with the Faculty of Social Work of the
Ljubljana University of Slovenia. The Department has established collaborations
with many international and national universities. These include Leiden
University, The Netherlands; Edinburgh University, UK and Heidelberg
University, Germany among others. The student field training programme in
November 2013 was conducted in Oluwil in collaboration with the South
Eastern University.

68

COMPUTER TEACHING UNIT

The Computer Teaching Unit (CTU) of the Faculty of Arts conducts IT-related course
units for the undergraduate students of the Faculty.
At present, the CTU offers one IT unit as an elective for second year Arts students. Also
the CTU Lab can be used by all the students in the Faculty of Arts for self-learning,
preparation of assignments and preparation of presentations etc., free of charge. The
Unit has 65 computers with internet facilities. It functions from Monday to Friday,
between 8.00 am to 4.30 pm. Its teaching and support activities are conducted with the
assistance of a Systems Analyst and 3 Temporary Instructors.
The CTU is planning to expand the service for Arts students by offering more course
units for both the first year and the second year undergraduates from 2014.
1. List of Staff
The Computer Teaching Unit has 1 Professor (Coordinator of the Unit), 1 Computer
Systems Analyst, 1 Permanent Computer Instructor, and 3 Temporary Computer
Instructors.
Coordinator

Prof. Lasantha Manawadu

BA (Colombo), MSc (A.I.T.), PhD (Colombo)

Computer Systems Analyst Gr. I

R. T. Somaratne - BSc, MSc (Computer Science)
Computer Instructor Gr. II
T. S. Rathnayake BSc. (Hons.) in Business Computing
2. Courses offered by the unit:
FND 1117/FND1217 Computer Applications
ELT 2116/2216 - Computer Applications
ELT 11XX/12XX Basic Course Under discussion
ELT 21XX/22XX Advanced Course Under Discussion

69

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING UNIT

The English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers English language proficiency
courses to the students of all the faculties of the University of Colombo. However, its
largest programme is in the Faculty of Arts where it offers a variety of courses to
approximately 2500 students per year. An intensive course for new entrants, a
proficiency course and a certificate course in English along with two foundation
courses are offered within the Faculty of Arts. The ELTU also extends its services to the
wider community through the Certificate Course in Business English and the E-Diploma
in Business English. The ELTU has a staff strength of 26 Lecturers, 1 Senior Instructor,
3 Instructors (Grade II) and 6 Temporary Lecturers.
New Admissions Test
All new entrants are expected to sit the above exam, after which they are placed at
different levelsLevels 1, 2, 3 & 4 of the Proficiency Course in English. Students who
excel in the above exam are exempt from following the FNDE courses in their first year.
First Year
Students MUST get through whichever level they are placed at in their first year by
completing both FNDE 1108 & FNDE 1209 courses.
Second, Third & Fourth Years
Students who were placed at Level 1 in their first year MUST get through Level 2 also
before they complete their undergraduate course. Passing Level 2 is compulsory for
obtaining the degree.
Proficiency Course in English
The Proficiency Course in English consists of three levelsLevels 1, 2 & 3. To complete
the Course, students must get through all three levels.
Certificate course in English / Level 4
To register for this course, students should gain a minimum of 55% (B-) at Level
3 of the Proficiency Course in English.
The Certificate Course in English is restricted to Level 4 only.
1. Academic Staff
R. Kulasingham - BA (Jaffna), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests:
Business English
P.C.S. Maitipe BA (Colombo), Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychosocial
Work (Colombo), Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language,
(Colombo). Research interests: Using visual and audio aids in English language
teaching material

70

M.G.N.S. Mahagamasekera - BA (Kelaniya), Post Graduate Diploma. in Teaching

English as a Second Language (Colombo), Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Open
University of Sri Lanka), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests: Material
development, error analysis
E.R.S. Ratnasingham BSc (Jaffna), Postgraduate Diploma in ELT (Jaffna), MA in
Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests: Error Analysis, teaching vocabulary
S. Ilangakoon - BA (Kelaniya), Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Second
Language (Colombo), MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (Open University
of Sri Lanka), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests: Patterns in academic
English, testing, material design, vocabulary development
N.T.S. Abeyratne BA (Colombo), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya), MA in IR (Colombo).
Research interests: Academic writing
B. Jeyakrishnan - BA (Kelaniya), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests:
Creative writing, material development
K.E.A. Makulloluwa - BA (Hons) (Colombo), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya), MA in TESL
(Open University of Sri Lanka). Research interests: Code switching in the classroom
R.A.S.S. Ranaweera (BA, Kelaniya). Research interests: Creative Writing, World
Literature
S.N. Prananda - BA (Kelaniya), Post Graduate Diploma in TESOL (Colombo), MA in
Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests: Computer-assisted language learning,
teaching for academic purposes.
W.N. M. Wickramasekera BA (Peradeniya), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research
interests: Teaching English for academic purposes
S.D.P. Iddamalgoda BA (Peradeniya), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research
interests: Speech-based teaching/learning
B.L. Somananda - BA (Hons.) (Peradeniya), Post Graduate Diploma in International
Relations, MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests: Testing and evaluation,
material design, using realia in language teaching
Dr. A.M.A.U. Attanayake BA (Peradeniya), BEd (National Institute of Education), MA
in Linguistics (Kelaniya), PhD (JNU). Research interests: Curriculum development,
material production, teaching methodology and assessment, lesson material evaluation
K.T.N. De A. W. Wijesinghe BA (Hons.) (Colombo), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya).
Research interests: Testing and evaluation, error analysis of academic writings and Sri
Lankan writings of the colonial era
S.Y. Dias - BA (Open University of Sri Lanka), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research
interests: Neuro-linguistic programming in language teaching, teaching visually
handicapped learners and slow learners
S. Rajadurai - MA in English, MPhil (Madurai Kamaraj University). Research interests:
Teaching speech in the ESL classroom

71

R.M. Tillekaratne BA (Peradeniya), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests:

Speech-based stimulations in language teaching
A.G.N.D. Gunaratne - BA (Kelaniya), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests:
Developing vocabulary acquisition
S.M.T. Wijayadharmadasa - BA (Peradeniya), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya), MA in
TESOL (La Trobe). Research interests: Content and language integrated learning in
teaching English for medical students
K.G.J. Ravindran, BA (Peradeniya). Research interests: Generative grammar and
second language acquisition
G. Wijekoon, BA Hons (Peradeniya). Research interests: The identity of the university
English language teacher
S. Wanasinghe - BA (Kelaniya), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya). Research interests:
Second language teaching and learning
A.S.R. Peiris - BA (Hons) (Jayawardenapura). Research interests: Critical discourse
analysis
K. Nagahawatte - BA (Hons.) (Peradeniya). Research interests: Second language
teaching and learning
K.K.S.G. Sylva - BA (Hons) (Colombo). Research interests: ESL teaching methods
2. Support Staff
The following staff members carry out the necessary administrative functions to
support the smooth functioning of the unit:
S. D.B. Abeysinghe
A. Niyoshi
A. M. M. R. Kumara
T. Ajith
3. Faculty coordinators and course coordinators
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Management and
Finance
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Medicine
Institute of Indigenous Medicine
Certificate in Business English
E-Diploma in Business English

A. G. N. D. Gunarathna
E. R. S. Ratnasingham
B. Jeyakrishnan
W.N.M.Wickramasekara
S.N.Prananda
S.Wanasinghe
E. R. S. Ratnasingham
R. Kulasingham

72

4. Courses Offered by the English Language Teaching Unit

First Year
Course Code
FNDE 1108
FNDE 1209

Name of Course
Proficiency Course
English- Level 1

FNDE 1108
FNDE 1209

Proficiency Course in
English- Level 2

FNDE 1108
FNDE 1209
FNDE 1108
FNDE 1209

Proficiency Course in
English- Level 3
Proficiency Course in
English- Level 4

in

Teachers
V.L. Ratnayake
C. Nanayakkara
G. de Chickera
S.M.Y.P. Samarakoon
N.K. Kulsekara
P. Wijayantha
P.N. Edirisinghe
G. Harasgama
H. Dharmawardhena
B.S.M. Chandrasena
L. R. Sendanayake
Y.I. Sinnen
P.T. Perera
P. C. I. de Zilva
D. J.A. Fernando
V. U. Athukorala
P. Rathnayake
D. Balachandra
M.S. De Silva
K. Nagahawatte
Z.D. Hussain
S. D. P. K. Gamage
A. A. Mallawaarchchi
S. Warnacula
R. Attyagalle
I. Anushika
K.T.N. De A. Wijesinghe
A.G.N.D. Guneratne
G.U.K. Wijekoon
S.N.M. I.B. Thilakarathne
D. Jayawardene
A. A. Mallawaarchchi
V.V.K. Madugalla
S.R. Ilangakoon
K.K.S.G. Sylva

73

Second Year
Course
Proficiency
Course in English
Proficiency
Course in English

Proficiency Level
Level 1

Proficiency
Course in English
Proficiency
Course in English
Proficiency
Course in English

Level 3

W.N. M. Wickramasekera
S.D.P. Iddamalgoda
K.T.N. De A. Wijesinghe
A.G.N.D. Guneratne
G.U.K. Wijekoon
S. Wanasinghe
S.N.M. I.B. Thilakarathne
G. de Chickera
P.N. Edirisinghe
P.C.I. de Zilva
K. Nagahawatte

Level 4

S. Warnacula

Level 5

D.J.A. Fernando

Course
Proficiency
Course in English
Proficiency
Course in English
Proficiency
Course in English

Proficiency Level
Level 1

Teachers

Level 2

V.L. Ratnayake

Level 3

Proficiency
Course in English
Proficiency
Course in English

Level 4

K.T.N. De A. W. Wijesinghe
V.V.K. Madugalla
D. Jayawardene
S. D. P K. Gamage
K.K.S.G. Sylva
L. R. Sendanayake
Z.D. Hussain
S.N.M. I.B. Thilakarathne

Level 2

Teachers
P.T. Perera

Third Year

Level 5

Fourth Year
Course
Proficiency
Course in English
Proficiency
Course in English
Proficiency
Course in English

5.

Proficiency Level
Level 2

Teachers
I. Anushika

Level 3

S. Wanasinghe

Level 4

D. Jayawardene
K.K.S.G. Sylva
W.N. M. Wickramasekera
Z.D. Hussain

Student Support
The Faculty, year, and level coordinators provide guidance to students to
overcome any academic, administrative or personal problems they may

74

encounter in following the intensive course and on-going proficiency courses in

English. Students also have the option of discussing any academic issues they
may face with their lecturers
6.

The Self Access Centre (SAC)

The aim of the Self Access Centre (SAC) of the ELTU is to develop the English
language skills of undergraduates of all faculties through a variety of activities
that promote autonomous learning. A staff member of the ELTU functions as the
facilitator during its working hours.
6.1 Services rendered by the SAC
1.

During the Intensive Course in English, all students are provided time
in the SAC for online learning activities. During the academic year, the
SAC is open for students for self-study.

6.2 Facilities Available in the SAC

1.

Computer Section
Computer-aided language learning stations with internet facilities
provide opportunities for students to access links which
consolidate classroom language learning.

2.

Video Section
The SAC has a collection of over 100 English movies with study packs
developed for different levels of proficiency.

3.

Audio Section
The SAC also has an audio centre which provides a variety of listening
tools. It has a collection of English songs, CDs with a series of recorded
voice-cut collections, and work cards at different levels of proficiency to
accompany the recordings.

4.

Reading Section
Students have access to self-study packs and a mini library in the reading
section. This section also has a collection of novels, short stories,
grammar books, dictionaries, and encyclopaedias.

5.

For Further Information:

Tel: 011-2506705
Fax: 011-2506705
E- mail: eltu@eltu.cmb.ac.lk
Website: http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/arts/eltu/Index.html

75

ARABIC AND ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION UNIT

The subject of Islamic Civilization has been offered for the General Degree programme
in the Faculty of Arts since 1995. By the end of 2007, the Arabic and Islamic Civilization
Unit was created under the Deans Office of the Faculty of Arts.
1. The Unit offers courses for:
I. The General Degree programme
II. Short course in Arabic language for Tourism development (in progress)
III. Plans to offer a diploma course in Islamic Banking and Finance.
Year

Semester
Semester-1

1st Year
Semester -2
Semester -1
2nd Year
Semester -2

Semester -1
3rd Year
Semester -2

Course Code

Title

ICV 1101
ICV 1103
ICV 1104
ICV 1105
ICV 1202

Islamic Theology
Arabic Level- I
Islamic Architecture
Islamic Calligraphy
Islamic History

ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV
ICV

Islamic Social Integrity-I

Introduction to Islamic Economics
Islamic History (750 1258 A.D)
Arabic Level II
Islamic Social Integrity -II
Islamic Social Justice
Human Rights in Islam
Comparative Studies of Islamic Theology
New Trends in the Muslim World
Islamic Banking and Finance-I
Arabic Level III
Religious and Cultural Movements
Islamic History (258 1924 A.D.)
Islamic Banking and Finance-II

2116
2117
2218
2219
2220
2221
2222
3141
3143
3144
3145
3245
3242
3243

2. Academic staff:
M.M.M.Sabir - Coordinator. BA (UPD), MA (UPD), Reading for MPhil (UPD).
Research interests: Islamic culture (Societal problems, Muslim education)
N.Gafoordeen - B.A (UPD), Dip in Edu. (OUSL), M.A (UPD), Reading for MPhil
(UPD). Research interests: Islamic movements, Contemporary issues of
Muslim world.

76

3.

Libraries and Resource Centres

The Arabic and Islamic Civilization Unit has a resource centre containing books,
magazines, newspapers and other resources related to the subject areas taught
by the Unit.

4.

Student Societies
Resource Centre Development Society

5.

Activities
The Unit conducts a number of activities besides academic programmes, such as
an annual field trip, cultural common programmes, seminars, and public
lectures.

To Contact Us:
Arabic and Islamic Civilization Unit
Faculty of Arts
University of Colombo
P.O. Box 1490
Colombo-03, Sri Lanka.
Tel. +94 718 043 190
E-mail: icvunit_fa@yahoo.com

77

JOURNALISM UNIT
The Journalism Unit provides students with the opportunity to study Communication
and Media Studies. At present the Unit caters to over 900 undergraduate students. The
Journalism Unit was established in February 1991 under the Dean of the Faculty of
Arts. In May 1992, in collaboration with the Asia Foundation, the Unit inaugurated the
first degree level programme in journalism at the University of Colombo. In 2003, the
academic scope of the Unit was broadened in order to meet the current requirements,
and the entire syllabus was fully revised to provide a wider spectrum of the discipline.
New course modules were introduced and the area of study was renamed as
Communication and Media Studies. The Unit is currently preparing the syllabus for the
Special Degree Programme in Communication and Media Studies, which includes
thirty-four units, with the aim of introducing the said programme once the Unit is
upgraded to the status of Department. The Journalism Unit has 3 Senior Lecturers and
1 Assistant Lecturer.
1. Academic Staff
Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi Head of the Department. MA (Kelaniya), PhD
(Kelaniya). Research interests: Development Communication, Print media, Women and
Media, World Media Diversification, Media and Globalizing World, Media Literacy,
Public Relations, Media Law
Prof. Samantha Herath - MSc. (Bangalore), Postgraduate Diploma in Writership and
Communication (Sri JPura), Diploma in Journalism (Colombo). Research interests:
Communication Theory, Communication amd Culture, Television and Film Studies, Film
Criticism, Issues of Globalization, Language and Literature, Poetry and Lyrics.
Prof. Kamal Waleboda - MA (Kelaniya). Research interests: Development
Communication, Gender and Media, Peace and Harmony, Radio and Development,
Radio Broadcasting. Religious studies
2. Support Staff
Chamida Laksiri
3. Coordinators
Diploma in Journalism
Coordinator
Associated Coordinator (English Medium) Associated Coordinator (Tamil Medium) -

Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi

Prof. Samantha Herath
R. Srikanthan

4. Courses offered by the Unit

At present, the Journalism Unit offers a wide range of course units in Communication
and Media Studies from the first year. All CMS course units cover a wide spectrum of
the subject Communication in both theory and practice, with special reference to new
trends and developments. Course units offered in Media Studies cover the four major
areas of print media, radio, television and film.

78

Course Code
CMS 1101

Course title
Introduction to Communication

CMS 1202

Introduction to Media Studies

CMS 2111
CMS 2112
CMS 2214
CMS 2216
CMS 3140

Theories of Communication
Print Media- Reporting and Editing
Development Communication
Radio Theory
Advertising and Public Relations

CMS 3141
CMS 3243

Print Media Feature journalism

Communication and Contemporary
Issues
Radio Programme Production
Gender and Media

CMS 3244
ELT 2222

Lecturers
Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi
Prof. Kamal Waleboda
Prof. Samantha Herath
Prof. Kamal Waleboda
Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi
Prof. Samantha Herath
Prof. Samantha Herath
Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi
Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi
Prof. Kamal Waleboda
Prof. Kamal Waleboda
Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi
Prof. Ajantha Hapuarachchi
Prof. Samantha Herath
Prof. Kamal Waleboda
Prof. Kamal Waleboda

Diploma in Journalism
The content covers the core components of journalism and communication both in
theory and practice. The content basically consists of subject matter such as
introduction to Communication and Journalism, Historical Perspectives, Developments
and Technological Advancements of Communication and Journalism, Practical and
Functional Aspects of Journalism including all types of journalistic writing, reporting
and editing, interviewing and essential skills in journalism, Creative writing with a
special focus on media both print and electronic, the role of language in communication
(both print and electronic) including language usage, varieties and writing styles,
language skills and translation skills, responsibility and accountability of journalism,
regulatory measures including ethics, media law, controlling bodies, censorship and
sources of information, contemporary issues in relation to journalism including
ownership, freedom of expression, critical aspects of journalism and media including
globalization, culture and communication, and Applied Journalism including
advertising, marketing and public relations.
Course Code
DJ 01
DJ 02
DJ 03
DJ 04
DJ 05

Course title
History of Journalism
Languages and Communication
Techniques of News casting
Creative Writing in Media
Project Report

The teaching staff consists of senior university academics, veteran media professionals
and renowned artistes.

79

MATHEMATICS UNIT
Present global trends in education demand high levels of Mathematical, statistical and
IT skills. A lack of exposure to those skills greatly handicaps students undertaking
modern academic and professional studies. It is a fact that, except for a few, students in
social studies streams are not adequately trained in numerical and analytical skills in
school.
The Mathematics Unit has been in existence for several years and has been contributing
towards the enhancement of the quality of courses offered by the Faculty of Arts. It has
been observed that teaching a subject like Mathematics/Statistics to students who are
not trained in Mathematics/Statistics requires extra pedagogical skills, learning
environment, and assessment methods. The Mathematics Unit offers unique training in
mathematical tools to students of the Faculty of Arts who are seeking to follow, in
particular, courses in Economics, Geography and Demography. Moreover the Unit
devises assessment methods that encourage active and deep learning.
The Mathematics Unit offers the following two foundation course units in Mathematics:
Basic Mathematics: for those who seek general application skills in mathematical tools
and analytical skills required to deal with their domestic and working environments.
Intermediate Mathematics: specially tailored for those who seek advanced
mathematical skills in their academic and professional pursuits. Moreover it also offers
a course on Statistics
1. Academic Staff
The Coordinator of the Mathematics Unit is Dr. DDPM Dunusinghe. The Mathematics
Unit has 1 Temporary Assistant Lecturer and obtains the service of a Visiting Lecturer,
N.W.V.S.C. Surasinghe.
2. Courses offered by the Unit
Course code
FND 1106/1206
FND 1107/1207
ELT 2117/2217

Course title
Intermediate Mathematics
Basic Mathematics
Statistics

Lecturer
NWVSC Surasinghe
NWVSC Surasinghe
NWVSC Surasinghe

3. Student support
The Unit conducts tutorials for every topic and discussion classes on a weekly basis. In
addition, the Unit conducts continuous assessments which function as preparation for
the final examination.

80

PALI AND BUDDHIST STUDIES UNIT

Pali and Buddhist Studies have been taught at the University of Colombo from the early
days of University College. These studies were terminated in 1969 due to university
reforms. The present programme was started in 1997. Currently, the Unit teaches both
Pali and Buddhist studies as two subjects: while Pali is offered for the General Degree,
Buddhist Studies is offered for both General and Special Degrees. Plans are underway
to develop a Special Degree course for Pali. In addition, the Unit is also in the process of
getting approval for Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Courses, and the research
degree courses, MPhil and PhD. The Unit has already received approval to conduct a
Certificate Course in Buddhist Studies. The Unit has qualified academic staff to conduct
its teaching and research. The Buddhist Studies Programme has 2 Professors, 1 Senior
Lecturer, and 1 Lecturer.
A reference library with basic Buddhist texts, computer facilities and a collection of
several thousand books and journals in Sinhala and English is open to students and
academic staff.
The University has already submitted a proposal to the University Grants Commission
to upgrade the Unit to the status of a Department.
1. Academic staff:
Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne Head of the Department. BA (Hons) (Peradeniya),
Tripitakaredi, Pandita (OSS), MA, PhD (Hawaii). Research interests: Buddhist and
Western philosophy, epistemology and logic, philosophy of language and religion, Pali
and Sanskrit.
Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi - BA (Hons) (Japura), MA, MPhil (Kelaniya), PhD
(Nanjing-China), CTHE (Colombo). Research interests: Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist
Source Languages.
Rev. U. Ananda - BA (Peradeniya), MA (Kelaniya), MPhil (Peradeniya) Pracina Pandit.
Wimal Hewamanage - BA (Hons) (Kelaniya), MA (Kelaniya), MA (Buddhist & Pali)
MPhil (Kelaniya). Pandit, (Sri Lanka OSS) CTHE (Colombo). Research interests: Sanskrit
languages, Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist concept of hygiene, Theravada and
SarvastivadaAbhidhamma
2.

Support staff: R.P.D.M. Rajapaksha and N.S. Lasantha (Temporary Tutor)

Coordinators
Examinations Coordinator: Rev. U. Ananda
IDC Representative: Rev. U. Ananda
MA and Diploma/Certificate Course Coordinators: Rev. Prof. M Dhammajothi
and Rev. U. Ananda

81

4. Courses offered: The programme offers three undergraduate courses:

Buddhist Studies, ELT & FND Course Units

Unit Code

Name of the course unit

BST 1101

An Introduction to Buddhist Studies

BST 1202

Basic Teachings of Early Buddhism

Critical Thinking and Logical
Analysis
Literary Sources and Traditions in
Buddhism I (Pali & Prakit)

FND 1215
BST 2121

Medium of
instruction
S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

S/E

Rev. U. Ananda

S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

S/E

Name of the Lecturer

Rev. U Ananda

BST 2122

History of Buddhist Thought I

(Compulsory )

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

BST 2123

An Introduction to Indian
Philosophy (Buddhist Philosophy)

S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

BST 2125
(Pali)

Introduction to Pali Language I

S/E

Rev. M. Sugathasiri

BST 2125
(Sanskrit)

Introduction to Pali Language I

S/E

Rev. P. Gnanaratana

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

S/E

Prof. Rohini Paranavithana

S/E

Rev. M. Sugathasiri

S/E

Rev. P. Gnanaratana

BST 2128
ELT 2128
BST 2224
BST 2226
BST 2229
(Pali)
(Sanskrit)

History of Spread of Buddhism I

(Buddhist Culture)
Modern Chinese Language I
(Mandarin)
Buddhist Social Philosophy
(Compulsory )
Literary Sources and Traditions in
Buddhism II (Sinhala)
Advance Pali Language

ELT 2229

Modern Chinese Language II

(Mandarin)

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

ELT 2230
BST 3146

Gender & Buddhism

Theravada Vinaya Studies

S/E
S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

Rev. U Ananda

BST 3147

History and Spread of Buddhism II

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

S/E

Visiting Lecturer

S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

BST 3148
BST 3149
BST 3150

Buddhist Arts and Architecture I

(Buddhist Culture)
An Introduction to Western
Philosophy
History of Buddhist thought II
(Compulsory)

82

BST 3153
ELT 3147
BST 3251

Buddhist Ethics (Buddhist

Philosophy)
Buddhism and Current Social
Problems
Buddhist Economic and Political
thought

S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

S/E

Rev. U. Ananda

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

BST 3252

Theravada Abhidamma Studies

S/E

Prof. Oliver Abeynayake

BST 3254

Buddhist Arts and Architecture II

(Culture)

S/E

Visiting Lecturer

S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

S/E

Visiting Lecturer

S/E

Rev. U. Ananda

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

S/E

Rev. U. Ananda
Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi
Prof. Olver Abeynayake

BST 3257
BST 4149
BST 4158
BST 4171
BST 4172
BST 4173

A Study of the Madyamaka Concept

of Emptiness (Philosophy)
Buddhist Culture I (Buddhist
culture)
Buddhist Tradition and Scholarship
in the West (Culture)
Literary sources, Tradition III
(Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan)
Buddhist Psychology
A Study of the Yogacara Concept of
Mind-only

S/E

BST 4179

Dissertation Research I
(Research Methodology)

S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

BST 4181

Buddhist Art and Architecture III

(East Asia)

S/E

Visiting Lecturer

S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

S/E

Visiting Lecturer

S/E
S/E
S/E
S/E

Rev. U. Ananda
Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne
Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne
Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

S/E

Rev. U. Ananda

S/E

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

BST 4186
BST 4254
BST 4282
BST 4283
BST 4284
BST 4285
BST 4287
BST 4289

Theravada Doctrinal Debates

Buddhist Culture II (East Asia ,
China, Korea and Japan)
Buddhism and Social Change
Buddhist Epistemology
Buddhist Logic
Understanding the World Religions
Recent History of Buddhism in Sri
Lanka
Dissertation Research II

83

Pali Course Units

Unit Code
PLG 1101
PLG 1202

Name of the course unit

Medium

Prescribed Texts, Pali Literature

(Compulsory)
Unspecified Texts , Grammar &
Composition (Compulsory)

Name of the Lecturer

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

Rev. U Ananda

S/E

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

PLG 2116

Prescribed Texts (Compulsory)

S/E

Rev. U Ananda
Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

PLG 2118

History of Pali Literature-1

(Compulsory)

S/E

Prof. Oliver Abeynayake

S/E

Dr. Asoka Welitota

S/E

Dr. Asoka Welitota

S/E

Rev. U Ananda
Prof. Oliver Abeynayake

PLG 2217
PLG 3141

Unspecified Texts , Grammar &

Prose Composition (Compulsory)
Prescribed Text, & Grammar
(Compulsory)

PLG3142

History of Pali Literature-2

PLG 3243
PLG 3244

Buddhist Thought (Theravada)

Theravada Abhidhamma & Vinaya

Rev. Prof. M. Dhammajothi

Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne

Prof. Oliver Abeynayake

5. Study streams: For the Buddhist Studies Special Degree, there are two streams:
Buddhist Philosophy and Buddhist Culture.
6. Internship programmes: None
7. Prizes: None
8. Student support:

i. Support for developing reading competence in English;

ii. Early warning system for faltering students.

9. Libraries and Resource Centres: A reading room with about 4000 books and
documents is available for students and teachers.
10. Computer labs: Several computers are available for the programme.
11. Self-access centre : Not available
12. Student societies: In progress
13. Links with foreign universities and foreign student exchange programmes: An
exchange programme with Saitama University, Japan, is being finalized.
14. Website and telephone number:
web: www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/arts/bstudies/index.htm
Tel: 2055487

84

STUDENT COMPUTER UNIT

The Student Computer Unit (SCU) offers a wide range of facilities for undergraduate
students of the Faculty of Arts. Services include internet access, document scanning,
CD/DVD burning facilities, printing facilities etc. The Unit also assists students in selflearning in preparation for their assignments, presentations, books, reports and
dissertations. The Unit functions throughout the week including on Saturday and
Sunday from 8.30 am to 8.00 pm.
1. Academic Staff
The Computer Teaching Unit has 1 Professor (Coordinator of the Unit).
Coordinator- Prof. Lasantha Manawadu, BA (Colombo), MSc (A.I.T.), PhD (Colombo)
2. Administrative Support Staff
G.A. Batuwanthudawa- Computer Applications Assistant, Grade I
T. Sureshkaanth Computer Applications Assistant, Grade I
3. Student support
In addition to technical support, the Unit offers short training courses for
undergraduates to enhance IT knowledge in the Faculty.
4. Computer Facility
No. of Computers with internet facilities : 80
No. of Computers with Windows 7 and MS Office 2010 : 65
No. of Computers with Windows 7 and MS Office 2013 : 15
4. Wi-Fi Internet Facility
The Unit provides Wi-Fi internet facilities to students and staff of the Faculty of Arts.
6. Computer Lecture Room Facilities
The Computer Unit provides lecture rooms with multimedia and internet facilities for
extension courses conducted by the University of Colombo. Since the Unit mainly
focuses on undergraduate students, it provides these facilities only on weekends and
after 4.00 pm on weekdays.

85