Since 1977

Department of Archaeology

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Faculty of Social Sciences

UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA

"Exploring the Past. Inspiring the Future."

Archaeology| Tourism & Cultural Resource Management | Anthropology

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The Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary academic environment that integrates archaeology, tourism & cultural resource management, and anthropology. The Department is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and heritage-based engagement, fostering critical understanding of the past while addressing contemporary cultural and social contexts.

TEACHING & ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

Focused on archaeological theory, fieldwork, material culture, and the scientific study of the past.

Emphasising cultural policy, tourism planning, and community engagement centred on cultural resources.

Exploring social and cultural life through ethnographic and anthropological perspectives.

Postgraduate Programmes

Administered through the Faculty of Graduate Studies, these programmes combine strong theoretical foundations with practical and interdisciplinary approaches that align with contemporary national and international academic standards.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES

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TRIVALENT: Journal of Archaeology, Tourism & Anthropology

Volume 05 | Issue I & I

Volume 06 | Issue I & II

TRIVALENT Journal of Archaeology, Tourism & Anthropology is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary publication of the Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. The journal provides a platform for scholars, researchers, and professionals to present original research, theoretical perspectives, and applied studies that explore the intersections of archaeology, anthropology, tourism, and cultural resource management. It encourages innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches that advance understanding of human societies, cultural heritage, and sustainable development.

Submission Guidelines

Previous Journals

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Guest Lecture on Shared Buddhist Art Between Sri Lanka and India

25 May 2026

The Archaeology Students’ Society of the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, successfully organised the second guest lecture in its academic lecture series titled “Shared Buddhist Art Between Sri Lanka and India” on 25 May 2026 at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium. The lecture was delivered by Associate Professor Elora Tribedy of the Department of Archaeology at the School of Historical Studies, Nalanda University, India.

21 May 2026

The Department of Archaeology and the Archaeology Students’ Society of the University of Kelaniya successfully organised the one-day academic programme and workshop titled “Contested Heritage: Navigating Diversity for Sustainable Peace and Development” on 21 May 2026 at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium, University of Kelaniya, in celebration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2026. The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO.

07 January 2026

The Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, reached a significant academic milestone on January 7th, 2026, with the successful conclusion of a special guest lecture titled "Nepalese Buddhist Heritages and Archaeological Sites: Prospects for Tourism." The event, which took place at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium, was a landmark initiative organised by the Archaeology Students’ Society, showcasing the leadership and organisational excellence of the department’s student body.

Professor Anura Manatunga’s Year of International Excellence

Throughout 2025, Professor Manatunga served as a premier ambassador for Sri Lankan scholarship, traversing a vast geographic landscape to share insights on Buddhist archaeology, heritage inclusivity, and colonial narratives.

The 2025 Research Portfolio of Senior Professor Prishanta Gunawardhana

Senior Professor Prishanta Gunawardhana, Chair of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya, remains a driving force in the study of ancient urbanisation, tropical sustainability, and international academic collaboration.

Kelaniya Archaeologists Lead Research and Sessions at APT 2025 in Indonesia

Professor Chandima Bogahawatta and Senior Lecturer Ms K.V.J. Koshalee at the prestigious UISPP Inter-Congress Conference, “Asian Prehistory Today: Bridging Science, Heritage and Development (APT 2025).”

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RESEARCH & FIELDWORK HIGHLIGHTS

Research at the Department encompasses archaeological excavations, heritage and tourism studies, and anthropological research, contributing to national heritage knowledge and international scholarship.