The Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya continues to strengthen its international footprint in prehistoric research through the successful participation of 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).” Held from October 27 to November 6, 2025, the ten-day conference spanned Indonesia’s most iconic heritage landscapes, including Salatiga, the Sangiran Early Man Site, and Yogyakarta.

Organized under the auspices of the International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences (UISPP), APT 2025 was the result of a high-level collaboration between the Indonesian Heritage Agency, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana. The conference brought together approximately 300 leading scholars from 39 countries to address the biological, paleoenvironmental, and socio-cultural evolution of humankind in Asia.

Prof. Bogahawatta and Ms. Koshalee played central roles in the scientific proceedings, demonstrating leadership as the Co-Convenors and Co-Chairs of Session S63, titled “Stones of Memory: Megalithism in Protohistoric Early Iron Age of Asia.” In this capacity, they guided global discourse on megalithic traditions and prehistoric advancements. Their scholarly contribution was further solidified through the presentation of three significant research papers that addressed diverse facets of Sri Lankan archaeology:

• "Integrating Prehistory into School Education in Sri Lanka: A Conceptual Exploration" (Koshalee, K.V.J. and Fernando, C.): An insightful study on weaving prehistoric knowledge into national curricula.

• "A Study on Bird Imagery and Symbolic Expression in the Prehistoric Rock Art of Kurullangala, Sri Lanka" (Pieris, T., Bogahawatta, C. and Koshalee, K.V.J.): An exploration of avian motifs and cognitive symbolism in ancient art.

• "The ‘Missing Neolithic’? Re-examining the Debate on a Neolithic Phase in Sri Lanka" (Pieris, T., Bogahawatta, C. and Koshalee, K.V.J.): A critical re-evaluation of the Neolithic transition within the local archaeological record.

The conference was designed to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, emphasizing the vital link between fundamental science and societal development. Reflecting this, the Kelaniya delegation engaged in specialized symposia focusing on the challenges of sustainability, community development, and prehistoric heritage. A significant highlight of their participation included hands-on involvement in applied side events, such as practical workshops dedicated to stone tool production and educational tours of the Paleoanthropology Laboratory in Yogyakarta. During these technical visits, they were granted rare access to original human fossils, including the world-renowned skull of Homo floresiensis.

Furthering the department's commitment to heritage activation, the two academics participated in fieldwork activities at the Sangiran Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These sessions facilitated direct engagement with local community organisations, exploring how prehistoric research can drive local tourism and economic resilience. They also explored innovative "collection-free" museology at the Ullen Sentalu Museum, providing a modern framework for the dissemination of archaeological knowledge that can be applied to the Sri Lankan context.

The extensive contribution of Prof. Bogahawatta and Ms. Koshalee to APT 2025 significantly enhances the international profile of the University of Kelaniya. By engaging with the global UISPP community and contributing to debates on human origins and heritage management, the Department of Archaeology reaffirms its leadership in advancing prehistoric studies within the Asian region.