The Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya proudly celebrates a year of significant global achievement by Professor Anura Manatunga. Throughout 2025, Professor Manatunga served as a premier ambassador for Sri Lankan scholarship, traversing a vast geographic landscape—from the historic halls of Kolkata and Shanghai to the steppes of the Russian Federation—to share insights on Buddhist archaeology, heritage inclusivity, and colonial narratives.

Championing Heritage Inclusivity and Buddhist Scholarship

Professor Manatunga’s year began with a focus on the social responsibility of heritage. In January, at the University of Calcutta, India, he delivered a vital keynote address titled "Museums and Disabled Children: A survey into museum logos, signboards, pictures and other visual productions appeared in public domain." This session challenged the global museum community to rethink visual communication for special-needs visitors, a theme he supported further by chairing two academic sessions.

In March, his focus shifted to the structural and comparative history of South Asia. At Chaudhari Charan Singh University in Meerut, he delivered a keynote defining a new taxonomic framework in his paper, "A Classification of Buddhist Viharas of Sri Lanka." Simultaneously, as an International Resource Person in Assam, he presented a pioneering comparative study of the contemporary 7th–13th-century kingdoms of Kamrupa (Assam) and Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka), fostering deeper regional academic ties.

Representing Sri Lanka on the Global Heritage Stage

Professor Manatunga played a pivotal role in high-level diplomatic and archaeological forums, ensuring the University of Kelaniya’s presence at elite global gatherings:

• Preserving Rural Heritage in New Delhi: In late November, Professor Manatunga was a special invitee to the International Conference for the Preservation of Rural Buddhist Heritage held in New Delhi. He delivered a significant research paper titled "Preservation of intangible heritage in museums," advocating for the protection of living traditions alongside physical artefacts. His expertise was further utilized as he contributed to two high-level panel discussions during the conference. 

• Sixth Shanghai Archaeology Forum, China: In December, Professor Manatunga participated in this prestigious forum at Shanghai University. He presented a specialised paper on "Pre-Medieval Metal Technology in Sri Lanka" and co-chaired a key session, while also conducting field observations at newly excavated Neolithic sites.

• 3rd International Buddhist Forum, Russia: Representing the department as a special guest in Elista, Republic of Kalmykia, he engaged in cross-cultural dialogues regarding the folk traditions of Steppe Buddhists.

• Indo-Lanka Sustainable Tourism: At the BMICH in Colombo, he served as a lead panellist at the 10th International Tourism Research Conference, advocating a balance between heritage preservation and sustainable economic growth.

Uncovering Colonial Narratives and Field Legacies

The latter half of 2025 saw Professor Manatunga delving into the poignant history of the Kandyan period and the practicalities of field archaeology. He delivered groundbreaking lead papers on the lives of those in exile, specifically focusing on "Kandyan State Prisoners in Mauritius 1819-1832" and the exile of the last King of Kandy’s family in Vellore, South India.

Beyond formal research, he remained committed to public outreach and mentorship. In August, he was invited by the Alumni Association of Peradeniya University to deliver a commemorative lecture at the Institute of Engineers, sharing his deeply personal and professional "Reminiscences of Sigiriya as a field Archaeologist."

Commitment to Academic Leadership

Throughout the year, Professor Manatunga’s expertise was called upon to guide scholarly standards, serving as a session chair at the Pondicherry World History Congress and various multidisciplinary conferences. His 2025 contributions reflect a holistic approach to archaeology—one that values scientific rigour, historical truth, and the inclusive future of global heritage.