Archaeology - Chandima Bogahawatta

Chandima Bogahawatta

Professor in Archaeology

PhD (Shandong), MSc (PGIAR), PGDip (PGIAR), BA in Archaeology (USJP), FSLCA

Email dr.chandima@kln.ac.lk

Telephone +94112290813

Mobile +94714212450

Room No G-07

Postgraduate Supervision Available

BIOGRAPHY:

Professor Chandima Bogahawatta is a distinguished senior academic at the University of Kelaniya and a leading authority on Sino-Sri Lankan archaeological relations. He earned his doctorate from Shandong University, China, where his research pioneered new insights into the ancient economic ties between the two nations. His scholarly expertise specifically encompasses Epigraphy, Numismatics, and Maritime Silk Road studies. Professor Bogahawatta has held prominent leadership roles, including Additional Director General of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF). As a Fellow of the Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists, he contributes extensively to the study of intangible culture and historical trade. His work is instrumental in integrating archaeological research with modern heritage management and the professional development of sustainable cultural tourism.

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Sinology, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Cultural and Archaeological Tourism

ONGOING RESEARCH & PROJECTS:

Documentation and Epigraphical Interpretation of the Namal Uyana Inscriptions.
A Re-examination and New Interpretation of the Dambulla Cave Temple Inscriptions.
A Scientific Investigation into the Kurullangala Prehistoric Rock Paintings.
The History of Travel in Sri Lanka: From the 6th Century BC to the 15th Century CE.
Simon Casie Chitty: A Compendium of His Contributions to Sri Lankan History, Archaeology, and Anthropology.

TEACHING: (Papers taught in 2025/2026)

History of Travel and Tourism
Basics of the tourism industry

POSITIONS:

Former Additional Director General (2024–2025), Central Cultural Fund (CCF), Sri Lanka.
Chair, National Scientific Committee on Cultural Tourism (NSC-CT) (2019–2021) ICOMOS Sri Lanka.
Treasurer (2019–2021) ICOMOS Sri Lanka (National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites).
Secretary for Welfare (2017–2019) Kelaniya University Teachers’ Association (KUTA).
Treasurer (2012–2014) Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists (SLCA).
Fellow Member Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists (SLCA).
Life Member Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL).
Member ICOMOS Sri Lanka.
Member International Confucian Association.
Member European Association of Archaeologists (EAA).

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

Project Director (2016). Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) of the Gin Nilwala Diversion Project.
Project Director (2013). Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) of the Kalugal Oya Reservoir Project.
Resource Person (2010). Archaeological and Heritage Conservation Programme, Lanzhou University, China.
Specialist Researcher (Epigraphy and Numismatics) (2012–2016). Yan Oya Middle Basin Mortuary Archaeological Research Project.
Visiting Lecturer (2014–2021). MSSc Degree Programme, Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya. Specialisation: Archaeological Tourism and Research Methods.
Visiting Lecturer (2015–2020). Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR). Specialisation: Epigraphy, Numismatics, and Heritage Legislation.
Guest Lecturer (Sino-Lankan Relations) (2013–2014). "Chinese Coins Found in Sri Lanka," Sri Lanka Numismatic Society and Archaeological Society of Sri Lanka.
Resource Person (2020). National Leadership Training Programme, delivering specialised lectures on "Culture and Heritage of Sri Lanka" for the Gemunu Watch and Divisional Secretariats.

ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS:

Doctoral Scholarship (2007) Awarded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for a one-year Language Programme followed by a three-year Doctoral Degree Program at Shandong University, China.
Foreign Travel Grant (2019) Awarded by the Research Council, University of Kelaniya, to facilitate international academic engagement.
RCSS Research Grant (2018) Awarded by the Research Centre for Social Sciences (RCSS), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, for specialised archaeological research.
SAARC Research Grant (2014) Awarded by the SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka, for regional heritage research.
Indian Government Scholarship (2014) Awarded for participation in the "Progress to Proficiency - Intermediate" English Language training programme at the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, India.

JOURNAL ARTICLES (selected):

Peiris, T., Bogahawatta, C. and Kakulandala, K. (2024). Buddhism, Kingship, and Irrigation: Reinterpreting Anurādhapura Era Inscriptions on the Socio-Religious Governance of Water. ANVEṢAṆĀ Journal of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies. [online] 15(2), pp.1–17. 5. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jEFeXykhbGVB9VhnytMQVdjGJ9j7vZSG/view
Bogahawatta, C. (2021). Anuradhapura yugayehi bhawitha kula yana padaya pilibanda wigrahayak [An analysis of the term 'Kula' used in the Anuradhapura period]. BPU Journal of Buddhist Studies and Humanities (JBSH), 6(1), 27–56.
Bogahawatta, C. (2021). Abhilekhana walin heliwan purana Sri Lankeya shilpiya samajaya [Ancient Sri Lankan artisan society revealed through inscriptions]. Journal of Archaeology, Anthropology and Heritage Management, 1(2), 28–45.
Bogahawatta, C. (2021). Bharatiya saha Sri Lankeya shilpa samajaya pilibanda handinveema [An introduction to Indian and Sri Lankan artisan societies]. BPU Journal of Archaeology, 1(1), 58–82.
Bogahawatta, C. (2019). Iconic Ganapati to aniconic Pullaiyar: An archaeological and ethnographical study on iconographic variations of Ganesha figures in North-Central and Northern Provinces of Sri Lanka. The Journal of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, 6(2), 161–185.
Bogahawatta, C. (2019). The impact of community conflict on tourists’ behaviour in Sri Lanka: A case of Madunagala Hot Spring Area. The Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Review (JSSHR), 6(2), 65–78.
Kakulandala, K., & Bogahawatta, C. (2018). Categories of dance in Sri Lanka during Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods: An archaeological study based on dancing figures. Journal of the Centre for Heritage Studies, 1(1), 177–187.
Kakulandala, K. and Bogahawatta, C. (2017). Costumes and adornment of ancient dancers: an archaeological study based on dancing figures of Sri Lanka, The Journal of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, 4(1), pp. 21-39.
Bogahawatta, C. and Kakulandala, K. (2016). A Survey of Ancient Chinese Coins in Sri Lanka [Chinese]. Journal of Baise University, 29(6), pp.17–29. https://caod.oriprobe.com/articles/50618557/A_Survey_of_Ancient_Chinese_Coins_in_Sri_Lanka.htm
Chandima, A., & Wu, Y. (2013). Inscription of Zheng He and Sripada Temple (Chinese). Journal of University of Jinan (Social Science Edition), 23(3), 19–21.
Chandima, & Wu, Y. (2011). A new research on Galle Triangular Stele (Chinese). Dong Nan Wen Hua [Southeast Culture], 1, 72–78.

BOOKS (selected):

Bogahawatta, C. and Kakulandala, K. (2022). සාම්ප්‍රදායික පුරාවිද්‍යාවේ වර්ධනය [Development of Traditional Archaeology]. Kelaniya: Research Centre for Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. ISBN: 978-624-5507-00-9

BOOK CHAPTERS & EDITED VOLUMES (selected):

Bogahawatta, C., & Koshalee, K. V. J. (2023). අනුරාධපුර සහ පොලොන්නරු සමයන්හි ශිලාලේඛනවල සඳහන් නර්තක සමාජය [Dancers’ Society Mentioned in Inscriptions of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Periods]. In Manathunga, M. (Editor-in-Chief) et al. (eds.) Medhānandābhinandana: Puravidya Chakravarthy Dr. Most Venerable Ellawala Medhananda Felicitation Volume. Colombo 07: Department of Archaeology, pp. 140–148.
Bogahawatta, C., & Koshalee, K. V. J. (2022). අභයගිරි විහාර සම්ප්‍රදායේ කලා නිර්මාණ පිළිබඳ දිශානති [Directions on Art Works in Abhayagiri Vihara Tradition]. In Ranasinghe, G. et al. (eds.) Professor T.G. Kulatunge Felicitation Volume. Colombo 07: Central Cultural Fund, pp.135–148
Koshalee, K.V.J. and Bogahawatta, C. (2018). Gaṇapati in early Buddhist art of Sri Lanka: An explanation of the elephant-headed figure at Mihintale Kaṇṭaka Cētiya. In Abhayawansa, K. (Editor-in-Chief) et al. (eds.) e-Journal of Buddhist Research Studies (Special Edition) [online]. Penang: Than Hsiang Buddhist Research Centre, pp.74–86. Available at: http://research.thanhsiang.org/sites/default/files/attachment/th2018v5.pdf.
Kakulandala, K. and Bogahawatta, C. (2018). Categories of Dance in Sri Lanka during Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Periods: An Archaeological Study based on Dancing Figures. In Manatunga, A. (Editor-in-Chief) et al. (eds.) Journal of the Centre for Heritage Studies, Volume 1. Sri Lanka: Centre for Heritage Studies, University of Kelaniya, pp. 177–187.
Bogahawatta, C. and Kakulandala, K. (2014). ලෝක පුරාවිද්‍යාවේ ඉතිහාසය (නව පුරාවිද්‍යාවේ ආරම්භය දක්වා) [History of World Archaeology: Up to the beginning of New Archaeology]. In Sobhita, M, Indananda, W. and Piyarathana, P. (eds.) Viduruwana (The Felicitation Volume for the most venerable Mahanuwara Dhammaratana), Volume 45. Colombo 10: S. Godage and Brothers, pp. 366–384.

CONFERENCES (selected):

Pieris, T., Bogahawatta, C., & Koshalee, K. V. J. (2025). A study on bird imagery and symbolic expression in the prehistoric rock art of Kurullangala, Sri Lanka [Abstract]. Abstracts UISPP-2025.
Pieris, T., Bogahawatta, C., & Koshalee, K. V. J. (2025). The ‘Missing Neolithic’? Re-examining the debate on a Neolithic phase in Sri Lanka [Abstract]. Abstracts UISPP-2025.
Bogahawatta, C. (2025, September 10–13). Southern gateways of the Silk Road: Artistic and architectural transmission of Buddhist art in ancient Sri Lanka [Paper presentation]. Eastern Smile: Maijishan Grottoes Sculpture Forum 2025, Tianshui, China.
Bogahawatta, C., Dissanayake, R. B., & Koshalee, K. V. J. (2023, October). Unveiling Polonnaruwa: Exploring the historicity of a forgotten settlement [Abstract]. International Workshop on Ancient Urbanisation in Sri Lanka (IWAUS 2023) (pp. 66–68). University of Kelaniya.
Bogahawatta, C., Kakulandala, K., Kumaranayake, R., & Kulathunga, D. (2021). මුල් ළමාවිය සඳහා පුරාවිද්‍යාව: අතීතය දෙස බැලීමේ සම්ප්‍රදායික අධ්‍යාපනයට එරෙහි නව්‍ය ආදර්ශයක් [Archaeology for early childhood: An innovative model against traditional education of looking at the past] [Full Paper]. In Proceedings of the National Archaeological Symposium – 2021 (pp. 252–258). Department of Archaeology.
Bogahawatta, C., Koshalee, K. V. J., Peiris, P. T. M., & Randula, K. K. G. (2018, December). Iconic Gaṇapati to aniconic Pillaiyār: An archaeological and ethnographical study on iconographic variations of Gaṇēsha figures in Sri Lanka [Abstract]. 4th International Conference on Social Sciences (p. 91). University of Kelaniya.
Kakulandala, K., & Bogahawatta, C. (2016). Sri Lankan elephant in 17th century – A historical record of Robert Knox: A review [Full Paper]. In Asian Elephants in Culture and Nature (pp. 151–158). Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya.
Bogahawatta, C., & Kakulandala, K. (2016, December). An explanation to the elephant-headed figure at Mihintale Kaṇṭaka Cētiya: A comparative study with Hindu mythology [Abstract]. International Seminar on Symbolism in Indian Art, Archaeology, and Literature (pp. 52–53). Deccan College.
Kakulandala, K., & Bogahawatta, C. (2016, November). Identification of dance styles of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods: An archaeological study on dancing figures of Sri Lanka [Abstract]. Proceedings of the International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS 2016) (p. 109). University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Kakulandala, K., & Bogahawatta, C. (2016, September). Costumes and adornment of ancient dancers: An archaeological study based on dancing figures of Sri Lanka [Extended Abstract]. Proceedings of the Second Archaeological Research Symposium 2016 (pp. 94–98). Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION:

Current Students

Master of Science

Nanayakkarawasam Hiniduma Liyanage Kaveesha Thathsarani (Reg No: MS 1213107), Degree: Master of Science (MSc), Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR). Research Title: A study of South Indian trading corporations mentioned in Tamil inscriptions found in Sri Lanka (based on inscriptions written during the 11th - 15th centuries AD).

Past Students

Master of Social Sciences (MSSc)

P.D.N.R. Dharmasena (Reg. No: FGS/MSSC/ARCH/2015/006), ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ පුරාවිද්‍යා උරුමය හා සංචාරක කර්මාන්තය (අනුරාධපුර දිස්ත්‍රික්කය ආශ්‍රයෙන්) [Archaeological Heritage and the Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka: With Special Reference to the Anuradhapura District], Awarded (2019).
I.W.R.L. Ariyarathne (Reg. No: FGS/MSSC/ARCH/2015/007), පුරාතන ගම් ආශ්‍රිතව උරුම සංචරණය ප්‍රවර්ධනය කිරීම (මීමුරේ ගම්මානය ආශ්‍රයෙන්) [Promotion of Heritage Tourism Related to Ancient Villages: With Special Reference to Meemure Village], Awarded (2019).
P.M. Embuldeniya (Reg. No: FGS/ARCH/MC/12/001), Archaeological and Tourist Attractions in Ritigala, (2016).

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