M.J.U. Merinnage
Assistant Lecturer in Archaeology
PGDip (PGIAR) (Reading), BA in Archaeology (Kelaniya)
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BIOGRAPHY:
BIOGRAPHY:
Merinnage Janani Uthpala Merinnage is an emerging scholar in Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya. Her academic career is defined by exceptional merit, having been recognised as the top student in her cohort for her research and examination performance. Her work focuses on Socio-Economic Epigraphy, specifically interpreting lithic records to reconstruct the religious and economic landscapes of ancient Sri Lanka. Beyond her research, she is actively involved in the international academic community, serving in leadership and editorial roles for high-level multidisciplinary conferences and tourism research platforms.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Irrigation Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology, Ethnology, Field Archaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Proto History
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
Coordinator, 10th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies & Cultural Festival (2025). Sri Lanka.
Reviewer, 10th International Tourism Research Conference (2025).
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS:
ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS:
Professor Senaka Bandaranayaka Memorial Gold Medal (2021–2022). Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Gold Medal for Best Results in Archaeology (2021–2022). Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.
JOURNAL ARTICLES (selected):
JOURNAL ARTICLES (selected):
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2024). Contemporary socio-cultural, religious, and economic background revealed by the Thiriyaya Inscription. Wasundara, 21. Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
CONFERENCES (selected):
CONFERENCES (selected):
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2025). Representation of Sri Lankan archaeology in digital media: A study based on selected YouTube channels [Paper presentation]. Junior Academic Staff Symposium (JASS) 2025, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2025, February 2–24). An archaeological study of the influence of the Parakrama Samudra on improvement of the urban landscape of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom [Workshop presentation]. Polonnaruwa Archaeology and Anthropology Urban Landscape Project, 3rd Field Session and Workshop, Sri Lanka.
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2025). An analytical study of dance iconography in the carvings and sculptures of Sri Lanka: Focus on the Gampola period (14th–16th century) [Paper presentation]. 10th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies & Cultural Festival, Sri Lanka.
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2025). Sustainable community-based tourism as a model for rural development: A case study of Hiriwadunna, Sri Lanka [Paper presentation]. 10th International Tourism Research Conference, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2025). An ethnoarchaeological study of the traditional tea culture: A case study in Hantāna, Sri Lanka [Paper presentation]. 1st International Tea Culture and Tourism Conference (ITITC), Sri Lanka.
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2025). A cultural study of the Devinuwara area: Based on the Devinuwara Upulwan Dewale and Perahera [Paper presentation]. 7th International Conference on the Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2024). Irrigation works in Kolamunu Oya [Paper presentation]. Undergraduate Research Symposium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Merinnage, M. J. U. (2023). A study of the rituals of worshipping the God Kadavara associated with the Kala Wewa [Paper presentation]. Intangible Cultural Heritage International Research Symposium.
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