Archaeology - Malinga Amarasinghe

Malinga Amarasinghe

Senior Professor in Archaeology

PhD (Kelaniya), MPhil (Kelaniya), BA (Kelaniya) , FSLCA

Email malinga@kln.ac.lk

Telephone +94112290813

Mobile +94714458346

Room No G-08

Postgraduate Supervision Available

BIOGRAPHY:

Senior Professor Malinga Amarasinghe is a distinguished archaeologist and former Head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya. With over three decades of scholarly expertise, he is a leading authority on ancient architecture, Buddhist iconography, and historical costumes. Beyond his academic leadership as a former Acting Dean, he serves as the President of the Sri Lankan Mural Conservation Trust and as a key advisor to the Department of National Museums. A prolific author, he has published over 40 books, including the influential 17-volume Ithihasa Kathandara series, bridging the gap between rigorous academic research and public heritage education. His contributions have been recognised with the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Researcher.

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Art and Architecture, Drawing and Planning, Ancient Technology

ONGOING RESEARCH & PROJECTS:

On request

TEACHING: (Papers taught in 2025/2026)

Sites and Monuments of Asia
Ancient Technology of Sri Lanka
Art and Architecture of Sri Lanka

POSITIONS:

President, Sri Lankan Painting Conservation Trust.
Executive Committee Member, China-Sri Lanka Buddhist Friends Alliance.

Life Member, Society of South Asian Archaeology (SOSA).
Life Member, Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) of Sri Lanka.
Life Member, Society of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Member, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
Member, Association for the Study and Research of Sri Lankan Ancient Art.
Subject Specialist (External), Faculty of Technology and Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (2016–2020).
Acting Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya (2015).
Member, Advisory Board (2010–2012). Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Head, Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya (2009–2015).
Chairperson, Research Committee, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR), University of Kelaniya (2009–2015).
Member, Board of Management, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR), University of Kelaniya (2009–2015).
Assistant Director (Archaeology) (2000–2002). Alahana Parivena Project, Central Cultural Fund.
Coordinator and Field Director (1995–1996). Sigiriya Eastern Exploration and Excavation Programme, Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

Academic Advisor (2018–Present). Ancient Technology Museum, Polonnaruwa, Department of National Museums.
Commissioner (2018–Present). Buddhist Rights Commission, National Buddhist Congress.
President (2002–Present). Sri Lankan Mural Conservation Trust.
Chief Editor (2015–2020). PURANAYA (Vols. I & II), Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Editorial Consultant (2011–2020). Surinduni Katharagama Annual Magazine.
Lead Consultant/Advisor (2018–2019). Projects for the World’s Largest Walking Buddha (Wariyapola) and Wooden Recumbent Buddha (Aluthapola).
Chief Editor (2011–2018). Archaeologia Zeylanica (Vols. I & II), Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Coordinator (2011–2015). MA/MSSc Degree Programs, Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Chief Editor (2013). Arya Vibhushana: Prof. Abhaya Aryasinghe Felicitation Volume, Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Chairperson (2012). Academic Session of the Ananda Coomaraswamy Memorial Conference on Asian Art and Culture, Centre for Asian Studies.

ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS:

Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Researcher (2011). Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya.

JOURNAL ARTICLES (selected):

Amarasinghe, M. (2005). Purana Lakdiva Menik Karmanthaya [Ancient gem industry in Sri Lanka]. Archaeologia: Journal of Archaeology, 1. Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Amarasinghe, M. (2000). Hela Kalawe Sinha Sankethaya [Symbol of Sinha in Sinhalese art]. Nissanka, 1. Central Cultural Fund.
Amarasinghe, M. (1999). Purwa Ithihasika Yugaye Wastu Widyawa [Architecture in proto-historic Sri Lanka]. Puravidya Paryeshana. Central Cultural Fund.
Amarasinghe, M. (1998). Janakaviya dutu purana Lankawe Yakada karmanthaya [Ancient iron works as seen in folk poetry]. Vasundara. Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Amarasinghe, M. (1997). Perani Lankawe Srungarathmaka Kalawa [Erotic art in ancient Sri Lanka]. Vasundara. Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Amarasinghe, M. (1995). Ramakele Mahameru Akruthiya [The mythical stone pillar of Ramakele]. Vasundara. Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Amarasinghe, M. (1994). Paranavithana and Sigiriya. Sanskrutha Puranaya. Central Cultural Fund.

BOOKS (selected):

Amarasinghe, M. (2019). Lakdiva Abharana Ithihasaya [The history of jewelry in ancient Sri Lanka]. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2016). Ithihasa Kathandara 17: Walagamba Rajjuruwo [History stories 17: King Walagamba]. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2012). Sithulpavva. S. Godage & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2012). Embekke. MGH Publishers.
Amarasinghe, M. (2011). Buduruwagala. Tharale Dhammarathane Publishers.
Amarasinghe, M. (2009). Lakdiva Buddha Prathimava [The Buddha image in Sri Lanka]. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2009). Puravidya Lipi [Archaeological essays]. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2009). Lakdiva Purana Rajamaliga [Ancient royal palaces in Sri Lanka] (New ed.). Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2009). Ithihasa Kathandara 11–16 [History stories: Series 11–16]. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2008). Ithihasa Kathandara 07–10 [History stories: Series 7–10]. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2007). Perani Lakdiva Vasthrabharana [Costumes and ornaments of ancient Sri Lanka]. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2007). Ithihasa Kathandara 01–06 [History stories: Series 1–6]. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2006). Naga Sankalpaya saha Sinhala Sanscrutiya [The Naga cult and Sinhalese culture]. Samanthi Publishers.
Amarasinghe, M. (2005). Sigiriya: Details of a World Heritage Site. Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2005). Situlpahu Viharaya. Samanthi Publishers.
Amarasinghe, M. (2005). Ancient Royal Palaces in Sri Lanka. Samanthi Publishers.
Amarasinghe, M. (2005). Ancient Stupa in Sri Lanka. S. Godage & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2004). Siduhath Kumaraya [Prince Siddhartha]. Samanthi Publishers.
Amarasinghe, M. (2004). Egypt. Samanthi Publishers.
Amarasinghe, M. (2004). Lakdiwa Supatala Budupilima [Famous Buddha statues in Sri Lanka]. S. Godage & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2002). Mesopotamia [Mesopotamia]. Rathana Prakashakayo.
Amarasinghe, M. (2000). Sinhale Purana Andum Ayiththam [Dress and ornaments in ancient Sri Lanka]. M.D. Gunasena & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2000). Balumo Sihagiri [Let's look at Sigiriya: An archaeological guide]. (2nd ed. published by Samanthi Publishers, 2004).
Amarasinghe, M. (1999). Thimira Era [The era of darkness: An anthology of poems]. Author Publication.
Amarasinghe, M. (1998). Polonnaruwe Natabun [The ruins of Polonnaruwa]. S. Godage & Co.

BOOK CHAPTERS & EDITED VOLUMES (selected):

Amarasinghe, M. (2011–2020). [Series of articles on Katharagama traditions and archaeology]. In Surinduni Katharagama (Annual Publication).
Amarasinghe, M. (2019). Lakdiwa Buddha Prathimawe Sajeevikaranaya. In Prof. A.A.D. Amarasekara Felicitation Volume. University of Kelaniya.
Amarasinghe, M. (2019). Tradition of wooden Buddha images in Sri Lanka. In Buddhabhivandana. Aluthepola Ganekanda Purana Raja Maha Viharaya.
Amarasinghe, M. (2017). Lakdiwa Buddha Prathima ha ehi wichithrakaranaya. In Jayathu: Mangalika Jayathunga Felicitation Volume. University of Kelaniya.
Amarasinghe, M. (2009). Lakdiva Athivisala Budupilima [Colossal Buddha images in Sri Lanka]. Chiranthana, 5. Tharangi Printers.
Amarasinghe, M. (2009). Polonnaruwe Prathima saha Murthi Kalawa [Arts, statues, and sculpture in Polonnaruwa]. In Pulathisi Wansaya. Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Amarasinghe, M. (2008). Matara Prthima Kalawa [Art of statues in Matara]. In Matara Wansaya. Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Amarasinghe, M. (2006). A palace and the summit of the rock: The lion gate, the wall, and its ancient form. Society of South Asian Archaeology (SOSAA). University of Mumbai.
Amarasinghe, M. (2006). See Raja Yasasa Siri [The lion of Sigiriya]. In Professor Nandadeva Mudiyanse Felicitation Volume. University of Kelaniya.
Amarasinghe, M. (2005). Panduwasnuwara Rajamaligaya saha Etyemgeya [Royal palace and the inner chamber in Panduwasnuwara]. Wyambaputhra Prasadini. Central Cultural Fund.
Amarasinghe, M. (2005). Purana Lakdiva Baudda nirmana saha run bhavithaye dayakatvaya [Usage of gold in ancient Buddhist works]. In Essays in Archaeology: In Honor of Prof. H.T. Basnayake. S. Godage & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (2003). Sithulpahuve Bithusithuwam [Paintings of Sithulpahuva]. In Essays in Archaeology: In Honor of Prof. Senake Bandaranayake. S. Godage & Co.
Amarasinghe, M. (1997). Polonanaru Yugaya Kalashilpa [Art of the Polonnaruwa period]. In Sri Lankawe Ithihasaya I.

CONFERENCES (selected):

Amarasinghe, M. (2009). Discoveries in Sigiriya [Invited guest lecture]. Archaeology Day, Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2009). Cave architecture in ancient Sri Lanka [Monthly lecture series]. Society of Archaeology, National Museum, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2008). Thissamaharamaya Visesa Budupilimayak [A special Buddha image found in Tissamaharama]. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2008). Ancient technology of stone Buddha images [Monthly lecture series]. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2007). Sri Lankawe Dharmachakra Mudra Budupilimaya [The Dharmachakra Mudra Buddha image in Sri Lanka]. Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2007). Heritage training for international tourism [Guest lecture]. Aitken Spence Travels Ltd., Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2006). Polonnaruwa Thivanka Pilimaya: Reconstruction of the Thivanka Buddha image. Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2005). National Archaeological Day address [Guest lecture]. Department of Archaeology, Totagamuwa, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2003). Siyawasaka Niyamuwo [Pioneers of a century]. Seminar on the Polonnaruwa Alahana Parivena Project, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2000). Ancient royal palaces [Guest lecture]. Council of Archaeology, National Museum, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2000). Polonnaruwe Siyawasaka Puravidyawa: Reconstructions of ancient royal palaces in Sri Lanka. Seminar on the Sri Lanka Federation of Archaeology (SLFA), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (2000). National Archaeological Day address [Guest lecture]. Department of Archaeology, Panduwasnuwara, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (1990). Sigiriye Mahameru Akkrutiya [The Mahameru model of Sigiriya]. National Archaeological Congress, Sri Lanka Federation of Archaeology (SLFA), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe, M. (1990). Ramakele Mahameruwa [The Mahameru stone of Ramakele]. Archaeological Seminar, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION:

On request

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