Archaeology - Sumeda Viraj

Sumeda Viraj Aponsu

Lecturer in Tourism & CRM

MBA in Tourism (Sabaragamuwa), PGDip in Heritage (PGIAR), PGDip in Museology (PGIAR), BA (Honours) in Tourism and Cultural Resource Management (Kelaniya)

Email sumedav@kln.ac.lk

Telephone +94112290813

Mobile +94713573526

Room No G-03

Postgraduate Supervision Available

BIOGRAPHY:

Sumeda Viraj Aponsu is a Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Kelaniya, specialising in Tourism and Cultural Resource Management (TCRM). His work sits at the vital intersection of heritage preservation and sustainable economic growth. With a sophisticated research portfolio, Sumeda focuses on Tourism Planning, Heritage Destination Management, and the emerging field of Underwater Tourism, seeking innovative ways to protect and promote Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural assets. Through his commitment to Community-Based Tourism, Sumeda works to ensure that historical narratives are not only preserved for the future but are also professionally managed to empower local stakeholders and engage global travelers.

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Tourism Planning, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Underwater Tourism, Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Domestic and Community-Based Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Tourism Destination Management

ONGOING RESEARCH & PROJECTS:

On request

TEACHING: (Papers taught in 2025/2026)

Domestic and Community Based Tourism

POSITIONS:

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS:

JOURNAL ARTICLES (selected):

BOOKS (selected):

Aponsu, S. V. (2020). Museum Guidebook: Light of the World Currency Museum. Loftwess Foundation Publications.
Aponsu, S. V. (2021). Tourist Guidebook: Kotte. Loftwess Foundation Publications.

BOOK CHAPTERS & EDITED VOLUMES (selected):

CONFERENCES (selected):

Aponsu, S. V. (2021). A study of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum of Japan (Based on Japan field tour). Magazine of Museums, 19. Department of National Museums, Sri Lanka.

Aponsu, S. V. (2019). Cultural tourism role for protect the traditional martial arts in Sri Lanka [Paper presentation]. International Conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH 2019), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
Aponsu, S. V. (2019). Promote the Kohomba Kankariya as an intangible cultural product [Paper presentation]. 20th International Postgraduate Research Conference, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Aponsu, S. V. (2019). Potentials of promoting cultural tourism in Sri Lanka (Based on Dutch Reformed Church, Galle) [Paper presentation]. International Research Conference, Centre for Heritage Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Aponsu, S. V. (2018). Challengers of marine tourism in Sri Lanka. Yugathara Journal. Centre for Heritage Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Aponsu, S. V. (2018). Study on underwater cultural heritages remained in Sri Lanka (Based on East Sea). Journal of Sarasavi Lekha. Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Aponsu, S. V. (2018). Potentials of marine tourism in Sri Lanka (Based on South Sea) [Paper presentation]. Junior Academic Staff Research Symposium 2018, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Aponsu, S. V. (2017). A study of diving tourism issues in Sri Lanka [Paper presentation]. Undergraduates Research Conference on Archaeology, Tourism and Cultural Resource Management (URCAT), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Aponsu, S. V. (2017). Study on cultural and natural heritages remained underwater in areas of seas of North, East and South of Sri Lanka for tourism promotion [Paper presentation]. 2nd Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Rajarata, Sri Lanka.

Aponsu, S. V. (2014). Cultural tourism promotion of Sri Lanka (Based on Rajagala Buddhist Monastery) [Paper presentation]. Undergraduates Research Conference, Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Page updated

Report abuse