Archaeology - Umanga Rammungoda

Umanga Rammungoda

Senior Lecturer Gr. II in Archaeology

MSc (PGIAR), BA (First Class Honours) in Archaeology (Kelaniya), MSLCA

Email umangar@kln.ac.lk

Telephone +94112290813

Mobile +94715938801

Room No A-05

Postgraduate Supervision Available

BIOGRAPHY:

Umanga Rammungoda is a Senior Lecturer and the current Head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya. Holding an MSc from the PGIAR, she specialises in Ethno-archaeology, Anthropological Archaeology, and Heritage Management. She is widely recognised for her extensive research on the Vedda community, exploring social modernisation and traditional clan structures. Her scholarly impact includes high-profile international collaborations, such as the Anuradhapura Hinterland Project and POLARP with Durham University. Ms Rammungoda’s diverse expertise spans material science, including pigment and residue analysis, and the study of ancient urbanism in the Kandyan Kingdom.

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Cultural Anthropology, Anthropological Archaeology, Museum Studies, Cultural Tourism, Ethnoarchaeology, Material culture, Field Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Settlement Archaeology

ONGOING RESEARCH & PROJECTS:

On request

TEACHING: (Papers taught in 2025/2026)

POSITIONS:

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

Contributed as a Resource Person (2022). Ceramic Department Program, VAPA Television (Official Television of the University of Visual and Performing Arts), Sri Lanka.
Early Career Researcher (2021–2022). Rewriting World Archaeology: Dialogues on the Global South Programme. Antiquity Trust, Cambridge University, and Durham University. Funded by the British Academy.
Assistant Editor (2021, December). Archaeologia: Journal of South Asian Archaeology, Part III, Vol. 2. (P. Gunawardhana & R. Coningham, Eds. in Chief). Vidyalankara Press, Sri Lanka.
Member of the Anthropological Research Team (2020, August). Anthropological Research Program on the Coastal Vedda People, Eastern Province. (Collaboration with PGIAR, CCF, and Office of the Governor, Eastern Province).
Archaeological Impact Assessment (2018). Kumbukkan Oya Water Project. (Organized by Past Preservers Archaeological Services, Sri Lanka).
Anthropological Study & Survey (2016). Anthropological Survey in Tamil and Muslim Societies (Kaduruvela and Manampitiya) and Identification of Ancient Trinco-Sripada Pilgrim Route for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Polonnaruwa Archaeological and Anthropological Research Project (POLARP).
Archaeological Excavation (2016). Polonnaruwa Siva Devala No. 2 Excavation and Nikawewa Megalithic Burial Site (Yan Oya Middle Basin Project).
Member of the Anthropological Research Team (2016, March). A Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Program for Sigiriya World Heritage Site. (Collaboration with PGIAR and University of Florida).
Archaeological Excavation & Post-Analysis (2015). Illankanthurei International Port Site, Kavanthissapura Copper Furnace, and Artefacts Classification/Recording (POLARP Season 2015) with Prof. Robin Coningham.
Archaeological Impact Assessment (2015). Basnagoda Water Project. (Organized by Dr. Sirinimal Lakdusinghe).
Archaeological Impact Assessment (2014). Upper Elahera Canal Project. (Organized by Past Preservers Archaeological Services, Sri Lanka).
Archaeological Impact Assessment (2013). Kivul Oya Reservoir Project and NWP Diversion Canal Project (Mahaweli Water Diversion).
Archaeological Excavation (2013). Walahavidda Wewa Megalithic Burial Site, Yan Oya Middle Basin Project (Field Season 2013).
Member of the Examination & Interview Board (2013). Entrance Exam for Faculty of Visual Arts (Academic Year 2013/2014), University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka.
Archaeological Impact Assessment (2012). Mahagonawawa and Barava Biodiversity Park (Homagama).
Archaeological Excavation (2012). Olu Wewa Cairn Circle and Walahavidda Wewa Megalithic Burial Sites, Yan Oya Middle Basin Project.
Rescue Excavation & Consolidation (2011–2012). Nikawalamulla Burial Dismantling and National Museum Setting-up Project. (Collaboration with Ministry of Environment, PGIAR, and National Museum Colombo).
Assistant Editor (2011). Archaeologia – Oriental Archaeology International Journal. (P. Gunawardhana, G. Adikari, R. Coningham & D. Evans, Eds.). Neptune Publications.
Resource Person (2011). History and Community Workshop (4 days), Polonnaruwa. (Organized by Department of History, University of Colombo).
Exploration Team Member (2011). Yan Oya Middle Basin Project, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (Field Season 2011).
Assistant Editor (2010). Heritage of Veddas (Vadi Jana Urumaya). (P. Gunawardhana & G. Adikari, Eds.). Neptune Publication.
Archaeological Excavation & AIA (2010, October–November). Terracotta site at Galkada, Mahiyanganaya and Willu Weva Archaeological Impact Assessment Project.
Residue Analysis Researcher (2009–2010). Sea Link Project: Sri Lanka and Early Indian Ocean Contacts. (Collaboration with the Universities of Queensland, Oxford, Cambridge, and Ruhuna).
Anthropological Researcher (2008–2011). Individual Study of Vadda People in selected areas of Sri Lanka.
Archaeological Excavation & Survey (2008). Siyabalawa Excavation (Anuradhapura) and GPS Backpack Surveying. Upper Malwatu Oya Archaeological Exploration Project (Season V).
Geophysical Survey & Exploration (2007). Upper Malwatu Oya Archaeological Exploration Project (Season IV). (Collaboration with Universities of Bradford, Stirling, Leicester, and Durham).
Exploration Team Member (2006). Kelani Valley Exploration Project – Wattala Division (Season III). University of Kelaniya.
Exploration Team Member (2005). Kelani Valley Exploration Project – Biyagama Division (Season II). University of Kelaniya.

ACHIEVEMENTS & AWARDS:

Recipient of the Gold Medal for Best Performance in Archaeology (2009). Awarded by the Scholarship Fund of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

JOURNAL ARTICLES (selected):

Coningham, R., Gunawardhana, P., Rammungoda, U. R., et al. (2021, December). Piloting post-disaster archaeological heritage protection at Jaffna Fort, Sri Lanka. Archaeologia: Journal of South Asian Archaeology, 2(Part III). Vidyalankara Press.
Coningham, R., Gunawardhana, P., Rammungoda, U. R., et al. (2021, December). Geophysical survey, archaeological risk maps and heritage protection at Jaffna Fort and its environs, Sri Lanka. Archaeologia: Journal of South Asian Archaeology, 2(Part III). Vidyalankara Press.
Manuel, M., Coningham, R., Gunawardhana, P., Rammungoda, U. R., et al. (2020). Plurality, temporality and low density urbanism: Exploring the medieval hinterland of Polonnaruwa. Asian Perspectives: The Journal of Archaeology for Asia and the Pacific, 59(2). University of Hawaii Press.
Rammungoda, U. R. (2020). Archaeological tourism: New concept in tourism industry [Sinhala]. Journal of Archaeology, 5. Department of Archaeology, University of Buddhist and Pali.
Rammungoda, U. R. (2018). Heritage tourism and creative community: Importance and neediness of community-based tourism [Sinhala]. Yugathara: Journal of Centre for Heritage Study, University of Kelaniya.

BOOKS (selected):

Rammungoda, U. R. (2021). Vadi Jana Samajaya: Samaja Sanvidhanaya ha Samaja Parivarthanaya [Vedda people: Social organization and social changes]. Neptune Publications.
Rammungoda, U. R. (2021). Mahanuwara: Swabhawika Bhumi Drushya, Prachina Nagarikarana ha Manawa Balapama [Kandy: Natural landscape, ancient urbanization and human influence]. Neptune Publications.
Rammungoda, U. R. (2014). Info – Travel: Kandy a world heritage site [English and Sinhala]. Neptune Publications.

BOOK CHAPTERS & EDITED VOLUMES (selected):

Manuel, M., Gunawardhana, P., Coningham, R., Davis, C., Namalgamuwa, H., Senanayaka, J., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2018). Ritual and economy reconsidered at Siva Devale No. 02, Polonnaruwa. In P. Gunawardhana & R. Coningham (Eds.), Buddha Rashmi Vesak Volume: Essays in Buddhism and Buddhist Monastic Archaeology. Central Cultural Fund and Ministry of Education.
Thantilage, A., Vithanage, I., Senanayaka, J., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2017). Kewulgama Dalada Gamanmaliga Viharaye Puskola Poth [Palm leaf manuscripts of Kewulgama Dalada Gamanmaliga Viharaya]. PGIAR Memoirs.
Senanayaka, J., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2016). Sri Lankawe Bauddha Sanskruthika Sancharaka Karmanthaya [Buddhist tourism in Sri Lanka]. In P. Gunawardhana et al. (Eds.), Wesak Kalapaya. Central Cultural Fund.
Senanayaka, J., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2012). Sri Lankawe Purajiva Vividhathva Sancharaka Karmanthaya [Palaeobiodiversity tourism in Sri Lanka]. In G. Adikari et al. (Eds.), Palaeobiodiversity Volume. Biodiversity Secretariat Office, Ministry of Environment.
Gunawardhana, P., Adikari, G., Namalgamuwa, H., Senanayaka, J., Deepal, N., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2010). Vadi Jana Urumaya [Heritage of Veddas]. In P. Gunawardhana & G. Adikari (Eds.), Heritage of Veddas (Vadi Jana Urumaya). Neptune Publications.
Rammungoda, U. R. (2010). Vadi Jana Diwiye Gothra Sanvidhanaya [Clan organization in the Vedda life]. In P. Gunawardhana & G. Adikari (Eds.), Heritage of Veddas (Vadi Jana Urumaya). Neptune Publications.
Rammungoda, U. R. (2009). Vadi Janathawa ha Samaja Naveenakaranaya [Vedda peoples and social modernization]. In P. Gunawardhana & G. Adikari (Eds.), Manavavidyava Handinveema (Introduction to Anthropology). Godage International Publishers.
Rammungoda, U. R. (2020). Eko Sancharaka Karmanthaye Nava Magaka: Morawakkoralaye Sancharaka Shakyathava [New path of eco tourism: Tourism potential in Morawakkoralaya]. In Morawakkorala Wanshaya. Southern Provincial Council.

CONFERENCES (selected):

Rammungoda, U. R., & Senanayaka, J. (2015). The need of a children's museum [Paper presentation]. International Conference on The Future Museum: An Asian Perspective, Centre of Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Senanayaka, J., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2012). Sri Lankawe Purajiva Vividhathva Sancharaka Karmanthaya [Palaeobiodiversity tourism in Sri Lanka] [Paper presentation]. Palaeobiodiversity Symposium 2012, Biodiversity Secretariat Office, Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Senanayaka, J., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2011, July 7–8). Mada Bhajana ha Bahira Alanakarana [Surface decorations and pottery] [Paper presentation]. National Archaeological Symposium, Department of Archaeology, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Senanayaka, J., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2011, March 25–26). Geographical factors and origin of cities: Special reference to the origin of the Kandyan Kingdom [Paper presentation]. 4th Research Conference of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Senanayaka, J., & Rammungoda, U. R. (2011, March 25–26). Rock art at Urakanda rock shelter [Paper presentation]. 4th Research Conference of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Rammungoda, U. R., & Senanayaka, J. (2010). Petroglyphs as a ritual: Special reference to Urakanda rock shelter in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka [Paper presentation]. 3rd International Congress of the Society of South Asian Archaeology (SOSAA), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Senanayaka, J., Rammungoda, U. R., Namalgamuwa, H., Adikari, G., Gunawardhana, P., & Bohingamuwa, W. (2010, July 7–9). Sri Lankawe Prachina Parishaya Sandaha Shesha Vishleshanaya [Residue analysis for Sri Lankan archaeological field] [Paper presentation]. National Archaeological Symposium, Department of Archaeology, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION:

On request

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