History of the Department

The Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya (KLN) holds a pioneering role in the higher education and the heritage sector of Sri Lanka, distinguished by its dedication to interdisciplinary study, advanced research, and the contribution of the professionals in related government, semi-government and institutional bodies.

The Legacy

The department’s origin is traced to the 1973 university reforms, which saw the Archaeology course cease at Vidyodaya University and subsequently be introduced to the Vidyalankara Campus (later named the University of Kelaniya). Professor Abhaya Aryasinghe, who had lectured at Vidyodaya, was instrumental in developing the course at Vidyalankara, initially conducting classes within the Department of History. This foundational work led to the establishment of Archaeology as a Subdepartment of History in 1977 and then as an independent department in 1979. Following the 1978 reforms, Kelaniya became one of only three universities (i.e. Peradeniya, Sri Jayewardenepura and Kelaniya) to offer Archaeology degrees and one of two (with the University of Peradeniya) to establish a separate department. Dr Senake Bandaranayake joined the department in 1976 as a principal lecturer, alongside Dr H. T. Basnayake (staff member of the department of History, University of Kelaniya) visiting lecturers such as Dr Sirinimal Lakdusinha (former director of the National Museum.

Departmental Leadership

The department's academic and administrative direction has been guided by distinguished scholars throughout its history:

1. Professor Abhaya Aryasinghe (Founding Head 1979-1983)

2. Emeritus Professor Senaka Bandaranayake (1983-1995)

3. Emeritus Professor A.A.D Amaraekara (1995-1996)

4. Senior Professor Anura Mantunga (1996-2003)

5. Senior Professor Prishantha Gunawardhana (2003-2009)

6. Senior Professor Malinga Amrasinghe (2009-2015)

7. Professor Uda Hettige (2015-2018)

8. Prof. Mangala Katugampola (2018-2021)

9. Dr. Sriyani Hathurusinghe (2021-2024)

10. Mrs. Umanga Rammugoda (2024-2025)

Specialised Resources

The department houses specialised infrastructure to support both laboratory and field training. The archaeological museum, initiated in 1985 and established and started display in 1991, serves as a key teaching resource, housing its main collection of masks and terracotta objects. Notably, the museum exhibits the carnelian necklace found at the Ibbankattuva megalithic burial site, one of the most important exhibits in the Kelaniya collection. The facility also includes a small library, a photographic and planning unit, and a conservation laboratory.

Fieldwork, National Projects, and Academic Output

The era following the formalisation of the department was defined by its commitment to applied archaeology. Professor Senake Bandaranayake, in addition to his role as Head, was the founder-director of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR) of the University of Kelaniya, which was established in 1986. The department’s expertise was critical to the national Central Cultural Fund (CCF) projects: Professor Bandaranayake directed the Sigiriya and Dambulla Projects, while Professor Anura Manatunga (a prominent archaeologist and historian at the department) later directed the Polonnaruva Project in 1999. Other active fieldwork included the Upper Malwathu Oya explorations, co-directed by Professor Prishantha Gunawardhana, and a significant excavation at Dewalapola, led by Dr. Mangala Katugampola.

The department supports this research with a strong publishing profile, offering research journals such as Vasundara, Archaeologia: Journal of Archaeology, Archaeology Zeylanica, Puranaya, Sarasavi and Chiranthana.  Demonstrating its evolving, interdisciplinary focus, the department also initiated the publication of the research journal, Trivalent: Journal of Archaeology, Tourism & Anthropology, in 2021

Academic Programs and Future Focus

The department has continuously expanded its academic scope. It established postgraduate qualifications (MA, MPhil, and PhD) as early as 1980, with the addition of a two-year Master of Social Sciences (MSSc) in 2007. Reflecting the modern demands of heritage management, the department introduced a B.A. degree program in Tourism and Cultural Management in 2007 and a B.A. program in Anthropology in 2008. The department continues to innovate, with plans to introduce further MA and MSc Programs in Tourism and Cultural Resource Management. Undergraduates reading for the B.A. Honours Degree in Archaeology students are rigorously trained in field techniques and laboratory work, and are directed to conduct independent research studies.