History of the Department of Archaeology 

University of Kelaniya

The Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya is one of Sri Lanka’s established centres for archaeological education, research, and heritage studies. Since its formal establishment, the Department has contributed to the development of archaeology as an academic discipline in Sri Lanka through undergraduate and postgraduate education, field-based research, heritage conservation, and the training of professionals serving in government institutions, semi-government organisations, and other heritage-related bodies. Its academic activities have also expanded to encompass tourism, cultural resource management, and interdisciplinary approaches to the study and interpretation of the past.

Historical Development

The origins of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya can be traced to the university reforms of the 1970s. Professor Abhaya Aryasinghe, who had previously served as a lecturer in Archaeology at Vidyodaya Campus, transferred to the Vidyalankara Campus (now the University of Kelaniya), where he played a pivotal role in developing the discipline. From 1973, Archaeology was taught within the Department of History as a subdepartment, reflecting its early institutional connection with historical studies. Professor Aryasinghe served as the Head of the Archaeology Subdepartment and contributed significantly to its academic development. With the growing academic importance of the discipline, Archaeology was established as an independent department in 1977.

During this formative period, the Department benefited from the contributions of several distinguished scholars. Dr Senake Bandaranayake joined the academic staff in 1976 as a Principal Lecturer, while Dr H. T. Basnayake, a member of the Department of History, also contributed to its academic development. Visiting lecturers, including Dr Sirinimal Lakdusinghe, former Director of the National Museum, further strengthened the teaching of Archaeology through their specialist knowledge and professional experience.

Since its establishment, the University of Kelaniya has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s principal centres for university-level education in Archaeology, alongside the Universities of Peradeniya and Sri Jayewardenepura. The Universities of Kelaniya and Peradeniya were also among the pioneering institutions to establish Archaeology as an independent academic department. These developments contributed significantly to strengthening Archaeology's position as a distinct academic discipline within Sri Lanka’s university system.

Departmental Leadership

The development of the Department has been shaped by the academic leadership and contributions of successive Heads of Department. Their work has supported the growth of archaeological teaching, research, fieldwork, and institutional collaboration.

The Heads of the Department, in chronological order, are as follows:

1. Professor Abhaya Aryasinghe (1977–1983), Founding Head

2. Emeritus Professor Senake Bandaranayake (1983–1995)

3. Emeritus Professor A. A. D. Amarasekara (1995–1996)

4. Senior Professor Anura Manatunga (1996–2003)

5. Senior Professor Prishantha Gunawardhana (2003–2009)

6. Senior Professor Malinga Amarasinghe (2009–2015)

7. Professor Uda Hettige (2015–2018)

8. Professor Mangala Katugampola (2018–2021)

9. Dr Sriyani Hathurusinghe (2021–2024)

10. Mrs Umanga Rammungoda (2024–2026)

The contributions of these academic leaders have helped shape the Department’s teaching programmes, research priorities, and engagement with Sri Lanka’s archaeological and cultural heritage.

Specialised Facilities and Collections

The Department maintains specialised facilities that support teaching, research, and practical training. An important component of this infrastructure is the Archaeological Museum, an educational resource for students and researchers. The museum initiative began in 1985, and its collection was established and opened for display in 1991. Its holdings include masks, terracotta objects, and other archaeological and cultural materials that support the study of material culture and heritage.

Among its notable exhibits is a reconstructed necklace from carnelian beads recovered from the Ibbankatuwa megalithic burial site, an important archaeological site associated with Sri Lanka’s protohistoric period. The necklace offers an opportunity to explore ancient burial practices, material culture, and broader connections as reflected in archaeological evidence.

In addition to the museum, the Department has facilities that support academic and practical work, including a small library, a photographic and planning unit, and a conservation laboratory. Together, these resources contribute to the development of students’ skills in archaeological documentation, material analysis, conservation, and research.

Fieldwork and National Archaeological Projects

Fieldwork and applied research have been central to the Department’s academic identity. Its staff and graduates have contributed to significant archaeological investigations and heritage projects across Sri Lanka, linking university-based education with the documentation, interpretation, and management of archaeological sites.

Professor Senake Bandaranayake played a prominent role in national archaeological research, directing the Sigiriya and Dambulla projects undertaken through the Central Cultural Fund (CCF). He also served as the founding Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (PGIAR), established in 1986 under the University of Kelaniya. The establishment of PGIAR represented a significant development in postgraduate archaeological education and research in Sri Lanka.

Other major research activities associated with the Department include the Polonnaruwa Project, directed by Professor Anura Manatunga in 1999, explorations in the Upper Malwathu Oya region co-directed by Professor Prishantha Gunawardhana, and the excavation at Dewalapola led by Dr Mangala Katugampola. These initiatives reflect the Department’s engagement with archaeological landscapes, settlement patterns, material culture, and the interpretation of Sri Lanka’s past.

Through field investigations, laboratory-based research, and collaboration with national heritage institutions, the Department continues to provide students with opportunities to develop practical archaeological skills and engage with current research questions.

Research and Scholarly Publications

Scholarly publication has been an important part of the Department’s contribution to archaeological and heritage studies. Its publishing activities have encompassed a range of academic journals and research publications, including Vasundara, Archaeologia: Journal of Archaeology, Archaeology Zeylanica, Puranaya, Sarasavi, and Chiranthana.

In 2021, the Department initiated Trivalent: Journal of Archaeology, Tourism & Anthropology, reflecting its expanding interdisciplinary interests and the growing relationship between archaeological research, tourism, and anthropological inquiry. The journal provides a platform for scholarly engagement across these related fields and reflects the Department’s broader approach to the study of cultural heritage and society.

Through research, publication, conference participation, and academic collaboration, the Department contributes to the continuing development of archaeological knowledge and the dissemination of research findings to academic and wider audiences.

Academic Programmes and Expanding Horizons

The Department has progressively broadened its teaching and research activities in response to developments in archaeology, heritage studies, and related disciplines. Postgraduate qualifications, including the MA, MPhil, and PhD, formed part of its academic provision from an early stage, with postgraduate education subsequently expanding through the introduction of a two-year Master of Social Sciences (MSSc) programme in 2007.

The Department also extended its academic scope beyond archaeology. In 2007, it introduced a Bachelor of Arts programme in Tourism and Cultural Resource Management, followed by the introduction of Anthropology as a BA programme in 2008. These developments strengthened the Department’s interdisciplinary orientation and created opportunities to examine the relationships between the past, cultural identity, heritage management, tourism, and contemporary society.

The BA (Honours) Degree in Archaeology combines academic study with practical training in archaeological methods and techniques. Students develop knowledge of archaeological theory, field investigation, documentation, and laboratory practices, while undertaking independent research that encourages critical thinking and evidence-based interpretation.

The Tourism and Cultural Resource Management programme complements this approach by addressing the identification, interpretation, conservation, management, and sustainable use of cultural resources. Together, the Department’s programmes prepare students for further academic study and professional engagement in archaeology, heritage management, tourism, research, and related fields.

The Department continues to explore opportunities to expand its postgraduate provision, including further programmes in Tourism and Cultural Resource Management. These developments reflect its ongoing commitment to academic innovation, interdisciplinary research, and the preparation of graduates equipped to engage with the challenges of archaeological research and cultural heritage management.

From its origins as a subject taught within the Department of History to its development as an independent academic department, the Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya has played a continuing role in archaeological education and research in Sri Lanka. Building on its historical foundations, scholarly traditions, fieldwork experience, and expanding academic programmes, the Department remains committed to advancing archaeological knowledge and promoting the responsible study, conservation, and management of the country’s archaeological and cultural heritage.

Distinguished Former Academic Staff