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Department of English

Faculty of Arts - University of Peradeniya

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Welcome to the Department of English


The Department of English , University of Peradeniya, is the direct heir to the English Department of the Ceylon University College which was situated in Colombo during the first half of the 20th century. The Faculties of Arts and Oriental Studies of the newly created University of Ceylon (1942) ceased to exist in Colombo when they were transferred to Peradeniya in 1952/3. The Department of English in Peradeniya, which was one of the first Departments to be relocated, consequently, is the oldest in the island. E.F.C. Ludowyk, who had joined the staff of University College in 1932 (and was appointed Professor in 1936), was the first Professor of English of the University of Ceylon. He was also the first Dean of Arts in the newly established University in Peradeniya.


Prizes, Medals, Scholarships

Pettah Library Prize for English (instituted in 1926) for Best Results at 100 Level Examination

Leigh Smith memorial Prize (instituted in 1950) for Best Results in English at 100 Level Examination and best results in English at final examination

EFC Ludowyk Memorial Prize (instituted in 1950) for Best Performance in ENG 405: Shakespeare and the Drama of His Time at English (Honours) Final Examination

Prof. Ashley Halpe Scholarship for Best Performance in English

News & Events


Annual Ludowyk Memorial Lecture

  • The Department holds the Annual Ludowyk Memorial Lecture in honour of the late Professor E.F.C. Ludowyk, the first Professor of English in the University of Ceylon. The lecture was made possible when Dr. Ian Goonetileke, a friend of Ludowyk,... Learn More