Departments of Fine Arts



Priyantha Fonseka


Mr. Priyantha Fonseka

Office address:

Department of Fine Arts,
University of Peradeniya,
Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka.

Email: shanthalalf@gmail.com slpriyantha@yahoo.com

Phone: +94 71 42 02 250

Biography

Priyantha, is an influential film and theatre critic and a scholar. He completed his graduate studies at the University of Sydney in 2015 and his thesis titled “Silence in Sri Lankan Cinema from 1990- 2010” was highly admired and is a prominent scholarly work in that manner. He severed many universities in the country as a lecturer of film and theatre studies more than 16 years and presented his scholarly and artistic works in Colombo, Sydney, New Castle and Singapore. Currently he works as a Senior lecturer at University of Peradeniya and Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology. He also worked as a consultant in the World Bank, Sri Lanka and in the Verite Research. Priyantha is an author, poet, translator, blogger and an active member of current cinematic and theatrical dialogue of the country.

Educational Qualifications
* M.Phil. in Film Studies (University Of Sydney, Australia) (2015)
  Research: Silence in Sri Lankan Cinema (from 1990-2010)

* Special Degree in Fine Arts: B.A. Second Class (Upper Division) Honors.(1998-2002)
  University of Peradeniya

* Certificate for Teaching in Higher Education (2008)
  Staff Development Centre, University Of Colombo, Sri Lanka

* Certificate Course on Film Appreciation (2009)
   National Film Archive Of India And Film And Television Institute Of India, India.

* ‘Introduction to Thesis Writing’ Course (2012)
   University Of Sydney, Australia

* ‘Writing a Thesis Chapter’ Course (2013)
   University Of Sydney, Australia
Appointments (Selected)
*Senior Lecturer - Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Fields Of Interest
Film Studies:
*Silence in Cinema
*Semiotics and Cinema
*Socio-cultural issues in National Cinemas
*Author and his Identity in Cinema
*Cinema and Culture
*Sri Lankan Cinema
*South Asian Cinema
*Literature and Cinema

Theatre and Performing Arts:
*Harold Pinter and Pinter’s language in drama
*Forum Theatre
*Silence in Theatre and Performance
*Performance Studies

*Creative Writing
*Translation Methods
Scholarships
* HETC HRD Scholarship for MPhil/PhD - Higher Education for the Twenty First Century (HETC) Project – Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka, 2011.

* NCAS grant for MPhil/PhD – National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Sri Lanka, 2011.
Memeberships
*Executive Committee Member – Alumni Association, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
*Member – Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Society, 2013 – 2017.
*Associate Member – Sri Lanka Association for Improving Higher Education Effectiveness (SLAIHEE).
Short Courses /Training Programmes/ Workshops/ Master Classes
Research:
*Training Program on Research Competencies - Higher Education for the Twenty First Century (HETC) Project – Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka at Sri Lanka Foundation, August – 2011.

*Workshop on Advanced Research Methodologies in Social Sciences and Humanities – Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka on December – 2005.

Cinema:
*Master Class on Creating images in Celluloid and Video (Conducted by Veteran Indian Film Maker – Buddhadeb Dasgupta) – Asian Film Centre, Sri Lanka at Colombo, September, 2011.

*Workshop on Film Appreciation – The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka & The National Film Archive of India, Pune at BMICH, Colombo, July, 2005.

Television:
*Workshop on Single Camera Production Techniques by Department of Fine Arts & Department of Agricultural Extension (Conducted by Veteran Film Maker – Dharmasena Pathiraja and Senesh Dissanayake) at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka on January, 2002.

*Short Course on 2-D and 3-D Computer Graphics Level -1 (Maya) by Sri Lanka Television Training Institute from July to August, 2003.

Photography:
*6 month Apprentice Course on Photography by Lanka Photographic Institute at Kandy City Mission, Kandy, Sri Lanka on 1995.

Drama and Theatre:
*6 month Drama and Theatre Course (conducted by Mr. Gamini Haththotuwegama) at Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) organized by Kandy Unesco Society and YMBA at Kandy, Sri Lanka from February to July, 1995.

*Workshop on Image Theatre of Augusto Boal (conducted by Prof. Ann Kilkelly, School of Performing Arts and Cinema, University of Virginia Tech, USA) at Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka on July, 2011.

*Workshop on Drama & Theatre (conducted by Henry Jayasena, H.A. Perera and NishshankaDiddeniya) at Sarathchandra Open Air Theatre, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka on November, 1998.

*Workshop on Drama & Theatre (conducted by Dhananjaya Karunarathne) at Sathyodaya, Pushpadana Mw, Kandy, Sri Lanka on July, 1996.

*Talking about Gender-Based Violence through Art and Drama (conducted by United Nations Population Fund) at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka on February, 2018.

Selected Research And Publications
Books:
*“Alu” (in Sinhala) (a translation of Harold Pinter’s Ashes to Ashes) Colombo: Vishada Publishers. 2010.

*“Tenali Raman Stories” (in Sinhala) (a translation of Folk Tales on Tenali Raman: An Indian Comic Poet). Author Publication. 2014.

*“Kavi Sevanella” (in Sinhala) (an adaptation of Poetry). In print. 2018

*“Film Spectator: An analysis on viewers’ position in cinema.”(in Sinhala) Colombo: National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. 2005.

*“Obe Palamu Piyawara” Chess book for beginners. (a translation) Colombo: Nishantha Publishers. 1999.

Journal Articles:
*“Acting for Story teller – Kathandarakaruwa wenuwen Roopanaye yedeema” (in Sinhala) in Journal “Rupavahini Sameeksha”-4th Edition, Colombo: Ministry of Cultural Affairs. 2010.

*“Silence is talking – Nishahabdathawa handanageema” (in Sinhala) in Felicitation Journal of Mr. Gamini Haththotuwegama: Stories about Hatha) Kandy: Arts Council, University of Peradeniya. 2010.

*“Television Genre Studies” (in Sinhala) in Journal “Rupavahini Sameeksha”-1st Edition, Colombo: Ministry of Cultural Affairs. 2006.

*“Mise-en-scene concept in cinema” (in sinhala), in “Chithrapata” film Journal of National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. July, 2005.

*“Young short film makers of Sri Lanka” (in sinhala), in “Chithrapata” film Journal of National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. April, 2005.

*“Fifth generation Chinese film makers” (in sinhala), in “Chithrapata” film Journal of National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. January, 2005.

*“Pathee Sir: Informal Teacher” (in sinhala), in “Pathee Watha” Felicitation Volume on Late Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja. February, 2018.

Interviews:
*“Interview with Dr. Laleen Jayamanne on women and cinema” (in Sinhala) in Journal “14 Magazine”-4th Edition, Colombo, 2013.

*“Interview with Cinematographer Mr. Donald Karunarathne on his works with Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja” (in sinhala), in “Pathee Watha” Felicitation Volume on Late Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja. February, 2018.

Translations:
*“The X Files: Genre, Hybridity and the Post-modernism” (in Sinhala) in Journal “Rupavahini Sameeksha”-6th Edition, Colombo, 2015.

*“APRC: A Primer for Constitutional Consensus” (Sinhala Edition) online, Verite Research, Colombo, 2016. http://www.veriteresearch.org/research-spreport-archives.cfm

Editorial Work:
*Asst. Editor: “Sinhayage Janathawa” (People of the Lion): Complete volume of the academic debate between Prof. K.N.O. Dharmadasa and Prof. R.A.L.H. Goonawardene on the origin of the Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka. (Editor: Sumith Chaaminda) Verite Research, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2016.

*Editor Board Member: “Pathee Watha” (Pathiraja the Man, His Work and His Art): Felicitation Volume on Late Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja. Film Directors’ Guild, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2018.

*Sub- Editor: “Chithrapata” Academic Film Journal. National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka, 2011-2012.

*Chief Editor: “Chathuranga” (Quarterly periodical on Chess). Central Province Chess Association, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1993-2000.

*Catalogue Editor, Jaffna International Cinema Festival, 2015.

Blogs:
*“Sydney Sithuwili” (Sydney Thoughts) – An Auto-Biographical Blog
- http://sydneythought.blogspot.com/

*“Kavi Sevanella” (Shadow Poems) – Blog with an Adapted Poems
http://shadowpoem.blogspot.com/

*“ALU” – Blog for discourses on Cinema/Theatre/ Arts and Socio- Political Issues
- http://priyanthaf.blogspot.com/
Symposium Organizational Works
*Organizing Secretary: “Media and Diversity” (International Symposium on Mass Media). Organized by Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka, March – 2010.
Conference Panel Memberships/Moderations
*“Archive and the Santorum” panel which presented in Inter – Asia Cultural Studies Conference, July 2013, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

*Panel Moderator, “Representation of Historical Ideologies in Contemporary Art Works”, International Conference in Art and Reconciliation, Wings: A festival of Arts, Nov. 2016, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

*“Contemporary Discourses of Post- War Sri Lanka: Cinema, Language and Art” panel which will be presented in Nov. 2018, International Conference on the Social Sciences and Humanities (ICHSS) organized by the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Selected Talks/ Papers/ Presentations
*‘Silent Return to Peninsula: Representation of Tamil Silence of War and Post-war Cinematic Dialogue’ will be presented in Nov. 2018, International Conference on the Social Sciences and Humanities (ICHSS) organized by the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

*‘Understanding Sri Lanka’s war cinema: Portrayals of village architecture in counter nationalist cinematic discourse' presented in December, 2016, NEW DIRECTIONS IN FILM-ARCHITECTURE symposium, University of New Castle, Australia.

*‘Artistic Camouflage’ against ‘Camouflage Justice’: A study based on contemporary Sri Lankan Art in Practice’ presented in November, 2013, HDR Conference on Social Justice, Faculty of Law, University of Sydney, Australia

*“Silence in Sri Lankan Civil War Films” presented in July 2013, Inter – Asia Cultural Studies Conference, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

*“Understanding Koombiyo and Sahodaraya” a talk on Two Television - Drama Series in Sri Lanka, May 2018, Discourses on Art and Literature, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

*“Silence as Weapon” – a Talk on Silence in Sri Lankan Cinema after 1990, November 2015, Inter – Sri Lanka Archive for Contemporary Art, Architecture and Design, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

*“Silence as Weapon” – a Talk on Silence in Sri Lankan Cinema after 1990, Wednesday Circle, February 2016, University of Visual & Performing Arts, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

*“Iranian New Cinema: answer for the Hollywood monopoly?” presented in July 2008, 2nd Annual International Research Symposium, University of Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka.

*“King in his Subject’s Cloths: Exploring anti-colonialist characters in post-colonial western cinema through Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi and Cry Freedom”, presented in January 2006, 3rd Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

*“Is Prasanna Vithanage an‘Avant-Garde’ film maker or simply an author?” presented in November 2004, Peradeniya University Annual Research Sessions (PURSE) at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

*“No title” performative presentation (with ShameeraYapa and Subhashini Herath) presented in April 2015, Colombo International Theatre Festival -2015, Goethe Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

*“Principals and Techniques for Preserving AV materials in Libraries” Sathyodaya, Kandy, Sri Lanka, July 2006.

*“Ingmar Bergman and his cinema” Jana Medura, Kandy, Sri Lanka, March, 2006.

*“How can we appreciate a film?”, “Dumbara Arunella “Arts Festival, Walala A. Rathnayake Central College, Kandy on August, 2010.

*“Appreciation on Bashu – Iranian Movie” Training Programme for English Teachers by National Integrated Programme Unit (NIPU) at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka on November, 2004.

Jury Panel Memeberships
(International)
*Hon. Jury Member, Jaffna International Cinema Festival, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2017.

(National)
*Hon. Secretary in Jury, National Presidential Film Awards for 2009, National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka, 2011.

*Hon. Jury Member, Unda–SIGNIS Television Awards Festival, OCIC, Sri Lanka, 2011.

*Hon. Jury Member, Unda–SIGNIS Television Awards Festival, OCIC, Sri Lanka, 2010.

*Hon. Jury Member, National Television Awards Festival, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka, 2008.

*Hon. Jury Member, DRAMSOC English Theatre Awards, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2011.

Courses Taught

Postgraduate:

*M.A./ M.Phil Degree Course in Fine Arts, Dept. of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya.
Performance Studies, Film and Literature, Late 20th Century Theatre

*M.A. Course in Mass Media, Dept. of Mass Media, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
Research Methodology

Undergraduate:

Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya from 2007- Up to date

Drama and Theatre:

*Greek and Roman Theatre
*Theatre of the 20th Century
*Sri Lankan Modern Theatre
*Acting and Performance


Film and Television:

*Scripting for Screen
*Film Theory and Appreciation
*Spectator and spectatorship
*Narrative Styles
*Chinese Cinema
*Television History

Department of Performing Arts, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo from 2007- 2012

*Film Theory and Technology
*Issues in contemporary Sri Lankan Cinema.
*Scripting for Screen.
*Script Development for Stage.
*Asian Cinema/ World Cinema.
*Acting for Stage.
*Stage Drama Direction
*Image Studies
*Introduction to Performing Arts
*Production Planning in Performing Arts
*Research Methodology

Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya from 2008- 2009

*Sri Lankan Film History

Department of Social Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka from 2016 up to date

*Appreciation on Film and Theatre (Medium: English)

National Film Diploma Course, National Corporation of Sri Lanka from 2006- 2008

*Mise-en-scene as a concept
*Composition
*Spectator and spectatorship
*Narrative Styles

Diploma in Film Direction and Aesthetics, Sri Lanka Media Training Institute from 2016 up to date

*Story Telling and the Narrative
*Fundamentals of Cinema
*Author Theory
*Realism and Cinema

Media Diploma Course, National Youth Council of Sri Lanka- 2009

*Film Appreciation

Department of Electrical Engineering, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology- 2016 up to date

*Film Fundamentals & Appreciation (Medium: English)
Related Work Experience

Academic/ Artistic


2007- 2015: Lecturer, Department of Performing Arts, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
2007- 2017: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
2008 Oct- 2009 Apr: Visiting Lecturer, Diploma Course, Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
2006 – 2008: Visiting Lecturer, National Film Diploma Course, National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
2003- 2006: Assistant Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
2016- to date: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
2016- to date: Visiting Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Malabe, Sri Lanka.
2016- to date: Academic Course Director/ Lecturer, Sri Lanka Media Training Institute, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
Oct.2012 – Nov. 2012: Examination Invigilator, Carrick Education, Sydney, Australia.
2003 - 2005: Resource person, Film Appreciation Workshops, National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka.
2005 - 2006: Resource person, Film Making workshop/ Radio Program Production Workshop, Journalism Unit, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
2001Sept.-Feb 2002: Internship of Television programme production (Studio & Outdoor) at Independent Television Network (ITN), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
2001-2005: Feature Writer and Programme Presenter of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, (Kandurata FM) Kandy, Sri Lanka.
1997-1998: Journalist, “Visura” Sports newspaper, Ravaya Publishers, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Research/Consultancy


Jan. 2017 - June 2018: Consultant/ Short Term, The World Bank Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Nov. 2015-Feb. 2017: Consultant in Media and Communication, Verite Research, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Administrative


April. 2018- To date: Activity Coordinator, AHEAD (World Bank funded) project, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.
Aug. 2008-2010: Person in-charge, IRQUE (World Bank funded) project, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
2007- 2010: Sports Coordinator, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
2007/2008/ 2009 /2011: Students’ Counselor, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
July 2008- 2014: Committee member, Curriculum developing committee, Department of Performing Arts, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
July 2008- 2014: Committee member, Syllabus developing committee for External Degree and Certificate courses, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
Oct. 2008- 2010: Committee member, Technical Evaluation Committee, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
Practical Work

Film:

* “Guerilla Marketing” (a feature film directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri), Assistant Director,Sri Lanka, 2005. (Special Jury Prize – Dhaka Film Festival 2006)

* “I am Hungry” (a short film), Director, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 2006. (One of the best ten in Guerilla Film Festival)

* “Symphony” (a short film), Co-director, Department of Fine arts, University of Peradeniya, 2002.

* “Faculty of Arts”, (an introductory film clip), Assistant director, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, 2005.

* “Purawaraka Iranama” (TV Documentary on water related diseases in Gampola Urban Division), Script Writer and Narrator, National Water Supply Board, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2008.

Theatre :

(International)

* “Bharatha Natya Arangethram”, Lighting Director, Arangethram of Sarangi Kalanacharya, The Great Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre, Plumpton, Sydney, AUSTRALIA November,2013.

* “Bak Maha Rangana - 2014”, Visual Director, Sri Lankan Performance Festival, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, April. 2014.


(National)

*“Alu”, (Ashes to Ashes by Harold Pinter), translator and producer, National Youth Drama Festival, EOE Pereira Theatre, Lumbini Theatre, 2007. (One of the best five plays and won merit certificate for performance)

* “Nonimi”, (endless, a short play) producer, National Youth Drama Festival, National Youth Theatre, 1996. (One of the best twelve plays)

* “KawuluwakThiyenawa”, (There is a window for us, a short play) producer, for World Population Day, Foundation Institute, 2010.

* “Andura endi Minissu”, (Darkness they Drew, an experimental theatre production by Thumindu Dodantenna), Creative Coordinator, Arundathie Theatre, Sri Palee Campus, 2010.

* “Deiyo”, (The God, a short play by Kanchuka Dharmasiri) actor, University Arts Council Drama Festival, E.O.E. Periera Theatre, University of Peraeniya, 2000. (won the best actor award)

* “Loketa Lokka”, (boss for all, a children’s play) producer, State Children Drama Festival, Pushpadana Auditorium, Kandy, 2000.

* “Rassige Kewum Malla”, (The sweets bag of the Demon, a children’s play by Rajitha Dhananjaya) actor, State Children Drama Festival, John de Silva Theatre, Colombo, 2002. (Won the national 2nd Place)

* “The God”, (a short play by Kanchuka Dharmasiri) Production Asst, DRAMSOC Drama Festival, E.O.E. Periera Theatre, Peradeniya, 1999. (won the best play award)

* “Aya”, (a short play by Senarath Narasinghe) Actor, Sri Lanka Water Supply Board – World Water Day Drama Festival, Lumbini Theatre, Kandy, 1997. (won the 1st Place)

* “Let’s Read this Story Again”, (a short play by Udeni Manel) actor, Peradeniya University DRAMSOC Drama Festival, E.O.E. Periera Theatre, Peradeniya, 1998.

Radio :

(International)

* “Apa Nodakina Cinemawa”, Program resource person/Director, Radio Program for Vidura Radio on SWR FM. Community Radio Network, Blacktown, Sydney, AUSTRALIA February - September 2014.

(National)

* “Sarasavi Sevana”, (Radio magazine program), Presenter and Program Designer, Kandurata FM, Kandy. 2000 -2001.


Other Activities

*“Vasantaye aga”(A song visual), Asst. Director,(Dir. A. Samarakoon), Derana Television Network, 2005.

*“Adaraye Ulpathawu Amma”(A song visual), Asst. Director,(Dir. A. Samarakoon), Derana Television Network, 2005.

*“Mage Senehasa”(A song visual), Asst. Director,(Dir. A. Samarakoon), Derana Television Network, 2005.

Extra-Curricular Activities

* Won the Grand Asian Chess Championship bronze medal at GACC V, Asian Inter University Chess Championship, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2001.

* Certificate of Honour (Chess), Sri Lanka Universities Sports Association, Colombo, 1999.

* University Colours (Chess), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1999, 2000, 2001.

* A captain of the chess team, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2001.

* General Secretary, Central Province Chess Association.1997, 1998 and 2002.

* Organizing Secretary, Kandy Unesco Society. 1996.

* Executive committee member, Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. 1997 and 2003.

* Secretary, Society of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya.1999.

* President, Society of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya.2000.

* College Senior Prefect, Vidyartha College, Kandy, Sri Lanka.1991-1993.




Department of Fine Arts