Department of Sociology

Dr. Upali Weerakoon

Senior Lecturer (Gr. I)

PhD

Department of Sociology
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About Me

Dr. Upali Weerakoon is a Senior Lecturer attached to the Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He has worked as a Temporary Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale. He earned his B.A. (Hons) in Sociology from the University of Peradeniya in 1994. Subsequently, he obtained his M.Phil in Sociology from the same university in 2002 and obtained the PGD in Education from the Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda in 2006. Later he successfully completed his Ph.D at the University of Peradeniya in 2012. His interested research areas are rural sociology, social issues, social work and welfare, sociology of religion and sociology of education.

Education

PhD - Thesis: “The Role of Kinship in Resettlement of People Displaced from Border Villages:” A study on selected internally displaced people in the Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

2012

Postgraduate Diploma in Education

Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda. Sri Lanka.

2006

MPhil - Thesis: “A Sociological Study of the Role of the Family in Heroin Addiction in Sri Lanka”

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

2002

BA - Dissertation: “Heroin Addiction and Rehabilitation of Addicts in Sri Lanka”.

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

1994

Current Positions

Reviewer - International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), C-1, Avani Vihar, Rajpur, Chhattisgarh, India

From November 2021 to date

Visiting Lecturer, Master of Social Work Degree Programme, - PGIHS, University of Peradeniya.

2022 to date

Visiting Lecturer, Diploma Degree Program. - PGIHS, University of Peradeniya.

2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 to date

Students’ advisor and Mentor. - Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya,

2021 to date

Departmental Coordinator, Volunteering and Community Outreach (CIVCO) Programme. - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya,

From 2020 to date

Warden, James Peris Hostel. - University of Peradeniya.

2022, 2023 to date

Postgraduate Pogrammes Coordinator in Social Work, - PGIHS, University of Peradeniya.

From 01.01 2023 to date

Chief Advisor, Journal of Samaja Niriksha, - Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya,

2016 – 2022

Editor, Journal of Samaja Vimasuma, - Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

From 15th March 2021 to date. - To Present

Treasure, Sociology Association. - Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya,

2020, 2021, 2022

Senior Students Counselor. - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya,

2016, 2018, 2019, 2023 to date

Committee Member of Arts Faculty Senior Common Room, - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya,

2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 to date

Senior Lecturer (Gr. I) - Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

2015 to date - To Present

Positions Held

Reviewer, - Peradeniya University International Research Sessions iPURSE, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya,

2021

Manual writer - Population and Society, Centre for Distance and Continuing Education, University of Peradeniya.

2021

Reviewer - Post-graduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of peradeniya.

2020

Reviewer - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna.

2020

Senior Students Counselor - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

2016-2019

MCQ Questions Paper setter - Regional Heath Training Centre, Yatinuwara, Kadudannawa.

2016

Volunteer Student Counselor - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

2015

Lesson Writer - The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda.

2015

Oral Examiner - The Higher Degree Committee of the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

2015

Warden - Hindagala Hostel, University of Peradeniya.

2015

Temporary Lecturer - Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale.

2007 - 2009

Assistant - Career Guidance Unit, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale.

2007 - 2009

Academic Sub warden - Mahasen Boys Hostel, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Mihintale.

2008 - 2009

Visiting Lecturer - External Degree Programme of the University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Nawala.

2000 - 2008

Memberships

Committee Member - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

2020

Member - Faculty Student Affairs and Advisory Committee

2016 - 2017

Member - Site Visits Schedule- Programme Review, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

2017

Member - Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science

Publications

BOOKS

Weerakoon, U. (2020) Sociology of Education, Published by Author, Nethwin Printers, Getabe, Peradeniya.

Weerakoon, U. (2007) Collected Letters of Social Sciences. Kandy Offset Printers Ltd. Peradeniya Road, Kandy.

Weerakoon, U. (2003) Identification, Classification and Production of Drug. Warakapola, Ariya Publication.

Weerakoon, U. (2003) Sociology. Analyze-1 Mapa Graphics and Publication, Urapola, Nittabuwa.

Weerakoon, U. (2003) Religious Beliefs and Rural People. Mapa Graphics and Publication, Urapola, Nittabuwa.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Weerakoon, U. (2021) “Analysis of Gender in Social Development” Sinduliya Magazine, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, pp. 68-71.

Weerakoon, U. “Sahanadarayen wela Thiyenne Kuseethayan Pirisak Bhiweema Pamanai”. Aruna, 14.09.2020, p.05.

Weerakoon, U. “Hadanawa Nam Rata - Menna Yojana” Divaina. 18.09.2019, p.08.

Weerakoon, U. “Paksha Walata Pamanak Paksha Ape Deshapana Paksha”. Divaina. 18.07.2019, p.09 Cont.. 25.09.2019, p. 09.

Weerakoon, U. “Lama Apayojanaya- Samajaya Danuwath Kireema Wedagath”. Divaina. 26.09.2019, p.22.

Weerakoon, U. “Desapalana Paksha Vargawadaya wadikaranawa”. Divaina. 23.05.2019, p.22.

Weerakoon, U. (2018) “Ethnic Integration and God worship”, Professor Sarath Amarasinge Felicitation Volume, Sociology Department of Rhunu University: Martara. September. pp. 126-164.

Weerakoon, U. (2018) “An Examine the Users of Heroin Drugs” Minimuthu Magazine- 2nd Version, Education Unit in Central Province: Kandy, pp. 16-19.

Weerakoon, U. (2018) “The Displaced People” Minimuthu Magazine- 4th Version, Education Unit in Central Province: Kandy, pp. 21-22.

Weerakoon, U. (2017) “Kin Relation and Resettlement of Displaced People” Sastra Locana- The Annual Journal of Literary Festival. Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura. pp. 483-499.

Weerakoon, U. (2017) “A Role of Vishnu Devala and the Festival of Kandy Perahera”. The Culture of Secret Dalada. Ministry of Agree Culture in Central Province: Kandy, Vol. 12 pp. 76-93.

Weerakoon, U. (2017) “Causes of Displacement and its Consequences” Academic Article Series. Society of Educational Service, central Province, kandy. pp.31-50.

Weerakoon, U. “Kussien Issarhata”. Lankadeepa, 07. 11.2017, p.04.

Weerakoon, U. “Drug Maphiyawa”Divaina.” 17.09.2017. p.viii, Cont. 24.09.2017, p. 24.

Weerakoon, U. “Saranagatha Prasnaye Anagathaya.” Lankadeepa, 17. 10.2017, p.04.

Weerakoon, U. “Aparada Mardanayata Ellumgasin Lada Heki Pihita.” Lakbima. 04.12.2004, p. 06.

Weerakoon, U. “Kudu Abbhehiye Atul Paththa.” Divaina. 30.12.2003, p.08.

Weerakoon, U. Aparada Velekweema - Dena Daduwam Pramanawath Da? Lankadeepa. 12.07.2003, p. 10.

Weerakoon, U. Rajarata Janatha Petuma. Dinamina. 22.08.2008, p.15.

CONFERENCE PAPERS

Weerakoon, U. (2010) A Study of Pulleyer Cult in a Selected Area of the Vavuniya District from the Perspective of Sinhala-Tamil Relations and Multiculturalism Reflections : Managing Diversity, Reconciliation and Development. 01- 02 November 2010, Galadari Hotel, Colombo. GTZ, Ministry of National Languages & Social Integration and European Union.

Weerakoon, U. Religion and mental health in the conflict affected areas. Paper Presented with Professor K.T. Silva. 05-06 October 2010.University of Peradeniya. Trauma and Global Heath (TGH) Program of People’s Rural Development Association (PRDA) Sri Lanka.

Research Interests

Rural Sociology

Social issues

Social Work and Welfare

Sociology of Religion

Sociology of Education