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Department of Archaeology

University of Peradeniya

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Prof. MWCNK Rambukwella

Chair Professor of Archaeology

Phd (UK), MA (Peradeniya), BA (Peradeniya)

  •    Department of Archaeology
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About Me

I am the Professor of Archaeology (Chair Professor) at the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka with 32 years of teaching and research experience. Currently, I am the Head of the Department of Archaeology I have a PhD in Archaeology and Museology (Museum Studies) from the School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester, United Kingdom. I am also a Fellow of the Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists. From 2015 I have been serving in a consultative capacity as the Archaeology Director for the Badulla District of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) of Sri Lanka. I have also been appointed as one of the seven members of the Board of Members of the Inter Statutory Board for the Protection of Kandyan Heritage under the Ministry of Ministry of Science, Technology, Research, Skills Development & Vocational Training and Kandyan Heritage. My research writings have been published in several refereed journals. I am also the author of some books on Archaeology and Museology.

Education

PhD

University of Leicester, United Kingdom

2014

MA

Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya

1998

BA

Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya

1986

Current Positions

Chair Professor of Archaeology - Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts , University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2018 - To Present

Positions Held

UGC Nominee - For selection Committee for the Merit promotion to the post of Associate Professor /Professor for University of Peradeniya, University of Kelaniya and Rajarata University

2020 - 2021

Chairperson - The 6th International Conference of the South and Southeast Asian Association for the study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR), Colombo, 04 - 6th June 2015, Sri Lanka

2015

Co-Chairperson - The International Conference on the Future Museums: An Asian perspective, 28th - 29th October 2014, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya

2014 - To Present

Rapporteur - The 3rd International Congress (SOSAA), 20-21 August Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

2010

Consultant (voluntary) - Establishment of New Museums, Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka

2008

Consultant (voluntary) - for the Establishment of the Bandaranayke Memorial City Museum at Anuradhapura, Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka

2008

Visiting Lecturer D - epartment of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya

2014

Visiting Lecturer - Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya

2002 - 2007

Visiting Lecturer - Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya

2003

Managing Editor - The Sri Lanka Journal of the Humanities, Bi-annual refereed Academic Journal of the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2015 to date - To Present

Archaeology Director - Badulla District National Project, Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka

2016 - 2020

Resource person and Visiting Lecturer - The Navel & Maritime Academy of Sri Lanka, Trincomalee

2016 - 2018

Postgraduate Academic Coordinator - Postgraduate Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Peradeniya

2015 - 2016

Consultant Advisor (voluntary) - For the Refurbishment of the J. R. Jayewardene Museum and Library, J. R. Jayewardene Centre, Colombo

2015

Co-Director: - Documentation of Archaeological sites in the, Matale District, Sri Lanka (a National project)

2001

Merit Professor - Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2016

Senior Lecturer Grade I - Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2007

Senior Lecturer Grade II - Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

1998 - 2006

Lecturer - Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

1991 - 1997

Assistant Lecturer - Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

1990 - 1991

Junior Research Associate - Archaeology Programme, Institute of Fundamental Studies , Hantana, Kandy, Sri Lanka

1987 - 1990

Memberships

Board Member - Board Member of the Inter Statutory Board for the Protection of Kandyan Heritage, Ministry of Science, Technology, Research, Skills Development & Vocational Training and Kandyan Heritage, Sri Lanka

2017 to date

Member of the Postgraduate Boards of Study - Board of Study in Social Sciences, Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2015, 2019,2020, 2021

Member - The Project for Formulation of Greater Kandy Urban Plan (GKUP), Organized by Urban Development Authority in collaboration with JICA Team, Kandy, Sri Lanka

2017 - 2019

Fellow - The Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists

2011 to date

Senior Treasurer - Archaeological Society, Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya,

1993 -1997

Associate Member - The Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists

1991 -2010

Member - Society of South Asian Archaeology (SOSAA)

2014

Life member - Kandy Friend in need Society, Kandy

2017

Member - Department Curriculum Development Committee, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2014 to date

Joint Secretary - Career Guidance Unit, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2001

Member - Academic Committee of the 6th International Conference of the South and Southeast Asian Association for the study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR), Colombo, 04-6th June 2015, Sri Lanka

2015 to date

Member - Academic Committee of the International Conference on “Asian Elephants in Culture & Nature, 20- 21 August 2016, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya

2016

Member - The Quality Assurance Cell at the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, 2016

2016

Member - Faculty Academic Development & Quality Assurance Committee, 2016 to date (for 3 years), Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2016

Member - Faculty Research Committee, 2016-to date (for 3 years), Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

2016

Member - Faculty Publication Committee, 2016-to date (for 3 years), Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2016

Member - Academic Committee of the 3rd Biennial Conference of the International Association for Asian Heritage (IAAH), 27th to 28th December 2015, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

2015

Member - Tour Committee of the 6th International Conference of the South and Southeast Asian Association for the study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR), Colombo, 04th -6th June 2015, Sri Lanka

2015

Member - Academic Committee of the International Conference on Management of Tangible and Intangible Heritage, 2015, Colombo, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

2015

Member - Organizing Committee of the International Conference on the Future Museums: Asian perspectives, 28-29 October 2014, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

2014

Member - Academic Committee of the International Conference on Asian Art, Culture and Heritage, 21-23 August 2013, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Sri Lanka

2013

Member - Academic Committee of the 3rd International Congress (SOSAA), 20-21 August 2010, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

2010

Member - Editorial Board, Journal of Sri Lanka Modern Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Committee

2005 - 2007

Member - The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, Sri Lanka

2004

Member - Library Committee of the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

1996 - 2004

Member - Faculty Sub Committee of the Building and Infrastructure Development, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2001

Member - Arts Faculty Time-table committee, University of Peradeniya

2001

Member - Faculty sub-committee of the Allocation of Group of Students, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2007 - 2008

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

1997- 1998

Member - Faculty sub-committee on the Faculty of Arts Annual Faculty Day Celebrations, 5 April 2007, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2007

Member - Tours & cultural Activities committee, Multi-disciplinary International Conference on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

1998

Awards

University Research Grant - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya 2021

University Research Grant - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya 2016

The Museum 2011 conference - NT$ 5000.00 by the organisers for the 10 best papers submitted for the international conference, Taipei, Taiwan 2011

Sri Lanka National Science Foundation International Travel Grant for the - 'The Museum 2011 Conference" Taipei, Taiwan 2011

(Academic Development Programme), for the Museum 2011 Conference - Grant from the University of Peradeniya, Taipei, Taiwan 2011

Travel grant from the Sixth World Archaeological Congress - Ireland 29th June – 4th July (not used) 2008

University Research Grant - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya 2007

Awards of National Centre for Advanced Studies (NCAS) - PhD (I received the highest amount ever awarded) 2006

Presidential Scholarship for Doctoral Degree - Sri Lanka (I received 1 of 2 Scholarships for PhD for the year in Sri Lanka)2005

Research Scholarship - Fudan University, Shanghai, China2003-2007

Junior Research Fellowship - Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantane, Kandy, Sri Lanka 1987- 1990

M. B.W. Madiwaka Scholarship - Girl's High School, Kandy, Sri Lanka 1980-1981

Publications

BOOKS

Rambukwella, Chulani (2018) Visit Badulla Legacy,(in Tamil), Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2018) Badulla Narabamu (in Sinhala)), Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2019) Ancient Settlements in Maha -Oya Basin. S. Godage & Brothers (PVT) LTD., Colombo: Sri Lanka (In press).

Rambukwella, Chulani (2018) HERITAGE REPRESENTATION IN CULTURALLY DIVERSE SOCIETIES: Sri Lankan Museum perspective, S. Godage & Brothers (PVT) LTD., Colombo: Sri Lanka.

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

Rambukwella, Chulani (2020) Issues related to Sri Lankan Arts and Artifacts in Foreign Museums, FREEDOM STRUGGLES OF SRI LANKA: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward. C.M. Madduma Bandara ed, pp. 281- 294, Colombo: S. Godage & Brothers (Pvt) Ltd.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2017) Archaeology of the Proto historic Iron Age: South Indian Context and Evolutionary Structure in Sri Lanka, The Journal of Archaeology & Heritage Studies, Vol. 4, Issue 3, 2017, Special Issue on Pre-historic and Proto-historic Studies of Sri Lanka, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2016) A Short Description of History and Heritage in Southern Sri Lanka, State Wesak Commemorative Volume 2016, ed. by Prishanta Gunawardhana, Jagath Weerasinghe, Sirinimal Luckdusinghe, Colombo: Central Cultural Fund in Sri Lanka, May 2016, pp. 109-117.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2012) Museum and National Identity: Representation of Nation in National Museums, Building Identity: The Making of National Museums and Identity Politics, 2012, Taipei: National Museum of History, pp. 35-50.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2005) Archaeology of Early Iron Age in the Padiyagampola Region: importance of the Location and Distribution Pattern of Archaeological Sites, Ancient Ceylon, No. 18, Colombo: The Department of Archaeology, pp. 20-51.

Rambukwella, Chulani (1998) The Distribution Pattern of Archaeological Sites in the Kandy and its Suburbs, Golden Jubilee Independence Commemorative Volume, Kandy: Provincial Secretariat Sri Lanka, pp.56-80.

Rambukwella, Chulani (1996) Basis for Settlement Sites in Kandy and its Adjacent Region: 3rd Century BC to 3rd Century AD, Ayithihasika Mahanuwara, Kandy: Mahanuwara Variyapola Shri Sumangala Vidyalaye Baudhdha Sangamaya, pp. 141-161.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Rambukwella, Chulani (2018) Kanda Udarata Urumaya Soya Yama (Searching the Kandiyan Heritage) (in Sinhala), Sath Mandala, series 1, Vol. 2, pp. 73-76, Colombo: Lake House.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2018) Socio-Political and Religious Hegemony of the Middle Maha-oya River Valley: Micro Study of the Kuda-oya Tributary, Vesak Volume: essays in Buddhism/Buddhist Archaeology, Central Cultural Fund, Sri Lanka, pp. 123¬-127.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2017) Kandy: ancient habitations and socio-religious institutions, Buddharashmi Vesak Volume: essays in Buddhism and Monastic Archaeology, Central Cultural Fund, Sri Lanka, pp. 227-239.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2016) Historical Study of Some Flora in the Lower Montane Region and its Western Slopes in Sri Lanka, The Journal of Archaeology & Heritage Studies (refereed Journal), Vol. 3, Issue 1, January- June 2016, pp. 127-149, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2015) Archaeological Heritage in Sri Lanka: importance of the location of Ancient Burial Site at Asmadela-Galatara, The Sambhawana (refereed Journal), Vol. 9, Series 1, January-June. 2015/16, pp. 131-147, Journal of the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2015/16) Environmental Archaeology of the Pre-historic Sites Alu-lena and Dorawaka-kanda, The Sambhawana (refereed Journal), Vol. 9, Series 2, July-December 2015/16, pp. 41-63, Journal of the Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2015/16) Historical Study of Some Endemic Fauna of the Hill Country in Sri Lanka, Puranaya, Vol. I, Part I, Journal of the Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2015) Early Settlements in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka: an Archeological Approach for New Interpretation, Sastriya Puravidya Deshana Sangrahaya, Vol. I, No. 1, December 2015, ed. by Ven. Godamune Pnnaseeha and U. G. Chandralatha, Polonnaruwa Museum: Central Cultural Fund Sri Lanka.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2015) Colombo National Museum in Brief: Past, Present and the Future, Archaeologia Zeylanica (refereed Journal), Vol. II, part II, 2015, University of Kelaniya (research article accepted for the publication- in press).

Rambukwella, Chulani (2014) Representation: some concepts for Museums, Archaeologia Zeylanica (refereed Journal), Vol. 2, Part I, Sep.-Dec. 2014, Department of Archaeology: University of Kelaniya, pp. 33-41.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2011) The ‘Museion’ and ‘Museum’ towards a ‘New’ or ‘Real Museum’, Archaeologia Zeylanica (refereed Journal), Vol. I, Part I, Jan-Apr 2011, Department of Archaeology: University of Kelaniya, pp.105-114.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2008) Socio-economic Background of Early Iron Age Sites in the Montane Region of Sri Lanka, The Sambhawana (refereed Journal), vol. 4, series 1, January-June 2008, Journal of the Faculty of Arts: University of Peradeniya, pp. 123-144.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2001) Sites and Monuments Registration in the Matale District, Commissioned Report, Vol. I, Part I, , Colombo: The Department of Archaeology (commissioned by the Department of Archaeological Survey in Sri Lanka).

Rambukwella, Chulani (2001) Sites and Monuments Registration in the Matale District, Commissioned Report: Photographic Documentation, Vol. I, Part I, Colombo: The Department of Archaeology (commissioned by the Department of Archaeological Survey in Sri Lanka).

Rambukwella, Chulani (2001) Sites and Monuments Registration in the Matale District, Commissioned Report, Vol. 1, Part II, Colombo: The Department of Archaeology (commissioned by the Department of Archaeological Survey in Sri Lanka).

Rambukwella, Chulani (2001) Sites and Monuments Registration in the Matale District, Commissioned Report: Photographic Documentation, Vol. 1, Part II, Colombo: The Department of Archaeology, Colombo (commissioned by the Department of Archaeological Survey in Sri Lanka).

Rambukwella, Chulani (998/99) The Early Iron Age Socio-political Landscape of the Maha Oya River Valley: a Suggested Model for the Montane Region of Sri Lanka, The Sri Lanka Journal of the Humanities (refereed Journal), Vol. 24 & 25, 1, Peradeniya: The Journal of University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp. 207-215.

CONFERENCE PAPERS

Rambukwella, Chulani (2015) Archaeological Landscape of the Lower Montane Region of Sri Lanka: Socio-Cultural aspect of Archaeological Sites, South Asia Culture, History & Heritage, Proceedings of the 3rd Biennial Conference of the International Association for Asian Heritage (IAAH), 27th to 28th December 2015, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, pp. 158-162.

Rambukwella, Chulani (2008) Presentation and Preservation of the Cultural Hegemony in the Central Regions of Sri Lanka, The proceedings of the National Archaeological Symposium 2008, Colombo: Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, July 07- 08, 2008, Sri Lanka, pp. 233-236.

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Rambukwella, Chulani (2017) Museum Display and Exhibition: Methods, Techniques and Purpose, Professor R.A.L.H. Gunawardana Commemorative Volume, 2017, Department of History, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (in press).

Conferences

The 4th International Landscape Archaeology Conference (LAC 2016)

The evolution of early settlements in the Maha-Oya and Mahaweli river valleys of Sri Lanka: a study of ecological zones and human adaptation to resource use and subsistence pattern, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Uppsala University, Sweden, 22-25 August 2016,

The International Conference on “Asian Elephants in Culture & Nature

Traditional Ivory Crafts and Technology in Sri Lanka: a Historical and Technological Perspective, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 20- 21 August 2016.

The 3rd Biennial Conference of the International Association for Asian Heritage (IAAH)

Archaeological Landscape of the Lower Montane Region of Sri Lanka: socio-cultural aspect of archaeological sites, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 27-28 December 2015.

paper presented at the 6th International Conference of the South and Southeast Asian Association for the study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR)

Museum to represent heritage: a new Museological perspective, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 04th -6th June 2015.

The International Conference on Future Museums: An Asian perspective,

Preliminary investigation of Museum in Sri Lanka: a brief introduction to public museums and their future, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 28-29 October 2014,

The International Conference on Asian Art, Culture and Heritage

Museums in Sri Lanka: from the Colombo Museum to the Colombo National Museum and beyond, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Sri Lanka, 21-23 August 2013.

paper presented at the International Conference ‘The Museum 2011

Museum and National Identity: Representation of Nation in National Museums, National Museum of History, Taipei, Taiwan, 16-19 November 2011

The 3rd International Congress (SOSAA)

An evolution of Early Iron Age Sites in Intermediary Transitional Eco System in Sri Lanka, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 20-21 August 2010

The Research Week International Symposium,

National Museums in Culturally Diverse Societies: A Place to promote Diversity, School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester, United Kingdom, 9 June 2010

The National Archaeological Symposium 2008,

Presentation and Preservation of the Cultural Hegemony in the Central Regions of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 07- 08 July 2008.

The 1st International Conference of South Asian Archaeology

Socio-political basis of the World Heritage City of Kandy and its suburbs, Sri Lanka: An Archaeological Perspective, Department of History, University of Mumbai, India, 16-18 December 2006,

The 2nd Awareness Seminar on Cultural Heritage and Displacement of Cultural Property

Cultural Heritage and cultural property: an overview of location and distribution pattern of archaeological sites in the greater Kandy area, UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office and Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Paper presented at 16 March 2006

The National Archaeological symposium

Maha oya river valley exploration: The distribution pattern of archaeological sites around the Asmadela-Galatara burial site, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 28-29 July 2005

The National Archaeological Symposium

Location and distribution pattern of Archaeological sites in the Middle and Upper Maha oya Valley, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 07- 08 July 2003

The Conference of Explorations

Maha oya river valley exploration: importance of location and distribution Pattern of Early Iron Age sites around Padiyagampola region, Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration Auditorium, Colombo, Sri Lanka , 28-29 March 2000

The World Archaeological Congress,

The Early Iron Age socio-political landscape of the Maha Oya river valley: a suggested model for the montane region of Sri Lanka, New Delhi, India, 3, 4-11 December 1994

The Annual Research Seminar

Preliminary investigation on the distribution pattern of Early Iron Age sites along the Upper Maha-Oya System, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 3-4 November 1992.

The 4th Annual Science Conference

The Proto-historic and early-historic archaeological landscape of the upper Maha Oya basin. a case study of Padiyagampola, Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1989, 30-31 January 1990

The 3rd the Annual Science Conference,

Micro studies on the pattern of site distribution along the upper Maha Oya Valley, Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 30 January- 01 February 1989.

The Annual Science Conference,

The locational pattern of early historic archaeological sites in the plateau of Kandy, paper presented nstitute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 29-30 January 1988

The 2nd National Archaeological Congress

The distribution pattern of early historic archaeological sites in the plateau of Kandy, paper presented at, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 27-29 November 1987

The 1st National Archaeological Congress

The Environmental basis and the distribution pattern of the medieval archaeological sites in the Kandy district, 19-21 November 1986, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Teaching

Undergraduate Programme (B.A. Honours) Archaeology - Environmental Archaeology, Cultural Ecology, Crafts and Technology of South Asia, Ancient Civilization – Egypt, Museum Studies , Sculpture and painting, Supervision of Reports and Dissertations of above subjects

Department of Archaeology

1990 - To Present

Postgraduate Programmes (Diploma, M.A., M. Phil. and PhD) - Environmental Archaeology, Cultural Ecology, Crafts and Technology of Pre-Industrial South Asia, Museum Studies

Department of Archaeology

1990 - To Present

Undergraduate courses - The Arts and Crafts of Sri Lanka, The Traditional Art, Supervision of Reports and Dissertations

Department of Fine Arts

1998 - 2001

Postgraduate courses - Art in Asia with special reference to Sri Lanka, Arts and Technology in Sri Lanka

Department of Fine Arts

2005 - 2007