Department of History

Faculty of Arts - University of Peradeniya

Dr. Sumudu Manori Dharmarathna

Senior Lecturer

BA Hons (Peradeniya), M.Phil (Peradeniya), PHD (Kelaniya)

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About Me

Sumudu Manori Dharmarathna is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of History, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of Philosophy degrees from the University of Peradeniya. Subsequently, she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Kelaniya, building on research conducted at the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and New Delhi, India. Her primary research contributions focus on the history of pre-modern South Asian society, culture, religion, art, and architecture. She was awarded a scholarship by the Indian Council for Cultural Affairs and a research fellowship under the ISE Program Wilhelm Fellowship in 2005. In 1999, she received a university research grant from the University of Peradeniya to conduct archival studies and field research in India as part of her Master of Philosophy degree program. Dr. Dharmarathna served as the coordinator of the joint research project "A Study of the Original Relations Between Theravada Buddhism and Water-Splashing Festivals of China and Sri Lanka" under the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Peradeniya and Honghe University, China (July 2016 – July 2019). As part of the research team, she visited Buddhist monastic sites in the Yunnan province, gaining valuable insights into the comparative study of religion and culture between China and Sri Lanka. As a research scholar at the International Congress of Bengal Studies, she has collaborated with other scholars on South Asian religion and culture at institutions such as Tokyo University, Japan, and Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Additionally, in 2001, she contributed to a joint research project between the Department of History, University of Peradeniya, and the Indo-Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo.

Education

PhD

University of Kelaniya

2016

M.Phil.

University of Peradeniya

2002

BA (Hons) First Class in History

University of Peradeniya

1995

Current Positions

Senior Lecturer - Department of History, University of Peradeniya

2003 - To Present

Lecturer (Permanent) - Department of History, University of Peradeniya

1998 -2003

Assistant Lecturer (Temporary) - Department of History, University of Peradeniya

1995-1998

Positions Held

Visiting Lecturer, Bachelor of Education (Honours) Degree Programme. - National Institute of Education

2023 - 2024 - To Present

Coordinator - Departmental Seminar Series, Department of History University of Peradeniya

2017-2018

Postgraduate Coordinator - Department of History, University of Peradeniya

2018

Senior Treasurer - Curia Historica , Department of History, University of Peradeniya

2018 - To Present

Voluntarily Deputy Proctor - Orientation Program, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya

2017

Voluntarily Deputy Proctor - Orientation Program, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya

2016

Coordinator - Joint Research project between the University of Peradeniya and Honghe University, China

2017-2018

Part-time senior student Counselor - University of Peradeniya

2014

Part-time Academic Sub-Warden - Hall of residence – ‘Sanghamitta’, University of Peradeniya

1995-1999

Co-Editor-‘Itihasaya’, the journal of the History society - Department of History, University of Peradeniya

1994-1995

President - Sanghamitta Hall Committee, University of Peradeniya

1994

Senior student Counselor - Orientation Program, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya

2004

Memberships

Editorial board of the Journal ‘Itihasa Lekhanī’, - Journal of the Department of History, University of Peradeniya

2015

Editorial board of the Journal, Society of Sri Lanka – National and Social Identity - Department of History, University of Peradeniya

2015

Editorial board of the Rohana research Journal - University of Ruhuna

2014

Tour Committee working group of Commonwealth Universities Association - University of Peradeniya

1999

Sri Lanka Historical Association - University of Peradeniya

Life Time

Awards

F.H.M.Corbett Prize for Ceylon History - University of Peradeniya

Mabel Jayasuriya Prize for History - Highest Competence in Sri Lankan History

1995

Asoka Prize for History - (Greatest Competence)

1995

University Scholarship for Highest Competence at the Final Degree Examination - University of Peradeniya

1995

Prize award, Merit Performance, Kandy for G.C.E. (A/L) Examination - Girls’High School

1989

Publications

BOOKS

Historical writings of Prefacer Sirima Kiribamune, S. Godage and brothers, Colombo, 2021,ISBN 978-624-00-1405-2

Sumudu Dharmarathna and A.M.M.Chandrika, (2014). Kuveni Asna: A Historical Perspective, Colombo: S. Godage Publication, Sri Lanka. ISBN 978-955-30-4823-3

Sri Lanka and Pallava Kingdom : Cultural, Social and Political Relations during the period from 4th century AD to 9th century AD) S. Godage and Brothers publications, Colombo, 2021, ISBN 978-624-00-1405-2 (in Sinhala)

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

Sumudu Dharmarathna, ‘Customs, Rituals, Believes and Traditions Performs at the Sri Mahabodhi Tree in Anuradhapura,’ Prabdhddha, Vol. 10, ed. By Rev. Ehalepola Mahinda and others, Prabuddha Social Service Foundation, Kandy, 2021, pp. 650-672

‘Social Statues of ancient Indian Women,’ Prof. Malani Edagama Felicitation Vollume, ed. Padmasiri Kannangara and Rohitha Dasanayaka, S. Godage and Brothers Pvt., Colomobo, 2020, pp.231-251, (In Singhala).

‘The dress of the Kandyan woman as a criterion of social status', Department of Cultural affairs, Central Province, Kandy, Vol. 7, no. 1, 2019, pp. 141- 158. ISSN 22792414, (in Sinhala)

‘South India – Sri Lanka Buddhist Cultural reletions during the period from 4th century AD to 9th century AD’ Sankasa: Rev Yatirala Mahinda Abhinandanaya ed. Rev. M. Sobhitha and others, Horana, 2019, pp. 102-120. (in Sinhala)

‘Origion and the Development of the Kandy Esala Perahera.’ Siri Dalada Abhivandana, District Sectariat Office, Kandy, 2011, (in Sinhala)

‘The Real Image of Buddhist – Hindu cultural interaction: Kandy Esala Perahera.’ Dharmavijaya: Saratiya Lipi Saraniya, Polgampola Indhananbhinandana Upahara Abhinandanaya, 2013. (in Sinhala)

‘South Indian Factor on Sri Lankan Political Straggle up to the 9th Century AD.’ Dhamsisrsara, Rev. Maharagama Dhammasiri Felecitation Volume, ed. Rev. Madihe Sumanasiri and others, Maharagama: 2010, pp. 129 – 154. (in Sinhala)

“Worship of Dharmadhātu in ancient Sri Lanka and its regional relationship,” Sarathi, Department of Cultural affairs, Central Province, Kandy, 2015. (in Sinhala)

‘Foreign policy of Manvamma that led to new development of Indo-Sri Lanka cultural reletion.’ Sarathi, Department of Cultural affairs, Central Province, Kandy, 2013, pp. 59-68. (in Sinhala)

‘Pallava influence on Sinhalese Architecture,,’ Professor S. Pathmanadhan Felicitation Volume, Department of History, University of Peradeniya, 2016.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

“Mahāyāna - Tantrayāna Traditions and Transition of Monastic Architecture in Ancient Sri Lanka”, Akyana-Narrations,Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Community Studies (CIKCS) Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Vol 07, Issue 01, 2022, pp. 6-28. ISSN: 2478-0642.

Archaeological Reflections and the Study of South Asian Buddhism,International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS),|Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2022|ISSN 2454-6186,pp 605-609.

‘Customs, Rituals, Believes and Traditions performs at the Sri Mahabodhi Tree in Anuradhapura,’ Prabdhddha, Vol. 10, ed. By Rev. Ehalepola Mahinda and others, Prabuddha Social Service Foundation, Kandy, 2021, pp. 650-672

The Archaeology of Buddhism: fame of Tantric tradition in Sri Lanka, High Technology Letters Vol. 26, Issue 9, 2020, pp. 186-204. ISSN NO 1006-6748, http://www,gjstx-e.cn/ Republished, The Archaeology of Buddhism: fame of Tantric tradition in Sri Lanka, Dogo Rangsang Research Journal, Vol 10, Issue 06,ISSN 2347-7180,June 2020, pp. 400 – 419.

‘Discontented Categories: Theravāda and Mahāyāna in the History of Sri Lankan Buddhism’, The Journal of Studies in Humanities, Departement of Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka,Vol 4- (II ), ISSN 2362-0706 , 2018 , pp. 01-14.

‘Discontented Categories: Theravāda and Mahāyāna in the History of Sri Lankan Buddhism’,High Technology Letters, Vol 26, Issue 11, ISSN 1006-6748, 2020, pp. 215-230.

‘Bodhisattva as a Divine Healer,’Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Vol. 06, Issue 01, ISSN-2349-5162 , January 2019, pp.158- 171

‘Decay and Disappearance of Buddhism in its Land of Birth,’ International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science ( IJRISS), Vol. V, Issue, XII, Desember, 2020, ISSN 2454-6118, pp 100-104.

‘Buddha Abhisheeka: Coronetion of Buddha Image,’Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, (JETIR) January 2019, Vol. 6, Iesue 1. (https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1901E23.pdf)

‘An Inquiry of the Social Status of the Ancient Indian Woman Guarded by Manu's Law,’ The Journal of Studies in Humanities, Departement of Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Vol 5 (1), 2019,pp. 127-138. (in Sinhala)

‘Kalinga Influence on Sri Lankan Buddhism with special reference to Image cult,’ Bangabidya, International Journal of the Bengal Studies, Vol. 10, January, 2018, pp. 602-626.

‘Pallava influence on the Evolution of the Sinhalese Script from 4th Century A.D. to the 9th Century A.D.,’Sambhavana, Peradeniya, University of Peradeniya, Vol. 7, part 1, 2013, January – June, pp. 109-157, (in Sinhala)

‘GiñjakāvāsathaPaimāghara: Reconsideration of the views regarding its Popularity in Sri Lanka,,’ in The Journal of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Manegment: University of Rajarata, Vol. III, Issue 1, 2016, pp. 215-244.

‘Downgrading Social Statues of ancient Indian women with the influence of colonization discourse,,’ Itihāsa Lekhannī, Department of History, University of Peradeniya, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2015, pp. 41-52. (in Sinhala)

Specialization

Historiography

South Asian studies

Ancient and medieval Sri Lankan History

Ancient and medieval Indian History

Gender Studies

Research Interests

South & South East Asian History

Cultural Studies

Historiography

Women’s Studies

Monastic Architecture