Puducherry World History Congress 2025

"Reimagining Historical Narratives in a Changing World"
Department of History, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Conference Schedule
August 22, 2025
August 23, 2025
August 24, 2025

Congress Day 1

Friday, August 22, 2025
11:30 – 13:30

Parallel Session 1

Track 1: Ancient Science & Technology in South Asia

Faculty Seminar Room
11:30 – 11:45 Dr. Satyapal Yadav & Rishu Kumar AB-012(A), AB-012

"Ancient Medical Science of South Asia and Its Relevance in the Present World"

11:45 - 12:00 B.W.N.Madhuwanthi AB-011

Ancient Science and Technology in South Asia

12:00 – 12:15 Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bansal AB-092

NAL SETU

12:15 – 12:30 Prof. Irangani MKL, Wickramasinghe NGIM, Dr.Prasad Kumara MA AB-128 A, B, C

Historical Perspectives on the Role of State Rulers in Ensuring the Occupational Safety of Local Craftsmen(Based on Epigraphical Source)

12:30 – 12:45 Dr. C. Chandrasekar & Prof. Rohitha Dasanayaka AB-153

The emergence of knowledge of metals and metallurgy ushered in a revolution in the history of mankind

12:45 – 01:00 Dr. M.A. Prasad Kumara AB-155

A Historical Analysis of Indigenous Knowledge Used by Rural Communities in Sri Lanka to Enhance Maternal Health

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair: Prof. P. Chenna Reddy (Telugu University, Andhra Pradesh, India)

Co-Chair: Senior Prof. Anura Manatunga (University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka)

Session Coordinator: Mr.S. Jeewan (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Track 2: Environmental Sustainability

MA 33 Room
11:30 – 11:45 Nandan Shastri AB-006

Environmental Sustainability and Exhibition Strategies Bridging History and Museums

11:45 – 12:00 DR. PRADEEP DIGAMBER WAGHMARE AB-052

Integrating Spiritual Well-Being and Sustainability in Heritage Tourism: A Study of Buddhist Sacred Sites in India

12:00 – 12:15 Bhanu Abeygunawardhana AB-022

POWERING PEACE: RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR CLIMATE SECURITY IN SOUTH ASIA TO SUSTAINABLE COASTAL ECOSYSTEM

12:15 – 12:30 Chandramohan Priyadarshani AB-076

slow development in the plantation sector: an environmental sustainability perspective from kegalle district, sri lanka

12:30 – 12:45 Dinushika Yapa Abeywardhana AB-039

A Glimpse into the History of Farmer–Wildlife Interactions: A Sociological Perspective

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair: Prof. Anira Lepcha (Sikkim University, India) Co-Chair: Prof. Thilak Bandara (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Session Coordinator: Mrs. A.J.M.N.M. Jayaweera (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Track 3: Religious and Philosophical Thought

Audio-Visual Room
11:30 – 11:45 Dr. Sr. Ann Mary AB-152

RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT IN THE PRINCELY STATE OF MYSORE 1831-1947

11:45 – 12:00 Darshana Ashoka Kumara AB-085

anattā as nietzschean self-overcoming – beyond nihilism, toward becoming

12:00 – 12:15 Dr. P. Nesan AB-031

Political Philosophy of Plato and Indian Thought: A Comparison and Contrast

12:15 – 12:30 Dr. M.A. Mufizal AB-030

Zheng He and the Muslim Legacy in Sri Lanka: Tracing Historical Ties Between Chinese Muslims and Sri Lankan Muslims

12:30 – 12:45 Rev. Poththewela Gnanalakkhana AB-109

A Critical Analysis of Historical Information in the Samyutta Nikaya Commentary: Insights into Ancient Sri Lanka

12:45 – 01:00 Dr. V. Ramya AB-074

Worship of Folk and Minor Deities in and around Sivakasi-A Cultural Jamboree

01:00 – 01:15 Nandita Banerjee AB-151

Encounters with the Forbidden: A Practice of Voyeurism in Ray’s films-Aranyer Din Ratri, Pratidwandi, Jana Aranya

01:15 – 01:30 Sumedha Viraj Sripathi Ukwatta AB-083

The History of Early Buddhist Psychology and Counselling in the World: An Analysis Based on the Tipiṭaka

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair: Prof. Osmund Bopearachchi (Emeritus Director of Research - French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS–ENS Paris) Co-Chair: Prof. Raluwe Padmasiri (Postgraduate Institute of Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka) Session Coordinator: Mr. Dinusha Kariyapperuma (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)
Lunch Break: 13:30 – 14:30
14:30 – 16:30

Parallel Session 2

Track 1: Cross-Cultural Exchanges

Faculty Seminar Room
14:30 – 14:45 SATHYAMURTHY P AB-041

An Analysis of Hallikaras of Karnataka in Inscriptions

14:45 – 15:00 Aastha Rai AB-071

A Brief History of Postal Development of Sikkim

15:00 – 15:15 Anurag Verma AB-078

Kalinga’s Cultural Influence On The Rise Of Funan And Chelna Kingdom

15:15 – 15:30 M Rajeevan AB-042

The Megalithics Of Kunhimangalam: Strategies of Conservation

15:30 – 15:45 R.M.T.D.K. Rathnayaka AB-129

Visualizing Power and Authority: Colonial Attire in Low Country Buddhist Art

15:45 – 16:00 P.V.M Karunaratne, K.P.N Bhagya, G.M Ranathunga, A. Ranaweera
AB-021

Root Cause of the Traditional Costume Design Process: Insignia of the Dignity

16:00 – 16:15 Ranjith Gautam
AB-079

Pitching Unity: Cricket and the Cultural Diplomacy of India-Sri Lanka Exchanges

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Leadership

Session Chair:Senior Prof. Mahinda Somathilake (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Co-Chair: Senior Prof. N.A. Wimalasena (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Session Coordinator: Miss. Piyumi Embuldeniya (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Track 2: Economy in the South Asian Context

MA 33 Room
14:30 – 14:45 Dr. N. Kavitha AB-008

KODUMANAL'S BEAD – MAKING INDUSTRY: TRACING ITS GLOBAL CONNECTIONS FROM TAMILNADU, INDIA

14:45 – 15:00 DR. VINAYAN. T AB-037

Archaeology of Forts and Historical Reconstruction of Kasaragod

15:00 – 15:15 Safna Iqbal AB-106

A Tale of Paradox: Reading the 'Structured' Monuments of First Battle of Elephant Pass

15:15 – 15:30 Fazeeha Azmi, M.I. AB-061

Unravelling the journey of shifting labour discourse of Malayaha Tamil women

15:30 – 15:45 U.N.K. Rathnayake
(Online) AB-094

A Study of Prostitution and Sexually Transmitted Diseases as Colonial Tools Under the British in Ceylon

15:45 – 16:00 S.W.S.G.Wijerathna AB-096

An Historical Investigation on women's participation in economics activities during the Kandyan period (Based on primary sources)

16:00 – 16:15 KMSL Bandara AB-089

The impact of cricket on the Indian economy

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair: Prof. Anoma Abeyrathna (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Co-Chair: Dr. Thushari Vidanage (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Session Coordinator: Mrs. Sewwandi Samadara (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Track 3: Historiography and its Trends

Audio-Visual Room- Faculty of Arts
14:30 – 14:45 K C Lakshmi Devi AB-056

The Curious Case of Rama Gokhale and the Complex Issue of Goan Identity

14:45 – 15:00 Dr.Sreevidhya.V AB-059

Libraries in North Malabar Now: History of their Changing Entities

15:00 – 15:15 Dr. Ashok Kumar Sonkar AB-112

Sri Lanka through the eyes of foreign travellers: A Historical Study

15:15 – 15:30 T.S.Jeffry AB-038

Tracing Histories through Fiction: Historiographical Narratives in Balakumaran’s Appam Vadai Thaiyirsaadham Novel

15:30 – 15:45 M. M. K. Priyankara AB-069

Past in Present: The Legacy of Historical Economic Systems in Contemporary South Asia

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair: Dr. Varunadatta Edirisinghe (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Co-Chair: Dr. Ramesha Jayaneththi (Ruhr Univerersity of Bochum, Germany) Session Coordinator: Mr. Buddhisha Weerasuriya (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)
Tea Break: 16:30 – 17:30

Congress Day 2

Saturday, August 23, 2025
09:00 – 10:30

Parallel Session 3

Track 1: Heritage Management and Tourism

Faculty Seminar Room
09:00 – 09:15 Dr. Dayanand Prabhu Gaikwad AB-053

A Historical Study of Heritage Tourism with special reference to Buddhist Caves in Konkan Region of Maharashtra

09:15 – 09:30 Prof (Dr.) A.Paslithil AB-058

Relevance of Archaeological Sources for reshaping Ancient Kerala History

09:30 – 09:45 Prof (Dr.)G.Premkumar AB-057

MUZIRIS HERITAGE PROJECT OF KERALA STATE AND PATTANAM ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS

09:45 – 10:00 Buddhisha Jayashan Weerasuriya
AB-014

Reclaim the Spaces: Politics of the Heritage Discourse in Post-Civil War Context in Sri Lanka

10:00 – 10:15 A.R.Azsam
AB-063

Heritage at Risk: Muslim Historical Identity and Preservation Challenges in the Malkampatti Region"

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair:Senior Prof. Anura Manathunga (University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka) Co-Chair: Prof. Nuwan Abeywardana (Department of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka) Session Coordinator: Dr. Kasun Dharmasiri (University of Peradeniya - Sri Lanka)

Track 2: Historiography and its Trends

MA 33 Room
09:00 – 09:15 WMD Indika Priyadarshani Somaratne AB-045

Historical Significance of Memorization in Ancient Sri Lankan Education and Its Contemporary Relevance

09:15 – 09:30 Rev. Payagala Sumanasara AB-110

A Study on the Sanskrit Language Proficiency of the Contemporary Community as Revealed by Sanskrit Inscriptions in Sri Lanka

09:30 – 09:45 SRIGANTH R AB-072

Teachers' Perceptions of the Role of Digital Tools and Digitized Archives in Teaching Historiography in Semi-Urban and Rural Secondary Schools in Sri Lanka

09:45 – 10:00 Ravichandran Gajan
AB-036

Effective Implementation of History Teaching in Secondary Schools – A Study Based on Selected Educational Zones in the Nuwara Eliya District

10:00 – 10:15 S. Abinaya
(Online)
AB-025

Colonial Shadows and Western Influence: A Historical Analysis of Educational Transformation in Sri Lanka's Classrooms

10:15 – 10:30 A.Athujan
AB-067

The Importance of Buddhism in the Development of Sri Lankan Historiography

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair:Prof. Nandita Banerjee Co-Chair:Dr. V. Gunasekaran Session Coordinator:Mr. B.E.S. Bandara (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Track 3: Religious and Philosophical Thought

Audio-Visual Room
09:00 – 09:15 Sanduni Mahesha Samarasinghe AB-046

Jesuit Missionary Strategies and Their Impact on Culture and Christianization in China (16th Century to 18th Century)

09:15 – 09:30 H. M.B.L.K.Herath AB-055

An Investigative Study on the Present Form of Folk Religion Among the Indigenous Vedda People Residing in Bo Aththa Village

09:30 – 09:45 Mrs. S.F Silmiya, S.A.C Feroziya AB-047

Islamic Religious Thought on Women's Higher Education in Sri Lanka: A Case Study of Growth and Challenges with Special Reference to Muslim Women in the Kandy District, (Since 1948

09:45 – 10:00 Prof. Irangani MKL, Dr. Kumara MAP, Mrs. Wickramasinghe NGIM, Mr. Bandara BMCM
AB-117 A , B, C, D

Analyzing the role of other sacred sites in the vicinity of the sacred city of Anuradhapura in attracting Local and International religious tourists

10:00 – 10:15 Thilina Laknuwan Hettiarachchi
AB-040

The Application of Kautilya’s Arthashastra in the Warfare of the King Parakramabahu I in Polonnaruwa

10:15 – 10:30 Rev. Wanduramba Suseela thero
AB-034

Is the Medieval Period a Dark Age? — A Philosophical Inquiry

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair: Prof. Homagama Dhammananda (Vice Chancellor, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka) Co-Chair: Prof. Dhanesh Karunanayaka (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Session Coordinator: Mr. Yasas Kulasekara (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)
Tea Break: 10:30 – 11:00
11:00 – 01:30

Parallel Session 4:

Track 1: Cross-Cultural Exchanges

Faculty Seminar Room
11:00 – 11:15 R M C S Ranasinghe
AB-026

Echoes of the Past: Reimagining Sri Lanka’s Musical Heritage through Contemporary Narratives and Digital Histories

11:15 – 11:30 K.A.A.Madhawa, A.K.A.S. Gnanaratne
AB-010(A)

A Sociological Exploration of Belief Systems and Superstitious Practices in the Raigama Tradition of Sri Lanka

11:30 – 11:45 Ven. Kalalgoda Sudarshika
AB-082

Breaking the Monastic Glass Ceiling: A Feminist Re‑Reading of Theravāda Canonical Narratives and the 21st‑Century Bhikkhunī Revival Movement

11:45 – 12:00 G.Jeyatheeswaran
AB-093

A Historical study of the Vanniyars in Northern Sri Lanka and Their relations with South India.

12:00 – 12:15 Mathini Jeyakumar
AB-051

American Missionary’s Educational Activities at Valikamam– A Historical View (The research based at Jaffna College)

12:15 – 12:30 Dr. Anita Kumari
AB-080

Cross Cultural Exchanges Between India and Sri Lanka in Modern Times

12:30 – 12:45 Mohan Reddy G
AB-111

A Historical Study on the Role of Women in Indian Politics.”

12:45 – 01:00 Dr.Sima Mishra
AB-084

Cultural Exchange between India and Sri Lanka during Ancient Times

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair:Dr. C. Chandrasekar (Associate Professor in History, Government Arts College, Dharmapuri, Tamilnadu) Co-Chair:Dr. Darshi Thoradeniya (University of Colombo, Sri Lanka) Co-Chair:Dr. V. Gunasekaran (Associate Professor in History, Alagappa Government Arts College, Tamilnadu, India) Session Coordinator: Mr. Theekshana Athukorala (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Track 2: Heritage Management and Tourism

MA 33 Room
11:00 – 11:15 R M N C B ARIYARATHNE
AB-024

Reviving Elapsed Heritage: Sustainable Tourism through Community-Driven Heritage Management with Special Reference to Trincomalee Harbour

11:15 – 11:30 W.G.S Manthisi
AB-017

Heritage Management Plan for Pilikutthuwa Raja MahaViharaya

11:30 – 11:45 K.M.Geeth Arjuna Manage
Online
AB-115

Applying Artificial Intelligence for Predictive Modelling in the Discovery of Archaeological Urban Settlements from the Sangam Era in South India

11:45 – 12:00 J.K.H.S.L.Perera
AB-065

Tradition, Society, and Sustainability: A Sociological Study of Historical Human–Environment Interactions in Sri Lanka

12:00 – 12:15 Anil R Bankar, Suvarna L Khillare
AB-054, AB-54 (A)

Digital Preservation of Ajanta Caves: Integrating Technology for Sustainable Conservation of Buddhist Heritage in Maharashtra, India

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair:Prof. Premkumar (Co-operative Arts and Science College, India) Co-Chair:Prof. Sudarshana Bandara (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Session Coordinator: Mr. Ashvin Wickramasuriya (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Track 3: Religious and Philosophical Thought

Audio-Visual Room
11:00 – 11:15 Dr Nomula Venkateshwarlu
AB-007

Ancient Indian Perspectives on Mental Health: Insights from Vedic Texts to Medieval Practices

11:15 – 11:30 Dr. Sumedha Weerawardhana
AB-125

A Historical Study of the Efforts of Contemporary Nationalist Forces to Throne a Non-Sinhala, Buddhist King Against the Nayakkar Dynasty

11:30 – 11:45 K. M. Theekshana Pasan Deepaloka
AB-087

Ancient Indian Logic and Epistemology: Contributions of Nyāya and Buddhist Schools

11:45 – 12:00 Ishini Samdhi Dissanayake
AB-043

Buddhist Approach and Confucius Teachings for a Harmonious Family

12:00 – 12:15 K. Abilash, P. Vaiyapuri Raja
AB-160

Influence of Religious and Philosophical Thoughts on Education: A Comparative inquiry into Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic Perspectives

12:15 – 12:30 Patali Kavindya Thudugala AB-029

Sinhalese Food Preservation Methods in Ancient Sri Lanka: A Historical and Cultural Perspective

12:30 – 12:45 Saman Pushpakumara AB-165

Reading History through Hegel and Derrida: Reconstruction and Deconstruction of History

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Session Leadership

Session Chair:Prof. M.K.L. Irangani (Rajarata University of Sri Lanka) Co-Chair:Prof. S Pirashanthan (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) Session Coordinator: Mr. A.K.A.S. Gnanaratne (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)
Lunch Break: 13:30 – 14:30

Conference Information

Conference Day 3

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Cultural Tour: 07:00 – 18:00

Destination: Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Departure: 07:00 from Conference Venue (buses provided)

Includes: Guided tour of the ancient rock fortress, lunch at a local restaurant, and return to the airport

Note: Comfortable walking shoes recommended. Tour limited to 50 participants (sign-up required).

Conference Information

Conference Day 3

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Cultural Tour: 08:00 – 18:00

Destination: Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Departure: 08:00 from Conference Venue (buses provided)

Includes: Guided tour of the ancient rock fortress, lunch at a local restaurant, and return transportation

Note: Comfortable walking shoes recommended. Tour limited to 50 participants (sign-up required).

Presenter Guidelines

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