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Department of Sinhala

Faculty of Arts - University of Peradeniya

Prof. L Amarakerthi

Professor in Sinhala

  •    Department of Sinhala
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Education

PhD

University of Wisconsin

2004

MA

University of Wisconsin-Madison

2000

BA

University of Colombo

1994

Current Positions

Professor of Sinhala - University of Peradeniya

2014 - To Present

Visiting Lecturer - Postgraduate Institute of English. Open University, Sri Lanka

2014 - To Present

Visiting Lecturer - Postgraduate Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya

2008 - To Present

Visiting Lecturer - FGS, University of Kelaniya

2010 - To Present

Reviewer for Program and Institutional Review - Quality Assurance Council, University Grant Commission

2014 - To Present

Sinhala Language Instructor - Intercollegiate Sri Lanka Education (ISLE ) Programme

2009 - To Present

Positions Held

Visiting Lecturer, International Folklore Workshop - Bangla Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh

April 2015 - To Present

Chair of the Study Board in Language and Literature - Postgraduate Institute of the Humanities and the Social Science, University of Peradeniya

2014-2021

Visiting Fellow - University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain

2013

Visiting Lecturer - University of Colombo

2011-2012

Senior Visiting Fellow - Harvard University

January-April 2010

Visiting Lecturer (Translation Diploma Program) - National Language Training Institute, Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration

2009-2012

Lecturer - Cornell University, New York

2004-2008

Teaching Assistant to Prof. Uli Shamiloglu - UW-Madison

2004 Spring

Lecturer - UW-Madison

2003 Spring

Grader/Reader for Course on Religions of Asia - UW-Madison

2003 Spring

Grader/Reader for Course on Religions of Asia - UW-Madison

2002 Summer

Visiting Lecturer of Creative Writing - Audiovisual Media School of National Youth Council, Maharagama

1997-1998

Research Assistant to Prof. Shibua Toshio - Waco University, Japan

1996-1997

Assistant Lecturer - Department of Sinhala, University of Colombo

1995-1998

Editor - Yavvanaya Newspaper published by Ravaya Publishers

1995

Freelance and Staff Journalist - Ravaya Sinhala Newspaper

1994-1997

Research Assistant to Prof. Edirivira Saracchandra - Sarvodaya Research Institute

1993-1994

Editor - Ulpata Magazine, Sarvodaya Head Quarters

1990-1994

Awards

National Literary Award - Department of Cultural Affairs

2021

National Literary Award - Department of Cultural Affairs

2020

Godage Award for the best Collection of Short Stories - Godage & Sons

2018

Swarna Pustaka Award (Golden Book Award) - Publishers’ Association of Sri Lanka

2016

Swarna Pustaka Award (Golden Book Award) for the Best Novel the year - Publishers’ Association of Sri Lanka

2014

Bunka Cultural Award for Literature - The Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund

2013

Award for the best Collection of Short Stories - Vidyodaya

2013

Erasmus Mundus: One Month Fellowship at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain - European Union

2013

Fellowship of Senior Visiting Scholar - Harvard University

2010

Award for the Best Novel - National Literary Festival, Sri Lanka

2008

Tuition Fellowship - School of Criticism and Theory, Cornell University

2005

Dissertation Fellowship - University of Wisconsin

2003

Award for Best Collection of Short Stories - National Literary Festival, Sri Lanka

2000

Fulbright Fellowship - Fulbright Commission

1998-2000

Best Translation, State Literary Festival - North Western Province-Sri Lanka

1997

Best Collection of Short Stories, State Literary Festival - North-Western Province-Sri Lanka

1995

Prof. M.B. Ariyapala Award “Most Competent Student of the Year” in Special Degree Program (Sinhala) - University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

1994

Publications

BOOKS

Lal Wijenayake: Jeewithaya Ha Deshapalanaya (a biography), 2021

Sitivili Sitijaya (a collection of essays on literature and culture), 2019

Ketikatha Kalawa (a book on the art of short story), 2018

Navakavi Salakuna (a book on theories of poetry), 2016

Beginning Colloquial Sinhala: Student Text (a Sinhala language textbook). Ithaca: South Asia Program, Cornell University, With Professor Theresa MacGarry, 2011

Beginning Colloquial Sinhala: Teachers’ Guide. Ithaca: South Asia Program, Cornell University, With Professor Theresa MacGarry, 2011

Pahana saha kedapata (a book on literary theory and criticism), 2011

Sahrada Sakshiya:Akhyana Kalawa ha Minis Samajaya (a book on literary theory), 2008

Amutu Kathaava: Pashchaat Yataarthavaadi Kathaaa Kalaavaka Vetha (a book on narrative theory), 2005

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

""Developing Our Own Souls”: Oriental Studies within the Sri Lankan University System", Centenary Volume, University Grant Commission, 2021

"Rooted Cosmopolitanism and Intercultural Literary Connections", Sahitya, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, 2020

“Widening the meaning of ‘folk’: Urban Folklore from Sri Lanka and Elsewhere” in Folklore in Urban Context - published by Bangla Academy, Bangladesh, 2016

“Reading Tamil Literature with Sinhala Students: An Attempt at Building ‘Compassionate Imagination” in Seminar Volume Published by Department of History, University of Peradeniya, 2015

“Nuthana Prabandha Kathawa saha Peradiga-batahira Muna gesima: Anthar-sanskrathika Awabodhaya kara” in A Special Volume of One Asian Seminar Series, University of Kelaniya, 2014

“Sinhala Poetry in Modern Times” in Mirrored Images, Ed. Rajiwa Wijesinnha, 2013

“Rajitha Dissanayake and Contemporary Sinhala Theater” An introduction to Rajitha Dissanayake’s No Return, 2012

Kaviya, Saundaryalookaya ha Mahajana Tarkanaya, Sahitya, Speacial Volume, Literary Panel, Department of Cultural Affairs, 2010

“Sinhala Sahitye Sinhala Lakunu”( Modernist Aspects in Sinhala Literature), in Sahitya, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, 2009

“Susadhita Ketikathawa saha Kammellaweera” An Introductory essay in Sobha by Jayathila Kammellaweera, 2007

“Introduction” to Malaka Devapriya’s Uge Hisa Ivaray, a Collection of Radio Plays, 2006

“Introduction” to the English translation of Ajith Tilakasena’s The Pilgrimage, 2006

JOURNAL ARTICLES

"A Cosmopolitan Literary Culture with a Façade of Nativism: A Reevaluation of the Sinhala Literary Culture around 1956", Sri Lanka Journal of the Humanities, 2021

"Other Faces of 1956: An Accidental Origin of a Research Project", Hanthana Vision (research magazine), University of Peradeniya, 2021

"Locations of Cultural Value: Historicizing Viragaya as Novel on Postcolonial Subjectivity”, Sri Lanka Journal of the Humanities, 2019

“Ketikathawehi akratika vicitratava saha pratinirmana vidhi: nyaika saya Sanidarshanathmaka samalocanayak", Masika Sahitya Sankathana, 9, 2015

“Radical Traditionalism: Post-realist Modes of Representation in Modern Sinhala Fiction and Postcoloniality”, Phoenix - The Sri Lanka Journal of English in the Commonwealth, Vol. IX, 2012

“Jatiakawadayata erehiwa Sarvabhaumikavadaya: Gurudeva Tagorge Sanskratika Vicaraya( Nationalism Vs. Cosmopolitanism: Rabindranath Tagore’s Cultural Criticism) in Sanskriti, Vol. 22, 2011

“Sinhala Poetry as a Mode of Cultural Self-Criticism” in Phoenix- The Sri Lanka Journal of English in the Commonwealth. Vol. VIII, 2011

“A Review of English Translation of Hevanella. Sri Lanka Journal of the Humanities, University of Peradeniya, 2010

“Character and Emplotment in Story of Vessantara” Sri Lanka Journal of Humanities, University of Peradeniya, 2006

“Aashcharyaathmaka Yathaarthavaadaya Pashchaatyathaarathavaadayak lesa”( Magic Realism as a Form of Post-Realism) in PaTitha, 2004

TRANSLATION AND PUBLICATION OF BOOKS OF SCHOLARLY WORK

Piduru Ballo. The Translation of Straw Dogs by John Gray, 2021

Itihasayak Thula Sahitya. The Translation of Works and Persons in Sinhala Literary Culture by Charles Hallisey, 2020

Rala Nagana Minissu. A Translation of the American Play Inherit the Wind, 2019

Kalawa Saha Minisa. A Translation of Irwin Edman’s Arts and the Man, 2018

Kalawa Kumakatada? A Sinhala Translation of Martha Nussbaum’s Not for Profit: Why Democracy the Humanities, 2013

Nerudage Liyumkaaraya. A Translation of Antonio Skarmeta’s novel The Postman, 2012

“Samaja Vicaraya ha Buddha Dharamaya” A Translation of Sulak Sivaraksa’s Culture, Conflict, Change, 2012

The Hour When the Moon Weeps. An English Translation of a Collection of Short stories, 2007

Taruna navakataakaruveku veta. The Sinhala Translation of Mario Vargas Llosa’s Letters to a Young Novelist, 2006

Heta An Ratak, Sinhala translation of "Tomorrow is Another Country” by Alister Sparks, 1999

Malbara Samaya, Sinhala translation of ten Eastern-European short stories, 1998

Mahapurushayekuta Birindakwa, Sinhala translation of "Married to Tolstoy" By Cynthia Asquith, First Edition, 1996

Conferences

International Folklore Workshop

“Sri Lankan Folklore in the Context of a Large Subcontinent”

Bangla Academy, Dhaka

2014

International Folklore Workshop

“Critical Folklore Studies and Folk Criticism: Folklore as a Political Practice"

Bangla Academy, Dhaka

2014

South Asia Program, Cornell University

“Nativist Modernism: Literary Identities in Modern Sinhala Fiction”

Cornell University, USA

2006

Buddhist Studies Graduate Student Conference

“Karmic Realism: Buddhist Ways of Transcending Structural Limits of Literary Realism"

University of Michigan- Anne Arbor

2003

South Asia Conference at University of Wisconsin- Madison

“Poetics of Storytelling in Ummagga Jataka”

University of Wisconsin- Madison, USA

2002

Creative Work

Duwana Wattiya ha Hina wena Tikira - a collection of short stories, 2021

Gedarawata Sithiyama - a collection of stories, 2020

"A Story of a dreamy Sky" in World Literature Today (translated by Chamini Kulatunge), 2020

Ratu Iri Adina Ata - a novel, 2019

Alu Peheti Aranchi - a collection of short stories, 2017

Hamuweda Ape Wena Thata - a collection of poems, 2017

Ahambakara - a novel, 2015

Kurulu Hadawata (The Bird’s Heart) – a novel, 2013

Ara Mihiri Sinu Naadya (That Sweet Sound of the Bell) - a collection of Short stories, 2012

Ekamat eka Pita Rataka - a collection of poems, 2009

Atawaka Putthu - a novel, 2008

Vila Saha Mala - a collection of Sinhala short stories, 2003

Mama Den Nidami (Now, I Sleep) - a collection of Sinhala short stories, 1999

Muhude Giligiya Diana Kumariya - Sinhala adaptation of a South African Story for Children, 1998

Weeriyawanthayo (The Brave Ones)- a novel, 1995

Nandana Uyana (The Garden of Bliss) - a collection of short stories, 1994

Mahakanda Pamula (Under the Mountain) - a novel, 1992

Rala (The Wave) - a collection of short stories, 1992

Manawa Baktiya Ha Sittara (The Painter and Humanitarianism) - a collection of short stories, 1990

Teaching

ENG 404 - Introduction to Sinhala and Tamil Literature

Department of English

To Present

SLS 410/SLS 3015 - Social and Cultural Studies of Literature

Department of Sinhala

To Present

SLS 405 - Western Theories of Aesthetics and Art

Department of Sinhala

To Present

SLS 404 - Comparative Literature

Department of Sinhala

To Present

SLS 307/SLS 3009 - Modern Western Literary Theory

Department of Sinhala

To Present

SLS 304/SLS 3007 - Western Literary Theory and Criticism

Department of Sinhala

To Present

SLS 310/SLS 312 - Translation Theory and Practice. Part 2

Department of Sinhala

To Present

SLS 210 - Translation Theory and Practice

Department of Sinhala

To Present

SLS 202/SLS 2002 - Modern Drama and Contemporary Sinhala Theatre

Department of Sinhala

To Present

FND 103/ESS 1002 - Academic Writing

Department of Sinhala

To Present

FND 114 - Law and Ethics

Department of Sinhala

To Present