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Department of Sociology

Faculty of Arts - University of Peradeniya

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 in the 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 a PGD in Education from the Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, in 2006. Later, he completed his Ph.D at the University of Peradeniya in 2012. His research areas are rural sociology, social issues, social work and welfare, sociology of religion, and sociology of education.

Education

PhD

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

2012

Postgraduate Diploma in Education

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

2006

MPhil

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

2002

BA

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

1994

Current Positions

Senior Lecturer (Grade- I) - Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya.

- To Present

Department Coordinator, Department of Sociology, Centre for Distance & Continuing Education (CDCE) - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya

2025 - To Present

Editorial Board Member- Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (AJS) - PGIHS, University of Peradeniya,

2024 - 2027

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

2021 - To Present

Visiting Lecturer, PGD in Sociology Degree Programme, - PGIHS, University of Peradeniya.

2018 - To Present

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

2016 - To Present

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

2021 to date.

Positions Held

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

2023-2024

Warden, James Peris Hostel - University of Peradeniya

2022-2024

Acting Warden, Hindala Hostel - University of Peradeniya

2024

Warden, Hindagala Hostel, . 2015 - University of Peradeniya

2015

Acting Warden, AQ40 Hall - University of Peradeniya

2024

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

2019-2023

Senior Students Counselor - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya

2016, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024

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

2016 – 2022

Volunteer Student Counselor - Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya

2015

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

2007-2009

Memberships

Member - Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Awards

Annual Research Grant - University of Peradeniya

2023

Research Grant - Facilitating Local Initiatives for Conflict Transformation (FLICT), Colombo, Sri Lanka.

2010

Publications

BOOKS

Upali Weerakoon (2020) Sociology of Education (in Sinhala), Published by Author, Nethwin Printers, Getabe, Peradeniya

Upali Weerakoon (2007) Collected Letters of Social Sciences.(in Sinhala) Published by Author, Kandy Offset Printers Ltd., Peradeniya Road, Kandy

Upali Weerakoon (2003). Identification, Classification and Production of Drug.(in Sinhala) Warakapola, Ariya Publication

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

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

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

Politics and Social Movement, Session 09 - SSU 2156“Party Politics and Exploitation of Human Suffering” Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Open University, Sri Lanka, 2015. pp. 94-107

JOURNAL ARTICLES

The Hidden Crisis: Uncovering the Illegal Drug Problem in Sri Lanka. ATSK Journal of Sociology, 2024, Volume 2, Issue 2, Pp, 1-4 ISSN: 3005-3676 https://atsk.website/atsk-sociology-volume-2-issue-2/

The religious demeanor, linked with mundane and spiritual intentions: Socio-anthropological study based on ‘Ruwanweli Maha Seya’, Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka. The International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) (ISSN 2454-618, Volume VIII Issue XII/December 2024, IS

Multiculturalism and Social Integration, Mahiyangana Rajamahavihara, Mahiyangana Varuna, Felicitation Volumae for Dr. Urulewatte Dhammasiddhi, Peradeniya: Mahiyangana Rajamahaviharaya, 2025, Pp.610-616

Dances reflected in the Mutti Mangallaya (Based on the Paluwewa village of Seeppukulam, Galenbidunuwewa), Narthana Gaweshi (Dancer), 2024, Colombo, Department of Cultural Affiars. Pp. 126-136

The Future of the Family: Divorce after Marriage. ATSK Journal of Sociology, 2024, Volume 2, Issue 1, Pp 1-4 ISSN: 3005-3676 https://atsk.website/atsk-sociology-volume-2-issue-1/

The Dansal Culture in Nuwarakalaviye, Magazine of Bomaluwa, Vol. 02, Issues-2, Mahavihara Temple: Gatabe, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2024, Pp. 60-64

Rajakari System Associated with Munneswaram Maha Devalaya and Annual Perahera Festival and Its New Trends, Samaja Vimasuma Journal, Vol. 22, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2023, Pp. 259-312

Pot Pending Festival in Nuwarakalaviye, Magazine of Bomaluwa, Vol. 02, Issues-1, Mahavihara Temple: Gatabe, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2024, Pp. 52-55 -E

Nuwarakalaviye Wewa saha Sabadi Gama, Magazine of Bomaluwa, Vol. 01, Issues-3, Mahavihara Temple: Gatabe, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023, Pp. 43-51

Nuwarakalaviye Janajeewithaya ha badunu Pullayar Deviyo, Magazine of Bomaluwa, Vol. 01, pp33-35 Mahavihara Temple: Gatabe, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023, Pp. 33-35

An Analysis of Women’s Representation in Divisional Political Activism of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Development, Volume 01, Issue 09, July 2023, Social Development Policy, Research and Publications Division, National Institute of Social Development, Pp. 1-15

Social Work Intervention for The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Tourism Industry Sri Lankan Journal of Social Work, Volume 07, National Institute of Social Development, Social Development Policy, Research and Publication Division, 2023, Pp.1-14

Fictive kinship and the survival of a new way of life among Sinhalese IDPs in Sri Lanka. (A social anthropological study of displaced people due to civil war in Sri Lanka). Managing Contemporary Issues for Sustainable Future through Multidisciplinary Research, Proceedings, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Oluvil , Sri Lanka, 03rd May 2023, Pp. 502-512

New Settlers: Affinity Relationship and Adopting of Sinhalese IDPs by the War in Sri Lanka to the New Society. ATSK Journal of Sociology, 2022, Volume 1, Issue 1, Pp 34-44 https://atsk.website/atsk-sociology-volume-1-issue-1/

The Concept of Social Change and Analysis of Factors Affecting Social Change. Prathimana Journal Vol. 14, No. 2, 2021, 024—39, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna (Sinhala)

“A Role of Vishnu God”. Ministry of Agriculture in Central Province, Kandy, Sri Lanka. 2017

CONFERENCE PAPERS

11th International Symposium (IntSym 2023). South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Fictive kinship and the survival of a new way of life among Sinhalese IDPs in Sri Lanka. (A social anthropological study of displaced people due to civil war in Sri Lanka). At the 11th International Symposium (IntSym 2023). Organized by the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. held on 3rd May 2023, Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium – 2023 South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Pp. 502-511

Conference on Indian Knowledge Traditions and Sustainable Connectivity Vision: South and South-East Asia as Conduit for Regional Integration and Development. The conference was organized by the Department of International Relations, School of Social Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, India. March 19th-20th, 2025

Research Interests

Rural Sociology

Social issues

Social Work and Welfare

Sociology of Religion

Sociology of Education