The Anthropology Day 2023 organized for the second time, by the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura was held successfully on 20th January 2023 at Sri Sumangala Auditorium. The chief guest of the event was Prof. Upul Subasinghe; Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and graced by many distinguished guests and invitees; Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda; Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,Prof. Mohammed Mahees, Department of Sociology, University of Colombo as the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Charmalie Nahallage; Head of the Department of Anthropology, Prof. Sirimali Fernando; Secretary General, Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU); Senior Professor Anura Manathunga, Director General Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka; Senior Prof. Gamini Adikari, Director Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology; Professor Gamini Ranasinghe Director General Central Cultural Fund; Mrs. Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi; Director General, National Museum of Sri Lanka, Dr. Publis Silva Mount Lavinia Hotel and many others. In addition, heads of the other departments of the university, professors, senior lecturers, lecturers, students of the university and invited schools participated in the event. Anthropology day inauguration ceremony was followed by an exhibition and a cultural show.
Anthropology Day 2023 is a significant event that is organized to commemorate the 63rd year since the inception of the subject in the university. Marking this year’s anthropology day a significant one, the Department of Anthropology launched a number of new publications. Anthropology Glossary Vol 1, 2 and 3, Anthropology Gleanings, Manawa Widhya Wanshaya (මානව විද්යා වංශය), Anthropological Review Vol 6, Journal of Intangible Cultural Heritage Issue II are few among them.
In addition the department organized an Anthropology Documentary Film Awards 2023 (Short-films) under University category and School Category and the winners were awarded with trophies and certificates at the inauguration ceremony. Under school category, the first place was secured by St. Aloysius College, Rathnapura for the film “Lowak Watina Ape Urumaya”, while the award for the second place was won by Billewa Vidyalaya, Thanthirimalaya, for the film “The Problem of Human with Elephants in Thanthirimalaya”. The Third place of this category was secured by Thurstan College, Colombo for the film, “Sampradayika Weda Hedakam”.
“Aadam and Adam” by Prabod C. Hapuarachchi of University of Vocational Technology won the first place under the University Category. Munasinghe Arachchige Dilushi Madushani of University of Kelaniya won the second place for her film, “Ambilipitiya”, whilst the third place was given to the film, “Balma” by Keshani Maheshika Dissanayake of University of Ruhuna.
For more images please visit: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=japuramedia&set=a.644136877716622
Cultural Show: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=japuramedia&set=a.644196171044026
Ceylon Today Article: https://ceylontoday.lk/2023/01/28/anthropology-day-of-uoj-successfully-concludes/#:~:text=The%20annual%20Anthropology%20Day%2C%20organised,Auditorium%2C%20University%20of%20Sri%20Jayewardenepura
