Department of Sociology is one of the oldest and the largest department in the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The department celebrated its 50th anniversary in March 2010. The history itself is evidence of its dedication to the advancement of academic and research knowledge in Sri Lanka. In addition to the special degree programs, the Department offers general degrees and postgraduate diploma/degrees and certificate courses in these two disciplines. The national importance of these degree programs has created a healthy competition among undergraduates to enroll them and obtain higher qualifications in tertiary education.
Prof. W. A. S. Wijekoon
Head of the Department
The Department of Sociology is well-known for social research studies pioneered by the late Professor Nandasena Rathnapala. Prof. Nandasena Rathnapala dedicated his whole academic life to develop these degree programs and research studies in different social settings. He endeavored to teach sociology, in Sinhala medium with the special objective of institutionalizing these three subject and related research studies in Sri Lankan society. In addition, the department is actively involved in National Development at various levels such as policy planning, applied research, project planning and evaluation etc. It is strongly believed that development policies and plans that are not linked to the socio-cultural context of any country are of limited value in the quest of ushering development for the country at large.
