DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Anthropology, as a distinct field of study under social sciences, has been developing a unique identity within the global education system. Therefore, the demand for higher education is continuously increasing. As a result, the Department of Anthropology has earned a very high recognition for its study programmes. We teach and conduct research in physical and cultural anthropology. Although few universities teach cultural anthropology the university of Sri Jayewardenepura in the one and only Sri Lankan university that offers a special degree in programme consist of cultural as well as physical anthropology.
News and Updates
Kithul Madeema: Sri Lanka’s Traditional Kithul Tapping Recognized by UNESCO: congratulations Dr. Raveendra Withanachchi
Sri Lanka’s traditional practice of Kithul Madeema (Kithul Kapeema) the indigenous method of tapping sap from the Kithul palm (Caryota urens) was officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of
𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 – 𝗠𝗶𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲
A field visit focusing on primatological studies was conducted on 02nd February 2026 at Mihintale with the participation of fourth-year Anthropology students. This academic field activity was organized as part
𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
The Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura successfully organized a guest lecture titled 'Excel-based Data Analysis' for third-year and final-year anthropology
Anthropology Students’ Field Study in Anuradhapura
A field visit was organized for the second-year and third-year students of Anthropology as part of the practical learning components of the course units Ethnology; Medical Anthropology; Religion, Art, Crafts,
The International Field Biology Course 2026
The International Field Biology Course (IFBC) 2026 was held from 26th to 30th January 2026 at the Physical Anthropology Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University
Message of the Head
Anthropology was introduced to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura as a discipline in 1960 under the auspicious guidance of the eminent scholar Dr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala. Later hard work, dedication and experience of renowned scholars such as Dr. Allex Gunasekara, late Profs. Lakshman Waidyasekara and Prof. Nandasena Rathnapala laid a sound foundation to the development of the discipline. For over 60 years, well qualified department members have been tirelessly training and educating undergraduates to safeguard the different traditional cultural knowledge prevailing in the country and to use that knowledge to develop the country in a sustainable manner. At present this is the only department in the university system that offer both cultural as well as physical anthropology for the anthropology degree programme.
Head of the Department – Prof. K. M. Sepala Samarasekera
Upcoming Events
Academic Programs
To contribute to create a graduate who is fully committed to the development of the country as a coherent, critical and a research oriented citizen who understands human cultural and physical diversity. Anthropology course units are offered to Bachelor of Arts Degree Program…
CERTIFICATE IN TOURISM
Culture is the identity of a country. Although tourism has been taking place for various purposes, most people visit countries to see the diversity of cultures in the world. At present, Sri Lankan culture has been one of the fundamental elements that governs the promotion of tourism in the country. According to the ‘Survey of Departing Tourists from Sri Lanka…
Certificate Course in Angampora
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Lakdiva Hela Martial Arts, now known as Angampora Martial Arts, is one of the oldest martial arts in the history of world martial arts. Angam martial arts have a long history compared to martial arts such as Kung Fu, Wushu, Wing Chun, and Tai Chi in China, Karate in Japan…
Advanced Certificate in Aged Care
To contribute to create a graduate who is fully committed to the development of the country as a coherent, critical and a research oriented citizen who understands human cultural and physical diversity. Anthropology course units are offered to Bachelor of Arts Degree Program…
