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
Svaranjali 2026 – Musical Evening
The Department of Anthropology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura hosted Svaranjali 2026, a musical evening celebrating the artistic talents of undergraduate students of the department, on 12 March 2026
Prof. Sepala Samarasekara appointed Coordinator for Examinations, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Prof. Sepala Samarasekara, Head of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, has been appointed as the Coordinator for Examinations of the Faculty of Humanities and Social
Kithul Madeema: Sri Lankaโs Traditional Kithul Tapping Recognized by UNESCO: congratulations Dr. Raveendra Withanachchi
Sri Lankaโs 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
๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐ – ๐ ๐ถ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ
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
๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น-๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
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
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
เถธเทเถฑเท เทเทเถฏเทโเถบเท เทเถเถปเทเท
เทเถญเท เทเทเถฑเท เถเถฝเทเถดเถบ
2023
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 Programโฆ
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 โSurvey of Departing Tourists from Sri Lankaโฆ
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.ย Angam martial arts have a long history compared to martial arts such as Kung Fu, Wushu, Wing Chun, andย Tai Chiย in China, Karate in Japanโฆย ย
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 Programโฆ
