A Brief History of the Department

During the period of the Ceylon University College (1921 to 1942) Pali was introduced as a subject under the Oriental Department, and a year after the establishment of the University of Ceylon in 1942, the Department of Pali was formed. The University of Peradeniya was founded in 1952 and with it the scope of the Department of Pali was widened to include the study of Buddhist Civilization. With more specialized studies of Pali, Buddhist history, Buddhist culture and Buddhist philosophy, the Department of Pali evolved, renamed. ‘The Department of Pali and Buddhist Civilization’

This newly enhanced department achieved rapid progress and worldwide academic recognition under the leadership of Professor G. P. Malalasekera and Professor N. A. Jayawickrama. A separate chair was subsequently established for Buddhist philosophy and Dr. W. S. Karunaratne was appointed the first professor of Buddhist philosophy. At this high point of time the Department of Pali and Buddhist Civilization was further elevated by the presence of Professor J. D. Dhirasekera (now, Venerable Dhammavihari), Professor D. J. Kalupahana, and Professor Lily de Silva who in their later years earned national and international recognition in the field of Pali and Buddhist studies.

As a result of the reorganization of the structure and administration of the universities in Sri Lanka under the University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972, the department suffered a major setback. With the enactment of the Universities Act 16 of 1978, however, the University regained its independence and the department was restored and reorganized under the new name of ‘the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies’. An undergraduate course in Pali was immediately started and Dr. Lily de Silva was appointed the Professor of Buddhist studies. The department progressed steadily under her care assisted by Professors R. A. Gunatillaka, Venerable K. Ariyasena and C. Vitanachchi. Within a few years general and special undergraduate courses and postgraduate courses in Pali and Buddhist studies were developed.

The current chairman of the department is Professor P. D. Premasiri. Under his leadership the department is presently engaged in reorganizing its programmes and courses at all levels with the intention of giving students a more meaningful and comprehensive academic training under the newly introduced semester course unit system. Attempts are also being made to enrich the department by extending its academic programmes beyond regular university courses. As a result a new Diploma course in Buddhist Studies is now in progress. As part of its academic reorganization the department has also formed the Peradeniya Forum of Buddhist Studies (See next page for more information).

Faculty

P. D. Premasiri, PhD. Professor and Head of the Department. BA (University of Ceylon), BA & MA Cambridge University UK, PhD, University of Hawai’ i; teaches and researches on Buddhist philosophy, Buddhist ethics, Buddhist psychology, comparative studies in Buddhist and Western philosophy and religion and Pali.

G. A. Somaratne, PhD. Senior Lecturer, BA Honours, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, MA and PhD from North Western University, USA; teaches and researches on early Buddhism, world religions and Pali.

Ven. M. Ananda, PhD, Senior Lecturer, BA Hounours, University of Peradeniya, PhD, University of Delhi; teaches and researches on history of Buddhist thought, Mahayana Buddhism and Pali Vamsa literature and Pali.

Ven. M. Gnanananda, Senior Lecturer, BA Honours and Mphil, University of Peradeniya, currently on study leave for his PhD at the University of Delhi; teaches and researches on Pali language and literature and origins of Mahayana.

Ven K. Rahula, Senior Lecturer, BA Honours, and Mphil University of Peradeniya; teaches and researches on Pali language, literature and Abhidhamma studies.

R. G. D. Jayawardena, Senior Lecturer, BA and MA, University of Peradeniya; teaches and researches on history of Buddhism, Buddhist art and culture.

S. Ratnayake, Senior Lecturer, BA Honours UK., University of Kelaniya, from Oxford University MLit; teaches and researches on early Buddhism, Buddhist philosophy and Pali.

Ven. B. Shantawimala, Lecturer, BA, University of Peradeniya, MA University of Kelaniya; teaches and researches on Buddhism and social issues and Buddhist monasticism.

The Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya, formed this forum with the aim of promoting its studies and other academic activities. Organizing a lecture series and publishing an academic journal are some of its future plans.

OFFICE - BEARERS

President : professor P. D.. Premasiri, the Head of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies.
Secretary : Dr. G. A. Somaratne

Treasurer : Mr. S. Ratnayake

Co-organizer of the Seminar and Lecture Series of the PFBS
Ven. Dr. M. Ananda and Mr. S. Ratnayake

Co-organizer of the Social and Religious Events of the PFBS
Mr. R. G. D. Jayawardena and Ven. B. Shantavimala

Editorial Board of the Journal of the PFBS and other Publication :
Prof. P. D.. Premasiri, Dr. G. A. Somaratne, Ven Dr. M, Ananda and Mr. S. Ratnayake.