Ven. Ethiliwewe Deepananda
Lecturer (Probationary)
Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies
Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies · Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Biography
Ven. Ethiliwewe Deepananda is a Lecturer (Probationary) in the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, with an academic specialization in psychology and counselling. His principal areas of interest include counselling psychology, educational psychology, clinical frameworks, child development, student well-being and the application of psychological theory in educational settings. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of Kelaniya and pursued postgraduate studies in counselling while continuing M.Phil. studies in Psychology.
His academic and professional interests combine research, teaching and practical counselling. His earlier counselling experience includes work with students and institutional settings as well as an internship at Apeksha Cancer Hospital, Maharagama. His research has addressed student attitudes toward Dhamma school education, child development, language and psychology, multicultural funeral rites, positive reinforcement in learning, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, pre-marital counselling, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and personality development. He also contributes to academic publishing through editorial and reviewing responsibilities and engages in educational and motivational programmes for schools, Pirivenas and Dhamma schools.
Educational Qualifications
Master of Philosophy in Psychology (Reading), Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Colombo (2023 - 2024)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Second Class Upper Division, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (2016 - 2020)
Diploma in Counselling Psychology, Mental Health Foundation (2019 - 2020)
Diploma in Psychological Counselling Training, Oxford Lanka Medical (Pvt) Ltd. (2022 - 2023)
Academic Positions
Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura (2023 - Present)
Administrative Positions
Coordinator, Counselling Session Programme for Pirivena Students, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2026)
Co-Secretary, Teachers' Association, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2026 - Present)
Editor, Pravachana Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal, Vol. 17, Issues I/II, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2026 - Present)
Editor, Pravachana Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal, Vol. 16, Issues I/II, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)
Editor, Studies of Social Sciences: An Academic Journal, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025 - 2026)
Reviewer, International Conference on Postgraduate Interdisciplinary Research 2025, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Member, Faculty Building Restructuring and Planning Committee, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2026)
Publications & Research
Journal Articles (Peer-Reviewed)1
- Deepananda, E. (2024). A Psychological Study on Students' Attitudes toward Dhamma School Education. Pravacana: Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal of the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, 15(II).
Articles in Academic Journals (Non–Peer Reviewed)3
- Deepananda, E. (2022). Factors Affecting Child Development. Educational Psychology: Refereed Academic Journal of Educational Studies, 4(1-2), Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Deepananda, E. (2024). A Study on Psychological Background of Language. Prabhasha: Refereed Scholarly Journal, Department of Language Studies, 4(1), Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Deepananda, E. (2025). A Psychological Study on Multicultural Funeral Rites in Sri Lanka. Siri Piyaratana Academic Journal: Golden Jubilee Commemoration Volume, Siri Piyaratana Vidyayatana Pirivena, Weliyaya, Monaragala.
Conference Papers (International)7
- Deepananda, E. (2026). A Psychological Study on the Importance of Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in Personality Development. 19th International Conference on Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
- Deepananda, E. (2025). A Psychological Study on the Importance of Utilizing Positive Reinforcement in Developing Students' Learning Interests. 18th International Conference on Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
- Deepananda, E. (2025). A Psychological Study on the Influence of Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory on Child Development. International Conference on Postgraduate Interdisciplinary Research, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.
- Deepananda, E. (2025). Exploring the Importance of the Externalizing Counselling Approach in Contemporary Counselling Practice. International Conference on Postgraduate Interdisciplinary Research, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.
- Deepananda, E. (2025). A Psychological Study on the Importance of Pre-Marital Counselling. 2nd International Research Conference on Interdisciplinary Approaches, Nāgānanda International Institute for Buddhist Studies.
- Deepananda, E. (2024). A Psychological Study on Methods to Minimize Irrational Thoughts and Fatalistic Beliefs Arising in Students Due to Exam Failure, Based on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. International Conference on Postgraduate Interdisciplinary Research, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.
- Deepananda, E. (2024). A Psychological Study on Current Sinhala Poetry for Mental Well-Being. 8th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
Thesis / Dissertation2
- Writing and Reading Disorders of Piriven Students. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology thesis, University of Kelaniya.
- Importance of Using Psychological Counselling in Piriven Education. Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling thesis, University of Colombo.