Ven. Handagiriye Sirisumana
Senior Lecturer
Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies
Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies · Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Biography
Ven. Handagiriye Sirisumana Thero is a Senior Lecturer in Education Science in the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. His academic work focuses on education, Buddhist education, educational psychology, teacher education, counselling, curriculum development, educational technology, educational law and research methodology. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Colombo, a Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies from the University of Kelaniya, and both a Master of Education and Master of Philosophy in Education from the University of Peradeniya.
Before joining the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka in 2017, Ven. Sirisumana served as a school teacher in Kandy. Since entering university teaching, he has contributed to undergraduate and postgraduate education, dissertation supervision, curriculum and programme development, quality enhancement and teacher education. He has coordinated degree programmes in Education at BUSL and has served as a visiting lecturer at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the National Institute of Education. His research and publications address educational reform, Buddhist education, school discipline, educational psychology, curriculum planning, research methodology and the application of Buddhist thought to teaching, learning and human development. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of the West, California, USA.
Educational Qualifications
PhD (Reading), University of the West, California, USA
Master of Philosophy in Education, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2022
Master of Education, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2018
Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015
Bachelor of Education, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2011
Academic Positions
Senior Lecturer / Lecturer in Education Science, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2017 - Present)
Visiting Lecturer in Education, External Bachelor of Arts Programme, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2017 - Present)
Visiting Lecturer in Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Education Programmes, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (2019 - 2024)
Visiting Lecturer in Education, National Institute of Education, Maharagama (2021)
Public School Teacher, Vidyartha College, Kandy (2015 - 2017)
Public School Teacher, Uduwela Buddhist College, Kandy (2012 - 2015)
Administrative Positions
Coordinator, Bachelor of Education Special Degree Programme, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2020 - 2023)
Coordinator, Bachelor of Arts General Degree Programme in Education, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021 - 2023)
Coordinator, University Action Plan Programmes, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018 - 2021)
Member, Curriculum Development Committee, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2024)
Member, Committee on Improving the Quality of the University, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021)
Member, Review Committee for Postgraduate Programmes, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2019)
Publications & Research
Edited Books / Volumes7
- Reviewed Book of Education Science, Vol. 5 (2023).
- Reviewed Book of Education Science, Vol. 4 (2022).
- Studies of Social Sciences, Peer-Reviewed Journal (2022).
- Reviewed Book of Education Science, Vol. 3 (2021).
- BUSL Newsletter, Vol. 10 (2021).
- Reviewed Book of Education Science, Vol. 2 (2020).
- Reviewed Book of Education Science, Vol. 1 (2019).
Journal Articles (Peer-Reviewed / International)12
- Sirisumana, H. (2024). The Issues of the Planning and Implementation of Reforming the School Education System in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS). DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2023.7012105.
- A Psychological Study on the Utility of Non-Deviant Student Personalities. (2017). Revatabhinandana Academic Volume, pp. 396-406.
- An Inquiry into Inclusive Education within the Global Education System and the Sri Lankan School System. (2017). Academic Volume, pp. 157-172.
- An Inquiry into Ethnography and its Research Characteristics. (2017). Shasthralochana Academic Volume, pp. 504-519.
- Critical Thinking and its Applications. (2018). Pravacana, Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp. 271-289.
- An Inquiry into Mixed-Methods Research in the Field of Educational Studies. (2017). Pravacana, Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp. 246-267.
- Key Considerations for Implementing, Maintaining and Evaluating a Curriculum. (2018). Pravacana, Vol. 9, Issue 1, pp. 309-325.
- Considerations for Planning and Implementing the Curricula. (2019). Shasthralochana Academic Volume, pp. 340-352.
- Theory of Educational Psychology and Pedagogical Applications of Behaviorism. (2019). Social Sciences Studies, pp. 36-53.
- Applying Buddhist Principles to Foster Ideal Qualities for School Discipline. (2020). Prabuddha, Vol. 9, pp. 74-90.
- Planning Approaches for School Development. (2020). Anuruddhabhinandana, pp. 272-283.
- A Conceptual Analysis of Discipline and the Concept of School Discipline. (2020). Sri Dharmaloka Annual Academic Journal, Vol. 15, pp. 66-75.
Conference Papers (National)4
- Internal Teacher Development Process of Government Schools in Sri Lanka. Master of Education Research Symposium, Department of Education, University of Peradeniya (2017).
- The Therapeutic Way: Legacy of Buddhism for Saving the Human Mind from Being a Victim of Negativity Bias. Co-authored conference contribution.
- An Investigative Study on the Variations in the Objectives of Dependent Origination. 10th Annual Research Conference, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (2017).
- An Investigative Study on the Buddhist Human Development Perspective. 10th Annual Research Conference, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (2017).
Conference Papers (International)2
- A Speculative Study on the Issues of Planning the Education System and Implementing its Reformation in Sri Lanka. 1st International Conference on Multidisciplinary Academic Research, Sydney, Australia.
- An Investigative Study on Guidance from Buddhism for the Development of Emotional Well-Being. International Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021).
Thesis / Dissertation4
- An Analytical Study of Metacognitive Teaching Strategies Depicted in the Sutta Piṭaka. M.Phil. in Education Thesis, University of Peradeniya (2022).
- An Investigative Study of the Disciplinary Problems of School Students in the Adolescent Stage and the Actions Taken by Schools to Manage the Problems: Based on Selected Schools in the Kandy District. Master of Education Thesis, University of Peradeniya (2018).
- A Study on the Diversity of Pariyāya Characteristics and Objectives of Dependent Origination. Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies Thesis, University of Kelaniya (2016).
- A Study on Buddhist Approaches for Improving Ethical Discipline in Schools. Bachelor of Education Thesis, University of Colombo (2010).
Fields of Interest
Memberships
Member, World Buddhist Sangha Council (2020 - Present)
President, Divisana National Foundation of Sri Lanka