Ven. Konakumbukwewe Pannaloka
Temporary Assistant Lecturer
Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies
Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies · Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Biography
Rev. Konakumbukwewe Pannaloka Thero is an archaeologist and academic researcher specializing in palaeography, epigraphy, historical linguistics, prehistory and field archaeology. He currently serves as a Temporary Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, and as a Visiting Lecturer in the University's postgraduate and external degree programmes. His research focuses particularly on ancient Indian and Sri Lankan inscriptions, the development of Brahmi writing, and the linguistic and palaeographical interpretation of epigraphic evidence.
He is currently pursuing a PhD in Archaeology at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, investigating the evolution of Brahmi grammar through inscriptions from Anuradhapura dating from the third century BCE to the seventh century CE. His earlier postgraduate research at Deccan College in India examined writing styles in inscriptions from Anuradhapura, while his undergraduate research explored verb forms in inscriptions from the Anuradhapura Sacred City. His academic work is complemented by extensive archaeological field experience, including prehistoric, megalithic and monastic-site excavation and exploration in Sri Lanka and India, as well as scholarly editing and museum-related academic service.
Educational Qualifications
PhD in Archaeology (Reading), Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (2024 - Present). Dissertation: The Evolution of Brahmi Grammar: A Study Based on Linguistic Evidence of Inscriptions in Anuradhapura from the 3rd Century BCE to the End of the 7th Century CE.
Master of Arts in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, India (2018 - 2020). Dissertation: A Study of Writing Styles through Inscriptions from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
Bachelor of Arts Special Degree in Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2013 - 2016). Dissertation: A Study of Verb through Inscriptions from Anuradhapura Sacred City, Sri Lanka: From the 3rd Century BCE to the End of the 10th Century CE.
Pracina Final Pandit, Oriental Studies Society of Sri Lanka (2008 - 2011)
Basic Certificate Course in Persian Language and Literature, Cultural House of Iran, Mumbai and Deccan College (2019)
Diploma in English (Reading), Unit of Postgraduate, External Degrees and Extension Courses, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2024 - Present)
Diploma in Information Technology (Reading), ESOFT Metro Campus (2025 - Present)
Academic Positions
Temporary Assistant Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (December 2021 - Present)
Visiting Lecturer, Unit of Postgraduate, External Degree and Extension Courses, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2022 - Present)
Government Teacher, Mahavihara Maha Pirivena, Kandy, Sri Lanka (2012 - 2013)
Administrative Positions
Coordinator, GIS and Remote Sensing Workshop, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2026)
Coordinator, Archaeological Field Trip, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025)
Coordinator, Archaeological Museum, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2023 - Present)
Sub-Editor, Refereed Journal of Archaeology, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2024)
Sub-Editor, Studies of Social Sciences Peer-Reviewed Journal, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2024)
Publications & Research
Journal Articles (Peer-Reviewed)6
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2024). An Analysis of Morphological Aspects of Brahmi Epigraphs: A Study Based on the Lambakarna Inscriptions from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Pravacana Reviewed Academic Journal, 2024-II, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2023). An Examination of the Box-Headed Script's Palaeographical Details: A Study Based on the Indore Plates of the Vakataka King Pravarasēna II. Pravacana Reviewed Academic Journal, 2023-II, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2022). Tracing the Gradual Evolutionary Techniques of Brahmi Scripts in Anuradhapura Sacred City: From the 1st Century BCE to the 5th Century CE. Pravacana Reviewed Academic Journal, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2022). A Palaeographical Study of the Letter “A” through Inscriptions from the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. Prabhasa Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2022). A Brief Study of the Saka Era: An Ancient Indian Calendric System. Studies of Social Sciences, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2021). A Study of Writing Styles through Early Brahmi Inscriptions from Anuradhapura Sacred City, Sri Lanka. Pravacana Reviewed Academic Journal, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
Articles in Academic Journals2
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2016). Underwater Archaeology in Sri Lanka. Patava Academic Journal I, Godage and Brothers, Colombo.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2013). Rituals Associated with Lord Ganesha in Rajarata. Ghaanoddipani Academic Journal.
Conference Papers (National / International)5
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2024). Women in Epigraphy: Analyzing the Representation of Women in Sri Lankan Brahmi Inscriptions. International Conference on Archaeology, Heritage Management and History, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2023). A Study of the Evolutionary Characteristics between Nagari Scripts A and AA Using Inscriptions from India and Sri Lanka. International Conference on Sanskrit 2023, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2016). A Research on the Verbs of the Ancient Epigraphs in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura: From the Beginning to the End of the Tenth Century A.D. Undergraduate Research Congress, University of Peradeniya.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2016). Preliminary Archaeological Exploration of the Bhikkhuni Monastery Precinct Mentioned in the Konakumbukwewe Brahmi Inscription. Undergraduate Research Symposium on Archaeology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
- Pannaloka Thero, K. (2014). A Study of Cave Paintings at Wasambale, Mihintale. Undergraduates' Research Conference on Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.
Archaeological Fieldwork & Training7
- Archaeological Exploration, Kimbulagala Archaeological Site, conducted by Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Prehistoric Excavation, Nakolagane Prehistoric Site, conducted by Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Prehistoric Field Training, Palindanuwara Prehistoric Site (28 February - 24 March 2022), conducted by Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Prehistoric Excavation, Pahiyangala Prehistoric Site, conducted by Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Early Iron Age Megalithic Site Excavation at Gorewada, India (2018 - 2019), Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute.
- Field Training in Exploration, Excavation, Recording, Surveying and Pottery Analysis, Abhayagiri Vihara Project, Anuradhapura (2015).
- Archaeological Exploration, Bambaragala Archaeological Site, University of Peradeniya with the Central Cultural Fund.
Fields of Interest
Memberships
Student Member, Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists