Lalit Premakumara
Senior Instructor
Department of Languages
Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies · Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Biography
Lalit Premakumara is a Senior Instructor in English attached to the Department of Languages, Department of Languages, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. His academic background is in English language teaching and linguistics, with particular research interests in syntax and clinical linguistics. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and subsequently earned both a Master of Arts and a Master of Philosophy in Linguistics from the University of Kelaniya. He is currently reading for a Ph.D.
His academic service at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka includes teaching and resource-person responsibilities across orientation, certificate, advanced certificate, diploma, internal and external English programmes. He served as In-Charge of the English Language Teaching Unit from 2018 to 2024 and coordinated a range of English-language initiatives, including external English courses, the English Speech Club, English programmes for new entrants, a Diploma in English, and training programmes in English Dhamma preaching. His publications address English–Sinhala contrastive syntax, grammar teaching, corrective feedback, learner motivation, Sri Lankan English, Business English and clinical-linguistic issues such as stammering.
Educational Qualifications
Ph.D. (Reading)
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, 2021
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, 2012
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2004
Academic Positions
Senior Instructor in English, English Language Teaching Unit, Department of Languages, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2024 - Present)
Visiting Lecturer in English, Orientation Programme, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2016)
Visiting Instructor, Certificate Course in English, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018, 2019/2020)
Visiting Instructor, Advanced Certificate Course in English, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2022/2023)
Visiting Instructor, Diploma Course in English, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2022/2023)
Resource Person, External Degree Programme in English Language and Compulsory English, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018 - 2022)
Resource Person, Internal Diploma Programme sponsored by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Administrative Positions
In-Charge, English Language Teaching Unit, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018 - 2024)
Coordinator, External English Courses, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2020)
Coordinator, English Speech Club, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2020)
Coordinator, English Programme for New Entrants, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2020, 2022, 2023)
Coordinator, Diploma in English sponsored by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2022)
Coordinator, Practising Student Monks for Dhamma Preaching in English Programme, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021)
Coordinator, English Language Training Programme, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018)
Member, Quality Assurance Cell, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021, 2023)
Publications & Research
Edited Books / Volumes8
- Language Editor, BUSL Newsletter, Vol. 9, Issue 2, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2019)
- Editorial Board Member, BUSL Newsletter, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2017)
- Editorial Board Member, BUSL Newsletter, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2016)
- Editorial Board Member, BUSL Newsletter, Vol. 5, Issue 1, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2015)
- Editorial Committee, Abstract Book, International Conference on Sanskrit, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2023)
- Editorial Contribution, Proceedings of the 4th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2015)
- Editorial Contribution, Proceedings of the 5th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2019)
- Editorial Contribution, Proceedings of the 6th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021)
Journal Articles (Peer-Reviewed)4
- Premakumara, L. (2021). A Contrastive Study of the Word Order at the Phrase Level. Prabhasa, Vol. 1, No. 1, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, pp. 97-116.
- Premakumara, L. (2021). The Effect of Oral Corrective Feedback on English Language Learners’ Motivation in Communicative Classrooms. Prabhasa, Vol. 1, No. 2, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Premakumara, L. (2020). A Study of the Attitudes of Sri Lankan Professionals towards Learning Business English. Pravacana, Vol. 11, No. 2, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, pp. 188-214.
- Premakumara, L. (2013). Effects of the Inductive Approach on Teaching Grammar. Pravacana, Vol. 4, No. 1, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, pp. 286-295.
Conference Papers2
- Physical and Psychological Causes Related to Stammering. Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, University of Kelaniya (2017), p. 110.
- Dimensions and Reflections on the Enhancement of Buddhism through the English Language. 2nd National Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2014), p. 74.
Articles in Academic Journals (Non–Peer Reviewed)4
- Sri Lankan English and Its Reflections. Shasthralochana, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2015), pp. 434-444.
- Changes in Sri Lankan English. Sumanalekha Felicitation Volume, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2020), pp. 321-329.
- A Contrastive Study of the Word Order of Compound and Complex Sentences in English and Sinhala. Felicitation Volume, Issue 1, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021), pp. 320-332.
- A Contrastive Study of the Word Order of Negation and Questions in English and Sinhala. Felicitation Volume, Issue 2, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021), pp. 414-428.
Fields of Interest
Memberships
Member, Curriculum Restructuring Committee, External Degree Programme, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021)
Member, Quality Assurance Cell, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021, 2023)
Member, University Act Amendment Committee, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2017)
Member, Website Updating Committee, National Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2017)