Ven. Minuwangoda Gnanawasa

Rev. Minuwangoda Gnanawasa Thero is a Senior Lecturer in Education Science at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka and a doctoral scholar in the History of Education at Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Colombo and a Master of Arts in Education from the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. His doctoral research, for which the thesis has been submitted, examines the fall and revival of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka between 1830 and 1920, with particular attention to colonialism, resistance, monastic land tenure, traditional pedagogical structures and the revival of indigenous educational traditions. His university teaching covers educational psychology, history of education, comparative education, educational sociology, curriculum studies and teacher-training methodologies.

His research interests bring together the history of education, British colonial educational policy, Buddhist monastic pedagogy, oral transmission traditions, epistemic diversity, curriculum studies and Sri Lankan heritage. At the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, he has contributed to academic and administrative development as a Faculty Board member, Action Plan Programme Coordinator, Academic Sub-Warden and committee member for postgraduate, conference and curriculum-related initiatives. He has also contributed to curriculum development for Buddhist Studies and external degree programmes. His scholarly output includes peer-reviewed journal articles, edited academic volumes, book chapters, conference papers and postgraduate research. Internationally, he has presented work in the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Australia, while a further conference presentation in Barcelona is scheduled for November 2026. Beyond formal academic work, he has also participated in public education, media and intercultural dialogue, linking educational scholarship with broader community engagement.