Ven. Waragama Gnanarathana
Temporary Assistant Lecturer
Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies
Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies · Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Biography
Ven. Waragama Gnanarathana is a Temporary Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. His academic interests centre on Education Science, Counselling Psychology, teaching and learning theories, Buddhist Education and student well-being. He completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Peradeniya with Second-Class Upper Division honours and later completed advanced professional training in Counselling Psychology at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Academy. His academic background also includes the Pracheena Pandit qualification in Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit, together with English-language and information-technology training.
His teaching experience includes work in Education Science and the Psychology Foundations of Education within the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, as well as earlier online and voluntary educational activities. His research and academic writing address classroom questioning techniques, student stress management, counselling, cognitive-development theories, information-processing theory and educational administration. He has also contributed to academic publishing as an editor of refereed and educational journals. His broader professional interests include web and graphic design, photography, reading, teamwork and educational leadership.
Educational Qualifications
Bachelor of Education, Second-Class Upper Division (GPA 3.509), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021
Higher Diploma in Counselling Psychology, Sri Lanka Buddhist Academy (SIBA), Pallekele, Sri Lanka, 2022-2023
Diploma in Buddhist Counselling Psychology, Sri Lanka Buddhist Academy (SIBA), Pallekele, Sri Lanka, 2019-2020
Pracheena Pandit Degree in Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit, Oriental Language Studies Society of Sri Lanka, 2015-2016
Diploma in English, Sri Lanka Buddhist Academy (SIBA), Pallekele, Sri Lanka, 2016
IELTS-Based English Foundation Programme, Buddhist College of Singapore, 2024-2025
Certificate in Web Design, Ceylon WordPress Academy, 2016
Certificate in Graphic Designing, Vidunena Computer Course, IPS, Kandy, 2015
Academic Positions
Temporary Assistant Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2025 - Present)
External Degree Lecturer in Psychology Foundations of Education, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Administrative Positions
Editor, Refereed Book of Education Science, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2026)
Editor, Vidu Aruna Educational Journal, Department of Education, University of Peradeniya (2019)
Editor, 1815 Udarata Givisuma saha Maha Viharaya, Refereed Journal of Malwathu Maha Viharaya, Kandy (2019)
Junior Treasurer, Education Society, Department of Education, University of Peradeniya (2018/2019)
Secretary (English Medium), Sankathodaya Student Society, Sri Sangharaja Maha Pirivena, Kandy (2013)
Publications & Research
Conference Papers (National)1
- Gnanarathana, W. (2026). A study on the development of retention skills and maintenance of posture based on the commentary to the Caṅkamānisaṃsa Sutta. Research Development Workshop, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
Thesis / Dissertation1
- Gnanarathana, W. (2021). An investigative study of the effectiveness of the counselling process in a school attended by street children: A case study based on a selected school in the Kandy District. Bachelor of Education Dissertation, University of Peradeniya.
Reports / Research Publications6
- Gnanarathana, W. (2026). A study of the organizational structure of educational administration in Sri Lanka. Studies of Education Science, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. Unpublished.
- Gnanarathana, W. (2025). An inquiry into the use of questioning methods in the classroom for an effective teaching process. Vidu Aruna Academic Journal, University of Peradeniya. Unpublished.
- Gnanarathana, W. (2020). The usefulness of Buddhism for stress management in improving student learning. Sarasamiksha Academic Journal, Sri Sangharaja Maha Pirivena, Kandy.
- Gnanarathana, W. (2019). The utility of the Apaṇṇaka Sutta in counselling. Sitsiyapath Academic Journal, Faculty of Arts Students’ Association, University of Peradeniya.
- Gnanarathana, W. (2019). The use of information-processing theory by teachers to improve student learning. Vidumina Academic Journal, Kandy.
- Gnanarathana, W. (2019). Piaget’s theory of cognitive development and teaching methods appropriate to developmental stages. Vidusarani Academic Journal, University of Peradeniya.
Awards & Distinctions
Mudaliyar Waidyasekara Prize for Pali Scholarship, University of Peradeniya (2016/2017)
Murugesar Tambyah Prize for Sanskrit Scholarship, University of Peradeniya (2016/2017)
First Place, Senior Division, All-Island Inter-Pirivena Language and Literature Competition (2014)
Fields of Interest
Memberships
Junior Treasurer, Education Society, Department of Education, University of Peradeniya (2018/2019)
Secretary (English Medium), Sankathodaya Student Society, Sri Sangharaja Maha Pirivena, Kandy (2013)