Ven. Watarakgoda Sumana
Senior Lecturer
Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies
Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies · Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Biography
Rev. Watarakgoda Sumana is a Senior Lecturer in History in the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts Special Degree in History with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from the University of Peradeniya and later completed a Master of Philosophy in History at the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya, in 2020. Before joining the university sector, he gained teaching experience in Sanskrit and History at Siri Sunanda Mulika Pirivena, Beliatta. He joined the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka as a Lecturer (Probationary) in 2017 and has served as a Senior Lecturer since 2022, contributing to both internal and external undergraduate teaching. He has also served as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Humanities at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
His scholarly work is centred on history and philosophy, with substantial research attention to Buddhist monastic history, Sri Lankan social and political history, national movements, Buddhist institutional development, interreligious relations and historical research methodology. His postgraduate research examined the role of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka’s national movement between 1815 and 1948, while his undergraduate research investigated the historical division between forest- and village-dwelling monks and its relationship to the development of the Buddhist dispensation. He has published journal articles, authored a book and presented research at national and international conferences. In addition to teaching and research, he has contributed to conference organization, research-session chairing, abstract review, registration and related academic activities at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
Educational Qualifications
Master of Philosophy in History, Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2020
Bachelor of Arts Special Degree in History, Second Class Honours (Upper Division), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2010
Academic Positions
Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2022–Present)
Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (from 2017)
Visiting Lecturer, Department of Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Teacher of Sanskrit and History, Siri Sunanda Mulika Pirivena, Beliatta (2011–2014)
Administrative Positions
Co-Chair, Research Session, International Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (20 August 2026)
Chief Organizer, 7th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2022)
Chairman, Certificates and Invitation Cards Designing Committee, 7th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2022)
Member, Abstract Review Panel, 7th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2022)
Chairman, Certificates and Invitation Cards Designing Committee, International Online Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2021)
Member, Food and Refreshments Committee, International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2019)
Chair, Research Session, Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018)
Committee Member, Undergraduate Archaeology Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2018)
Member, Registration Committee, National Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2017)
Member, Food and Refreshments Committee, National Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka (2017)
Publications & Research
Books1
- Sumana, W. (2016). The Division of Village- and Forest-Dwelling Monks and the Continuity of the Buddhist Dispensation: A Study of the Monastic Community from the Thirteenth to the Sixteenth Century. Sarasavi Publishers. [English rendering of the Sinhala title in the source profile]
Journal Articles (Selected)9
- Sumana, W. (2022). The Saranankara Sangharaja Lineage and the Educational Revival in the Low Country. Pravachana, 138–159. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2021). A Brief Introduction to Folk Consciousness Revealed through Traditional Animal Lore. BPU Journal of Archaeology, 1(2), 125–141. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2019). A Brief Reading of Buddhist and Islamic Relations in Sri Lanka during the British Period, 1796–1915. Pravachana, 232–243. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2019). Historical Research Methodology and the Use of Sources. Research Methodology and the Research Process, 142–161. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2019). An Inquiry into the Causes and Consequences of the 1818 Independence Struggle. Pravachana, 227–244. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2018). The Relationship between the Monk and the State from the Polonnaruwa Period to the Kandyan Period. Pravachana, 298–320. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2017). A Brief Introduction to the Nation and the National Movement. Pravachana, 295–310. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2017). An Inquiry into the Place of Veediya Bandara in Sri Lankan History. Pravachana, 224–240. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2015). An Inquiry into Agriculture in Ancient India. Sambhavana Academic Journal, 65–81. [English rendering of the Sinhala title]
Conference Papers (International)7
- Sumana, W. (2026). A Study on the Establishment of the Bhiksu University as Reflected in Newspaper Sources. 9th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Sumana, W. (2021). Challenges to Heritage Management in the Ancient City of Anuradhapura Resulting from Human Activities. 6th International Conference (Online), Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. [Co-authored; English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2021). Buddhist Guidance for Righteous Governance. 6th International Conference (Online), Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. [Co-authored; English rendering of the Sinhala title]
- Sumana, W. (2019). Kulamanurūpapabbajjā pana tambapaṇṇisāsanamantogadaṃ antavādameva: Tulitattha parivīmaṃsanaṃ. 5th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. Co-authored with Ven. Saliya Asokapura Nanda.
- Sumana, W. (2019). A Study on Suicidal Behaviors of Buddhist Monks During the Buddha’s Period. 2nd International Research Conclave on Buddhist Studies and Humanities, Nāgānanda International Institute for Buddhist Studies. Co-authored with Ven. Kelegama Jinarathana.
- Sumana, W. (2018). Emptiness of Matter (Rūpa). 2nd International Buddhist Conference on Abhidhamma, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. Co-authored with Sumedha Viraj Sripathi Ukwatte.
- Sumana, W. (2015). Niruttipatisambhidā Kho Pana Theraññaya Dhammavāda Vinicchayāya Kīvatikam Kārakattham Upadhāret. 4th International Buddhist Conference, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka. Co-authored with Ven. Wadigala Samitharathana.
Thesis / Dissertation2
- Sumana, W. (2020). A Historical Analysis of the Role of Buddhist Monks in the National Movement in Sri Lanka (1815–1948). MPhil Thesis, University of Peradeniya.
- Sumana, W. (2010). The Division of Monks into Forest and Village Dwellers and the Progress of the Buddhist Dispensation. BA Thesis, University of Peradeniya.
Reports / Research Publications1
- Research Assistant, study on graffiti and symbols associated with historical monuments, Department of Archaeology, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2017).
Awards & Distinctions
Third Prize, Best Poetry Treatise, Library Services Board, North Central Provincial Council, 2018