The 1^st National Conference on Sinhala Studies (NCSS) 2023, organized by the Department of Sinhala, University of Kelaniya was successfully held on the 24^th of October 2023, at the University of Kelaniya, under the theme of Cultural Identity and Sinhala Literary Studies.

The aim of the conference was to inquire into and investigate how the changing behavior patterns due to the rapidly changing ecosystem and modern technology create the characteristics of the identity of a language, its creative use of literature, residual arts, and intangible heritage, both as an intellectual inquiry and as a creative expression.

The conference brought together nearly 90 leading academic researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results through interdisciplinary research papers that investigate cultural identity and Sinhala literary studies in a dynamic way.

Senior Professor Raj Somadeva delivered the keynote speech at the event. The event was graced by Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya as the Chief Guest, Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Sudath R. D. Kalingamudali, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor H. A. A. Swarna Ihalagama, Head of the Department of Sinhala, Chair and Senior Professor M. A. Nimal Karunaratne, Academic, and Non-Academic Staff of the Department and Students.