The Excellence in Humanities Awards 2023 was held on the 20th of December 2023 at the auditorium of the Ven. Prof. Kotahene Sri Pragnakeerthi Thero Memorial Hall (K14). Organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Humanities for the first time in the history of the University of Kelaniya,

the awarding ceremony honoured and celebrated the outstanding contributions in the field of humanities by recognising and acknowledging staff members who have contributed to enhancing and developing the discipline in various ways.

Excellence Awards in Humanities were awarded under six categories. The award for the Creativity Excellence in Humanities was bestowed upon Senior Professor Kamani Jayasekara of the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture for the honour brought to the university by being the proud recipient of ‘Sahithya Ratna’ Lifetime Award at the 65th State Literary Awards Ceremony. The second recipient of the Creativity Excellence in Humanities was Senior Lecturer Priyankara Rathnayake of the Department of Drama, Cinema and Television for being nominated for national-level awards at Raigam Teles 2022 and Derana Film Awards 2022.

 The award for Scholarly Excellence in Humanities was awarded to Senior Professor K.L.K.N.C. Premawardhana of the Department of Modern Languages for her outstanding scholarly contributions to the field of humanities.

The award for the Coordinating Excellence in Humanities was awarded to the Diploma in Tamil, Department of Linguistics, for coordinating a Diploma programme with the highest number of local participants, and Senior Lecturer Kaumadee Bamunusinghe, the Coordinator of the Diploma accepted the award.

 The Coordination Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to four remarkable individuals whose coordination efforts have significantly enriched the collaborative spirit within the institution: Senior Lecturer Dr Vindhya Weerawardhane, the Coordinator of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Humanities, Senior Lecturer Dr H.S.M.M. Jayawardhane, the Coordinator of the Strategic Plan & Action Plan, Faculty of Humanities, Senior Lecturer Dr Anjalee Wickramasinghe, the Director of the Research Centre, Faculty of Humanities, and Lecturer Mr B.A.N.H. Basnayake, the Faculty Representative of the Career Guidance Unit.

The Service Excellence in Humanities Award was presented to Senior Professor K.L.K.N.C. Premawardhana for her outstanding role as the Director of the Centre for International Affairs of the University of Kelaniya and Senior Professor C.D.S. Wettewe for her exceptional role as the Director of the Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya, as a tribute for exemplifying a spirit of selfless service, going above and beyond to contribute to the welfare of the academic community.

The Contribution Excellence in Humanities awards were awarded to Senior Lecturer Gevani Prahalathan of the Department of English Language Teaching and Senior Lecturer T.L.D. De Silva of the Department of Fine Arts appraising the immense contribution made to their respective departments.

At the Excellence in Humanities Awards 2023, Most Venerable Professor Kollupitye Mahinda Sangarakkhitha Nayaka Thero, The Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Emeritus Sarath Amunugama, a Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Senior Professor Lakshman Senevirathne, a Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Ven. Dr Dodamkumbure Dhammadassi Thero, the Former Director of ICCMS, were awarded the Special Service Acknowledgement Awards as a testament to the tireless efforts, innovative thinking, and transformative impact they have had on the academic landscape.

In recognition of their outstanding service to the Faculty of Humanities, exceptional individuals representing each department of the faculty were awarded Special Honorary Service Awards at the Excellence in Humanities Awards 2023. Retired Professor Somarathna Balasuriya of the Department of Sinhala, Retired Ven. Professor Nawagamuwe Rewatha Thero of the Department of Sanskrit & Eastern Studies, Professor Emeritus Sumanapala Galmangoda of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Professor Emeritus Sarath Amunugama of the Department of Modern Languages, Late Professor Emeritus W.S. Karunathillake of the Department of Linguistics, Late Professor Manique Gunasekera of the Department of English, Late Senior Professor Indra Dassanayake of the Department of Hindi Studies, Retired Professor Mangalika Jayathunga of the Department of Fine Arts, Retired Senior Lecturer Rev. Dr. Nihal Abeyasinghe of the Department of Western Classical Culture and Christian Culture, Late Professor Manique Gunasekera of the Department of English Language Teaching, and Retired Senior Lecturer Chandrasiri Bogamuwa of the Department of Drama, Cinema, and Television were among the recipients of the Special Honorary Service Awards.

Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments of the Faculty of Humanities, Registrar, Librarian, and academic and non-academic staff members of the Faculty of Humanities were among the distinguished guests.