Professor Theresa McGarry of the Department of Literature and Language, East Tennessee State University, USA, visited the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, on 7 October 2025 under a Fulbright Scholarship.

During her four-month stay, she conducted collaborative research with Rev. Dr Kapugollawe Anandakiththi Thero, Head of the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya. The research focused on the Sinhalese language, with special attention to the ‘ලු’ suffix (hearsay) and the ‘ඔත්’ and ‘නම්’ suffixes (conditional forms).

Before leaving Sri Lanka on 5 February 2026 to return to her university in the USA, Professor Theresa McGarry met Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, on 3 February 2026 at the Vice-Chancellor’s office. The meeting was held to update the Vice-Chancellor on the progress of the research and to formally convey farewell greetings.

This collaboration highlights the growing international academic interest in the unique linguistic features of the Sinhalese language. It is a significant achievement for the Sinhalese language, the University of Kelaniya, and Sri Lanka as a whole.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya provided full institutional support for this research. Professor Theresa McGarry was also supported with accommodation and transportation under the Visiting Fellowship Program.

In addition to research activities, Professor McGarry conducted several lectures and workshops for the staff of the Department of Linguistics. She also contributed to curriculum development. She has expressed her willingness to continue supporting future academic activities of the university and the department.