The Department of Archaeology, in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya, successfully organized the Inaugural Annual Senake Bandaranayake Symposium on Sri Lankan Archaeology 2023 on May 18, 2023, at the auditorium of the Social Sciences Faculty

The symposium was aimed to pay tribute to the late Professor Senake Bandaranayake, a stalwart who dedicated his life to the study of archaeology.

The symposium featured an array of research papers presented by scholars under various themes, reflecting the diverse aspects of Sri Lankan archaeology. Topics covered included Ancient Technology: Metallurgy and Irrigation, Anthropology and Ethno-archaeology, Art History, Painting and Murals, Heritage Management, Conservation and Living Heritage, City, Trade and Urbanization, Historical Archaeology, Epigraphy and Museology, Prehistoric and Proto-historic Archaeology, Settlement and Landscape Archaeology, and Tourism. With its focus on disseminating new knowledge in the field of archaeology, the conference served as a premier platform for scholars to showcase their research skills and exchange ideas. Attendees lauded the symposium for providing a much-needed avenue to advance archaeological studies in Sri Lanka.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a statue in honour of Professor Senake Bandaranayake. The esteemed Chief Guest, Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, performed the unveiling ceremony, acknowledging the remarkable contributions made by Professor Bandaranayake to the field of archaeology. At the Inauguration ceremony, Emeritus Professor Jagath Weerasinghe delivered an inspiring keynote speech, setting the tone for the symposium. Professor M. M. Gunatilake, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Senior Professor Gamini Adikari, Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology, Dr. Sirinimali Lakdusinghe, Former Director of the Department of National Museums, and many senior archaeologists, staff members of the department of archaeology, postgraduate institute of archaeology and the Faculty of Social Sciences graced the event.