Senior Professor Wasantha Priyadarshana officially assumed duties as the new Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies (PGIPBS), University of Kelaniya, on 21st November 2025 at the PGIPBS premises, in the presence of Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya; members of the Faculty Board and the Management Board of PGIPBS; distinguished scholars and invitees from several universities; and the academic and non-academic staff of PGIPBS.

Senior Professor Priyadarshana is a senior academic in the Department of Buddhist Culture with over two decades of academic and professional experience. His areas of specialization and academic qualifications include: a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya (2008); a Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies (with Distinction) from the University of Kelaniya (2001–2002); a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Career Counselling from the University of Colombo (2002–2004); a Bachelor of Arts Special Degree in Buddhist Culture (First Class) from the University of Kelaniya; and a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pāli University of Sri Lanka (1998).

His research primarily focuses on Buddhist Psychotherapy, Psychology, Buddhist Counselling, and Early Buddhist Teachings.

His academic appointments and visiting positions span several renowned institutions, including serving as a Visiting Professor for the MA in Buddhist Studies at the Buddha-Dharma Centre of Hong Kong in October 2024; Professor of Buddhist Psychotherapy at the Sitagū Ketumati Buddhist Academy in Myanmar since 2023; Visiting Professor of Buddhist Psychology at both the Singapore Buddhist and Pali College from 2023 to the present and the Malaysian Buddhist Academy (MYBA) since 2022; Visiting Assistant Professor at the Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong, from August to December 2020; Visiting Professor of Buddhist Psychology at the Dhammaduta Buddhist University of Myanmar from 2019; Visiting Lecturer in Buddhist Counselling at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura from 2014 to 2016; and Visiting Lecturer in Buddhist Psychology at the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka. His professional memberships and administrative roles include serving as an International Member of the American Psychological Association (2024), Coordinator of both the Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s programs in Buddhist Āyurvedic Counseling at PGIPBS from 2014 to 2023, and Coordinator of the Sri Lankan Government Scholarship for Foreign Students from 2012 to 2016. He also served as a member of the Faculty Board of the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2015, Head of the Department of Buddhist Culture at PGIPBS from 2009 to 2015, and President of the PGIPBS Welfare Association from 2009 to 2011.

Senior Professor Priyadarshana has guided a wide spectrum of MA, MPhil, and PhD research dissertations, shaping the next generation of scholars. His academic influence extends further—as a discerning book reviewer, a sought-after speaker at seminars, workshops, and national and international conferences, and a creative architect of innovative academic courses.