Prof Emeritus T.G. Kulatunge to be awarded Hon. Doctorate

Prof Emeritus T. G. Kulatunge will be awarded the Honorary Doctorate of DLit., by the University of Sri Jayewardenapura (UoSJ) at the convocation to be held on September 7, at BMICH, Colombo7.

Born at Alawatugoda near Kandy and schooled at Sri Rahula College, Katugastota, he entered t he Unive r s i t y of Vi d y o d a y a (Sri Jayewardenapura). After completion of BA (Hons) Degree with distinction, he was admitted to the staff. He served the UoSJ for 40 years as Prof, till his retirement. He was the Head of the Dept of History & Archaeology for many years. The UoSJ granted him Professor Emeritus in recognition of his invaluable services. In 1988, he won the Japan Foundation Fellowship. While in Japan, he did Research on Comparative study of Socio-cultural Societies of Japan and Sri Lanka. His publications established him as an outstanding Arc h a e o l o g i s t and Historian, His research wo rk on Purana Abhaya giri Vi h a r a received the State award for Best Research in 2015. His book on Sri Lanka's coins is the only comprehensive publication on this subject, after H.W. Codrington published his book Ceylon Coins & Currency in 1924.

Prof. Kulatunge has served on the Abhayagiri Project of the Central Cultural Fund since 1986. He was the Director of Archaeology during the period of conservation of Abhayagiri Dagoba from the beginning to finish. Presenly he is the Project D i re c t o r o f Abahya g i r i , Mahavihara and Vijayarama in Anuradhapura. Prof. Kulatunge is a Fellow and onetime President of the Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists; a member of the committee for drafting National Archaeological Policy; member of the Board of Management of the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology; was ChairmanResearch & Publication Committee of the Sri Lanka Art Council. The Ministry of Cultural & National Heritage honoured him with Uruma Prasada Swarna Sammana in 2013.