Mr. G. M. Thilaka Weerasinghe

Mr. G.M.T. Thilak Weerasinghe is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Kandyan Dance, Faculty of Dance and Drama, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka. He is a dedicated scholar, researcher, and traditional performer specializing in the Sathara Korale dance traditions. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to the preservation, teaching, and academic study of indigenous ritual dance forms such as Gam Maduwa and Sokari Natya. Throughout his academic career, Mr. Weerasinghe has held several key administrative and academic positions, demonstrating leadership and commitment to university development and student welfare. He has served as Head of the Kohuwala Premises, Warden of Student Hostels, Senior Student Counsellor, and member of the University Disciplinary Committee. He has also functioned as Secretary and President of the Academic Staff Union, Treasurer of the Faculty Student Union, and Head of the Department of Instrumental Music. Additionally, he has been a member of the Postgraduate Studies Committee, Preliminary Inquiry Officer, and member of the University Disciplinary Board. As an academic and cultural contributor, Mr. Weerasinghe has introduced several new course units to the Kandyan Dance curriculum, enriching the academic framework with subjects He has contributed as Chief Examiner and Supervisory Officer for Advanced Level Dance examinations under the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, and as a resource person for the Diploma in Dance programme at the Centre for Open and Distance Learning, UVPA. Mr. Weerasinghe has also shared his expertise through national television programmes such as Rangabhoomi and Naatya Ha Ranga Kala, where he discussed the nature of traditional and staged Sokari dramas and the value of performing arts education. Moreover, he has served as a resource person for the Guidance and Counselling Programme organized by the Department of Counselling, further reflecting his commitment to academic mentorship and cultural education.+

Research Interests:

• Kandyan Dancing, Counselling
• Folk Rituals and Shanthikarma Traditions
• Sokari Folk Drama and Indigenous Theatre Practices
• Ritual Performance and Religious Symbolism in Dance
• Counselling and Humanistic Perspectives in Performing Arts
• Educational Methodologies in Dance and Cultural Studies

Publications:

• “Sathara Koralaye Gammaduwa” (2017)
• “Guruge maalawen heliwana sesu saampradaika naatyamaya pelapali sahasambandatha”(2016)
• “Kohombayak kankariyen vishada wana Gemi sanskruthika lakshana”(2017)
• Desheeya Gammadu shanthikarmayedhi dhaknata labena amba widamana pooja angayehi sama wishamatha”- saundarya kala wimarshana(2016)
• “Sathara koralaye paththini pooja mangalya”- saundarya kala wimarshana 2 (2007)
• “Krushikarmika jana diviya padanamwa prabhawaya labu sokari natakaya”- nathan gaweshi (2018)
• “Sathara koralaye gmmaduwa,pahatharata dewol maduwa ha sabaragamu pahan maduwa samaga sansandanayak- ahinandana (2011)
• “Sathara kooralaye sokari natakaye wisheshatha”- samara ashitha 6 (2007)
• Kaavya Sameeksha – 2021 Deshaja Kaavya Sampraadaaye Urumaya haa Bhaawithaya
  “Sokari Naatakaye Sadaes Kavi Bhaawithaya”

Academic and Cultural Contributions:

• Introduced new course units to the Kandyan Dance curriculum, including:
  1. Sokari Folk Drama Traditions
  2. Ritual and Dramatic Processions in the Gammaduwa Shanthikarma
  3. The “Paalaga Mereema” Ritual Sequence in Gammaduwa Ceremonies
• Leader of the Panwatta Sokari Folk Drama Troupe in the Sabaragamuwa tradition.
• Principal performer in the Gammaduwa Shanthikarma of the Satharakoralaya Tradition.
• Served as Chief Examiner and Supervisory Officer for Practical Examinations at the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (A/L Dance).
• Resource person for the Diploma in Dance programme conducted by the Centre for Open and Distance Learning, UVPA.
• Provided expert contributions to national television programmes:

• • Rangabhoomi (2013) – on the nature of traditional and staged Sokari drama, alongside Prof. Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi.
  • Naatya Ha Ranga Kala (2014) – educational programme on theatre and performing arts, National Television of Sri Lanka.

• Resource person for the Guidance and Counselling Programme (Batch 2012) organized by the Department of Counselling.

Awards:

• Awarded the title of “”Deshabandu Lankaputhra”” by National Gunasamaru Foundation Institute.

Other Links :

Google Scholar   |  ResearchGate