Qualifications:
- BPA (UVPA)
- PGDE (UOC)
- Higher Dip (Psychology & Counselling) (SITC)
- Dip (Psychology & Counselling) (SITC)
- Certificate Course in Research Methodology (OU)
- National Music Examinations
Profile:
Mr. Dhanushka Herath is a Lecturer (Probationary) in the Department of Ethnomusicology at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka. He holds a First Class Bachelor of Performing Arts (Special Degree in Ethnomusicology) from the University of the Visual and Performing Arts and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education with Distinction from the University of Colombo. He is currently reading for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Fine Arts (Music) at the University of Peradeniya.
Prior to joining the University, he served as an Assistant Lecturer in the Departments of Teacher Education and Research & Development at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Sri Lanka, where he was actively involved in curriculum development, educational research, teacher professional development, and national educational initiatives. He has also gained extensive teaching experience as a Visiting Lecturer and as a school teacher in the Sri Lankan general education system.
His teaching and research interests include Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Folk Music Studies, Curriculum Studies, Music Pedagogy, Educational Psychology, and Educational Research. His current research primarily focuses on students’ engagement with the Oriental Music curriculum, the role of Sri Lankan folk music in music education, curriculum development, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning in music education.
Mr. Herath has presented research papers at numerous national and international conferences and has contributed to educational research projects conducted by the National Institute of Education. His scholarly work spans music education, curriculum evaluation, educational assessment, social-emotional learning, and educational innovation. He has also authored several educational books on Oriental Music for school students and has published research articles in the field of education.
In addition to his teaching and research activities, he has served on curriculum development committees, organized international academic conferences, contributed to national educational research, and participated in academic editorial activities. He remains committed to advancing ethnomusicology and music education through quality teaching, impactful research, and meaningful community engagement.
Research Interests:
- Ethnomusicology
- Music Education
- Sri Lankan Folk Music
- Curriculum Development
- Music Pedagogy
- Educational Research
- Educational Psychology
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Arts Education
- Cultural Studies
Research & Publications:
- Herath, D. S. (2014). The impact of Traditional Music on Applied Music based on Veteran Singer Nanda Malini (BPA dissertation).
- Herath, D. S. (2018). An Evaluation Report of the Users of Teaching Aids of teachers (PGDE dissertation).
- Herath, D. S. (2021). The Effect of Parental Migration on Children’s Educational Achievement (Certificate course dissertation).
- Herath, D. S. (2023). A Study of Musical Preferences and Personality Characteristics among University Students, ICICH, The Department of Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and UNESCO Sri Lanka national commission, Sri Lanka.
- Herath, D. S. (2023). Students’ Interest in the Subject Content of the Grade 6 Oriental Music Curriculum Implemented in Sri Lankan School Education, ICFM, Faculty of Music, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka.
- Herath, D. S. (2023). Sri Lankan Traditional Folk Song Melodies Featured in Nanda Malini’s Song Compositions, ICHIRS, and Department of musicology, Faculty of Music, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka.
- Herath, D. S. (2024). Effectiveness of the Living Values Education Program in Promoting Social Emotional Learning Among Inclusive Students, ICLVE, Career Guidance Unit, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
- Herath, D. S. (2024). From Chalkboards to Smartboards: Exploring the Evolution of Teaching Methods and Their Impact on Student Achievement. Sri Lankan Journal of Educational Research, Department of Research and Development, National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka.
- Herath, D. S. (2024). Development of an assessment tool to measure the learning loss of students’ language literacy and numeracy skills of grade 8 competencies, 2nd International Research Symposium on Education, Department of Research and Development, NIE, Sri Lanka.
- Herath, D. S. (2025). The Impact of Folk Music Education on the Development of Students’ Social Skills, 25th International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC), Faculty of Graduate Studies – University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Participated National – Level Research:
- Department of Research and Development, NIE. Module-based Learning approach & Generic Skill Developments of students Recommended by the Proposed New Education Reform, 2022.
- Department of Research and Development, NIE. Development of an assessment tool to measure the learning loss of students’ language literacy and numeracy skills of grade 8 competencies, 2023. (Coordinator of the research).
- Department of Research and Development, NIE. Survey of Teachers’ and Students Perspectives on GCE Advanced Level, 2023.
- Department of Research and Development, NIE. The Comparative study of Primary Education in Sri Lanka with Selected Countries; Special Reference to Assessment and Evaluation, 2023
- Department of Research and Development, NIE. A Study on How the Concept of “Good Citizenship” is Presented in the Proposed Curricula for General Education in Sri Lanka, 2024
- Department of Research and Development, NIE. Application of the Professional Development through Action Research, 2024.
Articles:
Books:
- “The Role of Current Education to Develop Behavioral Education” – Adyapana Sanwada, 2018 University of Colombo – 2018
Newspapers:
- Article writer “Ape Amma” Newspaper (2023 to present)