Mr. Harsha Wickramathunga

I’m Harsha Wickramathunga was born on the 20th  of January  1981 into Darmasena Wickramathunga and Banduwathi Walpita as their elder child. My  Father was a professional manager and my mother was a teacher. I have only one brother and he is a professional artist. My dance teacher is Mahinda Gunasiri Walpita, a veteran low country dancer and drummer, based on the traditional heritage of my mother and father, Uduwa Walpitage Ransasundara was the founder of my talent at the age of years 10. My home town is Horana and married to N.G.Kahawalage a development officer.

I got my primary education at Uduwa primary college and secondary education a Sripalee College Horana. I was fond of dancing by little age and my ambition was to get a university education in dancing. I got university entrance at the A/L examination in 1999 by fulfilling my target successfully. I was lucky to enter the university of visual and performing arts, Colombo in 2004 and became a graduate with 4 years of a second upper-class special degree based on Low Country Dance & Drumming in 2008.

I became a Low Country assistant accompanist at the university of visual and performing arts in 2008 as the first step in my professional life. Then I completed my MPA Degree in the 2018 University of Visual and Performing Arts Postgraduate unit. My first academic appointment as a demonstrator at the Indian and Asian Department of the University of Visual and Performing Arts. Currently, I am working as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of the Low Country Dance of the University of Visual and Performing Arts. 

I contributed to different tasks both at national and international levels and my next expectation is to follow Ph.D. near further.

Research Interests:

Low country dram and dance

Publications:

Research Book

The first academic research book written by me is the first book written in Sinhala on the concept of Kurumbara, which has not been researched in detail among the religions of Sri Lanka and is entitled “The Concept of Kurumbara in Sri Lanka”
This book, titled “The Concept of Kurumbara in Sri Lanka”, is about the Kurumbara, which is worshipped in various ways in Sri Lankan religious practices. It is a book that can be used by students interested in exploring the subject areas of faith, human sociology, and intangible cultural heritage, as well as other readers seeking knowledge.
It is also a book that further expands the study of the local cultural landscape and is a work recommended by the National Library and Documentation Services Board in the year 2025.

(මවිසින් රචිත ප්‍රථම ශාස්ත්‍රීය පර්යේෂණ ග්‍රන්ථය ශ්‍රී ලංකාවෙහි ඇදහිලි අතර මෙතෙක් ප්‍රාමාණික පර්යේෂණයක් සිදු නොවූ සහ සිංහල භාෂාවෙන් කුරුම්බර දේව සංකල්පය පිළිබඳ රචිත ප්‍රථම ග්‍රන්ථය වන” ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ කුරුම්බර දේව සංකල්පය” නම් වූ ග්‍රන්ථය
ශ්‍රී ලාංකේය වත් පිළිවෙත් හි විවිධාකාරයෙන් පුද ලබන කුරුම්බර පිළිබඳව ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ කුරුම්බර දේව සංකල්පය යන මැයෙන් රචිත මෙම ග්‍රන්තය ඇදහිලි විශ්වාස, මානව සමාජ විද්‍යාව, අස්පර්ශනීය සංස්කෘතික උරුමය ආදි විෂය ක්ෂේත්‍ර විමර්ශනයට යොමුවන විද්‍යාර්ථීන්ට මෙන්ම දැනුම එක් රැස් කිරීමේ පිපාසිත සෙසු පාඨකයන්ට ද පරිශීලනය කළ හැකි ග්‍රන්ථයකි.
එමෙන්ම දේශීය සංස්කෘතික වපසරිය අධ්‍යයනය කිරීම තවදුරටත් පුළුල් කරවන ශාස්ත්‍රීය ග්‍රන්ථයක් ලෙස මෙන්ම 2025 වර්ෂයෙහි ජාතික පුස්තකාල හා ප්‍රලේඛන සේවා මණ්ඩලයේ නිර්දේශය ලද කෘතියකි.)

Research Articles

Academic articles written in Sinhala

It is a special experience to develop a research paper to advance knowledge as a university Lecturer. The following are the topics I have compiled, and the following articles.

• Moratu Yakun Pidima hewath Moratu deviyan pidima. “මොරටු යකුන් පිදීම හෙවත් මොරටු දෙවියන් පිදීම”

Professor Jayasena Kottagoda. Edited by Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi, Gnanasiri Peiris, and Janaka Kottagoda. First printing 2011.Published by J.K. Publication Gangodawila. Nugegoda. Printed by R.G. Graphics, Boralesgamuwa.

• Deshiya Shanthikarmayanhi Hangala Bhavitaye Visesatha. “දේශීය ශාන්තිකර්මයන්හි හඟල භාවිතයෙහි විශේෂතා”

2012-2013 Annual Research Conference University. Chief Editor – Professor Lionel Benthara Assistant Editor Assistant Professor Ranjith Fernando Published by – University of Fine Arts. Colombo 07 Printing – Vidyalankara Press Kelaniya.

• Rayigm Koralaye Paramparika Yakaduran Pilibanda Keti Vimasumk. “රයිගම් කෝරළයේ පාරම්පරික යකැදුරන් පිළිබඳ කෙටි විමසුමක්”

2012 Chief Editor. Professor Lionel Bentharaga, Assistant Editor, Master Nandasena Palihakkara. Publication, Department of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Arts, 08th Floor, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. Printing, Vishwa Graphics Private Limited, 439/3/3 Hokanda Road, Pannipitiya.

• Gṛuhastha karmantayak jana naṭumak bavaṭa patvime pravaṇata. “ගෘහස්ථ කර්මාන්තයක් ජන නැටුමක් බවට පත්වීමේ ප්‍රවණතා”

Narthana Gevasi   -2015 Chief Editor – Professor Lionel Bentharaga Publication“ Department of Cultural Affairs, State Ministry of Cultural Affairs, 08th Floor, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. Printed by Billboard Advertising Solutions, Nugegoda.

• Oloboḍuva gramaya ha bandi vesmuhuṇu kalawa. “ඔලොබොඩුව ග්‍රාමය හා බැඳි වෙස්මුහුණු කලාව”

Imagira Sithumini – 2018 Edited by Thisaru Kottage. Published by Divisional Secretariat Ingiriya. Printed by New Gaul Prints 41 Suderis Silva Mawatha, Horana.

• Sanniyakum yagayehi antargata gayana sailiye nadamalavanhi suviseṣata (matara bentara ha rayigama sampradayayan asureni.) “සන්නියකුම් යාගයෙහි අන්තර්ගත ගායන ශෛලියේ නාදමාලාවන්හි සුවිශේෂතා (මාතර බෙන්තර හා රයිගම සම්ප්‍රදායයන් ඇසුරෙනි.)”

Sangeetham Manawavamsa Sangeet Research 2019 Edition Lecturer Harsha Wickramatunga. Temporary Assistant Lecturer Samitha Rukmal, Nadeesha Lakmali. Printed by 2019. Published by – Divisional Secretariat. Horana. Printing- D. Ads Digital Institute.

• Rayigam Koraḷaye Sanni Yakuma. “රයිගම් කෝරළයේ සන්නි යකුම”

Panhindaka Asiriya Shastriyya Sangha 2019 Editorial Board — Thanuja. N. Ayagama L.B Weerasinghe, Thilak Ranjith Madduma Hewage, Nilakshi Amadoru. Publication – Kalutara District Writers’ Organization Cultural Division District Secretariat Kalutara. Printing – Neptune Publications Private Limited, Pahalwela Road, Pelawatte. Battaramulla.

• Jatikatvaya, desiya ananyatavaya piḷibimbu kirimehila padaka vu saṁgitha paryeṣhaṇa. “ජාතිකත්වය, දේශීය අනන්‍යතාවය පිළිබිඹු කිරීමෙහිලා පාදක වූ සංගීත පර්යේෂණ”

My Footprints on the Journey to Independence and Nationality” (Political, Economic, Religious, Cultural and Social Transformation of Sri Lanka from 1948 to 1977), Edited by Dr. Polgaswatte Paramananda Thero, Venerable Chandima Bibile, Published by Professor F. Jayasuriya Gunanusmarana Foundation. First Printing – 2022 Printed and Published by Professor F.R. Jayasuriya Gunanusmarana Foundation.

• Tindu kapima saha ehi Antargatha Ayurvedatmaka lakṣhaṇa. “තීන්දු කැපීම සහ එහි අන්තර්ගත ආයුර්වේදාත්මක ලක්ෂණ”

Suniyam Concept Academic Paper Series. 2023 Published by – Madhya Media Graphics and Publication 276/6 Kandanhena Kaballagoda Horana Printing – Apex and Graphics, 2/9, Wanatha Road, Gangodawila, Nugegoda.

• Kolam naṭakayehi rakṣa nartanangayanhi antargatha viseṣatha. “කෝලම් නාටකයෙහි රාක්ෂ නර්තනාංගයන්හි අන්තර්ගත විශේෂතා”

Horana Kolam Madu Rangabhishekaya Academic Paper Series. First edition 20203 Co-edited by the Honorable Professor Dr. Lionel Benthara and Senior Lecturer B.A.D. Anura Shantha Kumara. Published: Madurawala Lions Club. Printed — C.R. Print House, Horana.

• Pahataraṭa pohoya hevisiyedi bavita magul bera vaṭṭam piḷibada vimasumak. “පහතරට පොහොය හේවිසියේ දී භාවිත මඟුල් බෙර වට්ටම් පිළිබඳ විමසුමක්”

Poya Hevisi Pooja Mangalya Academic Paper Series First edition 2024 edition – Published by Dr. Lionel Benthara, Sri Lanka Sakala Kala Sansadaya. Printing – Taranji Prints Private Limited.

• Rayigam saha siyanae koraḷawala pahataraṭa magul bera vadanayedi  bhavita satara vaṭṭam sural poṣhaṇayehila hevisi vadanayen lada abhasaya. “රයිගම් සහ සියනෑ කෝරළවල පහතරට මඟුල් බෙර වාදනයේදී භාවිත සතර වට්ටම් සුරල් පෝෂණයෙහිලා හේවිසි වාදනයෙන් ලද ආභාසය”

 Narthana Gevasi Annual Letters Series 2024 Edition Professor Karunaratne Bandara Professor Janaka Kottagoda Publication, State Dance and Ballet Advisory Council,0 Sri Lanka Arts Council, Department of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. Printing, Department of Government Printing.

Research Paper Presentations for Symposium.

• Research Symposium 2012-2013 -Deshiya Shanthi Karmayanhi Hagala Bhavithaye Wishshatha.
• ICH International Research Symposium – 2023-uthurukalaagam korle paththini maduwa hewath naga paththini maduwe suvishetha
• 5th International Conference – Faculty of Music – 2023 –The Influence of Hevisi Playing on the Evolution of Sathara Wattam Sural in the Performance of Low country (Pahatharata) Magul Bera in Raigam Siyane Korale.
• International Performing Arts Conference 2025“Faculty of dance and Drama “University of the Visual and Performing ASrts “Sri Lanka”—Performing Identities˜“20th and 21st March 2025
• Research Abstract Paper 01

Manifestation of Multiple Intelligences in the Devol Madu Shantikarma: A Study of Cultural and Intellectual Significance (

• Research Abstract Paper 02

A study on the influence of the Sabaragamuwa dance tradition in the pandam verse performance used in the Yak Towilla of the Raigama dance style.

Artists. Contribution (Local and Foreign)

• A member of the Magul drums team for the fifth Graduation Ceremony of the University of Visual and Performing Arts. (2012)
•  Participated as a drummer for the Gammaduwa Ceremony organized by the Civil Defense Department (2014).
•  Participated in the Devol Madu Shanthikarmaya and 18 Sanniya Shanthikarmaya organized by the Horana Urban Council. (2014.02.09 & 2014.04.04)
• Concurrent to the State Literary Festival, the Department of Cultural Affairs of Polonnaruwa participated as a drummer at the two-day dancing workshop organized by the District Secretariat. (2011.10.06, 07)
•  Participated as a drummer & dancer for the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, which contributed to the “Sarasavi Aduru Raga Soba” dance show.
•  Participated as a drummer at the Sekakuwa drama group representing the International theatre festival Bhuroopi-2017 held in Mysore, India. (From 2017.01.13 to 18)

As a Rituals Artist

• Participating as a drummer at the god’s ritual & devil dance in the Rigama tradition of the low country dance.
• Participating as a drummer at the devil dance in the Benthara tradition of the low country dance. 
• Participating as a drummer at the devol madu shanthikarama in Siyane korala tradition of the low country dance.

As a judge

Participation as a member of the judge panel in the All-Island School Dance Competition.

• Participation as a member of the judge panel for the Kandy District Dance Competition of the Intercultural Center Prathiba Music and Dance Competition, organized by the Ministry of Cultural and Artistic Affairs on 27/09/2011.
• Participation as a member of the judge panel for the Local drumming jury in the All-Island School Music Competition organized by the Western Province Education Department on 20/05/2018.
• Participation in the judging of the All-Island School Dance Ratnapura Competition held at Eheliyagoda Central College and Eheliyagoda Dharmapala College on 23/03/2019.
• I served as a member of the judge panel for the All-Island   Dance Competition in 2022 and the Central Provincial Dance Competition on November 5 and June 6.
• Participated as a member of the Zonal Competition judge in the All-Island Dance Competition in the Minuwangoda Education Zone on 17/06/2024.

Participated as a member of the judges (National)

• Participated as a judge in the National Competition of the Hand Crafts conducted by the Silpa Abhimani – Presidential awards 2018 National Crafts Council. (2018.09.10,11)
• Participated as a member of the judging panel in the Shilpa Abhimani 2019 Presidential Award Handicrafts and Competition National Exhibition, organized by the National Crafts Council on 01/10/2019.
• Participated as a member of the judging panel in the Dance Competition in the Gampaha District Kalayathana Competition held at the Yashodhara Devi Balika Vidyalaya premises in Western Gampaha on 29/06/2019.
• Western Provinc Arts Festival 2019- Participated as a member of the judges in the Kalutara District Dance Competition held at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort on 16/07/2019 in the Western Province Arts
• Western Province Arts Festival 2019 – Participated as a member of the judges in the Colombo District Dance Competition held at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort on 20/07/2019 in the Western Provincial Arts Competition.
• Western Provincial Arts Festival 2019 – Participated as a member of the judging panel in the Provincial Dance Competition held at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort on 13/10/2019 in the Western Provincial “Arts” Competition.
• Western Province Inter-Arts Competition 2023 as a member of the judging panel for the Dance Competition.

• Gampaha District Dance Competition – Gampaha Yashodhara Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha.
• Kalutara District Dance Competition – Kalutara Pothupitiya Maha Vidyalaya, Wadduwa.
• Colombo District Dance Competition, President’s College, Maharagama.
• Provincial Dance Competition — Western Province Aesthetic Resort.

• Participating as a member of the dance competition judge in the Youth Awards Competition organized by the National Youth Services Council˜ in the year 2023.
• Participating as a member of the judges in the dance and music competition held at the Maharagama National Youth Service Council premises in conjunction with the Odiya˜ Award Ceremony, organized for the first time by the Cultural Dance Foundation in Sri Lanka˜ on 11/02/2024.
• Participating as a member of the judges in the Vishwabhinandana Pranaama Harasara˜ Festival 2025, organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Arts of the Western Province on 26/6/2025.
• State Dance Awards Ceremony 2025. Participating as a member of the judges in the dance competition held in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts of the State Dance Festival jointly organized by the Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the State Dance Sub-Committee of the Sri Lanka Arts Council.

Awards and Honors (Local and Foreign):

• As a drummer, the awarding ceremony of the Pooja Narthana Samadhi concert held in Dubai by Mr. Meshan Dissanayake, dancing academy, is an award and honour (2017.11.27) 
• Participated as a drummer, 18 Sanni Shanthikarma in the Bentara Tradition at Panadura Indrarama Viharaya is an award and honor (2012.01.21) 
• Received the Wishvabhi Nandana award of Western Provincial Council by the provincial arts ministry (best drummer) (2016.12.27) 
• Participated as a drummer, 18 Sanni Shanthikarma in the Bentara Tradition Conducted at the Panchamaha Diwya Mandiraya at Panadura is an award and honor (2016.05.20)
• I was felicitated for the traditional dancing service at the —Nathatanabhi wandana. Ceremony organized by the Horana Divisional Secretariat. (2017.09.17)