Ms. Udeni Herath

Senior Lecturer (Gr. II)

Department of Social Studies

Biography:

Since 2018, I have been involved in teaching, research and other academic activities related to Youth and Community Development. Currently, I am coordinating the BA in Youth and Community Development, offered by the Department of Social Studies. I completed my Master of Social Sciences (MSSc) in Sociology with a research component. I completed the dissertation on “Impact of a Social Movement for Reduction of Poverty in Modern Sri Lanka: A Sociological Study of Samurdhi Programme”. In 2008, I obtained BA special degree in Sociology with a first-class honor from the University of Kelaniya.

Rural Sociology, Youth Development and Community Development

Youth Studies Aging Sinhala Marriage Primitive communities Sexual Education Poverty Gender

Programme Coordination:
BA in Youth and Community Development Level 3 and 4

Course Coordination:
DSU 3562(Module Leader), DSU 4263 (Module leader), DSD 4508, DSU 3562

My research interest is basically in the area of youth related issues, especially issues of tribal youths within their social relationships. Human behaviour is often characterized by drives of social change. It explores how those factors such urbanization, modernization industrialization is affected on tribal young lives. Especially decision making, social participation, changes of their economic and educational background is deeply discussed in my current research as well as how they manage their lives with challenges have been created through that changes are also incorporated with the research.  I have published more than 20 research papers addressing various social issues.

Researches:

A socio-political study on absence of “comprehensive sexual education” among school teenagers, effect on teenage pregnancies in the MOH area of kebithigollewa. 2017.

Sinhala marriage and Jana kawiya, “Santhathi” Vol 11, a journal of the University of Kelaniya.2009.

Environment of Fisheries, “Manawa Vidyawa”, a journal of the Department of Archeology. University of Kelaniya. 2008.

Changers in Role of Vaddha women, “Adivasi Urumaya”, a journal of the Department of Archeology. University of Kelaniya. 2009.

Social aspect of Sinhala Drama, Sadhana Vol 11, a journal of the Department of Sanskrit. University of Kelaniya.2009

Ongoing Research:

  • A study on “Job satisfaction among employees and its impact to institutional Development” (ongoing) 2016.

Herath,U., Gallage,C., A socio-political study on “absence of comprehensive sexual education among school teenagers, effect on teenage pregnancies” MOH area of kebithigollewa. 2017.

Herath,U., Sinhala marriage and Jana kawiya, “Santhathi” Vol 11, a journal of the University of Kelaniya.2009.

Herath,U., Environment of Fisheries, “Manawa Vidyawa”, a journal of the Department of Archeology. University of Kelaniya. 2008.

Herath,U., Changes in Role of Vaddha women, “Adivasi Urumaya”, a journal of the Department of Archeology. University of Kelaniya. 2009.

Herath,U., Social aspect of Sinhala Drama, Sadhana Vol 11, a journal of the Department of Sanskrit University of Kelaniya.2009

Herath,U., Lives in the street – challenges, abuse, and protection of street elders in sri lanka.with reference nugegoda,kelaniya and bellanwilla area 2020 (forthcoming)

Herath,U., Beyond reclaiming indigenous: challenges faced by young gypsies in sri lanka. Andara bedda gypsy village,Galgamuwa,Kurunegala 2020 (forthcoming)

Herath,U., Lives in the Street – challenges, abuse, and protection of street elders in sri Lanka. With reference to Colombo.2020

A paper on “Effectiveness of the Environmental Impact Assessment on Sustainable   Development in Sri Lanka: A Legal Perspective”  at the 10th Tourism Outlook Conference in collaboration with the 2nd Interdisciplinary Conference of Management Researchers (ICMR) and 1st International Environmental Sustainability Conference (IESC2017) organized by the University Of Sabaragamuwa October

A paper on “A comparative study on relationship between employer and employee in Buddhism and present labour law” at the 4th International Buddhist Conference on “Buddhism for Future Human Civilization” –  4th & 5th December 2015.

A paper on “A socio legal aspect on misusing the economic freedom in Buddhist philosophy leads to social problems “ at the 4th International Buddhist Conference on “Buddhism for Future Human Civilization”- 4th & 5th December 2015.

A paper on “A socio legal study on harassment faced by women in public buses” at the iPURSE” organized by faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. Sri Lanka. – 05th & 6th November 2015.

A paper on Socio legal Perspectives in Changers of marriage customs in Sri Lankan Society. (With reference to north central Province)” at the 2nd International Conference on Exploring Heritage for Social Challenges, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka  –  29th Oct 2014.

A Paper on “Bauddha Darshanaye parisara sanrakshana sankalpaya ha Nu-thana Parisara neethiya athara athi sambadathawaya Pilibanda Sansandanathmaka Adyanayak.”  At the 2nd National Conference on Multi-Disciplinary Approaches for the Enhancement of Buddhism organized by the Sri Lanka Bhikshu University Anuradhapura – 8th Nov.2014

A Paper on “Changers in role of vaddha women” 2009 at the National conference organized by  faculty of Graduate studies, University of Kelaniya – 2010.

Life Member of the Royal Asiatic society,

Member of the Open University Teachers Association (OUTA).

Visiting Lecturer, Sociology of Communication, Department of Sociology, Kelaniya University of Sri Lanka. 2020

Principal supervisor of the Science Research Projects Competition (SRPC), National Science foundation.