W.A.A. Kithsiri Amaratunga

MPhil (Kelaniya), MA in Linguistics (Kelaniya) BA (Hons) (Peradeniya), MELT(TX, USA), AELIC (TX, USA), Specialist English Trained (Peradeniya)
Senior Lecturer Gr I
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Qualifications
Working Experience
Teaching Areas
Research Interests
Editorial Work
Publications
Other Responsibilities
  • Qualifications

  • Qualifications

    • M Phil (English), University of Kelaniya (2010)
    • MA (Linguistics), University of Kelaniya (2005) – Merit
    • BA (Hons) (English), University of Peradeniya (1996)
    • CTHE (Certificate for Teaching in Higher Education), University of Kelaniya (2012)
    • AELIC (Advanced English Language Instructor Course), Defence Language Institute English Language Centre, Texas, USA (2010) – Outstanding
    • MELT (Managing English Language Training) Course, Defence Language Institute English Language Centre, Texas, USA (2008) – Outstanding
    • English Specialist Trained Teacher’s Certificate from English Specialist Teachers’ College, Peradeniya (1988)
  • Working Experience

  • Working Experience

    Full time

    • Head of the Department of Languages at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy & University (2003 – 2020)
    • Senior Lecturer (Grade I), Department of Languages, Faculty of Management Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2016 onward)
    • Senior Lecturer (Grade II), Department of Languages, Faculty of Management Social Sciences and Humanities at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2010 – 2016)
    • Lecturer (Probationary) in English, Department of Languages, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy & University (2001 – 2010)
    • Assistant Lecturer in English at Higher National Diploma in Engineering (HNDE) Institute, Mattakkuliya, Sri Lanka (1999 – 2001)
    • Graduate Trained Teacher of English Language and English Literature in the Department of Education, Sri Lanka (1996 – 1999)
    • Trained Teacher of English in the Department of Education, Sri Lanka (1988 – 1992)
    • Certificate Teacher of English in the Department of Education, Sri Lanka (1984 – 1988)


    Part time

    • Cambridge ESOL (Oral) Examiner & IELTS (Writing) Examiner, British Council, Colombo (2011 – 2014)
    • Visiting Lecturer in English, Diploma in English Programme of Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Colombo (1998 – 1999)
    • Visiting Instructor in English, Extension Courses in English & English Language Teaching Programme for Teachers of English conducted by the University of Colombo (1997 – 2001)
    • Member in the pool of translators, Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR), University of Colombo (1993 – 1995)
    • Tutor / Instructor, Distance Teacher Training Programme conducted by National Institute of Education (1991 – 1992)


    Others

    • Supervising Research projects of Master’s Degree prgrammes of the Faculty of Graduate Studies of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda
    • Language Editing the Corporate Plan 2020-2024 of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
    • Being the President of the Editorial Committee of the International Research Conferences of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
    • Editing the Coffee Table Book of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2016)
    • Designing an Advanced Certificate Course in English for Academic Purposes for middle level officers reading for Masters level courses at KDU and affiliated colleges along with Ms Krishanthi Anandawansa
    • Drafting the Corporate Plan 2015-2019 of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University along with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Admin) Brig ALDM Gunasekera
    • Drafting the Corporate Plan 2014-2018 of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University along with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Admin) Brig ALDM Gunasekera
    • Chairing the Annual International Symposium 2013 of General Sir John Kotelwala Defence University held on the theme “Sri Lanka as a Hub in Asia: The Way Forward on 22nd and 23rd August 2013
    • Drafting the Corporate Plan 2013-2017 of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University along with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Admin) Brig ALDM Gunasekera
    • Drafting and designing the KDU Prospectus 2013 – 2014, the format of which is followed in Prospectuses of subsequent years
  • Teaching Areas

  • Teaching Areas

    • English Language and Communication Skills
    • English for Academic Purposes
    • English Literature
    • Applied Linguistics
    • Research Methodology
    • Scientific Writing
  • Research Interests

  • Research Interests

    • Phonology and English Pronunciation
    • Teaching English as a Second Language
    • Varieties of English
    • Research Methodology
    • Language Teaching Curriculum Development
    • English Language Testing
    • Computational Linguistics
    • Astrology and Life
  • Editorial Work

  • Editorial Work

    Editorial Board Memberships

    • President of the Editorial Committee of the International Research Conference (KDU IRC) in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
    • Editorial board member of the KDU Coffee Table Book, 2022
    • Editorial board member of the KDU Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (KJMS) since 2017
    • Editorial board member of the Journal of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities (JMSH) since 2016
    • An editor of the KDU Coffee Table Book, 2015
    • An editor of the Annual KDU Magazine, The Silhouette since 2003


    Edited Books

    • Co-editor of the book titled Megha: (In)visible lines of creativity in trilingual expression, published by KDU in 2020
    • Editor of the book titled Words Epitomizing Leadership: Voice of Major General Milinda Peiris as Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University published in 2016


    Other editorial work

    • Editing Abstract Books of International Research Symposium (IRS) and International Research Conference (IRC) since 2008 (President Editorial Board IRC since 2017)
    • Editing the Proceedings of the International Research Symposium (IRS) and International Research Conference (IRC) since 2008
    • Drafting and editing the first KDU Corporate Plan 2010-2015 and editing all subsequent Corporate Plans of KDU
    • Editing research papers of the Journal of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (SLCS) in 2020
    • Editing By Laws for the Conduct of Examinations for Degree Programmes of KDU (Applicable for Intake 35 onwards)
    • Editing By Laws of the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies for the Conduct of Degree Programmes of KDU (Applicable for Intake 35 onwards)
    • Editing the Concept paper for KDU War Memorial in 2021
    • Editing the Concept paper for the establishment of the Faculty of Criminal Justice in 2021
    • Editing the Curriculum Review and Development Policy of FMSH in 2021
  • Publications

  • Publications

    Books


    Referred Journal articles


    Other articles

    • Amaratunga, K. (2012). Total Quality Management (TQM) for Organizational Success in Silhouette, 2012/2013, Annual Journal of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. KDU: Ratmalana
    • Amaratunga, K. (2006). Suggestopaedia: A New Experience in Language Teaching in Silhouette 2005/2006, Annual Journal of General sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy. KDA: Ratmalana
    • Amaratunga, K. (2002). Application of Aesthetic Reading with a Critical Appraisal of the Dark Room by RK Narayan in Silhouette, 2001/2002, Annual Journal of General sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy. KDA: Ratmalana
    • Amaratunga K. (2001). King Lear Through Maname: A Tragic Vision in Comparison in Silhouette, 2000/2001, Annual Journal of General sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy. KDA: Ratmalana


    Conference papers

    • Jayasinghe, VU; Amaratunga, WAAK; Abeyawickrema, JPWK; Rajapakse, RMNP. (2023). Motivational Factors of Undergraduates for Reading in English: A Case Study of Successful Cases. 7th International Research Conference 2023, Uwa Wellassa University Sri Lanka (IRCUWU2023)
       
    • Abeyawickrama W and K Amaratunga K. (2021) Preliminary Findings of an Analysis of the COVID-19 English Terminology Used in Electronic News Media in Sri Lanka presented at KDU-IRC 2021
    • Kothalawala, CJ, Kothalawala, TD & Amaratunga, K. (2015). Tracing the Development of Approaches of Needs Analysis in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) presented at KDU-IRC 2015


    Unpublished thesis

    • Amaratunga, K. (2010). Pronunciation Difficulties of Officer Cadets of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University when Making Presentations in English. Unpublished MPhil thesis. University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
    • Amaratunga K. (1996). Phenomenology in William Wallace’s Poetry. Unpublished BA (Special) Dissertation


    Graduate supervision

    • Impact of Induction Training on Job Performances: Special Emphasis on Police Officers in Sri Lanka Police Department by ASP Inoka Liyanage, 2022
    • Standardization of Selection Criteria in the Employment of Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) in Training Establishments by Maj GBMP Galahitiya SLE, (DSCSC – 2021)
    • Policies for Developing Middle Grade Officers’ Skills in Command and Staff Aspects by Maj VIR Dewpura, (DSCSC – 2021)
    • Identifying Challenges in English Language Learning and Teaching at Government Schools in Ampara District by Group Captain HWR Chandima KDU/MSM/15/02, 2020
    • Analyzing the Effectiveness of Utilizing Engineering Graduates within the Army Organization by Capt RPMTDB Rathmalawinna (DSCSC 2020)
    • The Impact of National Cadet Corps of Sri Lanka on Educational, Social and Economic Outcomes: The Case of the Western Province by Maj Dhanushka Kumara (DSCSC 2020)
    • Factors Causing a High Failure Rate in Current Affairs Paper in Captain to Major Promotion Examination in the Sri Lanka Army by Maj Maduranga Wanigasuriya (DSCSC 2020)
    • Enhancement of English Competency among Junior Officers in Sri Lanka     Army in the Gemunu Watch by Capt. Banish Silva, (DSCSC 2019)
    • Enhancement of English Competency among Senior Non-commissioned Officers in Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers to Achieve the High Standard of Professionalism in Post War Scenario by Major LLCS Cabraal SLE, (DSCSC 2019)
    • The Role of English Movies in Improving Chinese College Students English Language Learning by Maj Jin Yonxin, (DSCSC 2019)
    • The Impact of English Language Communication Skills on Academic Performance of Undergraduates by Maj AU Kuruppu, KDU/MS/M/13/05. (2018)
    • The difficulties faced by other rank field commissioned officers in Sri Lanka army due to their inadequate English language competencies by Maj Gayan Somakeerthi, (DSCSC 2018)
  • Other Responsibilities

  • Other Responsibilities

    • Member, UGC Standing Committee on Management Studies since 2020
    • Member, UGC Standing Committee on Social Sciences and Humanities since 2020
    • Member of the Ethics Review Committee of KDU (Non-Medical) since 2017
    • Chairman, Board of Studies (BOS) on Management and Social Studies of the Faculty of Graduate Studies since 2020
    • Dean, Faculty of Management Social Sciences and Humanities since September 2020
    • Head of the Department of Languages of KDU from 2003 to 2020