• Peace and Conflict Studies, Sociology and Political Economy

Journals (Indexed / Peer Reviewed)

Herath, N. (2023). Book Review: Vodun: Secrecy and the Search for Divine Power by Timothy R. Landry Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2018. 201pp. Journal of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, 04(02), 103–105.

• Hewage, P., Hemakumara, G., Pannilage, U., & Herath, N. (2022). Influence of Gender Difference on the Factors Associated with Successful Aging: The Case of Sri Lanka. Journal of Asian Geography, 1(1), 1-6.
• Herath, N. (2021). Reforms via Katikāvat: Dissension among Buddhist Monks in Sri Lanka over the Code of Conduct Bill. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 44(1), 52-70. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00856401.2021.1864705
• Herath, N. (2020). Sri Lanka’s Economic Woes amidst COVID-19 and the Way Forward. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Economic Issues, 4(1), 39 – 44. doi: https://doi.org/10.32674/ijeei.v4i1.38
  Conferences; Full paper peer reviewed
• Herath, N. (2017). Dealing with Monastic Reforms: A Study on the Debate over ‘Theravada Bhikkhu Kathikawath (Registration) Bill’ In Sri Lanka. 4^th International Conference on Social Sciences (pp. 83 – 89). Colombo: TIIKM.
• Jayawardena, M. M., Herath, N., Kumar, J., & Satheesmohan, S. (2013). Post War Civil – Military Relations in the North of Sri Lanka: A Way Forward for Peace. Annual International Symposium – Sri Lanka as a Hub in Asia: The Way Forward. Ratmalana: General Sir John KotelawalaDefence University. 

Abstract Peer Reviewed

• Herath, N; Wijethilake, C; Wickramasinghe, D. (2023) Cremation or Burial? Informality and the Disposal of Dead Bodies during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka. Bluegrass Annual Discussions on Anthropology and Social Sciences. Lexington: Department of Anthropology. University of Kentucky, USA.
• Herath, N. (2018). Voices of Discontent: Contending Monastic Leadership in the Context of Theravada Bhikku Kathikawath (Registration) Bill in Sri Lanka. The Seventh International Conference on Advancement of Development Administration: Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies (p. 79). National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Bangkok, Thailand.
• Herath, N. (2012). Causes and Consequences of Biafran War: Failed efforts of political accommodation and lessons for Sri Lanka. Annual International Symposium – 2012 “Ensuring National Security through Reconciliation and Sustainable Development”. Ratmalana: General Sir John KotelawalaDefence University.
  Books
• Herath, N. (2014). An assessment on post-accord human rights violations in Nepal. Munich, Germany: GRIN Publishing GmbH.ISBN (eBook): 978-3-656-66383-6, ISBN (Book): 978-3-656-66382-9 (Master’s Thesis)
  Scholarly Articles
• Herath, N. (2010, March). Peace through Tourism. Beyond Intractability. (G. Burgess, & H. Burgess, Eds.) Conflict Information Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder.
• Herath, N. (2011). NEPAL: Security and Post – Accord Democratization. Silhouette, Journal of General Sir John KotelawalaDefence University.

Fellowships

• UNITE Predoctoral Research Fellow (2024/25), University of Kentucky, USA – A stipend worth $10,000 and $1,000 in research support. 

Scholarship

Department of Anthropology Scholarship for PhD in Anthropology at the University of Kentucky in the USA (2023- Present) – (Full tuition scholarship, health insurance, and a stipend of $ 18,356 per academic year).

• Joan B. Kroc Institute scholarship for MA in Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame in the USA (2009 – 2011) – (Tuition fee of approximately $38,270 per academic year and a stipend of $12,500 per academic year).
• NORAD’s Programme for Master Studies (NOMA) scholarship for MA in Conflict Peace and Development Studies at Tribhuvan University in Nepal (2007 – 2009) – (Full tuition fees, travel and living expenses).

Grants

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) grant to develop a Centre for Media Studies attached to the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (January 2022) – LKR 2,510,480 or approx. $12,400 (co-funded by the European Union’s (EU) Service for Foreign Policy Instruments).

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) grant for the proposal to initiate a Comprehensive Academic Programme on Promoting Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Responsible Use of Media through the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (November, 2020) – worth LKR 21,576,250 or approx. $119,000 (co-funded by the European Union’s (EU) Service for Foreign Policy Instruments).
• Joan B. Kroc Institute, University of Notre Dame Summer Research Funding for M.A. Thesis Students (April 2010) – Amount $1500. 

Awards

• Summer PhD Student Dissertation Research Award (2024), Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky – Amount: $ 1,500.
• Susan Abbott – Jamieson Pre-Dissertation Research Award (2024), Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky – Amount: $1,000.
• Overall Best Presentation, at the 4th International Conference on Social Sciences (ICOSS), Colombo, Sri Lanka (September 2017) – Paper title: Dealing with Monastic Reforms: A Study on the Debate over ‘Theravada Bhikkhu Kathikawath (Registration) Bill’ in Sri Lanka.

Professional Experience

• Senior Lecturer Gr. (I), Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka (October 2022 – Present).

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky, KY, USA (August 2023 – Present).

• Head, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka (September 2020 – September 2023).
• Senior Lecturer Gr. (II), Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka (October 2016 – October 2022).
• Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka (August 2013 – October 2016).
• Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka (October 2011 – August 2013).
• Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (January 2019 – May 2019).
• Visiting Lecturer, Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka (December 2018 – April 2019).
• Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Graduate Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (August 2017 – Present).
• Visiting Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (February 2014 – June 2015).
• Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Law, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (January 2013 – June 2013).
• Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (May 2013 – December 2013).
• Research Assistant, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA (August 2009 – May 2010).
• International Election Observer, Constitution Assembly Election, Bojpur, Nepal (April 2008).
• Intern, Foundation for Co-Existence (FCE), Colombo, Sri Lanka (April 2006 – September 2006).

Other Academic Related Activities (Selected)

• Member of the Ethical Review Committee (ERC), Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2014 – 2019).
• Member of the Microteaching Evaluation Panel, Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE) programme, Staff Development Centre, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana (2019).
• Reviewer of Abstracts / Papers, International Research Conferences of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2015 – 2020).
• Resource Person to develop the ‘Sri Lankan Studies module’ for MSc in Defence Studies Programme, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda (2018).
• Supervisor for a number of student dissertations at MSc in Defence Studies programme, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda (2014 – August 2023).
• Supervisor / Examiner for a number of student dissertations at MBA in Logistics Management programme, The Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee (2017 – August 2023).
• Supervisor / Examiner for a number of student dissertation at BSc. in Management programme, Faculty of Graduate Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2012 – August 2023).
• Supervisor for a number of student research projects at PGD in Defence Management, Sri Lankan Air Force Academy, China Bay (2017 – August 2023).
• Member of the editorial board, Outcome Book of the International Research Symposium on ‘Ensuring National Security through Reconciliation and Sustainable Development’, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2012).
• Supervisor and Examiner for a number of undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, at the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities; and Faculty of Graduate Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2011 – August 2023).

Student Services and Academic Administration (Selected)

• Supervisor / Coordinator for establishment of the Centre for Media Studies attached to the Department of Social Sciences under UNDP project on Promoting Non – Violent Communication and Responsible Use of Media, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (November 2020 – August 2023).
• Supervisor / Contributor for development of the BSc. Hons degree programmes in the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (November 2020 – August 2023).
• Supervisor / Contributor for development of the Certificate programme on Non – Violent Communication and Media, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (November 2020 – August 2023).
• Member of the Internal Quality Assurance and Accreditation Committee (IQAC), Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (September 2020 – August 2023).
• Member of the Curriculum Review and Development Committee (CRD), Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (September 2020 – August 2023).
• Student Counsellor of the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2018 – August 2023).
• Student Mentor, KDU Student Mentoring Programme, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2017 – August 2023)
• Faculty Coordinator for Learning Management System (LMS), Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2020 – August 2023)
• Coordinator of the Faculty Website Maintenance Committee, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2015 – 2020).
• Coordinator of the Curriculum Revisions and Degree Restructuring Committee, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities (2014 – 2020).
• Chair of the Faculty Corporate Plan Committee, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2018).
• Coordinator of the First Annual Career Fair, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2018).
• Student Internships Coordinator, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2017 – 2018)
• Research Coordinator of Undergraduate Research Projects, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2016 – 2018).
• Coordinator of the First Faculty Career Guidance Workshop, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2018).
• Coordinator of the ‘Annual Case Study Tour’ of the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2013 and 2017).
• Committee Member of Foreign Delegates Coordinating Committee, International Research Conference of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017).
• Committee Member to organize the Management, Social Sciences and Humanities Technical Sessions at the International Research Conference of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2013 – 2020).
• Coordinator for Department’s Website Maintenance, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2012 and 2015).
• Committee Member to publish the Silhouette Journal of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2013).
• Coordinator of the ‘Stress Management Counseling Workshop’ organized by the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2012).

GUEST LECTURES AND INVITED EVENTS

•  Guest of Honour at the 8th Kumon Annual Awards ceremony, Kumon Learning Centre, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka (November 2022).
•  Guest Lecture on ‘Building an Asian Community: Political Issues and Challenges’, in the short course on “Cultural Linkages towards an Asian Ideology”, organized by the Department of Social Sciences and funded by the Eurasia Foundation (from Asia) in Japan (2020 – 2023).
• Panel Member of the UNESCO and Mythos Labs virtual roundtable on ‘Innovative Ways to Increase Social Media Literacy in Sri Lanka’, organized by UNESCO Cluster Office, New Delhi, India (December 2021).
• Guest Lecture on ‘Conflict Resolution Skills’ at the MSc in Defence Studies Programme, Defence Services Command and Staff College of Sri Lanka, Sapugaskanda, Sri Lanka (2019).
• Guest Lecture on ‘Research Approaches’ at the MSc in Defence Studies Programme, Defence Services Command and Staff College of Sri Lanka, Sapugaskanda, Sri Lanka (2016 and 2017).
• Panel member of the Inter-University Peace Discussion on “The Crisis of Civilization: Challenges for a Caring Society”, International Peace Day Celebration, organized by the Department of Philosophy, University of Kelaniya (2013).
•  Guest lecture on ‘Introduction to Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping’ at the Advance Programme on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Institute of Peace Support Operations Training, Kukulegaga, Sri Lanka (2012 and 2013).
• Guest Lecture on ‘Introduction to the fields of Sociology and Psychology’ at the Junior Commanders Course, Staff College of Sri Lanka Air Force, China Bay, Sri Lanka (2012 and 2013).

OTHER ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES (SELECTED)

• Reviewer of Abstracts, International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya (2023).
•  Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2022 – 2023).
•  Member of the Microteaching Evaluation Panel, Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE) programme, Staff Development Centre, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana (2019).
•  Resource Person to develop the ‘Sri Lankan Studies module’ for MSc in Defence Studies Programme, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda (2018).
• Supervisor for student dissertations at MBA in Logistics Management programme, The Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee (2017 – 2023).
• Supervisor for student research projects at PGD in Defence Management, Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, China Bay (2017 – 2023).
•  Reviewer of Abstracts / Papers, International Research Conference (IRC) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2015 – Present).
•  Member of the Ethics Review Committee (ERC), Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2014 – 2019).
• Supervisor for student dissertations at MSc in Defence Studies programme, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda (2014 – Present).
• Supervisor / Examiner for student dissertation at BSc. in Management programme, Faculty of Graduate Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2012 – Present).
• Member of the editorial board, Outcome Book of the International Research Symposium on ‘Ensuring National Security through Reconciliation and Sustainable Development’, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2011).
• Supervisor and Examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, at the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities; and Faculty of Graduate Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2011 – Present).

STUDENT SERVICES AND ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION (SELECTED)

• Board member to develop a guideline for granting scholarships for day-scholars with financial difficulties, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2022).
• Convener of the special senate committee to develop a policy on deferment of studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2022).
• Family sponsor for an Afghan officer cadet, family sponsorship programme for foreign students, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2022 – Present).
• Member of the Technical Evaluation Committee for the renewal of Emerald Database for the Library of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (October 2022).
• Member of the Technical Evaluation Committee for the renewal of GIS software, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (October 2022).
• Supervisor for producing the student-led short film “The Circle”, produced by the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (January 2022).
• Supervisor for organizing six (06) workshops on Nonviolent Communication and Media for young journalists, school teachers, university students, armed forces and police, by the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (March 2021 – September 2022).
•  Supervisor for curriculum revision of the BSc. in Social Sciences degree programme, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2021).
• Supervisor for organizing a special television programme on “Empathy and Communication” at Independent Television Network (ITN), Sri Lanka (October 2021).
• Supervisor for developing Alumni Database of the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2021 – Present).
• Faculty Coordinator for Learning Management System (LMS), Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2020 – Present).
•  Supervisor for the establishment of the Centre for Media Studies attached to the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (November 2020 – Present).
• Supervisor for the development of the BSc. Honours degree programmes in the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (November 2020 – Present).
• Supervisor for curriculum development of the first ever Certificate programme on Non – Violent Communication and Media (NVCM), Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (November 2020 – August 2021).
• Member of the Internal Quality Assurance and Accreditation Committee (IQAC), Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (September 2020 – Present).
• Member of the Curriculum Review and Development Committee (CRD), Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (September 2020 – Present).
• Chair of the Faculty Corporate Plan Committee, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2018).
• Coordinator of the First Annual Career Fair, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities (2018).
• Student Counsellor of the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2018 – Present).
• Coordinator of the Faculty Career Guidance Workshop, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University  (2018).
• Student Internships Coordinator, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2017 – 2018).
• Student Mentor, Student Mentoring Programme, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2017 – Present).
•  Research Coordinator of Undergraduate Research Projects, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2016 – 2018).
• Coordinator of the Faculty Website Maintenance Committee, Faculty of Management,  Social Sciences and Humanities, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2015 – 2020).
• Coordinator of the Curriculum Revisions and Degree Restructuring Committee, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities (2014 – 2020).
• Committee Member to organize the General Convocation of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2014 and 2015).
• President / Committee Member of Technical Evaluation Committee for Purchasing Library books for General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2014 and 2022).
•  Committee Member of the Foreign Delegates Coordinating Committee, International Research Conference (IRC) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017).
•  Coordinator of the ‘Annual Case Study Tour’ of the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2013, 2017 and 2022).
• Committee Member to organize the Management, Social Sciences and Humanities Technical Sessions at the International Research Conference (IRC) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2013 – 2022).
• Committee Member to publish the ‘Silhouette’, Journal of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2013).
• Coordinator for Department’s Website Maintenance, Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2012 and 2015).
• Coordinator of the ‘Stress Management & Counselling Workshop’ organized by the Department of Social Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (2012).

PARTICIPATIONS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES (SELECTED)

• Training Programme on “Responsible Conduct of Research”, Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), requirement set by University of Kentucky, USA (September 2023).
• Training Programme on “Counselling Skills Development for Student Counsellors”, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, (October, 2018).
•  Workshop on “Evaluation of Research Proposals by ERCs”, conducted by Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka (February 2016).
• Summer seminar on “Diversity and Exclusions: Inter-disciplinary Approaches to State, Society and Culture”, organized by the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES), Colombo, Sri Lanka (August 2013).
• Certificate Course in “Introduction to SPSS for Statistical Analysis”, conducted by the National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (NCAS), Colombo, Sri Lanka (January 2013).
• Certificate Course in “Social Science Research Methodologies”, conducted by the National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (NCAS), Colombo, Sri Lanka (July 2012).
• Workshop on “Social Science Research and Comprehensive Research Proposal Development”, conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Colombo, Sri Lanka (February 2012).
• Training Programme for volunteer mediators in “Victim Offender Reconciliation Programme”, conducted by the Centre for Community Justice, Elkhart. IN, USA (November 2010).
• Training Seminar on “Promoting Peace through Dialogue”, conducted by the Global Majority and the Department of Conflict Peace & Development Studies, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal (March 2008).
• Workshop on “Art of Conflict Transformation (ACT)”, conducted by the Facilitating for Local Initiatives in Conflict Transformation (FLICT), Colombo, Sri Lanka (August 2006).

SPORTS – UNIVERSITY LEVEL

• Captain of the University Karate Team, University of Kelaniya, 2005 – 2006.
• Award of University of Kelaniya Colours Insignia for the performance in Karate – year 2004 – 05.
• Re- award of University of Kelaniya Colours Insignia for the performance in Karate – year 2005 – 06.

AESTHETICS

• Sageet Visharad – Bhathkande Sangit Vidyapith, Lucknow, India (2005).

• Vice President of the Anthropology Graduate Student Association (AGSA) (2024/25), University of Kentucky, USA. 
• Member of the Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society, USA. 
• Member of the American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies (AISLS)
• Member of The American Anthropological Association (AAA)
• Associate member of Sri Lanka National Institute of Professional Counselors.