HAL Talks
What’s Next
Coins and Currency As a Source of Historical Research
Chandrika Neelamani Jayasinghe
A Numismatist, Specialising in Sri Lankan Coinage,
(particularly money of the Early Historical Period)
BA Hon., MA on Archaeology, University of Kelaniya,
ශ්රී ලංකාව තම්බපන්නිය වූයේ කෙසේද ?
Prof. Arjuna thantilage Director, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya
Previous Episodes
The Chronicle of Indigenous Theatre
This presentation explores the past, present, and heritage of traditional theatre arts. It provides a simple introduction to what drama and theatre are, the different types of contemporary theatre, and their religious and cultural contexts. It also traces the evolution of modern theatre and how it has developed over time.
Prasannajith Abeysuriya
Senior Lecturer, Department of Drama, Ballet & Contemporary Dance, University of the Visual & Performing Arts
HAL Talks – Episode 08
7th June 2026
Irrigation Heritage in Ancient Sri Lanka
This presentation looks at the ancient irrigation systems of Sri Lanka and the engineering technology behind them. It explains how tank cascade systems and connected waterways worked together to support farming and village life. It also covers the surrounding ecosystems, social and cultural activities linked to irrigation, and the main parts of traditional reservoirs and lakes.
Prof. Chandana Withanachchi
Senior Professor Department of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
HAL Talks – Episode 07
26th April 2026
Is the Kolam Face Just a Mask?
This is a discussion on the history and evolution of Sri Lanka’s Kolam theatre tradition, its current practice, and the challenges it faces today. The authenticity of this traditional art form is being preserved and carried forward by a rich family heritage in Kolam performance, the Ambalangoda Juwanwadu Wijesooriya lineage.
Manoshika Wijesooriya
A distinguished artist representing the seventh generation of the traditional Ambalangoda Juwanwadu Wijesuriya Kolam lineage
HAL Talks – Episode 06
29th March 2026
Danigala Petroglyphs
In this presentation, Prof. Raj Somadeva presents his recent research findings on the Danigala Petroglyphs, an important prehistoric rock art site in Sri Lanka. His work provides new insights into the cognitive world of early human communities, revealing aspects of their mindset, symbolic expression, and spiritual beliefs.
Prof. Raj Somadeva
Senior Professor in Archaeology at the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka
HAL Talks – Episode 05
22nd February 2026
If the images of the kings of Sinhala are reconstructed…
A conversation on Mahavamsa Pradeepika. A 650-page, full colour book created through more than ten years of evidence based research. The book includes over 200 reconstructed portraits of Sri Lankan kings, more than 170 royal family records, and introduces the world’s first physically updatable book system.
Isura Wickramarachchi
Author
Mahawansa Pradeepikawa
HAL Talks – Episode 04
18th January 2026
The Heritage we think we know… but we don’t know!
This presentation looks at ten Sri Lankan historical heritage topics that are often misunderstood or not well known. It explains them in a broader way and shows what they truly demonstrate relating to the context.
Dr. Ishanka Malsiri
Senior Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
HAL Talks – Episode 03
26th July 2025
Sri Lanka’s prehistory revealed by human and animal fossils
This presentation explores the Pleistocene Epoch in Sri Lanka, a pivotal period in human prehistory. It highlights evidence of early Homo sapiens in the region, including key developments such as the use of fire and other significant milestones in human evolution, as revealed through fossil records and archaeological findings.
Dr. Kelum Manamendra
Zoo Archaeologist, Naturalist, Faunal Specialist
Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka
HAL Talks – Episode 02
27th June 2025
Sri Lanka’s Secrets Beneath the Sea
This presentation explores the importance of underwater archaeology, highlighting how it differs from terrestrial archaeology in methods, challenges, and discoveries. It also showcases major underwater archaeological sites and ongoing research projects in Sri Lanka, revealing the rich cultural and historical heritage preserved beneath the ocean.
Amalka Wijesooriya
Lecturer, Dept. of History & Archaeology, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
HAL Talks – Episode 01
19th May 2025
