Past Events

The Faculty of Criminal Justice at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University proudly hosted a distinguished guest lecture by Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, VSV, USP, psc, MMaritimePol, BSc (DS), the Vice Chancellor of KDU, on June 18, 2024. This event, part of the 2024 Guest Lecture Series, was a significant milestone for the faculty, bringing insightful discussions on “International Maritime Law, Maritime Crime, and Criminal Justice” to the forefront.

The lecture commenced with a warm welcome by Deshabandu Prof. MADJS Nirella, Dean of the Faculty of Criminal Justice. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of the topic, especially for an island nation like Sri Lanka. The event was well-attended by students and faculty members.

The Faculty of Criminal Justice extends its gratitude to Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara for his enlightening lecture and to all those who contributed to the successful conduct of this event. This lecture not only enhanced the academic discourse within the faculty but also reinforced the significance of maritime security in the realm of criminal justice.

On the 7th of October 2022, Dr. Sanjaya Hulathduwa delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Medico-Legal Aspects of Evidence Collection and Injury Interpretation in Child Abuse.” The lecture was conducted as part of the course BPS 12102: Gender Diversity, Gender Sensitivity-related Investigation.

Dr. Hulathduwa, a distinguished Head and Professor in Forensic Medicine at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, holds an impressive array of qualifications, including MBBS, DLM, MD, DMJ (Clin) (Lond), DMJ (Path) (Lond), Dip Crim, and MFFLM (UK). His expertise provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the medico-legal challenges involved in the investigation of child abuse cases, focusing on the critical aspects of evidence collection and injury interpretation.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, enhancing students’ knowledge and sensitivity towards gender-related issues in forensic investigations. The faculty appreciates Prof. Sanjaya Ravindra Hulathduwa’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 26th of September 2023, SSP Lanka Rajini Amarasena delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Police Work in the Trial Stage with Juveniles in Sri Lankan for Police Officer Students.” The lecture was conducted as part of the course BCC 22183: Children and Justice.

SSP Lanka Rajini Amarasena, a distinguished Senior Superintendent of Police and Director (Admin) at Police Headquarters, shared her extensive experience and knowledge on the challenges and procedures involved in handling juveniles during trial stages. Her expertise provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in juvenile justice, focusing on the critical role of police officers in ensuring fair and just processes for young offenders.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, enhancing students’ knowledge and sensitivity towards issues related to children and justice. The faculty appreciates SSP Lanka Rajini Amarasena’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 4th of September 2023, Dr. Charika Marasinghe delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Different International Instruments Related to Children.” The lecture was conducted as part of the academic curriculum.

Dr. Charika Marasinghe, a highly esteemed academic and practitioner, holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Honours from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and is an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka as well as a Solicitor of the United Kingdom. Additionally, she holds a Master of Letters degree (M.Litt.) and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (D.Phil) in International Law from the University of Oxford, specializing in International Human Rights and Child Rights Law.

Her lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of various international legal instruments related to children’s rights, highlighting their importance and application in protecting and promoting the rights of children globally.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, significantly enhancing students’ knowledge of international child rights laws and their practical implications. The faculty appreciates Dr. Charika Marasinghe’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 17th of April 2023, Prof. DCA Suranga Silva delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Methods of Data Collection and Communication.” The lecture was conducted as part of the course BPS 21163: Research Methodology.

Prof. DCA Suranga Silva, a distinguished academic, holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam, an MPhil from Maastricht University, an MA, and a BA Honours from the University of Colombo. He is the Co-ordinator of the Sustainable Tourism Unit (STU) in the Faculty of Arts, Department of Economics, at the University of Colombo.

His lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of various methods of data collection and effective communication strategies, essential for conducting robust research. Prof. Silva’s expertise in these areas significantly enriched the students’ knowledge, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their research endeavors.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, enhancing students’ research methodology capabilities. The faculty appreciates Prof. DCA Suranga Silva’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 30th of March 2023, Prof. PRN Fernando delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Formulation of Hypothesis.” The lecture was conducted as part of the course BPS 21163: Research Methodology.

Prof. PRN Fernando, a distinguished academic and researcher, holds a BA (Hons), an M.Phil from the University of Colombo, a Postgraduate Diploma in Sociology from La Trobe University, Australia, and a PhD from the University of Bonn, Germany. He is a Senior Lecturer, Head of the Department of Sociology, and Director of the Social Policy Analysis and Research Center in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Colombo.

His lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the critical process of formulating hypotheses in research, emphasizing the importance of clear, testable, and relevant hypotheses in the scientific inquiry. Prof. Fernando’s extensive expertise in sociology and research methodology greatly enriched the students’ learning experience, equipping them with essential skills for their research projects.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, significantly enhancing students’ research methodology capabilities. The faculty appreciates Prof. PRN Fernando’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 3rd of April 2023, Prof. CL Goonasekara delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “How to Publish a Research Article.” The lecture was conducted as part of the academic curriculum for students.

Prof. CL Goonasekara, a highly esteemed academic, holds a BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Special) from the University of Colombo (2002), a PhD in Biochemistry from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada (2008), and has completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia (2008-2010). He is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at KDU.

His lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the process involved in publishing research articles, including selecting appropriate journals, understanding the peer review process, and adhering to publication ethics. Prof. Goonasekara’s extensive experience in biochemistry and academic publishing significantly enriched the students’ knowledge and skills in preparing and submitting their research for publication.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, enhancing students’ understanding of the publication process and improving their ability to disseminate research findings effectively. The faculty appreciates Prof. CL Goonasekara’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 20th of February and the 8th of February, Mrs. TC Ranawella delivered insightful and impactful guest lectures on the topics “Plagiarism, Citation, and Different Styles of Referencing” and “Performing Literature Survey Using Online Media.” These lectures were conducted as part of the course BPS 21163: Research Methodology.

Mrs. TC Ranawella, a distinguished Senior Assistant Librarian at KDU, shared her extensive knowledge and experience on these critical aspects of academic research. Her lectures provided students with a comprehensive understanding of how to avoid plagiarism, properly cite sources, and use different referencing styles effectively. Additionally, she taught students how to perform thorough literature surveys using online media, enhancing their research capabilities.

These guest lectures were valuable additions to the academic program, significantly enhancing students’ research methodology skills and their understanding of academic integrity. The faculty appreciates Mrs. TC Ranawella’s contributions and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 24th of February 2023, Mr. Roshan Sampath Siriwardene delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Research Design and Strategies and Techniques in Measurements and Scales.” The lecture was conducted as part of the academic curriculum.

Mr. Roshan Sampath Siriwardene, a distinguished Senior Lecturer in the Department of Logistics and Transport at CINEC Campus, shared his extensive expertise on the intricacies of research design, strategies, and the use of various techniques in measurements and scales. His lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of how to design robust research studies and accurately measure and scale data.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, significantly enhancing students’ knowledge and skills in research methodology. The faculty appreciates Mr. Roshan Sampath Siriwardene’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 24th of April 2024, Dr. Kamalika Jayathilaka delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Qualitative Data Analysis.” The lecture was conducted as part of the course BCC 31234: Research Methodology.

Dr. Kamalika Jayathilaka, a distinguished Senior Lecturer (Grade I) and the Dean of the Faculty of Indigenous Social Sciences and Management Studies at Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, shared her extensive knowledge and expertise in qualitative data analysis. Her lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of various qualitative data analysis techniques, emphasizing their application in social sciences and research methodologies.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, significantly enhancing students’ skills in analyzing qualitative data and contributing to their overall research capabilities. The faculty appreciates Dr. Kamalika Jayathilaka’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

Dr. Lakshika Liyanage delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Ethical Considerations” as part of the course BCC 31234: Research Methodology. Dr. Lakshika Liyanage holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. from Durham University, UK, a B.A. (Hons) from the University of Peradeniya, and a Diploma in Psychology & Counselling. She is the Dean of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences, and Humanities. 

Her lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the ethical considerations in research, emphasizing the importance of integrity, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making in academic and professional research. Dr. Liyanage’s extensive expertise in ethics and research significantly enriched the students’ knowledge and awareness of ethical issues in their research endeavors.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, enhancing students’ understanding of ethical principles in research methodology. The faculty appreciates Dr. Lakshika Liyanage’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 19th of August 2022, Dr. Anusha Edirisinghe delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Gender Discrimination in Sri Lankan Society; Cultural Perspective.” The lecture was conducted as part of the academic curriculum.

Dr. Anusha Edirisinghe, a distinguished Senior Lecturer (Grade I) in Sociology and Criminology at the Department of Sociology, University of Kelaniya, shared her extensive knowledge and expertise on gender discrimination and its cultural implications in Sri Lankan society. She is also a Council member of the National Institute of Social Development (2022) and the Foundation for Innovative Social Development (2024), and a Committee member of women’s peace and security in the Ministry of Women and Children (2023).

Her lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the cultural factors contributing to gender discrimination in Sri Lanka, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues to promote gender equality and social justice.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, significantly enhancing students’ awareness and understanding of gender-related issues in society. The faculty appreciates Dr. Anusha Edirisinghe’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.

On the 15th of May 2023, Prof. Debarati Halder delivered an insightful and impactful guest lecture on the topic “Digi World, Gender Justice, and Women and Girl Children; South Asian Criminal Justice Perspective.” The lecture was conducted as part of the academic curriculum.

Prof. Debarati Halder, a distinguished Professor in Law at the Parul Institute of Law, Parul University, India, shared her extensive expertise on the intersection of digital technologies, gender justice, and the rights of women and girl children within the South Asian criminal justice context. Her lecture provided students with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in addressing gender justice in the digital age, particularly within the South Asian legal framework.

This guest lecture was a valuable addition to the academic program, significantly enhancing students’ knowledge of digital gender justice issues and their implications for women and girl children in South Asia. The faculty appreciates Prof. Debarati Halder’s contribution and looks forward to more such enriching sessions in the future.