President of ASWSL
Dr. Ven. Omalpe Somananda Thero
About : Dr. Ven. Somananda is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka. Previously a lecturer at the National Institute of Social Development in Sri Lanka, he is pioneering the new academic field of Buddhist Social Work, integrating Buddhist principles with modern social work practices in Sri Lanka. Dr. Ven. Somananda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Buddhist and Pali University, a Master’s degree in Social Work from Bangalore University, and a Doctorate in Social Work from Shukutoku University, Japan. His extensive academic and field experience underpins his commitment to advancing Buddhist Social Work in Sri Lanka.
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Buddhist Culture, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka.
Contact: +9477 796 1138
Email: omalpes@bpu.ac.lk
Secretary of ASWSL
Dr.Chulani Herath
Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
About: Dr. Herath is currently the Director of the Center for Quality Assurance at the Open University of Sri Lanka and serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology and Counselling. Her educational journey includes a Ph.D. in Social Medicine and Health Management from Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, complemented by a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in Psychiatric Social Work, completed in collaboration with Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. Dr. Herath also holds a B.A. (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Peradeniya. With her extensive knowledge and experience, Dr. Herath plays a pivotal role in guiding ASWSL’s initiatives, fostering professional development, and advocating for best practices in social work and mental health.
Contact:
Email: hmche@ou.ac.lk
Treasure of ASWSL
MS. Ishari Gunarathna
Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
About: Ishari Gunarathna serves as the Treasurer of the Association of Social Workers of Sri Lanka (ASWSL), bringing with her a wealth of expertise in social work and community development. She has been a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Peradeniya since 2021. Ishari’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2010, followed by an MSc in Development Communication and Extension from the University of Peradeniya in 2015. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Social Work at the same university, furthering her commitment to the field. Her professional interests span several key areas within social work, including Direct Practice Methods, Social Work and Disability, and Community Development.
Contact:
Email: ishari.g@gmail.com