Research Interests
Buddhist Philosophy
Buddhist Social Work
Western-rooted Professional Social Work,
Social welfare and Development
Current Research Activities:
Ph.D. Reading, An Analytical study on applicability of Teaching in Buddhism for the Development of Buddhist Social Work Education based on Sutta Pitaka, Shukutoku University of Japan
Buddhist Social Work
Western-rooted Professional Social Work,
Social welfare and Development
Current Research Activities:
Ph.D. Reading, An Analytical study on applicability of Teaching in Buddhism for the Development of Buddhist Social Work Education based on Sutta Pitaka, Shukutoku University of Japan
Education
Ph.D. in Social Welfare, Shukutoku University, Japan, 2022.
M.S.W. Social Work, (Two year- with research) University of Bangalore, India
B.A. (Hons.) Buddhist Philosophy, (First class) Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Dip.S.W. Social Work, (Two-year full time) National Institute of Social Development in Sri Lanka
Dip. Certificate Course, Counseling, Chellamuththu National Institute of Mental Health in Madurei, India
Dip. Certificate Course, Child support counseling, Save the Children in Sri Lanka
Certificate Course, Staff Development, Staff Development Center Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Certificate Course, Counseling and Family Life Education, Family Studies & Services Institute, Colombo
Certificate Course in China’s Experience in the development of Economic Special Zone for Eurasian Countries, Beijing – China
M.S.W. Social Work, (Two year- with research) University of Bangalore, India
B.A. (Hons.) Buddhist Philosophy, (First class) Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Dip.S.W. Social Work, (Two-year full time) National Institute of Social Development in Sri Lanka
Dip. Certificate Course, Counseling, Chellamuththu National Institute of Mental Health in Madurei, India
Dip. Certificate Course, Child support counseling, Save the Children in Sri Lanka
Certificate Course, Staff Development, Staff Development Center Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Certificate Course, Counseling and Family Life Education, Family Studies & Services Institute, Colombo
Certificate Course in China’s Experience in the development of Economic Special Zone for Eurasian Countries, Beijing – China
Professional Experience
Social development officer, Save the Children in Sri Lanka ( ADEP), Aug 2002 - Nove 2004
Co-ordinater, Field Teaching Center - Welikanda, (NISD), Nov 2004 - May 2006
Field Supervisor, National institute of Social development , January 2003, February 2005
Research Assistant , National institute of Social development, May 2006 - 2009 March
Co-ordinater, Field Teaching Center - Welikanda, (NISD), Nov 2004 - May 2006
Field Supervisor, National institute of Social development , January 2003, February 2005
Research Assistant , National institute of Social development, May 2006 - 2009 March
Presentations
International Conferences:
Integrated Social Work intervention in supporting the development of families living in poverty, 2012, An international conference on Social work practice in Multicultural contexts, Department of studies and research in social work in Tumkur University Tumkur, India
Role of Social Work in Building Ethnic Harmony through Religions Practice, 2015, International Conference on Religious Tolerance and Harmony, Department of Religious Studies and Comparative Philosophy, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Problems and Challenges faced by People due to Uma Oya water Multi-Purpose Development Project- Sri Lanka, 2018 the 3rd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches on UN Sustainable Development Goals - (UNSDGs), December 28th - 29th, Bangkok, Thailand
Buddhist Social Work - Social Work Practice in Community Development, 2019, International conference on Buddhism in Social Development Context in Asian Region, ARIISW – Shukutoku University Japan
Exploring the Aspects and Role of Buddhism in Community Development in Sri Lank, 2019, A scholarly conference on the role of Social Work in community development- Bangalore. India
The need for a Buddhist Social Work approach to Asian culture, 2020, International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) online global conference
Study on Buddhist Social Work education in South Asia: Opportunities, Diversity and Challenges, 2020, The 3rd International webinar (IWBS-2020), Global well-being and the tenets of ancient Indian Traditions with reference to Buddhism, Gauthama Buddha University, India
COVID 19, welfare service and Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, 2020, The 8th International public health and Bioethics Ambassador conference, American University of Sovereign, USA
Relationship between Sri Lankan culture, diets and COVID 19 disease control, 2020, The 6th International public health and Bioethics Ambassador conference, American University of Sovereign, USA
COVID 19, and the role of Temple in Sri Lanka, 2020, Webinar conference, Asian Research Institute for International Social Work, Shukutoku University, Japan
Buddhism and Buddhist Culture in Sri Lanka, 2020, Webinar conference, Asian Research Institute for International Social Work, Shukutoku University, Japan
National Conference:
Social work practice in integrated social work intervention families living in poverty, 2010, Conference on family Social work: Towards evidence based practice, Sri Lanka Association of professional social workers, National Institute of Social Development
Role of the psychiatric Social work in in-patient and outpatient and community care, 2011, Introduction to mental health for Social work in Sri Lanka, People Rural development Association (PRDA) Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Social Work Intervention: Women Empowerment through Self-help Groups- A case study-2018, Research Symposium of the Academic Staff, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
A study on Buddhist Social Work intervention: Psycho-Social Challenges faced by teenage mothers, 2019, Research Symposium of the Academic Staff, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
International Training Programme:
Seminar on China’s Experience in the development of Economic Special Zone for Eurasian Countries from July 14th to August 3rd 2015 in Beijing – China
Participated in the International Workshop on “Volunteer Management system”, held on 17- 18 02. 2011 in Ivolunteer at Institute of Volunteer management, Mumbai India
Participated in the International training on “Child protection and Skills in psycho Social care” held on from April 25th to May 10th 2008, by M.S. Chellamuthu Institute of Mental health and Rehabilitation. In Mumbai, Tamilnadu, India
“Field Work Training” from 28.08.2007 to 14. 11. 2007, in Bangalore Institute of Oncology ( Cancer Hospital)
“Field Work Training” for 25 days from 8.01. 2008 to 14. 04. 2008, in Medico-Pastoral Association, Bangalore ( Center for Mental Health Care)
National / Local Trainings:
Appreciation on “in taking part in organizing and actively participating in all respects” Care and Development of children affected by Armed Conflict a Project, organized by Save the Children in Sri Lanka and ADEP, held at St. Anthony’s College- Katugasthota, Kandy from 10th December 2003 to 14th December 2003.
Participated in the workshop on “TOT Child protection”Conducted by the Save the Children and ADEP, from 7/9. 08. 2004, Welikanda in Polonnaruwa.
Participated in the Training on“Conflict Management”from 3/ 4. 10. 2005, Training Division- National Institute of Social Development
Participated in the Training workshop on“Mental Health, Illness and Social Work”held on 7th and 8th December 2009, People’s Rural Development Association
( PRDA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Participated in the Training workshop on“Mental Health, and Social Work”held on 11th and 12th October 2010, People’s Rural Development Association
(PRDA) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and McGill University and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Canada
Participated in the Training workshop on“Mental Health, Illness and Social Work”held on 7th and 8th December 2009, People’s Rural Development Association
( PRDA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Participated in the Training workshop on“Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)”held on 30th May to 5th of June 2013, Organized by the Social Development policy, Research and publication Division at National Institute of Social Development (NISD)
Workshop:
Participated in the workshop on TOT for conducting survey of families of prison inmates. Conducted by the ministry of social services & social welfare. Sri Lanka. From 24th July 2006 to 26 July 2006.
Participated in the Workshop on " Psychiatric social work An update " held on 24th,& 25th January 2008.at Department of psychiatric social work National institute of mental health & neuron sciences ( NIMHANS ) Bangalore, India.
Participated in one day workshop on “Focus Group Discussion (FGD”held on 9th August 2010, Organized by the Social Development policy, Research and publication Division at National Institute of Social Development (NISD)
Participated in two days’ workshop on “Social Work Research Proposal Writing”held on 29th and 30th May 2014, Organized by the Social Development policy, Research and publication Division at National Institute of Social Development (NISD)
Seminar
Participated in international Seminar on “AUTISM THE FUTURE DEFINED” held on the 11th & 12th of January 2008 at NIMHANS. Bangalore, India
Integrated Social Work intervention in supporting the development of families living in poverty, 2012, An international conference on Social work practice in Multicultural contexts, Department of studies and research in social work in Tumkur University Tumkur, India
Role of Social Work in Building Ethnic Harmony through Religions Practice, 2015, International Conference on Religious Tolerance and Harmony, Department of Religious Studies and Comparative Philosophy, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Problems and Challenges faced by People due to Uma Oya water Multi-Purpose Development Project- Sri Lanka, 2018 the 3rd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches on UN Sustainable Development Goals - (UNSDGs), December 28th - 29th, Bangkok, Thailand
Buddhist Social Work - Social Work Practice in Community Development, 2019, International conference on Buddhism in Social Development Context in Asian Region, ARIISW – Shukutoku University Japan
Exploring the Aspects and Role of Buddhism in Community Development in Sri Lank, 2019, A scholarly conference on the role of Social Work in community development- Bangalore. India
The need for a Buddhist Social Work approach to Asian culture, 2020, International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) online global conference
Study on Buddhist Social Work education in South Asia: Opportunities, Diversity and Challenges, 2020, The 3rd International webinar (IWBS-2020), Global well-being and the tenets of ancient Indian Traditions with reference to Buddhism, Gauthama Buddha University, India
COVID 19, welfare service and Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, 2020, The 8th International public health and Bioethics Ambassador conference, American University of Sovereign, USA
Relationship between Sri Lankan culture, diets and COVID 19 disease control, 2020, The 6th International public health and Bioethics Ambassador conference, American University of Sovereign, USA
COVID 19, and the role of Temple in Sri Lanka, 2020, Webinar conference, Asian Research Institute for International Social Work, Shukutoku University, Japan
Buddhism and Buddhist Culture in Sri Lanka, 2020, Webinar conference, Asian Research Institute for International Social Work, Shukutoku University, Japan
National Conference:
Social work practice in integrated social work intervention families living in poverty, 2010, Conference on family Social work: Towards evidence based practice, Sri Lanka Association of professional social workers, National Institute of Social Development
Role of the psychiatric Social work in in-patient and outpatient and community care, 2011, Introduction to mental health for Social work in Sri Lanka, People Rural development Association (PRDA) Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Social Work Intervention: Women Empowerment through Self-help Groups- A case study-2018, Research Symposium of the Academic Staff, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
A study on Buddhist Social Work intervention: Psycho-Social Challenges faced by teenage mothers, 2019, Research Symposium of the Academic Staff, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
International Training Programme:
Seminar on China’s Experience in the development of Economic Special Zone for Eurasian Countries from July 14th to August 3rd 2015 in Beijing – China
Participated in the International Workshop on “Volunteer Management system”, held on 17- 18 02. 2011 in Ivolunteer at Institute of Volunteer management, Mumbai India
Participated in the International training on “Child protection and Skills in psycho Social care” held on from April 25th to May 10th 2008, by M.S. Chellamuthu Institute of Mental health and Rehabilitation. In Mumbai, Tamilnadu, India
“Field Work Training” from 28.08.2007 to 14. 11. 2007, in Bangalore Institute of Oncology ( Cancer Hospital)
“Field Work Training” for 25 days from 8.01. 2008 to 14. 04. 2008, in Medico-Pastoral Association, Bangalore ( Center for Mental Health Care)
National / Local Trainings:
Appreciation on “in taking part in organizing and actively participating in all respects” Care and Development of children affected by Armed Conflict a Project, organized by Save the Children in Sri Lanka and ADEP, held at St. Anthony’s College- Katugasthota, Kandy from 10th December 2003 to 14th December 2003.
Participated in the workshop on “TOT Child protection”Conducted by the Save the Children and ADEP, from 7/9. 08. 2004, Welikanda in Polonnaruwa.
Participated in the Training on“Conflict Management”from 3/ 4. 10. 2005, Training Division- National Institute of Social Development
Participated in the Training workshop on“Mental Health, Illness and Social Work”held on 7th and 8th December 2009, People’s Rural Development Association
( PRDA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Participated in the Training workshop on“Mental Health, and Social Work”held on 11th and 12th October 2010, People’s Rural Development Association
(PRDA) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and McGill University and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Canada
Participated in the Training workshop on“Mental Health, Illness and Social Work”held on 7th and 8th December 2009, People’s Rural Development Association
( PRDA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Participated in the Training workshop on“Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)”held on 30th May to 5th of June 2013, Organized by the Social Development policy, Research and publication Division at National Institute of Social Development (NISD)
Workshop:
Participated in the workshop on TOT for conducting survey of families of prison inmates. Conducted by the ministry of social services & social welfare. Sri Lanka. From 24th July 2006 to 26 July 2006.
Participated in the Workshop on " Psychiatric social work An update " held on 24th,& 25th January 2008.at Department of psychiatric social work National institute of mental health & neuron sciences ( NIMHANS ) Bangalore, India.
Participated in one day workshop on “Focus Group Discussion (FGD”held on 9th August 2010, Organized by the Social Development policy, Research and publication Division at National Institute of Social Development (NISD)
Participated in two days’ workshop on “Social Work Research Proposal Writing”held on 29th and 30th May 2014, Organized by the Social Development policy, Research and publication Division at National Institute of Social Development (NISD)
Seminar
Participated in international Seminar on “AUTISM THE FUTURE DEFINED” held on the 11th & 12th of January 2008 at NIMHANS. Bangalore, India
Journal Articles
Articles in Peer Reviewed Journals:
Somananda, O., 2012, “The Importance of Supervision in Social Work Education and Practice, Journal of Professionalization of Social Work in Sri Lanka 1952-2012, (Peer Reviewed Journal), National Institute social development. (NISD) Colombo
Somananda, O., 2015, Contribution of Buddhist Philosophy of Scientific lows and Concept Related to Criminology, Samaja Sanhitha Volume No 1, (Peer Reviewed Journal), Social Development policy research and Publication Division, National Institute of Social Development, 104-109
Somananda, O., 2015, Contributions of Therawadha Buddhism for Social Work and Social Service, Social Work Journal Volume 5, (Peer Reviewed Journal), Social Development policy research and Publication Division, National Institute of Social Development, 89-103
Somananda, O., 2017, Report Writing in Social Case Works Practice, Sri Lanka journal of Social Work, (Peer Reviewed Journal), Social Development policy Research and Publication Division, National Institute of Social Development
Somananda, O., 2017, Social Work Intervention: Women Empowerment Through Self-help Groups-A Case Study, E journal, (Peer Reviewed Journal), Social Work Social Development policy research and Publication Division at National Institute of Social Development
Somananda, O., 2018, Social Work as a Profession, Vibudha Lekha, (A review), Department of Buddhist Culture, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Articles in Other Journals:
Somananda, O., 2015, Role of Social Work in Building Ethnic Harmony Through Religions Practice, Religious Tolerance and Harmony, Department of Religious Studies and Comparative Philosophy , Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, 181-191
Somananda, O., 2017, A Study on the Service Delivery System in Yatiyanthota Divisional Secretariat, Action Research publication, Social Development Policy Research and Publication Division, National Institute of Social Development
සෝමානන්ද, ඕ., 2018, ප්රජා නායකත්වයෙහිලා බුද්ධ චරිතයෙන් ප්රකට වන නායකත්ව ගුණාංග, පින්කෙතක අස්වැන්න, අධ්යන ශාස්ත්රීය සංග්රහය, ශ්රී ලංකා බෞද්ධ හා පාලි විශ්ව විද්යාලය
Somananda, O., 2019, Buddhist Social Work Intervention, Psychosocial Problem faced by Teenage Mothers in Sri Lanka, Conference Proceeding, The 16th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2019, Ha Nam Province, Vietnam
Somananda, O., 2020, Relationship between Sri Lankan Culture, Diets and COVID19 disease Control, Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics, EJAIS Vol. 30 (4), Official Journal of the Asian Bioethics Association (ABA) 143-148
Somananda, O., 2020, A New Social Work Approach for Sri Lanka: Buddhist Social Work, Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics, EJAIS Vol. 30 (6), Official Journal of the Asian Bioethics Association (ABA) 307-311
Somananda, O, Women Empowerment through self-help group: A case study, 2020, A practical handbook on social case study in different Social Work setting, Suvvi Publication, India
Somananda, O., 2012, “The Importance of Supervision in Social Work Education and Practice, Journal of Professionalization of Social Work in Sri Lanka 1952-2012, (Peer Reviewed Journal), National Institute social development. (NISD) Colombo
Somananda, O., 2015, Contribution of Buddhist Philosophy of Scientific lows and Concept Related to Criminology, Samaja Sanhitha Volume No 1, (Peer Reviewed Journal), Social Development policy research and Publication Division, National Institute of Social Development, 104-109
Somananda, O., 2015, Contributions of Therawadha Buddhism for Social Work and Social Service, Social Work Journal Volume 5, (Peer Reviewed Journal), Social Development policy research and Publication Division, National Institute of Social Development, 89-103
Somananda, O., 2017, Report Writing in Social Case Works Practice, Sri Lanka journal of Social Work, (Peer Reviewed Journal), Social Development policy Research and Publication Division, National Institute of Social Development
Somananda, O., 2017, Social Work Intervention: Women Empowerment Through Self-help Groups-A Case Study, E journal, (Peer Reviewed Journal), Social Work Social Development policy research and Publication Division at National Institute of Social Development
Somananda, O., 2018, Social Work as a Profession, Vibudha Lekha, (A review), Department of Buddhist Culture, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
Articles in Other Journals:
Somananda, O., 2015, Role of Social Work in Building Ethnic Harmony Through Religions Practice, Religious Tolerance and Harmony, Department of Religious Studies and Comparative Philosophy , Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, 181-191
Somananda, O., 2017, A Study on the Service Delivery System in Yatiyanthota Divisional Secretariat, Action Research publication, Social Development Policy Research and Publication Division, National Institute of Social Development
සෝමානන්ද, ඕ., 2018, ප්රජා නායකත්වයෙහිලා බුද්ධ චරිතයෙන් ප්රකට වන නායකත්ව ගුණාංග, පින්කෙතක අස්වැන්න, අධ්යන ශාස්ත්රීය සංග්රහය, ශ්රී ලංකා බෞද්ධ හා පාලි විශ්ව විද්යාලය
Somananda, O., 2019, Buddhist Social Work Intervention, Psychosocial Problem faced by Teenage Mothers in Sri Lanka, Conference Proceeding, The 16th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2019, Ha Nam Province, Vietnam
Somananda, O., 2020, Relationship between Sri Lankan Culture, Diets and COVID19 disease Control, Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics, EJAIS Vol. 30 (4), Official Journal of the Asian Bioethics Association (ABA) 143-148
Somananda, O., 2020, A New Social Work Approach for Sri Lanka: Buddhist Social Work, Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics, EJAIS Vol. 30 (6), Official Journal of the Asian Bioethics Association (ABA) 307-311
Somananda, O, Women Empowerment through self-help group: A case study, 2020, A practical handbook on social case study in different Social Work setting, Suvvi Publication, India
Teaching at Professional Level
Senior Lecturer Grade II, Department of Buddhist Culture, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2018.06.28 - Up to Date)
Lecture great-1, Sri Lanka School of Social Work- National Institute of Social Development, March 2009 – June 2018
Research Assistant, National Institute of Social Development, 2006 – 2009
Lecture (Visiting), Department Buddhist philosophy, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka 2012
Lecture, Buddhist Social Philosophy, Ministry of Buddhist, Diploma Program Daham Sarasaviya affiliated by University of Sri Jayawardanapura, 2006 - 2008.
Lecture, Buddhist Social Philosophy, Department of Buddhist affairs, Ministry of Buddhist, Diploma Program on Daham Sarasaviya affiliated by Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, 2018
Principal, Sri Jayasumana Pirivena, Dapane, Embilipitiya, 2004 - 2005
Member of Curriculum Reviewed program 2012- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Sri Lanka School of Social Work-NISD
Coordinator, Curriculum Reviewed programe - High Diploma in Social Work 2018/2019, Sri Lanka School of Social Work
Coordinator, Curriculum Development Programe - Diploma in Sing Language Interpretation 2016/2017, Sri Lanka School of Social Work, NISD
Course Coordinator, Master of Social Work, (2018-2019 Batch), Sri Lanka School of Social Work, NISD
Course Coordinator, Bachelor of Social Work, (2016-2010 Batch), Sri Lanka School of Social Work, NISD
Course Coordinator, Diploma in Social Work, (2017-2018 Batch), Sri Lanka School of Social Work, NISD
Student Advisor, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2019)
Lecture great-1, Sri Lanka School of Social Work- National Institute of Social Development, March 2009 – June 2018
Research Assistant, National Institute of Social Development, 2006 – 2009
Lecture (Visiting), Department Buddhist philosophy, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka 2012
Lecture, Buddhist Social Philosophy, Ministry of Buddhist, Diploma Program Daham Sarasaviya affiliated by University of Sri Jayawardanapura, 2006 - 2008.
Lecture, Buddhist Social Philosophy, Department of Buddhist affairs, Ministry of Buddhist, Diploma Program on Daham Sarasaviya affiliated by Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, 2018
Principal, Sri Jayasumana Pirivena, Dapane, Embilipitiya, 2004 - 2005
Member of Curriculum Reviewed program 2012- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Sri Lanka School of Social Work-NISD
Coordinator, Curriculum Reviewed programe - High Diploma in Social Work 2018/2019, Sri Lanka School of Social Work
Coordinator, Curriculum Development Programe - Diploma in Sing Language Interpretation 2016/2017, Sri Lanka School of Social Work, NISD
Course Coordinator, Master of Social Work, (2018-2019 Batch), Sri Lanka School of Social Work, NISD
Course Coordinator, Bachelor of Social Work, (2016-2010 Batch), Sri Lanka School of Social Work, NISD
Course Coordinator, Diploma in Social Work, (2017-2018 Batch), Sri Lanka School of Social Work, NISD
Student Advisor, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2019)
Books
Somananda, O., 2019, Experience in Social Work Research, Āriya Publisher, Warakapola
Somananda, O., 2016, Approaches Through Buddhism for Social Work. Author Publication
Somananda, O., 2018, Social Work in Practice a Sri Lankan Experience, Āriya Publisher, Maradana, Colombo.
Somananda, O., 2018, Buddhism for Social Development, Āriya Publisher, Maradana, Colombo
Somananda, O., 2016, Approaches Through Buddhism for Social Work. Author Publication
Somananda, O., 2018, Social Work in Practice a Sri Lankan Experience, Āriya Publisher, Maradana, Colombo.
Somananda, O., 2018, Buddhism for Social Development, Āriya Publisher, Maradana, Colombo