The subject of Buddhist Culture has a deep-rooted history within the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, dating back to the university’s inception, where it stood as one of the primary academic disciplines. When the university originally, comprised of four separate institutions, was restructured into a single entity under the Amendment Act No. 37 of 1995, two main faculties were established in it, namely the Faculty of Buddhist Studies and the Faculty of Language Studies. In 1997, the Department of Buddhist Culture was formally established under the Faculty of Buddhist Studies. At its inception, the department was responsible for facilitating education in both Buddhist Culture and another subject titled Buddhist Arts and Antiquities. The latter was later renamed Archaeology and established as a separate department. As stipulated in the University Act, Buddhist Culture was recognized as one of the university’s three mandatory core subjects. In 2018, the subject of Community Leadership was introduced under the department and was later revised and renamed Buddhist Social Work. Today, the Department of Buddhist Culture continues to uphold this legacy, playing a leading role in academic and cultural education related to Buddhism. In recognition of its academic excellence and contributions to the university community, the department was honored with the Best Department Award in 2019.

Ven. Senior Professor Akiriyagala Nanda Nayaka Thera served as the founding Head of the Department. He was succeeded by Professor Dr. M. A. C. Munasinghe, Ven. Professor Aluthgama Wimalarathana Thero, Ven. Senior Lecturer Ampare Ananda Thero, and Professor Dr. Nilantha P. Disanayaka. At present, Ven. Assistant Professor Dr. Dunukeulle Sarananda Thero leads the department. Under their collective leadership, the department has continued to grow academically and expand its reach, maintaining a strong reputation both locally and internationally.