Department of Sanskrit

Introduction to the Department

The Department of Sanskrit is devoted to the study of one of the world’s oldest and most influential languages. Offering programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels, it explores classical texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, epics, and Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit, alongside grammar, logic, and philosophy. The department also promotes modern approaches like spoken Sanskrit and interdisciplinary research. With experienced faculty, academic events, and a rich archive of manuscripts, it fosters a dynamic learning environment. Students and scholars alike are welcomed to engage with the timeless knowledge and cultural depth rooted in the Sanskrit tradition.

Massage from the Head of the Department

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Sanskrit, a place where tradition meets modernity, and where timeless wisdom continues to inspire contemporary thought. Sanskrit, often revered as the language of the gods (देववाणी), is not only a repository of India’s rich spiritual, literary, and philosophical heritage but also a vibrant field of academic inquiry with growing global relevance.

Our department is committed to nurturing a deep understanding of Sanskrit language, literature, and culture through rigorous scholarship and innovative teaching methods. We take pride in offering programs that span from foundational language skills to advanced research in classical texts, grammar, poetics, logic, and ancient sciences. Alongside our academic pursuits, we also emphasize the practical relevance of Sanskrit in areas such as yoga, Ayurveda, ethics, and linguistics.

Our dedicated faculty members bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the classroom and beyond. Through seminars, lectures, manuscript preservation, and interdisciplinary research, we strive to keep the flame of Sanskrit learning alive and evolving.

I warmly invite students, researchers, and enthusiasts to join us in this journey of intellectual and spiritual discovery. Let us work together to honor our heritage, contribute to its future, and carry forward the light of Sanskrit for generations to come.

Vision and Mission

Vision

“To become the foremost and comprehensive source of study for the storage of oriental knowledge in Sanskrit Language and Literature.“

Mission

“To gift to the world expert missionaries and scholars who contribute to uplift and spread the knowledge of oriental languages in making the physical and spiritual development globally.“

Department History

The roots of the Department trace back to the founding of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka in 1982, established under a national vision to revitalize Buddhist and Pāli education. Sanskrit studies were initially integrated within the Faculty of Language Studies and later formalized as a separate department.

The Department of Sanskrit was officially established in 2005, launching both undergraduate and postgraduate programs internally and externally. These include the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Sanskrit.

In the same year, the departmental student union “Surabhāṇī” was formed, with the aim of promoting academic and literary engagement among students. Under its initiative, the department began publishing an annual journal titled “Bhāṣāprabhā” in 2005, which has continued uninterrupted and now consists of 14 volumes.

Leadership Timeline

Prof. Dr. Neluwe Sumanawansa Thero served as the first Head of the Department from 2005 to 2015.
Prof. Dr. Lenagala Siriniwasa Thero led the department across several tenures between 2016 and 2024.
Dr. Mawatagama Pemananda Thero has held the headship during multiple tenures since 2019 and currently serves as the Head of the Department.

The Department continues to offer integrated academic programs from diploma to doctorate level, blending classical Sanskrit grammar, literature, and Buddhist textual analysis. It contributes actively to the scholarly community through its publications, public lectures, and academic outreach, reaffirming its commitment to language preservation and research excellence.

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.