Prof. Shanti Nandana Wijesinghe

Professor · Dept of Sociology,

Author

APID: 8403
Google Scholar: shanti Nandana Wijesinghe
Location: Peradeniya, Central, Sri Lanka
Expertise: Medical Sociology, Sexuality, Reproductive Health, Reconciliation, Social Theory
Areas of interest: Sociogy and Social Anthropology
Member since: October 2024

Biography

Professor Shanti Nandana Wijesinghe, a distinguished figure in sociology and social activism, brings over four decades of profound academic and professional contributions to his field. Since 1985, he has held a professorship in Sociology at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, with research and teaching centered on peace, reconciliation, and community development. He pursued studies in Peace and Development at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and completed a Master’s in Health Social Sciences from Mahidol University, Thailand, adding a unique interdisciplinary depth to his expertise.

In Sri Lanka, Professor Wijesinghe has played a key role in social reconciliation, notably through establishing 19 Social Reconciliation Centers (SRCs) across the state university system. These centers, part of a University Grants Commission ten-year initiative, aim to promote intercultural dialogue and understanding among students, fostering environments conducive to reconciliation and social cohesion. His public service includes roles in policy and national development, such as serving as Director of Social Development Affairs to the President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015, and as a Presidential Task Force member for the One Country, One Law initiative in 2021.

Professor Wijesinghe's influence extends to youth empowerment initiatives, like the Sisu Diriya Youth Empowerment Programme, focused on reconciliation, leadership, and bridging post-war divisions. His numerous publications reflect his deep commitment to peacebuilding, volunteerism, and social justice. Through his role as Executive Director of World University Friends (WUF), he also facilitates global collaboration on peace, youth empowerment, and development, underscoring his enduring dedication to a more harmonious world.