Ms. Dr. Waruni Tennakoon Senior Lecturer (Grade I) Department of English Head, Department of English +94112891878        Ext : 2274 waruni@bpu.ac.lk

Academic Qualifications

• B.A., University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
• M.A., University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
• PhD, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka
• Diploma in Translation (Vibhasha; Centre for Policy Alternatives)
• Diploma in Computer Studies (IDM Computer Studies Pvt Ltd.)

Academic Experience

• Senior Lecturer (Grade I), Department of English, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2021-hither to)
• Senior Lecturer (Grade II), Department of English, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2015-2021)
• Lecturer (Probationary), Department of English, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2011–2015)
• Assistant Lecturer, Department of English, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2009 –2011)

Administration

• Head, Department of English, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (2015– 2018)

Research Interests

• English literature, Buddhist Literature, Comparative studies

International/ National Seminar Presentations 

PAPERS PRESENTED AT INTERNATIONAL (LOCAL AND FOREIGN) CONFERENCES (From 2015) 

2020

• Presented a paper on ‘Overcoming the Challenges Set by Covid 19 on the Higher Education in Sri Lanka’ with reference to the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, at the Eleventh International Public Health and Bioethics Ambassodor Conference (IPHA11) (online) held on 5-7 November, 2020.
• Presented a paper on ‘A Study on the Sri Lankan Anglophone Poetry on War’ at the Virtual International Conference English Literature Summit 2020, (online) held on 12-13 December, 2020.
• Presented a paper on ‘The Impact of Covid 19 on the University Education in Sri Lanka’ at the First International Conference (Online) held on 21 October 2020.

2019

• Presented a paper on ‘Truth and Enlightenment: The Buddhist Themes in Sanskrit Poems,’ at the 5^th International Dharma Dhamma Conference, 2019, Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar, on 27-28 July, 2019
• Presented a paper on ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution: Both as an ironic Cover-up of Dhukka (Suffering) and Effective Means of Practising the Dhamma’ at the United Nations Day of Vesak, Hanoi, Vietnam, 12-14 May, 2019.

2018 

• Presented a paper on ‘Promoting Buddhist Critical Approach in Teaching English Literature to Buddhist Monks’ at the ‘Emerging Trends in Korean Studies in South Asia: An inter-Cultural Perspective’, organized by The Center for Korean Studies, Jawaharlal University, India, 17-18 May, 2018.

2017

• Presented a paper on ‘Popularizing Pre-marital Guidance in Buddhism as a Solution for Modern Marriage Failures,’ at the ‘International Conference on Buddhism: Traditions, Ideologies and Dissent’ Gautham Buddha University, Great Noida, held on 7-9 September, 2017

2015

• Presented a paper on ‘Buddhist Analysis of the Psychological Conversions in the Characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s Masterpiece, Macbeth’ at the 93^rd monthly session at the Professional Development Programme of Academic Staff at the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka held on 10.06.2015.
• Presented a paper on ‘How to Age well? A Comparative Study on the Perceptions of Aging as Depicted in the Selected Poems Written in English and Buddhist Literature’ at the 4^th International Buddhist Conference – 2015 at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka on 04-05 December, 2015.
• Presented a paper on ‘Grooming Young Buddhist Girls to Morally Disciplined Young Women: Promoting the Stories of Lay Women Disciples of the Buddha in Contrast to the Popular Western Fairy Tales as Bedtime Stories’ at the 3rd International Buddhist Conference on “Buddhist Vinaya: Ecclestical and Secular Challenges” –  at the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) on 04. 09. 2015. 
• Presented a paper on ‘King Lear and Lady Macbeth: Victims of ‘Even-handed Justice’ or Cause and Effect? A Buddhist Outlook to the Psychological Conversions of their Characters’ at the 2^nd  International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches – 2015 organized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura on 11-12. 09. 2015. 
• Presented a paper on ‘The Buddhist Shakespeare! An Analysis on the Core Buddhist Notions Concealed I Shakespeare’s Macbeth and King Lear’ at the 6^th International Conference of the South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR), 2015 organized by the Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya on 4-7 June, 2015.
• Presented a paper on ‘Had they been Buddhists! Analysis of the Transformation of Character Traits of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in a Buddhist Perspective’, at the 93^rd Monthly Session, Buddhist ad Pali University of Sri Lanka held on 10.6.2015.

Research and Publications 

PUBLICATIONS (From 2015)

Tennakoon, W. (2015). Enjoying Shakespeare’s Macbeth; A Study Guide, Rajagiriya: Agahas Publishers.

Tennakoon, W. (2015). Analyses of Selected Literary Works, Rajagiriya: Agahas Publishers.

RESEARCH PAPERS PUBLISHED IN THE PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS (From 2015) 

2021

• Tennakoon, W. (2021). Not now, sweet Desdemona" -Re-reading Othello as a double edged tragedy of both the colonizer and the colonized, Global Scientific Journal, Peer reviewed Journal (Online), Volume 9, Issue 5, pp 478-484, ISSN 2320-9186.
• Tennakoon, W. (2021). Men’s Tears Also Matter: A Study on the Patriarchal Oppression of Men in Literature, Open  Access  Library  Journal, Peer Reviewed online Journal, Volume 8, pp 1-9, ISSN Print: 2333-9705   DOI: 10.4236/oalib.1107693    

2020

• Tennakoon, W. (2020). A Comparative Study on the Ecological Concerns between the Poetry of Gary Snyder and Hua-yen Buddhism, Journal of Buddhist Culture (JBC) Bi-annual Peer-reviewed Journal of the Department of Buddhist Culture, Volume IV, Issue I, Editors:  Nilantha P. Dissanayake and KARS Kaluarachchi, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp. 32 – 53, ISSN 2513-308 X
• Tennakoon, W. (2020). Cross-cultural Influence in Writing Poems: A Study of “Kirihamy” by Mimana Prematilaka Written in association with “Michael” by William Wordsworth. Journal of Language Studies (JLS), Bi-annual Peer reviewed Journal, Volume 4, Issue 2, Editors: Vijithapura Gunarathana, Kotiyagala Uparathana, Upul Gamage, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 20-46 – ISSN  2579-2156

2019

• Tennakoon, W. (2019). Haunting Memories in the Lines of Poetry: A Study on the Web Published Sri Lankan Anglophone Poetry on War as a Means of Curbing a Second Wave of Insurgency, Journal of Language Studies (JLS), Bi-annual Peer reviewed Journal, Volume 3, Issue 2, Editors: Ethkandure Sumanasara, Pradeep Gunasena, Kandegama Deepawansalankara, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 134-160 – ISSN  2579-2156

2018

• Tennakoon, W. (2018).  Seeing the ‘Real’ in the “Drawn” Characters: Bernarda in ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’ by Garcia Lorca as a Victim of Neurosis, Journal of Language Studies (JLS) Bi-annual Peer reviewed Journal, Volume 2, Issue I, Editors: EA Wickramasinghe,  Vijithapura Gunarathana and Madugodage Nipunika Dilani, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 123-146 – ISSN – 2579-2156

2017 

• Tennakoon, W. (2017). Promoting a Mixed Study of Early Buddhist Literature and English Poetry on War to Encourage the Youth to Respect Differences, Journal of Language Studies (JLS) Bi-annual Peer reviewed Journal, Volume I, Issue II, Editors: EA Wickramasinghe,  Vijithapura Gunarathana and Madugodage Nipunika Dilani, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 154-183 – ISSN 2579-2156
• Tennakoon, W. (2017). Female and Male Novelists Filling Up the “Blank Page” (An analysis of the depiction of the female protagonists in four selected Victorian novels written by male and female writers), Journal of Language Studies (JLS) Bi-annual Peer Reviewed Journal, Volume I, Issue I, Editors: Lenagala Siriniwasa and Gonadeniye Pannarathana,  Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 34-53 – ISSN  2579-2156
• Tennakoon, W. (2017). The Fallacy behind the Epitomized “Sita” in “The Rāmāyana” of Valmiki as depicted in the lines of Poetry in English, BPU Journal of Buddhist Studies and Humanities Peer Reviewed Journal, Volume II, Issue I, Editors: Aluthgama Wimalarathana, Ilukewela Dhammarathana, MAC Munasinghe, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 32-59 – ISSN 2536-8362
• Tennakoon, W. (2017).  A Critical Evaluation of the Presentation of the Theme of “Transience” in Therīgathā, Medhāvī, Bi-annual Peer Reviewed Journal, , Volume VI, Editors: Ven. Dr. Beligalle Dhammajoti, Ranjani Malawi Pathirana, Ven. O.U. Dhammadheera, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Ruhuna, pp 57-74 – ISSN 2613- 8395

2016

• Tennakoon, W. (2016). Epiphanous Manifestations of  ‘transience’ accompanied by Disillusionment in Their Gatha, BPU Journal of Buddhist Studies and Humanities Peer Reviewed Journal, Volume I, Issue I, Editors: Witharandeniye Chandasiri and Samantha Ilangakoon, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 194-221 – ISSN 2536-8362

ARTICLES IN JOURNALS (From 2015)

2020 

• Tennakoon, W. (2020). A Survey Analysis on a More Effective Model of Social Work for Sri Lanka with reference to Selected WPSW and BSW Institutions Operated in Sri Lanka,  Why Buddhist Social Work Can Do While Western-rooted Professional Work Cannot, Published by The Asian Research Institute for International Social Work, Shukutoku University, Japan, Editors: Tatsuru Akimoto and Yuki Someya, pp 53-74, ISBN: 978-4-908912-08-5 

2019

• Tennakoon, W. (2019). Fourth Industrial Revolution: Both as an ironic Cover-up of Dhukka (Suffering) and Effective Means of Practising the Dhamma, United Nations Day of Vesak, Editors: Thich Nhat Tu and Thich Duc Thien, Hanoi, Vietnam, pp129 – 145.
• Tennakoon, W. (2019). A Buddhist Reading on the Main Theme in “The Pardoner’s Tale”: “Greed is the Root of All Evil”,  Aurora: Journal of English Studies, Volume 5,  Editors: P. Kolitha, Janaka, and JDSSP Jayathissa, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 42-45, ISSN: 2536-8001

• Tennakoon, W. (2019). Hua-yen Buddhism in the Lines of Selected Poetry, 8^th International Conference on Hua-yen Buddhism, Hua-yen Buddhist College, pp 479-495
• Tennakoon, W. (2019). A Brief Analysis on ‘Ozymandias’ by Percey B. Shelly, Arya Nikethana Shastriya Sangrahaya, pp 202-206, Editors: Hasalaka Sujatha and Denaawakkande Pemarathan,  ISBN: 978-624-5002-00-09

2018

• Tennakoon, W. (2018). The Doctrine of Dependent Origination for Conflict Transformation, The 8^th International Buddhist Forum: Originating Thought Research, Yifu Conference Centre, Renmin Univeristy of China, Beijing, pp 321-328.
• Tennakoon, W. (2018). Langston Hughes’ Poems: Governing Voice of the Harlem Renaissance,  Aurora; Journal of English Studies, Volume IV, Editors: Pahala Eruwala Kolitha and Mong Nu Ching Marma, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 6-16, ISSN: 2536-8001
• Tennakoon, W. (2018). Depiction of the Insubstantiality of the Human Body in the Theri Gatha through Effective Poetic Imagery,  "Sumathi" Athi Pujya Peramandiye Sri Sumanasara Himi Abhinandana, Editors: Uduhawara Ananda, Maspanne Chandarathana, Okkampitiye Vijithawansa, pp 330- 333.

2017

• Tennakoon, W. (2017). Depiction of ‘Mutability vs Kleos’ in the Greek Epics by Hormer and Selected Tragedies by William Shakespeare, Aurora; Journal of English Studies, Volume  3, Editors:  Angunakolawewe Sarada and Rijan Maharjan,  Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 40-52, ISSN: 2536-8001
• Tennakoon, W. (2017). Was John Keats an Escapist or Realist?, Literary Criticism published by the Students’ Union & Arts Union, Editors: Madawalathenne Somananda, Madapola Saranankara, NA Widura Chandana, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp1-6,  ISBN: 978-955-9373-25-4
• Tennakoon, W. (2017). Buddhist Literature and Elizabethan Poetry in English on the theme of “Transience”, Sandhara, Students’ Union, Editors: Anamaduwe Piyananda, Pallekele Dhammadeepa, Galmaduwe Sumedha, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 604-613.

2016

• Tennakoon, W. (2016). Buddhist analysis of the psychological conversions in the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s masterpiece; “Macbeth,” Pariyesanā; Journal of PDPAS, Volume I Editors: Aluthgama Wimalarathana, Lenagala Siriniwasa, Samantha Ilangakoon, and Waruni Tennakoon, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp150-167,  ISSN: 2513-2253
• Tennakoon, W. (2016). Scholarly Reviews on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and Error Analysis (EA), Aurora; Journal of English Studies, Volume 2, Editors: Ven. Makulelle Sugathananda and RM Leelananda, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 40-52, ISSN 2536-8001
• Tennakoon, W. (2016). History of English “Tragedy” and Shakespearean masterpiece tragedies, Sandhara, Journal of the Student Union, Editors: Bathalayaye Wimalarathana, Gamhegewewa Amitha, Keselpotha Wimaladhamma, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp476-480  ISSN – 1391-8206

2015

• Tennakoon, W. (2015). The Voice of the Voiceless (The place accorded for women in the Brahmanic and Buddhist periods and exemplifying Buddhism in grooming the present women), Dharma Pratibā, Aththuduwe Sri Gnanananda Mahimi Anusmarana Shasthriya Sangrahaya, Editors: Yodhakandiye Ariyawansa and Angunukolawewa Paduma, pp 285-294, ISBN 978-955-7864-00-6
• Tennakoon, W. (2015). Keatsean Poetry as a Constituent of Romanticism, Aurora; Journal of English Studies, Volume 3, Editors: Ven. Kosgama Dhammadassana and Ven. Talawe Pagngnananda, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 40-52, ISBN 978-955-30-6750-0
• Tennakoon, W. (2015). An Overview of the Depiction of the Theme of Evanescence from the Old English to Renaissance Eras in English Literary Verses, Pali Shastriya Sangrahaya of Department of Pali, Editors: Halmillakulame Sujathagnana and Narawelpita Ariyarathana, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 54-66, ISBN: 978-955-30-7239-9
• Tennakoon, W. (2015). Why has John Donne been Called a Metaphysic?, Journal of Buddhist and Pali Studies, Editors: Pitigala Vijitha, Mawathagama Pemananda, and MAC Munasinghe, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, pp 213- 222, ISBN: 978-955-9373-08-7