Sudharshan Seneviratne: Scholar, Activist, and Humanitarian

Abstract

Among the eminent scholars that Sri Lanka has produced in the last century, Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne’s name stands out, particularly in the context of history and archaeology. Having trained at two notable institutions in India, and under the mentorship of some of South Asia’s most renowned historians, Sudharshan Seneviratne’s career as an archaeologist began with a thorough study of the early socioeconomic history of South Asia, later intertwining archaeology with heritage management for conflict resolution and sustainable tourism. Professor Seneviratne represented Sri Lanka in many capacities throughout his long and distinguished career, the most prominent of which were the two diplomatic positions he held in India and Bangladesh. He was a dedicated teacher and mentor, deeply committed to interdisciplinary work, improving curricula and career opportunities for his students, and instilling in his lessons philosophies of multiple histories and ideas that challenged historical biases.