The Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura organized a two-day training program for 2nd year History and Archaeology students on taking inscription stampages with regard to the 2nd year course unit on Épigraphy and Character Morphology, in Anuradhapura, on the 29th and 30th of April 2023.
Under the guidance of the Head of the Department and a prominent Epigraphist in Sri Lanka, Prof. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, and with the participation of more academic staff members including Sen.Lect. (Dr.) Oshan Wedage, Lect. (Prob.) Damith Ranagala, the students were offered hands-on training to take an inscription stampage at the Jetavana stupa stone terrace (Salapatahala Maluva).
In addition, the students visited Dedigama Kotavehera and its site museum, Vessagiriya, Ranmasu Uyana, Mirisavatiya Archaeological site, Stone Bridge (Gal Palama), Kiribath Vehera, and monuments in the Anuradhapura citadel (Inner city), on the first day, with proper and descriptive guidance from the academic staff members. On the second day, the students visited Sri Maha Bodhi premises, Ruwanveli stupa, Abhayagiriya stupa, monastery complex, and the CCF site museum, Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum and Anula devi stupa in Mihintale.
The Department of History and Archaeology would like to thank the (Acting) Vice-Chancellor of the USJ, Prof. Upul Subasinghe and the Dean of the FHSS, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda, for making the necessary arrangements to realize this two-day field visit. Furthermore, the department would like to express its gratitude to the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka for granting necessary permissions for the training session on taking inscription stampages at the Jetavana stupa premises. Furthermore, the department would like to thank the Director-General of the Central Cultural Fund, the Project Managers, and the staff of the CCF Project Offices in Abhayagiriya and Jetavana for the necessary arrangements made for the success of this program.
