Senior Lecturer (G I)
PhDMathematics and Philosophy of Engineering
Faculty of Engineering Technology
Website RG
Contact:
Main Campus, Main Campus, 3rd floor, Science and Technology building, Room No : E-378
Office: , Ext: 4601 Mobile: +94771023649
E-mail: bdwit@ou.ac.lk
Web: https://ou.ac.lk/dr-bandura-dileepa-witharana/
Currently I serve as a senior lecturer at the Department of Mathematics and Philosophy of Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering Technology. I have obtained my PhD from the Leiden University in the Netherlands where I looked at the relationship between Sri Lankan engineering and Sinhala nationalism. After completing my first degree in electrical engineering (power) at the University of Moratuwa I did my M.Phil degree at the Open University of Sri Lanka and my focus there was on electricity demand forecasting.
Before joining the Open University as a senior lecturer I worked as a consultant / project manager at Practical Action / Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), as a consultant at Energy Forum, as a peace worker at Thirupthiya / Quaker Peace and Service (QPS), Sri Lanka and as an activist in the Orgaisation to Safeguard Life and Environment (OSLEN). I’m currently serving as a director of Janathakshan, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2011 to promote sustainable and green solutions.
Last Updated on 2 months
Areas of Specialization:Philosophy of Engineering
Research interests:History of technology, politics of urban development, engineering and nationalism, history of technical education, energy and environment policy and practice, multilateral and bilateral trade agreements
Affiliations:Board member – Janathakshan
Course Coordination:- MHJ5342/5372 (Technology, Society and Environment)
- MHP9504 (Environment, Society and Development)
Technology-turn in Sri Lankan history studies and politics of mega development projects
Publications:Books
Witharana Dileepa (2022). Negotiating power and constructing the nation: engineering in Sri Lanka. Colombo: Tambapanni Academic Publications
Book chapters
Witharana Dileepa (2015). Good Governance and Development in a Shrinking Local Policy Space: GATS and Service Sector Reforms, In Hettige, S and Gerharz, E. (eds.) Governance, Conflict and Development in South Asia. New Delhi, California, London: SAGE Publications, pp. 240-272.
Kapczynski Amy and Gaelle Krikorian (2010). Virtual Roundtable on A2K Strategies: Interventions and Dilemmas, in Krikorian G. and Kapczynski A. (eds.) Access to Knowledge: in the Age of Intellectual Property. NY: Zone Book, pp. 547-574.
Witharana Dileepa (2008). Outside Interests, Inside Needs: Tensions in Conflict Resolution Workshop Practices Based on Sri Lankan Experience In Roy B (Eds). Re-Centering Culture and Knowledge in Conflict Resolution Practice, Syracuse University Press, NY, pp. 195-214.
Articles
Witharana Dileepa (2019). Ravana’s Sri Lanka: Redefining the Sinhala Nation? South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, Vol 42, South Asian Studies Association, pp. 781-795.
Witharana Dileepa (2018). Technical Education in the Imagination of the Ceylonese Development State, Review of Development & Change, Vol XXIII (2), Madras Institute of Development Studies, pp. 162-182.
Witharana, D. (2015). The story of the “6% t-shirt: the hundred day struggle of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association, Sri Lanka. The South Asianist, 4(1).
Witharana Dileepa (2010). “An Act of Faith’? Ten Years of the India Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA)” In Free Trade Agreements and Human Rights, LST Review, Vol 20 Issue 270 April 2010, Law and Society Trust, Colombo.
Witharana D, Amarasuriya H and Uvais H (2007). Trade from a Social Justice Perspective: A Discussion on the Framework of India Sri Lanka Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Working Paper No. 1, IGD Programme, SPARC, University of Colombo, Colombo.
Witharana D (2002). Community Peace Work in Sri Lanka: A Critical Appraisal. Working paper 12. Centre for Conflict Resolution, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford.
De Zoysa A & Witharana D (1993). Energy Efficient Open Hearth Cooking Arrangements, OUR Journal Vol 1. The Open University of Sri Lanka, Colombo.
Conference papers
Witharana Dileepa and Amarasuriya Harini (2009). Implications of Intellectual Property Rights on Access to Knowledge in Education and Research. Conference Proceedings – 7th National Conference of Library and Information Science, Colombo, pp. 104-138.
Witharana Dileepa (2009). “Why Proposed Water Policies were Contested?: A Discussion on Social, Political and Business Dimensions of Water Reforms”. Conference on National Water Policy for Sri Lanka: Towards a New Initiative, Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya.
De Zoysa A, Ranawaka C & Witharana D (1992). Power Generation and Some Difficulties in Incorporating Environmental Costs. Environment Forum, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa.
Reports
Witharana B. D. and Amarasuriya H. N. (2013). Emerging donors in Sri Lanka: Impacts and consequences. A report submitted to International Alert Sri Lanka.
Witharana Dileepa et al (2009). Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Knowledge Initiatives in Sri Lanka. A report submitted to UNDP Regional Centre – Colombo.
Witharana Dileepa (2009). Technology Transfer and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Joint Publication for Copenhagen on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction. A report Submitted for Practical Action in preparation for Copenhagen negotiations , Colombo.