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You are here: OUSL / Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences / Dept. of Social Studies

Mrs. M.N. Vineeshiya

BA (SUSL), MA ( Colombo)

Senior Lecturer (Gr. II)

Department of Social Studies
  • Central Campus, Department of Social Studies,Faculty of HSS, Room 12, 2nd Floor, Faculty of HSS, OUSL, Nawala
  • Office: +94 (0)11 2853777, Ext: 2407
  • mnvin@ou.ac.lk

Nimali Vineeshiya is a sociologist whose research examines the intersections of environment, development, and sustainability, with a particular focus on the social dimensions of climate change, environmental governance, food systems, and community resilience in Sri Lanka and the broader Global South. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, anthropology, and development studies, her work explores how environmental transformations are shaped by social inequalities, cultural practices, and public policy.

Her research spans environmental sociology, development sociology, rural development, urban sociology, gender and sexuality studies, and open and distance learning (ODL). She is particularly interested in understanding how communities negotiate environmental change, adapt to climate-related challenges, and engage with sustainable development initiatives. Her recent work has focused on climate resilience, youth engagement in climate governance, sustainable agriculture, urban food systems, and the socio-cultural dimensions of environmental sustainability.

Her scholarship combines qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, integrating empirical inquiry with sociological theory to address complex social and environmental issues. She has collaborated with government agencies, international organizations, civil society organizations, and academic institutions on research related to climate action, environmental governance, human rights, education, media freedom, and social development. Through these collaborations, she has contributed to evidence-informed policy dialogue and community-centred approaches to sustainable development.

 

Environmental Sociology, Urban Sociology, Development Sociology, Sociology of Sexuality sociology of entrepreneurship, Sociology of Work and Organization, Military Sociology, Action Sociology

Gender Studies, urban studies, Rural Studies, family and marriage, waste management, social policy and social development, work and work organization, social psychological studies, Applied Social Research

Chairperson to Learner Support Cell -FHSS

Level 5 Coordinator for BASS programme

She has published in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to edited volumes and research reports, and presented her work at national and international conferences. Alongside her research, she teaches sociology and contributes to curriculum development in the social sciences at The Open University of Sri Lanka, where she is a Senior Lecturer (II) in the Department of Social Studies.

Her current research explores the relationships between urban foodways, cultural adaptation, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience, contributing to wider debates on environmental justice, sustainable development, and the role of sociological research in addressing contemporary global challenges.

  • Mahees M.T.M & Vineeshiya, M.N, Thennakoon D.R (2021). Historical Analysis of Human-Elephant conflict of Sri Lanka; An Envionmnetal Sociological Review. Baththaramulla. Sameera Publishers.   (Forth coming)
  • Vineeshiya, M.N,2021, “Sri Lankawe kelikasala arbudaya; Samaja Sanskrutika pethikada pilibanda Wimasumak” In book Social Problems [ed MTM Mahees], Baththaramulla. Sameera Publishers.
  • Jayaprsad W.M.J and Vineeshiya M.N. Introduction to Social Problems. Gimhara Publishers (Forth coming)
  • Vineeshiya, M.N., , 2017. Kasala Kalamanakaranaye Balangoda Adarshaya. Desathiya News Megazine. October 2017.
  • Vineeshiya, M.N,2010, Why the knowledge of Sociology is Important in studying Military? Article for the annual publication of the Military Academy Diyathalawa – TORCH 2010
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. 2010, “Sabaragamu perani ahara sanskruthiya”old food culture in Sabaragamuwa. “sabargamu Urumayn”.Centre for Indigenous community studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. 2010, “Adyathana Samaja Viparyasa Hamuwe Abiyogayata Laku Paramparika Vedi jana Ahara ratawa” veddha’s food culture challenged by contemporary social changes “sabargamu Urumayn”. Centre for Indigenous community studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
  • Vineeshiya, M.N,2013, “Patron Client Relationship” In book Political Sociology [ed Handaragama Saman], Baththaramulla. Sameera Publishers.
  • Tennakoon, S.D.R. & Vineeshiya, M.N. (2025), The Unexpected Reality of Water Insecurity &
    Adaptability of Women: A Rural Community Case in Sri Lanka. Committing Sociology of Social
    Impact, Canadian Sociological Association, June 9–13, 2025.
  • Ranasinghe, K., Fernando, T. L. D., Vineeshiya, N., & Bozkurt, A. (2025)., Identifying Reasons That
    Contribute to Dropout Rates in Open and Distance Learning .The International Review of Research in
    Open and Distributed Learning, 26(2), 162–183. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v26i2.8067
  • Fernando, T. L. D., Ranasinghe, K., Vineeshiya, N., & Rohan, G. W. A. (2024, October 16).Improving
    Student Persistence in Open and Distance Learning; An Investigation of Demotivational
    Challenges”, Open Praxis.
  • Vineeshiya, M. N. (2024). The role of local culture in shaping sustainable waste management practices in economically diverse communities. ආඛ්යාන (Narrations), 9(2). Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Community Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
  • Fernando, T. L. D., Ranasinghe, K., Vineeshiya, N., & Rohan, G. W. A. (2024, October 16). Improving student persistence in open and distance learning: An investigation of demotivational challenges.( Full paper). presented at the 37th AAOU Annual Conference, online.
  • Fernando, T. L. D., Vineeshiya, N., Bozkurt, A., & Ranasinghe, K. (2024). Identification of factors contributing to the dropout rate in open and distance learning systems. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning (IRRODL). https://doi.org/xxxxx. ISSN: 1492-3831
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. 2024, A Book Review of “Liquid Love: On the Frailty of Human Bonds “ The Asian Journal of Politics and Society (AJPS) . ISSN 2989-011x Volume 01 | Issue 02 | July-December 2023 Article 05  (Full paper)
  • Mahees M.T.M & Vineeshiya, M.N (2020) Model of rational participation; A case study of solid waste management process of urban communities in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge (IJIRK) (Full paper) ISSN: 2213-1356
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. & Mahees M.T.M 2020. Political ecological analysis of solid waste disposal in Sri Lanka; A Content Analysis of Newspaper Articles, International Journal of Education and Research (Forth coming).
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. & Mahees M.T.M 2019. Environmental attitudes and discourses of community participation in solid waste management. International Educational Applied Research Journal. IEARJ ( E-ISSN: 2456-6713) (Full paper)
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. 2018, solid waste management through effective community participation. Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance. (Full paper)
  • Vineeshiyam M.N. 2017. “Jeewavidyathmaka Lingikathwaye Samaja Nirmithaya” Social construction of Human Sexuality. Akyana (Narrations) Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Community . Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. (Full paper)
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. & Mahees M.T.M 2016 “Gender Perspective of Community Participation in Solid Waste Management; a case of Balangoda urban council Sri Lanka. 7th international conference on sustainable build environment. (Full paper)
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. 2016, “watukara Stiyage Deshapalana Niyojanaya Pilibanda Samaja Vidyathmaka Wimarshanayak” Political participation of women in plantation sector. Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance. (Full paper)
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. 2010, “Madyama Panthika Paul sansthawa Kerehi wana Rupavahiniye balapema” Television impact on Middle class family. Sabaragamuwa University Shasthreeya Sangrahaya. (Full paper)
  • Vineeshiya, M.N. 2010, “The Impact of Television on Sri Lankan Middle Class Family Unit: A Sociological Study” Insym. 3rd International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
  • Pradeep, K.G. &Vineeshiya, M.N. 2011, “Women Contribution in Garbage  Management inside the Family unit” 4th national geography conference, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  • Priyanthi, P.M.T.S & Vineeshiya, M.N. 2012, “A sociological study of street dwellers and the process of rehabilitation” Insym. 4th International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
  • Vineeshiya, M.N,Rathnayake, H.2012. Impact of sexually related internet usage on altering attitudes of youth (A social-psychological study with special reference to university students). RASSL. 5th Annual Research Conference, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka.
  •  Amarasiri K.L.A, Vineeshiya, M.N. 2012, “A Sociological study on socio economic and cultural changes of Tsunami resettlers” IRCHS. First International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences. University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
  • Jayasuriya  S.H.L.S, Vineeshiya, M.N. 2014. A Sociological Study on Social Attitude towards Divorced Women. First annual research session of social sciences and languages. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
  • Godage N. Vineeshiya, M.N. 2014. A sociological study on social attitude towards the soldier in post war context of Sri Lanka. First annual research session of social sciences and languages. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
  • Jayasooriya S.H.L.H, Vineeshiya, M.N. 2014 A Sociological Study on Social Attitude towards Divorced Women. 14th National Convention on Women Studies. Center for women Research (CENWOR) (Full paper)
  • S.D.R. Tennakoon and Vineeshiya M.N(2025) ‘The unexpected reality of water insecurity & adaptability of women: Rural community case in Sri Lanka’ Committing Sociology of Social Impact. Canadian Sociological Association June 9 through Friday, June 13 2025

Attended in supervision of undergraduate’s dissertations for four academic years of the department of Social sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

Reviewer for Management of Environmental Quality- an International Journal. Emerald Insights. ISSN 1477-7835

Reviewer for International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), ISSN No. 2454-6186

Member of Sociology Alumina Association University of Colombo