A distinguished scholar, media pioneer, and creative visionary —
Senior Professor of Mass Communication, former Chairman of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation,
and Director-General of Government Information.
A lifetime of service to education, media, and the arts of Sri Lanka.
Mass CommunicationMedia ScholarTeledrama DirectorAuthorFilmmaker
Prof. Ariyarathna Athugala is a retired Senior Professor in the Department of Mass
Communication at the University of Kelaniya — one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated
media educators and creative practitioners.
Having taught since 1991, he shaped generations of mass communication professionals
through Honours, MA, MSSc, PhD, and Diploma courses. His dual identity as an
academic and an artist — teledrama director, opera playwright, and filmmaker —
makes him a singular figure in Sri Lankan cultural life.
As Chairman of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and Director-General of Government
Information, he brought scholarly rigour to the highest levels of national media
governance.
Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya. Visiting lecturer at University of Colombo, Sri Jayawardanapura, and The Open University of Sri Lanka.
National Service
Chairman, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (2006–2009). Director General, Government Information Department (2010–2014).
International Recognition
Japanese Government Scholarship recipient. Presenter at UNESCO, AMIC, SAFMA, and World Academy of Science conferences.
Creative Arts
Director of award-winning teledramas including Siththara Gurunnanse and Samanala Kandawura. Playwright and filmmaker since 1983.
Creative Portfolio
Scholarship Expressed Across Every Medium
Academic Books
Over 25 scholarly volumes on mass communication theory, media studies, and cultural criticism — several in multiple editions, shaping Sri Lankan media curriculum.
Teledramas & Film
Director of five major Sinhala teledrama series and multiple short films. From Thun Biya (1998) to Samanala Kandawura (2003), his productions remain cultural touchstones.
Theatre
Author and director of landmark theatre productions including Mahasamayama (2012) and Nelum Pokuna (2011) — the latter also published in English translation.
Selected Works
Key Publications
1988
Sameepa Rupa (Close Up)Republished 2004
Book
1998
Sanjananaya saha SannivedanayaPerception & Communication · M.D. Gunasena
Book
2000
Sannivedana SiddanthaTheories of Mass Communication · Godage Publishers
Book · 4 Editions
2011
Nelum PokunaTheatre · 2nd Edition 2012 · Also in English
Theatre
2014
RangaboomiyaTheatre Scholarship
Book
2016
Sannivedana niyaya saha akruthiCommunication Theories & Models
