Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL)

                         Dr. Malini Dias

It is with deep sadness that the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL) announces the death of its current President Dr. Malini Dias, who passed away on August 31. She was 81 years old.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, September 02, at the General Cemetery, Kanatte at 4.00 p.m.

She has served the RASSL with distinction in various capacities before being elected as the President in March 2021.  She was an Archaeologist, specializing in Epigraphy.  She served at the Department of Archaeology for a period of 35 years (1968 – 2004) ending as the Director of Epigraphy and Numismatics. She had her primary school education at Weragoda Vijayaba Vidyalaya, Southlands College (Galle), and Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo. She obtained BA (oriental languages), University of Ceylon, (1967), MA (1985), Kelaniya University, Discipline- Sinhala language, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in Sinhalese Epigraphy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, U. of London.

Author of Epigraphical Notes.  Author of Epigraphia Zeylanica Vol. VIII – Title – The growth of Buddhist monastic institutions in Sri Lanka from Brahmi inscriptions, Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka, 2001

She has also held offices in various international institutions including the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) where she has served as the Vice – President, and as Chairperson of two Standing Committees on Dharmaduta Activities, and the Publications, Publicity, Education, Culture & Art.

Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RASSL)

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Brief Resume

Royal Asiatic Society

President of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (since March 2021 to August 2024, until her death)

Served as the Vice President (2011-2017 and 2019-2021) and Joint Secretary (2009-2011)

Published a number of articles to the Society journal

Delivered several lectures

Date of Birth 

Born 15 April 1943, Metiwala village, Ambalangoda District.

Education

Weragoda Vijayaba Vidyalaya, Southlands College Galle and Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo.

BA (1967), University of Ceylon

MA (1985), Kelaniya University, Discipline- Sinhala language

PhD (1989), School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. (title of the thesis: the growth of Buddhist monastic institutions in Sri Lanka from Brahmi inscriptions)

Service at the Department of Archaeology

– joined 01.02.1968 as a Technical Assistant (epigraphy)

– Became the Director Epigraphy and Numismatics in 1999.

– Retired in 2003

– Advisor of the Department (2003-04) – a cabinet appointment

 Profession

Professional Archaeologist

Subject (specific): Epigraphy

 Publications:

Epigraphia Zeylanica Vol VIII (PhD Thesis)

Epigraphical Notes

Vallipuram Ranpatha (in Sinhala)

Eithihasika Badulla (in Sinhala)

Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya (in Sinhala)

Sri Sankhapala Rajamaha Viharaya (in Sinhala)

A number of edited volumes, translations

A number of research articles and general articles

 Served as

– a visiting lecturer, University of Kelaniya

– board member, Post-Graduate Institute of Archaeology

– a post-graduate supervisor for several universities

 Attended several national and international conferences etc.

 Organizational work

Fellow of the Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists

Held several positions in the World Fellowship of Buddhists (Sri Lanka Chapter)

Vice – President of the WFB

Chairperson of the WFB Standing Committee on Dharmaduta Activities

Chairperson of the WFB Standing Committee the Publications, Publicity, Education, Culture & Art

 Awards received:

Swarna Award (Ministry of National Heritage) 2014

Swarna Mudrika (Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists) 2019