Dr. Gihani De Silva is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology in the Department of Social Sciences. She is passionate to her many positions in academia, including those of lecturer, researcher, mentor, counsellor, consultant, and administrator. She is an ethnographer who focuses on religious and feminist studies. Her most recent research focuses on Buddhist nuns’ groups in Sri Lanka, exploring topics such as the controversy over a new higher ordination, uncertain social standing, struggles with identity, and social empowerment. Her primary areas of expertise lay within the subfields of Sociology of Religion, Medical Sociology, Applied Sociology, Sociology of Mass Communication, Social Stratification, Post-Colonial Studies, and Gender Studies.

Awards & Scholarships

Doctoral Scholarship – Otago University | 2018 – 2021.

Sponsored attendance at the 21^st South Asian Feminist Capacity Building Course – SANGAT, Nepal | 2016.

Kulturestudier Scholarship Program in Religion and Power – sponsored by Oslo & Arkeshus University (OAUC), held in India | 2015.

N.D.S. Silva Memorial Prize for Sociology for the best performance at the final Degree Examination in Arts (BA) held in 2007.

Member of the Faculty Quality Assurance Cell (FQAC).

Lifetime member, Vice President (2015-2016), Editor (2017-2018) of the Sociology Alumina Association of University of Colombo (SAAUC).

Vice Treasure (2017-2018) in the Sabaragamuwa University Teachers Association (SUTA).

Member of Sangat: A Feminist Network (South Asia).

Peer-Reviewed International and Local Journals:

De Silva, Gihani. "Umandawa: Buddhist Transformation in Modern Sri Lanka" Religions 14, no. 1, 2023.

De Silva, Gihani. “The Bhikkhuni Community in Contemporary Sri Lanka: Fragmentation, Unification and Development.” Journal of HanMaum Studies. No 9, 201 - 233, 2022.

De Silva, Gihani. “Encountering in a New Phase: Monastic Education for Buddhist Nuns in Sri Lanka.” Religious Agency and Gender in South Asia (forthcoming article).

De Silva, Gihani. "Bhikkhunī Revival Debate and Identity Problems." Journal of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, 2016.

De Silva, Gihani. "Critics on Feminist Influence for the New Bhikkhunī Revival Debate in Sri Lanka: Ethnographical Review." Sabaragamuwa University Journal, 2016.

De Silva, Gihani. “Bhikkhuni Order Revival Debate and Vinaya Objections: Dasasilmatas' Responses.” 3^rd International Buddhist Conference of Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) (Full Paper), Pallekele, Kundasale, 2015.

De Silva, Gihani and Watsala Narampanawa. “Sociological Study on the Female Stereotypes in Sri Lankan TV Commercials.” International Research Conference at General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University Sri Lanka (Full Paper) on 21^st & 22^nd August, 2014.

De Silva, Gihani and Niranjala Premathilaka. "Social Parasite in Rural Sri Lanka: Sociological Review on Early Marriages." Paper presented at the Thirteenth National Convention on Women’s Studies. Colombo: Center for Women’s Research (CENWOR), 27^th – 30^th July, 2012.

De Silva, Gihani. "Vicissitudes of the Ideal of Orthodox Buddhist Female Clergy and their Traditional Role." Paper presented at the Twelfth National Convention on Women's Studies (CENWOR), 2^nd-5^th July, 2010.

De Silva, Gihani. "Femininity that goes beyond the traditional role of a Mother and Wife: Sri Lankan Buddhist Female Clergy." Nivedini. Colombo: Women’s Education & Research Center (WERC), 2009.

Book Chapters:

De Silva, Gihani. “Two Traditions of Female Renunciation in South Asia: Challenges and Prospects.” In Pali Studies. Ed. Bimalendra Kumar, 341- 366. New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 2017.De Silva, Gihani. “Political Communication.” In Political Sociology vol 111 (in Sinhala). Ed. Saman Handaragama. Homagama: Sameera Publications, 2019.

De Silva, Gihani. “The Knowledge production on Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka: Changes and Challenges.” In Buddhism and Globalisation. edited by Ven. P. Seewali, Bimalendra Kumar and Ujjwal Kumar, 23 – 34. Maha Bodi Society of India.

De Silva, Gihani and M.M.T.B. Weerakoon. "Political Socialization." In. Political Sociology (volume I). Edited by Saman Handaragama. Homagama: Sameera Publishers, 2013.

De Silva, Gihani and Lasantha de Silva. "Ancient Helayo: Review the legend of Great King Rawana." In. Indigenous Research. Edited by Dayananda Somasundara. Belihuloya: Center for Indigenous Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2011.

De Silva,. "Food Technology Prevailed among Sri Lankan Indigenous People." In Indigenous and Sri Lankan Heriditaries. Edited by Dayananda Somasundara.and M. Sunil Shantha. Belihuloya: Center for Indigenous Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2010.

International Conference Presentations & Published Abstracts:

De Silva, Gihani, Ben Schonthal, Ruth Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Guthrie. “Engaging Crystallization in Qualitative Research: A Study on Buddhist Nuns in Sri Lanka.” Annual Research Session, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 6 December 2022.

De Silva, Gihani. “From Factionalism to Unification: The Prospects of the Sri Lankan Bhikkhunī Community.” International Conference on the Tenth Anniversary of Seon Master Daehaeng’s Nirvana, 284 – 299. 17 – 18 June 2022.

De Silva, Gihani. “Qualitative Crystallisation: A Case of Sri Lankan Buddhist Nuns.” Sociological Assocsiation of Aotearoa New Zealand (SAANZ), Lincoln University, Christchurch, 24 – 26 November 2021.

De Silva, Gihani. “Encountering in a New Phase: Monastic Education for Buddhist Nuns in Sri Lanka.” Workshop on Female Religious Leaders and Dynamics of Female Agency in Religious Settings in South Asia, Center for Asia and Transcutural Studies, Heidelburg University, August 10 – 14 2020.

De Silva, Gihani. “Recognising the Unrecognised Kalyānamitra: Counsellor Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka,” Postgraduate Symposium IV, Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology, Social and Community work program, Otago University, New Zealand, August 2020.

De Silva, Gihani. “The Mahamevnawa Anagārikā Nuns and Their Quest for Spiritual Liberation,” Student Research Symposium, Graduate Research School, Otago University, New Zealand, August 2019.

De Silva, Gihani. “Femininity, Misery and Spiritual Liberation: Voices of Mahamevnawa Anagārikā Nuns,” Postgraduate Symposium III, Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology, Social and Community work program, Otago University, New Zealand, August 2019.

Maleeja, M.M.S. & Gihani de Silva. "Socio-Cultural Determinants of Diabetic Care: Sociological Review". Ruhuna University International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences-2017 on 28^th-29^th of March 2017.

Mahendran, A & Gihani de Silva. “Cinema, Masculinity and Social Image: Sociological Review on Sri Lankan Cinema in the Post-War.” Paper presented at the 9^th Annual Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, March 28, 29 & 30, 2016.

De Silva, Gihani and P.A.B.D Pelliarachchi. "Impact of Cyber Social Networks (Facebook) on Sri Lankan youth: A Sociological Review." Paper presented at the 6^th Annual Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, March 28^th- 30^th, 2013.

De Silva, Gihani. "Socially Engaged Buddhist Nuns in Sri Lanka: Sociological Review." Paper presented at the Fourth International Symposium of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka on 11^th-12^th January, 2013.

De Silva, Gihani. "Buddhist Nuns’ Education in Sri Lanka: Challenges and Prospective." Paper presented at the First National conference of Pali and Buddhist University, Homagama on 24^th-25^th August, 2012.

De Silva, Gihani. "A Socio-Anthropological Study of Responses of Dasasilmatas to the Newly Emerged Bhikkhuni Order." Paper presented at the Academic workshop on the Sri Lankan Bhikkhuni Revival conducted by the American Institute for Lankan Studies, Colombo on 28^th-29^th April, 2012.

De Silva, Gihani. "Nuns’ Arama as Centers for Social Services: Ethnographical Inquiry." Paper presented at the International Buddhist Conference of Budhashravaka Bhikshu University of Anuradhapura held on 17^th-19^th of February, 2012.

De Silva, Gihaniand S. Kumarawansha "Un-institutionalized Wandering Buddhist Female Mendicants of Anuradhapura Pujā Búmi: An Ethnographical Review." Paper presented at the Fourth Bi-annual International Conference of Sri Lanka Association of Buddhist Studies (SLABS) by Sri Lankan International Buddhist Academy (SIBA), Pallekele on 10^th-12^th December, 2010.

National Conferences & Published Abstracts:

De Silva, Gihani. “Voices of Dasasilmātās: Ethnographical Inquiry on Resistances Against the Feminist Influence in the New Bhikkhunī Revival in Sri Lanka.” Annual Research Session of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 17^th of February 2016.

Dahanayaka, D.N.R.S. & Gihani de Silva. “Globalization, Clothing Fashions and Ethnic Identity: Sociological Study.” Second Annual Student Research Session on Social Sciences and Languages, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka held on 20^th of October, 2015.

Rathnayaka, R.M.S.S.K. & Gihani de Silva. “Is the Facebook Page the Mirror of One's life?.” Second Annual Student Research Session on Social Sciences and Languages, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka held on 20^th of October 2015.

Sewwandi, J.S. & Gihani de Silva. 2014. “Sociological Study on the impact of Mobile phone usage of Teenagers in Contemporary Sri Lanka.” First Annual Student Research Session on Social Sciences and Languages, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka held on 18^th of August 2014.

Nisansala, J. & Gihani de Silva, 2014. “Institutional Care for Children: Is it the Best Care option?” First Annual Student Research Session on Social Sciences and Languages held on 18^th of August 2014.

De Silva, Gihani and Sanjeewani Karunarathna. "A Sociological Study on Youth Motivations on Drug Free Sri Lanka." Paper presented at the National Geography Conference, Sri Jayewardenepura University on 11^th-12^th March, 2011.

De Silva, Gihani and Sanjeewani Karunarathna. "A Sociological Study on Youth Motivation of Drug Free Sri Lanka." Paper presented at the Annual Symposium of General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, Rathmalana on 18^th-19^th August, 2011.

De Silva, Gihani. "Sociological Study on Women Offenders of Welikada Prison." Paper presented at the Annual Symposium of General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, Rathmalana on 20^th of August, 2010.

De Silva, Gihani. "The Impact of Gender on the Changing Role and Ideal of Orthodox Buddhist Female Clergy." Paper presented at Annual Conference of Sociological Association of Sri Lanka (SASL), University of Colombo, 2009.

News Paper Articles:

De Silva, Gihani and P.A.B.D Pelliarachchi. "Facebook Alienates Sri Lankan Youth from the Family and Society."’The Island. 2013.06.03.

De Silva, Gihani and P.A.B.D Pelliarachchi."Research on Facebook Usage in Sri Lanka. Lakbima (Sinhala). 2013.06.09.