Profile

Dr. Nishadh Handunpathirana is a Grade I officer of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service. He was honored with the State Award for Indian Classical Music in both 2006 and 2014. He previously served as the Director of Education (Aesthetic) at the Ministry of Education from 2016. Prior to that, he held various positions within the Ministry of Education, including Deputy Director (Music) from 2011, Assistant Director (Music) from 2005, and Assistant Director (Foreign Agencies and External Affairs) from 2003.

Dr. Handunpathirana was the Head of the section of Music at Teachers’ College, Giragama, in 1998, and served as a Lecturer there starting in 1992. He began his career as a Government Assistant Teacher in Music in 1989.

His academic qualifications include a B.Com (Hons) Special degree from Peradeniya University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (NIE), a M.Ed from Peradeniya University, and a Ph.D. from BMI University (Lucknow, India). He also holds the Sangit Nipun and Sangit Visharad certifications from Lucknow, a National Music Final Certificate from the Department of Examination, and a Trained Teacher’s Certificate from Teachers’ College, Giragama.

In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Handunpathirana has extensive experience in music as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Peradeniya, the University of Kelaniya, the University of Visual and Performing Arts and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He has also served as an examiner for Ph.D. and M.Phil. scholars and has published about ten research articles in music education.

Dr. Handunpathirana has specialized in music performance, appearing on television and radio channels since 1984, and has been involved in stage performances since 1980. He has performed over 100 times in various institutes, programs, and organizations, both vocally and with musical instruments, and has also played roles in several dramas.