WELCOME TO

Department of Disability Studies

The Department of Disability Studies aims to become the lead centre for teaching, professional skills development and research on disability related issues in Sri Lanka. At the DDS all teaching and research programs are underpinned by a disability studies paradigm.

WELCOME TO

Department of Disability Studies

The Department of Disability Studies aims to become the lead centre for teaching, professional skills development and research on disability related issues in Sri Lanka. At the DDS all teaching and research programs are underpinned by a disability studies paradigm.

Undergraduate Programmes

Offers courses for Speech and Hearing Science degree.

SHS Student Portal

Student Portal for SHS Degree Program.

OT Student Portal

Student Portal for OT Degree Program.

Research

The department is engaged in multidisciplinary research.

Ms. Uvini Colonne

BSc.(Hons) SHS., Specialized in Audiology (Kel’ya), MAUD-R (Reading-UKZN)
           
Specialization:
Audiology  
Contact:
   
Tel :011-2958251 (office)  
     
Research Interests:
  • Noise induced hearing loss
  • Ototoxicity
  • Vestibular rehabilitation
  • Physiological tests
  • Autism
Awards and fellowships:
  • Academic honors : First class in BSc (Hons) SHS, Specialized in Audiology
  • Awards:
    • Principal’s Development Fund for International Visiting Scholars 2018 awarded by Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada.
    • Postgraduate Research tuition fee remission to pursue a Master of Audiology at University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
Orations/Guest lectures/Invited Speech/Plenary:
  • Invited speaker at Medical Grand Rounds, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada on 07 th March 2019.
  • Invited speaker at The Centre for Disability Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya on 28 th March 2019.
  • Invited speaker at ENT - Nurses training workshop at National Hospital of Sri Lanka, on 12 th August 2019.
  • Invited speaker at ENT Registrar Doctors training at National Hospital of Sri Lanka, on 20 th August 2019.
Publications:
Oral presentations:
Poster Presentations:
  • Colonne, C.A.U.T., Jayasuriya, C., Adaptation exercises on chronic dizziness in patients with peripheral vestibular dysfunction. ACRM 94th Annual Conference, Progress in Rehabilitation Medicine, 23rd to 28th October 2017, Atlanta, USA.
  • Jayawaruni, U.C., Colonne, C.A.U.T., Chandrasekara, U., Parental Expectations and Experiences of their Child’s Cochlear Implantation. ASHA Convention 2016, 17th to 19th November 2016, PA, USA. 
Translations – Books:
  • Sri Lankan Sign Language-Student Handbook
  • Sri Lankan Sign Language-Student Dictionary
Professional Contributions:
  • SLMC and CMCC Registered Audiologist in Sri Lanka.
  • Executive committee member of Lanka Association of Audiologists (LAA).
Medical Faculty Responsibilities:
  • Secretary of the Medical Faculty committee for Health Camp, Blood donation programme and Medical exhibition to commemorate the 60 th Anniversary of University of Kelaniya.
  • Coordinator of the Bachelor of Speech and Hearing Sciences Program Review - 2019.
Service Functions: (eg. Teaching, Supervision, Research, Administration, and Clinical Service)
Teaching:
  • Module coordinator and teaching – Introduction to professional practice 1, Fundamentals of Audiology
  • Module teaching - Otolaryngology for Audiology, Balance and its disorders, Pediatric Audiology
  • Clinical coordinator – Year 3 clinical practicum
Research supervision:
  • Gamage V.S., Chathurika L.H.E., Colonne C.A.U.T. Hearing protection behavior among workers in a gloves manufacturing factory in Sri Lanka.
  • Jayathilaka C., Illeperuma D., Colonne C.A.U.T. Auditory dysfunctions among mild traumatic brain injury in North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka.
Clinical supervision:
  • Clinical supervision at the Faculty Audiology clinic.
Clinical service:
  • Supported employment worker at ‘Ayathi’ National Center for Children with Disabilities
Administration:
  • Organize monthly department meetings
Ongoing research:
  • Colonne C.A.U.T., Pillay M., Paken J. Workers’ exposure to noise and ototoxic substances in Sri Lanka: A literature analysis of risks.
  • Colonne C.A.U.T., Adaptation and validation of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults- Short version into Sinhala.
  • Colonne C.A.U.T., Jayasuriya C., Susi K.L. Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Sinhala version of Dizziness Handicap Inventory and evaluation of the disability in patients with dizziness.
  • Colonne C.A.U.T., Sivaramalingam V., Jayasuriya C. Adaptation of the Tamil version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory for use in Sri Lanka.
  • Colonne C.A.U.T., Jayasuriya C., N.H. Nazeer. Booklet-based vestibular rehabilitation to improve vertigo and balance.
  • De Silva, M.D.K., Jayasena, B.N., Colonne, U. Development of Sinhala spondees and paired words for testing of speech recognition threshold.
 

 

Ms. Vindya Prabodani Geeganage

BSc. (Hons) SHS, Specialized in Audiology (Kel’ya)
MSc in App. Stat. (Reading-C’bo)
           
Specialization:
Audiology  
Contact:
   

Tel

:011-2958251 (office)  
Email  : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
Research Interests:
  • Telehealth
  • Newborn hearing screening
  • Pediatric hearing assessments
  • Non organic hearing loss
  • Community based audiology – Assessment and Intervention
  • Hearing conservation
  • Service improvements satisfaction studies in audiology
  • Industrial Audiology
Awards and fellowships:
  • Academic honors : First class in BSc (Hons) SHS, Specialized in Audiology
  • Awards:
    • Professor Sheila Wirz Gold Medal for the best academic performance in Audiology (2015/2016 Academic year), University of Kelaniya at the 119th General convocation, held on 31st December 2021, at BMICH, Colombo.
    • Nominated to Dean’s list for the outstanding academic achievements in,
      First year (2017)
      Second year (2018/2019)
      Third year (2019/2020)
      Fourth year (2021/2022) of BSc Speech and Hearing Sciences degree program
 
Publications:
Oral presentations:
  • Prabodani, G. V., Jayasena, B. N. (2020-2021). A Survey on current knowledge and practices of teleaudiology among audiology professionals in Sri Lanka., Presented as an oral presentation at the 30th Anniversary celebration research symposium of Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya in September 2021
    Awarded the BEST ORAL PRESENTATION in the category of Allied Health Sciences – Health professionals’ education category.
Poster Presentations:
  • Prabodani, G. V., Jayasena, B. N. (2020-2021). A Survey on current knowledge and practices of teleaudiology among audiology professionals in Sri Lanka., Presented at the Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Washington DC in November 2021. Selected to participate in ASHA’s PROmoting the next GENeration of Researchers (PROGENY) program at the 2021 ASHA Convention
  • Prabodani, G. V.,  Jayasena, B. N. (2020-2021). A Survey on current knowledge an practices of teleaudiology among audiology professionals in Sri Lanka., Presented at the Convention of South African Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SASLHA) in October 2021 as a pre-recorded digital poster presentation.
  • Prabodani, G. V.,  Jayasena, B. N. (2020-2021). A Survey on current knowledge and practices of teleaudiology among audiology professionals in Sri Lanka., Published at the International Conference on Health Sciences (ICH), Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Sri Lanka in September 2021.
Professional Contributions:
  • SLMC and CMCC Registered Audiologist in Sri Lanka.
Medical Faculty Responsibilities:
  • Contributed in coordinating and implementing the series of activities conducted in celebrating World Hearing Day 2022 with World Health Organization (WHO), at Faculty of Medicine, Ragama (2022).
  • Contributed in hearing screening and awareness raising program for children with Down’s syndrome for the celebration of World hearing day 2021 with World Health Organization (WHO), at Faculty of Medicine, Ragama (2021)
  • An executive member of the organizing committee for the medical exhibition and health camp to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the University of Kelaniya (2019)
  • Assistant secretariat in Speech and Hearing Sciences (SHS) Students’ Association of Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (2018)
Service Functions: (eg. Teaching, Supervision, Research, Administration, and Clinical Service)
Teaching:
  • Module teaching

          Otology for Audiology
          Introduction to Audiology 2

       Clinical coordinator – Year 3 Audiology Clinical Practicum 3 (2022)

Clinical supervision:
  • Clinical supervision of students at Audiology clinic at Ayati National center for children with disabilities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.
  • Clinical audiologist at Audiology clinic at Ayati National center for children with disabilities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

       Clinical services:

  • Clinical audiologist at Audiology clinic at Ayati National center for children with disabilities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.
Ongoing research:
  • Prabodani, G.V. and Danthanarayana N.D.D., Caregiver satisfaction on teleaudiology services provided at University audiology clinic during Covid-19 pandemic period
 

 

Ms. Lasanthika Madushani

Bsc. (Hons) Psychology (UK), Certificate in Drug counseling, M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology (Reading- Colombo)

           
Specialization:
 Clinical psychology  
Contact:
   

Tel

: 011-2958251 (office)  
Email  : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
Research Interests:
  • Stigma and discrimination related to mental health

  • Cognitive neuroscience and neurodegeneration

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders

Awards and fellowships:
  • Gold medal for the best academic performance in BSc (Hons) Psychology

  • Best undergraduate research project of the year  2016/2017  in BSc (Hons) Psychology

  • Outstanding student of the year 2017 in BSc (Hons) Psychology

Medical Faculty Responsibilities:
  • Examination invigilator

Service Functions: (eg. Teaching, Supervision, Research, Administration, and Clinical Service)
  • Module coordinator- Personal & Professional Management, Research Methods

  • Module convener- Psychology 1, Psychology 2, Intellectual developmental disorder, Augmentative & Alternative Communication

  • Module teaching- Personal & Professional Management, Advanced Psychology for Allied Health Professionals, intellectual developmental disorder


 Clinical services:

  • Psychologist at Ayati, National Centre for Children with Disabilities Ragama

 

Ms. K.M. Bhagya Devagiri

BSc Honours in Speech and hearing sciences (specialized in Speech and Language Therapy) , Diploma in Counselling.

           
Specialization:
Speech and Language Therapy  
Contact:
   

Tel

:011-2958251 (office)  
Email  :This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
Research Interests:
  • Acquired neurological communication disorders.
  • Swallowing difficulties.
  • Stroke rehabilitation.
  • Cognitive neuroscience and neurodegeneration.
  • Vision and its impact on language.
Awards and fellowships:
  • Academic honours – First class honours in Speech and language therapy.
  • Professor Sheila Wirz Gold medal in Speech & Language Therapy 2013/ 2014.
  • Dean's list awards for the Best academic achievements in BSc. SHS in speech and Language therapy - 2019/ 2020
  • Dean's List awards for the Best academic achievements in BSc. SHS in speech and language therapy - 2018/2019
 
Publications:
Oral presentations:
  • Devagiri B., Bakmeewewa DA, Kodituwakku GK, Nanayakkara S, Karunanayake IH, Perera BP and Chandrathilake M. " Dysphagia care through COVID 19 - Experiences of Sri Lankan Speech and language therapists working in Dysphagia". American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) held in New Orleans, November 2022.

  • Devagiri B, Fernando R, Fernando S, Muttiah N, and Sumanasena S. "Adapting telehealth in managing children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic; a feasibility study”, 5th Biennial Conference for Sri Lanka Association for Child Development, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2020, p 26,

Poster Presentations:
  • Bakmeewea DA, Ranawaka U, Withanage D, Nanayakkara S,Piyumali M, Wijesekara OA, and Devagiri B, Incidence and profile of patients with aphasia post stroke in Sri Lanka. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the International Stroke Conference in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Stroke Association and National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka; 20th Anniversary. 2021. 11-12 September. Pp. 24

  • Bakmeewea DA, Withanage Devagiri B, Kodithuwakku G, and Jinadasa TJ, "Show the swallow; Experiences from training a stimulated educational video in dysphagia management", Virtual international stroke conference, 2020

  • K.M. Bhagya Devagiri, S Hettiarachchi, “Developing a resource tool based on the translation and adaptation of International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework to Sinhala Speaking Adults: A pilot study, American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) held in Orange country conventional hall, Florida, November 2019

Medical Faculty Responsibilities:
  • Visiting Speech and language therapist – Sri Jayawardanapura General Hospital, North Colombo teaching hospital
  • Coordinator – Curriculum review committee, 2020, Department of Disability Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.
Service Functions: (eg. Teaching, Supervision, Research, Administration, and Clinical Service)
  • Module coordinator – Hearing impairment and its management.
  • Module convener – Psychology 1, Psychology 2, Dysphagia in Adults
  • Module teaching – Personal and professional management, Introduction to professional practice, Adult language disorders, Neurology 2, Hearing impairment and its management, Dysphagia in Adults, Clinical practicum 1,2,3,4 and clinical rotation 1 in SLT
  • Clinical supervisor – Undergraduate Speech and language therapy students at the Department of Disability Studies, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama; Sri Jayawardanapura General Hospital, Colombo North teaching hospital and Ayati National Centre
  • Examination invigilator

 Clinical services:

  • Speech and language therapist at Ayati, National Centre for Children with Disabilities Ragama.
  • Speech and language therapist at Adult neurological communication clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama
  • Visiting Speech and language therapist at Sri Jayawardanapura General Hospital
  • Visiting Speech and language therapist at Colombo -North Teaching Hospital

 

Ongoing research:
  • Devagiri B, Ariyasena AD, Sumanasena S, and Siriwardhana D. "Telehealth rehabilitation for Children with Disabilities in Asia-Pacific region; a scoping review".
  • Bakmeewewa DA, Ranawaka U, Kodithuwakku G, Devagiri B, Withanage D and Jinadasa T."Incidence and clinical profile of post-stroke dysphagia in selected acute stroke settings in Sri Lanka".
  • Bakmeewewa DA, Kodithuwakku G, Devagiri B, Adhikaram S, Jinadasa T, and Pathmasiri IM,"Public awareness of Aphasia in Sri Lanka".
  • Sumansena S, Muttiah N, Siriwardhana D, Devagiri B, Pathmasiri IM and Jayasinghe B"Establishment of a clinical database for Children with Disabilities at Ayati National Centre for Children with Disabilities".
 

 

Ms. B.T. Nadeesha Adikari

Certificate in postgraduate Research (Col)

BSc Occupational Therapy (Hons) (Kel’ya)

Dip. Occupational Therapy (Col)

           
Specialization:
Occupational Therapy  
Contact:
   

Tel

: 011-2958251 (office)  
Email  : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
Research Interests:
  • Pediatric Occupational Therapy

  • Autism

  • Cerebral palsy

Publications:
  • Adikari,B.T.N.,Wijesekara,D.S., Association Between Diagnosed Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder With Sensory Difficulties And Their Mother's Immobilization or Reduced Mobility During Pregnancy., International Conference for Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists,2019,32.

  • Adikari,B.T.N.,Wijesekara,D.S., Association Between Diagnosed Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder With Sensory Difficulties And Their Mother's Immobilization or Reduced Mobility During Pregnancy., A Pilot Study at a Tertiary Care Institution Sri Lanka., International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing world.2020,133.

Medical Faculty Responsibilities:
  • library committee representative DDS
Service Functions: (eg. Teaching, Supervision, Research, Administration, and Clinical Service)
  • Council member ,Sri Lankan Association of Geriatric Medicine (SLAGM)

 Clinical services:

  • Occupational therapist, Ayati center, University of Kalaniya
Ongoing research:
  • Parental perception on inclusion of technological devises in education of the kids with Cerebral Palsy in Sri-Lanka

 

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Department of Disability Studies
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Kelaniya,
P.O Box 6,
Thalagolla Road,
Ragama,
Sri Lanka

  • Tel :  +94 11 2961000

  • Tel :  +94 11 2961207

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  • Email:  dist@kln.ac.lk

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