Senior Lecturer - Department of Psychology & Counselling
I am a Senior Lecturer and leader of the Department of Psychology & Counselling (NISD), with about 12 years of experience across a range of service settings from psychological counseling and social work services to community-based initiatives in mental health, disability, elder, and child protection. In addition to the delivery of mental health and psychosocial support. I have a strong interest and commitment to invest in skills and knowledge development within the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support services. My experience in Sri Lanka and India has taught me the importance of being open to new learning and adapting knowledge and skills to be relevant to systems, people, and their economic and social-cultural backgrounds.
Educational Qualifications
- Masters of Social Work /National Institute of Social Development
- Bachelor of Art (Hons) Second Class Upper Division – Sociology University of Colombo (2005 – 2009)
- BA in Arts honors in Sociology (Special)
Completed Postgraduate Diplomas
- Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling, Sociology University of Colombo(01/2011 – 12/2011)
Current Position/s
- Counsellor NISD , Library committee member NISD SOR Committee member
Positions Held
- Temporary Assistant Lecturer / Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo/ 11/11/2009 – 12/2011
- Visiting lecturer / Institute of Human Resource Advancement University of Colombo / 01/2019 – Current
- Convener for international conference / National Institute of Social Development / 2023
- Consultant / Counselling Division Ministry of Women, Childs Affairs & Social Empowerment / 2023 – Current
- Lesson Writer / National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NITA) / 2021
- Consultant / PALM FOUNDATION / 2020
- Adversary Committee member and Validation Committee member / National Industrial Training Adversary Committee NITAC / 2019 – 2020
- Trainer / Special Task Force Training School (Sri Lanka Police) / 2016 – 2019 • Consultant / Department of Prison / 2012 – 2016
- Psychological Counsellor / Self-Employed / 2011 – Current
- Trainer / Divisional Secretariat Offices, Department of Samurdhi, Ministry of Social Services and Schools / 2011 – Current
- National Trainer / Asia Foundation / 2015 – 2019
Publications
Journal articles
- Wedisinghe, K. S. (2010). Domestic violence: Nature of power and resistance of female. Patitha, 85-115.
- Wedisinghe, K. S. (2014). Human Rights as a natural law and its application on practitioner. Sri Lankan Journal of Social Development, 129-136.
- Wedisinghe, K. S. (2016). Welfare state and social work, another method of doing social work: A success of failure Professional social work. Sri Lankan Journal of Social Development, 197-205.
- Wedisinghe, K. S. (2019). Development through Psychological Empowerment for Communities with Substance Use. Praja Shakth, 31-39.
- Wedisinghe, K. S. (2019). Social Work Intervention for Challenges Faced by Children due to Family Violence. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Development, 120-132.
- Wedisinghe, K. S. (2021). Development of poor communities through Psychological Empowerment 2021. Upadeshana.
- Wedisinghe, K. S. (2021). Social work intervention for differently able person. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Development, 11-22.
- Wedisinghe, Kumudini Sriyani ; Jayasingha, Riddly;. (2017). Ethical issues which is faced by the social work practitioner. Sri Lanka Journal of Social work, 1-14.
- Wedisinghe, Kumudini Sriyani; Samarasingha, B.G.I. M;. (2019). Green Social Work: Applicability of the Concept for the Sri Lankan Context. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Work, 66-74.
- Wedisinghe, Kumudini Sriyani; Upalirathna, K S.D;. (2020). A Studi on Available Vocational Training opportunities for the youth in tea plantation sector & barriers to access with & exploration of a potential Social Work Intervention. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Development, 42-58.
- Wedisinghe, Kumudini Sriyani; Abeywikrama, D.M.N Chandima;. (2020). Elders Club Strategy: an Alternative Social Works Strategy to Improve Social. E-Journal of Social Development, 11-24.
Abstracts
- Wedisinghe, K. S. (2017). Situational Analysis on Social Welfare Delivery System in Mathugama Divisional Secretariat division. National Conference on Social work for poverty reduction and sustainable development (p. 60). Colombo: National Institute of Social Development.
- Wedisinghe, Kumudini Sriyani ; Samarasingha, B.G.I M;. (2019). A Study on Challenges Faced by Professional Social Workers in Sri Lanka. Asia – Pacific Social Work Conference (p. 5). Bengaluru: APSWC.
- Wedisinghe, Kumudini Sriyani ; Samarasingha, B.G.I M;. (2021). Study on the Role of Mental Health Social Workers in Reducing Mental. International Conference on Social Work. Colombo: National Institute of Social Development.
Editorial work
- Field Practice manual on the diploma in counseling, Field practice manual on Certificate course in counseling
Awards/Scholarships/Medals/Prizes
- Imandi Runali award for batch top Diploma in counselling NISD
Memberships
- Sri Lanka Professional social workers association (SLAPSW)
- Professional counselling services association- UOC
- Sociology Alumni Association University of Colombo (SAAUC)
Teaching (Courses Conducted)
BSW Courses
- Bachelor’s Honors in Social Work (BSW) NISD- English and Sinhala mediums
- BA in Arts Honors in Sociology- UOC- English and Sinhala mediums
Higher Diploma Courses
- Higher Diploma in Counseling – NISD, IHRA University of Colombo – Sinhala Medium
Diploma Courses
- Diploma in Counselling – (NISD, IHRA University of Colombo, BPU)- English and Sinhala mediums • Diploma in Social Work NISD -Sinhala medium
- Diploma in Community-Based Correction -Sinhala medium
- Diploma in Social Care -Sinhala medium
- Diploma in Gerontology and Elder Care -Sinhala medium
- Diploma in Elder Care -Sinhala medium
- Diploma in Child Protection -Sinhala medium
Certificate Courses
- Certificate Course in Social Work -Sinhala medium
- Certificate Course in Child Protection -Sinhala medium
- Certificate Course in Counselling -Sinhala medium
- Certificate Course in Psychosocial Work for Rehabilitation Officers in Dept. Prison -Sinhala medium
Research Interests
- Family and marriage counseling, Child development
- Welfare Poverty alleviation and Mental Health Support
- Gender-based violence
- Disability and social empowerment
- Family and Child Welfare
- Family strengthening
- Out of home care
- Field education and training
- Program evaluation
- Child welfare training
- Child protection
- Volunteerism
- Working parents
- Care leaver
