A New Chapter in Sri Lankan Linguistics: Launch of Phonology and Morphology of Modern Marathi

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the High Commission of India in Colombo, and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre jointly launched the book Phonology and Morphology of Modern Marathi, written by Ven. Dr Kapugollawe Anandakitthi Thero, Head of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Kelaniya, on 20 May 2026 at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Colombo, with the full support of the High Commission of India.

This book by Ven. Dr Kapugollawe Anandakitthi Thero opens a new chapter in the history of Sri Lankan linguistics and stands as a significant scholarly achievement, as it is the first linguistic study written by a Sri Lankan linguist on a modern foreign language. Appreciating this valuable linguistic analysis of one of the languages of India by a Sri Lankan scholar, the High Commission of India organized the book launch ceremony in collaboration with the ICCR and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre.

The ceremony commenced with the participation of Mr Maitrey Kulkarni, Counsellor (Development Cooperation), High Commission of India, as the chief guest; Ms Roshani Thomson, Acting Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre; and Dr Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, together with university academics, scholars, and linguists. Dr Anuradha Jayasinghe, who is the master of the ceremony, warmly welcomed the gathering. Since the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, was unable to attend the event, her recorded message was played during the ceremony.

Next, Dr Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, addressed the gathering and stated that the educational cooperation between India and Sri Lanka has produced many distinguished scholars in this country. He further mentioned that Ven. Anandakitthi Thero, the author of this book, is a linguist who completed his postgraduate studies in India, and that this work stands as a valuable outcome of the long-standing academic relationship between the two countries

The keynote address on the book was delivered by Emeritus Professor R. M. W. Rajapaksa from the Department of Linguistics. In his address, he stated that this work by Ven. Kapugollawe Anandakitthi Thero would be remembered in history as the first linguistic study on a foreign language written by a Sri Lankan linguist.

The ceremonial presentation of the book followed thereafter. Mr Maitrey Kulkarni, Ms Roshani Thomson, Dr Sudath Senarath, Dr Kalyani Karunathilaka, Senior Professor Induragare Dhammarathana Thera, Emeritus Professor R. M. W. Rajapaksa, Senior Professor Lakshman Seneviratne, and Dr Ashoka Premaratne were invited to the stage and were presented with copies of the book by the author.

The address of the chief guest was delivered by Mr Maitrey Kulkarni, Counsellor (Development Cooperation), High Commission of India. Conveying the greetings of the Government of India and the High Commission of India to the Venerable Thera, he stated that Marathi, one of the modern Indian languages, is his mother tongue, and that it is indeed a rare and remarkable occasion for a Sri Lankan scholar to engage in a phonological and grammatical analysis of that language. He further explained that although the historical relationship between Sri Lanka and India is often reflected through culture, art, music, and literature, the linguistic relationship between the two nations is even deeper and stronger, as demonstrated by this scholarly work and the ongoing studies on the Sinhala language. He also expressed his strong belief that this book by Ven. Dr Kapugollawe Anandakitthi Thero would open a valuable new avenue for comparative studies between Sinhala and modern Indo-Aryan languages.

Finally, the proceedings concluded with a brief vote of thanks delivered by Ven. Anandakiththi Thera.