Dr. Menik Wakkumbura

Senior Lecturer, Grade-II

Department of International Relations

Ph.D. (Colombo), M.Phil. (Oslo), B.A (Hons) (Colombo)

CTHE (UOC), SEDA (UK)

Office: +94 (0)11 2500433   Email: menik@inr.cmb.ac.lk

Menik Wakkumbura is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and a former Consultant at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (2009–2018). With over 18 years of experience in teaching, her expertise spans International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Foreign Policy, Security Studies, and Geopolitics, with a particular focus on South Asia. Her research and publications primarily address post-war peacebuilding in Sri Lanka, the role of third parties in international negotiations, Sri Lanka’s foreign policy and maritime security issues. In 2023, she co-founded the Youth Wellness Center at the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, where she is actively involved in capacity building and providing wellness services to undergraduates.

Qualifications

  • PhD 2020

    ``Dilemmas of justice in Reconciliation: Analyzing Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka since 2009``

    University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  • M.Phil. 2008

    ``Peacemaking: Touch-and-Go? A Critical Analysis of Norway's Facilitation in the Sri Lankan Peace Process (2002-2006)``

    M.Phil. Peace & Conflict Studies, University of Oslo, Norway.

  • Graduate Course 2005

    Peace Research

    University of Oslo & Peace Research Institute in Oslo (PRIO), Norway.

  • B.A. (Honors) 2005

    B.A (Hons) in International Relations (First Class)

    University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  • Certificate 2003

    Social Science Research

    A.C.S Hameed Foundation, Sri Lanka.

  • Diploma 2002

    Human Rights

    Institute of Human Rights, Sri Lanka

Professional Certifications (Other)

  • 2021

    Certificate Course on Disability Awareness and Sensitization

    University of Colombo

  • 2020

    SEDA- Professional Teaching Qualification (UK)

    Certificate of Accreditation as a Teacher in Higher Education Staff and Educational Development Association, The United Kingdom

  • 2020

    CTHE- Professional Teaching Qualification (Sri Lanka)

    Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE) The University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 2017

    Speech-Crafter

    Toastmasters International

  • 2011

    Certified Trainer (ToT Qualification)

    Singapore Civil Service Collage (SCS) and Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA)

Professional Career

  • 20182016

    Head, Centre for Languages Studies (CLS)

    Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Sri Lanka.

  • 20182009

    Consultant

    Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Sri Lanka.

  • 20162014

    Coordinator/SLIDA (Financial Disbursement)

    National Education Commission (NEC), Sri Lanka and World Bank.

  • 20092008

    Programme Officer (On Assignment)

    Peace & Conflict Division, Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS). Sri Lanka

  • 20182016

    Head, Centre for Languages Studies (CLS)

    Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Sri Lanka.

  • 20182009

    Consultant

    Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Sri Lanka.

  • 20162014

    Coordinator/SLIDA (Financial Disbursement)

    National Education Commission (NEC), Sri Lanka and World Bank.

  • 20092008

    Programme Officer (On Assignment)

    Peace & Conflict Division, Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS). Sri Lanka

  • 20182016

    Head, Centre for Languages Studies (CLS)

    Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Sri Lanka.

  • 20182009

    Consultant

    Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), Sri Lanka.

  • 20162014

    Coordinator/SLIDA (Financial Disbursement)

    National Education Commission (NEC), Sri Lanka and World Bank.

  • 20092008

    Programme Officer (On Assignment)

    Peace & Conflict Division, Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS). Sri Lanka

  • 20062005

    Assistant Lecturer/ Tutor

    Dept. of International Relations, University of Colombo Sri Lanka.

  • 20052004

    Programme Assistant

    United States- Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, Sri Lanka.

Positions

  • present 2022

    Temporary Student Counselor

    Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

  • presentMarch 2023

    Coordinator

    Youth Wellness Center, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

  • November 2022February 2022

    Chair/ Undergraduate Research Symposium on Humanities and Social Sciences (URSHSS, 2022)

    Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

  • 20222019

    Activity Coordinator- The World Bank, AHEAD Grant (Department of International Relations)

  • 20212018 April

    Temporary Student Counselor

    Faculty of Arts

  • 20162014

    Associate Editor

    Sri Lanka Journal of Development Administration (SLJDA)

  • 2016 2015

    Team Member

    Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and SLIDA.

  • 20162014

    Coordinator/SLIDA (Financial Disbursement)

    National Education Commission (NEC), Sri Lanka and World Bank.

  • 20172015

    Academic Coordinator

    EU-UN Joint Programme on The Governance for Local Economic Development Programme (GLED)