Back
Sri Lanka School of Social Work – Senior Lecturer
Director Quality Assurance CQA NISD

+94714452783
manjula@nisd.ac.lk

Mrs. G.A.M.S.P. Wijesekare

I am Manjula Wijesekara, a dedicated professional passionate about education and quality assurance. With a background as a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Sociology, as well as serving as the Director of Quality Assurance at the National Institute of Social Development, I bring a wealth of experience in academia and human services. My journey in academia has been characterized by commitment to fostering dynamic learning environments and ensuring the highest standards of education. As a senior counselor and social work practitioner, I have actively contributed to the field of human services, particularly in areas such as child and family social work, rehabilitation social work, and general practice of counseling. Currently, I am following my Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of Kelaniya, with a research focus on domestic violence against women and social work intervention. I am deeply invested in creating meaningful learning experiences and driving positive change in the academic landscape. My enthusiasm for empowering the next generation of leaders and upholding the overall quality of education shines through in my work. I take great pride in my contributions to both students and institutions alike and I am committed to advancing the field of social work through research, teaching, and practice.

Educational Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW), National Institute of Social Development in collaboration with the Queens University- Kingston- Canada 2012

•Master of Social Sciences (MSSc.) Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

• 2004 Bachelor of Arts (Special) Sociology Department of Sociology Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka ,1999

• Higher Diploma in Counseling, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Sri Lanka ,2006

• Higher Diploma in Professional Social Work (Two years full time – 66 credits) National Institute of Social Development, Nawala, Rajagiriya ,2001

BOOKS

•  M.(2023) Social Work with Single parent families in Sri Lanka, Author publisher • Wijesekara,,M.(2023) “Ape Daruwo” ,Author publisher

Research Papers

•  Socioemotional Challenges Indigenous Elders – Study Based on Rural Elders in Northern Province- Social Aspects of Ageing in Indigenous Communities – Oxford Press 2022.

•  Socio-Economic Challenges at Caregiving (Special Reference To Alzheimer’s Disease) WDRC – 2017 The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM).

•  Professional Social Work Practice in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Journal of Social Work, Social Development Policy, Research and Publication Division, National Institute Social Development, Sri Lanka. Volume 01, ISBN: 978-955-8003-15-2 – 2016

• Young People Caring for Their Parents: A Collaborative Study in Japan and Sri Lanka”, International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice Horizon Research Publishing Vol.5. No.4 November, 2017, pp. 157-172, IJRH2-19290475- 2017

 

Abstract

•  Contribution of Youth in Informal Tertiary Education: Researching Factors and Trends Influencing in it. Jaffna, Northern Province – International Conference on Social work – National Institute of Social Development – 2022

•  Waste Segregation and Green Social Work: Lessons from Community based Initiatives of Community Organization Practice”- International Conference on Social work – National Institute of Social Development – 2022.

•   Home for Homeless: A Novel Phenomenon in Childcare and Protection among newly relocated families in Colombo District – International Symposium on Rights of Children without Parental Care – Organized by SOS Children Village, Sri Lanka.

Editorial work

• Student Journal of Social Work,2023

MEMBERSHIPS

• Member of SLAPSW ,Member of APASWE

Positions Held

• Designation: Community Development Officer Name of the Institute: Social Service Participatory Development Foundation Job responsibilities: Community Development, Community Social Work, Community Mobilizing Time Period: 1998-2000

• Designation: Community Facilitator Name of the Institute: Sri Lanka Association of Professional Social Workers Job responsibilities: Community mobilizing and Project Management Time Period: 2000-2001

• Designation: The Principal, Certified Girls School Name of the Institute: Department of Probation and child care services (W.P) Job responsibilities: Institutional Management and Rehabilitation Process (Case Conference, Social Case work Application and Involving legal issues related to Children) Time Period: 2001- 2005

• Designation: Program officer Name of the Institute: Ministry of Social services Job responsibilities: Coordinating National Counseling Program, Organizing Counseling Clinic, Counseling Training, control Quality of the counseling programs in Sri Lanka Time Period: 2005 – 2006  Lecturer II /Senior lecturer/ Director National Institute of Social Development (2006-2024)

• Visiting Academic: Open University of Sri Lanka, Department of Social Studies, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka Time Period:  2024

• Dissertation Supervisor:  Master of Social Work PGIHS, University of Peradeniya 2023 -2024  Resource person Save the Children Resource fool 2018-2020

Awards/Scholarships/Medals/Prizes

• In 2021, I was privileged in the ‘Leadership Capacity Building for Female Officials from Developing Countries’ program at China Women’s University in the Republic of China.

• In 2018, I was privileged to join the ‘Faculty Development Programme’ at Tata Institute of Social Sciences in India.

• In 2013, I engaged in the ‘Social Management Capacity Building for Female Officials from Asian Developing Countries’ program.”” program at China Women’s University in the Republic of China.

Teaching (Courses Conducted)

• Diploma in SW (Sinhala /English) Subjects: – social problems in Sri Lanka , Social Environment ,Introduction to Social Work ,Case work and Case Management ,Social work with communities ,Social Group work ,Field Supervision and conducting Orientation programs,

• Higher Diploma in SW (Sinhala /English) Subjects: – Introduction to Social Work, Social Environment , Social Problems ,Working with individuals and families, Social Welfare in Human service Organization , Working with social groups General counseling ,Social Work Research and Project Management , Working With Communities ,Service Delivery in Human Settlement

• Dip. In Counseling (English) Subject: – Basic Research Methods for Counseling

• Dip.in. Child Protection (Sinhala) Subject: – Working with Children at Risk

• Diploma.in Sign Language (Sinhala) Subject: – Working with Social Groups

• Diploma in women Empowerment (Sinhala) Subject: – Women’s personality Skills practice

• Certificate course in Counseling and Psychosocial Intervention for Police officers – Northern Province in Sri Lanka (Sinhala) Subject: – Child and women Desk

• Under graduate Level (English /Sinhala) Subjects: – Introduction to Social Work ,Sociology for Social work, Basic Methods and Techniques in Social Work , Social Case work and case management ,Social Issues and Social Problems In Sri Lanka , Applied Research Methods ,Social Work Management ,Counseling skills in Social Work 1, Counseling skills in Social Work 11 ,Service Delivery in Human Settlement, Community Health , Medical and Mental Health Social Work, Research coordinator 2017- 2021

• Post graduate Level (English / Sinhala) Subjects: – Sociology for social work , Understanding Sri Lankan Society , Social Welfare service provision in Sri Lanka , Philosophy and principles of Social Work , Social Work Management, Methods and techniques in Social Work -1 , Methods and Techniques in Social Work -11 ,Social Case work and Case management

Research Interests

Child care social work ,Child and family social work ,Rehabilitation social work ,Social empowerment practice, Domestic violence and social work intervention, Social policy