Research Interests

• The intersection of journalism and philosophy and evolving trends in journalism
• Visual Communication
• Film and Television Production Technology
• philosophy

Conference Papers

• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2025). The Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Storyboard Development: Enhancing Creativity and Efficiency in Film Pre-Production.7th International research symposium in Humanities and social sciences (IRSHSS) 2025, NCAS, Sri Lanka.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2023). The Impact of Social Media on Social Tolerance Based on the Bill on Determining Homosexuality. MSDC 2023, The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM). ISBN: 978-624-5746-50-7.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2022). A Very Effective Way to Fulfill Good Health & Well-Being by TAO Meditation. SDC G03 Summit, Olympus Diplomatic Auditorium, BMICH.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2018). An Analysis on the Impact of SMS News Alerts on Mismanaging Critical Environmental Attributes Sequential Pre-Disaster Warnings. IPRC 2018, University of Kelaniya.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2019). Modern Trends in eLearning. NATLIB Research Conference, National Library of Sri Lanka.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2019). Using PowerPoint Presentations to Enhance Student Learning: With Reference to Walasmulla National School, Hambantota. SLJCR 2019, University of Peradeniya.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2019). Influence of Television on Adolescents’ Health Habits (Gampaha & Hambantota Districts). iconArts2019, University of Colombo.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2019). Educational Benefits for Undergraduates in Sri Lanka by Using Video-Based e-Learning. RIRC2019, University of Rajarata.

Book chapter

• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2026 June). The Male Gaze and Visual Grammar in Sri Lankan Teledrama: A Psychoanalytic Reading of Thathparayak Denna. Contemporary Issues in Humanities and Social Sciences: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Book Code: RC-2026-SC/A1.Deep Science Publishing, 2026.India.

Journal

• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2024). Women and Youth in Politics: The Prospects of Art for Political Literacy Among Young Women – A Case Study of Ratmalana University College. Planetary Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities Research, USA.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2023). The Potential of Art for Political Literacy of Young Women – Special Reference to University College of Ratmalana. Parlimenthu Sara Sanhitha Refereed Journal, Parliament, Sri Lanka.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2022). Digital Culture, Ethics and Regulations. Jathika Madya Sankathana, Department of Government Information, Sri Lanka.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2019). Buddhist Communication and Radio. Radio Journal, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.

Book publishes

• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2018). Television News and Diunar Mass Ideology (Philosophy, News Views and Television). Dayawansha Publishers, Colombo.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2018). Sahithya Sankathana (Kavya Shasthra, Aristotle Theory and Edipas Drama). Dayawansha Publishers, Colombo.

Magazine articles

• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2020). The Theoretical Qualities and Artistic Qualities of Television Dramas. Rupavahini Sameeksha, 11th Academic Volume.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2021). The Web Radio Concept Challenging the Concept of Dominance. Guwan Widuli Sameeksha, 2nd Academic Volume.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2029). Colombo Poetry on Provincial and Regional Radio. Kolamba Kavya Sameeksha, 1st Academic Volume.
• Dahanayaka, H.T., & Wickramarathne, P. (2019). The Recorded Extempore Verses Pavilions. Kolamba Kavya Sameeksha.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2019). A Psychological Criticism of Gogol’s Mala Minissu Novel. National Literature Academic Volume.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2019). Cinema Screen and Audience Relationship. Kala Magazine, Arts Council, Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
• Dahanayaka, H.T. (2017). An Analysis of the Nature of Reality Reflecting Through Television News Genre Impacting on the Rural Community Quotidian Mass Media Ideolog. University of Colombo.

Teaching Expertise

• Artificial Intelligence in Journalism
• Visual Communication
• Media Aesthetics
• Digital Media
• Psychoanalysis
• Film Studies
• Male Gaze Theory
• Gender Representation

Curriculum Contributions

• Member, Curriculum Development committee, Department of Communication and Creative Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, 2020.
• Member: Proposal Development Committee, AHEAD Project, Sri Palee Campus, 2019.
• Editor: 2018/19 Student Handbook, Sri Palee Campus.
• Assistant Coordinator: 2019/20 Student Handbook, Sri Palee Campus.

Projects Completed

• Freelance Presenter for Digital media.
• Lyrics Writer – Stop-motion film “Her Story” (2017), Sri Palee Campus.
• Script Writer & Director of Photography – Documentary on Sirilal Kodikara.
• Script Writer & Coordinator – Alternative Cinema Conference with Ashoka Handagama, Dr. Somarathna Dissanayake, Mr. Chinthana Dharmadhasa, Lecturer Boopathi Nalin Wickramage.
• Lyrics Writer – “Arunella” Theme Song, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo (2016)

Professional Experience

Awards & Honors

• Best Country Coordinator Award, 3rd International Research Conference Media Science and Digital Communication (2023)
• National Youth Awards Finalist (2019)
• Gold Medals (All Island Poem, Lyrics, Arts Competitions, 2010-2011)
• Most Outstanding Student Award, General Convocation, University of Colombo (2017)
• First Class Honours in Mass Communication, University of Colombo
• Mahapola and Grade Five Scholarships, Sri Lanka

Professional Memberships

Member of the Jury Panel,
State Television Awards 2025,
Ministry of Cultural affairs, Sri Lanka.

Workshops & Training

• Speaker at the panel discussion on “photojournalism, balancing truth and creativity” during the World press photo Exhibition 2024in Galle. (01st of February 2025)
• Successfully participated in the “Practical Use of AI in Digital Journalism” workshop held on 17th June 2026, from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), Colombo 05.
• Successfully participated in the National Consultation Workshop on Rights-Based Governance of Digital Platforms, held on 9 December 2025 at the University of Vocational Technology.
• ISO 21001:2018 Quality Management System, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Colombo (14.08.2023)
• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Colombo (06.12.2022).

Skills & Expertise

• Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition, EDIUS
• Statistical: SPSS
• Office: MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint
• Graphics: Adobe Photoshop