Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi was appointed Honorary Research Associate (HRA) (Feb 2013) at the MCD University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia in recognition of his long term research area in Religion and its role in the changing global contexts. The Institute has also considered his current research schedules he has undertaken since the publication of his most recent book (Faithing the Native Soil: Dilemmas and Aspirations of Post colonial Buddhists and Christians in Sri Lanka, 2012, Colombo) . The professor emeritus Paul Beirne of the MCD in an email communication reiterated “Congratulations! Very well deserved. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement for MCD University of Divinity and for you. I am really delighted with the result”.
He was willing to share his current research content when asked on this Blog. The following would reflect this engagement.
- De-radicaisation processes of ex-combatants of Sri Lanka’s 30 year conflict to determine their levels of aggression, alliance and allegiance to violence ridden apparatus to redress what they call as ‘ last resort legitimate means’ for political settlement (2009 – on going) (See publication list in this Blog)
- Co scholar in the research and study of the Hizmet (service) Movement (pioneered by Turkish Imam Fetaullah Gulen) and its impact on European nations (2007 – on going, publication list in this Blog). Currently preparing for a comparative study of the Hizmet movement and the Sarvodaya movement of Sri Lanka for a project based in the Wahington DC.
- Researching with an International group of 11 scholars specialised in theology of Religions and Pluralism Discourse to produce a volume as its co-editor in December 2013 with the SCM publishers. London.
- Co founding the Intertextuality research project cum its bi annual conferences led by the Kerala based native Mar Thoma Christians, their ecumenical counterparts in India and other theologians across the region, an attempt to recover an Asian hermeneutical tool to read and understand the depth wisdom of Sacred Scriptures (2004- ongoing, see publication list in this Blog). Currently studying and preparing for a major paper for the Fifth International bi-annual Interfaith Conference on Holy Books under the theme HOLY BOOKS AND LIFE AFTER LIFE. His own paper is under way as The Living Word in the Words of the Living where intends to extrapolate the crucial content of the Living which make the Word continue live. Also he radically questions whether there world be meaning to Word with the the Words of the Living.
When he was asked about this appointment. He said that he too was delighted about the MCD’s recognition of his contribution especially to be associated with its new academic status as a full fledged University now in the Southern hemisphere and able to compete in academic terms with its counterparts in the United States and in Europe. His links with the MCD had been long since the completion of his own PhD and then continue as its external examiner of its MA and PhD level dissertations and theses. He says that now he could have more direct links with its research wing which is quite extensive and International.