Felicitation by Peradeniya and presentation of ‘Perspectives in Archaeology – Leelananda Prematilleke Festschrift’, 1990
His nearly 30 years of service was felicitated by the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya on 18th July 1990 by the publication of a Felicitation Volume titled ‘Perspectives in Archaeology’.
In his Felicitation Volume, Professor K.N.O.Dharmadasa, ( PhD ),one of the most senior educationists in Sri Lanka who happened to be one of Professor Prematilleke’s students, comments:
‘The period Prematilleke served in the University of Peradeniya 1960-1989, is what we may call a time of trouble. Since the establishment of the University in 1951, we have never witnessed such disruption of its work as during the last twenty years. Under such circumstances the academic staff have to play a difficult role in their dual capacity as teachers on the one hand and as friends- philosophers-guides on the other, to the students. Prematilleke was a rare case who succeeded in both these spheres.
Students evaluate an academic course not merely by the job prospects it offers. They also take into consideration the quality of teaching and quality of teachers in terms of the interest they display in the welfare of the students. Here, it is well known that the Department of Archaeology under Prematilleke has come high up in the scale of student evaluation. For he has not only recruited a highly competent teaching staff but also demonstrated in many instances that students of Archaeology will be well looked after, academically and personally.’ (K.N.O.Dharmadasa, Leelananda Prematilleke Festschrift, 1990 )
Journal ‘Nissanka’, Volume I No. 1 dedicated to him in December 2000 by the Central Cultural Fund
The Journal ‘Nissanka’ Volume I No.1, published by the Central Cultural Fund in December 2000, ISSN 1391-6262, was dedicated to him in felicitation of his 20-year service as Archaeological Director, UNESCO-Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle projects. This journal is available at the Central Cultural Fund Library, Colombo.
He was felicitated together with Dr. Roland Silva by ICOMOS – Sri Lanka on 24th March 2018 in honour of their dedicated services as past Presidents of ICOMOS – Sri Lanka. During the ceremony, Professor Prematilleke was conferred Honorary Membership of ICOMOS – International, the first Sri Lankan to receive it.
Appreciation by Sri Dalada Maligawa Kandy for the International Buddhist Museum
He was awarded a plaque of appreciation by The Hon. Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara, Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, for his commendable and dedicated service in planning, arranging and designing the International Buddhist Museum, at its ceremonial opening in 2011.
Felicitation by the Archaeology Students Association, University of Kelaniya, 2007
He was among 10 teachers felicitated by the Archaeology Students Association of University of Kelaniya, in appreciation of his services to the teaching of Archaeology (2007). He was also included in the book titled ‘ශ්රේෂ්ඨ පුරාවිද්යාඥයෝ’ published on this occasion (available at PGIAR library Colombo).
Plaque of Appreciation by the ‘Lamarakshaka Bauddha Samithiya’ Kandy
This was awarded by the ‘Lamarakshaka Bauddha Samithiya’ Kandy, for being its founder Chairperson, and his dedication to its continued development.
Award of Appreciation by the World Heritage Committee, Kandy Municipality, 2014
This was awarded to him in 2014 on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the World Heritage Committee, in recognition of his lifetime of service to preserve the archaeological heritage of this country, including the following:
- His long years of service in teaching archaeology at Peradeniya University
- The museums he designed and created
- His services to the Dalada Maligava Kandy, including designing of museums, creating its first website, investigating and preserving its archeological sites and buildings, and landscaping the environs
- His service on the Committee to make Kandy a World Heritage site, which was approved by UNESCO in 1988
Felicitation plaque awarded by the Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka
Awarded to him in appreciation of his incomparable service in preserving the national heritage of Sri Lanka (date unknown).
