About PGIHS
The Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS) was established by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2014, by an Ordinance made by the University Grants Commission under Section 24A of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978. According to the Gazette Extraordinary No. 1843/45 of 3rd January 2014, the mandate of the Institute is to promote and develop higher education and research, at the postgraduate level, in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The PGIHS is the heir to the postgraduate programmes previously offered by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Peradeniya.
Vision and Mission
Vision
To be the leader in postgraduate education, research and critical thinking in the Humanities and the Social Sciences in the country and a center of excellence of learning in the region.
Mission
To provide high quality postgraduate education aimed at producing scholars, researchers and professionals who not only possess knowledge, skills and competencies in their respective fields of study but also have a sense of duty towards fellow humans, society and environment.
Core Values
- Equality of opportunity
- Academic integrity and professionalism
- Critical pursuit of knowledge
- Social sensitivity and mutual respect
- Respect for diversity and freedom of expression
- Democratic governance and management
- Accountability and transparency of operations.
History of PGIHS 
Past Directors
History of PGIHS
The Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS) was established by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2014, by an Ordinance made by the University Grants Commission under Section 24A of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978 to provide higher education and training and enhance research in the fields of Humanities and Social Sciences. The PGIHS aims to become a centre of excellence in education, research, and creative thinking in the Humanities and Social Sciences and to produce scholars committed to the advancement of knowledge through critical and independent thinking with a sense of duty towards society.
Past Directors
Prof. J. M. Ananda Jayawickrama – 2015 May 09 – 2021 May 09
Prof. S.J.S. de Mel – 2021 May 10 – 2024 May 09
Prof. Wasantha Athukorala – 2024 May 10 – 2027 May 09
