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{{Infobox person
| name = Harsha Wijayawardhana
| image = <!– Upload a photo to Wikimedia Commons, then put the file name here –>
| caption = <!– Optional: caption for the image –>
| birth_date = <!– Example: 1965 or 1970s –>
| birth_place = Sri Lanka
| nationality = Sri Lankan
| citizenship = Sri Lankan
| alma_mater = University of Miami
| occupation = Technologist, Software Developer, Internet Governance Advocate, Researcher
| known_for = Sinhala Unicode, IDNs (.ලංකා, .இலங்கை), Universal Acceptance, Sinhala Numeral Research
| years_active = <!– Example: 1990–present –>
| title = FBCS, CITP
}}
”’Harsha Wijayawardhana”’
”’Harsha Wijayawardhana”’
|
Harsha Wijayawardhana |
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Sri Lanka |
| Citizenship | Sri Lankan |
| Alma mater | University of Miami |
| Occupation(s) | Technologist, Software Developer, Internet Governance Advocate, Researcher |
| Known for | Sinhala Unicode, IDNs (.ලංකා, .இலங்கை), Universal Acceptance, Sinhala Numeral Research |
| Title | FBCS, CITP |
Harsha Wijayawardhana
Harsha Wijayawardhana FBCS, CITP is a Sri Lankan technologist, software developer, Internet governance advocate, and researcher. He is known for his contributions to Sinhala script digitization, development and promotion of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) in Sri Lanka, advancement of Universal Acceptance (UA), and research into indigenous Sinhala numeral systems.[1] He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS) and a Chartered IT Professional (CITP). Wijayawardhana is the author of Numeration in the Sinhala Language, considered one of the most detailed modern studies of Sinhala Illakkam and Lith Illakkam.[2]
Early life and education
Wijayawardhana studied Biochemistry at the University of Miami in the United States.[3] After returning to Sri Lanka, he transitioned into the ICT sector, applying scientific and analytical principles to software development, language standardization, and Internet infrastructure.
Career
Software development
Wijayawardhana has worked extensively in software engineering, focusing on multilingual computing and digital inclusion technologies.[4] His work includes:
Development of Sinhala Unicode rendering tools, input methods, and text-processing systems.
Engineering work on DNS and IDN-related applications, including validation and multilingual domain-management tools.
Contributions to Email Address Internationalization (EAI) and Universal Acceptance (UA).[5]
Development of web and backend systems used by academic bodies, government institutions, and language technology projects.
These contributions have supported Sri Lanka’s transition to standardized local-language digital communication.
Sinhala Unicode and script digitization
Wijayawardhana played a major role in Sri Lanka’s shift from legacy Sinhala font systems to Unicode-based script standardization.[6] His efforts helped establish interoperability across government ICT systems, media, education, and online platforms, ensuring long-term digital preservation of the Sinhala language.
Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs)
He contributed to the development and promotion of Sri Lanka’s Sinhala (.ලංකා) and Tamil (.இலங்கை) country-code IDN domains.[7] His involvement included policy development, technical standardization, and stakeholder capacity-building programmes.
Universal Acceptance (UA)
Wijayawardhana is one of Sri Lanka’s most active national advocates for Universal Acceptance.
He has conducted UA-readiness workshops, technical training sessions, and awareness programmes to promote the adoption of IDNs, EAI, and multilingual identifiers across Sri Lankan software systems.[8]
Internet governance
Wijayawardhana has participated in the work of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), particularly through the Asia Pacific Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO).[9]
His contributions include multilingual access standards, DNS stability, end-user rights, and culturally inclusive Internet policy development.
Research on numeral systems
Wijayawardhana is one of the few contemporary researchers studying indigenous Sri Lankan numeral traditions. His work examines Sinhala Illakkam, Lith Illakkam, and their relationships with Brahmi and Kharoshthi numeral systems.[10]
His research is consolidated in his book Numeration in the Sinhala Language, which offers one of the most systematic modern analyses of traditional Sinhala numeration.
Writing and publications
He has written numerous articles on Sinhala Unicode, IDNs, Universal Acceptance, EAI, digital heritage, and ICT policy.[11]
His writing integrates technological, linguistic, and historical perspectives, contributing to national discussions on digital standards and cultural preservation.
Wijayawardhana also delivers lectures, workshops, and training programmes on ICT standardization, DNS security, Internet policy, and language technology.
Professional affiliations
Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS)
Chartered IT Professional (CITP)
Contributor to ICANN and APRALO
Participant in national ICT localization and language-standardization initiatives
Selected works
Books
Wijayawardhana, Harsha. Numeration in the Sinhala Language. (Publication details required)
Articles and technical publications
Technical writings on Sinhala Unicode standardization
Publications on IDNs and multilingual Internet architecture
Papers on Universal Acceptance and Email Address Internationalization
Writings on Sinhala numerals and linguistic heritage
Commentaries on Internet governance and ICT policy
References
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22]
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ [7]
- ^ [8]
- ^ [9]
- ^ [10]
- ^ [11]
- ^ [1] Placeholder reference: “Sri Lankan Technologist Harsha Wijayawardhana Honored as FBCS”.
- ^ [2] Placeholder reference: Review of Numeration in the Sinhala Language.
- ^ [3] Placeholder reference: University of Miami Department of Biochemistry, Alumni Profile.
- ^ [4] Placeholder reference: “Contributions to Multilingual Software Engineering”.
- ^ [5] Placeholder reference: Professional profile or EAI/UA project documentation.
- ^ [6] Placeholder reference: Government ICT Agency report on Sinhala Unicode Standardization.
- ^ [7] Placeholder reference: ICANN documentation on the .ලංකා and .இலங்கை IDNs.
- ^ [8] Placeholder reference: Report on Universal Acceptance workshops in Colombo.
- ^ [9] Placeholder reference: APRALO meeting minutes or ICANN participation logs.
- ^ [10] Placeholder reference: Wijayawardhana, Numeration in the Sinhala Language.
- ^ [11] Placeholder reference: List of ICT publications by Harsha Wijayawardhana.
