Trainees

(arranged in alphabetical order)

ALL / Fiji / Hong Kong / Indonesia / Japan / Sri Lanka

Deaf

KANAKKAHEWA Pubodha Sarani

Ms. Pubodha Sarani Kanakkahewa is from Sri Lanka. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed three diplomas in the APSL program. She now focuses on dictionary and teaching materials production with the other Sri Lankan trainees in APSL.

Ms. Pubodha Sarani Kanakkahewa graduated from Rohana Special School, Matara, Sri Lanka. She is a member of the Central Federation of the Deaf Association in Sri Lanka and The Deaf Association in Matara. After her O/Level exams in 2007, she was chosen to be a student in the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre. In 2009, she earned a diploma from the APSL programme, taking courses in sign linguistics, English, computer skills, etc. In addition to her studies, she will continue to work on sign linguistics research until 2012. Recently, she interviewed Deaf people in Sri Lanka to gather linguistic data for making a Sri Lanka sign language dictionary, which she is working on with other Deaf researchers at the Centre. Her research interests include variation in sign language phonology and sign language dictionary production. In the future, she would like to help the Deaf in Sri Lanka by teaching Sri Lanka sign language to Deaf and hearing people.

KODITHUWAKKU KORALEGE Brayan Susantha

Mr. Kodithuwakku Koraralege Brayan Susantha is from Sri Lanka. He joined the APSL program in 2007. He has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.

Mr. Kodithuwakku Koraralege Brayan Susantha was born Deaf in a hearing family. He attended Rohana School for the Blind and Deaf in Matara where he learned sign language from Deaf adults. In 2007, he was chosen to participate in the Nippon Foundation-sponsored Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre. He received a diploma for his training in sign linguistics, computer skills and English in 2009 and is now studying for the higher diploma programme (2009-2012). He is also working as a language research project assistant and is responsible for materials production and sign language data collection and analysis. His research interests include various sign linguistics topics, with special interest in sign lexicography and Deaf history. In the future, he hopes to return to Sri Lanka and works on sign linguistics research. He also hopes to help Deaf people in Sri Lanka improve their independent life skills and stability, and to train teachers and parents of Deaf children in sign language and Deaf culture.

MATARAMBA KANATTA GAMAGE Geshani Amila

Ms. Mataramba Kanatta Gamage Geshani Amila is from Sri Lanka. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.

Ms. Mataramba Kanatta Gamage Geshani Amila attended Sacred Heart Convent, a girls’ school in Galle and Rohana special school in Matara, Sri Lanka. After her O-level exams, she joined the SUMAGA society at Matara, where she was introduced to the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre. She joined the APSL programme in 2007 and is working as a language research project assistant. She earned a diploma in 2009, completing courses on sign language syntax, morphology, phonology, Deaf culture, computer skills, English grammar, and Hong Kong sign language. Currently, she is studying for the higher diploma programme, taking courses on sign language research, sign language teaching and English grammar, while working on a Sri Lanka sign language dictionary with 3 other Deaf researchers. In the future, She hopes to earn her BA in linguistics and teach sign language and linguistics in universities in Sri Lanka. She would also like to be involved with Sri Lankan Deaf associations and share her knowledge and experiences with other Deaf people.

MOHAMED RAMEES Mohamed Razak

Mr. Mohamed Ramees Mohammed Razak is from Sri Lanka. He joined the APSL program in 2007. He has completed four diplomas in APSL program and is now studying for one more diploma.

Mr. Mohammed Razak was born Deaf in a hearing family. He studied at the Islamic Centre for the Physically Handicapped from 1996, where he prepared for his O-level exams. Since 2007, he has been working as a language research project assistant as part of the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme at the Centre and he completed the diploma programme in 2009. During the time here, he has received training in English, sign linguistics, sign language research, sign language teaching method, Deaf culture, computer skills and sign language dictionary production. Now, he is working on a Sri Lanka sign language dictionary, interviewing Deaf people in Sri Lanka to obtain sign data. His research interests are sign language phonology, morphology, syntax, sign language teaching method and Deaf culture. After he completes his training in 2012, he will join with the board of the Sri Lankan Association of the Deaf. He hopes to educate Deaf students in Deaf schools and hearing people about Deaf culture and sign language.