Biography
I am an archaeologist and critical heritage scholar with over a decade of academic and professional experience in the heritage field in Australia and Sri Lanka. I have a PhD in Heritage Studies (Deakin University), a BA (Hons) and an MPhil in Archaeology (University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka). My research looks at the politicisation of heritage and archaeology in Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia with a focus on the potential of heritage for resilience building in communities recovering from war.
I am an International Member of ICOMOS and currently Co-Chair of the Sri Lanka ICOMOS National Scientific Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage. I am the co-editor of the forthcoming Routledge Handbook of Heritage Destruction.
Read more on Melathi's profileCareer highlights
2015 Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship, Deakin University, Melbourne.
2010 Durham Doctoral Studentship, Durham University, UK (awarded but not taken up due to personal reasons)
2009 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Young Researcher in Social Sciences 2009, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
2008 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Young Researcher in Social Sciences 2008, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Research interests
Post-conflict heritage, Heritage and politics, cultural resilience, heritage destruction, Malay diaspora.
Knowledge areas
Critical heritage studies, cultural resilience, post-conflict heritage, heritage destruction, South Asian archaeology.
Professional activities
Co-Chair - Sri Lanka ICOMOS National Scientific Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage
Resource Person - Sustainable Heritage Management Course (UNESCO, Bangkok) (2021 & 2023)
Researcher - Facilitating community agency and competencies in the Chiang Mai, Thailand, UNESCO World Heritage nomination process (with Chiang Mai University (Thailand) and UNESCO Bangkok) (2021)
Publications
A Path Well Worn? Approaches for the Old Problem of Heritage Destruction
Jose Gonzalez Zarandona, Emma Cunliffe, Melathi Saldin
(2023), pp. 1-34, The Routledge Handbook of Heritage Destruction, London, Eng., B1
The Routledge Handbook of Heritage Destruction
Jose Gonzelez Zarandona, Jose Gonzelez Zarandona, Emma Cunliffe, Emma Cunliffe, Melathi Saldin, Melathi Saldin
(2023), London, Eng., A7
Pushing boundaries: heritage resilience of minority communities in post-war Sri Lanka
Melathi Saldin
(2019), pp. 237-256, Architecture on the borderline: boundary politics and built space, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Melathi Saldin, Catherine Forbes
(2018), Vol. 30, pp. 76-83, Historic Environment, Burwood, Vic., C1
Funded Projects at Deakin
No Funded Projects at Deakin found
Supervisions
No completed student supervisions to report