S. Pathmanathan

Professor Sivasubramaniam Pathmanathan (; born 20 March 1940) is a Sri Lankan Tamil historian, academic, author and former chancellor of the University of Jaffna.

Early life and family Pathmanathan was born on 20 March 1940 in Araly in northern Ceylon. He is the son of Sivasubramaniam, a teacher at Vaddukoddai Hindu College, and Sivapakkiyam. He was a visiting professor at Eastern University, Sri Lanka (2007–08) where he helped establish the Hindu Civilisation discipline.

Pathmanathan has served in various positions including vice chairman of the University Grants Commission (1994–99) and a member of the National Education Commission (1991-2001).

In 2026, Pathmanathan published *Glimpses of an Ancient Civilisation: Society and Culture in Jaffna (300 BC to AD 500)*, which examines the society and culture of early Jaffna from 300 BC to AD 500. A review by Jehan Perera described the work as a significant contribution to the study of Sri Lanka’s early history, particularly in its analysis of settlement patterns, cultural developments, and links with South India.

Works Pathmanathan is a prolific writer — he has written/edited several books and authored dozens of papers. The Vanniyar (Tamil) (1970, Peradeniya) The Kingdom of Jaffna, Part 1 (Circa A.D. 1250-1450) (1978, Arul M. Rajendran) The Laws and Customs of the Sri Lankan Tamils (Tamil) (2001, Kumaran Press) Hindu Culture in Sri Lanka, Volume 1: Temple Art & Architecture (editor) (Tamil) (2001, Department of Hindu Religious & Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka) Hindu Culture in Sri Lanka, Volume 2: Dances & Paintings (editor) (Tamil) (2002, Department of Hindu Religious & Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka) The Vanni Principalities in Sri Lanka (Tamil) (2003, Kumaran Press) Tamil Literature and Historical Traditions in Sri Lanka (Tamil) (2004, Kumaran Press) Hinduism in Sri Lanka (Tamil) (2004, Kumaran Press) Tamil Inscriptions in Sri Lanka (Tamil) (2006, Department of Hindu Religious & Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka) Glimpses of an Ancient Civilisation: Society and Culture in Jaffna (300 BC to AD 500) (2026)