CAREER SUMMARY
Renowned academic and researcher in Plant Biotechnology. After graduating from faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, I completed the M.Sc Degree in Pennsylvania State University, USA, and Ph.D. in University of London, UK. I started my career at Faculty of Agriculture University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka as a Lecturer in Department of Crop Science and promoted to senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor and Senior Professor during my 30 years of service. In this period I supervised 69 postgraduate students, published 31 papers in peer reviewed journals, two books, two monographs and received nine national awards including presidential award for my contributions to plant tissue culture, molecular biology, biotechnology and floriculture. I was an adjunct Professor at Clemson University, USA, Murdock University, Australia and University of Guelph, Canada. I served as a Senior Professor and Head/ Biotechnology at the Horizon Campus, Malabe Sri Lanka, and as a Visiting Professor in Biotechnology at Business Management School, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D (Horticulture), University of London, UK , 1992
- M.Sc. (Agronomy), The Pennsylvania State University, USA, 1986
- B.Sc. (Agriculture), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1978
RESEARCH INTERESTS AND MEMBERSHIP
Research Interests
- Low cost micropropagation
- Plant tissue culture for crop improvement
- Molecular Biology for Crop Improvement.
Memberships
- Main Committee Member 2017 to date, Committee on Equating and or Validating of Certificates of Diplomas and Degree (CVECD), National Apprentice & Industrial Training Authority, Sri Lanka
- Committee Member for Developing National Competency Standards 2017-2018 For Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory Assistant, National Apprentice & Industrial Training Authority, Sri Lanka
- Working Committee on Technology 2013 to 2017, National Science Foundation, 47/5, Maitland Place, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
- Advisory Committee on Floriculture, Export Development Board, 42, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka, 2013 to 2014,
- Research committee on floriculture, Council for Agricultural Research Policy,114/9, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka, 2006 to date
- Working Committee on Biotechnology, National Science Foundation,47/5, Maitland Place, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka, 1999 - 2000,
- Specialists Group on Plant Breeders,Tissue Culturists and Biotechnologists, Sri Lanka, 1999 - 2000
- Council for Agricultural Research Policy, 114/9, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
- Intermediate Technology Group: Biotechnology, Lionel Edirisinghe Mawatha, Kilulapone, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka, 1999 -2000
- Sri Lanka association for Advancement of Science Life member
- Alumni Association of University of Peradeniya, Life member
- Alumni Association of Faculty of Agriculture Life member
- Hill country Horticultural Association, Kandy Life member
Member of National Committees
Member of National Associations
