Academic and administrative position

  • Present2019

    Professor

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanaka

  • Present2022

    Research Fellow

    Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology

  • 20192011

    Senior Lecturer in Microbiology (Grade I)

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20192011

    Senior Lecturer in Microbiology (Grade II)

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • Present2023

    Visiting Lecturer, External Degree in Biotechnology and Microbiology

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanaka

  • Present2007

    Visiting Lecturer in M. Sc. in Agricultural Microbiology

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanaka

  • 20222022

    Visiting Lecturer in M. Sc. in Plant Cell and Tissue Culture

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanaka

  • 20172017

    Visiting Lecturer (M.Sc./Pg Dip in Environmental Engineering and Management)

    Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa

  • 20212019

    Visiting Lecturer- Environmental Biotechnology

    Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20162015

    Visiting Lecturer (Molecular Detection of Plant Pathogens)

    University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka

  • 20222014

    Visiting Lecturer (Environmental Microbiology)

    University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka

  • 20212015

    Visiting Lecturer (Microbial Ecology)

    University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka

  • 20212018

    Visiting Lecturer, International Foundation for Science

    British College of Applied Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20192017

    Visiting Lecturer, Diploma in Wildlife Management

    Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20132013

    Visiting Lecturer (Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences)

    Institute of Human Resource Advancement, University of Colombo

  • 20112009

    Visiting Lecturer, Diploma in Microbiological Techniques

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanaka

  • 20112011

    Visiting Lecturer (Pharmaceutical Microbiology)

    Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20051994

    Lecturer in Botany

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 19941993

    Assistant Lecturer (Temporary)

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Administrative Positions

  • 20222017

    Head of the Department

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanaka

  • Present2022

    Member of the Technical Advisory Committee (Proficiency Testing)

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • Present2021

    Member, Technical Advisory Committee on GLP

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • Present2023

    Member

    Consultative Committee on the Management of Circular Leaf Spot Disease of Rubber in Sri Lanka

  • Present2022

    Chairperson, Study Board of External Degree in Biotechnology and Microbiology

    Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • Present2022

    Chairperson, Study Board of M. Sc in Agricultural Microbiology

    Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20232022

    Member, Fertilizer Advisory Committee

    Ministry of Agriculture

  • 20232021

    Chief Editor

    Plants and Ecosystems

  • 20232022

    Member, Committee of National Organic Programme

    Ministry of Agriculture

  • 20252025

    Expert Committee Member

    The Parliamentary appointed “Task Force for Controlling of Pollution and Improving the Quality in water associated with the Diyawanna Oya that flows alongside the House of Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka``

  • 20222019

    Member, Board of Directors

    Science and Technology Cell, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20222021

    Member to the Minister of Agriculture appointed Special Committee on ‘Chemical free fertilizer: Special Committee for recommending import standards’

  • Present2021

    Member of the Committees under the State Ministry of Promotion and Regulating the Supply of Organic Fertilizer, and Paddy and Grains, Organic Foods, Vegetables, Fruits, Chillies, Onion and Potato Cultivation, Promoting Seed Production and Advance Technology Agriculture

  • Present2021

    Member of the Committees under the Sri Lanka Standards Institution for the preparation of Standards

  • Present2022

    Member, Sub-committee on Biotechnology

    National Science Foundation

  • 20232013

    Senior Treasurer

    Science Society, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20182016

    Secretary

    Science Teachers’ Association, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • Present2019

    Member

    NSF Working Group on “Guidelines and Training Manuals for R-DNA Technology in Contained Conditions”

  • Present2016

    Member

    National Committee on Biological Diversity, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment

  • 20152010

    Member of the Technical Advisory Committee (Biological Testing)

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • Present2008

    Technical Assessor

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • Present2012

    Member, Committee on Method validation

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • Present2011

    Committee member- SLCARP

    On the Implementation Process of the MSD Circular No. 45 on the 25% Research Allowance for Agriculture Scientists

  • 20122009

    Founder and First Coordinator - Diploma in Microbiological Techniques

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20172007

    Founder and First Coordinator - M.Sc.in Agricultural Microbiology

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20172015

    Member, NSF Working Committee on Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education

  • 20152013

    Chief Evaluator, G.C.E. (A/L) Biological Sciences

    Department of Examinations.

  • 20172011

    Member- National Committee on Research Programmes and Projects (NCRPP)

    Council for Agricultural Research Policy

  • 20152011

    Member – SLCARP Committee on the preparation of the National Agricultural Research Policy

  • 20122009

    Internal Auditor

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • 20132009

    Chairperson

    National Committee on Agro-biotechnology- Council for Agricultural Research Policy

  • 20082008

    Acting Director

    Magampura Agro Technology and Community Service Centre, University of Colombo

  • 20082006

    Founder and First Coordinator - Research and Development Forum

    Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20092007

    Department Coordinator for the Science and Technology Cell

    University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20082007

    Trainee Assessor

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

Other Contributions

  • 20222022

    Member, Review Panel, External Degree Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

    Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

  • 20222022

    External examiner: Industrial Biosystems Technology Programme `{`IBST`}`

    University of Sri Jayewardenepura

  • 20222022

    Member, Review panel to evaluate the degree programme in Bachelor of Science Honours in Biotechnology

    NSBM, Sri Lanka

  • 20222022

    Member, Panel of Reviewers, Research Grant Applications for University Grants

    University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 20222021

    Member, Panel of Judges (Medical Laboratory Sciences), International Research Conference

    KDU, Sri Lanka

  • 20212021

    Resource person-Training on laboratory accreditation (05-day workshop)

    Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

  • 20212021

    Resource person - Awareness Programme on Biobanking

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • 20202020

    Resource person- Workshop on ‘Method Validation

    Sri Lanka Standards Institution

  • 20192019

    Resource person- Workshop on ‘Method Validation and Measurement Uncertainty

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board

  • 20142014

    Resource Person/Guest Speaker- Training Programme on “Food Analysis, antioxidant bioassays and Current trends in Food Technology”

    ITI, Sri Lanka

  • 20162016

    Resource person-Training on microbiological testing: Culture Maintenance, Method validation; Measuring Uncertainty; pathogen testing (Vibrio, Clostridium, Listeria, Salmonella and Pseudomonas)

    Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

  • 20122012

    Resource person and invited speaker- International Conference on the Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Plants

    Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • 20112011

    Resource person –Workshop on Microbiology for A/L students- Organized by the Science Society

    Thurstan College, Colombo 07

  • 20112011

    Resource person- Lecture on ‘Natural Disasters and their Management’

    Thurstan College, Colombo 07

  • 20102010

    Resource person- Regulation of genetically modified organisms in the United States of America- Workshop on Plant Genetic Modification

    The Embassy of United States of America and GENETCH, Sri Lanka

  • 20052005

    Resource person (Microbiology) - Biology Workshop for Advanced Level Teachers

    University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • Present-

    Research project evaluation for financial support

    National Research Council; Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy; Open University of Sri Lanka; National Science Foundation; University of Sri Jayewardenepura; General Sir John Kothalawala Defence University

  • Present-

    Reviewer of abstracts, research articles

    3Biotech; Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology; The Journal of Entomology and Nematology; Journal of Medicinal Plant Research; Journal of National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka; Journal of Institute of Biology; Ceylon Journal of Science; Pharmacognosy Magazine; African Journal of Plant Sciences; Environment and Natural Resources Journal; Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis; Current Scientia; Journal of Science (EUSL); University of Colombo Review

  • Present-

    Abstract reviewing

    Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy; Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science; Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka; Open University of Sri Lanka; Research Symposium, University of Colombo

  • 20152015

    Member of the Editorial Board

    Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology

  • 20152015

    Member of the Editorial Board

    Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis

  • 20122012

    Member of the Editorial Board

    Book of Abstracts, Sri Lanka- India Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology for Sustainable Development (ABSD)

  • 20122012

    Member of the Editorial Board

    Book of Abstracts, Sri Lanka- India Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology for Sustainable Development (ABSD)

  • 20112011

    Member of the Editorial Board

    Proceedings of the National Symposium on ‘Agriculture Biotechnology Today, for Tomorrow’

  • 20102010

    Member of the Editorial Board

    Proceedings of the Fifth Asian Conference on ‘Biotechnology and Development’

  • Present-

    Moderator of Examinations

    Open University of Sri Lanka (Soil Science); University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Lichenology); Jaffna University (Environmental Microbiology); Department of Chemistry; University of Colombo

  • Present-

    Ph. D., M. Phil. and M. Sc. thesis evaluator (Local)

    University of Colombo; University of Ruhuna; University of Peradeniya; University of Kelaniya

  • Present-

    Ph. D., M. Phil. and M. Sc. thesis evaluator (International)

    Savitribai Phule Pune University, India; S. D. N. B. Vaishnav College, India; University of Queensland, Australia; Lincoln University, New Zealand

  • Present-

    Evaluator of applications for promotion to the posts of Professor/Associate Professor in Sri Lanka Universities

    University of Ruhuna; University of Kelaniya; Eastern University of Sri Lanka; University of Peradeniya; University of Kelaniya; Rajarata University of Sri Lanka; Jaffna University

Positions Held in Professional Bodies

  • present2016

    Member

    National Committee on Biological Diversity, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment

  • present2008

    Technical Assessor

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • 20172015

    Member

    NSF Working Committee on Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education

  • 20152013

    Chief Evaluator

    G.C.E. (A/L) Biological Sciences – Department of Examinations.

  • 20152011

    Member

    SLCARP Committee on the preparation of the National Agricultural Research Policy

  • 20132009

    Chairperson

    National Committee on Agro-biotechnology- Council for Agricultural Research Policy

  • 20082007

    Trainee Assessor

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • present2010

    Member

    Technical Advisory Committee (Biological Testing) – Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • present2011

    Member

    SLCARP appointed Committee on the Implementation Process of the MSD Circular No. 45 on the 25% Research Allowance for Agriculture Scientists

  • present2012

    Member

    Committee on Method validation, Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • 20162011

    Member

    National Committee on Research Programmes and Projects (NCRPP)- Council for Agricultural Research Policy

  • 20122009

    Internal Auditor

    Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment

  • 20082008

    Acting Director

    Magampura Agro Technology and Community Service Centre, University of Colombo

Positions Held in Professional Bodies

Project Private sector partner Involvement type Duration

(Year)

Chemical investigation of some selected Sri Lankan marine algae The Korean Institute of Ocean and Scientific Technology and Jeju National University Consultant Team Leader 01 year (2014)
Detection of microbial contaminants in virgin coconut oil Sunforst Pvt. Ltd./Hayleys Agriculture Holdings PLC Consultant Team Leader 03 months (2015)
Material Transfer agreement signed to submit two phosphate solubilising fungi for the production of a phosphate biofertilizer for rice Grow Lanka Agro Solutions (PVT) LTD. Researcher Oct. 2017