Appointments and Recognitions

2

Staff Promotions

Two eminent Professors JMRS Bandara, Dr. DAN Dharmasena has been promoted to the Department of Agricultural Biology, and C Post of Professor in Agricultural Engineering Bogahawatta, Department of Agriculture on merit with effect from 30th November Economics and Business Management 2011. retired from their University service and the f a c u l t y r e c o g n i z e s t h e i r v a l u a b l e Dr. AR Ariyarathne has been promoted to the contribution. Post of Associate Professor in Agricultural

Engineering on merit with effect from 30th November 2011.

Retirements

3

Obituaries

Faculty staff wins a 30 million rupees competitive Dr. DM De Costa has received a grant (3.5 million research grant from the HETC project rupees) from the National Science Foundation

for a study on development of a molecular Low output of postgraduate research degrees, detection system of causal agents for controlling inadequate in-depth research on emerging critical virus and virus-like diseases of chilli (Capsicum issues and poor dissemination of research outcomes annum L.) in Sri Lanka.to stakeholders are critical problems in University education in Sri Lanka. A successful research Dr. LW Galagedara and Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake proposal formulated addressing these questions in have received a National Research Council grant relation to Sri Lankan Agriculture by a team of staff for a study on assessment, damage detection, life members of the Faculty of Agriculture, who are also evaluation, repair and retrofitting of exiting

bridges in Sri Lanka due to overloading and environmental interaction.

Dr. HMVG Herath has received a research grant (approx. 1.6 million rupees) from the International Foundation of Science for a study on the role of the OsTGA10 transcription factor in drought stress response in rice.

Dr. SP Indrarathne has received a National Research Council grant for a study on investigation of background concentrations and spatial distribution of heavy metals in surface soils and crops in agriculture fields in Sri Lanka.

teaching panel members of the Postgraduate Prof. B Marambe has received a research grant (18.4

Institute of Agriculture, received funding from the million rupees) from the AusAID through the

Higher Education for Twenty First Century project Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial

under its highly-competitive Window-3 Quality Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia for a

and Innovation Grants (HETC/QIG/Window-3) research project on seasonal climate forecasting

scheme. The grant worth of Rs. 30 million over a for food security in Indian ocean rim countries.

period of four years.

Dr. SP Nissanka has received a National Research The project team consisting of seven Faculty Council Grant (8.1 million rupees) for a study on members works under the guidance of the carbon sequestration of selected forest species Director/ PGIA and represents three boards of and forest types.study; Prof. WAJM De Costa, Dr. RM Fonseka, and

Dr. LDB. Suriyagoda from Crop Science, Prof. SP Indraratne and Dr. WS Dandeniya from Soil Science Dr. LDB Suriyagoda, Prof. WAJM De Costa, Prof. and Dr. DM De Costa and Dr. KS Hemachandra H. Lambers and Mr. DN Sirisena have received a from Plant Protection. Research themes related to research grant (approx. 1.3 million rupees) from ensuring food security and soil fertility the Internationl Foundation for Science for a regeneration and developing eco-friendly crop study on investigation of adaptive responses of a protection measures in a context of changing range of Sri Lankan rice varieties to grow in climate will be addressed by the dissertations of phosphorus- and moisture-limited and iron four PhDs and four MPhils generated through this toxic soil conditions. project. Six locations spreading across a climate gradient have been identified to establish field Dr. LDB Suriyagoda, Prof. WAJM De Costa and research and preliminary data collection have been Mr. DN Sirisena have received a research grant already started. Part of research work will be (3.5 million rupees) from the National Research conducted in laboratories of the Faculty. As a result, Council for a study on investigating the status of research facilities of laboratories will improve and phosphorus and potassium nutrients in soil and some new faces of young research students will within the rice plants during the growing season appear in the faculty. The research team is lead by to enhance their use-efficiency.Prof. WAJM De Costa.

Congratulations to Research Grants Receivers!

4

Dr. JK Vidanarachchi and Dr. KFST Silva have Dr. HAM Wickramasinghe has received a research received a research grant (1.25 million rupees) for grant (4 million rupees) from the National a study on microbiological analysis of raw milk Research Council for a study on analysis of the at different links of the procurement and value genetic diversity of eating and cooking qualities chains to evaluate the suitability of raw milk for and nutritionally important starch fraction of the proposed two Milco Ultra High Temperature representative germplasm of rice in Sri Lanka.(UHT) treatment.

Dr. JK Vidanarachchi, Dr. BC Jayawardena and Dr. R Liyanage have received a National Science Foundation funded research grant (0.8 million rupees) for a study on effect of whole cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) powder on the accumulation of visceral fat mass and oxidative status in rats fed a high fat diet.

Dr. JK Vidanarachchi, Prof. K Samarasinghe and Prof. HW Cyril have received a CARP grant (0.25 million rupees) for a research on bioactive compounds from Sri Lankan herbs and spices as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chickens.

Athauda S, Anderson T, de Nys R (2012). Effect of Chandrasekara SSK, Gunawardena ERN (2011). rearing water temperature on protandrous Effectiveness of existing laws and regulations sex inversion in cultured Asian Seabass (Lates to prevent encroachments of stream ca lcar i f e r ) . Genera l and Comparat ive reservations. Tropical Agricultural Research 2: Endocrinology 175:416-423. 134-143.

Bandaranayake PCG, Tomilov A, Tomilova NB, De Costa DM, Gunawardhana HMDM (2012). Ngo Q, Mahan K, Wickett N, dePamphilis E f f e c t s o f s o d i u m b i c a r b o n a t e o n CW, Yoder JI (2011). The gene TvPirin is pathogenicity of Colletotrichum musae and necessary for haustorium formation in the potential for controlling postharvest diseases parasitic plant Triphysaria. Plant Physiology of banana. Postharvest Biology and Technology 158:1046-1053. 68:54-63.

Bulumulla PBAIK, Silva P, Jianlin H (2011). F e r n á n d e z - A p a r i c i o M , R u b i a l e s D , Genetic diversity at toll like receptor 7 (TLR7) Bandaranayake PCG, YoderJI, Westwood JH

gene of Sri Lankan indigenous chicken and (2011). Transformation and regeneration of Ceylon jungle fowl (Gallus lafayetti). Tropical the holoparasitic plant Phelipanche aegyptiaca. Agricultural Research 22:367-373. Plant Methods 7:36.

Brown JA, Samarakone TS, Crowe T, Bergeron R, Widowski T, Correa JA, Faucitano L, Torrey S, Gonyou HW (2011). Temperature and humidity conditions in trucks transporting pigs in two seasons in eastern and western Canada. Transactions of the ASABE 54:2311-2318.

Gamage DAS, Wi jesekara SSRMDHR, Sarathchandra GWNL, Basnayake BFA, Costa WAJM (2011). Estimation of nitrate and phosphate leaching from lysimeter simulation of rice straw landfill bioreactor and evaluation of fertilizer quality of resulting compost. Tropical Agricultural Research 22:220-228.

5

Research Publications

Gunawardena IPP, Galagedera LW, De Silva S Mawalagedera SMMR, Weerakkody WAP, (2011). Practical issues of partial onsite Premaratne KPP (2012). Circulation culture sanitation systems: two case studies from Sri for efficient nutrient uptake and high yield in Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 22:144- tomato grown in tropical greenhouses. 153. Tropical Agriculture Research 23:104-117.

Mimrose DMCS, Galagedara LW, Parkin GW, Herath HMUN, De Silva S (2011). Strategies for Wijewardana YGNS (2012). Investigating the competitive advantage in value added tea effect of electrical conductivity in irrigation marketing. Tropical Agriculture Research water on reflected wave energy of GPR. 22:251-262.Tropical Agriculturist 159:29-46.

H u l u g a l l a W M S W , P e r e r a E R K , Prapagar K, Indraratne SP, Premanandharajah P Wijayagunawardane MPB (2011). A study

(2012). Effect of soil amendments on on basic physiological parameters and reclamation of saline-sodic soil. Tropical response to exercise in exotic horses (Equas Agricultural Research 23:167-175.cabellus) in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agriculture

Research 23:226-234.Premarathne HMPL, Hettiarachchi GM,

Indraratne SP (2011) . Trace meta l Jayawardana BC, Hirano T, Han KH, Ishii H, concentration in crops and soils collected from Okada T, Shibayama S, Fukushima M, intensively cultivated areas of Sri Lanka. Sekikawa M, Shimada K (2011). Utilization of Pedologist 54:230-240.Adzuki bean extract as a natural antioxidant in

cured and uncured cooked pork sausages. Ratnayake P, De Silva S (2011). Strengths and Meat Science 89:150-153.

weaknesses of human resource development in Japanese higher educational institutions: A Jayawardana BC, Yanagihara M, Han K, study on foreign students in Japanese Fukushima M, Shimada K (2012). Effects of universities. Economic Review 44:19-41.

Anthocyanin-rich colored potato flakes on

lipid oxidation, instrumental color evaluation Ratnayake P, De Silva S (2012). Japan's grass-

and sensory characteristics in cooked pork roots technical cooperation in social business

sausages. Food Science and Technology Research development and poverty alleviation: The

18:455-460. conceptual relationship. Economic Review 44:157-184.

Kodithuwakku SP, Ng PY, Liu Y, Ng EH, Ryan MH, Tibbett M, Edmonds-Tibbett T, Yeung WS, Ho PC, Lee KF (2011). Hormonal

Suriyagoda LDB, Lambers H, Cawthray GR, regulation of endometrial olfactomedin Pang J (2012). Carbon trading for phosphorus expression and its suppressive effect on gain: the balance between rhizosphere spheroid attachment onto endometrial carboxylates and arbuscular mycorrhizal epithelial cells. Human Reproduction 26:167-symbiosis in plant phosphorus acquisition. 175. Plant, Cell & Environment DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2012.02547.x.

Kodithuwakku SP, Pang RT, Ng EH, Cheung AN, Horne AW, Ho PC, Yeung WS, Lee KF Soe KT, De Costa DM (2012). Development of a (2012). Wnt activation down regulates spore-based formulation of microbial olfactomedin-1 in fallopian tubal epithelial pesticides for control of rice sheath blight. cells: a microenvironment predisposed to Biocontrol Science and Technology 22:633-657.tubal ectopic pregnancy. Laboratory Investigations 92:256-264. Subalini E, Silva GLLP, Dematawewa CMB

(2011). Phenotypic variation in village and wild pigs in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Kumaragamage D, Indraratne SP (2011). A Research 22:324-329.systematic approach to diagnose soil fertility

problems in soils of Sri Lanka. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 42:2699-2715.

6

Sudasinghe MI, Galagedara LW, Gunawardena suppresses spheroids attachment on ERN (2011). Performance evaluation of endometrial epithelial cells through the selected sewerage treatment plants (STP) in down-regulation of the Wnt-signaling Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 2:154- pathway. Reproductive Toxicology 33:60-6164.

Suriyagoda LDB, Ryan MH, Lambers H, Renton M (2012). Comparison of novel and standard methods for analysing patterns of plant death in designed field experiments. Journal of Agricultural Sciences 150:319-334.

Suriyagoda LDB, Ryan MH, Renton M, Lambers H (2011). Above- and below-ground interactions of grass and pasture legume species when grown together under drought and low phosphorus availability. Plant and Soil DOI: 10.1007/s11104-011-0754-6.

Suriyagoda LDB, Ryan MH, Renton M, Lambers H (2012). Growth, carboxylate exudates and nutrient dynamics in three herbaceous perennial plant species under low, moderate and high phosphorus supply. Plant and Soil DOI: 10.1007/s11104-012-1311-7.

Suriyagoda LDB, Thilakarathne RMMS, Nissanka SP, Samita S (2011). Analyses of morphological variation in selected rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm of Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 39:35-43.

Suzuki A, Suriyagoda L, Shigeyama T, Tominaga A, Sasaki M, Hiratsuka Y, Yoshinaga A, Arima S, Agarie S, Sakai T, Inada S, Uchiumi T, Abe M, Hashiguchi, M, Akashi R, Sato S, Kaneko T, Tabata T, Hirsch A (2011). Lotus japonicus nodulation is photomorphogenetically controlled by sensing the R/FR ratio through JA signaling. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 150:319-334.

Thivyatharsan R, Gunarathna HAYR,

Basnayake BFA, Kuruparan P (2012). Performance and suitability of a landfill bioreactor with low cost biofilm contained clay-waste polyethylene-clay composite liner system for tropical climates of Asian countries. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management DOI: 10.1007/s10163-011-0039.

Tsang H, Cheung TY, Kodithuwakku SP, Chai J, Yeung WS, Wong CK, Lee KF (2012). 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)

6.

Weerahewa J, Pushpakumara G, Silva P, Daulagala C, Punyawardena R, Premalal S, Miah G, Roy J, Jana S, Marambe B (2012). Are homegarden ecosystems resilient to climate change? An analysis of adaptation strategies of homegardeners in Sri Lanka. APN Science Bulletin 2: 22-27.

Weerakkody WAP, Nukaya A, Wakui T (2011). Plant nutrient uptake in recirculation culture of tomato under growth stage based EC adjustments. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 39:139-147.

Weerasooriya R, Indraratne SP, Nanayakkara N, Jayarathne L, Dissanayake CB, Walelawala N, Bandara A (2012). Probing pyrite - carbofuran interactions with potential and IR spectroscopic measurements. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 396:219-223.

Wijesekara GAW, Marambe B (2011). Arsenic in the environment an overview on global and Sri Lankan context. Annals of the Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture 13:229-243.

Wijesundara CJ, Dayawansa NDK (2011).

Construction of large dams and their impact on cultural landscape: A study in Victoria reservoir and the surrounding area. Tropical Agricultural Research 22:211-219.

7

Books and Book Chapters

8

Invited Presentations and Resource Persons

Prof. ALT Perera delivered the convocation Dr. LW Galagedara served as a resource person at address at the general convocation of the Sisu Jala Hamuwa held at Kadugannawa Central

th College, Kadugannawa on 05 Apri 2012, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka,

jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Water keynote addresses at the 9th Academic Sessions

Partnership SLWP, IWMI, Battaramulla and of the University of Ruhuna on February 2012,

Lions Club, Pilimathalawa and also delivered and at the Sri Lanka - India conference on

the key note address at the awareness program for Agrobiotechnology at the BMICH, Colombo on

school children on water and food security on March 2012.

the occasion of World Water Day organized by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board Prof. ERK Perera delivered the presidential

staddress at the AGM of Sri Lanka Association of and PLAN Sri Lanka, 21 March 2012. thAnimal Production, held on 29 May 2011, was

the invited resource speaker on outcome based Prof. ERN Gunawardena served as a resource curriculum development at the International person for the international training Conference on Outcomes-Based Teaching and programme of training of trainers on integrated Learning (ICOBTL) Manila, Philippines, water resources management, Mehran February 2012, and also served as an invited University, Sindh, Pakistan 15-22 January 2012.

thspeaker at the 16 International Conference on Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction

Dr. HMVG Herath served as a resource person at (ICBAR). the workshop on biosafety of genetically engineered crops: best practices from laboratory Mr. ARSB Athauda served as a resource person in to the farmer fields organized by the an expert panel meeting and stakeholders for International Center for Biotechnology and using MCDA to assist in making informed Genetic Engineering (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy held decision to improve fingerling production to at the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka support culture based fisheries in the Eastern

th rd th from 21 -25 May 2012. Provinces on 08 , 23 & 24 June 2012, organized by the University of Calgary,

Dr. J Mohotti served as the coordinator, and Drs. J Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and the Mohotti, SP Nissanka and JP Kirthisinghe Eastern University of Sri Lanka, and a Farmer

th served as resource persons of a short course on Training Workshop in the Uva Province, on 15the science of harvesting tea at the Faculty of June 2012 organized by the Uva Provincial Agriculture, for a group of planters from Ministry of Agriculture.plantation companies and proprietors held on

th24 March 2011.Prof. BFA Basnayake served as a resource person for the Local Government Enhancement Sector

Dr. S Pathmarajah served as a resource person for Project/Pura Naguma project for hundred low the international training programme on policy income local authorities in Sri Lanka. formulation for integrated crop and water management on 11-16 June 2012 at the Dr. NDK Dayawansa delivered the guest lecture Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, on remote sensing for betterment of human University of Peradeniya, and for the being at the Science Day of Wayamba Royal

th international training programme on College, Kurunegala on 18 January, 2012. sustainable tropical agricultural systems of Sri Lanka offered by the Agriculture Education

Dr. DAN Dharmasena served as a resource person Unit to Michigan State University..

at the international training programme on policy formulation for integrated crop and

Prof. ERK Perera served as a resource person for a water management at the PGIA and also for program on development of outcomes based teachers and students at Badulla and curriculum for sexual assault forensic Monaragala districts delivering a lecture on

waste minimization in urban and semi-urban examination course, Sri Lanka Safe Programme

areas organized by the Uwa Provincial Council. Of USAID/OTI Risen Programme.

9

Dr. HAM Wickramasinghe served as a resource Dr. JK Vidanarachchi served as a resource person person for the stakeholder workshop on expert

for a certificate course on general agriculture, consultation process on biosafety education and

organized by the Agriculture Education Unit, thtraining in Sri Lanka on 27 March 2012, and also Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya at a workshop on Biosafety: risk assessment and

th ndfor Rural Youth on 24 January to 22 march management of genetical ly modif ied 2012. organisms, food, feed and processed products

th thon 11 and 12 August, 2011 at the Agricultural Prof. WADP Wanigasundera, Dr. HVA Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Agriculture,

Wickramasuriya, Dr. S de Silva, Ms.RMS University of Peradeniya. She also coordinated Wijerathna and Ms. KRNS Rajamanthrie a workshop on biodiversity conservation on

thserved as resource persons at the extension 28 May, 2012 for undergraduate students by training session offered for Ministry of the “Biology Guild”, Faculty of Agriculture, Economic Development under the Divinaguma University of Peradeniya. Program organized by the Agriculture Education Unit of the Faculty of Agriculture. Ms. RMS Wijerathna served as the script writer

and the Director of the research highlights video Prof. P Weerakkody coordinated stakeholder film produced for the Annual Congress of the

meeting on three thematic areas, commercial PGIA -2011. She also served as a resource person floriculture, minimizing post-harvest losses of for the training workshop on new technological fruits and vegetables and increasing agricultural extension and development productivity of Kandyan home gardens, communication organized by the Department of organized by the Department of Crop Science. Agricultural Extension, and a training session

conducted on a certificate course on general Prof. P Weerakkody, Drs. CK Benaragama, LDB agriculture under the second community

Suriyagoda and RGH Ranil served as the development and livelihood improvement resource persons on protected agriculture in the project of the Ministry of Economic training of trainers program held at 22 district Development. agric. training centers and jointly organized by the Agriculture Education Unit of the Faculty of Agriculture, Peradeniya and Reawakening Project of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Sri Lanka during June August, 2011.

Mr. AHM Rushdi, a final year student in the B.Sc. Food Science and Technology degree programme, was selected as one of the “Top Ten Emerging Young Leaders of Sri Lanka” in the competition “EYLA 2011 The Emerging Young Leader Award organized by the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development in Sri Lanka.

“Bakthi Gee” was organized by the Buddhist Society in parallel to the Poson Poya Day 2012 at the Galaha Junction, Peradeniya with the participation of both staff and students. The Farmer Day 2012 was successfully conducted

by the 1100 ser ies of s tudents at the A classical musical entertainment “Miyuru Mahailluppallama Sub Campus on 16th January Gee/Padura” was organized by the students at the 2012. The Department of Agricultural Extension students' common room with the participation of organized the activity in collaboration with all staff and students. other Departments in the Faculty.

Publication and Public Relation Sub Committee participated at the “Future Minds” exhibition held at Kandy City Centre, on 30 June-1 July 2012.

Student Activities

10

Ananda Amarasinghe Memorial Prize G o l d M e d a l F o r M o s t O u t s t a n d i n g Performance In Agricultural Economics And

MKG Wijewickrama Business ManagementYMP Samarasinghe

WVKT Kaushalya PCB Alahakoon KKP Perera

F.S.C.P. Kalpage Gold Medal For Academic Excellence In Soil Science S.F.H Perera Memorial Prize

WH Jayasinghe PG SeynthyaYMP Samarasinghe PG Scynthya A.T. Mosher Gold Medal For Academic

Excellence In Agricultural ExtensionEMRB Ekanayake Memorial Prize

PCB Alahakoon WMRR Wickramasinghe

T. Jogarathnam Gold Medal For The Best Performance At Agricultural Economics And Golden Jubilee Gold MedalBusiness Management In The BSc Agricultural T e c h n o l o g y & M a n a g e m e n t D e g r e e WMRR WickramasingheProgramme

JWL Peiris Gold Medal in Agricultural BiologyWVKT Kaushalya

S SuganyaA.S.B. Rajaguru Memorial Gold Medal For Animal ScienceGold Medal For The Best Performer In The

Subject “Business Creation And Management NK Jayasinghe(EB 3101)” of The BSc Agricultural Technology

and Management DegreeUpali Samarajeewa Gold Medal for the Best

WMKR Wickramasinghe Performance in the BSc Food Science and Technology Degree

Gold Medal For The Best Performance In V RizliyaAgricul tura l Economics & Business

Management In The Core Programme Of The Keels Gold Medal for Food SafetyB S c A g r i c u l t u r a l T e c h n o l o g y A n d

Management DegreeV Rizliya

WVKT Kaushalya WMSCK Wijesundara Fonterra Brands Gold Medal for Food Science

and Nutrition

V Rizliya

Student Prizes and Medals

Final examination 2011 (2006/07 Batch)

11

12