info@fountain.lk
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Prof. M.H.J.P. Gunarathna – Department of Agricultural Engineering & Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture
Email: janaka78@agri.rjt.ac.lk
M.H.J.P. Gunarathna is a Professor in Agricultural Engineering attached to the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science, RUSL. He is a distinguished scholar with a robust educational background that includes a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Ruhuna, an MS in Agricultural Engineering from Central Luzon State University, and a PhD in Regional Resource Environmental Engineering from Kagoshima University. With a passion for sustainable development and a career spanning over two decades, Prof. Gunarathna is committed to making meaningful contributions to the field of Agricultural Engineering and related fields. He authored more than 15 articles indexed in Web of Science, contributing insights to the global body of knowledge. In addition, he has penned four books and presented over 100 scientific communications in prestigious journals and proceedings. These accomplishments reflect his unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. His research interests mirror the commitment to sustainable practices in agricultural water management, crop and environmental modeling, climate change dynamics, and water quality assessment. Acknowledging the depth of his research contributions, Professor Gunarathna was honored as the most outstanding senior researcher of the Faculty of Agriculture during RUSL’s 25th celebratory event held in 2022. He contributed as a consultant to esteemed organizations including the International Water Management Institute, the National Cleaner Production Centre, and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka. At present, he is serving as the Director/ OTS of the AHEAD project funded by the World Bank. Also, he is serving as Deputy Director of Examinations at the Center for Distance and Continuing Education of RUSL.
Dr. Chinthaka Karalliyadda – Department of Agricultural Systems, Faculty of Agriculture
Email: chinthbk@agri.rjt.ac.lk
Chinthaka Karalliyadda is an accomplished Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Agricultural Systems at the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, concurrently serving as the Director of the International Relations Unit. Currently, he plays a pivotal role as the Academic Coordinator, overseeing Curriculum Development for the Erasmus+-funded MSc in Agroecology Program within RUSL’s Faculty of Agriculture. With a diverse background, his journey includes corporate experience as an executive at A Baur and Co. Pvt. Ltd. and educational contributions as a former visiting lecturer at the Open University. His educational foundation comprises a BSc degree in Agricultural Technology and Management, an MSc degree in Organizational Management from the University of Peradeniya, and professional accreditation in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Personal Management (IPM) Sri Lanka. Further enriching his academic profile, he earned a Japanese MEXT Scholarship from 2015 to 2021, culminating in a Master’s degree in Regional Design in Art and Economics from Saga University, Japan, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy from Kagoshima University’s United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences. Notably, his accomplishments extend to his membership in esteemed international organizations such as the Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics Society of Japan and the Japanese Association for Rural Studies.
Nadeeka Kumari is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science
Nadeeka Kumari is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka with more than 16 years of experience in teaching and research. With a comprehensive educational background, she earned her Ph.D. in Regional Resource Environmental Engineering from Kagoshima University, Japan. Before that, she completed her M.Phil. in Integrated Water Resources Management at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, and her B.Sc. in Agriculture from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna.
She has authored over 10 articles indexed in Web of Science, 4 books and more than 50 scientific communications in prestigious journals and proceedings. Her research interests are climate change, irrigation water quality management, and groundwater hydrology. Her expertise in these domains has been acknowledged through various academic distinctions. Notably, she was awarded the President’s Award for Scientific Publications in 2022, the Award of Excellence in Research, Scholarly and Creative Works of the Faculty of Agriculture (3rd place), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka in two consecutive years of 2019 and 2020.
Currently, Prof. Kumari engages in several Erasmus projects, including CCWATER, FOUNTAIN, and CDAE. She is the course developer and the coordinator of the Bioclimatology course in M.Sc. in Agroecology, Funded by CDAE Erasmus+ program.
Dr. Kahandage – Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science
Dr. Kahandage is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science at the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. He earned his basic degree in Agriculture from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, in 2008. Subsequently, he pursued a master’s degree in Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 2011. Dr. Kahandage furthered his academic achievements with a Master of Philosophy degree in Agricultural Machinery Engineering from Ruhuna University in 2017. He successfully completed his PhD in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, in 2023. He has specialized in diverse and impactful research areas, contributing significantly to the fields of Agricultural Machinery, Renewable Energy, Life Cycle Analysis, and Machine Design. His expertise lies in the intersection of technology and sustainability, with a focus on advancing agricultural practices and machinery towards more environmentally friendly and efficient solutions.
He has written over 20 peer-reviewed articles for national and international indexed journals, and contributed to three books and six book chapters, with four of them published by Springer. His research findings have been presented at over 20 international conferences abroad, leading to the publication of more than 80 conference papers. Dr. Kahandage holds two patents for his innovative work and has applied for an additional four. Currently, he is an active member of the Japanese Society of Agricultural Informatics and the Japanese Society of Agricultural Machinery.
KGS Nirmanee – Lecturer (Probationary) in the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science
KGS Nirmanee is a Lecturer (Probationary) in the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Completed MSc in IWRM PGIA, University of Peradeniya. Currently following MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing in PGIS, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Further she has completed BSc. in Agriculture in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and she won the most outstanding presentation in the module of Agricultural Engineering, (Undergraduate research symposium 2013). Nirmanee has 5+ years of teaching and research experience in the field of GIS and Remote Sensing. She has published more than 10 peer reviewed journal articles. Beyond her academic pursuits, She has actively engages in various extracurricular activities. She has held the position of Treasurer in the Alumni Association, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL. Member of table tennis and Badminton teams in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Lahiru Perera – Research Assistant
Mr. Lahiru Perera is a young researcher who has changed the way we think about solving conflicts between humans and wildlife. He has a unique background in agriculture, technology, and environmental conservation, making him the top expert in this important field.
His illustrious academic journey commenced at the prestigious Nalanda College, Colombo 10, where he cultivated his intellectual curiosity and analytical acumen. He subsequently pursued higher education at the esteemed Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, University of Peradeniya and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, immersing himself in a diverse array of disciplines and forging a unique interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving.
But it’s his groundbreaking research on reducing the conflict between humans and elephants in Sri Lanka that has made him a star in his field. His findings, which have been published in important journals and talked about in the media, suggest clever solutions like using plant-based repellents to help humans and animals live together peacefully. His never-ending desire to learn has led him to become an expert in many areas, from research methods and scientific writing to nursery management and postharvest technology. When he presents his work around the world, he captivates audiences with his innovative ideas and ability to turn theories into practical solutions. His groundbreaking discoveries and unwavering dedication to his field have positioned him as a preeminent figure in the realm of human-wildlife conflict mitigation, paving the way for a new era of sustainable coexistence and scientific excellence. Moreover, his dedication to outstanding scholarly work and improving his community fuels his eagerness to apply his abilities and understanding to the esteemed FOUNTAIN Project at the renowned Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
