Postgraduate Studies
Department members pursue research in multitude of subject areas. Many have achieved eminence in respective fields and some have won prestigious awards.
Research Projects Leading to M Phil / Ph D Degrees
Ms. A.H.D. Alahakoon (MPhil programme)
Assessment of species diversity, antimicrobial activities and in vitro growth performances of macroalgae in Thalpe and Beruwala reefs of Sri Lanka
Dr. R.P. Wanigatunge, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya.
Dr. H.M. Herath, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Ms. W.H.M.V.P. Edirisinghe, Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Ms Tushanthi Kahagalla (PhD programme)
Characterization, Reproductive Biology and Cultivar Improvement of Dendrobium spp.
Dr H Herath, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Prof R N Attanayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Prof. R.A.S.P. Senanayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Ms Y.K.D.D.Thathsarani (MPhil programme)
Evaluation of desirable traits in selected commercial Phalaenopsis cultivars for quality improvement
Prof. R.A.S.P. Senanayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Ms A I S Priyadarshan, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Dr H Herath, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Ms W E R Silva (MPhil programme)
DNA barcoding, genetic diversity and pollen biology of selected dendrobiums in Sri Lanka and survival of transformed and mutated Protocorm Like Bodies (PLBs)
Prof. R.A.S.P. Senanayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Dr H. Herath, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Prof R N Attanayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Prof R M C S Ratnayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Ms R. P. I. V. Somasiri (MPhil programme)
Characterization and phytochemical evaluation of selected underutilized fruit plants and establishment of suitable propagation systems
Dr H Herath, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Prof R M C S Ratnayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Prof. R.A.S.P. Senanayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Ms G.B.V.U. De Silva (PhD programme)
Formulation of Plant Protection Products (PPP) using selected local herbs for the management of sap-sucking pests.
Prof. R.A.S.P. Senanayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Prof. B.T.S.D.P. Kannangara, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Prof. R.M. Dharmadasa, Industrial Technology Institute
W.M. Sanduni N. Bandara (MPhil programme)
Accumulation of cyanotoxins and electrolytes into crops and leafy vegetables: A comparison between selected CKDu endemic areas and non-CKDu endemic areas in Sri Lanka
Dr. R.P. Wanigatunge, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya.
Prof. D.N. Magana-Arachchi, Molecular Microbiology and Human Diseases, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy.
Prof. M.S. Vithanage, Ecosphere Resilience Research Center, University of Sri Jayawardhanepura.
Ms. Prameesha Perera (MPhil programme)
Polyethylene degradation by wood decay fungi and genomic analysis of Plebiopsis sp.
Prof. R.N. Attanayake , Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. Hrshini Herath, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. P. Wijesinghe, Senior Lecturer, Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya.
Mr. M.M.T.D. Neththipola (M Phil Programme)
Molecular diversity and spatial distribution of salt marsh vegetation in Sri Lanka.
Prof. R.N. Attanayake, Professor, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Dr. Wasana de Silva, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Dr. D. Perera, Faculty of Technology, Department of Bioprocess Technology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
Recent graduates
D.G.S.N. Samarasinghe (MPhil)
Diversity and distribution of thermophilic bacteria and archaea in hot springs of Sri Lanka: culture-dependent and culture-independent approach
Dr. R.P. Wanigatunge, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya.
Prof. D.N. Magana-Arachchi, Molecular Microbiology and Human Diseases, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy.
Ms. H.V.A.S. Koshila (MPhil)
Prof. R. K. S. Dias, Professor, Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya.
Dr. R.P. Wanigatunge, Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
Ms. W.H.M.V.P. Edirisinghe, Lecturer, Department of Plant and Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya.
P. K. Madushani MPhil
Reproductive biology and ecology of Typha angustifolia and development of management strategies to control its invasion in Man and Biosphere (MAB) wetland reserve at Bundala
Prof. M.D. Amarasinghe – Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. R.M.C.S. Ratnayake - Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. D.D.G.I. Dahanayaka - Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka
H. A. Achala Ranasinghe PhD
Formulation of a low cost organic liquid fertilizer from invasive plants and organic wastes for the cultivation of selected crops and ornamental plants
Prof. L. R. Jayasekera Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. S. D. P. Kannangara Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. S. Rathnayake Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
W.E.R. Silva MPhil
Genetic diversity and cultivar development of Dendrobiums integrating classical and molecular biological tools
Prof. R.A.S.P. Senanayaka - Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. H. Herath - Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. K. P. R. N. Attanayaka - Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. R. M. C. S. Ratnayaka - Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Nalaka Hewawitharana PhD
Formulation of a low cost organic potting medium enriched with Tricoderma spp. for cultivation of selected vegetables and ornamental plants
Prof. L. R. Jayasekera Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Dr. S. D. P. Kannangara Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya
Prof. S.P. Senanayake- Professor, Department of Plant & Molecular Biology, University of Kelaniya