Professor Deeyamulla earned his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Chemistry from the University of Cambridge, UK. With a diverse research background, his interests span biomonitoring of air pollution, precipitation chemistry as an indicator of air quality, bioremediation of environmental pollutants, stable isotope applications in environmental studies, and the investigation of microplastics in the atmosphere. The main goal of his interdisciplinary research is to advance the understanding of the environmental and health impacts of air pollution on various scales. His work provides policy-relevant scientific inputs and contributes to the development of cost-effective technologies to mitigate the adverse impacts of air pollution. He is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

• Ph.D. (Atmospheric Chem.), University of Cambridge, UK, 2005
• B.Sc. (Chem), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 1996

Academic Positions:

• Professor, University of Kelaniya (2023- To date)
• Senior Lecturer Gr I, University of Kelaniya (2013-2023)
• Senior Lecturer Gr II, University of Kelaniya (2005-2013)
• Lecturer, University of Kelaniya (Study leave during 1999 – 2004) (1997-2005)
• Undergraduate Supervisor, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge (2003-2004)
• Demonstrator, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge (2001-2004)
• Demonstrator, University of Kelaniya (1996-1997)

Administrative and Leadership Roles:

• Director, Career Guidance Unit, University of Kelaniya: 2010 – 2012
• Director, Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC), University of Kelaniya: 2015 - 2018.
• Director, University Business Linkages Cell (UBL Cell), University of Kelaniya: 2018 –2021
• Member, Board of Study in Environmental Science, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya; 2017 – 2020
• Activity Coordinator, Quality Innovation Grant- QIG W4- University Development Grant funded under HETC Project: 2013-2015
• Faculty Representative to the senate: 2015 - 2018
• Member, Standing Committee on Career Guidance, University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka: 2010- 2012
• Member, Standing Committee on University Business Linkages, University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka – 2020
• Senior Academic Advisor, Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya: 2022 – to date

• SUSRED Award for supervision of postgraduate research degrees – 2023, National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka.
• Vice Chancellor’s Award for the Outstanding Senior Researcher in the Faculty of Science – Merit Award – 2021, 2024
• Senate Honours for Research for publishing a paper in an international indexed journal -2020-2024
• Fellowship award from the Royal Thai Government - 2008
• Special Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Fees Scholarship – 1998Asian Development Bank Science & Technology Personnel Development Project Fellowship – 1998
• Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society (Patron: HRH the Prince of Wales).
• Fellow, Cambridge Philosophical Society

• Biomonitoring of Air Pollution.
• Precipitation Chemistry as an Indicator of Air Quality.
• Bioremediation of Environmental Pollutants.
• Stable Isotope Applications in Environmental Studies.
• Investigation of microplastics in the atmosphere.

1. Deeyamulla, M. P., & Husain, D. (2005). Kinetic studies of atomic carbon, C[2p²(³P_J)], with thiols by time-resolved atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy in the vacuum ultraviolet. Progress in Reaction Kinetics and Mechanism, 30(1-2), 115-125. doi:10.3184/007967405777874886
2. Deeyamulla, M. P., & Husain, D. (2006). Kinetic studies of atomic carbon, C[2p²(³P_J)] , with small sulfur-containing molecules by time-resolved atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy in the vacuum ultra-violet. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology a-Chemistry, 184(3), 347-353. doi:10.1016/j.jphotochem.2006.04.038
3. Deeyamulla, M. P., & Husain, D. (2007). Kinetic investigation of reactions of atomic carbon, C[2p²(³P_J)] , with simple nitrogen-containing molecules and aromatic heterocyclic compounds. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology a-Chemistry, 185(2-3), 161-167. doi:10.1016/j.jphotochem.2006.05.030
4. Liyandeniya, A. B., Deeyamulla, M. P., Abeysundara, S. P., & Priyantha, N. (2021). Chemical characteristics of wet precipitation at Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 193(1). doi:10.1007/s10661-020-08772-7
5. Liyandeniya, A. B., Deeyamulla, M. P., & Priyantha, N. (2020). Atmospheric chemical composition of bulk deposition at two geographically distinct locations in Sri Lanka. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192(7), 15. doi:10.1007/s10661-020-08412-0
6. Liyandeniya, A. B., Deeyamulla, M. P., & Priyantha, N. (2020b). Source apportionment of rainwater chemical composition in wet precipitation at Kelaniya in Sri Lanka. Air Quality Atmosphere and Health, 13(12), 1497-1504. doi:10.1007/s11869-020-00903-w
7. Rathnayaka, I., Dharmapriya, T. N., Liyandeniya, A. B., Deeyamulla, M. P., & Priyantha, N. (2020). Trace Metal Composition of Bulk Precipitation in Selected Locations of Kandy District, Sri Lanka. Water Air and Soil Pollution, 231(10), 12. doi:10.1007/s11270-020-04840-3
8. Aththanayake, A. M. K. C. B., Rathnayake, I. V. N., Deeyamulla, M. P., & Megharaj, M. (2022). Potential use of Chlorella vulgaris KCBAL01 from a freshwater stream receiving treated textile effluent in hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] removal in extremely acidic conditions. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 1-9. doi:10.1080/10934529.2022.2113281
9. Chathuranga, R. A. J., Liyandeniya, A. B., Dharmapriya, T. N., Deeyamulla, M. P., & Priyantha, N. (2020). Risk assessment and source apportionment of wet bulk deposition in three typical sites of Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. Sn Applied Sciences, 2(8), 14. doi:10.1007/s42452-020-3007-6
10. Jayalath, K. G., de Silva, R. C. L., & Deeyamulla, M. P. (2020). Phytoextraction of Chromium from Polluted Terrestrial Environments by Talinum triangulare (Ceylon Spinach) and the Effect of External Chelators on the Chromium Extraction Potential. Research Journal of Chemistry and Environment, 24(12), 19-24.
11. Jayalath, K. G., Deeyamulla, M. P., & de Silva, R. C. L. (2020). Atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Pahs) around two metropolitan areas in sri lanka using moss as a biomonitor. Pollution Research, 39(3), 626-631.
12. Jayalath, K. G., Deeyamulla, M. P., & de Silva, R. C. L. (2021). A Comparison of Heavy Metal Deposition in two Metropolitan Areas in Western Province of Sri Lanka Using the Moss Biomonitoring Method. Research Journal of Chemistry and Environment, 25(2), 1-6. doi:10.1007/s10661-020-08772-7
13. Gunasinghe,Y.H.K.I.S., Rathnayake, I. V. N. R., Deeyamulla, M.P., (2021). Plant and Plant Associated Microflora: Potential Bioremediation Option of Indoor Air Pollutants. Nepal J Biotechnol., 1, 63-74. doi:10.3126/njb.v9i1.38669
14. Aththanayake, A. M. K. C. B., Rathnayake, I. V. N., & Deeyamulla, M. P. (2022). Detoxification and Removal of Hexavalent Chromium in Aquatic Systems: Applications of Bioremediation. Nepal Journal of Biotechnology, 10(2), 57-76. doi:10.54796/njb.v10i2.243
15. Aththanayake, A. M. K. C. B., Rathnayake, I. V. N., Deeyamulla, M. P., (2023). Staphylococcus edaphicus KCB02A11 incorporated with natural adsorbents: First report on its tolerance and removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 39(7):173. doi:10.1007/s11274-023-03614-3
16. Gunasinghe,Y.H.K.I.S., Rathnayake, I. V. N. R., Deeyamulla, M.P., (2023). The entophytic and potting soil bacteria of the Sansevieria trifasciata plant have a purifying impact on indoor toluene. International Journal of Environmental Research, 17,48. doi:10.1007/s41742-023-00538-6
17. Jayalath, K. G., Deeyamulla, M. P., & de Silva, R. C. L. (2023). Assessment of Transboundary Pollution from Colombo to Kandy on the Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals Using Moss (Hyophila involuta). Sri Lankan Journal of Applied Sciences, 2(01), 39-43. https://sljoas.uwu.ac.lk/index.php/sljoas/article/   view/67 (Accessed: 2 June 2024).
18. Madhushani, L. S., Dharmapriya, T. N., Dharaka, B. D. P., Deeyamulla, M. P., Priyantha, N. (2023). Chemical composition of rainwater at three sites in Kandy/Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and its effect on air pollution. Energy Nexus, 12:100243. doi:10.1016/j.nexus.2023.100243
19. Wijewantha, H.L.S.S., Dharaka, B.D.P., Deeyamulla, M.P., Priyantha, N. (2024). Monitoring of rainwater quality in Kandy and Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Environ Monit Assess 196, 218. doi:10.1007/s10661-024-12352-4