Vision & Mission

About Us

Our Vision :

The vision of the Department of Microbiology is that the knowledge in theory and practical aspects of Microbiology is imperative for the development of the country.

Our Mission :

The Department considers its mission as to produce personnel with expertise of the highest standard in the field of Microbiology to cater the increasing demand in the country for microbiologists.

The Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

The “Invisible Task Force”

Microorganisms, the “invisible task force”, drive the fundamental processes on which all life on earth depends. We are born into a world dominated by microorganisms and their activities are central to human welfare. As a consequence, we have innumerable intimate microbial associations; many enhance our lives, some are essential to our very existence, while others present us with potentially lethal challenges. Finding solutions to many of our pressing global challenges, such as skyrocketing antimicrobial resistance, emergence of new infectious diseases, and the health of our planet’s ecosystems, will depend upon discoveries from basic microbiology research.

We exclusively offer “Microbiology”

The Department of Microbiology at the Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya is the sole department in the island’s university system that has been established exclusively to offer “Microbiology” as a main subject for the B.Sc. Degree offered under the Biological Sciences Stream.

Initiatives and pioneering hard work for the establishment of the Department of Microbiology were done by late Professor I. Balasooriya and Professor S. Widanapathirana in 1980s. The department was established in 1986 and the academic programmes were commenced in 1990.

The Department is dedicated in providing the quality education, through both lectures and practical sessions, necessary to meet the needs of this growing field. The main objective and focus of the department is to guide and impart innovative education at par with International standards. The syllabus covers a wide portfolio of microbiology courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is a center of expertise for numerous aspects of fundamentals of Microbiology and its applications.

After graduation, you will be part of …

The Department is proud enough to reveal that all most all of our aspirant graduates have high demand in both government as well as industrial sector. The department is capable of producing skilled Microbiologists demanded by the leading industries in Sri Lanka.

Main employment sectors are:

Academia – University lecturers, Researchers
Industries – Microbiologists, Quality assurance managers, Product Development managers etc.
Government bodies – Directors, Assistant directors, consultants etc.
Entrepreneurs- Develop your own business relevant to Microbiology

Programme Structure

Based on the Level I, first semester examination, only 60 students are selected to follow Microbiology as a subject for the BSc degree in biological science (3 academic years). At the end of their second year of studies, based on the academic performance in the first two academic years, only seven students are selected to study for the BSc Honours Degree (4 academic years) in Microbiology.

At the graduate level, the department offers two postgraduate programmes as well, Master of Science programme in Applied Microbiology and Master of Science programme in Food and Nutrition. Facilities are also available in the Department for research leading to M.Phil. and Ph.D. Degrees.

Hands on experience

Microbiologists will not survive without hands on experience in conducting laboratory experiments. All courses in levels 1, 2 and 3 are supplemented with throughout the semester laboratory sessions to confirm the theories and principles in order to develop confidence within students. Further, in the level 4, students undertake a research project to update their research background, as a partial fulfilment for the BSc Honours Degree in Microbiology.

In addition, in level 3, Semester II, all students are assigned to follow a 460 hours of Internship program in reputed industries and government departments in the country where Microbiology applies. This industrial training equips the students for building up their future carriers.

Research in the Department of Microbiology is internationally recognized and focused on diverse aspects of microbiological processes. Some research projects are conducted through collaboration with and support from various prominent sources, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Research Council (NRC). Over the years, many research papers have been authored by department members in peer-reviewed journals.

Outreach Activities

The Department of Microbiology offers various services to outside bodies. Relevant information can be obtained by contacting the Head of the Department (E.mail: vayanga@kln.ac.lk).

Training programmes.
Consultancy and laboratory analytical services.

You are welcome to join with us

Explore the beauty of this invisible world…..