Academic and Professional Qualifications
Research Interests
Biomass Valorization
Pyrolysis, Gasification
Solid Waste Management
Education
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2021)
Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Agricultural Technology and Management
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (2015)
Appointments
Lecturer (Probationary) - Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (Since September 2020)
Research Assistant - National Reserach Counsil of Sri Lanka under the project NRC Grant TO 16-07 (2017 - 2019)
Temporary Lecturer - Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2016)
ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS & AWARDS
Publications
JOURNAL PAPERS/BOOK CHAPTERS
Illankoon, W. A. M. A. N., Chiara Milanese, A. K. Karunarathna, Kumuditha D. Hikkaduwa Epa Liyanage, A. M. Y. W. Alahakoon, Puhulwella G. Rathnasiri, Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, and Sabrina Sorlini. (2023). Evaluating Sustainable Options for Valorization of Rice By-Products in Sri Lanka: An Approach for a Circular Business Model. Agronomy. 13(3):803. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030803.
W. A. M. A. N. Illankoon, Chiara Milanese, A. K. Karunarathna, A. M. Y. W. Alahakoon, Puhulwella G. Rathnasiri, Maria Medina Llamas, Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, Sabrina Sorlini. (2023). Development of a Dual-chamber Pyrolizer for Biochar Production from Agricultural Waste in Sri Lanka. Energies. 16(4), 1819. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041819.
Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W., Karunarathna, A. K., Dharmakeerthi, R. S., Silva, F. H. C. A. (2022). Design and Development of a Double-chamber Down Draft (DcDD) Pyrolyser for Biochar Production from Rice Husk. Journal of Biosystems Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42853-022-00159-5.
Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W., Karunarathna, A. K., Dharmakeerthi, R. S. (2018). Performance Evaluation of a Down Draft Double Chamber Pyrolysis Reactor under Field Conditions. Tropical Agriculture Research Journal. 30 (1), 84 – 94. https://tar.sljol.info/articles/abstract/10.4038/tar.v30i1.8280/.
Alahakoon, Y., Karunarathna, A. (2020). Modelling of Post-Consumer Plastic Flow in Municipal Solid Waste Stream: A Case Study in Some Major Local Authorities of Sri Lanka. In Urban Mining and Sustainable Waste Management, (pp. 219 - 229). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15- 0532-4_22
Vidanage, V. V. D. N. G., Karunarathna, A. K., Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W. and Jayawardene, S. M. N., (2020). Development of an Effective and Efficient Integrated Charcoal Filter Constructed Wetland System for Wastewater Treatment. In Recent Trends in Wastewater Treatment and Water Resource Management (pp. 47-56). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0706-9_5
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - FULL PAPERS
Karunarathna, A., Illesinghe, A., Alahakoon, Y., Dissanayake, N., Basnayake, B. F. A. (2018). Post-Consumer Plastic Waste Material Flow Analysis: A Case Study in Kandy Municipal Council of Sri Lanka. APLAS TOKYO The 10th Asia-Pacific Landfill Symposium (Japan). 24th – 26th November 2018. 402 – 407.
Karunarathna, A., Ranasinghe, T., Piyathilake, U., Alahakoon, Y., Ariyawansha, R., Basnayake, B. F. A. (2018). Development of a Waste Plastic Based Construction Material for Outdoor Light Constructions. APLAS TOKYO The 10th Asia-Pacific Landfill Symposium (Japan). 24th – 26th November 2018. 186 – 192.
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - EXTENDED ABSTRACTS/ ABSTRACTS
Sarachchandra, P. O., Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W., Karunarathna, A. K. Phosphorus Enrichment of Waste Biomass Derived Biochar by Co-Pyrolysing with Rock Phosphate. 11th International Conference on Sustainable Waste Management and Circular Economy (11th IconSWM-CE & IPLA Global Forum 2021), India. 1st – 4 th December 2021. 89.
Fernando, L. P. S. K., Karunarathna, A. K., Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W. Development of Nutrient Enriched Hydrochar by Hydrothermal Pyrolysis of Food Waste. Young Scientists’ Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2021 (YSCMR 2021). 21st October 2021. 125.
Fernando, L. P. S. K., Karunarathna, A. K., Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W. Development of Nutrient Enriched Hydrochar by Hydrothermal Pyrolysis of Food Waste. Online International Multidisciplinary Conference on Recent Trends in Environmental Science and Management (IMCRTESM - 2021), India. 6th – 7 th August 2021.
Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W., Nilmalgoda, E. P. R. H. H. W., Karunarathna, A. K., Dharmakeerthi, R. S. (2019). Paddy Husk Pyrolysis in a Small Scale Down Draft Double Chamber (DDDC) Pyrolyser: Heat of Pyrolysis. Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPurse 2019). 11th – 12th September 2019. 76.
Gamagedara, K. Y. B., Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W., Karunarathna, A. K., Kirindage, K. G. I. S., Attanayake, C. P. (2019). Thermo-pyrolysis Conversion of Sewage Sludge into Biochar and its Characterization. Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPurse 2019). 11th – 12th September 2019. 50.
Alahakoon, A. M. Y. W., Karunarathna, A. K., Rathnayake, R. M. P. C., Dissanayake, N. D. (2016). Modelling of Post-Consumer Plastic Flow in Municipal Solid Waste Stream: Case Study from Kandy Municipal Council. NSF Research Summit (Colombo), 07th – 08th July 2016. 101.
