Academic and Professional Qualifications
Research Interests
- Agricultural Process Engineering
- Use of Infrared Radiation and Microwaves in Agriculture
- Alternative Energy Sources in Agriculture
- Electronics and Instrumentation in Agriculture
- Embedded Systems and Robotics in Agriculture
Teaching Subjects
Undergraduates
- Field Engineering II
- Post-Harvest Technology
- Farm Power and Machinery
- Electronics and Instrumentation
Postgraduates
Process Control and Automation
Education
Ph.D. in Agricultural Process Engineering, Kyushu University, Japan, March 1997
M.Agri. in Agricultural Process Engineering, Kyushu University, Japan, March 1993
B.Sc. (Agric.) Second Class Honours (Upper Division) pass, Specialized in Agricultural Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, February 1988
Appointments
- Professor
University of Peradeniya, Postharvest Technology, Heat and Mass Transfer, Fluidization Engineering, Dielectric Heating (microwave), Electronics
& Instrumentation, Mathematics, Sri Lanka
23/03/2016 to upto now
- Senior Lecturer Grade I
University of Peradeniya, Postharvest Technology, Heat and Mass Transfer, Fluidization Engineering, Dielectric Heating (microwave), Electronics
& Instrumentation, Mathematics, Sri Lanka
10/01/2011 to 23/03/2016
- Postdoctoral Researcher
University of California Davis, Dept. of Bio. and Agric. Engineering, Process Control & Automation, Use of Electrolized Water in CIP Applications, Freezing Characteristics of Pomogranate Arils, Application of Infrared Radiation for Processing Agricultural Materials. Davis, CA, USA
29/09/2003 to 28/09/2006
- Senior Lecturer Grade II
Agricultural Process Engineering, Engineering Drawing, Heat Transfer, Electronics and Instrumentation. Sri Lanka
31/03/1997 to 10/01/2011
- Lecturer
University of Peradeniya, Agricultural Process Engineering, Engineering Drawing, Heat Transfer, Electronics and Instrumentation, Sri Lanka
28/06/1990 to 31/03/1997
- Temporary Assistant Lecturer
University of Peradeniya, Engineering Drawing, Agricultural Machinery, Surveying and Leveling. Sri Lanka
10/10/1989 to 27/06/1990
ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS & AWARDS
Awards
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology Awards, 2014/2015
- President’s Award for scientific publication in 2008
- Sri Lanka Presidential Award for short term scholarships, 2000
- MONBUSHO Scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Japan, for postgraduate studies, 1991
Publications
Journal Publications
- Fernando, A. J., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Dharmasena, D. A. N., Abeyrathna, R. M. R. D., Gajasinghe, I. L., Weerakoon, H. S. T., Ekanayake, E. M. A. C., & Bandara, D. M. S. P. (2022). Pulse-Width-Modulation control of a heat pump dryer with cascade evaporators and parallel-flow condensers. Tropical Agricultural Research, 33(1), 9–17. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v33i1.8532.
- Fernando, A. J. & Amaratunga, K. S. P. (2022). Application of far-infrared radiation for sun-dried chili pepper (Capsicum annum L.): drying characteristics and color during roasting. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.11726.
- Kavindi, M. A. R., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Ekanayake, E. M. C., Fernando, A. J., & Abesinghe, A. M. S. K. (2022). CFD simulation of airflow distribution in a heat pump assisted deep-bed paddy dryer. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 38(1):1-8. DOI: 10.13031/aea.14483.
- Fernando, A. J., Gunathunga, C., Brumm, T., & Amaratunga, S. (2021). Drying turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) using far-infrared radiation: Drying characteristics and process optimization. Journal of Food Process Engineering, 44(9), e13780.
- Fernando, A. J., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Madhushanka, H. T. N., & Jayaweera, H. R. Y. S. (2021). Drying performance of coffee in a batch-type heat pump dryer. Transactions of the ASABE, 64(4), 1237-1245. DOI: 10.13031/trans.14268.
- Sewwandi, U. G. C., Ekanayake, E. M. A. C., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Fernando, A. J., & Abeyrathne, R. M. R. D. (2019). Drying characteristics of Katuwelbatu (Solonum virginianum L.) during heat-pump drying. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, (10), 1670-1672.
- Ekanayake, E. M. A. C., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Kariyawasam, H. K. P. P., Fernando, A. J., & Abeyrathne, R. M. R. D. (2019). Design and development of a closed cycle heat pump drying system for industrial drying of rice and chili. Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, (6), 1-7.
- Fernando, A. J., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Priyadarshana, L. B. M. D. L., Galahitiyawa, D. D. K., & Karunasinghe, K. G. W. U. (2014). Roasting chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) using far-infrared radiation. Tropical Agricultural Research, 25(2):180-187.
Conference Proceedings
- Fernando, A. J., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Weerakoon, S., Gajasinghe, I., & De Silva, R. (2021). Algorithm for calculating design parameters of batch type heat pump dryer. 5th CIGR (International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) International Conference, Quebec, Canada
- Fernando, A. J., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Madhushanka, H. T. N., & Jayaweera, H. R. Y. S. (2020). Drying performance of coffee in a batch-type heat pump dryer. ASABE Annual International Meeting, USA.
- Fernando, A. J., Amaratunga, K. S. P., Priyadarshana, L. B. M. D. L., Galahitiyawa, D. D. K., & Karunasinghe, K. G. W. U. (2014) Far-infrared radiation roasting colour of chilli. Proceedings of IBA-IC, International Conference on India at the Cross Roads: The Way Ahead, February 7th-8th 2014, 62-71pp.
- Fernando, A. J., Amaratunga, K. S. P., & Priyadarshana, L. B. M. D. L. (2014). Farinfrared drying of stored coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) up to grinding moisture content. Proceedings of the International Postharvest Research Symposium, Institute of Postharvest Technology, Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura, June 19th, 2014, 125-129pp.
Patents
- Evaporative Water Cooling Grinding (EWC) method for grinding spices - Patent No: 18833 Sri Lanka and International Patent Classification (IPC): A47J 42/00)
- Mathematical base control system for trough withering of tea - Application No: 20045
- A process of drying turmeric - Application No: 22158
- A computer program to generate the design parameters of an open-loop heat pump dryer - Application No: 22159
