EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

B. Sc. degree in Agriculture, 1981- 1985
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Ph.D. in Genetics and Animal Breeding, 1991- 1994

Thesis titled Genetic Analyses of Litter size and Body Weight of mice

Department of Animal Science,
Faculty of Agriculture
University of Sydney, Australia

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS:

Viraj Weerasingha, Hasitha Priyashantha , Monika Johansson, Chaminda Senaka
Ranadheera, Pradeep Prasanna, Pradeepa Silva, and Janak K. Vidanarachchi (2022). Milk
coagulation properties: A study on milk protein profile of indigenous and exotic cattle
breeds/types. Dairy 2022, 3(4), 710-721; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy3040049.

Lowe, WAM, Silva, GLLP and Pushpakumara, DKNG (2022). Homegardens as a Modern
Carbon Storage: Assessment of Tree Diversity and Above-Ground Biomass of
homegardens in Matale District, Sri Lanka. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. Volume 74,
August 2022, 127671, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127671

Siriwardana, AN; Samarakone, TS; Silva, P; Dematawewa, C.M.B.; Punyawardena, BVR;
Marambe, B.; Nidumolu, U.; Howden, MS. (2022). Use of traditional knowledge in
weather prediction and averting climate risks: a case study in livestock?based smallholder
farming systems in Sri Lanka. JSFA Reports. 2(6)291-300. DOI:10.1002/jsf2.51.

Maheshika Kurukulasuriya, Pradeepa Silva, Rudolf Pichler, Thiruvenkadan, Saravanan
Ramasamy, Kathiravan Periasamy. (2022). Population structure and genetic relatedness
of Sri Lankan Jaffna Local sheep with major South Indian breeds. Small Ruminant
Research 206 (2022) 106571

Thusitha Bandara, Buddhi Marambe, Gamini Pushpakumara, Pradeepa Silva, Ranjith
Punyawardena, Sarath Premalal, Lasantha Manawadu, Khem Raj Dahal, Md. Giashuddin
Miah. 2021. Climate resilience of farming systems in steep mountain terrain of selected
regions in South Asia. APN Science Bulletin, 11 (1), 89-111, e-ISSN 2522-7971.

WORK EXPERIENCES:

1986 : Temporary Assistant Lecturer

Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
Taught undergraduate courses in soil science, which include theory and practical. Conducted laboratory analyses of soil samples.

1987 March : Casual Research Assistant
Division of soil science, Central Agricultural Research Institute, Gannoruwa
Laboratory analyses of soil samples, Field visits to identify problem soils.

1987 August : Probationary Assistant Lecturer / Lecturer (till 1995 December)

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Peradeniya.
Taught undergraduate students various aspects of Animal Production including Animal management. Conducted research concerning Animal breeding and product processing.

1995 December : Senior Lecturer (till August 2009)
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
Teaching undergraduate courses in Genetics and Animal Breeding and Growth of farm animals. The areas include basic theories of population and quantitative genetics, improving farm animals by selection and breeding and, factors affecting growth, growth analyses, respectively.

Supervising student research projects in the above areas.

2009 : Professor (till August 2017)
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
Teaching undergraduate courses in Genetics and Animal Breeding and Growth of farm animals. The areas include basic theories of population and quantitative genetics, improving farm animals by selection and breeding and, factors affecting growth, growth analyses, respectively. Supervising student research projects in the above areas.

2017August : Senior Professor (to date)
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.