Biography

Since 2012, I am serving as a senior lecturer in the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. My teaching expertise includes number of subjects related to tropical agriculture and forestry. Throughout my career, I have gained valuable research experience in the field of tropical agriculture, conservation biology, forest ecology, collection and conservation of plant genetic resources, ethnobotany, and underutilized crops. With a specialization in pteridology, I have been actively engaged in researching the diversity and taxonomy of lycophytes and ferns in Sri Lanka since 2003. This research has provided me with extensive knowledge and insights into this fascinating plant group. In addition to my role at the University of Peradeniya, I currently hold the position of a visiting professor in the Department of Silviculture at Transilvania University of Brasov in Romania. This opportunity allows me to contribute my expertise to a different academic environment while fostering international collaborations in the field of forestry. Overall, my experience as a senior lecturer, combined with my research contributions in tropical agriculture, forestry and pteridology, has allowed me to make meaningful contributions to the academic community and advance our understanding of the plant kingdom's diverse aspects.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. (Conservation Biology), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (Nov 2004 - Nov 2010)

B.Sc. (Agriculture), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (Jan 2000 - March 2004)

APPOINTMENTS:

Academic positions

• Visiting professor: Department of Silviculture, Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania (Since 15^th January 2023 – to 15^th January 2024).

• Senior Lecturer (Grade I): Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 6^th June 2022– to date).

• Senior Lecturer (Grade II), Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 16^th July 2012 –6^th June 2022).

• Visiting Lecturer: Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (since 2012 to date).

• Assistant lecturer: Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from June 2009– June 2012).

• Research Assistant: Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya; the project granted by the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka (May 2006 to May 2009).

• Research Assistant: Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya; the tree domestication project funded by the World Agroforestry Centre (November 2004 to April 2006).

  Other positions

• Board member, Board of Study in Crop Science, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (since Jan 2022 to Jan 2023).

• Warden, University Hostel, University Sub Campus, Mahailuppallama, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (January 2020 to December 2021).

• Senior Treasurer, Association of Young Agriculturist, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (since 2016 to 2021).

• Volunteer expert, IUCN commission, World Conservation Union (since 2012 to date).

• Member of the flora expert committee to the Redlisting of pteridophytes: Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and Natural Resources and the National Herbarium of the Department of National Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya – (2012 and 2020).

• Member of National Codex Committee: Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka (2016 and 2017).

• Member of the committee appointed to study the feasibility of self-sufficiency in Cocoa in Sri Lanka by 2023, Prime Minister’s Office, Sri Lanka (2017).

• Senior Student Counsellor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (2015).

MEMBERSHIPS:

International level

•  International Society of Tropical Foresters (since Nov 2020)
•  American Fern Society (since 2005 to 2021)
•  International Association of Pteridologists (since Feb 2005)
•  Society of Herbarium Curators (since Feb 2021)
•  Botanical Society of America (2010-2011, since Jan 2021)
•  British Pteridological Society (since Jan 2021)
•  Asia-Pacific Young Scientists Association (since Jan 2022)
•  Indian Fern Society (since January 2016 to 2020)

National level

•   Soil Science Society of Sri Lanka (since 2014)
•    Institute of Biology (since 2013 to date)
•    Alumni Association, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (since 2016)
•    Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEP) (Since 2007)
•    Sri Lanka Associations of the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) (2005-2010)
•    Young Zoologist Association of Sri Lanka, National Zoological Garden, Dehiwela, Sri Lanka (1994)
•    University Explores’ Club (since 2003)
•    Youth Exploration Society of Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya (2002).

Selected publications (2020-2023)

Journal articles

1. Rajapaksha, R., Ojha, R., Islam, T., De Silva, N., Pushpakumara, G. and Bussmann, R.W. (2023). Ethnobotany of Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites: the spiny edible aroid in Asia. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, pp.1-14.
2. Ranil, R.H.G., Wijewickrama, M.P.T., Rajatewa, R.M.A.P.M. and Bussmann, R.W. (2023). Etymology of botanical nomenclature: Sri Lankan contribution. Ceylon Journal of Science, 52(1):3-16.
3. Ranil Rajapaksha, Li-Bing Zhang, Gamini Pushpakumara and Siril Wijesundara. (2022). An analysis of the current status and future prospects of Sri Lankan pteridophytes towards a new dimension. Biologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-022-01139-y.
4. H.H.P. Jayamanna, J.S.M.N. Janananda, D. Widanagamage, R.H.G. Ranil & D.M.S.B. Dissanayaka (2022): Inter-specific competition between finger millet and Guinea grass for growth and nutrient uptake under nutrient-limited conditions, Journal of Crop Improvement. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2022.2044950.
5. Ranil, R.H.G. (2021). Six new combinations and one new natural hybrid of ferns from Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa. 511(2):183-186.
6. Ranil, R.H.G. and Bussmann, R.W. (2021). Potential uses of lycophytes and ferns in Sri Lanka: an ethnopteridological perspective. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 21, pp.1-11.
7. Ranil, R.H.G., Chamara, R.M.S.R., Dissanayaka, D.M.S.B., Eeswara, J.P., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Wijesuriya, G. and Jayasekara, I.G.R.I. (2021). Potential of spineless Lasia spinosa as a neglected indigenous vegetable. International Journal of Vegetable Science, pp.1-10.
8. Ruwan Chamara, Madhavi Wijerathna, Ishani Herath, Ranil Rajapaksha. (2021). Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of rural women in the dry zone of Sri Lanka on underutilized vegetable crops. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 21, pp. 1-25. 1. DOI: 09/06/2021

Books and book chapters

1. R.H.G. Ranil, C.R. Fraser-Jenkins, A. Ebihara, C-W. Chen, B.S. Parris, P. Hovenkamp, M. Sundue, D.K.N.G. Pushpakumara and D.S.A. Wijesunda (2022). An updated checklist of the pteridophyte flora of Sri Lanka. ECERO Publishers and Distributors, Gampaha, Sri Lanka.  pp. 77.
2. R.H.G. Ranil, Chamara, R.M.S.R. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (2022). Kohila: An indigenous crop for the future. Agriculture Education Unit, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peardeniya, Sri Lanka. pp. 49. [in Sinhala]
3. Ranil, R.H.G., Chamara, R.M.S.R., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Bussmann, R.W. (2021). Exploration, Conservation, and Utilization of Ethnobotanical Knowledge: Sri Lankan Perspective. Ethnobiology of Mountain Communities in Asia, Springer, Singapore pp.409-431.
4. Ranil, R.H.G., Gunawardena, N.P.T., Muthukudaarachchi, D.K.T., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Wijesundara, D.S.A. (2020). Pteridophytes in Sri Lanka. In: The National Red List 2020 - Conservation Status of the Flora of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka: Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and the National Herbarium, Department of the National Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya. pp. 170–188.
5. Ranil R.H.G., Pushpakumara D.K.N.G., Fonseka R.M., Fonseka, Bandaranayake P.C.G., Weerakkody W.A.P., Ariyaratne W.M.T.P., De Silva A.N. and Gunawardhana N.P.T. (2020).  Utilizing Neglected Crop Genetic Resources for Food and Nutritional Security: Special Reference to Indigenous Vegetables of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Agriculture, In Agricultural Research for Sustainable Food Systems in Sri Lanka. Springer, Singapore. pp. 39-66.