ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. in Agrciultural Development (2018), The University of Tokyo, Japan 
M.Sc. in Plant Science (2014), The University of Tokyo, Japan 
B.Sc. (Agriculture) (2005), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Crop modelling

Agronomy

Smart/Precision Agriculture

Vegetabale Production/ Cereal Production

SPECIAL TRAININGS:

• Foundation Course in Human Resource Management at Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka
• Training on ISO quality management systems and preparation of quality manual conducted by Sri Lanka Standard Institution, Sri Lanka

REFEREED RESEARCH PAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS

• De Silva S.H.N.P., Takahashi T., Okada K. (2018). Controlling Yield and Grain Protein Content of Wheat in Japan through Pre-Anthesis Nitrogen Application to Maximize the Producers’ Profit. Japan Agricultural Research Quarterly (JARQ), 52(3), 205-217.
• Chamara, R.M.S.R., Senevirathne, S.M.P., Samarasinghe, S.A.I.L.N., Premasiri, M.W.R.C., Sandaruwani, K.H.C., Dissanayake, D.M.N.N., De. Silva, S.H.N.P., Ariyaratne, W.M.T.P and Marabe, B. (2020). A review on the role of artificial Intelligence in achieving global food security: a promising technology for future. Sri Lankan Journal of Food and Agriculture, 6(2), 43-70
• De Silva S.H.N.P., Takahashi T., Okada K. (2021). Evaluation of APSIM-Wheat to simulate the response of yield and grain protein content to nitrogen application on an Andosol in Japan. Plant Production Science, 24(4), 454-465. DOI: 10.1080/1343943X.2021.1883989.
• Rajapaksha, R., Ojha, R., Islam, T., De Silva, N., Pushpakumara, G., & Bussmann, R. W. (2023). Ethnobotany of Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites: the spiny edible aroid in Asia. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-023-01574-z.

CONFERENCE PAPERS

• De Silva S.H.N.P., Takahashi T., Okada K. (2014). Decision Support System for Nitrogen Fertilization in Wheat using Crop Growth Model (APSIM): Model Parameterization and Validation. Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Agricultural Informatics, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, (pp 66-67).
• De Silva S.H.N.P., Takahashi T., Okada K. (2014). Parameterization of the APSIM Crop Growth Model for Japanese Wheat Varieties across Sowing Times and N Application Rates: Step towards a decision support system for Japanese wheat farmers. 238th Annual Meeting of Crop Science Society of Japan, Ehime University, Ehime, (pp 42).
• De Silva S.H.N.P., Takahashi T., Okada K. (2015). Validation of APSIM Crop Growth Model for Japanese Wheat Varieties across N Application Rates: Step towards a decision support system for Japanese wheat farmers. Paper presented at the 239th Annual Meeting of Crop Science Society of Japan, Nihon University, Fujisawa, (pp 63).
• De Silva S.H.N.P., Takahashi T., Okada K. (2015). Effect of Flowering Time Nitrogen Application on Grain Yield and Grain Protein Content: A comparative study between hard wheat and soft wheat in Kanto area. Paper presented at the 240th Annual Meeting of Crop Science Society of Japan, Shinshu University, Nagano, (pp 48).
• De Silva S.H.N.P., Takahashi T., Okada K. (2017). Preliminary Evaluation of Optimum N Management for Soft and Hard Wheat in Kanto Area through Crop Growth Simulation. Poster presented at the 243th Annual Meeting of Crop Science Society of Japan, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, (pp 170).
• Vithana A., Ukwattage N.L., De Silva S.H.N.P., Dissanayake C.T.M. (2021). Effect of Coal Fly Ash and Wood Ash Soil Amendments on the Growth of Zea mays in Acid Sulphate Soils of Nilwala Agricultural Basin, Sri Lanka. Poster presented at the Eurosoil 2021, Geneva Virtual Congress, (PO041).

PROCEEDINGS

• Rathnayaka K.M.K.I., Sivananthawerl T., De Silva S.H.N.P., Herath S., Marambe B and Ariyarathne W.M.T.P. (2021). Use of Multispectral UAV Images in Precision Agriculture: Weed Control in Rice, Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, August, 2021. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Merit award
• Maduwanthi S.D.C., Rankoth L.M., De Silva S.H.N.P., Ranil R.H.G. and Suriyagoda L.D.B. (2021). Identifying the Best Soil Incorporation Stage of Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) as Green Manure, Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, August, 2021. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Gunaratne M.D.N., De Silva S.H.N.P., Amarasinghe R.K. (2022). Can NASA Power Climatic Data Fill the Gap of Climatic Data Required for Agriculture and Forest Ecosystems Modeling?. Paper presented at the 26th International Forestry and Environment Symposium, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, (pp 21). Best presentation in the session
• Koswatta.D.D.K., Weerakkody W.A.P., De Silva S.H.N.P., Bandaranayake P. (2022). Estimation of Consumptive-Use of Tomato Grown in Tropical Greenhouse Conditions using Evapotranspiration Models. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Alagiyawanna A.M.A.A.M., Hemachandra E.M.G.P., De Silva S.H.N.P., Ranil R.H.G. (2022). Feasibility of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry) Cultivation in Gampaha District. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Senevirathna A.G.U.N., De Silva S.H.N.P., Dissanayaka D.M.S.B. (2022). Growth and Yield Responses in Finger Millet-Mung Bean Intercropping under Moisture-Limited Conditions. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Dissanayake D.M.R.L., Ranil R.H.G., De Silva S.H.N.P. and Rankoth L.M. (2022). Identifying the Best Soil Incorporation Stage of Horse Gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.] as a Green Manure Crop. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Wickramasinghe K.G.G.M., De Silva S.H.N.P., Dissanayaka D.M.S.B. (2022). Root Growth Dynamics and Nutrient-Use Efficiency of Grevillea robusta Grown under Nitrogen and Phosphorus Co-limitation. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Sandeepani R.I., Udawela U.A.K.S., Ariyaratne M., De Silva S.H.N.P., Jayatilake D.V., Marambe B. (2022). Root Morphological Variation and Molecular Screening of DEEPER ROOTING 1 in Selected Rice Varieties in Response to Drought. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Merit award
• Nisana R., Priyantha M.G.D.L., Athukorala A.R.J., Samaranayake J.W.K., Sivananthawerl T., De Silva S.H.N.P. and Rankoth L.M. (2022). Priming Techniques for Seed Quality Enhancement of Selected Oil Seed Crops. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Kumara N.V.K.P., Wijerathna R.M.S., De Silva S.H.N.P., Sivananthawerl T., Ranil R.H.G. (2022). A Situational Analysis of Wild Animal Damage in Kandyan Homegarden System. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Kithsiri U.A.M.T., Kumarasinghe P.G.S.A., Janaranjana U.G.T.N., Gunawardhena G.M.W.L., De Silva S.H.N.P. Ranil R.H.G. (2022). Mapping of Eco-geographic Distribution of Native Medicinal Plants of Sri Lanka: The Basis of Study, Conservation and Utilization. Proceedings of the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, December, 2022. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Best presentation, Theme IV: Community, Environment and Management.