ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Postgraduate Qualifications
Ph.D. (Forest Genetics and Germplasm Conservation), October 1993 - May 1997. University of Oxford, UK.
M.Sc. (Forestry and its Relation to Land Use), October 1992 - October 1993. University of Oxford, UK.

Undergraduate Qualifications
B.Sc. (Agriculture) First Class Honours, October 1984 -1990. University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

ACADEMIC/ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS HELD:

Academic Positions in the Faculty

1. Senior Professor in Crop Science, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 28 July 2017 - to date).
2. Professor in Crop Science, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 28 July 2009 – 27 July 2017).
3. Senior Lecturer (Grade I), Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 06 August 2001 – 27 July 2009).
4. Senior Lecturer (Grade II), Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 08 May 1997 – 05 August 2001).
5. Lecturer, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 01 September 1992 – 07 May 1997).
6. Assistant Lecturer, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 31 August 1991 – 31 August 1992)

Administrative Positions – In Relation to Academic, Research, Teaching and Learning

1. Director/Academic Affiars Division, University of Peradeniya (since 15 June 2022)
2. Dean/Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (since 14 November 2015 to 13 November 2021, two consecutive terms)
3. Acting Vice Chancellor, (sevral occasions, in the absence of the Vice Chancellor and the Deputy Vice Chancellor)
4. Acting Director/Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), University of Peradeniya (1 August 2017 to 6 November 2017).
5. Head/Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (from 15 September 2009 – 2012) and (from October 2015 to 13 November 2015).
6. Member of the Standing Committee of Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University Grant Commission of Sri Lanka (six years, from November 2015 to November 2021)
7. Member of the Governing Council of University of Peradeniya. Since 14 November 2015 to 14 November 2021.
8. Member of the Senate of University of Peradeniya. Since 15 September 2009.
9. Member of the Academic Development and Planning Committee of University of Peradeniya. Since 14 November 2015 to 14 November 2021.
10. Member of the Management Committee of University Research Council of University of Peradeniya. Since inception to 14 November 2021.
11. Member of the Management Committee of International Relations Office of University of Peradeniya. Since 14 November 2015 to 14 November 2021.
12. Member of the Board of Management of Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (January 2010-December 2012; November 2015 to November 2021).
13. Member of the Board of Management of Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS), University of Peradeniya (January 2016 to November 2021).
14. Member of the Governing Council of Hector Kobbakaduwa Agrarian Training and Research Institute (from September 2020 to November 2020).
15. Chairman of the Agriculture Education Unit (AEU), Agribusiness Centre (AbC) and Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (AgBC) of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya (November 2015 to November 2021).
16. Chairman (October 2004-2006 December), Secretary (November 2003 to October 2004) of the Board of Study in Crop Science, PGIA.
17. Secretary (November 2003 to October 2004) and Member of the Board of Study in Agricultural Biology, PGIA (January 1998-December 2000), (June 2003-October 2004) and (since December 2007).

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Peer Reviewed National and International Journal Articles (2018 - 2023)

1. Samarakoon, C., Weerahewa, J. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (2023) Assessment of risk resiliency in coconut based agroforestry systems of Sri Lanka. Cocos (submitted).
2. Lowe, W.A.M., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Weerahewa, H.L.J., Vitharana, W.A.U., Marambe, B., Punyawardena, B.V.R. and Silva, G.L.L.P. (2023) Assessment of the Scope of Homegarden in Realizing Household Food Demand and Dietary Diversity; a Case of Selected Districts in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research. Submitted.
3. Bandusekara, B.S., Wimalasiri, K.M.S., Ranil, R.H.G., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Ranawaka, R.A.A.K. and Bandaranayake, P.C.G. (2023) A Comparative Study of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Cultivated and Wild Cinnamomum Species. Journal of Food Sceinece and Technology (submitted)
4. Bandara, T., Marambe, B., Pushpakumara, G., Silva, P., Punyawardena, R., Manawadu, L., Premalal, S. Miah, G., Dahal, K.R. and Suriyagoda, L. (2023) Food-nutrition-health vulnerability of farming systems to climate change in the mountain areas of south Asia. Food Security Journal (submitted).
5. Bandaranayake, P.C.G., Naranpanawa, D.N.U., Chandrasekara, C.H.W.M.R.B., Samarakoon, H., Lokuge, S., Jayasundara, S., Bandaranayake, A.U., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., and Wijesundera, D.S.A. (2023) Chloroplast genome, nuclear ITS regions, Mitogenome regions and Skmer analysis for resolving the genetic relationship among Cinnamomum species in Sri Lanka. BMC Plant Biology. Submitted.
6. Lowe, A., Kuruppuarachchi, N., Silva, P., Pushpakumara, G., Suriyagoda, L. and Weerahewa, J. (2023) Does human intervention modulate the above-ground carbon biomass of agroforestry systems? A study of homegardens in Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka. Agricultural Systems. Submitted. 7. Hathurusinghe, Bhagya, Pushpakumara, Gamini and Bandaranayake, Pradeepa 2023. Unveiling the possible floral visitors and invisible pollination network from deep RNA-seq profile. Ecological Genetics and Genomics. Submitted
8. Hearath, H.M.B.S. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (2023) Restoration potential of catchment landscapes through Trees Outside Forest Sources: Homegardens in Upper Mahaweli Catchment in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research. Submitted.
9. Bandusekara, B.S., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Bandaranayake, P.C.G. (2023). Comparison of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Profiles and Antimicrobial Activity of Different Cinnamomum Species in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research, 34 (2): 126–135. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v34i2.8624
10. Rajapaksha, R., Pham, V.T., Ojha, R., Islam, T., and Silva, N.De., Pushpakumara, G. and Bussmann, R.W. (2023) Ethnobotany of Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites: the spiny edible aroid in Asia. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-023-01574-z 11. Hathurusinghe, H.A.B.M., Bandusekara, B.S., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Ranawaka, R.A.A.K. and Bandaranayake, P.C.G., 2023. Possibility of utilizing Inter Simple Sequence Repeat regions, bark powder morphology and floral morphometry to characterize the Cinnamomum species in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 34 (1): 65-79. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v34i1.8605
12. Weerahewa, J., Timsina, J., Wickramasinghe, C., Mimasha, S., Dayananda, D. and Puspakumara, G. (2023) Ancient irrigation systems in Asia and Africa: Typologies, degradation and ecosystem services. Agricultural Systems 205. 103580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103580
13. Hathurusighe, H.A.B.M., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Bandaranayake, P.C.G. (2023) Macroscopic and Microscopic study on Floral Biology and Pollination of Cinnamomum verum. PLOS ONE 18 (2), p.e0271938. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/ 2022.07.12.499711 14. Alawathugoda, R.M.D., Premakantha, K.T., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Sivanantherverl, T. and Dissanayaka, M.G.W.M.W.T.B. (2023) Estimation of Biomass Carbon Stock of Mangrove Vegetation in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Forester
15. Lowe, A.M., Silva, G.L.L.P. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (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. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127671.
16. 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. (2022) Potential of spineless Lasia spinosa as a neglected indigenous vegetable. International Journal of Vegetable Science. 28 (2): 170-179. DOI: 10.1080/19315260.2021.1925384 17. Rajapaksha, R., Zhang, L., Pushpakumara, G. and Wijesundara, S. (2022). An analysis of the current status and future prospects of Sri Lankan pteridophytes towards a new dimension. Biologia 33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-022-01139-y.
18. Kumari, W.M.R., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Weerakoon, W.M.W., Senanayake., D.M.J.B. and Upadhyaya, H.D. (2022). Screening of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Germplasm for the Blast Disease-Resistance in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research, 33(4): 339-349. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v33i4.8586
19. Kumari, W.M.R., Pushpakumara,D.K.N.G., Weerakoon, W.M.W., Senanayake, D.M.J.B., Dhammika, W.A.R., Upadhyaya, H.D. (2022). Genetic diversity of local and exotic Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) gaertn.] Germplasm in Sri Lanka revealed by SSRs. Tropical Agriculturist 170 (3): 26-38.
20. Kumari, W.M.R., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Weerakoon, W.M.W., Senanayake, D.M.J.B. and Upadhyaya, H.D. (2021). Regional diversity of local and exotic Finger millet germplasm based on qualitative and quantitative traits in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agriculturist 169(3): 13-23. 21. Amarathunge, S.M. and Pushpakumara, D. (2021) Morphological and qualitative phytochemical comparison of selected Salacia species in lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. Sabaragamuwa University Journal, 19(1): 28–41. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/suslj.v19i1.7771
22. Bandara, T., Marambe, B., Pushpakumara, G., Silva, P., Punyawardena, R., Premalal, S., Manawadu, L., Dahal, K.R., Miah, G. (2021) Climate resilience of farming systems in steep mountain terrain of selected regions in South Asia. APN Science Bulletin 11 (1): 89-111.
23. Gaisberger, H., Kettle, C.J., Vinceti, B., Fremout, T., Kemalasari, D., Kanchanarak, T., Thomas, E., Serra-Diaz, J.M., Svenning, J., Slik, F., Eiadthong, W., Palanisamy, K., Ravikanth, G., Bodos, V., Sang, J., Warrier, R.R., Wee, A.K.S., Elloran, C., Ramos, L.T., Henry, M., Hossain, A., Theilade, I., Laegaard, S., Bandara, K.M.A., Dimantha Panduka Weerasinghe, Suchitra Changtragoon, Vivi Yuskianti, Peter Wilkie, Nguyen Hoang Nghia, Stephen Elliott, Greuk Pakkad, Pimonrat Tiansawat, Colin Maycock, Chaloun Bounithiphonh, Rozi Mohamad, Nazre M. Saleh, Baktiar Nur Siddiqui, Lee Soon Leong, Lee Chai Ting, Nurul Farhanah Zakaria, Ida Hartvig, Lutz Lehmann26, Dzaeman D. Dzulkifli, Jens-Peter Barnekow-Lillesø, Chhang Phourin, Zheng Yongqi, Huang Ping, Hugo A. Volkaert, Lars Graudal, Arief Hamidi, So Thea, Sineath Sreng, Fran Lambrick, David Boshier, Enrique Tolentino jr., Wickneswari Ratnam, Mu Mu Aung, Michael Galante, Siti Fatimah Mohd Isa, Quoc, D.N., Hoa, T.T., Le, T.C., Miah, D., Zuhry, A.L.M., Alawathugoda, D., Azman, A., Pushpakumara, G., Sumedi, N., Siregar, I., Nak, H.K., Linsky, J., Barstow, M., Koh, L.P. and Jalonen, R. (2021) Tropical and subtropical Asia’s valued tree species under threat. Conservation Biology. E13873. http://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13873
24. Ali, A., Ponnamapalam, E.N., Pushpakumara, G., Cottrell, J.J., Suleria, H.A.R. and Dunshea, F.R. (2021) Cinnamon: A Natural Feed Additive for Poultry Health and Production–A Review. Animals 11 (7): 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072026 25. Lowe, A.M., Sinniah, J., Jeyavanan, K., Silva, G.L.L.P. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (2021) Can Homegardens Assist in Enhancing the Domestic Food Security? A study in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. Agroforestry Systems 95: 1205-1216. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10457-021-00647-1
26. Chandrasekara, C.H.W.M.R.B., Naranpanawa, D.N.U., Bandusekara, B.S., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Wijesundara, D.S.A. and Bandaranayake, P.C.G. (2021)
Universal barcoding regions, rbcL, matK and trnHpsbA do not discriminate Cinnamomum species in Sri Lanka. PLoS ONE 16 (2): e0245592. https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245592
27. Hearath, H.M.B.S., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Hewson, M. and Wickramagamage, P. (2021) Biophysical and Socio-economic Determinants for Spatial and Temporal Changes of Tree Resources Outside Forests Land Uses in Upper Mahaweli Catchment in Sri Lanka: With Special reference to Homegardens. Tropical Agricultural Research 32 (2): 229-242. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v32i2.8470
28. Weerahewa, J., Marambe, B., Silva, P. and Pushpakumara, G. (2021) Productivity of agri-food sector of Sri Lanka: the story unseen, unfolded or untold. Sri Lanka Journal of Economic Research 8 (2): 125-140.
29. Mallawaarachchi, M.A.L.N., Madhujith, W.M.T., Suriyagoda, L.D.B. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (2021) Antioxidant Efficacy of Selected Underutilized Fruit Crop Species Grown in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 32 (1): 68-80.
30. Liyanage, N.M.N., Bandusekara, B.S., Rajapaksha, R.W.M.K.K., Hathurusinghe, H.A.B.M., Rathnayaka, A.M.R.W.S.D., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Samita, S., Wijesinghe, K.G.G., Jayasinghe, G.G., Liyanage, W.K.K. and Bandaranayake, P.C.G. (2021) Identification of superior Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume germplasm for future true cinnamon breeding in the world. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2020.103747
31. Bandusekara, B.S., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Bandaranayake, P.C.G. (2020) A Morphological Index for Field Level Identification of Cinnamomum Species in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 31 (4): 43-53.
32. Selvaskanthan, S., Kaushalya, D.B.R., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Jayasinghe, L.B. and Eeswara, J.P. (2020) A comparison of chemical profiles of callus, plant and agarwood extracts of Gyrinops walla using thin layer chromatography. Tropical Agricultural Research 31 (2): 97-105. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v31i2.8371
33. Azad, R., Jayasekara, L., Ranawaka, R.A.A.K., Senanayake, G., Kumara, K.L.W., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Geekiyanage, S. (2019) Development of a core collection for Sri Lankan cinnamon germplasm based on morphological characterization using an ecogeographic survey. Australian Journal of Crop Science 13 (09): 1473-1485. doi: 10.21475/ajcs.19.13.09
34. Azad, R., Wasantha Kumara, K.L., Senanayake, G., Ranawaka, R.A.A.K., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Geekiyanage, S. (2019) Intensity of leaf spot and rough bark diseases in cinnamon accessions collected from major cinnamon growing areas of Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka 47 (3): 297-305. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v47i3.9403
35. Rajapaksha, R., Gunawardhana, N., Garasin, U., Pushpakumara, G., Premakantha, T., Wijesundara, S. and Averyanov, L. (2019) Elatostema rigidiusculum (Urticaceae), a new species endemic to Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa 404 (2): 85-90. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa
36. Mallawaarachchi, M.A.L.N., Madhujith, W.M.T. and Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. (2019) Antioxidant Potential of Selected Underutilized Fruit Crop Species Grown in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 30 (3): 1-12.
37. Suriyagoda, Lalith D.B., Rajapakshe, Ranil, Pushpakumara, Gamini and Lambers, Hans. (2018) Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves of epiphytes, hemi-parasites and their hosts in tropical forests of Sri Lanka. Journal of Plant Ecology 11 (6): 815-826. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtx049.
38. Weerasinghe, W.M.S.K., Wickremasinghe, I.P., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Fernando, M.F.S.W., Rohini, A.M.K.C and Dissanayake, G.D.S.S. (2018) Improvement of fruit quality characters of pineapple hybrids. Annals of the Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture (ASDA) 20: 101-106 (Short Communication). 39. Selvaskanthan, S., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Eeswara, J.P. (2018). Development of a protocol for in vitro establishment of Gyrinops walla. Tropical Agricultural Research 29(3): 330–336.DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v29i3.8272
40. Azad, R., Wasantha Kumara, K.L., Gamini Senanayake, Ranawaka, R.A.A.K., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G. and Geekiyanage, S. (2018) Flower morphological diversity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Presl) in Matara District, Sri Lanka. Open Agriculture 3: 236-246.
41. Kumari, W.M.R., Pushpakumara, D.K.N.G., Weerakoon, W.M.W., Senanayake, D.M.J.B. and Upadhyaya, H.D. (2018) Morphological Characterization of Local and Introduced Finger millet (Elusine coracana (L.) Gaertn Germplasm in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 29 (2): 167-183.
42. Marambe, B., Weerahewa, J., Pushpakumara, G., Silva, P., Punyawardena, R., Premalal, S., Miah, M.D.G., Roy, J. and Jana, S. (2018) Climate Variability and Adaptation of Homegardens in South Asia: Case Studies from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India. Sri Lanka Journal of Food and Agriculture 4 (2): 7-27.