Doctor of Philosophy Degrees

Student Name: Mr. DS Digamadulla

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2018/99

E-mail: dsdigamadulla@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Development of a Culture based Fishery for Giant Freshwater Prawn in Sri Lankan Reservoirs

Supervisors

1. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. WMHK Wijenayake, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Snr. Prof. JMUK Jayasinghe, Department of Agribusiness Management, Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

4. Prof. US Amarasinghe, Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

Student Name: Ms. MPS Rathnayake

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2020/133

E-mail: mpsrathnayake@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Examination of the State of Food Literacy Education and Food Environment in Sri Lankan Secondary Schools

Supervisors

1. Prof. KDRR Silva, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) HAT Perera, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka 

3. Dr. Janandani Nanayakkara, Institute for Physical Activity & Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125

4. Prof. Tony Worsley, Chair in Behavioral Nutrition, Institute for Physical Activity & Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia

Student Name: Ms. IU Wickramarathne

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2020/136

E-mail: iuwickramarathne@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Reproductive Biology and Population Dynamics of Slipper Lobster Species Thenus orientalis in the East Coast of Sri Lanka

Supervisors

1. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) RMGN Thilakarathne, Department of Oceanography & Marine Geology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna

Student Name: Mr. SAS Pilagolla

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2022/160

E-mail: pilagollasas@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Enhancing Culture-Based Fisheries through Biological Assessment, Gear Innovation, and Policy Integration: A Study on Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Finfish in Sri Lankan Reservoirs

Supervisors

1. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. US Amarasinghe, Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

3. Dr. Clive Jones, Principal Research Fellow, James Cook University, Australia

4. Dr. (Ms.) HACC Perera, Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

Student Name: Ms. AMAN Adikari

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2022/161

E-mail: adikariaman@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Production Trends and Yield Predictive Models for Culture-based Fisheries in Irrigation Reservoirs of Sri Lanka

Supervisors

1. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. US Amarasinghe, Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

3. Dr. Clive Jones, Principal Research Fellow, James Cook University, Australia

4. Dr. (Ms.) HACC Perera, Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

Student Name: Ms. MMS Karunanayaka

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2023/167

E-mail: karunanayakamms@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Effect of Improved School Garden and School Food Environment on Food Literacy Among Secondary School Children

Supervisors

1. Prof. KDRR Silva, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) HAT Perera, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Prof. Janaki Mohotti, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya

4. Dr. Danny Hunter, Principal Scientist, Alliance of Bioversity International, Rome, Italy

Student Name: Ms. HMNJ Karunarathna

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2023/168

E-mail: karunarathnahmnj@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Development, Validation, and Feasibility Assessment of a Real-Time Artificial Intelligence-Driven Mobile Application to Improve Dietary Behaviors Among Adolescents in Sri Lanka

Supervisors

1. Prof. KDRR Silva, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) HAT Perera, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Dr. Aulo Gelli, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, USA

Student Name: Ms. SMHD Sitisekara

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2023/169

E-mail: sitisekarasmhd@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Effect of supply-demand-food environment interventions on adults’ dietary intake of fruits and vegetables

Supervisors

1. Prof. KDRR Silva, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) RMTK Ranathunga, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Dr. Deanna Olney, Senior Research Fellow & A Theme Co-leader for Nutrition-Sensitive Programs in IFPRI’s Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, USA

Student Name: Mrs. S Simmaky

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2023/172

E-mail: simmakys@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Investigation of Red Seaweed, Kappaphycus alvarezii as a Source of Natural Bioactives: Extraction, Optimization, Characterization, Functional Properties, and Food Applications

Supervisors

1. Prof. KDPP Gunathilake, Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. Sukirtha Srivarathan, Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

3. Prof. RGS Wijesekara, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

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Student Name: Ms. OS Indramali

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2024/176

E-mail: osindramali@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Agriculture Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among Secondary School Children

Supervisors

1. Prof. KDRR Silva, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. Janaki Mohotti, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya

3. Dr. (Ms.) HAT Perera, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Student Name: Ms. GKAW Fernando

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2024/181

E-mail: gkawfernando@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Establishing the role of healthy, degraded and restored mangroves and seagrass as essential fish habitat using eDNA technique

Supervisors

1. Prof. (Ms.) JADSS Jayakody, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. Beth Scott, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Ave Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom AB24 2TZ

3. Dr. Clive J Fox, Scottish Association for Marine Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom PA37 1QA

Student Name: Ms. AGDA Wathsala

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2024/184

E-mail: agdawathsala@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Modification of a Carrageenan Extraction Protocol from Seaweed (Kappaphycus Alvarezii) for Cosmetic Applications

Supervisors

1. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) ST Gonapinuwala, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Student Name: Mr. CRA Pathirana

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/PHD/2024/187

E-mail: crapathirana@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Efficacy and impact of Sri Lanka’s food regulatory framework on consumer protection and fair competition

Supervisors

1. Snr. Prof. (Mrs.) CVL Jayasinghe, Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Mrs.) S Jayatilake, Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Master of Philosophy Degrees

Student Name: Mr. AAAU Aberathna

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2021/151

E-mail: aberathnaaaau@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Enhancement of Bioavailability of Phosphate by Microbial Methods to Sustainable Utilization of Eppawala Rock Phosphate

Supervisors

1. Prof. JMKJK Premarathne, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. BPA Jayaweera, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Snr. Prof. CAN Fernando, Department of Nano Science Technology, Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

4. Prof. GA Prathapasinghe, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

5. Prof. DA Satharasinghe, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, University of Peradeniya

6. Prof. HRN Jinadasa, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, University of Peradeniya

7. Prof. LJPAP Jayasooriya, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, University of Peradeniya

8. Snr. Prof. (Mrs.) JA Liyanage, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

Student Name: Ms. S Manopriya

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2021/152

E-mail: manopriyas@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Enhancement of Bioavailability of Eppawala Rock Phosphate by Chemical and Physical Method to be Used in Poultry Rations

Supervisors

1. Prof. JMKJK Premarathne, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. BPA Jayaweera, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Snr. Prof. CAN Fernando, Department of Nano Science Technology, Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

4. Prof. GA Prathapasinghe, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

5. Prof. DA Satharasinghe, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, University of Peradeniya

6. Prof. LJPAP Jayasooriya, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences, University of Peradeniya

7. Dr. MMMGPG Mantilaka, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya

8. Snr. Prof. (Mrs.) JA Liyanage, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya

Student Name: Ms. JAWW Jayasinghe

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2022/158

E-mail: jayasinghejaww@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Policies, Legal Instruments and Processes for Aquatic Systems Related Developments and Development of a new Protocol for Selected Areas of Importance

Supervisors

1. Prof. (Ms.) JADSS Jayakody, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. KGTN Kirilla, Deputy Director-General, Central Environmental Authority

3. Dr. DLJC Gunawardana, Legal Consultant, Central Environmental Authority

Student Name: Ms. CC Walpita

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2022/159

E-mail: walpitacc@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Potential of Using Microalgae as a Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Nutraceuticals

Supervisors

1. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. CN Walpita, Department of Livestock Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Student Name: Ms. PADL Anjani

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2022/164

E-mail: anjanipadl@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Application of Genetic and Genomic Tools to Monitor Elasmobranch Fisheries and Trade in Sri Lanka

Supervisors

1. Dr. (Ms.) WM Gayashani Sandamalika, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. Shaili Johri, Postdoctoral Fellow, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, The United States of America

3. Dr. Emily Humble, Research Fellow in Conservation Genomics, R(D)SVS & The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Student Name: Mr. A Sivanandan

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2024/182

E-mail: asivanandan@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Assessment of post-harvest losses of selected marine fish species in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka to explore mitigation methods to minimize these post-harvest losses

Supervisors

1. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) ST Gonapinuwala, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Student Name: Mr. HNTM Kumarasiri

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2024/183

E-mail: hntmkumarasiri@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Investigating pioneer infauna and epifauna in a mangrove restoration site with special reference to the ecosystem services of Giant mangrove whelk (Terebralia palustris)

Supervisors

1. Dr. WMHK Wijenayake, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. (Ms.) JADSS Jayakody, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Dr. Malik Fernando, Past President, Member of Marine Subcommittee Wildlife & Nature Protection Society, 86, Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla 10120

Student Name: Mr. AMCP Kumara

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2024/190

E-mail: amcpkumara@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Sustainable Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) of Pearl Oyster, Seaweed, and Sandfish: An Environmental and Biological Assessment in Northern Sri Lanka

Supervisors

1. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) ST Gonapinuwala, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Dr. PPM Heenatigala, Head/ Inland Aquatic Resources and Aquaculture Division, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Crow Island, Mattakkuliya, Colombo 15

Student Name: Mr. MHHM Ikram

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2025/195

E-mail: mhhmikram@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Investigation of Fruit phenology and development of maturity & quality indices for pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kalpitiya Hybrid

Supervisors

1. Dr. (Mrs.) WAH Champa, Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Ms.) TUS Peiris, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Dr. (Mrs.) PUS Peiris, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Student Name: Mr. S Thanusan

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2025/196

E-mail: sthanusan@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Evaluation and extraction of heme from bovine blood to be utilized as an iron supplement

Supervisors

1. Prof. BPA Jayaweera, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Dr. (Mrs.) PMHD Pathiraje, Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Prof. Ananda Chandrasekera, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Student Name: Ms. MDMS Erandi

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2025/197

E-mail: mdmserandi@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Part-time

Title of the Degree

Investigation of Plant – Based Ingredient Supplementation on the Nutritional, Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Novel Hybrid Processed Cheeses

Supervisors

1. Dr. (Mrs.) HNN Dilrukshi, Department of Livestock & Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. Charles Brennan, Chief Scientific Director, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC -3000

3. Dr. (Ms.) DU Rajawardhana, Senior Research Scientist, Food Technology Section, Modern Research & Development Complex, Industrial Technology Institute, 503/A, Halbarawa Gardens, Thalahena, Malabe

Student Name: Ms. MAM Rupasinghe

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2025/198

E-mail: mamrupasinghe@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Integrating two molecular approaches for the identification of elasmobranch species across the Sri Lankan dry fish markets to reveal mislabelling and expanding a barcode library

Supervisors

1. Dr. (Ms.) WM Gayashani Sandamalika, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. (Ms.) JADSS Jayakody, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

3. Dr. Emily Humble, Research Fellow in Conservation, Genomics, The Royal (Dick), School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Student Name: Ms. HKT Amaya

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2025/203

E-mail: hktamaya@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Identification and Mapping of Seagrass in Northern and North Western Sri Lanka

Supervisors

Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Student Name: Ms. S Visnuha

Reg. No: WU/SRHDC/MPHIL/2025/204

E-mail: svisnuha@wyb.ac.lk

Course Status: Full-time

Title of the Degree

Development of a cost-effective industrial method to extract collagen from fish waste for high-value cosmetic products

Supervisors

1. Dr. (Ms.) ST Gonapinuwala, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

2. Prof. MDST De Croos, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka