Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Contact:
Select, 3rd floor, Science and Technology building, Room No : W5
Office: 112881269, Ext: 269
E-mail: ssoma@ou.ac.lk ssomaseneviratne@gmail.com
At present I am working as a Senior Lecturer in Botany, Department of Botany, The Open University of Sri Lanka. I have obtained B. Sc. Special in Botany from the University of Kelaniaya. Subsequently, Maters in Plant Taxonomy and Doctoral degree in Ecology were received from the Open University. I have contributed number of publications with 256 citations and conference papers in botany, as well as other areas including social sciences. My areas of expertise fall within the fields of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology.
Last Updated on 3 years
Areas of Specialization:Plant Systermatics and Ecology
Research interests:Plant Systermatics, Ecological modeling, Climate change impact on vegitations
Affiliations:NULL
Course Coordination:Plants and Man (BYU 5303)
Researches:Weerakoon, S. R., Karunarathna, K D K, Weerasena, O V D S J and S Somaratne. 2016. Multiple origin of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) in Sri Lanka. 7th Global Summit on Agriculture & Horticulture October 17-19, 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Weerahewa, H. L. D., and S. Somaratne (2011). Effect of some selected vase water additives on vase life of Cordyline terminalis, ‘red’ foliage. Annual Academic Sessions 2011. ISSN 2012-9912:@2011 Open University of Sri Lanka. Pp.257-261.
Weerakoon, G. S. K., Somaratne, S., Wolseley, P.A., and S. C. Wijeratne (2010). Corticolous lichens as indicators of different forest management practices in the Dothalugala – Knuckles mountain range, Sri Lanka. Pp. 182-189. Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2010, 26th – 27th November, 2010, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Nigegoda, Sri Lanka.
Weerakoon, S R, Somaratne, S and Chaminda, L A D D (2009) Phytoremediative potential of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 65th Annual Sessions, (Abstract).
Weerakoon, S R, Somaratne, S and Chaminda, L A D D (2009) Impact of seasonal variations on the seed yield of mustard (Brassica junceae L.) genotypes in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 65th Annual Sessions, (Abstract).
Pieris, P K D, Perera, H A V S, Weerakoon, S R and Somaratne, S (2009) Evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activity of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes in Sri Lanka against phyto-pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 65th Annual Sessions, (Abstract).
Weerakoon, G., S. Somaratne, S., and S.C. Wijeyaratne (2009). Diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens in relation to different forest types in Knuckles Mountain range, Sri Lanka. International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2009 at University of Sri Jayawardenapura. Nugegoda.
Weerakoon, S R, Weerasena, O V D S J, Peiris, P K D and Somaratne, S (2008) Differentiation of Sri Lankan mustard (Brassica junceae) accessions using FAFLP markers and agro-morphological data. International Society of Bio Technology Conference (ISBT- 2008), Gingtok, Sikkim, India: 239-243.
Somaratne S, Weerakoon, S R, and Iqbal, M C M (2007) Agromorphological characters in classification of mustard accessions (Brassica juncea L.) in Sri Lanka. A Classification Tree Approach. OUSL Annual Academic Sessions 28th – 29th, June: 77-80.
Weerakoon, S. R., Iqbal, M. C. M., Somaratne, S., Peiris, P. K. D. and W. S. R. Wimalasuriya. 2007. Delimitation of local mustard (Brassica juncea) germplasm in Sri Lanka and improvement of their nutritive quality. Proceedings of the 12th International Rapeseed Congress, Vol. 5: 75-78, March 28-31, 2007, Wuhan, China.
Wimalasooriya, W S R, Weerakoon S R, Somaratne, S and Iqbal, M C M (2006) Characterization and differentiation of local mustard (Brassica juncea L.) germplasm in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 62nd Annual Sessions (Abstract) 77.
Hazif, R., Ranwala, S. M. W., and S. Somaratne. 2006. Development of a criterion for prioritizing invasive plants of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka (Abstract).
Meepage, H., Ranwala, S. M. W., and S. Somaratne. 2006. Decomposition and nutrient release pattern of dried leaves of Keppetiya (Croton lacciferus L.). Proceedings of the 26th Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka (Abstract).
Weerakoon, S R, Somaratne, S, Wimalasooriya, W S R and Iqbal, M C M (2005) Phenotypic variations and relationships among mustard (Brassica juncea L.) germplasm from Sri Lanka. OUSL Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions, 67-73.
Somaratne, S. and S. R. Weerakoon. 2005. Relationship between the entrance qualifications and performance of Science Undergraduate students of the Open University of Sri Lanka. ICDE International Conference, November 19-23, 2005, Delhi, India.
S. Somaratne and S. R. Weerakoon. 2005. Deterministic variables of the students’ performance the B. Sc. Graduates of the Open University of Sri Lanka. A Case study with Multivariate Regression Analysis (MRT). Extended Abstract. OUSL Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions, November 24-25, 2005
Books and book chapters
Heart, T. R., Somaratne, S. and P. P. D. C. Perera. (1994). Some Common Vegetables of Sri Lanka, NARESA, Maitland Place, Colombo.
Somaratne, S., Weerakoone, S. R., and K. G. D. I. S. Siriwardhana (2018). Oryza rhizomatis. In The Wild Oryza Genomes, T. K. Mondal and R. J. Henry (eds.) (C. Cole, Series Editor), pp. 263-269.
Research Supervisions:SUPERVISION PST GRADUATE STUDIES
Completed
Supervisor of the research project titled “Economic impact of Community Water Projects in Sri Lanka”, which was carried out by Mr. K. P. N. Karunatilleke. Dissertation was submitted on February 9, 2004 for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science of the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the research Project titled “Estimation of tree biomass carbon stocks in home gardens of Sri Lanka” which was carried out by Ms. P. M. Karunatilleke. Dissertation was submitted on April, 2005 for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. Sc. in Environmental Science of the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the research Project titled “Estimation of tree biomass carbon stocks in home gardens of Sri Lanka” which was carried out by N A S J Seneviratne. Dissertation was submitted on June 3, 2013 for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. Sc. Degree in Environmental Sciences, Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradenia.
Supervisor of the research Project titled “Regeneration and present status of an abandoned rubber plot at Mahausakanda, Kiriella in comparision with adjacent Bambaragala Mokalana in the Sabragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka” which was carried out by T. C. A. De Silva. Dissertation was submitted on October, 2014 for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. Sc. Degree in Environmental Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the research project titled ‘A Study on Climatic Regions of Sri Lanka under Changing Climate’ which was carried out by W. Edirisinghe. Dissertation was submitted on October, 2014 for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. Sc. Degree in Environmental Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the research Project titled “Impact of Climate change on Vegetation Distribution: A case study of Anuradhapura District” which was carried out by S. A. K. Liyanage. Dissertation was submitted on October, 2015 for partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. Sc. Degree in Environmental Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the M. Phil. Degree of D G S K Doluweera. Tile of thesis was “The Development of a Framework to Improve the Student Support System of the Open University with Special Reference to B. Sc. Degree Programme” and submitted to the Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the M. Phil. Degree of K D K Karunaratne. Tile of thesis was “Genetic Diversity and Origin of Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontenea) Populations Found in Rice Fields in Sri Lanka. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB), University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the Ph. D. of C. N. K. Alahakoon. Title of thesis was “ICT Self-efficacy and Use of Electronic Information Resources by Humanities and Social Science Undergraduates of some Selected Universities in Sri Lanka. Submitted to the NLIS, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
In progress
Supervisor of the M. Phil. Degree of Ms. E M S I Ekanayake. Title of thesis- “Developing Herbicide resistant (HR) Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties by means of seed/anther Mutagenesis and Developing Molecular Markers to Identify HR rice” to be submitted to the Institute of Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB), University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the M. Phil. Degree of D S P Munasighe. Tile of thesis -Sustainabal Utilization of Grynops walla Gaetner (“Walla Patta”): Production of Agarwood type Fragrant constituents using calli/cell suspension and in vtro plant propagation” – to be submitted to the Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
Supervisor of the M. Phil. Degree of D M L C Dissanayake. Tile of thesis -“Study on Screening Hypocholesterolemic Activity of Plant extracts of Selected Plant Species of the Family Euphorbiaceae” – to be submitted to the Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
Publications:
Weerakoon, S. R., Karunarathna, K D K, Weerasena, O V D S J and S Somaratne. 2016. Multiple origin of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) in Sri Lanka. 7th Global Summit on Agriculture & Horticulture October 17-19, 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Weerahewa, H. L. D., and S. Somaratne (2011). Effect of some selected vase water additives on vase life of Cordyline terminalis, ƒ??redƒ?? foliage. Annual Academic Sessions 2011. ISSN 2012-9912:@2011 Open University of Sri Lanka. Pp.257-261. Weerakoon, G. S. K., Somaratne, S., Wolseley, P.A., and S. C. Wijeratne (2010). Corticolous lichens as indicators of different forest management practices in the Dothalugala ƒ?? Knuckles mountain range, Sri Lanka. Pp. 182-189. Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2010, 26th – 27th November, 2010, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Nigegoda, Sri Lanka. Weerakoon, S R, Somaratne, S and Chaminda, L A D D (2009) Phytoremediative potential of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 65th Annual Sessions, (Abstract). Weerakoon, S R, Somaratne, S and Chaminda, L A D D (2009) Impact of seasonal variations on the seed yield of mustard (Brassica junceae L.) genotypes in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 65th Annual Sessions, (Abstract). Pieris, P K D, Perera, H A V S, Weerakoon, S R and Somaratne, S (2009) Evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activity of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes in Sri Lanka against phyto-pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 65th Annual Sessions, (Abstract). Weerakoon, G., S. Somaratne, S., and S.C. Wijeyaratne (2009). Diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens in relation to different forest types in Knuckles Mountain range, Sri Lanka. International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2009 at University of Sri Jayawardenapura. Nugegoda. Weerakoon, S R, Weerasena, O V D S J, Peiris, P K D and Somaratne, S (2008) Differentiation of Sri Lankan mustard (Brassica junceae) accessions using FAFLP markers and agro-morphological data. International Society of Bio Technology Conference (ISBT- 2008), Gingtok, Sikkim, India: 239-243. Somaratne S, Weerakoon, S R, and Iqbal, M C M (2007) Agromorphological characters in classification of mustard accessions (Brassica juncea L.) in Sri Lanka. A Classification Tree Approach. OUSL Annual Academic Sessions 28th – 29th, June: 77-80. Weerakoon, S. R., Iqbal, M. C. M., Somaratne, S., Peiris, P. K. D. and W. S. R. Wimalasuriya. 2007. Delimitation of local mustard (Brassica juncea) germplasm in Sri Lanka and improvement of their nutritive quality. Proceedings of the 12th International Rapeseed Congress, Vol. 5: 75-78, March 28-31, 2007, Wuhan, China. Wimalasooriya, W S R, Weerakoon S R, Somaratne, S and Iqbal, M C M (2006) Characterization and differentiation of local mustard (Brassica juncea L.) germplasm in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 62nd Annual Sessions (Abstract) 77. Hazif, R., Ranwala, S. M. W., and S. Somaratne. 2006. Development of a criterion for prioritizing invasive plants of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka (Abstract). Meepage, H., Ranwala, S. M. W., and S. Somaratne. 2006. Decomposition and nutrient release pattern of dried leaves of Keppetiya (Croton lacciferus L.). Proceedings of the 26th Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka (Abstract). Weerakoon, S R, Somaratne, S, Wimalasooriya, W S R and Iqbal, M C M (2005) Phenotypic variations and relationships among mustard (Brassica juncea L.) germplasm from Sri Lanka. OUSL Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions, 67-73. Somaratne, S. and S. R. Weerakoon. 2005. Relationship between the entrance qualifications and performance of Science Undergraduate students of the Open University of Sri Lanka. ICDE International Conference, November 19-23, 2005, Delhi, India. S. Somaratne and S. R. Weerakoon. 2005. Deterministic variables of the studentsƒ?? performance the B. Sc. Graduates of the Open University of Sri Lanka. A Case study with Multivariate Regression Analysis (MRT). Extended Abstract. OUSL Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions, November 24-25, 2005 Books and book chapters Heart, T. R., Somaratne, S. and P. P. D. C. Perera. (1994). Some Common Vegetables of Sri Lanka, NARESA, Maitland Place, Colombo. Somaratne, S., Weerakoone, S. R., and K. G. D. I. S. Siriwardhana (2018). Oryza rhizomatis. In The Wild Oryza Genomes, T. K. Mondal and R. J. Henry (eds.) (C. Cole, Series Editor), pp. 263-269.