Professor Shyama R. Weerakoon

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Professor Shyama R. Weerakoon

B.Sc. Special Degree in Botany (University of Colombo, SL), Ph.D. (University of Western Australia, Australia), C. Biol., F. Biol. (SL)

Professor of Botany

Department of Botany
1st floor, Science and Technology building, Room No : 155

I graduated from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka following a B.Sc. Special Degree in Botany. Then received my Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from University of Western Australia, Australia, and completed post-doctoral studies (Sept. 2007 to Sept. 2009) at the same university.

I joined the Department of Botany at the Open University of Sri Lanka as a Lecturer (Probationary) in 1992 and promoted as a Senior Lecturer in 1999. (1999-2012). Then promoted to Professor in Botany in June, 2012 and appointed as the Professor of Botany (Chair) in February 2018. I served as the Head of the Department of Botany from March, 2011 to March, 2014.

Currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the OUSL Journal published by the Open University of Sri Lanka and as the Director/Research Unit of the Open University of Sri Lanka.

PhD in Special Needs Education Masters in Special Needs Education B.Ed in Special Needs Education

Programme and Course Co-ordination

Programme Co-ordination

B.Sc. Degree Programme

Short Course in Plant Breeding TechniquesDiploma in Plant Breeding

Course Co-ordination

BYU4301 - Genetics and Evolution

BYU5306 - Plant Breeding

BYU6300 - Plant Molecular Biology

Short Course in Plant Breeding Techniques Diploma in Plant Breeding

Area of Specialization and Research Interests

Area of Specialization Genetics, Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, Weed Biology

Research Interests 1. Breeding Hexaploid (6n � AABBCC) Brassicas. 2. Breeding canola-quality Sri Lankan mustard (Brassica juncea) lines. 3. Studies on potential Lupin (Lupinus spp.) varieties and prospective growing areas in Sri Lanka and the impact of bio-films on growth of Lupins. 4. Studies on phytoremediative potential of mustard (Brassica juncea) genotypes in Sri Lanka 5. Studies on herbicide tolerance/resistance among Oryza spp. and developing herbicide resistance for broad-specturm herbicides in Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties through mutagenesis 6. Evaluation of anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities of plant tissue extracts and callus extracts of selected medicinal plants. 7. Agro-morphological and molecular studies on diversity and genetics origin of weedy rice in rice fields in Sri Lanka. 8. Hypocholesterolemic activity of plant extracts (Family – Euphorbiaceae) and mode of Mechanisms 9. Delimitation of Oryza sative complexes in Sri Lanka 10.Biological responses and Expression of plant genes of Sri Lankan Rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties to different rhythmic sound patterns (Music and religious chants)

Research and Publications

Research Publications:

Research papers in refereed International journals:

  1. Amarasekera, A. S., Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. and  Dahanayake, S. R. (1994). Constituents of Vernonia zeylanica. Fitoterapia LXV No. 5: 447.
  2. Dahanayake, S. R. and Galwey, N. W. (1998). Effects of interactions between low and high   temperature treatments of flowering of spring rape (Brassica napus ‘Annua’). Ann. of Botany  81: 609-617.
  3. Dahanayake, S. R. (1998). Genetics and Physiology of the vernalization process of  Spring rape (Brassica napus var. annua). PhD Thesis, University of Western Australia.
  4. Dahanayake, S. R. and Galwey, N. W. (1999). Diallel analysis of vernalization responses in spring rape (Brassica napus L.) : a basis for adaptation to a mediterranean environment. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 50 : 1417-23.
  5.  Dahanayake, S. R. and Galwey, N. W. (1999). Effects of interactions between low-temperature treatments, gibberellin (GA3) and photoperiod on flowering and stem height of spring rape (Brassica napus var. annua).  Ann. of Botany. 84: 321-327.
  6.  Yan, G., Nelson, M., Pradhan, A., Mason, A., Weerakoon, S. R., Si, P., Plummer, J. and Cowling, W. (2009). Progress towards the creation of trigenomic hexaploid  populations. SABRO Journal of BREEDING and GENETICS 41: Special Supplement, pp. NA.
  7. Weerakoon, S. R. and Iqbal, M. C. M. (2009). Production of Interspecific Hybrids to improve fatty acid profile of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) germplasm in Sri Lanka. SABRO Journal of BREEDING and GENETICS 41: Special Supplement, pp. NA.
  8. Weerakoon, S. R., Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J., Peiris, P. K. D and Somaratne, S. (2010). Assessment of Genetic Variation within Mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss) Germplasm in Sri Lanka using Fluorescent-based Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphic DNA Markers. International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 6 (No. 5): 757-768.
  9. Iqbal, M. C. M.,  Weerakoon, S. R.,  Geethanjalie, H. D. N..,  Peiris, P. K. D. and  Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2011). Changes in the fatty acids in seeds of inter-specific hybrids between Brassica napus and Brassica juncea. Journal of Crop & Pasture Science, 62: 390-395.
  10.  Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2013). Agronomic Potential of Lupin  (Lupinus spp.) in Sri Lanka as an Alternative Crop: Growth and Yield Performance in different Agro-Ecological Regions. Asian Journal of Agricultural Research, 7: 1-14.
  11. Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S., Wijeratne, R. G. D. and Ekanayaka, E. M. S. I. (2013). Natural Herbicide Resistance (HR) to Broad-spectrum Herbicide, Glyphosate among Traditional and Inbred-cultivated Rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in Sri Lanka. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. 16 (16): 796-803.

  12. Karunaratne, K. D. K., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S. and Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2015). Molecular and  Agro-Morphological Differences among  Traditional Rice variety “PACHCHAPERUMAL” and closely related Weedy rice Eco-types in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Tropical Agriculture. 33: 3315-3322.

  13. DonPaul, A. M., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2016). Antioxident properties of  Leaf, Twig and Calli extracts of  Neolamarckia  cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser in Sri Lanka. Research Journal of Medicinal Plants. 10(4): 314-319, DOI: 10.3923/rjmp.2016.314-319.

  14. Ekanayaka, E. M. S. I., Weerakoon, S. R., Silva, T. D. and Somaratne, S. (2016). Induction of Herbicide resistance via seed-derived rice (Oryza  sativa) calli. IRA-International Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol. 3(3). doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.21013/jas.v3.n3.p15. (2016).

  15. Karunaratne, K. D. K., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S. and Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2016). Distribution Patterns and Genetic relationships of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontaneae) populations in different climatic zones in Sri Lanka. . International Journal of Current Research. Vol. 8(12), 42777-42783.

  16. Weerakoon, S.R., Somaratne, S., Peiris, P.K.D. and Weerasena, O.V.D.S.J. (2016). The ecological provenance of phenotypic and genotypic variation in mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] accessions in Sri Lanka. Acta Hortic. 1127, 503-504. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1127.79.  https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1127.79

  17. Somaratne, S. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2016) Impacts of recent and anticipated changes in atmospheric CO2 concentrations on growth performance of Weedy Rice (Oryzasativa f. spontanea) biotypes in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Current Research. Vol. 8 (12), 43371-43376.

  18. Ekanayake, E. M. S., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S. and Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2017). Developing  Herbicide Resistant Sri Lankan rice  (Oryza sativa L.) varieties: An Application of Self  Organizing MAP. Journal: of Information Processing in Agriculture. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.inpa 2017.02.002.

     19. Munasinghe, S.P., Weerakoon, S.R., Somaratne, S., Ranasinghe, C. (2017). An Efficient Callus Induction Protocol for Gyrinops                walla Gaetner ‘Walla patta’, a commercially important Agarwood species in Sri Lanka. Scholars Journal of

          Research  in   Agriculture  and Biology, 2(2): 96-102

     20. Ekanayaka, S.E., Weerakoon, S.R., Somarathne, S., Weerasena, O.V.D.S.J., Silva, T.D. (2017). In vivo and in vitro application of               chemical mutagen-EMS to induce herbicide resistance in Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. Scholars Journal of Research  in Agriculture and Biology, 2(2): 108-114.

     21. Lakshika, R. A. D. D., Ekanayake,  E. M. S. I. Ekanayake, Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2017). Natural Resistance to                     Broad-Spectrum Herbicides; Glyphosate and Glufosinate by Sri Lankan Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties. Journal of Plant                               Physiology & Pathology (Accepted for December 2017 Issue)

    22. Somaratne, S., Weerakoon, S. R. and Siriwardana, K. G. D. I. (2018). Oryza rhizomatis Vaughan. T. K. Mondal and R. I. Henry                  (eds.), The Wild Oryza Genomes, Compendium of Plant Genomes (pp. 263-269).                                                                                             https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71997-9_23   Springer International Publishing AG 2018

   23. Weerakoon, Shyama R., Somaratne, Seneviratnage, Ekanayaka, E. M. Sachini, I. and Munasinghe, Sachithri (2018). Natural                  Resistance of Sri Lankan Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties to Broad-Spectrum Herbicides (Glyphosate and                                      Glufosinate).Farooq Shah Abdul, Zafar Khan Abdul and Amjad Iqbal Abdul (eds.), Rice Crop - Current Developments                                (pp. 193-210).   ISBN: 978-1-78923-601-9 Print ISBN: 978-1-78923-600-2. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.69831   

24. Gunarathne V., Mayakaduwa S., Ashiq A., Weerakoon S. R., Biswas J. K. and  Vithanage M. (2018) Transgenic Plants: Benefits,          Applications, and Potential Risks in Phytoremediation. Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad (eds.), Transgenic Plant Technology for            Remediation of Toxic Metals and Metalloids (pp. 89-99). ISBN: 978-0-12-814389-6. ELSEVIER, Academic Press Publications, UK.

25. Weerakoon S. R. (2018) Genetic Engineering for Metal and Metalloid Detoxification. Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad (eds.),                    Transgenic Plant Technology for Remediation of Toxic Metals and Metalloids (pp. 23-38). ISBN: 978-0-12-814389-6. ELSEVIER,                Academic Press Publications, UK.

Research papers in refereed National journals:

  1. Dahanayake, S. R. and Wijesundera R. L. C. (1994). Penicillium purpurogenum on fruits of Averrhoa bilimbi.  Sri Lanka. J. Nat. Sci. Coun. Sri Lanka 22 (1): 23-24.
  2. Pathirana, P. S. K., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2005). Prior learning experience and student performance in distance education : A cross sectional survey on B.Sc. students at OUSL. VISTAS (Journal of Humanities,  Social Sciences and Education)  3 : 31-48.
  3. Iqbal, M.C.M., Weerakoon S. R. and Peiris, P.K.D. (2006). Variability of fatty acid composition in interspecific hybrids of mustard Brassica juncea and Brassica napus. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 35(1) : 17-23.
  4. Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2009). Phytoextractive potential among mustard (Brassica juncea) genotypes in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.)  38 (2) :  39-47.
  5. Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2010). Agro-Morphological characterization and relationships among mustard germplasm (Brassica juncea {L.) Czern & Coss) in Sri Lanka: A  Classification Tree Approach. Journal of Agricultural sciences, 5 (2): 89-97.
  6.  Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2011). Seasonal variation of growth and yield performance of mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss) genotypes in Sri Lanka.
    Journal of Agricultural sciences, 6 (1): 1-15.
  7. Weerakoon, S. R. (2011). Producing inter-specific hybrids between Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss and B. oleracea (L.) to synthesize trigenomic (ABC) Brassica  Journal of Science, University of Kelaniya, 6 : 13-34.
  8.  Abeysekera, A. S. K., Weerakoon, S. R., Karunaratne, D. K. and Johnson, D. E. (2012). Morphological variation in offspring derived from single panicle of weedy rice. Annals of Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture (ASDA). 14: 1-9.

  9. Somaratne, S., Karunarathna, K. D. K., Weerakoon, S. R. and Abeysekera, A. S. K. (2014). Salient characters of Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) populations in highly infested areas in Sri Lanka. Ruhuna Journal of Science, Vol.. 5: 31-36.

  10. Weerakoon, S. R. (2014). Introducing Herbicide Resistant Crops to Sri Lanka: A Review.  OUSL Journal, Vol. 7: 52-71.

  11. Munasinghe, S. P.,  Somaratne, S. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2017).    Screening of Sri Lankan Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Landraces for Drought tolerance. Tropical Agricultural Research, 28 (2), 183-191.

  12. Karunarathna, K, D. K., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2017). Density Dependent Competitive Interactions between Weedy Rice (Oryza sativa f. spontaneae) and Cultivated rice (Bg379-2) in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Vol. 04 (01): 59-67.

  13.  Munasinghe, D. S. P., Liyanage, K. C. M., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S. and Dissanayake, D. M. L. C. (2018). A preliminary study on effect of buddhist pirith chanting and pop music on the growth and yield performance in rice  (Oryza sativa L.). Sri Lankan Journal of Biology. Vol. 3 (Issue 1): 44-51. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljb.v3i1.17.

  14.  Somaratne, S. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2018). Neglected Grasses in the Wetlands of Sri Lanka: Wild Rice. Wetlands Sri Lanka, Vol. 4: 17-31.

  15. Lakshika, R. A. D. D., Munasinghe, D. S. P., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2019). Natural and Induced Glufosinate-resistance in selected rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in Sri Lanka. Journal of Agricultural Sciences-Sri Lanka, Vol. 14, No. 1: 17-33.

  16. D.M.L.C. Dissanayaka, N. Nilakarawasam, S. Somaratne, S.R. Weerakoon, C. Ranasinghe (2019). Effect of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis L. crude methanolic extract on diet induced hypercholesterolemia in Wistar albino rats (Mus norvegicus albinus). Ceylon Journal of Science, Vol. 48 (3): 285-291.

Conference Proceedings - International: 

  1. Dahanayake, S. R. and Galwey, N. W. (1997). Diallel analysis of vernalization responses in spring rape (Brassica napus var. annua). Genetics Society of Australia – 44th annual conference, Perth : 73.
  2. Dahanayake, S. R. and Galwey, N. W. (1999). Adaptation of canola to a mediterranean environment : genetics of the vernalization response. 10th International Rapeseed Congress, Canberra, Australia. 270.
  3. Weerakoon, S. R. (2000). The role of the Open University of Sri Lanka to reach th unreached through open and distance learning. VIIth Annual Conference of Indian Distance Education Association, New Delhi : 18.
  4. Somaratne, S. and Weerakoon, S. R (2005). Relationship between entrance qualifications and performance of science undergraduate students of the Open University of Sri Lanka. ICDE International Conference, India : 1-15.
  5. Weerakoon, S. R. Iqbal, M. C. M., Somaratne, S., Peiris, P. K. D. and Wimalasuriya, W. S. R. (2007). Delimitation of local mustard (Brassica juncea) germplasm in Sri Lanka and improvement of their nutritive quality. 12th International Rapesed Congress, Wuhan, China. Vol. 5 : 75-78.
  6. Yan, G. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2007). Breeding “Super Brassica” cultivars at hexaploid level. Fifteenth biennial Australian Research Assembly on Brassicas, 10-14 September, Geraldton, Western Australia : 69-73.
  7. Weerakoon, S. R., Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J., Peiris, P. K. D. and Somaratne, S. (2008). Differentiation of Sri Lankan mustard (Brassica juncea) accessions using FAFLP markers and Agro-Morphological data. International Society of Bio Technology Conference (ISBT-2008), Gingtok, Skkim, India : 239-243.
  8. Weerakoon, S. R., Si, P., Zili, W., Meng, J. and Yan, G. (2009). Production and confirmation of hybrids through interspecific crossing between tetraploid B. juncea and diploid B. Oleracea towards a hexaploid Brassica population. 16th Australian Research Assembly on Brassicas, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia ; 205-211.
  9. Weerakoon, S. R. (2010). Direct and Indirect Somatic Embryogenesis from petiole and leaf explants of Purple Fan Flower (Scaevola aemula R. Br. Cv. ‘Purple Fanefare’). World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Tokyo, Japan. Part IV: 814-823.
  10. Plummer, J. A., Pradhan, A., Si, P., Mason, A., Nelson, M., Cowling, W., Yan, G. and  Weerakoon, S. R. (2010). Development for Tri-genomic Hexaploid  Brassica Populations. Proceedings of American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS), 2nd to 5th August, 2010, California, USA, 45 (8): S156-S156. Publisher AMER. SOC. HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE.
  11.  Peiris, P. K. D., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2011). Assessment of Genetic Diversity of mustard (Brassica juncea [L.] Czern & Coss) germplasm in Sri Lanka: An Application of Self-Organizing Map (SOM) with dimension reduction . 13th International GCIRC Rapeseed Congress, Prague, Czech Republic on 5th to 9th June 2011 (Poster presentation).
  12. Wickramasekera, S., Weerakoon, S. R. and Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2011). Production and Molecular confirmation of true hybrids (3n, ABC) of Brassica juncea (AABB) and Brassica oleracea (CC). 13th International GCIRC Rapeseed Congress, Prague, Czech Republic in 5th to 9th June 2011 (Poster presentation).
  13.  Nimanthika, W. J. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2011). Impact of pre-plant and post- emergence herbicides on growth performance and yield of Oryza genotypes in Sri Lanka. 23rd Asia Pacific Weed Science Society Conference, Cairns, Queensland, Australia. 22nd-24th November, 2011. Pp 405-410.
  14. Somaratne, S. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2012). A Comprehensive Study on Phytoextractive Potential of Sri Lankan Mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss) Genotypes. ICAFNS ( International Conference on Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences), January, 2012 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Pp. 20-24.
  15.  Abeysekera, A. S. K., Weerakoon, S. R. and Johnson, D. E. (2012). Competitive interactions between weedy rice and cultivated rice in Sri Lanka. VIth International Weed Science Congress, Hangzhou, China, 17th-22nd June. Pp. 48-49.
  16. Abeysekera, A. S. K., Weerakoon, S. R., Karunaratne, D. K. and Johnson, D. E.  (2012).  Variation in the morphology of offspring derived from single panicle of weedy rice. VIth International Weed Science Congress, Hangzhou, China, 17th-22nd June. Pp. 48.
  17.  Weerakoon, S, R,. Wijeratne, R. G. D. and Somaratne, S. (2013). Studies on Natural Herbicide Resistance (HR) among traditional and developed rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties cultivated in Sri Lanka and inducing HR with Chemical mutagens, NaN3 and EMS. The 4th Tropical Weed Science Conference, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 23rd to 25th January, 2013. Pp. 27.

  18. Karunarathna, K. D. K., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S., Weerasena, O.V.D.S.J. and Abeysekera, A. S. K. (2013). Phenotypic and Genotypic variations among Weedy Rice (Oryza  sativa f. spontanea) populations in Matara and Kurunegala Districts of Sri Lanka. Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (APWSS) Congress, 22nd to 25th  October 2013, Bandung, Indonesia.  Pp. 200-205.

  19. Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S., Peiris, P. K. D. and Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2014). The   ecological provenance of phenotypic and genotypic variation in mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss) accessions in Sri Lanka. International Horticultural Congress (IHC), Queensland, Australia, 17th  to 22nd  August, 2014. Pp. 269.

  20. Ekanyaka, E. M. S. I., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S. and Abeysekara, A. S. K. (2014). Glyphosate Resistance among cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) varieties in Sri Lanka. 4th IRC Conference, Bangkok, Thailand,  27th October to 1st November, 2014.  Pp. 71.

  21. Karunarathna, K. D. K., Somaratne,  S., Weerakoon, ,S. R., Weeresena, O. V. D. S. J. and Abeysekera. A. S. K. (2015). Eco-climatic dependency of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontaneae) distribution in Sri Lanka. 25th APWSS 2015 Conference. Hyderabad, India on 13th to 16th October 2015.  Pp. 11-12.

    22. Ekanayaka, S. I., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S., Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. and Silva, T. D. (2016). In vivo and                                   in vitro  application of EMS to induce Herbicide Resistance in Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. 20th Australian Weeds                 Conference (20WSC), Perth, Australia. 11th to 15th September, 2016. Pp. 89-92.

    23. Karunaratne, K. D. K.,  Weerakoon, S. R., Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. and Somaratne, S. (2016). Multiple origin of  weedy  rice                  (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) in Sri Lanka. 7th Global Summit on Agriculture & Horticulture,  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,  17th to 19th              October, 2016. Pp. 42.

    24.   Lakshika R. A. D. D., Ekanayake E. M. S. I., Weerakoon S. R. and Somaratne   S., (2017). Natural Herbicide Resistance in Sri               Lankan   Rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties for Broad-spectrum Herbicides; Glyphosate and Glufosinate. 3rd Global Summit on Plant             Science, Rome, Italy, 7th to 9th August 2017.

    25. Weerakoon, S. R., Lakshika, R. A. D. D. and S. Somaratne (2017).Induction of Glufosinate- resistance in Sri Lankan rice (Oryza                  sativa  L.) Varieties via scutellum-derived callus mutagenesis. 26th Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society (26th APWSS)                Conference, Kyoto,  Japan, 19th to 22nd September 2017. Pp. 273. http://www.c-linkage.co.jp/apwss2017/programme.html

    26.  Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2018). Delimitation of wild species of the genus Oryza in Sri Lanka. Conference                              Proceedings  of 5th International Rice Congress (IRC2018).  15th to 17th  October, 2018, Singapore.

    27.  A. Sakeelabanu, S. Somaratne, S. R. Weerakoon, and R. Tharmatharsanan (2019). Distribution patterns of weedy rice                             populations  in Vavunia District, Northern province of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of 27th APWSS Conference, 3rd to 5th September              2019, Malaysia. Pp. 84.

 

Conference Proceedings - National:

  1. Dahanayake, S. R. and  Silva, T. (1993). Effect of media formulation and genotypic differences on the callus forming ability and plant regeneration in the genus Psopocarpus. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 49th annual sessions : 49-50.
  2.  Weerakoon, S. R. (1999). A preliminary study of the possibilities of introducing canola (Brassica napus) to Sri Lanka and breeding mustard (Brassica juncea) using interspecific hybrids between mustard and canola with a view to improve favourable fatty acid content in mustard. Sri Lanka Institute of Biology 19th  annual sessions : 40.
  3.  Weerakoon, S. R. (2002). Testing hybrids of mustard (Brassica juncea) and canola (Brassica napus) to improve favourable fatty acids in mustard., and testing canola for cultivation in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 58th annual sessions : 190.
  4.  Jayasinghe, J. A. S. S. C., Weerakoon, S. R. and Weerakoon, L. K. (2002). Studies on cryopreservation of mature zygotic embryos of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 58th annual sessions : 66.
  5.  Weerakoon, S. R. , Wimalasiri, K. M. S. and Perera, B. B. I. A. (2003). Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and phytopathogenic properties of the fungus Penicillium purpurogenum. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 59th annual sessions : 150.
  6.  Weerakoon, S. R., Daulagala, P. W. H. K. P. and Fernando, L. (2003). Bioassay methods for the detection of antagonistic activity by selected non-pathogenic bacterial isolates against the phytopathogenic fungus Penicillium purpurogenum. Inaugural Annual Academic Sessions, The Open University of Sri Lanka.: 56
  7. Gamlathge, M. V., Weerakoon, S. R. and Wimalasiri, K. M. S. (2004). A comparative study of chemical and biological properties of some selected spring canola (Brassica napus) varieties, Fi progeny and mustard (Brassica juncea), with a view of introducing a value added trait – high content of favourable fatty acids, to mustard. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 60th annual sessions : 161.
  8.  Weerakoon, S. R., Iqbal, M. C. M. and Pieris, K. (2004). Transfer of value added traits and agronomic characters from Brassica napus to Brassica juncea by conventional crossing. Second Annual Academic Sessions, The Open University of Sri Lanka : 16.
  9.  Weerakoon, S. R., Iqbal, M. C. M. and Pieris, K. (2005). Interspecific hybridization of Brassica juncea (local mustard ) with Brassica napus to improve the fatty acid content of B. juncea. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 61st  annual sessions : 46.
  10.  Somaratne, S. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2005). Deterministic variables of the student performance of B.Sc. graduates of the Open University of Sri Lanka : A case study with Multivariate Regression Tree Analysis (MRT). OUSL Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions. : 123-128.
  11.  Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S., Wimalasooriya, R. and Iqbal, M. C. M. (2005). Phenotypic variation and the relationships among mustard (Brassica juncea L.) germplasm from Sri Lanka. OUSL Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions. : 67-73.
  12. Wimalasuriya, 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 : 77
  13. Peiris, P. K. D., Weerakoon, S. R. and Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2007). Preliminary study of the suitability of commercial spring canola (Brassica napus) varieties to the local environment.  Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Uni. of Colombo, 2nd Annual Scientific Sessions : 14.
  14.  Somaratne, S., Weerakoon, S. R. and Iqbal, M. C. M. (2007). Agro-Morphological characters in classification of mustard accessions (Brassica juncea L.) in Sri Lanka: A  Classification Tree  Approach. The Open University Annual Academic Sessions 28th – 29th June : 77-80.
  15. Peiris, P. K. D., Weerakoon, S. R., Iqbal, M. C. M. and Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2009). Developing low Erucic acid and high Oleic acid-containing genotypes via Embryo rescue, using Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) germplasm in Sri Lanka. International Conference on Frontiers in Molecular Life Sciences, Colombo, Sri Lanka ; 45.
  16.  Peiris, 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 pytopathogenic bacteria and fungi. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 65th  annual sessions. (Abstract).
  17.  Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S and Chaminda, L. A. D. D. (2009). Impact of seasonal variations on the seed yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 65th  annual sessions. (Abstract).
  18. Weerakoon, S. R. Weerakoon, 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).
  19. Somaratne S. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2010). A Preliminary study on the effectiveness of Level 4 and Level 5 Botany courses on employment prospects based on responses of OUSL graduates. OUSL.  30th Anniversary International Research Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka: 70-73.
  20. Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2010). Lupin (Lupinus ssp.): A new cash crop for Sri Lanka. 30th Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka : 05.
  21. Weerakoon, S. R., Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. and  Peiris, P. K. D. (2010). Genetic Differentiation of Mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss) germplasm in Sri lanka by AFLP markers. Proceedings of the 5th Asian Biotechnology Conference, 15th to 17th December, Sri Lanka. Pp. 5-6.
  22. Wickramasekera, S., Weerakoon, S. R. And Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. (2010). Production and Molecular confirmation of true hybrids (3n, ABC) of Brassica juncea (AABB) and B. oleracea (CC). Proceedings of the 5th Asian Biotechnology Conference, 15th to 17th December, Sri Lanka. Pp. 15-16.
  23.  Nimantika, W. J. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2011). Screening Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties for tolerance/resistance of pre-planting broad-specturm herbicide, Glyphosate. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka. Pp. 20.
  24.  Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2011). Lupin (Lupinus spp.): A new pulse crop and its yield performance under different climatic conditions in Sri Lanka. Annual Academic Sessions, The Open University of Sri Lanka on 14th to 15th September. 2012. Pp. 270-273.
  25.  Bandarage, G. Fernando, G.W.A.R., Nupearachchi, C. N., Peiris, P. K. D., Rajendra, J. C. N., Siriwardena, K. D. V. F., Tantrigoda, R. U., Wattavidanage, J. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2011). Experience in implementing a student support programme based on “PASS” model for BSc undergraduates at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Annual Academic Sessions, The Open University of Sri Lanka on 14th to 15th September. 2012. Pp. 56-59.
  26.  Wijeratne, R. G. D., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2012). Screening herbicide resistance (HR) in selected Sri Lankan cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties through induced mutagenesis. International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment (ISAE 2012), Sri Lanka. Pp. 171-174.
  27.  Rusaina, M. H., Weerakoon, S. R. and Razmy, A. M. (2013). Viability of Replacing Inorganic Fertilizer with Compost made of Eichhornia crassipes for intensive paddy cultivation in Ampara District, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Institute of Biology33rd  annual sessions : 35.
  28.  Siriwardana, K. G. D. I., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2013).  Comparative study on Agro-Morphological variations among Weedy Rice (Oryza sativa f. spontania) Accessions in Matara Districe, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Institute of Biology33rd  annual sessions : 36.
  29. Weerakoon, S. R., Ekanayake, E. M. S. I., Somarathe, S. and Wijeratne, R. G. D. (2013). Preliminary Studies on Inducing Herbicide Resistance in Sri Lankan Rice Varieties using chemical mutagens, NaN3 and EMS. Annual Research Sessions, The Open University of Sri Lanka 2013. Pp. 426-130.
  30. Bandarage, G. Peiris, P. K. D., Rajendra, J. C. N., Siriwardena, K. D. V. F., Tantrigoda, R. U., Wattavidanage, J. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2013). Effectiveness of an induction Programme in inspiring students in engaging in collaborative learning : An ODL Case Study. Annual Academic Sessions, The Open University of Sri Lanka on 27th to 28th November 2013. Pp. 63-67.

  31. Somaratne, S., Karunarathna, K. D. K., Weerakoon, S. R., Abeysekera, A. S. K. and Weeresena, O. V. D. S. J. (2014). Salient characters of Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) populations in highly infested areas in Sri Lanka. 1st Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference (RITSCON), University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

  32. Somaratne, S., Weerakoon, S. R. and  Siriwardana, K. G. D. I., (2014). Response of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea)  to changing climate of  Sri Lanka. . Sri Lanka Institute of Biology 34th Annual Sessions : 68. 

  33. Karunarathna, K. D. K., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S. and Weeresena, O. V. D. S. J. (2014). Molecular and Agro-Morphological affinities among weedy, wild and cultivated  rice varieties in in different climatic zones in Sri Lanka.  Annual Academic Sessions-2014, The Open University of Sri Lanka on 27th to 28th November 2014. Pp. 319-323.

  34. Ekanyaka, E. M. S., Weerakoon,  S. R., Somaratne, S., and  Abeysekara, A. S. K. (2015). Response of traditional and inbred rice varieties (Oryza sativa l.) to broad spectrum herbicide; Glyphosate.  2nd Ruhuna International Science and  Technology Conference (RITSCON), University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka on 22nd and 23rd January, 2015.  Pp. 23.

  35. Ekanayaka, E. M. S. I., Weerakoon, S. R., Silva, T. D. and Somaratne, S. (2015). Ethyl Methyl  Sulfonate (EMS) induced Herbicide Resistance in Seed-derived rice (Oryza sativa) callus.  Sri Lanka Institute of Biology 35th Annual Sessions : 57.

  36. Ekanayaka, E. S. M. I., Weerakoon, S. R. and  Somaratne, S. (2015). Ethyl Methyl Sulfonate (EMS) induced Herbicide Resistance in Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa) varieties. (2015). International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (ICMA), Uni. of Sri Jayewardenepura on 11th and 12th September, 2015. 218.

  37. Don Paul, A. M., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2015). Antimicrobial and  Antioxident Properties of  Leaf, Twig and Calli Extracts of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser. (2015). Annual Academic Sessions-2015, The Open University of Sri Lanka on 19th to 20th November 2015. Pp. 45-48.

  38. Weerakoon, S. R. and  S. Somaratne  (2016).  Effect of Changing Atmospheric CO2  concentrations on Growth Performance of Weedy Rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) in Sri Lanka. National Conference on Geospatial Sciences & Disaster Management, 19th January, 2016.  Pp. 10.

  39. Ekanayaka, E. M. S. I., Weerakoon, S. R., Weerasena, O. V. D. S. J. and Somaratne, S. (2016). Identification of AFLP marker/s to differentiate herbicide resistant Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. Proceeding of the 8th IBMBB Annual Scientific Sessions, 27th May, 2016. Pp. 24.

  40. Munasinghe, S. P., Somaratne, S. and Weerakoon, S. R. (2016). Drought resistance and salinity tolerance of selected Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces. Sri Lanka Institute of Biology 36th  Annual Sessions : 38.

  41. Kalpani, P. G. M., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S.,  Nilakarawasam, N. and Ranasinghe, C.(2016). Effect of Methanolic Extracts of Barks of Phyllanthus reticulatus and Bridelia retusa on Serum Lipid Profiles in Hypercholesterolemic Rats (Rattus novergicus). Open University Research Sessions 2016, 17th to 18th November, 2016: 137-140.
  42. Lakshika, R. A. D. D., Weerakoon, S. R. and Somaratne, S. (2017). Assessment of Glufosinate resistance in selected Sri Lankan Rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. Proceedings of the 6th YSF Symposium, 20th January 2017: 69-73.
  43. Kalpani, P. G. M., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S. Nillakarawasm, N. and Ranasinghe, C. (2017). A preliminary study on the evaluation of hypochlesterolemic activity of some Phyllanthus species. Proceedings of 4th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference (RISTCON), 26th January 2017: 28.

  44. Dissanayaka, D.M.L.C., Weerakoon, S.R., Somaratne, S., Nilakarawasam, N., Ranasinghe, C. (2017). Optimization of the dosage of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis (Family: Euphorbeaceae) to improve serum lipid profile in Wistar rats (Mus norvegicus albinus). Proceedings of SLAAS 73rd Annual Sessions, Pp. 68.

  45. Munasinghe, D.S.P., Liyanage, K.C.M, Weerakoon, S.R., Dissanayaka, D.M.L.C., Somaratne, S. (2017). Effect of Rhythmic Buddhist Chanting (Pirith) and Pop Music on Growth Performance of Codariocalyx motorius (Houtt.) H. Ohasi. Proceedings of SLAAS 73rd Annual Sessions, Pp. 168.

  46. Dissanayake, D. M. L. C., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S., Nilakarawasam, N. and C. Ranasinghe (2017). Effect of crude methanolic extracts of Emblica officinalis in cholesterol induced Wistar albino rats (Mus norvegicus albinus).  Open University of Sri Lanka Research Sessions 2017, 16th to 17th November, 2017: 415-418.

  47. Dissanayake, D. M. L. C., Liyanage, K. C. M., Munasinghe, D. S. P., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S. and Jayasinghe, C. D. (2018). Effect of rhythmic Buddhist chanting (Pirith) and western pop music on rats’ behavioural and haematological responses. Proceedings of 5th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference (RISTCON), 15th February 2018: 35.

  48. Dissanayake, D. M. L. C., Weerakoon, S. R., Somaratne, S., Nilakarawasam, N. and Ranasinghe, C. (2018). Anti-hypochlesterolemic activity of Phyllanthus reticulatus (Wel-kyla) and Glochidion zeylanicum (Hunukirilla) methonolic extracts on Wistar albino rats (Mus norvegicus albinus). Proceedings of 5th Ruhuna International Science and Technology                 Conference (RISTCON), 15th February, 2018: 16.

  49. Munasinghe D. S. P., Weerakoon S. R. &  Somaratne S. (2018) Effects of Coconut water on callus induction of Gyrinops ealla Gaetner (“Walla Patta”). Open University of Sri Lanka International Research Sessions 2018, 29th to 30th November, 2018  116.
  50. Widanapathirana, K. N., Somaratne, S., Weerakoon, S R., and Karthekayan, N. (2019). Growth and Yield performance of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under treatment of Nano-ZnO fertilizer. Proceedings of the 39th Annual Sessions, Institute of Biology, 27th September, 2019. Pp. 44.

  51. Munasinghe D. S. P., Weerakoon S. R., Somaratne S.and Ranasinghe, C. (2019). A comparative wood anatomical study on healthy and infected wood samples of Gyrinops walla Gaetner (‘Walla Patta’). Open University of Sri Lanka Research Sessions 2019, 30th to 31st  October, 2019  14.

Ongoing Research

1.  Open University Competitive Research Grant (OU201601) - Sustainable utilization of Gyrinops walla Gaetner (‘Walla Patta’):  Production of Agarwood type  fragrant constituents using calli/cell suspension and  in vitro plant propagation - Principal Investigator       

2. Open University Competitive Research Grant (OU/201401) - Hypocholesterolemic activity of plant extracts (Family – Euphorbiaceae) and mode of Mechanisms - Principal Investigator

3. NRC Grant (Grant No. 12-037) - 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. - Principal Investigator

4. NSF Grant (Grant No. RG/2011/BT/06) - Assessment of genetic diversity and tracing the origin of weedy rice population found in rice fields of Sri Lanka. - Principal Investigator

5. NSF Grant (Grant No. RG/2006/AG/04) - Breeding Canola-Quality Mustards. - Principal Investigator

6. Fac. of Natural Science Research Fund, OUSL - Synthesis of Hexaploid (AABBCC) “Super Brassica". - Principal Investigator

7. Fac. of Natural Science Research Fund, OUSL  - Effect of climatic change on wide occurrence of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) in Sri Lanka. - Principal Investigator

8. Fac. of Natural Science Research Fund, OUSL  - Developing Glufosinate (Broad-spectrum herbicide) resistant Sri Lankan rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties by means of seed and callus mutagenesis. - Principal Investigator

9. Fac. of Natural Science Research Fund, OUSL  - Biological responses and Expression of plant genes of Sri Lankan Rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties to different rhythmic sound patterns (Music and religious chants) - Principal Investigator 

Research Supervision

Co-supervision of MPhil and PhD Degrees

1. Technological Adaptive Strategies of Paddy Cultivation in Nortthern Province of Sri Lanka : Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) approach

2. Sustainable utilization of Gyrinops walla Gaetner (‘Walla Patta’):  Production of Agarwood type  fragrant constituents using calli/cell suspension and  in vitro plant propagation

3. Hypocholesterolemic activity of plant extracts (Family – Euphorbiaceae) and mode of Mechanisms

4. 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

5. Assessment of genetic diversity and tracing the origin of weedy rice population found in rice fields of Sri Lanka

6. Differentiation of Sri Lankan Mustard (Brassica juncea) varieties and altering their fatty acid profile by interspecific hybridization with  Canola (Brassica napus)

Other Publications

Books and other publications:

1. Breeding Plants: A Pleasurable Hobby for you (2012). ISBN 978-955-54201-0-5   - Author

2. Monograph Series in Research in an Academic Discipline No. 4- Mustard (Brassica juncea [L.] Czern & Coss) germplasm in Sri  Lanka      and its potential uses (2010).  ISBN 978-955-23-1235-9  - Author

3. (2016). ISBN 978-955-30-7118-7 - Author

4.  Monograph: Weedy Rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea): Origin and Distribution Patterns in Sri Lanka (2018). ISBN (978-613-4-97640-4) -  Author

5. Basic Concepts in Plant Breeding (2011). ISBN 978-955-23-1296-0 - Co-author

6. Conventional Plant Breeding Techniques (2011). ISBN 978-955-23-1297-7 – Co-author

7.  Modern Plant Breeding Techniques (2011). ISBN 978-955-23-1298-4 - Co-author

8. Reproduction, Germplasm Conservation and Seed Production Practices (2011). ISBN 978-955-23-1298-4 – Co-author

9. Genetics (2010). ISBN 978-955-23-1028-7 - Author

10. Genetics Practical Manual (2011).  ISBN 978-955-23-1303-5 - Author

11. Plant Breeding Practical Manual (2013). ISBN 978-955-23-1419-3 - Author

12. Regulation of Gene Expression (2018). ISBN 978-955-23-1658-6 - Co-author

13. Techniques for Plant Gene Transformation (2018). ISBN 978-955-23-1659-3 -  Co-author

14. Molecular Biology of Plant Processes (2018). ISBN 978-955-23-1660-9 - Co-author

15. Applications and Issues Related in Plant Molecular Biology (2018). ISBN 978-955-23-1661-6 - Co-author

Other

Awards

1. OUSL Research Award (2018).

2. OUSL Research Award (2017).

3. OUSL Research Award (2016).

4. National Research Council (NRC), Sri Lanka - Merit Award for Scientific Publication (2011)

5. Research Fellow award (Sept. 2007 to Sept. 2009), The University of Western Australia, Australia

6. President's Research Bonus award, Sri Lanka (1999)

7. Commonwealth Postgraduate Scholarship award (1994), The University of Western Australia, Australia

8. Prof. B.L.T. de Silva memorial prize for Botany (1991), University of Colombo

9. Dr. Swarna Senathiraja memorial prize of Genetics and Plant Breeding (1991) University of Colombo

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