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Department of
BOTANY

Dr. K.O.L. Chaathurika Karunanayake

PhD (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka); BSc (Specialized in Botany) (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Senior Lecturer (Grade I)

  • +94112881453/0112881269
  • kokar@ou.ac.lk

I graduated from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, following a B. Sc. -Special Degree in Botany, with second class honours in 2002. After my graduation, I served in the Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya as a temporary demonstrator and then again as a research assistant in an Australian Government (Australian Center for International Agricultural Research) funded research project where I worked for my PhD. I completed my PhD in 2008 and Joined the University of Rajarata as a temporary lecturer in 2008. In 2009 I was recruited to the same university as a senior lecturer in Botany. In 2011 I joined the Open University of Sri Lanka as a senior lecturer (Grade II) in Botany. In the Open University I was made the coordinator of the Diploma in Microbiology at its inception. I have been involved in coordination the undergraduate courses Diversity of Plants (BYU3500 2017 to 2020) and Principals of Microbiology (BYU4303) 2011 to date. I was promoted to senior lecturer grade I in 2016. I received a Commonwealth scholarship for Early career academics in 2015 and the University research awards in 2019 and 2020. As the Faculty coordinator for Quality assurance (2015 to 2020) I have been involved in the University Institutional review (2019) and the Faculty Programme review (2020). I have also represented the department in the Faculty IT committee and Web committee (2015 to 2021), PASS committee (2017 to 2020). At present I am an invited member of  the faculty learner support cell and am a student counselor.

Post harvest pathology

Plant Pathology, Postharvest technology, Microbiology

Present Position

  • Head Department of Botany-Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka

(March 2020 to March 2023)

·         Senior Lecturer Grade I- Dept. of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka( July 2015 to date)

Previous Appointments

  • Senior Lecturer Grade II– Dept. of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of  Sri Lanka (January 2011 to July 2015)
  • Senior Lecturer Grade II– Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, The Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (From July 2009 to December 2010)
  • Senior Lecturer (Temporary)-Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

(From March 2008 to July 2009)

  • Graduate Research Assistant

Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka

(From 2003 to 2008 February)

  • Demonstrator

Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya

(From 2002  to 2003)

B.Sc. Degree Courses:
Principles of Microbiology (BYU4303- 3 credit course (150hrs of study)-Level 04 (2011 to date)
Diversity of Plants (BYU3500)-5 credit course (250 hours of study)-Level 03 (2017 to 2021)
Industrial Microbiology (BYU6305) (3 credit course 150 hours of study) Level 6 (honours degree) (2020 to date)
Special topics in Botany (BYU6313) 3 credit course (2021 to date)

Diploma courses:
· Coordinator – Diploma in Microbiology (2011 to 2015) Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka
Courses PYD3901, PYD3903
· Diploma in Food Science – Courses Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka

Adikaram, N., Karunanayake, C and Abayasekara, C (2010). The role of pre-formed antifungal substances in the resistance of fruits to postharvest pathogens. In, Plant pathology in the 21st century. D. Prusky and M.D Gullino (Eds). Springer Netherlands.

Adikaram, N.K.B. and Karunanayake, L.C (2016). Natural antifungal systems in fruits and their utilization in the management of postharvest diseases. In Perspectives of Plant pathology in Genomic era. P. Chowdappa, P. Sharma, D. Singh and A.K. Misra. Today and Tomorrow printers and publishers, New Delhi, India. 469-487. ISBN 9788170195269.

Karunanayake K.O.L.C and Adikaram. (2021). Response of endemic Mangiferea zeylanica (Bloom) Hook. F fruit to common postharvest pathogens of cultivated mango (Mangifera indica) fruit in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Science. 50 (1). 75-82.

KOLC Karunanayake, KCM Liyanage, LKRR Jayakody, S Somaratne (2020). Basil oil incorporated beeswax coating to increase shelf life and reduce anthracnose development in mango cv. Willard. Ceylon Journal of Science. 49 (5). 355- 361.

Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. and Adikaram, N.K.B. (2020). Stem-end rot in major tropical and subtropical fruit species. Ceylon Journal of Science. 49 (5). 327-336.

Samithri, Y.A.S. Karunanayake, K.O.L.C and Kulasinghe(2020). Invitro study of selected essential oils against Colletoctrichum  sp. and Lasiodiplodia  sp. causing postharvest diseases in Papaya. Ceylon Journal of Science.  49 (5). 1-11.

TD Kodituwakku, K Abeywickrama, K Karunanayake. (2020). Effect of spraying of essential oils and modified atmosphere packaging on selected postharvest quality parameters and stem-end rot development in Mangifera indica. Sri Lanka Journal of Food and Agriculture. 6 (1). 37-45.

Kodituwakku, T. D,  Abeywickrama, K. and Karunanayake, K. O. L. C. (2020). Pathogenicity of Stem-end Rot Associated Fungi Isolated from Karthakolomban Mango and Their Control by Spray and Fumigation Treatments with Selected Essential Oils. Journal of Agricultural Science 15 (01). 19-36

Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. (2019). A Qualitative analysis of Mango (Mangifera zeylanica L) latex and anatomy of latex canals. Journal of Science. 11-20.

Kulasinghe, A.A., Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. and Somaratne, S. (2019)

Use of selected essential oils for controlling stem-end rot disease in mango (cv. Karuthacolomban). OUSL Journal 14 (2). 75-90.

 Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. (2019). Postharvest application of defence elicitors to managae anthracnose in mango fruit. Journal of Science of the University of Kelaniya, 12, 66-82.

Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.J.M and Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. (2017). Characteristics of students and prior knowledge on ODL concepts as perceived by B.Sc. undergraduates at first registration: A case study from The Open University of Sri Lanka. Asian Association of Open Universities Journal 12 (01), 41-51.

Adikaram, N.K.B., Karunanayake, L.C., Sinniah, G.D., Abayasekara, C.L., Komala Vithanage, S. and Yakandawala, D.M.D. (2017). A review of the role for natural defences in the management of Colletotrichum rotting of ripe mangoes. Acta Horticulturae 1183, 229-232

 Karunanayake, L.C., Sinniah, G.D., Adikaram, N.K.B. and Abayasekara, C.L. (2017). How constitutive defences affect the development of postharvest anthracnose and stem-end rot in mango fruit. Acta Horticulturae 1183, 245-250.

 Karunanayake, L.C., Sinniah, G.D., Adikaram, N.K.B. and Abayasekara, C.L. (2017). How constitutive defences affect the development of postharvest anthracnose and stem-end rot in mango fruit. Acta Horticulturae 1183, 245-250

Karunanayake, L.C., Sinniah, G.D., Adikaram, N.K.B. and Abayasekara, C.L. (2016). Alternatives to synthetic fungicides in controlling postharvest anthracnose and stem-end rot in mango. Acta Horticulturae 1144, 67. 453-459.

Sivagnanasundaram, P and Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. (2015). Phytochemical  Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Artocarpus heterophyllus and Artocarpus altilis Leaf and Stem Bark Extracts. OUSL Journal, 9 pp- 1-17.

Adikaram, A., Karunanayake, C., Sinniah, G., Vithanage, I.K.and Yakandawala, D. (2015).

Fungal quiescence in fruit: an attempt to avoid toxic substances? Journal of Mycopathological research 53 (1),  pp 1-7.

Karunanayake, K.O.L.C., Sinniah, G. D, Adikaram, N.K.B.,  Abayasekara, C.L. and Wijayasekara, D.S. (2015). Retention of latex at harvest enhanced mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit resistance and reduced anthracnose and stem-end rot. Australasian Plant Pathology 44 (1), pp 113-119.

Karunanayake, K. O. L. C., Sinniah,  G. D., Adikaram, N. K. B and Abayasekara, C. L (2014). Cultivar differences in antifungal activity and the resistance to postharvest anthracnose and stem-end rot in mango (Mangifera indica L.). Australasian Plant Pathology 43, pp 151-159.

Karunanayake, L.C.,  Adikaram, N.K.B., Kumarihamy, B.M.M,  Bandara, B.M.R. and  Abayasekara C.L. (2011). Role of antifungal gallotannins, resorcinols and chitinases in the constitutive defence of immature mango (Mangifera indica L) against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. (2011). Journal of Phytopathology 159, pp  657-664.

Kulasinghe, A.A., Samithri, Y.A.S and Karunanayake, K.O.L.C.  (2019). Effect of selected essential oils against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing postharvest diseases in Papaya and Mango. Proceedings of oral presentation in Plant Health 2019, Organized by the Sri Lanka Association for Mycology and Plant pathology, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 30th August. pp 35.

Liyanage, K.C.M, Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. and Jayakody, L.K.R.R (2019). Reducing postharvest disease development and increasing shelf life of mangio fruit cv. Willard with essential oil incorporated bio-safe fruit coatings. Proceedings of oral presentation in national symposium Plant Health 2019, Organized by the Sri Lanka Association for Mycology and Plant pathology, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 30th August. pp 18.

Karunanayake, C., Kulasinghe A., Somaratne, S and Adikaram, N. (2018). Control of Stem-end rot disease in mango fruit cultivar ‘Karuthacolomban’using non-agrochemical methods.  Proceedings of Poster presented in the 11 th International congress of Plant Pathology, 29th July-3rd August, USA 108 (10) pp 162-163.

 Kulasinghe, A., Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. and Somaratna, S. (2017). Use of essential oils to control Stem-end rot of Mango cv “ Karuthacolomban’ RESCON 2017, PGIS, University of Peradeniya. 8,9th September, 2017

Karunanayake, L.C.,  Sinniah, G.D., Adikaram, N.K.B., Wijayasekara, D.S. and Abayasekara, C.L. (2015). Alternatives to synthetic fungicides in controlling postharvest anthracnose and stem-end rot in mango. Proceedings of Poster presented in the III international symposium on Postharvest Pathology. Bari, Italy 7-11 June, 2015. pp 189.

Karunanayake, L.C.,  Sinniah, G.D., Adikaram, N.K.B. and Abayasekara, C.L. (2015).How constitutive defences affect development of postharvest anthracnose and stem-end rot in mango fruit. Proceedings of oral presentation in the XI international mango symposium, Darwin Australia 28- September- 02 October, 2015. pp 40-41

Hettiarachchi, D.K. and Karunanayake, K.O.L.C. (2013). Potential of maintaining rural tanks and the diversity of aquatic plants through sustainable utilization – A case study in Anuradhapura. (Abstract) International conference on conserving biodiversity for sustainable development. Odisha, India, 16-18th August.

Anushika Herath, P.H.M., Karunanayake, L.C and Wijesundara, S.J. A survey on status of traditional knowledge associated with Medicinal plants in Mihintale sanctuary, Sri Lanka.  Abstract in Biodiversity Asia, book of abstracts.  The 2nd Asian Regional Conference of Society for Conservation Biology Bangalore, India, 10th August, 2012.

 Thushari, P.G.I, Karunanayake, L.C. and Ranwala, S. Invasive plants in Mihintale Sanctuary.

 A preliminary study. Poster presentation. Abstract in Biodiversity Asia, book of abstracts.

The 2nd Asian Regional Conference of Society for Conservation Biology

Bangalore, India, 10th August, 2012.

 Nimal Adikaram, Ganga Sinniah, Chathurika Karunanayake and Charmalie Abayasekara (2011). Role of constitutive and induced defences in the resistance of unripe mangoes to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. 4th Asian Conference of Plant Pathology concurrent with the 18th Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference, 26-29 April 2011, Darwin, NT, Australia p51.

Adikaram, C. Karunanayake and C. Abayasekara (2008). Role of pre-formed antifungal substances in the resistance of fruit to postharvest pathogens. Abstract of Invited and Offered Papers. ICPP 2008, 9th International congress on Plant pathology, Torino Itally. 24-29, August, 2008.

Karunanayake, C., Adikaram, N.K.B., Abayasekara, C. and Ratnayake Bandara, B.M. (2007). Constitutive defences in unripe mango fruit and their role in fruit resistance.  Extended Abstract. Proceedings in the third Asian Conference on Plant Pathology, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 263-264.

Course development -Applied Biology B.Ed. in Secondary Education Special component -Biology for the National Institution for Education  (2022)

Course development -Microbiology Teachers guide for practicals in Microbiology (2013)  for the National Institution for Education 

   Awards for Scientific Research – 2011, 2015 –National Research Council, Ministry of Technology and Research of Sri Lanka

  •         Commonwealth of Learning award for Early Career Academics 2015

·         OUSL Research Awards– Awarded from  The Open University of Sri Lanka for the years 2019 and 2020.

Memberships:

International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS)

Sri Lanka Association for Mycology and Plant Pathology (SLAMPP)

Institute of Biology Sri Lanka (IOBSL)

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The Faculty currently offers 29 programmes of study ranging from Certificate to Postgraduate level, as well as stand-alone courses and short courses. The main undergraduate programmes offered by the Faculty are BSc degree programme and BSc (Hons) degree programmes with nearly 5,000 students.

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