Dr. L.D.K. Marasinghe

PhD (University of Edinburgh, UK), B.Sc. (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Senior Lecturer (Grade I)

I graduated from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, following a B. Sc. (Special Degree in Botany) in 2009 and I joined the Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya as a Temporary demonstrator. In 2011, I joined the Open University of Sri Lanka, Department of Botany as a Lecturer (Probationary) and serve the department for one year until I went for my higher studies. I was able to receive the Drawin Trust of Edinburgh scholarship for three years to peruse my PhD at the University of Edinburgh, UK and during my postgraduate studies I receive the Davis fund, which is offered from the University of Edinburgh to carry out the field work. After successful completion of my PhD I returned to country and currently serve as a Senior Lecturer at the Kandy Regional Centre, The Open University of Sri Lanka.

Plant Molecular Phylogenetics, Plant Biogeography

Plant Molecular Phylogenetics, Plant Biogeography

Senior Coordinator BYU 4302 Systematics of Higher Plants and Animals
Senior Coordinator BYU 6306 Molecular Systematics

Ongoing Research:

The Biogeographic Affinities of the Sri Lankan Flora

Moonlight, P.W., Ardi, W.H., Padilla, L.A., Chung, K., Fuller, D., Girmansyah, D., Hollands, R., Jara-Muñoz, A., Kiew, R., Leong, W., Liu, Y., Mahardika, A., Marasinghe, L.D.K., O’Connor, M., Peng, C., Pérez, A.J., Phutthai, T., Pullan, M., Rajbhandary, S., Reynel, C., Rubite, R., Sang, J., Scherberich, D., Shui, Y., Tebbitt, M.C., Thomas, D.C., Wilson, H.P., Zaini, N.H. and Hughes, M. Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). Taxon. 2018,67(2), Pp 267-323.

  • Resolving phylogenetic and taxonomic conflict in Begonia (2022). Wisnu Ardi, Lucia Campos, Kuo Fang Chung, Wen-Ke Dong, Eleanor Drinkwater, Danny Fuller, Janet Gagul, George Garnett, Deden Girmansyah, William Goodall-Copestake, Mark Hughes, Eliane Jacques, Orlando Adolfo Jara Muaoz, Julia Sang, Catherine Kidner, Ruth Kiew, Nikhil Krishna, Rosalie Li, L D K Marasinghe, Mya Bhone Maw, Che Wei Lin, Peter Moonlight, Hieu Quang Nguyen, Thamarat Putthai, AK Pradeep, Sangeeta Rajbhandary, Rosario Rubite, David Scherberich, Keooudone Souvannakhoummane, Madhavi Sreenath, Mark Tebbitt, Daniel Thomas, Daike Tian, Yu Hsin Tseng, Hannah Wilson. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 79, 1-28.
  •  Daulagala, P. W. H. K. P., Marasinghe, L. D. K. and Samithri, Y. A. S. (2021) Analysis of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Raw and Treated Water of Roseneath Water   Purification Plant in Dunumadalawa Forest Reserve in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Asian Journal of Research in Botany, 6(3): 42-50.
  •  Lakmini DK Marasinghe, Sumudu CK Rubasinghe & M Hughes (2019) Rediscovery of the Sri Lanka endemic Amomum nemorale from Kanneliya Forest Reserve, Southern Province. NeBIO, 10(4): 182-183.
  •  Sapotaceae Resource Centre (2008) E. Wilkie, P., Pullan, M., Richardson, J., Armstrong, K., Buendia, J., Culverhouse, F., Elliott, A., Fabriani, F., Kumarage, L., Mackinder, B., Purvis, D., Solander, S., Woods
  • Poulsen, A.D., Mathisen, H.B., Newman, M., Ardiyani, M., Lofthus, Marasinghe, L.D.K. and Bjora, C.S.The distribution of the ginger genus Elettaria. 8th International Zingiberales Symposium, 23rd-25th July 2018.
  • Hughes, M., Kumarage, L.D., Mahardika, A. and Rubite, R. (2017) Asian Begonia biogeography tracks mountain-building and microplate tectonic movement. XIX International Botanical Congress, Shenzhen, China, 23rd-29th July 2017.
  • Kumarage, L.D., Yakandawala, D., Phylogenetic relationship of the Genus Garcinia (Clusiaceae) present in Sri Lanka PURSE, Peradeniya University Annual Research Session-2009. Vol. 14. Part 1. Pp. 174-176.
  • Kumarage, L.D., Perera, G.A.D. and Karunaratne, A.M. 2010. A preliminary attempt to estimate the soluble fibre content in leafy vegetables using anatomical sections. Proceedings of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Sri Lanka. Vol.15. Pp. 17-19.

 

  1. Darwin Trust Scholarship, University of Edinburgh, UK, to persue postgraduate studies at the University of Edinburgh, UK 2012-201.
  2. Davis Fund for field work, offered by Unievrsity of Edinburgh, UK, 2013.
  3. Prof. M.D. Dassanayake gold medal for Botany for academic excellance, University of Peradeniya 2008/2009
  4. Prof. M.D. Dassanayake cash prize for academic excellence, University of Peradeniya, 2006/2007.
  5. University Award for Academic Excellence, University of Peradeniya.2008/2009.