As a tropical ecologist, conservationist and Senior Lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka, Dr Sandun Bandara is keen on aquatic ecology, fisheries biology, life history strategies of fishes, herpetology and conservation biology. He has led and engaged in several multidisciplinary research projects in Sri Lanka such as population dynamics of exotic cichlids, invasive aquatic species, feeding ecology of mangrove crabs and ontogeny of Asia seabass. Sandun obtained his first degree, BSc in Environmental Conservation and Management, from the University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka and moved to the Chinese Culture University, Taiwan for his Master’s. Upon completing his postgraduate degree, he obtained his PhD in fisheries ecology and population dynamics from the University of Kelaniya.
Ecology, Fisheries Biology and Conservation Biology
- Lecturer (University of Ruhuna, Department of Zoology) (20/12/2020- 29/12/2023)
- Consultant (Biodiversity)- IUCN Sri Lanka (17/04/2020- 22/10/2020)
- Environment Officer- Ecosystem Conservation and Management Project (ESCAMP) (17/01/2019- 01/04/2020)
- Lecturer (Visiting) – Wayamba University (Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries) (27/08/2018-10/02/2019)
- Environment Officer- Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (17/04/2017- 17/01/2019)
- Research Assistant- University of Kelaniya (29/04/2014- 29/03/2017)
ZYU 4301: Ecology (2024 onwards)
Sudharaka A, Rupasinghe A, Thilakarathne D, Chathuranga D, Weerakoon S N, Wickramasinghe M P, Lakkana T, Bandara KVSN (2023) Sesarmid crabs as key contributors to the soil organic carbon sedimentation in tropical mangroves. Wetl Ecol Manag 31:757–773.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-023-09947-y
Bandara KVSN, Kumara PADA (2021) Morphological differentiation of suckermouth armored catfish, genus Pterygoplichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) in Sri Lankan freshwaters. Iran J Ichthyol 8(4): 286-293. 10.22034/iji.v8i4.487
Bandara KVSN, Kumara PADA, Amarasinghe US (2020) Life-history strategies of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Teleostei, Cichlidae), in irrigation reservoirs of Sri Lanka. Asian Fish Sci 33(3):222–230. https://doi.org/10.33997/j.afs.2020.33.3.003
Bandara KVSN, Kumara PADA, Amarasinghe US (2020) Population dynamics of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Teleostei, Cichlidae), in some irrigation reservoirs of Sri Lanka. Asian Fish Sci 33(2):192–204. https://doi.org/10.33997/j.afs.2020.33.2.010
Bandara KVSN, Amarasinghe US (2018) Influence of fishing pressure and water level fluctuations on the reproductive biology traits of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus 1758; Cichlidae) in irrigation reservoirs of Sri Lanka. Asian Fish Sci 31(2): 127–145. https://doi.org/10.33997/j.afs.2018.31.2.005
Bandara KVSN, Amarasinghe US (2017) Factors related to nesting sites of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus 1758; Cichlidae) in irrigation reservoirs, Sri Lanka. Asian Fish Sci 30(4): 319–335. https://doi.org/10.33997/j.afs.2017.30.4.008
Bandara KVSN, Amarasinghe US (2015) Effect of glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup™ on territory deference of male Oreochromis mossambicus (Osteichthyes, Cichlidae) associated with mating behavior. Sri Lanka J Aquat Sci 20(1): 1-10
Munaweera TIK, Bandara KVSN (2021) Avifaunal diversity and water quality analysis of urban wetlands of Colombo, SLJAE 3(1):146–166
Sudharaka A, Rupasinghe A, Thilakarathne D, Chathuranga D, Weerakoon S N, Wickramasinghe M P, Lakkana T, Bandara KVSN (2023) The contribution of terrestrial crabs (Sesarmidae) on organic carbon sedimentation in mangrove ecosystems, 58th Annual meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation, July 10 – 14 , proceedings, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Dedunupitiya HMMD, Munasinghe DHN, Bandara KVSN (2023) Herbivory of mangrove crabs (Sesarmidae) in regenerating mangrove ecosystems – A study from Southern Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 43 rd annual sessions of Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka 22 nd September
Mafaza MF, Gunawardena MP, Bandara KVSN (2019) Freshwater fish diversity in urban wetlands at Ramsar wetland city-Colombo, Sri Lanka, International forestry and environment symposium, published by Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Bandara KVSN, Amarasinghe US (2016) Impact of water level fluctuations on nesting performance of the exotic cichlid Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in selected irrigation reservoirs, Sri Lanka, 3rd international conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture, International Institute of Knowledge Management, 24-25 August, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Bandara KVSN, Fu MC (2013) Impacts of invasive Tradescantia fluminensis (Vell.) distribution on native biological diversity-a comparison between Yanmingshan National Park and Alishan National Recreation Area, Taiwan, 13th conference of Chinese Cartographic Association held on 5th of October in Taipei, Taiwan
Bandara KVSN, Fu MC, Kao CJ (2013) Distribution of the most invasive plant species in Yangmingshan National Park, Taiwan, Earth System Science Forum on Environmental Awareness Management and Action Plans, held on March 9th, organized by College of Science of Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
Bandara KVSN, Amarasinghe US (2011) Effect of weedicide roundup® on nesting behaviour of Mossambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus, Peters). eighteenth Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Sri Lanka
Epa UPK, Bandara KVSN (2009) Effect of accidentally introduced sucker mouth tank cleaner (Pterygoplychthys multiradiatus ) on the fishery in ‘Polgolla’ reservoir at the Central Province of Sri Lanka. National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species, Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources,15pp
- Member of the expert panel in preparation of 6th National Report on Biodiversity, Biodiversity Secretariat, Sri Lanka-2019
- Member of the expert panel in preparation of the National Red List (2020) Freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Sri Lanka
- Member of the CITES COP 18 organizing committee- Environmental cluster- 2018
- Faculty Research Grants (Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka)- 2023
- Faculty Research Grants (Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka)- 2022
- Small Research Grants Programme (Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka) -2021
- First class research article award – Earth System Science Forum on Environmental Awareness Management and Action Plans, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan -2013
- Chinese Culture University (Taipei, Taiwan) Masters scholarship award (International Student Scholarship and Assistantship) – 2012
- Member of IEPSL (Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka)
