Dr. U.G.A.I. Sirisena

Higher Education
2015   Ph. D.: “Diversity and ecology of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in agroecological systems of Sri Lanka”, at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and California Department of Food and Agriculture, USA.

2010    MSc in Plant Protection Technology at the Postgraduate Institute of the Agriculture University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. GPA- 3.90 out of 4.00

2009    Certificate Course on Academic Staff Development at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka

2009   Basic Course in Tamil Language, Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Sri Lanka

2006    BSc. in Agriculture (Special) at Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka (RUSL). Upper Second Class. GPA 3.44 out of 4.00

2004    Diploma in English at the English Language Unit, RUSL

Teaching & Administrative Experience
Oct 2008 – present Senior Lecturer in Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka (RUSL).

July 2017- present Visiting Lecturer Certificate course in Pest control at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.

Aug 2017- present Visiting Lecturer at Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.

Jan 2017 – present Guest Lecturer At Agriculture school, Department of Agriculture, Farm Mechanisation and Training Institute, Anuradhapura.

Oct 2015 – present Co-control of Advanced level Examination on Biosystem management at the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka

Jan 2017- Present Deputy Proctor, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

May 2010 Guest lecturer at Bee-keeping Centre, Department of Agriculture, Bindunuwewa, Bandarawela, Sri Lanka.

May 2008 - Oct 2008 Temporary Lecturer, Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL.

Feb. 2007 – Apr. 2008 Temporary demonstrator, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL

Jul. 2006 – Dec. 2006 Research student, Pathology Division, Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Talawakele, Sri Lanka (TRI)

Dec 2006 - May 2007 Trainee on Disease diagnosis and management in tea plantations course, at TRI

Dec 2006 - May 2007 Application of HACCP, ISO 22000 and microbiological standards for black tea, at TRI

Professional Expertise/Training
2012-2014 IPM Training programs were conducted under the PEACE project for paddy growing farmers

2015-2018 Farmer training on pest and disease control were conducted to the farmers in Northcentral province

2017- Present Resource person for insect pest identification in the field for postgraduate students at the PGIA of University of Peradeniya

2018 - Technical expert on formulation the research and farmer awareness program on plant Protection at the Department of Agriculture for field crops and horticultural crops

2017-present Farmer Training program in Beekeeping

Institutional Development
- Deputy Proctor, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
- Chairman, Needy Scholarship committee, Faculty of Agriculture
- Coordinator Career Guidance Unit, Faculty of Agriculture
- Student counsellor, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL)
- Academic sub-warden, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL
- Committee member, library standing committee, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL
- Coordinator, Cultural Center, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL
- Treasurer, Academic Staff Welfare Society, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL
- Chairman, subcommittees of Annual research Symposium in Faculty of Agriculture

Memberships
2018-Present - Secretary, Alumni Association of Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

June 2017- present Member of expertise on Bambara conservation project at Ministry of

                        Environment and renewable energy of Sri Lanka

Sep 2017 - Active Citizens Regional Facilitator Development Workshop conducted by British Council

Jan 2016- present Member Pollinator conservation group in Sri Lanka At Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy of Sri Lanka

Jan 2014- Present Member of Entomological Society of America, Branch: International member, Section: Taxonomy

Dec 2010    Award of scholarship for PhD. degree under the Higher Education for the Twenty First Century project, Ministry of Higher Education of Sri Lanka

2006 – present    Life membership, Sri Lankan Association for the Advancement of Science

2008-present   Member of the Organizing Committee for the Annual Research Symposium of the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL)

Nov 2007 Award of Gold Medal for the most meritorious student of the Faculty of Agriculture at the general convocation of RUSL

Jan 2007   Team leader of a field survey for the Post-evaluation of Regional Economic Advancement Project in Matale District, Sri Lanka (a non-governmental organization)

2002-2003   Chairman of the English Speech Club, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL

2002-2003   Member of the Faculty of Agriculture carom team, which won third place in the inter-faculty games, RUSL

2001-2002   Secretary of the Art Society, Faculty of Agriculture, RUSL

Publications In Journals

Sirisena, U.G.A.I., Weerasinghe, P.A., Balasuriya, A. & J.W.K.K. Jayasundara (2007) Microbial status of tea (Camelia sinensis) during different stages of processing in up country. Proceedings of the 63rd annual sessions, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo, 3-8 December 2007, 31-32.

Wijesekara, P.A.G.R.P.B., Wijayagunasekara, H.N.P. and U.G.A.I. Sirisena (2010). Suppression of soil-borne diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum by compost fortified withTrichoderma spp. Proceedings of Research Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka, 4th June 2010, 34

Bandara, P., Wijayagunasekara, H.N.P. & U.G.A.I Sirisena (2010). Evaluation of the efficacy of compost extracts incorporated with insecticidal plant materials. Proceedings of Research Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka, 4th June 2010, 30.

P.A Weerasinghe, H.N.P. Wijayagunasekara & U.G.A.I Sirisena. (2010). Formulation and evaluation of pesticidal compost for crop management in home gardens. Proceedings of Rajarata University Research Symposium, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka, October 2010, 6-8.

Sirisena, U.G.A.I. (2010). Use of classroom questioning in the teaching process. pp. 57-75 In: Jayasinghe, U. & A. Jayawardena (Eds) Learner-centred teaching methodology and technology to assess students. Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka: Staff Development Centre, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. ISBN 978-955-8746-69-1.

Sirisena, U.G.A.I. & R.N.N. Perera (2011) Control of pest and diseases of paddy, a farmer’s hand book. Mihintale, Sri Lanka: Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. 36 pp.

H.M.M.A.S Herath, U.G.A.I. Sirisena andH.N.P. Wijayagunasekara, 2011. Diversity of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in selected areas of Anuradhapura district. Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, 32.

H.M.S.B. Jayasooriya, U.G.A.I. Sirisena andH.N.P. Wijayagunasekara, 2011. Diversity of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in selected areas of Kandy district. Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, 33.

Sirisena, U.G.A.I., Watson, G.W., Hemachandra, K.S. & Wijayagunasekara, H.N.P., 2012. Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) introduced recently to Sri Lanka, with three new country records. The Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 88(3): 365-367

Sirisena, U.G.A.I., Watson, G.W., Hemachandra, K.S. and Wijayagunasekara, H.N.P. (2012). Preparation of Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha for identification. Trop. Agr. Res. J. 24(2), 139-149.

Sirisena, U.G.A.I., Watson, G.W., Hemachandra, K.S. & Wijayagunasekara, H.N.P., 2013. A study of Scale (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in different agro ecological zones of Sri Lanka, with two new country records. P.101 In: Chakravarthy, A.K., Ashok Kumar, C.T., Verghese, A., and Thyagaraj, N.E (Eds) Proceedings of International Conference on Insect Science, February 14th -17th 2013, Bangalore, India.

Sirisena, U.G.A.I., Mandanayake, M.A.R.A, Watson, G.W., Wijayagunasekara, H.N.P and Hemachandra, K.S. 2013. Potential Pest of Rice Brevennia Rehi (Lindinger) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of 3rd Annual Research Symposium, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, 7th February 2013, 35-36.

Sirisena, U.G.A.I., Watson, G.W., Hemachandra, K.S. & Wijayagunasekara, H.N.P., 2013. Economically Important Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Fruit Crops in Sri Lanka. Trop. Agr. Res. J. 25(1):69-83.

K.S. Hemachandra, B.P.U.R. Bandara, W.A.P. Weerakkody, J.K.S Wasantha, U.G.A.I. Sirisena, T.D.C. Priyadarshani and J.M. Soorasena. 2013. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment 2013, 28th November 2013, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, 257- 260.

MC Perera, KS Hemachandra, U.G.A.I. Sirisena, 2013. Diversity and Abundance of Crop Pollinators in Conventional Vegetable Cropping Systems in Mid-country of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research, Department of Agriculture Biology, University of Perandeniya.4:31-34

V. Vamanan, KS Hemachandra, U.G.A.I. Sirisena, 2013. The Mealybug-Associated Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research, Department of Agriculture Biology, University of Peradeniya. 4:27-30.

L.M.M.S. Bandara, K.S.Hemachandra and U.G.A.I Sirisena, 2013. Species diversity and abundance of pollinators in home gardens in mid-country of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research, Department of Agriculture Biology, University of Peradeniya. 4:22-26.

U.G.A.I. Sirisena, K.S. Hemachandra and H.N.P. Wijayagunasekara, 2013. Invasive mealybugs of Sri Lanka: Recent outbreaks and their threat on Agriculture. Crop life, Sri Lanka plant protection journal, 7:105-110.

Sirisena, A., Jonathan, E.I. and Suresh, S. 2013. Biocontrol of Papaya Mealybug in Sri Lanka and India. Biocontrol News & Information, CABI, 34(1): 5N-6N. available online at www.cabi.org/BNI

K S Hemachandra, B P U R Bandara, W A P Weerakkody, J K S Wasantha, UG A I Sirisena, T D C Priyadarshani, J M Soorasena, 2014. Comparison of Soil-dwelling Insect Fauna in Eco-friendly versus Conventional Home gardens, at Selected Localities in Hambanthota District. In proceeding of: 1st Ruhuna International Science and & Technology Conference, RITSCON , At University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, Volume: 1

U.G.A.I. Sirisena, G. W. Watson, K.S. Hemachandra, Obediah Sage, H.N.P. Wijayagunasekara, 2015. Scanning Electron Microscopy of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) of Sri Lanka. Scanning Electron Microscopy of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) of Sri Lanka. Trop. Agr. Res. J. 26 (2), 237-247

U.G.A.I. Sirisena, S.S Yapa, A.J. Mohotti and K.S. Hemachandra, 2015. Aulacaspis vitis Green (1869) and Pseudaulacaspis cokerelli Cooley (1897): Common armored scales (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) of Loranthus spp. parasitic on spice and other crops in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Annual Symposium on Minor Export crops 13th and 14th of August 2015. 3: 75-76

T.D.C. Priyadarshani, K.S. Hemachandra and U.G.A.I. Sirisena. 2015. Diversity of Coccinellid Beetles In Selected Crop Fields In The Kandy District, Sri Lanka, International Peradeniya University Research Session 2015 , University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Pagirathy, M., Hemachandra, K.S and Sirisena, U.G.A.I., 2015. The diversity of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of home gardens of Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka. International Research Symposium, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, pp 101-107

Y.K. Chandrasekara, S.S.K. Hemachandra, U.G.A.I. Sirisena and N.P.H. Wimalananda.,2015. Abundance and distribution of a phytophagous beetle on Salvinia in tanks of Medawachchiya divisional secretariat, Sri Lanka. 7th Annual Research Symposium Proceedings. Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

M.A.R.A. Mandanayake, U.G.A.I. Sirisena, A.M.K.R. Bandara, A.P. Bentota, K.S. Hemachandra, H.L.K. Liyanage, W.M.U.K. Rathnayake and U.C. Kahawaththa, 2015. Temporal variation of insect pest population of rice and their relationship with meteorological variables in Batalagoda, Sri Lanka. Annals of the Department of Agriculture of Sri Lanka. 17:56-58.

SAA Singhamuni, KS Hemachandra and UGAI Sirisena, 2015. Potential for Mass Rearing of the Egg Parasitoids, Trichogramma chilonis and Tricogramma achaeae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on Corcyra cephalonica Eggs. Tropical Agricultural Research, 27 (1): 1-12

T.D.C. Priyadarshani, K.S. Hemachandra, U.G.A.I. Sirisena and H.N.P. Wijayaguasekara, 2016. Duration of Development and Survival of larvae of Cocciella sexmaculata (Fabricius) fed on essential and alternative foods. P.23-25. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment 2016, 13th January 2016. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISSN 1800-4830.

T.D.C. Priyadarshani, K.S. Hemachandra, U.G.A.I. Sirisena and H.N.P. Wijayaguasekara, 2016. Developmental Biology and Feeding Efficiency of Menochilus sexmaculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) (Fabricius) reared on Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera:Aphididae) (Koch), Trop. Agr. Res. J. 27 (2), 115-122.

H.M.E. Hindagoda, L.N.S. Perera, S.M.M.R Mawalagedara and U.G.A.I Sirisena, 2016. Optimization of methods for flower Drying. 8th Proceedings of Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Pp. 50. ISSN 2012-5623.

UGAI Sirisena, GW Watson, KS Hemachandra, HNP Wijayagunasekara, 2016. Diversity of Soft Scale Insects (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Coccoidea) in Sri Lanka.In: Arthropod Diversity and Conservation in the Tropics and Sub-tropics (Eds,.)Chakravarthy, Akshay Kumar, Sridhara, Shakunthala. Springer. 285-295.

M.A.R.A. Mandanayake, M.G.D.L. Priyantha, A.P. Benthota, U.G.A.I. Sirisena, A.M.K.R. Bandara, U.C. Kahawaththa, 2016. The effect of flowering plants to enhance natural enemy population in paddy fields. Annals of the Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture Vol. 18. Pp 173-176.

S.M.A. Samanmanli, UGAI Sirisena, K.A.C.N. Senevirathne, S.M.M.R. Mawalagedara and G Senevirathne, 2016. Biofilmed Biofertilisers (BFBFS) Enhances Growth and Control of Diseases of Anthurium andreanum. Proceedings of National Symposium on Floriculture Research, 19th December 2016, Nasflor, Department of National Botanic Gardens. Pp 19.

TDC Priyadarshani, KS Hemachandra, UGAI Sirisena and HNP Wijayagunasekara, 2017. Mass rearing of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on different diets under laboratory conditions. Tropical Agricultural Research, 28 (2):192-199.

U. G. A. I. Sirisena, G. W. Watson, K. S. Hemachandra and H. N. P. Wijayagunasekara, 2017. Diversity and Ecology of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Different Agro-ecological regions of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Symposium on Advances in Entomological Research, Exchange of Knowledge and skills between Sri Lanka and Taiwan 18-20th January 2017 at Postgraduate institute of Science, University of Peradeniya. pp.13.ISBN 978-955-8787-12-0.

D.K.A Heshani and UGAI Sirisena, 2017. Diversity of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in selected locations in the Dry zone of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of 9th annual research symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, p 68.