Prof. Amani Mannakkara
+94 71 858 3370

Prof. Amani Mannakkara

Senior Lecturer
Department of Agricultural Biology,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna,
Mapalana, Kamburupitiya,
Sri Lanka (81100).
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Research Interests
Entomology and insect pest management Bat ecology and conservation Insect ecology Coleoptera Lepidoptera Transgenic crops and non-target organisms Biological control Forest entomology
Qualifications

Biography

Dr. Amani Mannakkara is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. Her research spans entomology, insect pest management, and bat ecology. She has investigated insectivorous bat diversity and roosting ecology in tea agro-ecosystems, the impact of transgenic Bt crops on non-target insects, and the taxonomy and distribution of Sri Lankan bat species. Prior to her current appointment she served as a Research Officer at the Forest Department Sri Lanka and as a Researcher at the Tea Research Institute Sri Lanka.

Journal Publications

Total: 19
01
Tharaka Kusuminda, Chamara Amarasinghe, Amani Mannakkara, Wipula B. Yapa. (Oct 2025). First acoustic-based record of the Wroughton's free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) and the East Asian free-tailed bat (Tadarida insignis) from Sri Lanka.
02
Bhargavi Srinivasulu, Tharaka Kusuminda, Aditya Srinivasulu, Amani Mannakkara, Chelmala Srinivasulu. (Feb 2025). Taxonomic revision of the South Asian allies of Hipposideros galeritus Cantor, 1846.
03
Tharaka Kusuminda, Thilakawansha Chandrathilake, Pasindu Dilshan Abegunawardhana, Amani Mannakkara, Wipula B. Yapa. (Jan 2025). Tickell's bat, Hesperoptenus tickelli (Blyth, 1851), in Sri Lanka with new records after 58 years and roosting ecology notes.
04
Aditya Srinivasulu, Bhargavi Srinivasulu, Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Chelmala Srinivasulu. (Jun 2023). Taxonomic status of the Lesser Woolly Horseshoe bats (Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae, Rhinolophus beddomei) in peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
05
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Kanishka Ukuwela, Bruce D Patterson. (Jul 2022). DNA Barcoding and Morphological Analyses Reveal a Cryptic Species of Miniopterus from India and Sri Lanka.
06
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Rajika Gamage, Wipula B. Yapa. (Nov 2021). Roosting ecology of insectivorous bats in a tropical agricultural landscape.
07
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Mathisha Kesara Karunarathna, Wipula Yapa. (Dec 2020). Review of the Distribution of Sri Lankan Bats: Family Miniopteridae.
08
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Wipula B. Yapa. (Dec 2019). Species richness of insectivores bats and phototaxis insects in selected tea plantations: potential of bio-control of insects by bat predation.
09
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Bruce D Patterson, Wipula Yapa. (Apr 2019). Bats in Tea Plantations in Sri Lanka: Species Richness and Distribution.
10
Asanka Tennakoon, Rohan Harshalal Rajapakse, Keerthi Meepe Mohotti, Amani Mannakkara, Salinda Sandamal. (Mar 2018). Determination of Additional Parameters for Screening of Different Tea Cultivars against Shot Hole Borer: Comparative Assessment on Relationship of Plant Growth Parameters with Galleries in the Stem.
11
Lin Niu, Amani Mannakkara, Lin Qiu, Weihua Ma. (May 2017). Transgenic Bt rice lines producing Cry1Ac, Cry2Aa or Cry1Ca have no detrimental effects on Brown Planthopper and Pond Wolf Spider.
12
Yao Zhao, Yan Ma, Lin Niu, Amani Mannakkara, Chaoliang Lei. (Oct 2013). Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab or Cry1Ac/epsps does not harm the predator Propylaea japonica through its prey Aphis gossypii.
13
Lin Niu, Yan Ma, Amani Mannakkara, Lizhen Chen. (Sep 2013). Impact of Single and Stacked Insect-Resistant Bt-Cotton on the Honey Bee and Silkworm.
14
Amani Mannakkara, Lin Niu, Weihua Ma, Chaoliang Lei. (Aug 2013). Zero effect of Bt rice on expression of genes coding for digestion, detoxification and immune responses and developmental performances of Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål).
15
Amani Mannakkara. (Jan 2006). The Teak fruit borer Conogethes punctiferalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
16
Amani Mannakkara. (Jan 2006). Red stem borer, Zeuzera coffeae (Lepidoptera: Cossidae): emerging threats to forest plantation in Sri Lanka.
17
Amani Mannakkara. (Jan 2005). Black twig borer damage in forest tree species.
18
Deepani Alawathugoda, Amani Mannakkara. (Jan 2005). Seed propagation and vegetative multiplication of Khaya senegalensis: A guide for nursery management.
19
Hiroshi Makihara, Amani Mannakkara, Toshihiko Fujimura, Akio Ohtake. Checklist of longicorn coleoptera of Sri Lanka (1) Vesperidae and Cerambycidae excluding Lamiinae.

Books / Book Chapters

Total: 2
01
Amani Mannakkara, Nishantha Thisssa Kumara, Nimali Inoka Suwandharathne, H. T. R. Wijesekara et al. (Sep 2018). Status of Shoot and Fruit Borer, Conogethes punctiferalis, in Sri Lanka. Book chapter.
Open
02
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara. (Sep 2019). Fascinating world of bats [Text in Sinhala]. Book.
Open

Conference Publications

Total: 15
01
Mohan Perera, J. A. S. Jayasinghe, K. D. Mohotti, Amani Mannakkara, J. A. P. Bodhika. (Jan 2026). Effectiveness of Beehive Fences in Reducing Human-Elephant Conflict: Case Study of Gonnoruwa, Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
Open
02
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Bruce D Patterson, Wipula Yapa. (Jan 2022). Species diversity and pest control services of insectivorous bats in major Tea growing regions in Sri Lanka.
Open
03
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Mathisha Kesara Karunarathna, Wipula Yapa. (Apr 2021). Roosting sites of Insectivorous bats in Tea plantations of Sri Lanka.
Open
04
Amani Mannakkara. (Mar 2021). Species Richness of Insectivore Bats and Phototaxis Insects in Selected Tea Plantations: Potential of Biocontrol of Insects by Bat Predation. [Preprint]
Open
05
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Chamara Amarasinghe, Wipula Yapa. (Nov 2019). Echolocation Call Characteristics of Hipposiderid Bats in Sri Lanka.
Open
06
Tharaka Kusuminda, Sameera Akmeemana, Amani Mannakkara, Wipula Yapa. (Sep 2019). Echolocation call characters of Painted Bat (Kerivoula picta) in Sri Lanka.
Open
07
Tharaka Kusuminda, Chamara Amarasinghe, Amani Mannakkara, Wipula Yapa. (Jun 2019). Development of bioacoustics baseline to assess impact of climate change on bats in a UNESCO world heritage: Central highlands of Sri Lanka. [Technical Report]
Open
08
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Kanishka Ukuwela, Wipula Yapa. (Mar 2019). A preliminary assessment of the phylogenetic relationship of the bats referred to Miniopterus fuliginosus (Miniopteridae) in Sri Lanka.
Open
09
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Bruce D Patterson, Wipula Yapa. (Feb 2019). Richness and Roost Preference of Insectivorous Bats in Tea Agro-Ecosystems in Sri Lanka.
Open
10
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Chamara Amarasinghe, Wipula Yapa. (Jan 2019). Echolocation Call Characteristics of Rhinolophid Bats in Sri Lanka.
Open
11
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Wipula Yapa, Bruce D Patterson. (Nov 2017). Acoustic Identification of Kelaart's Pipistrelle Bat (Pipistrellus ceylonicus) in Sri Lanka to Effectively Monitor its Abundance and Activity.
Open
12
Tharaka Kusuminda, Mathisha Kesara Karunarathna, Amani Mannakkara, Wipula Yapa. (Nov 2016). Species Richness of Insectivorous Bats in selected Tea Plantations in Sri Lanka: A Preliminary Study.
Open
13
Amani Mannakkara, Deepani Alawathugoda. (Dec 2006). Rush and Sedges for environmental protection and ensuring livelihoods in farming communities.
Open
14
Deepani Alawathugoda, Amani Mannakkara. (Dec 2006). Traditional practice and sustainability of rattan cottage industry in Sri Lanka: A case study.
Open
15
Amani Mannakkara, Keerthi Meepe Mohotti. (Sep 2004). Incidence of Shot Hole Borer (Xyleborus fornicatus Eichhoff) damage in Tea as Influenced by Organic and Conventional Crop Management Systems.
Open