Prof. W. Nilantha De Silva

Prof. W. Nilantha De Silva

Senior Professor (Chair)
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna,
Mapalana, Kamburupitiya,
Sri Lanka 81100
Profile QR Code
Research Interests
Natural resource management Fisheries economics and value chains Wetland and environmental management Sustainable agriculture Climate change adaptation Agricultural extension and technology dissemination
Qualifications

Biography

Prof. W. Nilantha De Silva is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. His research encompasses natural resource management, fisheries economics, coastal and wetland resource valuation, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural extension. He has carried out extensive applied research on fish value chains, consumer preferences for seafood, marine spatial planning, climate change adaptation among coastal communities, and farmer extension programmes including the Lifelong Learning for Farmers (L3F) initiative. Prof. De Silva has collaborated with international partners and contributed widely to Sri Lanka's fisheries sector, smallholder agriculture, and sustainable rural development.

Journal Publications

Total: 18
01
Lokugamage, I. P., De Silva, W. N., & Aanesen, M. (2024). Consumer willingness to pay for sustainable seafood: A meta-analysis. Dec 2024.
02
Gunawardhana, M. U. N., De Silva, W. N., & Aanesen, M. (2022). Market potential for quality certified dried fish: A consumer choice experiment in the Galle District of Sri Lanka. Mar 2022.
03
Vithanage, M. U. A., & De Silva, W. N. (2021). Evaluation of farmer broadcasting service as a tool for disseminating agricultural information. Jul 2021.
04
De Silva, W. N., & Wijeratne, M. (2021). Achieving community development through an agricultural extension programme: Technology dissemination for mushroom farmers. Jul 2021.
05
Hasini, K. K. L., De Silva, W. N., & Santos, J. (2020). Small pelagic fish value chain and its contribution to local food security: A case study in Gandara fishing village in southern coast of Sri Lanka. Jun 2020.
06
Hasini, K. K. L., De Silva, W. N., & Santos, J. (2019). Small pelagic fish value chain and its contribution to local food security in Southern Sri Lanka. Nov 2019.
07
Madhuhansi, L. M. C., De Silva, W. N., & Hewasinghe, S. (2019). Determinants of demand for Ceylon tea. Nov 2019.
08
De Silva, W. N., Shaymalie, H. W., Jayasinghe, D., & Rajakaruna, S. (2018). Assessment of entrepreneurial behavior among tea smallholders in low country Sri Lanka. Aug 2018.
09
De Silva, W. N., Amarasekara, N., & Amarasinghe, O. (2018). Livelihood diversification by fisher women as a climate change adaptation strategy: Evidence from small scale fishing community in Southern Sri Lanka. Aug 2018.
10
Amarasinghe, O., & De Silva, W. N. (2018). Aiming for holistic management. Dec 2018.
11
Perera, M. A. M. I., Madhushika, W. A. L. P., Amarasinghe, O., & De Silva, W. N. (2018). Why do marine fishers break rules? Evidence from Southern Sri Lanka. Jan 2018.
12
Jayasinghe, & De Silva, W. N. (2015). Calculating the global person generated index to identify the impacts of remittances on the wellbeing of families left behind by migrants. Jan 2015.
13
Wijeratne, M., & De Silva, W. N. (2014). Mobile phone intervention for Sri Lankan mushroom producers. Sep 2014.
14
Wijeratne, M., & De Silva, W. N. (2014). Agricultural extension in practice: A contribution to enhance small scale mushroom producers. Jan 2014.
15
De Silva, W. N., & Wijeratne, M. (2011). Application of mobile technology to empower rural communities. Jan 2011.
16
Koralagama, D., Wijeratne, M., & De Silva, W. N. (2010). Emergence of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) technique as a strategy towards sustainable development: A Sri Lankan experience. Jan 2010.
17
De Silva, W. N. (2008). Indigenous knowledge in agricultural production. Jul 2008.
18
Wijeratne, M., De Silva, W. N., & Sandika, A. L. (2004). Impact of farmer field schools on farmer knowledge: The IPM experience in Sri Lanka. Jan 2004.

Books / Book Chapters

Total: 4
01
De Silva, & W.N (2024). Indigenous knowledge in agricultural production: The Sri Lankan experience. [Book Chapter]. Jul 2024.
02
De Silva, W.N, Wijeratne, & M (2007). Action plan for sustainable rural development: A case of tsunami affected Thalalla South GN Division. A collaborative programme of Japan Green Resources Agency (J Green) – Japan, and Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. Jan 2007.
03
De Silva, W.N, Wijeratne, M, Sandika, & A.L (2005). Use of participatory rural appraisal principles in agriculture development. [Book]. Jan 2005.
04
De Silva, W.N, Wijeratne, & M (2001). An approach to participatory integrated pest management. [Book]. Jan 2001.

Conference Publications

Total: 19
01
Lokugamage, I. P., De Silva, W. N., & Aanesen, M. (2024). Consumer preferences for sustainable seafood consumption in Sri Lanka. Dec 2024.
Open
02
Ramyakanthi, C., & De Silva, W. N. (2024). Insights into marine ornamental fishery management: A systematic literature review. Sep 2024.
Open
03
Ramyakanthi, C., & De Silva, W. N. (2024). Challenges and perspectives on achieving sustainability in Sri Lanka's marine ornamental fisheries industry: Insights from fishermen in Matara district. Jul 2024.
Open
04
Lokugamage, I. P., De Silva, W. N., & Aanesen, M. (2024). The socio-demographic and psychographic determinants of consumer willingness to pay for sustainable seafood in Sri Lanka. Jul 2024.
Open
05
Ramyakanthi, C., & De Silva, W. N. (2024). Assessing the present status of low-cost small pelagic fish production, supply, and consumption in Matara district, Sri Lanka. May 2024.
Open
06
Tharaka, K. N., De Silva, W. N., & Madhushika, W. A. L. P. (2023). Exploring marketing mix strategies of conventional and innovative SMEs in the agri-food sector: A case study in Southern Sri Lanka. Dec 2023.
Open
07
Ramyakanthi, C., & De Silva, W. N. (2023). Formulating strategies to develop the small-low value fisheries sector using SWOT matrix: A case study in south coast of Sri Lanka. Jun 2023.
Open
08
Madhushika, W. A. L. P., De Silva, W. N., & Udayanga, P. V. A. C. (2023). Developing strategies for sustainable farming using SWOT analysis: A case study of Midigama fruit farm. Mar 2023.
Open
09
Madhushika, W. A. L. P., De Silva, W. N., & Priyankara, P. (2022). Resource use conflicts and stakeholders' perspectives on marine spatial planning in Weligama Bay. Dec 2022.
Open
10
Gunawardana, U., Lokugamage, I. P., & De Silva, W. N. (2022). The Xpress Pearl shipwreck impact on dried fish consumption in Sri Lanka. Sep 2022.
Open
11
Gunawardana, U., De Silva, W. N., & Aanesen, M. (2021). Market potential for quality certified dried fish in the Galle District of Sri Lanka. Annual Congress of the PGIA. Nov 2021.
Open
12
Darshani, M. M. G., & De Silva, W. N. (2020). Determinants of agricultural export sector performances in Sri Lanka. Dec 2020.
Open
13
De Silva, W. N., Bandara, A. M., & Sandamali, H. M. K. (2020). Economic impacts of climate change on smallholding coconut growers: A Ricardian approach. Mar 2020.
Open
14
Jayamuni, N. D., & De Silva, W. N. (2019). Willingness to pay for participatory wetland management of Kirala Kele, an urban wetland in southern Sri Lanka. Oct 2019.
Open
15
Dharmawardhana, T., De Silva, W. N., & Amarasinghe, O. (2019). Role of participatory approaches in wetland management: Evidence from the Bundala Wetland of Southern Sri Lanka. Sep 2019.
Open
16
De Silva, W. N., Dharmawardhana, T., Dissanayake, S. T. M., & Amarasinghe, O. (2018). Revealing the public preferences of wetland attributes for a sustainable wetland management scenario: The case of Bundala Wetland, Sri Lanka. Jul 2018.
Open
17
Dharmawardhana, T., & De Silva, W. N. (2017). Wetland restoration and management in future of changing climate. Jan 2017.
Open
18
Wijeratne, M., De Silva, W. N., & Sandika, A. L. (2004). Impact of farmer field schools on farmers' knowledge: The IPM experience in Sri Lanka. Jan 2004.
Open
19
Wijeratne, M., & De Silva, W. N. (1999). A technology dissemination effort in integrated pest management (IPM) in rice farming. Aug 1999.
Open