Emer. Prof. Ranjith Senaratne

Professor Emeritus

Department of Crop Science,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna,
Mapalana, Kamburupitiya,
Sri Lanka 81100

Research Interests

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Agriculture (Agronomy, Plant Breeding & Genetics and Microbiology) | University of Agriculture, Vienna, Austria
M.Phil. in Agriculture (Agricultural Biology) | University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture | University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Biography

Prof. Ranjith Senaratne is an Emeritus Professor of Crop Science at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, with over 40 years of distinguished experience in higher education, research, and institutional leadership. His research spans grain legume biology, biological nitrogen fixation, legume-Rhizobium symbiosis, tropical crop physiology, seed science, sustainable agriculture, and cinnamon science. Prof. Senaratne has served in several high-level leadership positions, including Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, Chairman of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka, Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Sri Lanka, and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. He has visited over 90 foreign universities and research institutes in about 25 countries. He is the co-editor of the Springer book 'Cinnamon: Botany, Agronomy, Chemistry and Industrial Applications' (2021) and has made significant contributions to agriculture, higher education, science and technology, and national development in Sri Lanka.

Responsibilities

Total: 4

01
Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
02
Chairman, Ocean University of Sri Lanka
03
Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), Sri Lanka
04
Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna

Journal Publications

Total: 15

Akeel Mohamed, Anusha Indika, Lalinda Sugathadasa, Ranjith Senaratne. (Dec 2019). Minimizing Issues and Information Gaps in Value Chain of Cinnamon Industry in Sri Lanka through ICT based Intervention: A Case Study.

Ranjith Senaratne, M. T. K. Gunasekera. (Apr 2008). Nitrogen Fixation, Growth and Yield of Intercropped Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as Affected by the Genotype.

Siripala Subasinghe, Geegana Arachchige Dayatilake, Ranjith Senaratne. (Dec 2003). Effect of B, Co and Mo on nodulation, growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).

Siripala Subasinghe, Ranjith Senaratne. (Jan 2000). Below-Ground Competition in a Maize/Groundnut Intercropping System as Affected by the Rooting Soil Layer.

Ranjith Senaratne, Seetha I. Wickremasinghe. (Mar 2000). Contributions of the National Science Foundation to agricultural research in Sri Lanka.

Ranjith Senaratne, D. S. Ratnasinghe. (Aug 1995). Nitrogen fixation and beneficial effects of some grain legumes and green-manure crops on rice.

Ranjith Senaratne, Nirmala Liyanage, R. J. Soper. (Feb 1995). Nitrogen fixation of and N transfer from cowpea, mungbean and groundnut when intercropped with maize.

Ranjith Senaratne. (Oct 1993). Effect of nitrogen application on the A N value of soil.

Ranjith Senaratne, D. S. Ratnasinghe. (Jul 1993). Ontogenic variation in nitrogen fixation and accumulation of nitrogen in mungbean, blackgram, cowpea, and groundnut.

Ranjith Senaratne, D. S. Ratnasinghe. (Mar 1993). N supply by groundnuts to maize in a maize plus groundnut intercropping system, as affected by the genotype.

Ranjith Senaratne, Nirmala Liyanage, D. S. Ratnasinghe. (Jan 1993). Effect of K on nitrogen fixation of intercrop groundnut and the competition between intercrop groundnut and maize.

Ranjith Senaratne, G. Hardarson. (Aug 1988). Estimation of residual N effect of faba bean and pea on two succeeding cereals using 15N methodology.

Ranjith Senaratne, C. Amornpimol, G. Hardarson. (Mar 1987). Effect of combined nitrogen on nitrogen fixation of soybean (Glycine max L. Merill.) as affected by cultivar and rhizobial strain.

Siripala Subasinghe, G A Dayathilake, Ranjith Senaratne. Effect of inoculation and N application on growth, yield, nodulation and N fixation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).

Ranjith Senaratne, Geegana Arachchige Dayatilake, Siripala Subasinghe. STUDIES IN SRI LANKA ON COWPEA: N2 FIXATION, GROWTH, YIELD, AND EFFECTS ON CEREALS.

Books / Book Chapters

Total: 3

Senaratne, R., & Pathirana, R. E. (2021). Cinnamon: Botany, Agronomy, Chemistry and Industrial Applications. Springer Nature, Switzerland.

View DOI

Senaratne, R., Amaratunga, D., Mendis, S., & Athukorala, P. E. (2021). COVID 19: Impact, Mitigation, Opportunities and Building Resilience.

Senaratne, R., Amaratunga, D., & Nahallage, C. (2025). A Transdisciplinary Systems Approach for Addressing Complex Real-World Issues: A Sri Lankan Perspectives. Loughborough University.

Conference Publications

Total: 4

K. K. I. U. Aruna Kumara, Siripala Subasinghe, Sarath Kumarasinghe, Ranjith Senaratne. (Jun 2023). Introduction of Home Gardening to a Fishery Village-Gandara Experience.

K. K. I. U. Aruna Kumara, Siripala Subasinghe, Sarath Kumarasinghe, Ranjith Senaratne. (Jun 2023). Food and Nutritional Security through Waste Management - A Case Study at Madiha.

Akeel Mohamed, Ranjith Senaratne, Anusha Indika. (Feb 2019). Prospects for Improving the Cinnamon Industry in Sri Lanka Through ICT: A Case Study in Matara District.

P.M. Jayaweera, Ranjith Senaratne. (Sep 2011). Mobile service portal for rural fisher community development.