wasantha@agri.ruh.ac.lk wasanthk2011@gmail.com

+94 71 811 6968

+94 41 229 2383

Prof. K.L. Wasantha Kumara

Senior Professor

Department of Agricultural Biology,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna,
Mapalana, Kamburupitiya,
Sri Lanka (81100).

Research Interests

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology | University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India
M.Sc. in Crop Protection | PGIA, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
B.Sc. in Agriculture (Honours) | University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Positions

Vice Chairman | University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka

Biography

Prof. K.L. Wasantha Kumara's primary teaching and research focus within the broader field of Plant Protection is Plant Pathology. In addition, he has been involved in mushroom education, research, and extension. He has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Head of the Department of Agricultural Biology. Currently, he serves as a Senior Professor in the department.

Awards

Total: 9

01
Letter of Commendation for TURIS Project - Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna (2018)
02
Australian Alumni Excellence Award - Australian Trade Commission (2015)
03
Endeavour Research Award - University of Melbourne, Australia (2011)
04
Best Presenter (Agriculture & Environment) - Second National Symposium
05
Best Presenter (Innovations & Technologies) - Second National Symposium
06
PhD Scholarship - CARP Long-term Training Program
07
Best Presenter - Academic Sessions 2016, University of Ruhuna
08
1st Place - Sahasak Nimavum 2017 - National Exhibition for Inventions and Innovations
09
1st Place - Mushroom Grow Bag Filling Machine - Ruhuna Invention & Innovation Exhibition 2017

Research Grants

Total: 7

01
Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education grant on developing joint masters degree program on Building resilience in Tropical Agroecosystems (BRITAE) – 2019 (0.9 Mn Euro – Ongoing; Co Investigator)
02
Molecular and biochemical characterizations of Sri Lankan Cinnamon and their wild relatives (NSF grant no. SP/CIN/2016/01; 44.2 Mn SLR – Completed; Co Investigator)
03
Transforming university of Ruhuna to International status (TURIS) – 2012 grant: Investigating commercial cultivation potential and strain improvement of wild edible mushrooms of Sri Lanka (2.2 M SLR) – Completed; Principal Investigator
04
Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy- Competitive Research Grant: Development of management strategies for Weligama coconut leaf wilt disease (WCLWD) (5.0 M SLR) - Completed; Principal Investigator
05
CIDA Project on Environmental and Livelihood Restoration and Development in Tsunami-affected Coastal Areas of Sri Lanka – Research grant for cultivation of mushrooms (1.1 M SLR) - Completed; Principal Investigator
06
Investigation of genetic diversity of Cinnamomum verum germplasm in Sri Lanka (4.0 M SLR) – Completed; Co Investigator
07
Investigation of aetiology, disease development, and management of rough bark disease of cinnamon (NRC Grant 18-012) – Completed; Co Investigator

Fellowships

Total: 18

01
7th BRITAE Project Management Meeting & 5th International Workshop – University of Huddersfield and University of Central Lancashire, UK; 6th-18th September, 2022
02
Short term visit to Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University (NWAFU), Yangling, China; 1st-5th January, 2020
03
Short term visit to Arctic University of Norway (UiT), Tromsø, Norway, 9-18 October, 2019
04
4th International Conference on Biofertilizers and Biopesticides: Integrated Pest Management, 20-23 August 2019, Taiwan
05
Short term visit to Beijing Academy of Agriculture & Forestry Sciences (BAAFS), Beijing, China, 5th August, 2018 to 11th August, 2019
06
5th China-ASEAN Tea Culture Forum, 26-27 July, 2018 at ASEAN Research Institute of Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
07
Short term visit to National San yat-Sen University, Taiwan, 7th May 2018 to 11th May 2018
08
Learning, action research and outreach - Making higher education boost food security, Short term training workshop, 11 to 30 March, 2018, Wageningen, the Netherlands
09
ASCENT workshop: November 22nd to 24th, November 2017, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
10
7th ICBR Conference: 27th to 29th November 2017, Bangkok, Thailand
11
6th International conference of Pakistan Phytopathological Society, 19th to 21st November, 2017, Multan, Pakistan
12
4th China-ASEAN Tea Culture Forum, 28-29 July 2017, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
13
International Society for Mushroom Science (ISMS) congress 2016, 29th May to 2 June, 2017, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
14
Short term training on Agricultural Research Management, 22nd December to 1st January 2015 at NAARM, Hyderabad, India
15
Mycology workshop on Agaricales and Polyporales, 8-11 December 2007, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
16
Workshop on Virus-free Rejuvenation and Wholesale Propagation of Cash Crops, 23 August to 13 September 2006, Zhejiang, China
17
International Training Course on Detection of Environmental Pollutants, Testing and Screening of Toxicity; 23 January – 10 February, 2006, Bangkok, Thailand
18
Fifteen weeks training on Integrated Pest Management organised by International Agricultural Centre (IAC), Wageningen, the Netherlands (2000)

Memberships

Total: 8

01
Member, American Phytopathological Society (APS), USA (December, 2018 to December 2020)
02
Member, Canadian Plant Pathological Society, Canada (Jul, 2019 to Jul 2020)
03
Member, Institute of Biology (IoB), Sri Lanka (Since September 2019 to date)
04
Professional member – Sri Lanka Institute of Agriculture (SLIAg) – (MSLIAg/271) (Since July 2021 to date)
05
Member, National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC), Colombo, Sri Lanka
06
Life member, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS), Colombo (Since 2006 to date)
07
Member to the National committee on Plant Protection, Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP), Colombo, Sri Lanka since 2013
08
Member, Board of Management, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 2016 to 2019

Journal Publications

Total: 35

Palangasinghe, P. C., Liyanage, W. K., Wickramasinghe, M. P., Palangasinghe, H. R., Shih, H. C., Shiao, M. S., & Chiang, Y. C. (2024). Reviews on Asian Citrus Species: Exploring Traditional Uses, Biochemistry, Conservation, and Disease Resistance. Ecological Genetics and Genomics, 32:100269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egg.2024.100269.

View DOI

Karunarathna, S. C., Priyashantha, A. K. H., Tibpromma, S., Galappaththi, M. C. A., Premarathne, B. M., Wijayawardene, N. N., Wimalasena, M. K., Jayalal, R. G. U., Wickramanayake, K. D., Dangalla, H., Jayathunga, W. H., Brahmanage, R. S., Weerakoon, G., Ariyawansa, K. G. S. U., Yapa, N., Nanayakkara, C. M., Ediriweera, S., Fan, X. L., Kirk, P. M., Zhang, G. Q., Ediriweera, A., Bhat, D. J., Dawoud, T. M., Kumara, K. L. W., Deng, C. Y., Dai, D. Q., Wijesundara, D. S., & Madawala, S. (2023). Checklist, typification details, and nomenclature status of Basidiomycota, originally described in Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa, 621 (1), pp. 001–086. 10.11646/phytotaxa.621.1.1. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.621.1.1

View DOI

Ko, Y. Z., Liyanage, W. K., Shih, H. C., Shiao, M. S., & Chiang, Y. C. (2023). Unveiling Cryptic Species Diversity and Genetic Variation of Lasiodiplodia (Botryosphaeriaceae, Botryosphaeriales) Infecting Fruit Crops in Taiwan, Journal of Fungi, 9(9), p.950. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9090950.

View DOI

De Silva, S. T. D., Atapattu, N. S. B. M., & Kumara, K. L. W. (2023). The Water Footprint of Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Cultivation under Small-scale Polybag Farming Conditions in Sri Lanka, the Journal of Agricultural Sciences - Sri Lanka, 18 (No. 2), 172-182. http://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v18i2.10251.

View DOI

Bowange, T. K., Fuad Hossain Md, Wijesekera, K. A., Wasantha Kumara, K. L., & Ratnayake, R. R. (2023). Investigation of the value-added potential of some selected freshwater cyanobacteria, Kuwait Journal of Science, 50 (No. 1A), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.48129/kjs.15295.

View DOI

Mantiquilla, J. A., Shiao, M. S., Lu, H. Y., Sridith, K., Sidique, S. N. M., Liyanage, W. K., Chiang, Y. C., et al. (2022). Deep structured populations of geographically isolated nipa (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) in the Indo-West Pacific revealed using microsatellite markers. Frontiers in plant science, 13:1038998. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1038998.

View DOI

Bowanage, R. W. T. M. R. T. K., Jayasinghe, M. M. P. M., Yakandawala, D. M. D., Kumara, K. L. W., Abeynayake, C., & Ratnayake, R. (2022). Morphological characterization of culturable cyanobacteria isolated from some selected extreme ecosystems of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Journal of Science, 51 (Special Issue), pp. 577-588. http://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v51i5.8084.

View DOI

Jayasekara, S. K., Karunarathna, K. B. M. D. K., Kumara, K. L. W., & Ratnayake, R. R. (2021). Suppression of damping-off disease causative agents using cellulase enzyme extracts of locally isolated cellulolytic fungi and their co-cultures. Ceylon Journal of Science, 50(4), 487-496.

Rebecca, R., Gao, Q., Cui, Y., Rong, C., Liu, Y., Zhao, Wasantha Kumara, & Wang, S. (2021). Nuclear conditions of basidiospores and hyphal cells in the edible mushroom Oudemansiella aparlosarca. MicrobiologyOpen, 10(5), e1233. https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.1233.

View DOI

Tharanga, W. A. D. R., Withanage S.P, & Wasantha Kumara, K. L. (2021). Screening of Corrynespora leaf fall disease resistant genotypes of Hevea brasiliensis. Rubber Science, 34(2), 155-164.

Zhao, Y. N., He, S. H., Nakasone, K. K., Wasantha Kumara, K. L., Chen, C. C., Liu, S. L., Ma H. X, & Huang, M. R. (2021). Global phylogeny and taxonomy of the wood-decaying fungal genus Phlebiopsis (Polyporales, Basidiomycota). Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 622460. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.622460.

View DOI

Liyanage, N. M. N., Bandusekara, S. B., Kanchanamalaa, R. W. M. K., Hathurusinghe, H. A. B. M., Wedaralage, A. M. R., Rathnayaka, S. D., Pushpakumara, D. K. N. G., Samita, S., Wijesinghe, K. G. G., Jayasinghe, G. G., Liyanage, W. K., & Bandaranayake, P. C. G. (2021). Identification of superior Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume germplasm for future true cinnamon breeding in the world. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 96, 103747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2020.103747.

View DOI

Tharanaga, W. A. D. R., Withanage, S. P., & Wasantha Kumara, K. L. (2020). An attempt to validate molecular and field level screening results for the Corynospora leaf fall disease in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, 100, 68-76. http://doi.org/10.4038/jrrisl.v100i0.1900.

View DOI

Zoysa, L. D. M., Perera, P. C. D., Peramunagama, S. S. M., & Kumara, K. L. W. (2020). Effect of selected heavy metals on the growth performance and yield of commercially cultivated American Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension, 23(3-4), 52-59.

R.J, R., Zhang, J., Zhao, W., Liu, Y., L, W. K., & Wang, S. (2020). Compositional and nutritional inventory of naturally mutant strain Auricularia cornea var. Li. edible mushroom from China. Progress in Nutrition, 22(1), 323-329. 10.23751/pn.v22i1.9023. https://doi.org/10.23751/pn.v22i1.9023

View DOI

Fuad Hossain Md. F, Ratnayake, R. R., Mahbub, S., Wasantha Kumara, K. L., & Magana-Arachchi, D. N. (2020). Identification and culturing of cyanobacteria isolated from freshwater bodies of Sri Lanka for biodiesel production. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 27, 1514-1520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.03.024.

View DOI

Fuad Hossain Md. F, Bowange, Kumara, K. L. W., Magana-Arachchi, D. N., & Ratnayake, R. R. (2020). First Record of Cyanobacteria species: Cephalothrix komarekiana, from Tropical Asia. Environmental Engineering Research, 26(2), 200040. https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2020.040.

View DOI

Ratnayake, Chamari, D., Ekanayake, S., Rajapaksha, K., Karunaratne, S. B., & Wasantha Kumara, K. L. (2020). Impact of the establishment of a botanical garden on soil carbon sequestration and nutrient availability in tropical soils, Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 66 (7), 1015-1026. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2019.1651449.

View DOI

Jayasinghe, G. G., Rajapakse, R. H. S., Kumara, K. W., Ratnasekera, D., & Adikaram, N. K. B. (2020). Pests and Diseases of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume). In: Cinnamon: Botany, Agronomy, Chemistry and Industrial Applications, pp. 201-232.

Rumana Azad, Wasantha Kumara, K. L., Senanayake, G., Ranawaka, R. A. A. K., Pushpakumara, D. K. N. G., & Geekiyanage, S. (2019). Intensity of leaf spot and rough bark diseases in cinnamon accessions collected from major cinnamon growing areas of Sri Lanka, Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 47 (3), pp. 297-305. http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v47i3.9403.

View DOI

Rumana Azad, Pushpakumara, D. K. N. G., Jayasekara, L., Ranawaka, R. A. A. K., Senanayake, Wasantha Kumara, K. L., Pushpakumara, D. K. N. G., & Geekiyanage, S. (2019). Development of a core collection for Sri Lankan cinnamon germplasm based on morphological characterization using an eco-geographic survey, Australian journal of crop science, 13 (09), pp. 1473-1485. 10.21475/ajcs.19.13.09.p1561. https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.19.13.09.p1561

View DOI

Hossain, Md, F., Ratnayake, R, R., Malika, S, M., Wijayaratne, M D G B, W., Kumara, & L W, K. (2018). Antimicrobial Activities of some Selected Cyanobacteria from Fresh Water Bodies of Sri Lanka, Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences (SJAMS), 6(9), pp. 3545-3549. 10.21276/sjams.2018.6.9.60. https://doi.org/10.21276/sjams.2018.6.9.60

View DOI

Azad, R., Wasantha Kumara, K. L., Senanayake, S., Ranawaka, R. A. A. K., Pushpakumara, D. K. N. G., & Geekiyanage, S. (2018). Flower morphological diversity of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Presl.) in Matara District, Sri Lanka, Open Agriculture, 3(1), pp. 236-244. https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2018-0025.

View DOI

Hossain, F., Ratnayake, R. R., Kulasooriya, S. A., & Kumara, K. L. W. (2017). Culturable cyanobacteria from some selected water bodies located in the major climatic zones of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Journal of Science, 46 (1), pp. 47–54.

Hossain, F. M., Ratnayake, R. R. M., & Kumara, K. L. W. (2016). Antioxidant Properties of some Selected Cyanobacteria Isolated from Fresh Water Bodies of Sri Lanka, Food Science & Nutrition, 4 (5), pp. 753-758. 10.1002/fsn3.340. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.340

View DOI

Hossain, F. M., Ratnayake, R. R., & Kumara, K. L. W. (2016). Isolation, purification and culturing of cyanobacteria and micro-algae towards biodiesel production: current status, American Journal of Biomass and Bioenergy 5(3), pp. 111-129. 10.7726/ajbb.2016.1009. https://doi.org/10.7726/ajbb.2016.1009

View DOI

Azad, R., Ranawaka, R. A. A. K., Senanayake, S., Wasantha Kumara, K. L., Pushpakumara, D. K. N. G., Wijesinghe, K. G. G., & Geekiyanage, S. (2016). Morphological variation of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Persl.) germplasm in Matara District of Sri Lanka, International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 2(1), pp. 6-14.

Sinniah, D, G., Brahakmanage, S, R., Tharanga, A D R, W., Kumara, & L W, K. (2016). Leaf morphological and structural characters associated with resistance/susceptibility of tea cultivars to blister blight disease, Sri Lanka Journal of Tea Science, 80:(Part 1&2), pp. 40-54.

Azad R, Senanayake G, Wasantha Kumara K.L, Ranawaka, R. A. A. K., Pushpakumara D.K.N.G, Wijesinghe K.G.G, & Geekiyanage S (2015). Morphological variation within progeny and deviations from mother plant reveal the allelerichness in Cinnamomum verum germplasm: a case study from Deiyandara; Matara collection at the early vegetative stage. Journal of Tropical Agriculture Research and Extension 18 (4), pp.163–167.

Sinniah, G. D., Wassntha Kumara, K. L., Karunajeewa, D. G. N. P., & Ranatunga, M. A. B. (2015). Development of an assessment key and techniques for field screening of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivars for resistance to blister blight. Crop Protection, 79, pp. 143-149. 10.1016/j.cropro.2015.10.17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2015.10.17

View DOI

Sinniah, D, G., Alagiawadu, D, U., Kumara, & L W, K. (2012). An assessment key for tea blister blight: Development and validation, Sri Lanka Journal of Tea Science, 77, pp. 45-46.

L, W. K. K., Akella, V., & D, R. R. (2009). Use of RAPD-PCR and Phage display techniques to study variation in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from Papaya (Carica papaya L.), Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension, 13(4), pp. 99-105.

K.L.W, K., & R.D, R. (2009). Screening of papaya cultivars against anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. and Sacc., Journal of Science - Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 6 (1), pp. 27-33.

Wasantha Kumara, K. L., & Rawal R. D (2008). Influence of carbon, nitrogen, temperature and pH on the growth and sporulation of some Indian isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose disease of papaya (Carrica papaya L.), Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension, 11, pp. 7-12.

Rajapakse, R. H. S., & Wasantha Kumara K. L (2007). A Review of Identification and Management of Pests and Diseases of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume), Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension, 10, pp. 1-10. 10.4038/tare.v10i0.1864. https://doi.org/10.4038/tare.v10i0.1864

View DOI

Books / Book Chapters

Total: 1