Dr. R R M K P Ranatunga

drranathunga

Dr. Kamal Ranatunga (R R M K P Ranatunga)

B.Sc. Hons (USJP), Ph.D. (JCU, Australia)
Senior Lecturer (Gr. I)
ranatunga@sjp.ac.lk
Research Interests: Ecology of organisms in sensitive marine ecosystems, marine bio invasions through ballast water and biofouling, marine debris, Underwater visual surveys.

google-scholar_98212   rg2

Qualifications:

  • PhD in Marine Biology, School of Marine Biology and Tropical Ecology James Cook University, Australia – 2008
  • BSc (Special) degree in Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka – 1998
  • PADI open water diver

Career Profile:

  • Senior Lecturer (Grade I),  Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura -since 2015
  • Senior Lecturer (Grade II), Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura -since 2008
  • Research Fellow, Reef fish ageing Laboratory, James Cook University, Australia -2006-2007
  • Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Zoology, University of Sri  Jayewardenepura –  since 18th January 2001
  • Lecturer (on Contract)( 01-09-1999 – 17-01-2001)
  • Demonstrator (Teaching Assistant) ( 01-07-1998 – 31-08-1999)

Special Achievements/Awards:

  • Award to persuade postgraduate studies under Science and Technology Personnel Development Program, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • Travel award, 9th  International Conference on Marine Bio invasions, Sydney Australia (January, 2016)
  • Travel award to attend Yeosu International Ocean Forum – October 2016, KIOST/EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea Foundation, Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries, South Korea.

Administrative and other positions:

  • Deputy Proctor, Faculty of Applied Sciences
  • Course Coordinator – MSc in Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Mgt – 2009 – 2016
  • Member of the Life Science Study Board, Faculty of Graduate Studies
  • Member of the Multidisciplinary Study Board, Faculty of Graduate Studies
  • Academic Counsellor, Department of Zoology
  • Industrial Training Advisor, Department of Zoology
  • Coordinator – International Training Program on Wildlife and Primate Conservation, Faculty of Graduate Studies – since 2015.

Recent key National level involvements:

  • Member of the committee and Leader in the Fisheries and Oceans sector, experts appointed by the President to formulate the National Sustainable Development Vision of Sri Lanka -2030 (2017)
  • Member of the Admission, Accreditation, and Quality Assurance Council of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka -2017-21.
  • Expert Committee member – Assessment of actual impacts due to energy production in Sri Lanka, Public Utilities Commission Sri Lanka (PUCSL) – since 2016
  • Principal Investigator – Expo 2012 YEOSU Korea Foundation sponsored project on “Building Capacity to Manage Marine Debris in Sri Lanka”, in collaboration with Marine Environmental Projection Authority: 2015 -2017
  • Member of the expert team for Pre-entry risk assessment – Project on “Strengthening capacity to control introduction and spread of Invasive Species in Sri Lanka” of the Biodiversity Secretariat -2017
  • Advisor and Member of the Progress Monitoring Committee – Establishment of Marine Environmental Baseline Information Network, Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS) – Since 2015
  • Member of the expert panel (and Chairperson for subcommittee for Biodiversity)-Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP) to develop national policy in fisheries research – Since 2015
  • National Project Leader – Port Biological Baseline Survey conducted by Marine Environmental Protection Authority: 2013-1016

Present research projects

  • Marine Invasive Alien Species through ballast water and ship hull fouling
  • Potential marine Pollution by beached and submerged marine debris
  • Antifouling properties of some marine invertebrates
  • Port Biological Baseline Survey for non-native species

Collaborative Research Projects

  • Capacity building to manage marine debris in Sri Lanka – In collaboration with Marine Environment Protection Authority, Sri Lanka; and Korea Maritime Institute, Ocean Research Institute and Marine Tech Engineers of South Korea – Financial support from 2012 Yeosu Korea Foundation.
  • Port biological baseline surveys in collaboration with Marine Environment Protection Authority.

Research publications:

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Research Grants:

  • 2012 Yeosu Korea Foundation Overseas Development Assistant (ODA) grants.
    • Project Title : Capacity development to manage marine debris in Sri Lanka
  • NRC Research Grant : NRC 2015-058
    • Project Title: Biofouling assemblage and invasive potential of non-indigenous species in Colombo port and adjacent coastal waters: A risk assessment
  • University Research Grant : ASP/01/RE/SCI/2015/28
    • Project Title: Antifouling properties in secondary metabolites of some marine organisms.
  • University Research Grant : 2013/14– ASP/06/RE/SCI/2013/21
    • Project Title:  Biofouling assemblage and invasive potential of non indigenous species in Colombo port and adjacent coastal waters: A risk assessment
  • University Research Grant : 2009/10
    • Project Title: Reef fish assemblages of commercial fish catches in western and southern coastal waters: species composition and fishing effects
  • Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) – External Research Grant
    • Project Title: Harmful aquatic organisms in Ballast water
  • Project Aware Foundation (Asia- Pacific)
    • Project title: Spatial dynamics in the demography of exploited reef fishes.

Postgraduate supervision:

PhD -Principal Supervisor

  • Biofouling assemblage and invasive potential of non indigenous species in Colombo port and adjacent coastal waters: A risk assessment – Kalpani Marasinghe (ongoing)

PhD Co-Supervisor

  • Assessment of Post Conflict Development to Forecast Planning in Killinochchi District, using Integrated Strategic Environment Assessment as a Tool –  H D B Chandrasekara
  • Development of Water Quality Index (WQI) for Ground Water in Madawachchiya & Hurulu Wewa regions in North Central Province as a Potential Preventive Measure on Chronic Kidney Disease in Uncertain Etiology(CKDu) – Senanayake, S A M A I K
  • Effect of  Hydrogeochemistry of groundwater on Chronic Kidney Disease with unknown etiology in Girandurukotte and Nagadeepa – Wasantha Senadeera

MPhil 

  • Antifouling properties of some marine organisms – Ruvini Weerasinghe (Ongoing)

MSc

  • Present status of the spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) fishery in South Coast, Sri Lanka – W A L Wicremasinghe (2016)
  • Influence of river plume on physico-chemical characteristics of Trincomalee bay and adjacent coastal waters – J A C Prasad (2016)
  • Morphological and molecular identification of a parasite from Genus Molicola (Cestoda:  Trypanorhyncha)  from Sword fish (Xiphias gladius) in Sri Lanka – D P N de Silva (2016)
  • Spatial variation of zooplankton composition  and diversity in selected coastal habitats –  K H K Bandaranayaka (2014)
  • Status of Shrimp trawl fishery in North Western Coastal Waters of Sri Lanka – J S Jayanatha (2014)
  • Effectiveness of anchored Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) on fish aggregation behaviour –  A A S H Athukorala (2013)
  • Changes in sensory properties and post harvest quality due to changes in microbial and chemical properties of refrigerated tuna fish – GRC Hewawasam (2011)
  • Export oriented ornamental fish industry in Sri Lanka – P U I Perera (2011)

Text Books/ Reports:

  • Port Biological Baseline Survey Report – Volume I – Port of Colombo (Editor-in-Chief)
  • Port Biological Baseline SurveyReport – Volume II – Port of Trincomalee (Editor-in-Chief)

Membership and positions held in Professional Societies:

  • Life member, Section D- Life and Earth Sciences, Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science
    • Secretary, 2019, 2010
    • President elect – 2011
    • President, 2012, Ex-President – 2013
    • Member of the Environment Committee – 2015
  • Life member, Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management
  • Member of the Executive Committee, Sri Lanka Marine Forum
  • Life member, Institute of Biology

Editorial and review work:

  • International Journal in Multidisciplinary Approaches (ICMA), Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
  • Journal of Asian Fisheries Society
  • Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment
  • Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science
  • Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management (SLAFAR)
  • Institute of Biology IOB
  • International Conference in Multidisciplinary Approaches
  • Forestry and Environment Symposium

(Last updated – 19th October, 2017)