Dr. Kamal Ranatunga (R R M K P Ranatunga)B.Sc. Hons (USJP), Ph.D. (JCU, Australia)Senior Lecturer (Gr. I)
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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:
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)