{"id":193,"date":"2015-10-01T05:47:50","date_gmt":"2015-10-01T05:47:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/?page_id=193"},"modified":"2025-11-06T00:53:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T00:53:46","slug":"dr-r-r-m-k-p-ranatunga","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/academic-staff\/dr-r-r-m-k-p-ranatunga\/","title":{"rendered":"Prof. R R M K P Ranatunga"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"206\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4131 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/07\/kamal-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/07\/kamal-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/07\/kamal-1-40x53.jpg 40w, https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/07\/kamal-1.jpg 238w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/td>\n<td width=\"433\">\n<h4><strong>Prof. Kamal Ranatunga (R R M K P Ranatunga)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5 class=\"org\">B.Sc. Hons (USJP), Ph.D. (JCU, Australia)<\/h5>\n<h5 class=\"org\"><strong>Professor<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>ranatunga@sjp.ac.lk<\/em><\/h5>\n<h5 class=\"org\">Research Interests: Ecology of organisms in sensitive marine ecosystems, marine bio invasions through ballast water and biofouling, marine debris, Underwater visual surveys.<\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=Xp1960YAAAAJ&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-282 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/09\/google-scholar_98212.png\" alt=\"google-scholar_98212\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" \/><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/R_R_M_K_P_Ranatunga2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-294\" src=\"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/09\/rg2.png\" alt=\"rg2\" width=\"30\" height=\"30\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Qualifications:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>PhD in Marine Biology, School of Marine Biology and Tropical Ecology James Cook University, Australia \u2013 2008<\/li>\n<li>BSc (Special) degree in Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka \u2013 1998<\/li>\n<li>PADI open water diver<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Career Profile:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Senior Lecturer (Grade I),\u00a0 Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura -since 2015<\/li>\n<li>Senior Lecturer (Grade II), Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura -since 2008<\/li>\n<li>Research Fellow, Reef fish ageing Laboratory, James Cook University, Australia -2006-2007<\/li>\n<li>Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Zoology, University of Sri\u00a0 Jayewardenepura &#8211;\u00a0 since 18th January 2001<\/li>\n<li>Lecturer (on Contract)( 01-09-1999 &#8211; 17-01-2001)<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrator (Teaching Assistant) ( 01-07-1998 \u2013 31-08-1999)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Special Achievements\/Awards:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Award to persuade postgraduate studies under Science and Technology Personnel Development Program, Ministry of Science and Technology<\/li>\n<li>Travel award, 9<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0 International Conference on Marine Bio invasions, Sydney Australia (January, 2016)<\/li>\n<li>Travel award to attend Yeosu International Ocean Forum \u2013 October 2016, KIOST\/EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea Foundation, Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries, South Korea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Administrative and other positions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Deputy Proctor, Faculty of Applied Sciences<\/li>\n<li>Course Coordinator \u2013 MSc in Fisheries &amp; Aquatic Resources Mgt \u2013 2009 &#8211; 2016<\/li>\n<li>Member of the Life Science Study Board, Faculty of Graduate Studies<\/li>\n<li>Member of the Multidisciplinary Study Board, Faculty of Graduate Studies<\/li>\n<li>Academic Counsellor, Department of Zoology<\/li>\n<li>Industrial Training Advisor, Department of Zoology<\/li>\n<li>Coordinator \u2013 International Training Program on Wildlife and Primate Conservation, Faculty of Graduate Studies \u2013 since 2015.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Recent key National level involvements:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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)<\/li>\n<li>Member of the Admission, Accreditation, and Quality Assurance Council of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka -2017-21.<\/li>\n<li>Expert Committee member &#8211; Assessment of actual impacts due to energy production in Sri Lanka, Public Utilities Commission Sri Lanka (PUCSL) \u2013 since 2016<\/li>\n<li>Principal Investigator &#8211; Expo 2012 YEOSU Korea Foundation sponsored project on \u201cBuilding Capacity to Manage Marine Debris in Sri Lanka\u201d, in collaboration with Marine Environmental Projection Authority: 2015 -2017<\/li>\n<li>Member of the expert team for Pre-entry risk assessment \u2013 Project on \u201cStrengthening capacity to control introduction and spread of Invasive Species in Sri Lanka\u201d of the Biodiversity Secretariat -2017<\/li>\n<li>Advisor and Member of the Progress Monitoring Committee &#8211; Establishment of Marine Environmental Baseline Information Network, Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS) \u2013 Since 2015<\/li>\n<li>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 \u2013 Since 2015<\/li>\n<li>National Project Leader &#8211; Port Biological Baseline Survey conducted by Marine Environmental Protection Authority: 2013-1016<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Present research projects<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Marine Invasive Alien Species through ballast water and ship hull fouling<\/li>\n<li>Potential marine Pollution by beached and submerged marine debris<\/li>\n<li>Antifouling properties of some marine invertebrates<\/li>\n<li>Port Biological Baseline Survey for non-native species<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Collaborative Research Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Capacity building to manage marine debris in Sri Lanka \u2013 In collaboration with Marine Environment Protection Authority, Sri Lanka; and Korea Maritime Institute, Ocean Research Institute and Marine Tech Engineers of South Korea \u2013 Financial support from 2012 Yeosu Korea Foundation.<\/li>\n<li>Port biological baseline surveys in collaboration with Marine Environment Protection Authority.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Research Grants:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>2012 Yeosu Korea Foundation Overseas Development Assistant (ODA) grants.\n<ul>\n<li>Project Title : Capacity development to manage marine debris in Sri Lanka<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>NRC Research Grant : NRC 2015-058\n<ul>\n<li>Project Title: Biofouling assemblage and invasive potential of non-indigenous species in Colombo port and adjacent coastal waters: A risk assessment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>University Research Grant : ASP\/01\/RE\/SCI\/2015\/28\n<ul>\n<li>Project Title: Antifouling properties in secondary metabolites of some marine organisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>University Research Grant : 2013\/14\u2013 ASP\/06\/RE\/SCI\/2013\/21\n<ul>\n<li>Project Title:\u00a0 Biofouling assemblage and invasive potential of non indigenous species in Colombo port and adjacent coastal waters: A risk assessment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>University Research Grant : 2009\/10\n<ul>\n<li>Project Title: Reef fish assemblages of commercial fish catches in western and southern coastal waters: species composition and fishing effects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) \u2013 External Research Grant\n<ul>\n<li>Project Title: Harmful aquatic organisms in Ballast water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Project Aware Foundation (Asia- Pacific)\n<ul>\n<li>Project title: Spatial dynamics in the demography of exploited reef fishes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Postgraduate supervision:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>PhD -Principal Supervisor<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Biofouling assemblage and invasive potential of non indigenous species in Colombo port and adjacent coastal waters: A risk assessment \u2013 Kalpani Marasinghe (ongoing)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><strong>PhD Co-Supervisor<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Assessment of Post Conflict Development to Forecast Planning in Killinochchi District, using Integrated Strategic Environment Assessment as a Tool &#8211;\u00a0 H D B Chandrasekara<\/li>\n<li>Development of Water Quality Index (WQI) for Ground Water in Madawachchiya &amp; Hurulu Wewa regions in North Central Province as a Potential Preventive Measure on Chronic Kidney Disease in Uncertain Etiology(CKDu) &#8211; Senanayake, S A M A I K<\/li>\n<li>Effect of\u00a0 Hydrogeochemistry of groundwater on Chronic Kidney Disease with unknown etiology in Girandurukotte and Nagadeepa \u2013 Wasantha Senadeera<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><strong>MPhil\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Antifouling properties of some marine organisms \u2013 Ruvini Weerasinghe (Ongoing)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><strong>MSc<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Present status of the spiny lobster (<em>Panulirus homarus<\/em>) fishery in South Coast, Sri Lanka &#8211; W A L Wicremasinghe (2016)<\/li>\n<li>Influence of river plume on physico-chemical characteristics of Trincomalee bay and adjacent coastal waters \u2013 J A C Prasad (2016)<\/li>\n<li>Morphological and molecular identification of a parasite from Genus <em>Molicola (<\/em>Cestoda:\u00a0 Trypanorhyncha)\u00a0 from Sword fish (<em>Xiphias gladius<\/em>) in Sri Lanka &#8211; D P N de Silva (2016)<\/li>\n<li>Spatial variation of zooplankton composition\u00a0 and diversity in selected coastal habitats &#8211;\u00a0 K H K Bandaranayaka (2014)<\/li>\n<li>Status of Shrimp trawl fishery in North Western Coastal Waters of Sri Lanka \u2013 J S Jayanatha (2014)<\/li>\n<li>Effectiveness of anchored Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) on fish aggregation behaviour &#8211;\u00a0 A A S H Athukorala (2013)<\/li>\n<li>Changes in sensory properties and post harvest quality due to changes in microbial and chemical properties of refrigerated tuna fish &#8211; GRC Hewawasam (2011)<\/li>\n<li>Export oriented ornamental fish industry in Sri Lanka \u2013 P U I Perera (2011)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Text Books\/ Reports:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Port Biological Baseline Survey Report \u2013 Volume I \u2013 Port of Colombo (Editor-in-Chief)<\/li>\n<li>Port Biological Baseline SurveyReport \u2013 Volume II \u2013 Port of Trincomalee (Editor-in-Chief)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Membership and positions held in Professional Societies:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Life member, Section D- Life and Earth Sciences, Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science\n<ul>\n<li>Secretary, 2019, 2010<\/li>\n<li>President elect &#8211; 2011<\/li>\n<li>President, 2012, Ex-President &#8211; 2013<\/li>\n<li>Member of the Environment Committee &#8211; 2015<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Life member, Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management<\/li>\n<li>Member of the Executive Committee, Sri Lanka Marine Forum<\/li>\n<li>Life member, Institute of Biology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Editorial and review work:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>International Journal in Multidisciplinary Approaches (ICMA), Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.<\/li>\n<li>Journal of Asian Fisheries Society<\/li>\n<li>Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment<\/li>\n<li>Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science<\/li>\n<li>Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management (SLAFAR)<\/li>\n<li>Institute of Biology IOB<\/li>\n<li>International Conference in Multidisciplinary Approaches<\/li>\n<li>Forestry and Environment Symposium<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Research publications:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>(Last updated &#8211; 14th October, 2025)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZiaWJiYXNlLm9yZyUyRnNob3clM0ZiaWIlM0RodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmJpYmJhc2Uub3JnJTJGZiUyRlhXaGJYTlhMQVFCNGc0c1BnJTJGUHJvZl9SYW5hdHVuZ2EuYmliJTI2anNvbnAlM0QxJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Prof. Kamal Ranatunga (R R M K P Ranatunga) B.Sc. Hons (USJP), Ph.D. (JCU, Australia) Professor ranatunga@sjp.ac.lk Research Interests: Ecology of organisms in sensitive marine ecosystems, marine bio invasions &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/academic-staff\/dr-r-r-m-k-p-ranatunga\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Prof. R R M K P Ranatunga<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":153,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_ti_tpc_template_sync":false,"_ti_tpc_template_id":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/193"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=193"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4617,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/193\/revisions\/4617"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.sjp.ac.lk\/zoo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}