News | Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy

Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) Capacity Building Programme: Sharing Doctoral Research Findings and Way Forward

SLCARP Capacity Building Programme: Sharing Doctoral Research Findings and way Forward, the 1^st one of a series of such programs scheduled, was concluded successfully on 05^th of November 2024. Prof. R. S. Dharmakeerthi, Chairman of SLCARP welcomed all distinguish invitees and presenters. He stated that the objective of this series of programs was to make stakeholders aware of the new knowledge gained and technologies developed by the NARS scientists during their Doctoral and Masters programs completed in foreign universities, helping them to take well informed decision during planning. These postgraduate programs were funded by the SLCARP.

Six scholars presented their findings during this program and discussed their future plans to incorporate experiances gained into local research and technology transfer programs. Prof. A. R. S. B. Athauda, Professor in Aquaculture & Fisheries, University of Peradeniya, Prof. K. S. Hemachandra, Professor in Entomology, University of Peradeniya and Prof. S. A. C. N. Perera, Professor in Agricultural Biology, University of Peradeniya were invited as expert panel members to advise the young scientists on possibilities to improve their local research programs based on these findings and suggest possible future collaborations.

The six PhD research findings presented at this program were:

	Dr. G. S. C. Perera, Scientist, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, on “Development of sustainable and practical feeds for the nurding of guppy (Poecilia reticulate) fry “at University Asian Institute of Technology, Thialand. He innovated low cost nutritive feed formulation for export oriented ornamental fish.
Dr. R. Weerasingha, Senior Scientist, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, on “Dietary lipid requirement of hubrid lemon fin barb”, at University Putra Malaysia. He identified the needed fat levels in the diet of hybrid lemon fin barb.
	Dr. N. D. Hettige, Senior Scientist, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, on “Application of multimetric model involving macro benthos bio indicators in assessing organic contamination in Rawang sub-basin, Selangor river, Malaysia”, at University Putra Malaysia. She invented multi-metric model to measure organic pollutantin river water by using macro benthos bio indicators.
Dr. M. G. N. Rupasinghe, Assistant Director Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, on “Silicon uptake ability of different rice genotypes and their tolerance to the salt stress with silicon fertilization”, at University Putra Malaysia. She identified silicon absorption in different rice varieties and their salt tolerance with silicon fertilizer.
	Dr. R. K. A. Amali, Research Officer, Tea Research Institute, on “Metal-organic framework-based materials as screen-printed carbon electrode modifiers for electrochemical nitrate and nitrite detection”, at University Putra Malaysia. She innovated electro chemical sensor to detect nitrate and nitrite in soil and water.
Dr. S. Raguraj, Research Officer, Tea Research Institute, on “Growth and nutrient uptake of tea affected by bio stimulant activity of humic substrates and amino acids extracted from agricultural wastes”, at University Putra Malaysia. He invented nutrient uptake of tea nursery plants by using bio stimulant activities available in humic substrate and agricultural waste.