The Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) successfully conducted its Capacity Building Programme event titled “Sharing Doctoral Research Findings and Way Forward” on 5th June 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the SLCARP Secretariat, Colombo 07.

Initiated in 2018, the SLCARP Capacity Building Programme is designed to strengthen the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) by supporting scientists to obtain their postgraduate qualifications in foreign countries. To date, 79 scholarships have been awarded to NARS scientists to pursue their postgraduate studies in universities in Thailand, India, Malaysia, and The Philippines.

This event served as a key platform for seven of these scientists to present findings from their doctoral research with key stakeholders in the agriculture sector. Their research spans critical areas relevant to national agriculture development, with the potential to influence future agricultural policies and enhance the sector’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy.

Prof. A. L. Sandika, Director / Chief Executive Officer, Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Prof. P. P. I. Perera, Professor in Plant Science, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and Prof Chamila Wijeekoon, Senior Lecturer, University of Ruhuna  were invited to provide presenters with expert opinion and guidance on possible research avenues that can benefit the development of Agriculture sector of Sri Lanka.

Following scholars publish their research findings:

Dr.  L. A. S. P. Jayasinghe, Research officer, Tea Research Institute, Completed PhD on “Soil erosion and conservation in mid elevation tea lands affected by water induced erosion in Sri Lanka.”, at Los Banos University of Philippines
	Dr. C. J. Liyanaarachchi, Advisory officer, Tea Research Institute, Completed PhD on “Integrating dialogic communication in social media for technology dissemination among corporate sector tea plantations in Sri Lanka”, at Los Banos University of Philippines.
Dr. M. G. S. P. Pathirana, Assistant Director of Agriculture(Research) , Horticultural crops research and development institute , Completed PhD on “Phenotyping and genome wide association study(gwas) for stagnt flooding, lodging and dry direct seeding of rice”, at Los Banos University of Philippines.
Mrs. M.A.I.Dayananda, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Development), Department of Agriculture , Assistant Agricultural  office, Thuduwa, Haburugala, Completed PhD on “Utilization of mobile based extension tools among rice farmers in Galle District, Sri Lanka.,  at Los Banos University of Philippines.
	Dr. P. G. A. L. Kumara, Assistant Director (Research) , Department of Export Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Spatial and temporal variations in maize yield, yield-limiting climatic factors, and yield gap under different maize growing environments in the Philippines. “, at Los Banos University of Philippines
Dr. L. R. M. C. Liyanage, Research officer, Tea Research Institute, Completed PhD on “Mineralization of organic materials and bioavailability of nutrients to partially replace the inorganic fertilization for tea”,   at University Putra Malaysia.
	Dr. R.M.N.T. Amarasingha, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Fruit crop research and development station, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, Completed PhD on “Effects of Epibrassinolide on growth, physiological and biochemical responses and fruit quality of rockmelon (Cucumis Melo Var. Cantalupensis L.) Cultivated Under High Temperature”, at University Putra Malaysia.