Onsite Visits to Monitor the Progress of SLCARP Funded Research Projects
Officers of the Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) together with experts made several onsite visits to monitor the progress of the research projects funded by SLCARP. The team evaluated both the physical and financial progress of these projects. They also discussed the issues related to conducting the project activities with the investigators and gave suggestions for improvements and to achieve the stipulated research objectives and KPIs.
The projects monitored are listed below:
Date: 11th September 2025
Institute: University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Monitoring Team : Dr. Neville J. Amunugoda (Food Technology Section, ITI), Dr. J. Ponnamperuma Arachchi (Former Director, RRDI), Ms. Geethani Samarasinha (Senior Scientist, SLCARP), and Ms. H.K.T. Dinushka (Research Officer, SLCARP).
|
No. |
Project Title |
Principal Investigator |
|
1 |
Development of an efficient semi-artificial vertical farming system supplemented with sunlight and bio fertilizer for selected Solanaceae crops |
Dr. Udari Rathnathunga |
|
2 |
Development of novel food products with functional properties using underutilized herbs in Sri Lanka |
Dr. Piumi De Abrew Abeysundara |
|
3 |
Re-tuning the flavour notes of Ceylon black tea: Investigating the impact of sunlight intensity and spectral composition on the flavour profile |
Dr. Sashie Abeywickrema |
Date: 25th July 2025
Institute: University of Ruhuna
Monitoring Team : Dr. Jayantha Senanayake (Research Professor, SLIBTEC), Dr. J. Ponnamperuma Arachchi (Former Director, RRDI), Dr. S.M.P.C. Padmini (Deputy Director - Research Management, SLCARP), and Ms. H.K.T. Dinushka (Research Officer, SLCARP).
|
No. |
Project Title |
Principal Investigator |
|
1 |
Development of in-vitro protocols for the rapid production and estimation of secondary metabolites of Salacia reticulata - A highly valuable endangered medicinal plant
|
Dr. Niluka Nakandalage |
|
2 |
Crops for the future: Investigating the effects of applying Silicon on enhancing drought tolerance and water use efficiency of selected widely grown field crops of Sri Lanka
|
Dr. Dushan Kumarathunge |
|
3 |
Design and development of low-cost self-cooling automated poly-tunnel system for low country wet zone and dry zone in Sri Lanka
|
Prof. M.K.D.K. Piyaratne |
|
4 |
Selection of promising cinnamon accessions for high yield and quality from two established germplasm collections
|
Prof. Sudarshanee Geekiyanage |
|
5 |
Study the production potential of non-traditional ornamental species in Southern Dry Zone of Sri Lanka to evaluate the export potential and initiate export-oriented entrepreneurship/export villages
|
Prof. D.L.C.K. Fonseka |
|
6 |
Harnessing Azolla and seaweed extract for sustainable foliar fertilizer production to address soil salinity associated problems in Sri Lanka
|
Dr. S. R. Amarasinghe |
Date: 27th August 2025
Institute: University of Moratuwa
Monitoring Team : Prof. Chandrika M. Nanayakkara (Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo), Dr. Neville J. Amunugoda (Food Technology Section, ITI), Ms. Geethani Samarasinha (Senior Scientist, SLCARP), and Ms. H.K.T. Dinushka (Research Officer, SLCARP
|
No. |
Project Title |
Principal Investigator |
|
1 |
Development of biochar-based ethylene scavenger/s for maintaining freshness and extending the postharvest life of fresh produce
|
Dr. R.M.D.S. Gunarathne |
|
2 |
Microalgae-based liquid organic fertilizer for sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka
|
Prof. Thilini U. Ariyadasa |
Date: 29th September, 2025
Institute: Rice Research and Development Institute (RRDI), Bathalagoda
Monitoring Team : Prof. N.S. Kottearachchi (Professor, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka), Dr. Sumith Abeysiriwardena (Consultant, CIC Agri Business), Mr. Prabath Wimal Kumara (Secretary/ Director, SLCARP), Ms. Geethani Samarasinha (Senior Scientist, SLCARP) and Ms. H.K.T. Dinushka (Research Officer, SLCARP).
|
No. |
Project Title |
Principal Investigator |
|
1 |
Introgression of Nitrogen use efficiency traits to mega rice varieties in Sri Lanka for efficient use of Nitrogen fertilizers in rice cultivation
|
Dr. K.G.P.B. Karunarathne |
|
2 |
Development of multi-resistance rice lines for Brown Planthopper (BPH), Bacterial Leaf blight (BLB) and Blast with molecular breeding approaches
|
Dr. R.G.S. Iroshani |
|
3 |
Evaluating the physical, physicochemical properties, and functional traits of antioxidant activities, in vitro starch digestibility, of glycemic index of selected rice varieties for identifying beneficial properties for health and food security
|
Dr. B. M. Kumuduni Senarathna |
|
4 |
Morphological and molecular identification of pathotypes of Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae causing Bacterial leaf blight of rice in Sri Lanka
|
Dr. Chithrani Ranasinghe |
|
5 |
Study on False Smut disease of rice & its management strategies in Sri Lanka
|
Dr. Chithrani Ranasinghe |
Date: 26th September 2025
Institute: Grain Legume and Oil Crops Research and Development Centre (GLORDC), Angunakolapelessa
Monitoring Team : Prof. Nalika Ranathunge (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna), Prof. Sudarshanee Geekiyanage (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna) Ms. Geethani Samarasinha (Senior Scientist, SLCARP) and Ms. H.K.T. Dinushka (Research Officer, SLCARP).
|
No. |
Project Title |
Principal Investigator |
|
1 |
Determine the phase of Aspergillus spp. invasion in groundnuts and manage aflatoxin contamination
|
Dr. Mahesh Tiran Gunasena |
|
2 |
Development of short duration groundnut variety for rainfed systems using farmer participatory approach
|
Mr. T.D. Wickramasooriya |
|
3 |
Conservation, evaluation and recommendation of tamarind and sweet tamarind in Sri Lanka
|
Mr. W.A. Wijithawarna |
|
4 |
Technology Development for commercial cultivation, phenological study and development of post-harvest products of Sri Lankan tangerine (Heen naaran) to substitute imported tangerine
|
Mr. W.A. Wijithawarna |
|
5 |
Development of Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) varieties for leaf and pod production
|
Mr. B.N. Samaranayake |
|
6 |
Productivity improvement of sesame and mung bean under organic agriculture |
Ms. I.C.S. Edirimanna |
Date: 17th, 18th and 19th September, 2025
Institutes: Agricultural Research Station, Seetha Eliya and Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Talawakelle
Monitoring Team : Prof. S.A.C.N. Perera (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya), Dr. Jayantha Senanayake (Research Professor, SLIBTEC), Dr. U.M. Aruna Kumara, (Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo), Ms. Geethani Samarasinha (Senior Scientist, SLCARP), and Ms. H.K.T. Dinushka (Research Officer, SLCARP).
|
No. |
Project Title |
Principal Investigator |
|
1 |
Development of disease management strategies against soft rot disease (Pectobacterium carotovorum) of Potato & temperate vegetables (Up country)
|
Ms. K. Pushpanjie
|
|
2 |
Exploration, Collection, Characterization and Conservation of Tea Genetic Resources in Old Seedling areas in Low Country of Sri Lanka
|
Dr. J.H.N. Piyasundara |
|
3 |
Investigating tea growers' knowledge and perceptions of climate change, and determinants of implementing adaptation strategies in tea areas highly vulnerable to climate change
|
Dr. H.W. Shyamalie |
|
4 |
Unraveling the structure and functions of the tea rhizosphere microbiome through metagenomics
|
Dr. L.R.M.C. Liyanage |
|
5 |
Development of low caffeine and disease resistant tea varieties through interspecific - hybridization and embryo rescue
|
Dr. K.K. Ranaweera |
|
6 |
Investigations of the potential of amino acid biostimulant in arresting the yield decline in tea
|
Dr. S. Raguraj |
|
7 |
Developing an affordable and eco-friendly method to determine the nutrient status of tea using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)
|
Dr. R.K.A. Amali |
|
8 |
Development of a small-scale processing system for early appraisal of suitable cultivars for specialty tea production in Sri Lanka
|
Dr. M.A.B. Ranatunga |
|
9 |
Mass production of micro-encapsulated Beauveria bassiana for the evaluation of field efficacy to control tea shot hole borer (Euwallacea fornicatus) in tea plantations
|
Dr. Padmini D. Senanayake |
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