| Current Position : | Senior Professor, Department of Microbiology |
| Tel. Dept. of Microbiology, Office | (+94)112914481 |
| Private No. | (+94)112903322 |
| Residance | (+94)112913942 |
| widana@kln.ac.lk |
Academic History: i. 1978 - Diploma in Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Tokyo, Japan. ii. 1974 - PhD in Microbiology, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, UK. iii. 1971 - M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK. iv. l968 - B.Sc. (Honours) Botany, Chemistry (Subsidiary), University of Ceylon |
|
Career: Senior Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka - 1986 - todate Professor, Department of Botany, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka - 1983 - 1986 Senior Lecturer, Department of Botany, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka - 1980 - 1983 Lecturer, Department of Botany, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka - 1974 - 1980 Assistant Lecturer, Department of Botany, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka - 1968 - 1974 |
|
Research Interests: 1. Fermentation technology of molasses 2. Bacterial taxonomy. 3. Monitoring of soil microbiological factors in crop productivity 4. Leaf surface microflora 5. Bio-remediation of polluted lakes, soils, aquatic resources using microbial methods. 6. Decontamination of metal polluted environments using microbiological methods 7. Use of microbial inocula in compost preparations, waste treatment8. Food microbiology and water testing 9. Microbiological mining of Apatite10. Microbiology of herbal medicinal preparation used in Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka |
|
Supervised research projects: 1. Microbiology and biochemistry of fermentation of coconut sap, MPhil, 1979 2. Microflora associated with leaf surface of Salvinia molesta, MPhil, 1979 3. Antifermentative activity of Hal (Vateria copalifora) bark during coconut sap fermentation, MPhil, 1981. 4. A comparative study of physico-chemical characteristics and some microbiological aspects of three major forest soils of Sri Lanka, MPhil, 1987. 5. Microbiology of handling processing and vacuum packaging of trenched sardines (Amblygaster Siran), MPhil, 1983. 6. Effect of organic and inorganic fertiliser combination on soil microbiological and chemical properties and the nutrient status of coconut palm, MPhil, 1990. 7. Litter and microbial biomass dynamics in upper montane rain forest in Sri Lanka, PhD, 1994. 8. Study of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) of fresh water fish in Sri Lanka, MPhil, 1997. 9. Leaf litter production and decomposition in the mangrove ecosystem of Negombo lagoon, MPhil, 1997. 10. Study of the microbiological and related properties of different coconut soils and the assessment of their changes after emendation with organic manure, MPhil, 1998. 11. A preliminary study of vinegar production from pineapple waste, MSc, 1981. 12. Polyacraylamide gel electrophoresis of soluble proteins from various species of yeast, MSc, 1981. 13. Isolation Identification and some characters of aerobic gastrointestinal bacteria of Telapia mossambica, MSc, 1981. 14. Bacterial degradation of Halogenated hydrocarbons, MSc, 1981. 15. Microbiology of leaf surface of paddy, MSc, 1984. 16. Microbiology of paddy soils with special reference to nitrogen transformation – M.Sc. Thesis 1984. 17. A study of the influence of bacterial quality of fresh milk on the quality of milk powder – M.Sc. Thesis 1985. 18. A qualitative study of aerobic microflora of shirmp (Penaeus indicus) caught in sea of Negambo - M.Sc. Thesis 1985. 19. Studies on Ratoon stunting disease of sugar cane in Sri Lanka, MSc, 1986. 20. Chemical and microbiological studies on fermented fish sauce, MSc, 1990. 21. A study of post surgical and general wound infections with a view to understanding the bacterial involved in infection & their antibiotic sensitivity patterns – M.Sc. Thesis 1995. 22. Rhizosphere bacteria in weeds - M.Sc Thesis 1999. |
|
Publications: 1. Widanapathirana, S. & Stewart, D.J. (171).. Finger printing analysis of cell wall proteins after Tryprinization. Microbes. 9; 167-172 2. Widanapathirana, S. & Stewart, D.J. (1972) A simple replicator for utilisation studies. Journal of Applied Bacteriology. 35; 518-519. 3. DE Silva S.S. Dharmawardena M.W.N & Widanapathrana, S (1975). Contribution to aqua-culture of Grey- Mullet Mugil cepholus. Proc. Cey Ass. Adv. Sci. 31st Annual Session 4. Weerakkody, S. C. Balasooriya, I, Ariyaratna, J. K. P & Widanapathirana, S (1975). Some Preliminary observations of phytopathogenic fungus isolated from Salvinia molesta. Proc. Cey. Ass. Adv. Sci. 31st Annual Session. 5. Widanapathirana, S, & Samarajeewa, U (1977). Preliminary observations as microbial succession in fermenting coconut sap. Presented at the symposium/workshop as indigenous fermented food organised by UNEP/ UNESCO/IFS and held along with 5th International conference GIAM, Bangkok, Thailand. November 20-27 th. 6. Widanapathirana, S, Omeri, T & Minoda, Y (1978). In Microbial oxidation and release of terminal substituent groups from alkanes. In Annual Report of International Centre of coop. Research & Development in microbial engineering. Published by Osaka University. 1: 287-301. 7. Athputharaja, J.D, Samarajeewa, U & Widanapathirana, S (1980). Lactic – alcoholic fermentation of Toddy. Proc. Sri lanka ass. Adv. Sci. 36th Annual Session. 8. Widanapathirna , S & Stewart, D.J (1981). Physiological diversity in clinical isolates of Ps. Aeruginosa. 14: 153-157. J. Med. Microbiology. 9. Widanapathirana, S & Chandana shantha Kumara, H M (1981). Isolation, Purification & Biochemical studies on Amylases from Aspergillus fumigatus. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv. Sci. 37th Annual Session. 10. Gunapala, W D & Widanapathira, S (1981). Microbial Oxidation and release of chloride ions from halogenated herbicides. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv. Sci 37th Annual Session. 11. Silva Harold, S K & Widanapathirana, S (1981). A study of aerobic bacterial flora of gut of Tilapia mossambica and Tilapia nilotica. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv. Sci. 37th Annual Session. 12. Madurapperuma, T K & Widanapathirana, S (1982). Some aspects of bacterial Ecology in Negambo estuary. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv. Sci. 38th Annual Session. 13. Abeyguanwardena, S I, Gunawardena, H, Widanapathirana, S & Balasooriya, I (1982) The effect of Hal (Vateria copallifora Alston) Bark as some biological aspects of micro-organisms in fermenting Toddy. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv. Sci. 38th Annual Session. 14. Nanayakkara, A & Widanapathirana, S (1982). Bacterial Degradation of halogenated hydrocarbons. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv, Sci. 38th Annual Session. 15. Silva, S K H & Widanapathirana, S (1984). The nature of aerobic gastrointestinal bacteria of cichlid fish, Saretherodom mossambicus & Tilapia nilotica grown under captivity. Journal of NARA. Vol 1 37-39 16. Wickramasinghe BK L & Widanapathirana, S (1983). Microbial dehalgenation and oxidation of halogenated N. alkanes. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv. Sci. 39th annual Session. 17. Jayarathne, D L & Widanapathirana, S (1985). Ratoon stunting disease (RSD) in Sugarcane. Proc. Sri Lanka ass. Adv. Sci. 41st Annual Session. 18. Welihinda, A A & Widanapathirana, S (1985A preliminary study of bacterial degradation of some commonly used pesticides in Sri Lanka. ). Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv. Sci. 41st Annual Session. 19. Chinivasagam, H N, Subasinghe, S & Widanapathirana, S (1985). The effect of Potassium Sorbate, irradiation and salting on the shelf life and bacterial flora of vacuum packed trenched sardines. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Adv. Aci. 41st Annual Session. 20. Widanapathirana, S (1986). Soil Microbial Processes and Soil Management. Bio News. A news letter of the Institute of Biology (Sri Lanka), Vol. 2 No. 1 pg. 9-15. 21. Widanapathirana S, Athputharaja, J D & Samarajeewa, U (1983). Microbiology of Coconut sap fermentation. Vidyodaya J. Arts Sci. Lett. VI, 35-39. 22. Athputharaja, J D, Smarajeewa, U & Widanapathirana, S (1986). Efficiency of Ethanol production by Coconut Toddy Yeasts. Journal of Food Science & Technology. 23, 5-7. 23. Chinivasagam, H N & Widanapathirana, S (1985). Preliminary studies on the microbial characteristics and Quality of vacuum packed trenched sardines (Amblygaster sirum) stored under refrigeration. In ‘spoilage of tropical fish and product development’. Proceedings of Symposium Into-Pacific Fishery Commission, Melbourne, Australia. FAO of the United Nations Publications, Rome, 1985. Edited by Reilly, p 221-230. 24. Chinivasagam , H N & Widanapathirana, S (1985). Preliminary studies on the microbial characteristics and Quality of vacuum packed trenched sardines (Amblyga ster sirum) stored under refrigeration conditions In ‘spoilage of tropical fish and product development’. Proceedings of a Symposium Into-Pacific Fisheye Commission, Melbourne, Australia. FAO of the United Nations Publications Rome, 1985. Edited by Reilly. pg 1-10. 25. Chinivasagam, H N Subasinghe, S & Widanapthirana, S (1985). The effect of various preservative treatment on the shelf-life and bacterial flora of vacuum packed trenched sardines (Amblygaster sirum). Journal of the National Aquatic Resources Agency. 32, Nos. 1 & 2, 110-121. 26. Athputharaja, J D, Samarajeewa, U & Widanapathirana, S (1981). Lactic – Alcohol fermentation in Toddy. Yearly Progress reports on Coconut Research , FAO United Nations. 27. Fonseka, T S G & Widanapathirana, S (1986) A study of aerobic microflora of Shrimp Penaeus indicus caught in the sea of Negambo – Proceedings SLAAS, Part I. 118 – 119. 28. Athputharaja, J D, Widanapathirana , S & Samarajeewa, U (1986). Microbiology and biochemistry of natural fermentation of coconut palm sap. Food Microbiology, Vol. 3 , 273-280. 29. Jayaratne, D L & Widanapathirana, S (1987). Ratoon stunting disease of Sugarcane in Sri Lanka. Journal of Nat. Science Council of Sri Lanka, 15(2) : 227-236. 30. Weerakkody, W J S K, Parkinson, D, Widanapathirana, S & Balasooriya, S (1987). Analysis of littler fall in a montane rain forest of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the SLAAS, 43rd Annual Session. pl54. 31. Nanayakkara, A, Parkinson, D Widanapathirana, S & Balasooriya, I (1987). Litter decomposition in a dry mixed evergreen forest of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of SLAAS 43rd Annual Session – 154. 32. Nanayakkara, A, Parkinson, D, Widanapathirana, S & Balasooriya, I (1987). Litter production in a dry mixed evergreen forest in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of SLAAS 43rd Annual Session – 156.
34. Chinivasagam, H N, Subasinghe, S & Widanapathirana, S (1988). The storage of Vacuum Packed Heat Sterilised Trenched Sardines (Amblygaster sirum) at Ambient Temperature. Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission, supplement to the Report of the Seventh Session of Indo Pacific Fishery Commission Working Party on Fish Technology and Marketing. Bankok, Thailand. 19-22 July 1988. FAO Fish Rep. 35. Fonseka, T S G & Widanapathira, S (1988). A study of Aerobic Microflora of Shrimp (Penaeus indicus) caught in the sea of Negombo. Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission, supplement to the Report of the Seventh Session of Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission Working Party on Fish Technology and Marking. Bangkok, Thailand. 19-22 July 1988. FAO Fish Rep. 36. Chandrasena G, Widnapathirana S, (1990). Physiochemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Molasses. Proceedings of the SLAAS – 46th Annual Session. 37. Chandrasena G, Widanapathirana S, (1990). Isolation and Evaluation of Yeast for Fermentation of Molasses. Proceedings of SLAAS – 46th Annual Session. 38. Panagoda G J, Jayawardana S, Widanapathirana S, (1990). Microbiological Quality of Curd. Proceeding of the SLLAS. 46th Annual Session. 39. Panagoda G J, Jayawardana S, Widanapathirana S, (1990). Effect of Potassium Sorbate on Groth of Yeast & increasing the Shelf Life of Curd. Proceeding of the SLAAS – 46th Annual Session. 40. Subasinghe S, Mohideen M F, Widanapathirana S (1990). Microbial and biochemical changes in Amblygaster sirm during high-salt fermentation. 41. Widanapathirana, G S (1992). Microbial Technologies for Developing Countries. Proc. Sri Lanka Ass. Advmt. Sc. 48(2) 1992. Presidential Address : section D 42. Tennakoon N P, Mahindapala, R and Widanapathirana S, (1995). Effects of organic manure on the quality of coconut soils. J. Natn. Sci. Coun. Sri Lanka 1995 23(4) : 171 – 182. 43. Deepthi K. Gunasena, Chandra P. Kodikara, Kumudu Ganepola and Widanapathirana, S (1995) Occurrence of Lesteria monocytogenes in food in Sri Lanka. 1995 23(3) : 107 – 114. 44. Widanapathirana S, (1995). Use of Microbial Processes in Extraction and Recovery of Metals. Silver Jubilee Commemoration Volume. 45. Pathiratne A., Widanapathirana S, and chandrakanthi W.H S (1994). Association of Aeromonas hydrophila with epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) of freshwater fish in Sri Lanka. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 10 (1994), 204-208. 46. Widanapathirana S, Biotechnology of wastewater treatment with special reference to removal of toxic metals from industrial waste waters. J. Natn. Sci. Coun. Sri Lanka 1994 22 (Supple. A) S37 – S45. 47. Dassanayake D.K.M.P., Kodikara C.P., pathirana, K.K. , Widanapathirana, S. (1994) Microbiological studies of Ruhuna curd. SLAAS Abstract. 48. Mohottala G., Widanapathirana, S. etal. (1996) Isolation & partial characterization of plasmids from strains of 3 Bacillus species from Sri Lanka. SLAAS Abstract. 49. Pathiraja, P.M.G., Abeygunawardena, S.I., Widanapathirana, S. (1996) Bacterial present in Textile waste water . SLAAS Abstract. 50. Ginige, M.P., Abeyguanwardena, S.I., Widanapathirana, S. (1997) Isolation & Identification of bacteria from textile waste waters and evaluating the biodegradability. SLAAS Abastract. 51. Manawadu L.P, Kodikara,C.P., Abeygunawardena, S.I., Widanapathirana, S. (1997) Microbiological study of Butter. SLAAS Abastract. 52. Piyasena, B.A.H.M., Hingulage, T., Abeygunawardena, S.I., Widanapathirana, S. (1997). Studies on microflora associated with coconut husk retting & coir dust. SLAAS Abstract. 53. Chandrakanthi W.H.S., Pathirathne A., Widanapathirana, S. (2000). Characteristics and virulence of Aeromonas hydrophilla isolates from fresh water, fresh milk epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) J. Natn. Foundation, Sri Lanka. 28(1); 29-42. 54. Amerasinghe A.P.G., Widanapathirana, S. (2000) Preliminary study of antibacterial effects of an Ayurvedic recipe – Rathakalka . SLAAS Abstract. 55. Widanapathirana, S. (2002) Understanding the microbial world for better health. Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka. 56. A. K. Mukthar, G.S. Widanapathirana, G.J. Panagoda, R.L. Wijeyweera. Does Diabetes Mellitus contribute to a higher carriage of Candida ami\ong Dentave wearers. The Journal of College of Dental Practitioners of Sri Lanka (2003) |