Prof. Renuka silva

Professor (Chair), 
Department of Applied Nutrition
Faculty of Livestock Fisheries & Nutrition
Wayamba University of Sri Lanka,
Makandura, Gonawila (NWP)

Office: +94 3122 98120
Fax: +94 312299870
Email: renuka.silva@wyb.ac.lk
Skype: renukasilva
Google Scholar  |  Researchgate 

Prof Renuka Silva is the Chair in Department of Applied Nutrition and the Professor of Nutrition. He obtained his PhD in the discipline of Human Nutrition from University of Reading, UK and BSc (Special) degree in Agriculture (Honours) from Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He was the former Dean of the Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition (2009-2012) and former Head of Department of Applied Nutrition (2001-2009). He was a past President of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka. He served as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the National Nutrition Council in Sri Lanka, a consultant to World Food Programme and member of several technical consultative committees in nutrition and health.

Prof Silva held several academic and administrative positions at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and at Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, Sri Lanka. At present he is the Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Unit of Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.

Curriculum Vitae

• Member of the Nutrition Society of UK
• Life Member of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka
– Council member of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (2004 – 2007 / 2013 – 2015)
– Joint Secretary of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (2008)
– Vice-President of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (2009, 2010)
– President of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (2011/13)
• Founder member of Society for Studying Obesity in Sri Lanka
• Member of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLASS)

Prof Silva’s research interests span on wider areas in nutrition including nutrition influences on metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, food security, child malnutrition, antioxidants of local foods, biodiversity, food literacy and school nutrition, and food composition data.

  • The President’s
    Awards for Scientific
    Research 2020
  • Australia Awards – Endeavour Research Fellowship tenable in Deakin University, Australia (2018)
  • National Research Council Merit Awards for Scientific Publications (2014)
  • Commonwealth Fellowship by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK (2013).
  • Commonwealth Academic Scholarship by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK (1997-2000)
  • Fellowship from United Nations University to follow 7th International Graduate Course in Production and Use of Food Composition Data in Nutrition held in the Netherlands in 2005.
  • Fellowship – International Visitor Leadership Programme in the USA on “Agricultural Production Standards: Farm to Table” (2013) sponsored by US State Department
  • Best student research presentation – Nutrition Society Meeting, Cork, Ireland in 2000.

Books

Food Based Dietary Guidelines for Sri Lankans (Eds. UMM Samaranayake) Nutrition Division, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka (2011) ISBN 978-955-0505-19-7 (Sinhala, English & Tamil) – Member of the working group which was responsible in writing chapters, compiling write-ups and assisting the editors.

Refereed Journal Papers

  1. Marakis G, Katsioulis A, Kontopoulou L, Ehlers A, Heimberg K, Hirsch-Ernst KI, Langerholc T, Adamska H, Matyjaszczyk E, Silva KDR, Madumali KAC, Yeh T, Chiou LJ, Lin M, Karpetas G. & Weissenborn A. (2021) Knowledge, attitude and behaviour of university students regarding salt and iodine: a multicentre cross-sectional study in six countries in Europe and Asia. Arch Public Health 79, 68. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-021-00593-5
  2. Rumaisa FA, Worsley A, Silva KDRR & Nanayakkara J (2021) Opportunities and challenges associated with food and nutrition education in Sri Lankan primary schools, International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, DOI: 10.1080/14635240.2021.1919910
  3. Nadeeshani H, Samarasinghe G, Wimalasiri S, Silva R, Hunter D & Madhujith T (2021). Comparative analysis of the nutritional profiles of selected Solanum species grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 99, 103847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2021.103847
  4. Nadeeshani H, Samarasinghe G, Silva R, Hunter D, & Madhujith T (2021). Proximate Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, Vitamin and Mineral Content of Selected Banana Varieties Grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Volume 100,103887, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2021.103887.
  5. Manoharan K, Dissanayake P, Pathirana C, Deegahawature D & Silva R (2020) Assessment of critical factors influencing the performance of labour in Sri Lankan construction industry, International Journal of Construction Management, DOI: 10.1080/15623599.2020.1854042
  6. Ciba I, Warnakulasuriya LS, Adikaram AVN, Dahlbom PBM, Fernando MMA, Rytter E, Samaranayake DL, Silva KDRR, Wickramasinghe VP & Forslund AH (2020) Prevalence of different states of glucose intolerance in Sri Lankan children and adolescents with obesity and its relation to other comorbidities. Pediatric Diabetes, 22(2), 168-181 https://doi.org/10.1111/pedi.13145
  7. Sirasa, F., Mitchell, L., Silva, R., & Harris, N. (2020). Factors influencing the food choices of urban Sri Lankan preschool children: Focus groups with parents and caregivers. Appetite, 104649. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2020.104649
  8. Chatterjee P, Fernando M, Fernando B, Dias CB, Shah T, Silva R, Williams S, Pedrini S, Hillebrandt H, Goozee K, Barin E, Sohrabi HR, Garg M, Cunnane S, Martins RN (2020), Potential of coconut oil and medium-chain triglycerides in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2020.111209 
  9. Gunawardena, H., Silva, R. & Ranasinghe, P (2019). Human plasma dynamically quenches the fluorescein at the initial point of oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assay. BMC Res Notes 12, 809. doi:10.1186/s13104-019-4845-4
  10. Thamilini J, Wekumbura C, Mohotti AJ, Kumara AP, Kudagammana ST, Silva KDRR and Frossard E (2019) Organized Homegardens Contribute to Micronutrient Intakes and Dietary Diversity of Rural Households in Sri Lanka. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 3:94. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2019.00094 https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2019.00094
  11. Warnakulasuriya L, Fernando M, Adikaram A, Thawfeek A, Anurasiri W, Elisabet R, Bergsten P, Silva KDRR, Samaranayake D, Wickramasinghe VP (2019) Assessment of Nutritional Status in Sri Lankan Children: Validity of Current Anthropometry Cut-offs? Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health (In Press)
  12. Gunawardena HP, Silva KDRR, Sivakanesan R & Katulanda P (2019) Increased lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Implications for obesity and central obesity. Obesity Medicine Volume 15, September 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2019.100118
  13. Gunawardena HP, Silva R, Sivakanesan R, Ranasinghe P & Katulanda P (2019) Poor Glycaemic Control Is Associated with Increased Lipid Peroxidation and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in Type 2 Diabetes Patients. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity Volume 2019, Article ID 9471697, 10 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9471697
  14. Warnakulasuriya L, Fernando M, Adikaram A, Thawfeek A, Weda-Muhandiramge A, Silva R, Sirasa F, Rytter E, Forslund A, Samaranayake D, Wickramasinghe P (2018) Metformin in the Management of Childhood Obesity: A Randomized Control Trial. Childhood Obesity 14:8. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2018.0043
  15. Silva KDRR and Sirasa MSF (2018) Antioxidant properties of selected fruit cultivars grown in Sri Lanka. Food Chemistry 238; 203-208 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.08.102
  16. Kumari M Rathnayake, KDRR Silva & Ranil Jayawardena (2016) Effects of zinc supplementation on obesity: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial. Trials 617:534. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-016-1651-3
  17. Vajira Nanayakkara, Lilani Ekanayake & Renuka Silva (2016) Association between low birth weight, nutrition status and early childhood. Sri Lanka Dental Journal; 46(1) 15-24.
  18. Nanayakkara V, Ekanayake L & Silva R. (2014) Dietary intake of calcium, vitamins A and E and bleeding on probing in Sri Lankan preschoolers. Community Dent Health. 31(3):153-7.
  19. Gowri Rajkumar, Renuka Silva, Jagathpriya Weerasena & Kumudu Fernando (2014) Comparison of general nutritional composition of wild rice Oryza rhizomatisA. Vaughan and the commercial variety Bg352. Tropical Plant Research 1(2): 08–10.
  20. Rathnayake KM, Madushani PAE & Silva KDRR (2012) Use of dietary diversity score as a proxy indicator of nutrient adequacy of rural elderly people in Sri Lanka. BMC Res Notes. 5: 469. Published online 2012 August 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-5-469.
  21. Malkanthi RLDK, Silva KDRR & Jayasinghe JMUK (2010) Risk factors associated with high prevalence of anaemia among children under 5 years in the rural subsistence paddy farming households in Sri Lanka. Food & Nutrition Bulletin 31 (4), 475-482.
  22. Silva KDRR & Munasinghe DLL (2006). Urinary iodine excretion of pregnant women and female adolescents as an indicator of excessive iodine intake in Sri Lanka. Food & Nutrition Bulletin 27 (1), 12-18.
  23. Silva KDRR, Lovegrove JA, Wright JW & Williams CM (2005). Meal ingestion provokes entry of dietary-derived lipoproteins from the previous meal: possible metabolic implications. European Journal of Nutrition 44, 377-383.
  24. Marambe PWMLHK, Sivakanesan R & Silva KDRR (2005) A study in Kuliyapitiya to Ascertain Public Awareness of the Lipid Composition of Edible Coconut Kernel Products and their Effect of Health. Cocos (Journal of the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka) Vol 17, 11-20.
  25. Smith RD, Kelly CNM, Fielding BA, Hauton D, Silva KDRR, Nydahl MC, Miller GJ and Williams CM (2003) Long-term monounsaturated fatty acid diets reduce platelet aggregation in healthy young subjects. British Journal of Nutrition 90, 597-606.
  26. Silva KDRR, Kelly CNM, Jones AE, Smith RD, Wootton SA, Miller GJ & Williams CM (2003). Chylomicron particle size and number, factor VII activation and dietary monounsaturated fatty acids. Atherosclerosis 166, 73-84.
  27. Lovegrove JA, Silva KDRR, Wright JW & Williams CM (2002) Adiposity, insulin and lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women. International Journal of Obesity 26, 475-486.
  28. Silva KDRR, Williams CM & Lovegrove JA (2001) Use of water-miscible retinyl palmitate as markers of chylomicrons gives earlier peak response of plasma retinyl esters compared with oil-soluble retinyl palmitate. British Journal of Nutrition 86, 427-432.

Conference proceedings

  1. Nadeeshani H, Wimalasiri KMS, Samarasinghe G, Silva R & Madhujith T (2018) Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Selected Leafy Vegetables Grown in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 29 (3): 255 – 267.
  2. Kulasinghe WMAA, Wimalasiri KMS, Samarasinghe G, Silva R & Madhujith T (2018). Macronutrient Composition of Selected Traditional Yams Grown in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 29 (1): 113 – 122.
  3. Wekumbura WGC, Mohotti AJ, Frossard E, Kudagammana ST & Silva KDRR (2017) Prospects and Issues Related to Tea Cultivation in Mid Country Homegarden Based Tea Smallholdings in a Selected Village in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 28 (4), 503-516.
  4. Thamilini J, Silva KDRR & Jayasinghe JMUK (2015) Prevalence of stunting among preschool children in food insecure rural households in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 26 (2), 390-394.
  5. Kamal RJ, Wadood AWMR & Silva KDRR (2009) Total antioxidant capacity of selected grades of black tea grown in different geographical elevations in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 20, 155-161.
  6. Ranatunga RMTK, Silva KDRR, Balasuriya KN, Sivakanesan R & Mahawithanage STC (2008) Calcium intake and bone mineral variables among adolescent schoolgirls in rural and urban areas of Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 20, 143-154.
  7. Malkanthi RLDK, Silva KDRR, Chandrasekera GAP & Jayasinghe JMUK (2007). High prevalence of malnutrition and household food security in the rural subsistence paddy farming sector. Tropical Agricultural Research 19, 136-149.
  8. Marambe PWMLHK, Sivakanesan R & Silva KDRR (2005) Association of coconut fat intake and cardiovascular risk factors of healthy adults. Tropical Agricultural Research 17, 9-19.
  9. Chandrasekera GAP, Silva KDRR & Wijesinghe DGNG (2005) Determinants of the nutritional status of preschool children: a case of urban and peri-urban setting in Kurunegala. Tropical Agricultural Research 17, 20-30.
  10. Silva KDRR & Munasinghe DLL (2005) Urinary iodine excretion in Sri Lankan pregnant women and female adolescents: indication of excessive iodine intake. Proceedings of the 18th International Congress in Nutrition. 19-23 September 2005, Durban, South Africa. – [Short paper]
  11. Gunasekera MVDSI, Chandrasekera GAP & Silva KDRR (2003) High prevalence of undernutrition among pre-school children from low-income groups in Colombo. In: Sri Lanka at Crossroads: Continuity & Change. Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Sri Lankan Studies 28-30 December 2003 University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. 53-62p.
  12. Gunasena HPM & Silva KDRR (1995). Evaluation of Gliricidia provenances for utilization priorities in the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka Proc. 6th MPTS Workshop 17-18 August, Kandy, Ed. H.P.M. Gunasena.

    Abstracts (2015-2019)

    1. Fathima Rishdha & Renuka Silva (2019) Teachers’ and caterers’ perceptions, challenges and barriers of implementation of school meal program in Sri Lanka. Ann Nutr Metab;75(suppl 3):327 DOI: 10.1159/000501751 (Abstract presented at Asian Congress of Nutrition, Bali, Indonesia. 4-7 August 2019).
    1. Thamilini Joshepkumar, Chathurika Madumali, Janaki Mohotti, Emmanuel Frossard, Janandani Nanayakkara, Silva KDRR & Jayasinghe JMUK (2019) Food systems approach to improve diet and nutritional outcomes: Integration of three studies conducted in rural communities in Sri Lanka. Ann Nutr Metab;75(suppl 3):367 DOI: 10.1159/000501751 (Abstract presented at Asian Congress of Nutrition, Bali, Indonesia. 4-7 August 2019).
    2. Nipuni Rathnayaka & Renuka Silva (2019) Teachers’ perception on the implementation of school health and nutrition programs in Sri Lanka. Ann Nutr Metab;75(suppl 3):397 DOI: 10.1159/000501751 (Abstract presented at Asian Congress of Nutrition, Bali, Indonesia. 4-7 August 2019).
    1. Malika Fernando, Thasmeeha Marliya, Fathima Raeesa, Shehan Williams & Renuka Silva (2019) Nutritional status and dietary intakes of the patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s Disease. Ann Nutr Metab;75(suppl 3):294 DOI: 10.1159/000501751 (Abstract presented at Asian Congress of Nutrition, Bali, Indonesia. 4-7 August 2019).
    2. Chandrasekara A, Thasneem HMS, Ariyarathna LHKS, Chandrasekara GAP, Silva KDRR & Ratnayake KM (2019) Study on dietary behavior of overweight and obese adults. Wayamba University Research Congress – 2019. 11 July 2019 at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya.
    3. Chandrasekara A, Banu MSH, Jayarathna MSP, Nasriya MSF, Chandrasekara GAP, Silva KDRR & Ratnayake KM (2019). Study on the dietary behavior of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Wayamba University Research Congress – 2019. 11 July 2019 at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya.
    4. Thamilini J, Silva KDRR, Jayasinghe-Mudalige UK, Edirisinghe JC & Herath LK (2019) Dietary intake and nutrient adequacies of the women in urban, rural and estate sectors and food security status. Wayamba University Research Congress – 2019. 11 July 2019 at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya.
    5. Silva R (2019) Harnessing agrobiodiversity for sustainable diets, human health and nutrition: are we on the right tack? Abstract: Symposium on Agrobiodiversity for Climate Change Adaptation, Food & Nutrition. 23-24 May 2019 at Plant Genetic Resource Center, Department of Agriculture, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
    1. Silva KDRR (2018) Agriculture, food security and nutrition linkage: are we heading the right direction? Annual Scientific Sessions of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, January 2018, Colombo.
    2. Thamilini J, Dissanayake DMUI, Arunoda C, Nanayakkara GJM & Silva KDRR (2018). Development and evaluation of nutrition education tools for primary school children in rural setting in Sri Lanka. Annual Scientific Sessions of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, January 2018, Colombo.
    3. Nadeeshani H, Kulasinghe AA, Samarasinghe WLG, Silva KDRR, Wimalasiri KMS & Madhujith T (2018) Composition analysis of priority agricultural biodiversity species for food and nutrition in Sri Lanka. Annual Scientific Sessions of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, January 2018, Colombo.
    4. Nadeeshani H, Samarasinghe G, Wimalasiri S, Silva R & Madhujith T (2018) Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Selected Banana Varieties Grown in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Food Quality, Safety and Security, 1, pp. 17-25.
    5. Gunawardena HP, Silva KDRR & Sivakanesan R (2017) Effect of Ceylon cinnamon intake on antioxidant status of male hypertensives. The International Conference on Nutritional & Genetic Epidemiology, 06-07 November 2017, Colombo.
    6. Gunawardena HP, Silva KDRR & R Sivakanesan (2017) Pattern of cardiometabolic risk factors and antioxidant markers in dysglycaemic individuals. Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress. 08-09 September 2017,
    7. Nadeeshani H, Wimalasiri KMS, Samarasinghe G, Silva R & Madhujith T (2017) Evaluation of nutritional value of selected leafy vegetables grown in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 29th Annual Congress of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture. 16-17 November 2017,
    8. Kulasinghe WMAA, Wimalasiri KMS, Samarasinghe G, Silva R & Madhujith T (2017) Macronutrient composition of selected traditional yams grown in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 29th Annual Congress of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture. 16-17 November 2017.
    9. Silva KDRR (2017) Cinnamon in the management of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Annual Scientific Sessions of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, January 2017, Kandy.
    10. Warnakulasuriya LS, Fernando MAM, Adikaram AVN, Thawfeek ARM, Anurasiri WML, Silva, KDR, Sirasa MSF, Samaranayake D & Wickramasinghe VP (2016) Metformin in the management of childhood obesity in Sri Lankan setting. Abstracts of the 13th International Congress on Obesity, 1-4 May 2016, Vancouver, Canada. Obesity Reviews. 17 (Suppl. 2), 74–75.
    11. Silva KDRR, Thamilini J, Sirasa MSF & Samarasinghe WLG (2015) Food composition data in Sri Lanka: Past, present and future. 11th International Food Data Conference, 3-5 November 2015, Hyderabad, India.
    12. Sirasa MSF & Silva KDRR (2015) Antioxidant properties of selected fruit cultivars grown in Sri Lanka. 11th International Food Data Conference, 3-5 November 2015, Hyderabad, India.
    13. Thamilini J, Silva KDRR, Nanayakkara GJM & Dissanayake DMUI (2015) Mid-day meal and nutrition education programme increased the dietary intake and dietary diversity of rural school children. 11th International Food Data Conference, 3-5 November 2015, Hyderabad, India.
    14. Silva KDRR, Thamilini J & Hettiarachchi D (2015) Planning of mid-day meal as part of nutrition intervention programme for a rural school in Sri Lanka. 12th Asian Congress of Nutrition, 14-18 May 2015 Yokohama, Japan.
    15. Thamilini J, Silva KDRR & Jayasinghe JMUK (2015) High prevalence of malnutrition among adult women and children in food insecure, rural households. 12th Asian Congress of Nutrition, 14-18 May 2015 Yokohama, Japan.
    16. Gunawardena HP, Silva KDRR, Sivaknesan R & Katulanda P (2015) Lipid accumulation product, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients. 12th Asian Congress of Nutrition, 14-18 May 2015 Yokohama, Japan.

     

    Research Grants Received: 

    1. “Examination of the state of food literacy education and food environment in Sri Lankan secondary schools.” – National Research Council (2019)
    2. Determination of association between glycaemic control and antioxidant capacity of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Wayamba University of Sri Lanka Research Grants (2007-8) LKR 175,900
    3. Calcium intake and bone mineral density of postmenopausal women in rural and urban areas. Wayamba University Research Grants LKR 353,360
    4. Antioxidant status of patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose regulation: a comparative study. Wayamba University of Sri Lanka Research Grants (2007-8) LKR 198,00
    5. Development of Household Food Security Index. IRQUE-QEF (2008-9) LKR 150,000 & Council for Agriculture Research & Policy LKR 5 million
    6. Association between birth characteristics feeding practices & Nutritional status, body composition & motor development in term infants.     IRQUE-QEF / WUSL Research Grant (2009-11)           LKR 280,000
    7. Association between total antioxidant status with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross sectional comparative study.  National Research Council (Grant No 09-48) (2011) LKR 4,130,000
    8. Effect of zinc supplementation on weight management. WUSL Research Grants (2010-11) LKR 150,000
    9. Biodiversity, food and nutrition: food security and biodiversity (2013-15) – Collaborative scientist Funded by Global Environmental Fund (GEF) / Department of Agriculture – LKR 1,200,000.00
    10. Indigenous edible plants as sources of nutrients and health benefitting components (nutraceuticals): determination of antioxidants in indigenous food crops funded by Council for Agriculture Research Policy (CARP) – LKR 1,600,000.00
    11. Effect of school mid-day meal and nutrition education programme on nutritional status and knowledge, attitudes and practices of school children (2014) funded by Unilever Sri Lanka Ltd LKR 880,000
    12. Studies on Alzheimer’s disease and nutrition and lifestyle factors (funded by Silver Mills Pvt Ltd) – Principal Investigator (2015-16) Rs 220,000
    13. Effect of cinnamon supplement on glycaemic control of type 2 diabetic patients (funded by Wayamba University) – Principal Investigator – Rs 350,000

    Professional Activities

    • Member of the Technical Working Group for formulation/revision of Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) for Sri Lankans – Ministry of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka – 2019
    • Member of the Technical Advisory Committee in Nutrition for the National Nutrition Council of the Presidential Secretariat
    • Member of the Technical Advisory Group in Rice fortification – Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka (2015-to date)
    • Member of the expert panel developed the Food Based Dietary Guidelines for Sri Lanka, published by the Nutrition Division of the Ministry of Health
    • Visiting Lecturer – MSc Food & Nutrition programme at Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2001 to date)
      • Courses conducted: Assessment of Nutritional Status, Nutritional Epidemiology, Community Nutrition, Sports Nutrition, Dietetics
    • Visiting Lecturer – MSc Food & Nutrition at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (2008/09)
      • Courses conducted: Agriculture & Nutrition, Community Nutrition
    • Visiting Lecturer – Dept of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Agriculture & Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
    • Examiner of MSc/MPhil Food & Nutrition degree examinations (Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya & University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka)
    • Visiting Lecturer – Faculty of Information Technology, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka [Developed syllabus and conducted lectures in course module Food, Nutrition & Health which was offered as a subject non-related course for BSc Information Technology degree programme]
    • A document on ‘Guidelines in establishment of Ethical Review Committee’ was submitted to the Senate of the university.
    • Played the leading role in formulating Corporate Plan for the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2005-2008)
    • Played the key role in writing proposal for Quality Improvement Grant of Higher Education for 21st Century (HETC) project funded by World Bank on behalf of the Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition: The proposal succeeded in 2012 for a total amount of Rs 25 million over 3 year period.
    • Played the key role in writing proposal for Quality Enhancement Fund of Improving Relevance & Quality of Undergraduate Education (IRQUE) project funded by World Bank on behalf of the Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries & Nutrition: The proposal succeeded in 2006 for a total amount of Rs 67.8 million over 4 year period.
    • Resource person: In the seminar series for public in ‘Arogya’ National Health Care Exhibition held in Colombo, 2005
    • Guest speaker – Regional Meeting of Novartis Nutrition held in Singapore in 2005
    • Participant of the consultative forum on ‘Strengthening Child feeding practices in Sri Lanka’ – Ministry of Health, Nutrition & Uva-Wellassa Development, Sri Lanka
    • Member of the consultative group on Coconut and cardiovascular disease – Ministry of Health, Nutrition & Uva-Wellassa Development, Sri Lanka
    • Participant of the consultative group on Nutrition Surveillance system – Ministry of Health, Nutrition & Uva-Wellassa Development, Sri Lanka
    • Participant of the consultative workshop on Development of Food Pyramid, wall mounted BMI chart and activity pyramid for the use in schools and healthcare centres – February 2006
    • Participant – Formulation of Nutrition policy in Sri Lanka (2005): Session organized by Ministry of Healthcare, Nutrition & Uva-Wellassa Development.
    • Editor of the Proceedings of the Food & Nutrition Symposium (2001-8)
    • Editor of the Abstracts of Annual Scientific Sessions of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012).
    • Editor of the Abstracts of Staff Research Sessions of the Wayamba University (2010)
    • Editor of proceedings of the International Symposium on Biodiversity, Food and Nutrition “Linking agrobiodiversity and dietary diversity: The Sri Lanka Experience”
    • Plenary lecture – Metabolic syndrome: an Asian perspective at Nutrition Society annual sessions 2012 held in Colombo.
    • Resource person – 1 day training programme on “Maximizing sports performance through optimum nutrition” organized jointly by the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and Institute of Sports Medicine (2012)
    • Member of the course development committee – Short course in Community Nutrition offered by Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (2012)
    • Resource person – Short course in Community Nutrition offered by Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (2012)
    • Resource person – Training programme on Small and medium scale entrepreneurship in food and beverage sector conducted for the officers of National Development Bank (2012)
    • Supervisor of postgraduate research students in research – Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya, University of Kelaniya, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.
    • Resource person – Teacher training programme on nutrition conducted for teachers at Puttalum / Mahakumbukkadawala School (2014)
    • Resource person – Sports Nutrition Training Workshop organized by Sports Medicine Association held in Colombo (December 2014)
    • Chairman of the Organizing Committee – International Symposium on Biodiversity, Food and Nutrition, Colombo, Sri Lanka on 8.12.2014.
    • Resource person and Course co-ordinator – 2 day training workshop on Nutrition Research Methodology. Organized by Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka – November 2015.
    • Keynote addresses:
      • Nutrition Society Annual Sessions – 2013
      • Dietitian’s Association of Sri Lanka – 2015

    Supervision of postgraduate students

    Supervision of three PhD students; 8 MPhil students.