~ Completed Ph.D Research

Dr. Kasuni Akalanka
Research title: "Study on effect of nutritional status, biochemical parameters and histopathological features of Sri Lankan breast cancers"
Supervisor(s): Prof. Sagarika Ekanayake, Prof. Kamani Samarasinghe
University: University of Sri Jayawardenepura


~ Publications and Communications

Publications and Communications of Dr. A.A.P Keerthi
- A. A. P. Keerthi, S. Ekanayake and G. A. S. Premakumara (2009) A new cytotoxic flabelliferin from Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) flour. Journal of The National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka. 37(4): 269-271.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, S. Ekanayake and E. R. Jansz (2009) A review of the neurotoxic effect of palmyrah flour. International Journal of the Food Sciences and Nutrition. – Review, 60(4): 306-316.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, E. R. Jansz S. Ekanayake and G. A. S. Premakumara (2009) The synergistic neurotoxins of palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) flour. International Journal of Biological Chemistry and Science. 3(2) 255-265, http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ijbcs/article/view/44488
- A. A. P. Keerthi, E. R. Jansz and S. Ekanayake (2009) Studies on a hyper-haemolytic compound of palmyrah flour (Odiyal). Vidyodaya Journal of Science. 14(1): 79-84.
- Keerthi Attanayaka, Sunil Mendis, Errol Jansz, Ekanayake Sagarika & Antoinette Perera (2008) A pilot study on wound healing using an anti-bacterial steroidal saponin. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 2 (3) 299-305.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, Ekanayaka S & Jansz E R (2007) Larvicidal effects of a flabelliferin saponin from palmyrah flour on dengu mosquito Aedes sp. J. Natn. Sci. Foundation, Sri Lanka 35; 133-138.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, Mendis W S J, Jansz E R, Ekanayake S & Perera M S A (2007) A preliminary study on the effects of an antibacterial steroidal saponin from Borassus flabellifer L. fruit on wound healing. J. Natn. Sci. Foundation, Sri Lanka 35(4) 263-265.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, Gunasekera Sewandhi, Jansz E R & Ekanayake S (2005) Preliminary studies on the mechanism of action of antimicrobial activity of Flabelliferin B on E. coli type ATCC 25922. 5^th Research sessions. Faculty of Graduate Studies. University of Sri Jayewardenepura. P30.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, Mendis W S, Jansz E R, Ekanayake S and Perera M S A (2006) Effect of flabelliferin B on wound healing: A preliminary study. Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science Proceedings 62^nd Annual sessions. 13p.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, Jansz E R and Ekanayake S (2006) A study on mosquito larvaecidal and hyper haemolytic compounds of palmyrah flour. Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science. Proceedings 62^nd Annual sessions. 85-86pp.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, Ekanayake Sagarika, Jansz E R (2008) The cytotoxic and hyper haemolytic steroidal saponins of palmyrah flour. Chemistry in Sri Lanka - Vol 25 (2) 22p.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, Jansz E R, Ekanayake Sagarika (2008) Bioactivity directed separation of the neurotoxins of palmyrah flour and studies on its structure. Chemistry in Sri Lanka Vol 25 (2) 24 – 25 p.
- A. A. P. Keerthi, E.R. Jansz , & S. Ekanayake (2008) Some Bioactivity Studies On Underutilized Palmyrah Products. International Seminar & Workshop on Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Plant Biomass. 15-16 December 2008. P128-131

Publications and communications of Mr. Amal Wageesha
- Wageesha, N.D.A, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, E.R. and Lamabadusuriya, S.P.(2010) “Studies on hypercarotenemia due to excessive ingestion of carrot, pumpkin and papaw” International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition. http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09637486.2010.511164
- Wageesha, N.D.A, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, E.R. and Lamabadusuriya, S.P. (2010) “Effect of feeding excessive carrot and papaw to Wistar rats and ICR mice to induce hypercarotenaemia” Vidyodaya Journal of Science.
- Wageesha, N.D.A, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, E.R. and Lamabadusuriya, S.P. (2013) Prevalence of hypercarotenaemia in nursery/kindergarten children in the Western province in Sri Lanka: A preliminary survey". International Food Research Journal 20(4): 1873-1875
- Wageesha, N.D.A, P, Soysa, AAP Keerthi, I Choudhary and M Ekanayake. Evaluation of antiproliferative activity of a poly herbal anticancer drug “Le Pana Guliya” used in Sri Lankan indigenous medicine. (Submitted to Journal of BioMed International)
- Wageesha, N.D.A, P, Soysa, AAP Keerthi, I Choudhary and M Ekanayake. The Polyherbal traditional medicinal drug “Le Pana Guliya” Induces Apoptosis in Human Cancer through GSH depletion, ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction: An In vitro assessment (Submitted to Journal of Chemistry Central).
- Wageesha, N.D.A, Ekanayake S, Jansz E R and Lamabadusuriya S P. Recognition of foods responsible for hypercarotenaemia from serum carotenoid metabolic profiles. Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science. 64^th Annual sessions. p16.
- Wageesha, N.D.A, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, ER and Lamabadusuriya, SP (2009). Fate of excess carotenoids fed to Wistar rats and ICR mice. Sri Lanka Association of Advancement of Science, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 65^th Annual Sessions. p 8.
- Wageesha, N.D.A, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, ER and Lamabadusuriya, SP (2009). A preliminary investigation on prevalence of hypercarotenaemia among infants/children in the Western province. The College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka, 35^th Annual Academic Sessions.
- Wageesha, N.D.A, Ekanayake, S, Jansz, ER and Lamabadusuriya, SP (2009) Vitamin A mega dosing and development of hypercarotenaemia. Buddhism, Science and Development-50^th Anniversary Academic Conference, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. 9-12 December 2009. P 62.
- Wageesha, N.D.A, Ekanayake S, Jansz, ER and Lamabadusuriya, SP (2011) Development of hypercarotenaemia: Loss of control over absorption of pro-vitamin A carotenoids? Annual Scientific Sessions of the Nutrition Society 2010. (January 2011). p 16

Publications and Communications of Ms. Eranga Karunarathne
- Karunaratne E.R., Wijesundera W.S.S., Perera A.J., Vidanagama D., Adikaram C.P., 2015, Novel point mutation in the promoter region of the inhA gene causing isoniazid (INAH) resistance in clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) isolates in Sri Lanka, Annual Research symposium University of Colombo, 2015 (oral presentation-second place)
- Karunaratne R.E., Wijesundera W.S.S., Perera A.J., Vidanagama D., Adikaram C.P., 2015, Mutations in the katG gene of isoniazid (INAH) resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) isolates in Sri Lanka, Annual sessions and Symposium, Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists, 2015(poster presentation-first place)
- Karunaratne E., Perera J., Wijesundera S., Vidanagama D., Adikaram C., Gamage S.,2015, Correlation between minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of isoniazid (INAH) and the katG gene mutations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) isolates, 128th anniversary international medical Congress-Sri Lanka Medical Association,2015 (oral presentation)

Publications and Communications of Dr. H.M. Kasuni Akalanka
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe.(2014) Anthropometric parameters and attitudes towards physical exercises of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Sri Lanka., 1st Ruhuna International Science and Technology conference: page 61
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe (2014) Thyroid profiles of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients from selected centers., Peradeniya University International Research Sessions: Page 273.
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe(2014). Serum ferritin and its association of intake of animal proteins in patients with breast cancer.,1st Wayamba International Conference: Page 180
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe(2014) Breast Cancer prevalence according to the anatomical site of origin, International conference on multidisciplinary approaches: Page 42
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe,(2014) A study on risk factors associated with development of breast cancer, Indo global health care summit and expo held in Hydrabad, India, 2014.
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe.(2015), A study of selected risk factors in Sri Lankan breast cancers., 2nd Ruhuna International Science and Technology conference: page 90
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe.(2015), Serum lipid profiles of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, accepted to 12th Asian Congress of Nutrition, Yokohama, Japan: Page 123
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe.(2015),Can sex hormone concentrations predict Her2 status of postmenopausal breast cancer patients International Research Conference, General Sir Hohn Kotelawala Defense Academy page 131
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe.(2013).Serum lipid profile of newly diagnosed Sri Lankan breast cancer patients-A preliminary study. 69th Annual sessions of Sri Lankan Association for the Advancement of Science: page.214
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake;(2013) Cytotoxicity study of Barringtonia asiatica kurz extracts,3rd Young Scientists forum symposium :Page 05
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe.(2014), Serum lactate dehydrogenase levels of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.,40th Annual Academic Sessions of college of general practitioners of Sri Lanka:Page 27,28.
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake;(2015) Serum sex hormones and antropometric parameters of breast cancer patients, 4th Young Scientists forum symposium: page 05
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake;(2015) Serum uric acid: a marker to predict risk of breast cancer? Submitted to 71st Annual sessions of Sri Lankan Association for the Advancement of Science
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe;(2015) Association of anthropometric parameters and lipid profiles of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients accepted to Post menopausal society of Sri Lanka: Page 27.
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe.(2016), CA15-3 and the grade of the breast carcinoma in newly diagnosed patients. International Scientific Conference, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama.Page 103.
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe.(2016), Serum ferritin in newly diagnosed breast cancer and apparently healthy individuals, International Scientific Conference, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama.Page 105.
- H.M.K Akalanka, S Ekanayake, K Samarasinghe;(2016) A comparative study of thyroid profiles of breast cancer patients and apparently healthy women, 5th Young Scientists forum symposium :Page 05-07.

Publications and communications of Ms. Poornima Marasighe
- Mathew C.D., Rathnayake S.P., Gunathilaka R.M.S., Thatparan T., Marasinghe B.M.P.H. Isolation of extracellular heat stable enzyme producing bacteria from a hot water spring in Sri Lanka. 68th annual sessions of the Sri Lanka association for the advancement of science 2012.
- Mathew C. D., Marasinghe B.M.P.H. Purification and Characterization of Thermostable α- amylase from Bacillus licheniformis NMS-6 isolated from a Nelumwewa hot water spring in Sri Lanka. Annual Sessions of Institute of Chemistry 2013.

Publications and communications of Ms. Inashki Dissanayake
- Dissanayake I.C., Adams D., Snape T., 2014, Resveratrol analogues targeting CYP1, a novel approach in cancer prevention and therapy, Annual sessions, University of Central Lancashire, UK
- Dissanayake I.C., Ka-Wai W., Adams D., 2013, Optimization of physicochemical factors of drugs to enhance oral bioavailability using lipid carrier systems, annual sessions, University of central Lancashire, UK.


~ M.Phil and P.hD candidates (on study leave)

Mrs. Kalaichelvi Thillan
Research title: "Micronutrient status, diet, physical activity and body composition in primary school children in Colombo municipal area"
University: University of Colombo
Thilan Kalaichelvi, Ekanayake S (2009) A preliminary study on lycopene content and the effect of storage in Sri Lankan tomatoes and its availability in processed tomato products. Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Annual sessions. p 13.

Mrs. Eranga Karunaratne
Research title: "Molecular characterization of katG, inhA and ahpC genes of isoniaztd resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates"
Supervisor(s): Prof. Jennifer Perera, Prof. Sulochana Wijesundara
University: University of Colombo


~Collaborative research activities (PhD)

Mr. Amal Wageesha
Research title: "Anti cancer activity of selected Sri Lankan medicinal plants"
Supervisor(s): Prof. Preethi Soysa, Dr. A.A.P Keerthi, Prof. M. Iqbal Choudhary
University: University of Colombo, SAITM and University of Karachchi

• Students’ research projects are carrying out under the supervision of the department staff members.