The Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) successfully conducted its 5^th  Capacity Building Programme titled “Sharing Doctoral Research Findings and Way Forward” on 9^th July 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 provided an important platform for nine of these scientists to share the findings of their doctoral research with key stakeholders in the agriculture sector. Their work addresses critical issues in national agricultural development, with the potential to inform future policies and enhance the sector’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy.

Prof. Jayantha Senanayake, Research Professor, Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology, Prof. Nalika Ranathunga, Professor, University of Ruhuna and Prof. Ashoka Dangolla, Professor (Chair) and Head of Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Peradeniya 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.

The Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) successfully conducted its 5^th  Capacity Building Programme titled “Sharing Doctoral Research Findings and Way Forward” on 9^th July 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 provided an important platform for nine of these scientists to share the findings of their doctoral research with key stakeholders in the agriculture sector. Their work addresses critical issues in national agricultural development, with the potential to inform future policies and enhance the sector’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy.

Prof. Jayantha Senanayake, Research Professor, Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology, Prof. Nalika Ranathunga, Professor, University of Ruhuna and Prof. Ashoka Dangolla, Professor (Chair) and Head of Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Peradeniya 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. N. P. S. De Silva, Additional Director/ Principal Agriculture Scientist, Regional Rice Research and Development Centre,  Bombuwala, Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Stability Analysis of wild introgression lines in rice using Ammi and Gge Biplot Analyses”, at University of Putra Malaysia

Dr. S. W. G. C. R. Kumara, Research Officer, Coconut Research Institute, Completed PhD on “Physiological and molecular characterization of drought response of seedlings of coconut genotypes”, at Los Banos University of Philippines

Mr. B.G.R.C. Balasooriya, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Regional Agriculture Research and Development Center – Kilinochchi, Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Screening of F2 Segregatig population of tomato     (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (ToLCV) resistance and fruit quality traits related to processing type of tomato”, at University of Putra Malaysia

Dr. M. Kuruppu, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research) Fruit Research and Development Institute, Department of Agriculture, Completed PhD on “Characterizing microbial network on MD2 pineapple and designing antagonistic to control black rot disease”,  at University of Putra Malaysia

Mr. P. G. H. M. S. N. Herath, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Regional Agriculture Research and Development Center – Kilinochchi,  Department of Agriculture , Completed PhD on “Evaluation of control methods against Agroathelia rolfsii (Sacc.) Redhead & Mullineux, causal organism of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) stem rot in Sri Lanka”at Los Banos University of Philippines.

Dr. S. S. Iddamaldeniya, Deputy Director (Research), Veterinary Research Institute , Completed PhD on “Molecular epidemiology of bovine haemoparasites of Sri Lanka and genetic diversity of Anaplsma marginale  ”, at University of Putra Malaysia

Dr. N. D. S. Dissanayaka, Principal Scientist , Veterinary Research Institute, Completed PhD on “Epidemiology of Neospora caninum infection in cattle and buffaloes in Sri Lanka”, at University of Putra Malaysia

Dr. M. T. Gunasena, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Grain Legume and Oil Crops Research and Development Centre, Department of Agriculture , Completed PhD on “Development of ginger essential oil loaded chitosan nanobactericide formulation for effective controlling bacterial panicle blight disease in rice”, at University of Putra Malaysia

Dr. S. M. T. S. Manchanayake, Veterinary Research Officer, Department of Animal Production & Health, Completed PhD on “Comparative pathogenesis of Vibrio species infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated marine tilapia, Oreochromis spp. Model”, at University of Putra Malaysia