Sanjaya Weerakkody (PhD Student)

Sanjaya Weerakkody is broadly interested in evolutionary ecology and bioacoustics.

He received his bachelor’s degree in 2017 from the University of Colombo and joined our lab in May 2017 for his PhD. He is studying the Gene flow, vocal plasticity, and their role in maintaining species limits in a vocally complex songbird: Dicrurus Drongo species complex for his PhD under the supervision of Prof. Sampath Seneviratne and Prof. Eben Goodale (Guangxi University, PR China). Profile

Contact: sanjaya@zoology.cmb.ac.lk | sanjayanuwa16@gmail.com | +94 715 777610

Gayomini Panagoda (PhD Student)

Gayomini Panagoda is a birder.

She studies ecology, evolution and connectivity patterns of waterfowl migration in Sri Lanka, with a special interest on shorebirds. Her research is supervised by Dr. Sampath Seneviratne, Prof. Sarath Kotagama , Dr. Taej Mundkur (Wetlands International) & Dr. S. Balachandran (Bombay Natural History Society). Her fieldwork is focused on Mannar Island – a bird migratory hotspot in Sri Lanka, from where she is engaged in bird banding & satellite-tagging activities. She also coordinates the National Bird Ringing Program – Mannar, along with the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (Sri Lankan affiliate of Birdlife International).

Contact: gayomini@zoology.cmb.ac.lk | +94 716 251169

Chandika Jayaratne (MPhil Student)

Having completed 4 year of medical school Chandika completed his LLB (Hons) Degree from the University of Staffordshire in the UK, he pursued a career within the sectors of hospitality and environmental stewardship in the specialized niche of wildlife tourism. He also has a research background where he studied captive rusty spotted cats which was featured in the documentary “Story of Cats”. Chandika is working on the ecology and evolution of the Indian Dwarf Wolf – that is our humble ‘Hiwala‘ or the ‘Indian Jackal’ 

Contact: chandika.jayaratne86@gmail.com

Uthpala Jayaweera

Research: Dentition and foraging ecology of the Sri Lankan Jackal ( Canis aureus nariya ).

Contact: ujayaweera.2016@gmail.com | +94 711 175124

Janani Chathurya

Research: Breeding ecology of recently described Red-backed woodpecker (Dinopium psarodes)

Contact: jananichathuryaedu@gmail.com | +94767610595

Dinal Meecle

Research: “Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Pelagic Seabirds in the Western Zone of the Sri Lankan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).” His work involved mapping seabird distribution using seabird tracking data in MaxEnt and ArcGIS, analyzing and eBird data for spatiotemporal patterns, and performing morphometric analysis on a rare shearwater species.

Research Interest: Ornithology, Marine Biology (Spatial, Movement Ecology, Phylogenomics and Bioacoustics)

Contact: dnlmeecle@gmail.com | dinalmeecle.rf.gd | +94778613135

Akila Peiris

Research: “Thermal Ecology & Temperature Homeostasis of Ground-nesting Shorebird Eggs” explores how these birds regulate egg temperature under varying environmental conditions. The study includes field data collection using custom data loggers, demonstrating expertise in electronic systems and field automation. It also incorporates thermal imaging, AI-based long-range data gathering, and camera trapping.

Research Interests: Thermal Ecology, Ornithology, Avian Physiology, Electronics, and Shorebird Conservation

Contact: akilapeiris99@gmail.com | +94 71 926 6593

Dilshan Maduranga

Research: Altitudinal segregation of mammals along an elevation gradient

Contact: dilshanmaduranga384@gmail.com | +94 71 488 5272

Thusila Edirisinghe

Research: “Morphological, Vocal, and Ecological Characterization of the Genus Glaucidium in Sri Lanka” addresses the lack of studies on this genus within the country. This study aims to provide comprehensive data on the morphology, vocalizations, and ecology of Glaucidium species in Sri Lanka. Additionally, it involves mapping their distribution and modeling their habitat and geological preferences.

Research Interest: Bird of prey (Owls/ Hawks/ Eagles)

Contact: thusilahap2553@gmail.com | 0774188661

Sandani Iresha

Research: “Histopathological and immunological effects of marine microplastics on pelagic seabirds in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka”. Her research focuses on the detection and quantification of microplastics within vital organs of pelagic seabirds, as well as the assessment of associated effects resulting from microplastic accumulation.

Research Interest: Emerging infectious diseases, Zoonosis

Contact: iresha1610@gmail.com | +94 758378996

Dilshad Farook

Research: “Vocal Antiquities of Birds” delves into the study of primitive bird vocalizations that have remained largely unchanged through space and time.

Research interests : Dinosaurs, Dinosaur vocalizations, Evolution of birds through Dinosaurs

Contact: dilshad9450@gmail.com | +94776232338

Mohamed Inas Bilal

Research: “Breeding Ecology and Feather Molting Patterns of the Hanuman Plover”. This study focuses on the breeding ecology and feather moulting patterns of the newly described Hanuman Plover, providing insights into the species’ reproductive behaviour and moulting cycles. It aligns with broader research interests in ecology and evolutionary biology.

Research interests : Ecology, Evolution

Contact: bilalinas7@gmail.com | +94714075606

Pasindu Gunewardene

Research: “Patterns of Trait Divergence, Incipient Speciation, and Flock Dynamics of the Dark-Fronted Babbler (Dumetia atriceps) in South Asia”. This research primarily investigates the phylogenetics of Indian and Sri Lankan populations of the Dark-Fronted Babbler. It also includes climate-trait modelling to study patterns of divergence and mathematical modelling to analyze flock dynamics and social hierarchy within the species, following the phylogenetic analysis.

Research interests: Molecular Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Virology, Ornithology, Immunology

Contact: pasinduvg@gmail.com | +94785915585

Dr. Saminda Fernando (PhD)

First PhD of the lab. Currently a Senior Lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL)

PhD Thesis Title: Barriers to gene flow and the resulting endemicity in Dinopium flamebacks of Sri Lanka

Contact: saminda@ou.ac.lk | +94 718 441883

Dr. Nelum Wickramasinghe (PhD)

Patterns of speciation in a rapidly diverging clade of passerines: Zosterops white-eyes of South Asia

Contact: paradise.lanka@gmail.com |+91 776 0544865

Dr. Madushika Silva

BSc. Thesis: Characterization of neutralizing ability of a herbal preparation used in indigenous medicine for snake envenamation in the wet zone of Sri Lanka (Co-supervised with Prof. Charitha Goonasekara).

She completed her PhD on muscle protein structure at Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada (more info).

Dr. Dilini Abeyrama

BSc. Thesis: Using Molecular and Phylogenetic Diversity to Set Priorities in Biodiversity Conservation for Sri Lanka.

She completed her PhD at Lethbridge University, Alberta, Canada on conservation genetics of the effects of commercial fishery on seabirds in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Profile

Ayeshma Adikari

Research: Responses of avian communities to cloud line along an elevation gradient

Contact:  ayeshmaadikari@gmail.com  | +754097475

Nimasha Samarasinghe

Former Lab Manager.

Research: Morphological, plumage, vocal, and genetic characterization of Motacilla flava – tschutschensis allospecies complex in Sri Lanka.

Contact: nimzsew97@gmail.com | +94768316997

Sewwandi Madumali

Research: Effect of genetic introgression on phenotype of Dicrurus drongos across a climatic gradient. 

Contact: madumalisewwandi@gmail.com | +94768304576

Janani Karunarathne

Research: Parasite levels and host response in avian communities along an altitudinal gradient  

Contact: jananikarunarathna96@gmail.com | +94 757285400

Vimukthi Gunasekara

Research: Characterization of the symbiotic relationship of the Crematogaster ants and the Rufous Woodpecker (Micropternus brachyurus) in Sri Lanka.

Contact: gunasekaravimukthi1997@gmail.com | +94 770 705032

Gihan Jayasinghe

Research: Genetic signature of habituation to humans behaviour in House Swallows. His research focuses on how neurotransmitter receptor gene polymorphisms relate to personality and adaptation to an urbanised environment in House swallow species complex Hirundo javanica. (Co-supervise by Prof. Liz Scordato from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.)

Contact: gihandakshitha@gmail.com |

Dileka Kariyawasam

Research: Evolutionary  and ecological affinities of the Laughingthrush  of Sri Lanka.

Contact: dileka.kariyawasam@gmail.com | +94 768 527226

Iroshmal Peiris

Research : Vocal divergence of group of divergent birds : Babblers in Sri Lanka

He is currently doing his Masters at Department of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University, Virginia ,USA. He focuses on roles of birds in tick distribution in Virginia and also on the behavioural acoustics of Acorn woodpeckers.

Academic interests : Bio-acoustics, Animal cognition, Behavioral ecology, migration, Vector ecology

Contact : hpeir001@odu.edu | iroshmal@gmail.com.

Profile : https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Iroshmal-Peiris

Lab : https://ericlwalters.org/team/

Jude Janitha Niroshan

Research: The role of genome and phenome in an incipient speciation event of the Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) in Sri Lanka

Contact: judejanith@live.com | +94 76 735 7216 | Profile

Anoli Karunathilake

Research: Conservation of in-silico predicted epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 and other native Corona viruses from different geographic regions.

Academic interests: Virus ecology and evolution, zoonotic viruses

Contact: anolidinasha@gmail.com

Luying Qin

A 4th year student from Guangxi University, majoring in ecology. Doing graduate project in Sri Lanka about vocal behavior of dicrurus drongos in Sri Lanka. Profile

Contact: laurenqin@hotmail.com

Dineth Danushka (MSc Student)

Ecological and phylogenetic affinities of tree snakes in Sri Lanka

Contact: danushkabutterfly@gmail.com | +94 713 707779

Toshima Alexander

Research: Deep history of a Gondwanan refugee revealed through Scolopendrid phylogeny (co-supervise with Dr. Jahnavi Joshi from Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, India).

Academic interests : Phylogenetics,  Evolutionary deep-history, Scolopendrid centipedes, Biogeography and Ecology. 

Contact: toshimaalex@gmail.com | +94 775 363408

Chamalka de Silva

Research: The role of polymorphism in MHC class I gene on speciation in higher altitude fauna

Contact: chamalka714@gmail.com | +94 76 6647979

Tharindu Krishan  

BSc. Thesis: Phylogenetic and ecological affinities of Ceylon Bush Warbler.

He is currently doing a PhD in Bird Ecology and Bioacoustics in the Department of Biological Sciences, at the University of Alberta, Canada. His current research aims to use acoustic recordings to monitor boreal bird populations and understand the impacts of energy sector disturbances on the wildlife populations in boreal forest in Canada.

Contact: kalukapu@ualberta.ca | (403) 620-3392

Thilini Thakshila

BSc. Thesis: Phylogenetic affinity and environmental signature in a selected region of the genome of a near-endemic montane insectivore. This was co-supervised by Prof. Liz Scordato from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Profile

She is currently doing a MSc. at Lethbridge University, Alberta, Canada on population genetics of Swallows. Profile

Contact: thilini.thakshila.tt@gmail.com | +94715647277

Kavindya Pathirana

BSc. Thesis: Evolutionary affinities within genus Raufa revealed through genetics and morphometric markers.

She is currently doing her PhD. at the University of Minnesota, USA.

Contact: kavindyanirmalee1903@gmail.com | +94 718324903

Janaka Perera (Graduate researcher)

Ranging ecology and vocalization of Ashy-headed Laughingthrush in mixed-species feeding flocks in Sri Lanka

Contact: janakanirmala@gmail.com | +94 775 126021

Naveendra Malalgoda (BSc Environment Science Major)

BSc. thesis : The shifts in guild structure and composition in response to habitat variability (co supervise with Prof. Mayuri Wijesinghe).

Contact: naveendramalalgoda@gmail.com | +94 772 336982

Tharindu Premachandra (Graduate Researcher)

The use of genetic, phylogenetic and simulation based models to measure the health of fragmented rain forest patches near the Colombo City.

He is currently doing his PhD research study at McMaster University, Ontario, Canada. His current research work is based on confirming sex determining mechanisms of Xenopus tropicalis using genomic editing. Profile

Contact: tharindutaemail@gmail.com | +94 779 162485

Shyanika Lasanthi (Graduate Researcher)

BSc. Thesis: Level of genomic differentiation in an avian hybrid zone determined using markers generated through Illumina RAD-NGS tools.

She is currently doing an MSc research on evolution and biochemical pathways of nonphotosynthetic algae at the Western University, London, Ontario. Profile

Contact: shynilasanthi@gmail.com | +94 711 653139

Pavithra Panduwawala (Graduate Researcher)

Structure and Diversity of Vocalization of an Endemic Bird: Brown Capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillus)

She is now employed as a research associate at Pelagikos.

Contact: pavithrapanduwawala@gmail.com | +94 719 461708

Amaya Wijesinghe

BSc. Thesis: Assessing the areas of priority for conservation in rainforest patches in Colombo

She completed her MSc at Oxford University, UK in Conservation and Management at the School of Geography and the Environment.(more info )

She is currently employed as a communications and data officer with the United Nations Environment Programme. Profile

Jayani Gamage

BSc. Thesis: Genetic connectivity of a sessile forest babbler in the forest patches of Colombo.

Currently doing a PhD at University of Colombo and Uppsala University, Sweden. She is currently working on her PhD research project titled “Integrative taxonomy of Sri Lankan shallow water demosponges and characterization of bioactive compounds from Rhabdastrella species”. Profile

Chirathi Wijekulathilake

BSc. Thesis: Phenotypic and Genetic Affinities of a Sessile South Asian Endemic: Rophocichla attriceps

Currently doing a MSc. at Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada. She is currently investigating ecological, morphological, and behavioural predictors of fitness in dark-eyed juncos in Newfoundland. Profile

Rashika Ranasinghe

BSc. Thesis: Biochemical basis of color expression in flamback woodpeckers in Sri Lanka (Co-supervised with Dr K. M. Kaumal and Dr. Hiran Jayaweera).

She is currently doing a PhD on the genomic differentiation and the genetic basis of carotenoid color expression in Flamebacks of Sri lanka with Prof. Darren Irwin at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Profile

Lakindu Samaranayake

Former lab manager. Did her BSc. thesis on ‘Structure based drug design towards Xanthomonas Oryzae Pv. Oryzae Topoisomerease I inhibitors’. (thesis supervisor – Dr Inoka Perera). Studied the molecular phylogeny of woodpeckers and the dietary ecology of Sri Lanka Leopard at the AviEN lab.

She is currently doing her PhD at North-eastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Profile

Zohara Rafi

BSc. Thesis: Genetic and phenotypic divergence in Zosterops white-eyes along a climatic gradient in Sri Lanka (Co-supervised with Dr Enoka Kudawidanage).

She worked as graduate research assistant at the National University of Singapore. Currently she is doing her PhD in University of Auckland, New Zealand on eco-acoustic indices. Profile.

She is also working at for Quiet Parks International as an advisor for Bioacoustic. Profile

Shashiprabha Jayasinghe

BSc Thesis : Mechanisms of temperature homeostasis in eggs of ground nesting Charadriids with special reference to the Red Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) (Co-supervised with Dr Hiran Jayaweera)

Kajanka Mathiaparanam

BSc. Thesis: Influence of Anthropogenic Perturbation on Energy Trade-offs of the Rock Pigeon (Columba livia): Relationships among Parasite Load, Immune Response and Physical Fitness in Wild, Urban and Captive Populations (Co-supervised with Prof. Preethi Udagama)

He is currently doing a PhD at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. His research focuses on the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on the behaviour of birds. Profile

Kalpani de Silva

BSc. Thesis: Resolving phylogenetic relationships of Flameback woodpeckers in south Asia using GBS/RAD data generated with NGS.

She is currently doing a PhD at School of Medicine, University of Louisville, USA

Poornima Dodangoda

BSc. Thesis: The level of gene flow in Dinopium benghalense allospecies cluster