Mr.P.A.D. Ajith Kumara

Name : P.A.D. Ajith Kumara

Contact : akumara@nara.ac.lk , ajithkumaranara@gmail.com

Education :

  • B.Sc. (Spcial in Zoology), University of Kelaniya in 1997
  • M. Phil, University of Kelaniya in 2008

Google Scholar : https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=t2I8esoAAAAJ&hl=en

Research Gate : https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pannipiti_Arachchilage_Don_Kumara

Scientific Publications

Publications in Refereed Journals

  • G. Nishanthan, P. A. D. A. Kumara, S. B. Navarathne and D. C. T. Dissanayake, (2022). Impact of different combinations of processing steps on product quality and proximate composition of Bêche-de-mer: A Case study from Sri Lanka. International Journal of Food Science (Impact Factor 3.9), Volume 2022, Article ID 7877050, 10 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7877050.
  • Sandun N. Bandara K.V. and A.D. Ajith Kumara, (2021). Morphological differentiation of suckermouth armored catfish, genus Pterygoplichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) in Sri Lankan freshwaters. Iranian Journal of Ichthyology (Impact Factor 0.328), 8(4): 286-293. © 2021 Iranian Society of Ichthyology, P-ISSN: 2383-1561; E-ISSN: 2383-0964.
  • K. V. Sandun N. Bandara, P.A.D. Ajith Kumara and Upali. S. Amarasinghe, (2020). Life-history strategies of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Teleostei, Cichlidae), in irrigation reservoirs of Sri Lanka. Asian Fisheries Science (Impact Factor 0.275), 33:222–230. E-ISSN: 2073-3720, https://doi.org/10.33997/j.afs.2020.33.3.003.
  • K. V. Sandun N. Bandara, P.A.D. Ajith Kumara and Upali. S. Amarasinghe, (2020). Population Dynamics of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Teleostei, Cichlidae), in Some Irrigation Reservoirs of Sri Lanka. Asian Fisheries Science (Impact Factor 0.304), 33:192–204. ISSN: 0116-6514 E-ISSN: 2073-3720 https://doi.org/10.33997/j.afs.2020.33.2.010.
  • G. Nishanthan, P. A. D. A. Kumara, D. V. P. Prasada and D.C.T. Dissanayake (2019). Sea cucumber fishing pattern and the socio-economic characteristics of fisher communities in Sri Lanka. Aquatic Living Resources (Impact Factor 1.026), 32, 12. https://doi.org/10.1051/alr/201,9009.
  • G. Nishanthan, P. A. D. A. Kumara, M. D. S. T. de Croos, D. V. P. Prasada and D.C.T. Dissanayake (2018). Effects of processing on proximate and fatty acid compositions of six commercial sea cucumber species of Sri Lanka. Journal of Food Science and Technology, (Impact Factor 1.797) 55:1933-1941.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D. and D.C.T. Dissanayake (2017). Preliminary study on broodstock rearing, induced breeding and grow-out culture of the sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, in Sri Lanka. Aquaculture Research (Impact Factor1.475) 48:1058-1069.
  • S. Amarasinghe, P. A. D. Ajith Kumara and S. S. De Silva (2016). A rationale for introducing a subsidiary fishery in tropical reservoirs and lakes to augment inland fish production: case study from Sri Lanka. Food Security (Impact Factor 2.97) 8:769–781, DOI: 10.1007/s12571-016-0596-4.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D. and D.C.T. Dissanayake (2017). Preliminary study on broodstock rearing, induced breeding and grow-out culture of the sea cucumber; Holothuria scabra, in Sri Lanka. Aquaculture Research (Impact Factor475) 48:1058-1069.
  • U.S. Amarasinghe, P. A. D. Ajith Kumara and S. S. De Silva (2016). A rationale for introducing a subsidiary fishery in tropical reservoirs and lakes to augment inland fish production: case study from Sri Lanka. Food Security (Impact Factor 2.97) 8:769–781,DOI: 10.1007/s12571-016-0596-4.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D., J.S. Jayanatha, J. Pushpakumara and D.C.T. Dissanayake (2013). Artificial breeding and larval rearing of three tropical sea cucumber species: Holothuria scabra, Pseudocolochirus violaceus and Colochirus quadrangularisin Sri Lanka. SPC beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 33: 30-37.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D. Optimal fishing strategies for unexploited and under exploited fish resources in three reservoirs in Sri Lanka 190 p. Dissertation submitted to University of Kelaniya as a partial fulfillment of M. Phil Degree, p.171.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D. and U.S. Amarasinghe 2008. Population dynamics of Hyporhamphus limbatus (Beloniformes, Hemiramphidae) in two lowland reservoirs of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 13:23-38.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D. and U.S. Amarasinghe 2008. Exploitation of small indigenous fish species using shore seines in three reservoirs of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Science, 13:39-50.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D., U.S. Amarasinghe, F. Schiemer, G. Winkler and M. Schabuss 2008. Distribution and abundance of unexploited fish species in three Sri Lanka reservoirs. Asian Fisheries Science, 22:867-884.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D., U.S. Amarasinghe, F. Schiemer, G. Winkler and M. Schabuss 2008. Gill net selectivity of small cyprinids in three Sri Lankan reservoirs. Asian Fisheries Science, 22:885-900.
  • Moreau J., U.S. Amarasinghe and A.D Ajith Kumara 2008. Population dynamics of non-exploited and under-exploited fish species in three reservoirs of Sri Lanka. In: Schiemer, F. and D. Simon, U.S. Amarasinghe and J. Moreau (eds.) Aquatic Ecosystems and Development: Comparative Asian Perspectives, Biology of Inland waters, Backhuys publishers, Leiden Chapter 16: pp.285-295.
  • Amarasinghe, U.S., A.D. Ajith Kumara and M.H.S. Ariyarathna (2002). Role of non-exploited fishery resources in Sri Lankan reservoirs as a source of food for cage aquaculture. In: I.G. Cowx (ed.). Management and Ecology of Lake and Reservoir Fisheries, London: Blackwell Publishers Chapter 27: pp.332-343.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D., W.U. Chandrasekara and H.H. Costa (1999). Effect of crowding, food quality and body size on food utilization of the exotic snail, Pomaceacanaliculata (Lamarck), a potential pest of rice in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 4:23-39

Publications in Conference Proceedings

  • Weerasingha, P. A. D. Ajith Kumara, M.M.A.S. Maheepala, A. J. Jayatissa and M.S.M. Fahim (2023). Use of Palm olein to replace fish oil in juvenile Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) diets reared in floating cages of Lagoon waters of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Colombo 15, Scientific Session 2023 28p.
  • Thilaksi, E., N.Y. Hirimuthugoda, C.B. Medagedaraand A.D. Ajith Kumara (2017). Effect of two commercial feeds on growth and survival of the sea cucumber Holothuriascabralarvae.Proceedings of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Colombo, Scientific Session, p.5.
  • Fahim, M.S.M., B.K.K.K. Jinadasa, G.D.T.M. Jayasinghe, C.B. Medagedaraand A.D. Ajith Kumara. (2016). Proximate composition and fatty acid profile of the sea cucumber Holothuriascabra collected from two geographical locations in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Colombo 15, Scientific Session 2016: pp.19-22.
  • Weerasingha, R.,A.D. Ajith Kumara, M.S.M. Fahim and D. A. Athukorala. (2015). Utilization of different types of fish silages on growth of juvenile sea cucumber Holothuriascabra. Proceedings of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Colombo 15, Scientific Session 2015: pp.32-36.
  • Ajith Kumara P.A.D., C.B. Medagedara, M.S.M. Fahim J. Pushpakumara and A.J.Jayatissa (2015). Community-based sea cucumber farming as a livelihood alternative for fisher-folks in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Colombo 15, Scientific Session 2015: 137-141.
  • Ajith Kumara P.A.D., J.S. Jayanatha, J. Pushpakumara and D.C.T. Dissanayake 2012. Development of artificial breeding and culture techniques for sandfish in Sri Lanka,  Sath Samudura , Marine Pollution Prevention Authority, pp 32-35.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D. and U.S. Amarasinghe (2003).Feasibility of differential exploitation of minor cyprinids in reservoirs of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the first annual scientific session of the Inland Aquatic Resources Division in National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA), 23 January 2003, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • Amarasinghe U.S., P.A.D. Ajith Kumara, M.H.S. Ariyaratne and S.S. De Silva 2000. Exploitation of unexploited fishery resources in reservoirs of Sri Lanka: an approach to increase protein supply for rural communities. Electronic Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture for Rural Development, DFID and NACA, 09 July 07 August 2000, NACA, Bangkok.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D. and U.S. Amarasinghe (1999). Gills net selectivity of Puntius filamentosus and Amblypharyngodon melettinus in three reservoirs of Sri Lanka. In: proceedings of the 5th annual sessions: Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (SLAFAR), 23-24 June 1998, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • Ajith Kumara, P.A.D. and H.H. Costa (1998). Effect of crowding, food quality and body size on food utilization of Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck), (Gastropoda: Ampullaridae), an introduced potential snail pest of rice in Sri Lanka. In: proceedings of the 4th annual sessions: Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (SLAFAR), 23-24 June 1998, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Fellowships, Awards, Distinctions and Patents

  • Nara felicitate Award-2018- For scientific publications in high impact refreed journals, awarded by National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency (NARA).
  • NRC merit Award-2016- For scientific publication in refreed journals-awarded by National Research Council (NRC) for a paper published in the Journal of Food Security 2016, Vol.8. Iss 4, pp 769-781.
  • General Research Committee(GRC) Post Graduate Research Award- 2009 (Commendation Award)- Awarded by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) at the 65th annual sessions of SLAAS held on 07th December 2009 at BMICH, Colombo.

Foreign Training, Workshops, Symposium and Seminars Attended

  • Workshop on “Marine Aquaculture and Fish Health Management” from 21st to 28th November, 2017in Indonesia.
  • Mariculture Technician Trainning course at Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), Seuol from 28 May- 10 June 2012 in South Korea.
  • Workshop on “Sea Cucumber Fisheries: an Ecosystem Approach to Management in the Indian Ocean” 12-16 November 2012 in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
  • Trainning programme on Fish Culture Development at Egyptian International Center for Agriculture (EICA), Cairo and World Fish Ceneter (WWF); Abbassa, from 05 October 2008 to 12 December 2008, Islamic Republic of Egypt.
  • Trainning programme on Coastal Aquaculture Technology at Korea International Cooperation Agency (koica), Seuol and Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (kimft), Busan from 23 August 2006- 22 September 2006 in South Korea.
  • Study tour programme on Integrated Coastal Resources Management focused on community-based coral reef management conducted by Coastal Resources management and Education Foundation Inc. from 05.09.2005–15.09.2005 Cebu, Philippines.
  • Short term trainning on Fisheries Management and Aquaculture in Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhuwaeneswar in India from 12 October 2003 to 19 ctober 2003.
  • Short term trainning on Marine Fish Breeding and Live Feed Production in Asian Institute of Technology (AIT); Bangkok and Coastal Aquaculture Station; Rayong, Thailand from 10 March 2001 to April 2001.

External Funded Projects Worked

  • Strategies for partitioning the productivity of Asian reservoirs and lakes between capture fisheries and aquaculture for social benefits and local market without negative environmental impact (FISHSTRAT project)

Execution Agency      : University of Kelaniya
Duration               : 1998 -2002
Financing provided by : European Union INCO-DC-Programme (Project Number: IC18-CT0190)

  •  NACA- ICEIDA reservoir fisheries management project

Execution Agency       : University of Kelaniya
Duration               : 2009-2011
Financing provided by : Network of Asia Center for Aquacultre (NACA) andIcelandic International Deveopment Agency (iceida)

  • Seaweed culture as a livelihood option for war-affected coastal communities in the Northern Sri Lanka

Execution Agency       : National Aquatic Resources R & D Agency (NARA)
Duration               : 2009-2011
Financing provided by  : Ministry of Economic Affairs and Rural Development

  • Designing the aquaculture development plan for north western and northern provinces in sri Lanka

Execution Agency          : National Aquatic Resources R & D Agency (NARA)
Duration                          : 2012
Financing provided by : KOICA and Korea Maritime Institute (KMI)

  • Education, capacity development and monitoring in support of Bar Reef MarineSanctuary (BRMS) management-BOBLME Project (2014-2015)

Execution Agency          : National Aquatic Resources R & D Agency (NARA)
Duration                          : 2014-2015
Financing provided by :Bay of Bengal Large Marine Environment programme(BOBLME)

  • PetrolEum resources DEVELOPMNET survey assessment (prds project)

Execution Agency         : National Aquatic Resources R & D Agency (NARA)
Duration                          : 2015-2017
Financing provided by : Ministry of Petrolium Resources and Renewble Energy

  • CENARA-PHASE- II PROJECT

Execution Agency            : National Aquatic Resources R & D Agency (NARA)
Duration                            : 2016-2017
Financing provided by   : ICEIDA, IFAD, FAO

  • Promoting Pro-poor water Governance and Management in a Major River Basin of Sri Lanka

Execution Agency          : University of Kelaniya
Duration                          : 2014-2017
Financing provided by  : Ministry of Finance and Economic Reforms

  • INCREASING THE VALUE OF THE SEA CUCUMBER HARVEST BY IMPROVING PROCESSING AND HANDLING

Execution Agency          : University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Duration                          : 2015-2018
Financing provided by  : National Research Council, Sri Lanka

  • EMPOWERING OCEAN LEADERS: A PROGRAMME FOR EFFECTIVE OCEAN EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION

Execution Agency           : National Aquatic Resources R&D Agency (NARA)
Duration                           : 2023-2026
Financing provided by  : International Ocean Institute (IOI)

  • SURVEY OF REGIONAL RESOURCES AND ECOSYATEM OFF BAY OF BENGAL

Execution Agency          : National Aquatic Resources R&D Agency (NARA)
Duration                          : 2018
Financing provided by : Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) & Institute of Marine Research (IMR)

  • A SCOPING STUDY TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE IN SRI LANKA

Execution Agency           : University of Sydney, University of Western Auastralia, Deparment of Primary Industirs in New South Whales, Ministry of Fisheries, National Aquatic Resources R&D Agency (NARA),                                                      National Aquaculture Development Agency (NAQDA) and Ocean University of Sri Lanka
Duration                           : 2022-2023
Financing provided by  : Knowledge and Linkages for an Inclusive Economy (KLIE) Project, Australia and Australian Aid Project

  • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN SEA CUCUMBER AQUACULTURE AND PROCESSING,
    RESTOCKING AND MANAGEMENT OF DEPLETED WILD RESOURCES

Execution Agency           : National Aquatic Resources R&D Agency (NARA), & National Aquaculture Development Agency (NAQDA)
Duration                           : 2023-2024
Financing provided by  : Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

  • IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CULTURE-BASED FISHERY FOR FINFISH AND GIANT FRESHWATER PRAWN IN SRI LANKAN WATERS

Execution Agency          : Wayamba University, University of Kelaniya, University of Ruhuna, James Cook University and University of Western Auastralia
Duration                          : 2022-2025
Financing provided by  : Austarlian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

  • EMPOWERING OCEAN LEADERS: A PROGRAMME FOR EFFECTIVE OCEAN EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION

Execution Agency          : National Aquatic Resources R&D Agency (NARA)
Duration                           : 2023-2024
Financing provided by  : International Ocean Institute (IOI)

  • Technical Assistance in Sea cucumber Aquaculture and Processing, Restocking and Management of Depleted Wild Resources (TCP/SRL/3902)

Execution Agency          : National Aquatic Resources R&D Agency (NARA)
Duration                          : 2023-2025
Financing provided by : Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

  • ASSESS THE SUITABLE CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AQUACULTURE OF THE SEA CUCUMBER; Holothuria scabra (SAND FISH) IN NORTHERN SRI LANKA

Execution Agency           : University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Duration                           : 2023-2026
Financing provided by  : National Research Council, Sri Lanka