Name: Dr.A.D.W.R. Rajapakshe

Contact : wrajapakshe@gmail.com

Academic Qualifications :

• B. Sc special degree (Hons) in Zoology with 2^nd Class Lower division
• M.Sc Aquaculture and Fisheries Management
• Ph.D. Fish Pathology and Microbiology

Research publications

Full papers

• Pathiratne A. and W. R. Rajapakshe (1998) Hematological changes Associated with the epizootic ulcerative syndrome in the Asian cichlid fish, Etroplus suretensis Journal of Asian fisheries science 11:203-211.
• Rajapakshe, A.D.W.R., K.Pani Prasad, S.C.Mukharjee, K.Kundan Kumar, R.K. Brahmachari, C.T.Meena and N.Kumar (2012). In vitro Sensitivity of Three bacterial pathogens of Koi Carp (Cyprynus carpio L.) to certain antibiotics. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. B2 93 – 98.
• Weerasekara, K.A.W.S,. A.M.Azmy, Hettige, N.D,.Wikramaratne,C,. Amarathunga, A.A.D., Heenetigala, P.P.M., and W.Rajapakshe (2012).Assessment of Water quality status of Aquatic environment subjected to frequent Occurrence of fish kill incidents. Proceeding of International Symposium on Urban Lake monitoring and Management, Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, 18^th May 2012.
• Rajapakshe, A.D.W.R., K.Pani Prasad, S.C.Mukharjee (2012).Gross clinical signs and hematological changes associated with artificial infection of Edwadsiella tarda in  koi Carp. Jorunal of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency of Sri Lanka. Volume 41(pp. 1-10).
• Srikrishnan.R, Hirimuthugoda.N.Y, Rajapakshe.W. Evaluation of growth performances and breeding habits of fighting fish (Betta splendens) under three diats and shelters (2017). Journal of the survey in Fisheries Sciences. 3(2) 50-65.

 Abstracts

• Rajapakshe, A. D. W. R. M. Hettiarachchi and P.P.G.S.N. Siriwardena, (2001) study on the feasibility of growing three ornamental fish species in abandoned coral pits and reservoirs. Paper presented at the Annual scientific sessions of Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic resources in abstract 7p.
• Ariyaratne, M. H. S. and W. R. Rajapakshe (2000) culture-based fisheries of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Indegenious Labio (Labio dussumier) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio)in small-sized seasonal tanks in Hambantota district in Sri Lanka proceeding of ISTAV  the symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture, Rio de Janairo , brazil, 3^rd – 7^th Sep. 2000.
• Rajapakshe, A.D.W.R., S.C.Mukharjee and K.Pani Prasad, (2010).Histopathological  Evidence of koi carp with artificial infection  of Aeromonas hydrophila .The abstract presented   at the proceeding of the 16^th Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 12^th -July 2010 at the NAQDA Auditorium, Pelawattha ,Baththaramulla.
• Rajapakshe, A.D.W.R., and K.Pani Prasad, S.C.Mukharjee, A.K.Pal, and K.Kumara (2011). In – Vitro sensitivity of three bacterial pathogens of Koi carp to 30 antibiotics. The abstract presented at the APA International Symposium in Kochi on 17^th  -  20^th January 2011
• Sewwandi, G.H.D.V., W.Rajapakshe, and N.Y.Hirimuthugoda (2011) Determination of Breeding performances of three guppy( Poecilia reticulate) varieties. The abstract presented at the proceeding of the 17^th Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 19^th -20^th May 2011 at the NARA Auditorium.
• Weerasekara, K.A.W.S,. A.M.Azmy, Hettige, N.D,.Wikramaratne,C,. Amarathunga, A.A.D., Heenetigala, P.P.M., and W.Rajapakshe (2012).Assessment of Water quality status of Aquatic environment subjected to frequent Occurrence of fish kill incidents. Proceeding of International Symposium on water quality and Human Health, Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, 22^nd & 23^rd March 2012.
• Wasantha Rajapakshe, Anusha Dilmini and Saman Athada (2013). Development of Immunity of Koi Carp Cyprinus carpio L. by using medicinal plant, Solanum xanthocarpm .Abstract proceedings of Agri Animal 2013, Interntional conference on Agriculture and Animal Sciences, 8^th -9^th July 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Indrani Parakrama, Prajani Heenatigala and Wasantha Rajapakshe(2013) . Growth responses and immune assurance to Aeromonasbacteria of juvenile Common carp Cyprinus carpio fed a prepared ration augmented with different levels of tocopheryl acetate through enrichment” abstracts in the  International Conference on Agriculture and Animal Sciences  (Agri Animal 2013) , Colombo, 8^th -9^th July 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• A.D.W.R Rajapakshe, K.Pani Prasad, and K.Kumar (2013). Immunological status of Koi Carp for three bacterial pathogens. Proceedings of the NARA Scientific sessions, 29^th November 2013-NARA, Crow Island, Mattakkuliya. Colombo 15.
• Wasantha Rohine Rajapkshe,Pani Prasad, Subhash Chandra Mukharjee and Kundan Kumar (2013) Haematological, Serological, Immunological and Histopathological changes in Koi Carp Cyprinus carpio L. with artificial infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Asian Fisheries Forum, 30^th April- 4^th May 2013, Korea.
• Srikrishnan.R, Rajapakshe.A.D.W.R,. Hirimuthugoda. N.Y, Effect of 3 different live feeds on growth performance of fighting fish .2015. Abstract presented at the 2^nd International Conference of  Agriculture, Aquaculture and Animal Science  2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.28^th -29^th December 2015.
• Srikrishnan. R, Hirimuthugoda. N.Y. Rajapakshe.W. Effect of 3 different substrates on breeding performance of fighting fish. 2016. Abstract presented at the 3^rd International Conference of  Fisheries and Aquaculture in Negombo, Sri Lanka.
• Wikramarachi, B.R., Hirimuthugoda, N.Y, Rajapakshe, A.D.W.R. Assessing the impact of natural carotenoids on skin pigmentation of Oscar fish sing photo shop software as the analyzing tool. Abstract presented at the SLAFAR session on26thMay 2017.

Poster presentations

• A. D. W. R. Rajapakshe, K. W. R. R. Amaraweera, S. C. Jayamanne and J. B. Alahapperuma (2005). Preliminary study on the culture of Giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii in earthen ponds with community participation. International workshop in NARA, 19^th – 20^th March 2005.
• A.D.W.R.Rajapakshe, R.Thanthrige, A.M.A.N.Adhikari and E.D.M.Epasinghe (2018) Exploration on Prevailing  Diseases of Cage Cultured Asian Sea Bass (Lates calcarifer ) Bloch in Western and North Western Provinces in Sri Lanka.5^th International  Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture, Taj Samudra Hotel on 23^rd – 24^th August 2018.
• Perera, P.W.A., Hirimthgoda,N.Y. ,Krishnan,R.., Manoja,K.H., Seandi,G.,  Jayanatha,S. And W.Rajapakshe(2019).Distribution and Diversity of Economically Important Bivalves and Shrimps in Rekawa Lagoon Sri Lanka. International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment, university of  Ruhuna,  Sri Lanka on28th Feb.2019.

Lectures/ Training conducted in RRC Rekawa

Resource person for the below mentioned training programmes.

• One day training programme on coastal biodiversity for the coast guard organized by Marin Pollution Prevention Authority, at Training center in Kalegana, Wakwella. On 28.12.2008.
• Two-day training programme on Ornamental fish culture for the 40 students in Vocational training center in Bandagiriya on 2009 Sep.07^th and 08^th
• Two-day training programme on Ornamental fish culture, breeding, and management in the University of Ruhuna, Faculty of Agriculture, Mapalana on 24^th and 25^th Sep. 2009.
• Seminar on Coastal Bio Diversity conservation for the student of St. Thomas Boys School, Matara, Organized by Agriculture Faculty, University of Ruhuna, on2009.10.29
• Seminar on Coastal Bio Diversity conservation for the student of Sujatha College, Matara, Organized by Agriculture Faculty, University of Ruhuna, on2009.10.29
• Two-day training programme on Ornamental fish culture, breeding, and management in NARA Rekawa, for small scale ornamental fish farmers organized by the Ministry of Fisheries, Sothern provincial Council, on 25^th and 26 October 2010.
• Three day training programme on Ornamental fish culture, breeding, and management in NARA Rekawa, for small scale ornamental fish farmers organized by the Small  Entrepreneur Development, District Secretariat, Matara 22^th and 24 November 2010.
• Lectures on Ornamental Fish Diseases to the farmers in Horana area in the Divisional Secretariat, Horana on 10^th March 2011.
• Resource person for three days training programme on Ornamental fish culture, breeding and disease diagnosis for  Hambantota district small scale farmers from 25^th – 27^th May 2011 at RRC/Rekawa.
• Deliver a Lecture on the importance of Mangrove for the government officers of Matara district organized by the Marine Pollution Prevention Authority on 23^rd Nov.2011.
• Resource person for three days training programme on “Ornamental fish culture, breeding and disease management” for the farmers of Monaragala district from 23^th – 25^th November.2011
• Lecture on Mangrove for the school teachers of Tangalle zone organized by Director of Science. Zonal office. Tangalle. On 27^th Nov.2011.
• The resource person for the field training programme on Mangrove for the 60 students of Gemunu Maha Vidyalaya, Netolpitiya on 30^th November 2011.
• Deliver the lecture on Prevention from Dengue for community people in Rekawa area on 9^th February 2012.
• Lecture for the student of NIFNE under the topic of ongoing ornamental fish culture project with Rekawa community on 09^th Aug.2012.
• Resource person for the workshop on Mangrove Resources for the student(200) of Ruhunu Wijayaba College, Thangalle, organized by Zonal Education office Tangalle on 8^th and 9^th Nov.2012.
• Resource person for the workshop on Mangrove resources for the 120 students of Shariputhra College, Ahangama on 02^nd February 2016.
• Resource person for the workshop on Mangrove resources for the 90 students of Hapugala Maha Vidyalaya on 13^th May 2016.
• Resource person for 10days ornamental training programme held in NARA for fish diseases on 09^th  July 2016.
• Conducted lecture on Importance of Mangrove for the public sector, organize by MEPA on 24^th November 2016 at the Hotel Tangalle.
• Resource person for the workshop on Mangrove resources for the 120 students of Sangamiththa College, Galle on 09^th February 2017.
• Resource person for the workshop on fish disease diagnosis for the fisherman of Deduru Oya on 08thAgst 2017.

Membership of learned / professional societies if any and category of membership

• Sri Lanka Association for the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (SLAFAR) – Life Member and an executive committee member from 2015-2017.
• Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) - Life Member
• Task force member of the Network of Aquaculture Centers in   Asia Pacific (NACA) for Aquatic Animal   Health Management from 2011 to 2013.

The ability of Management and leadership Qualities

• 25 years of experience as a research officer and senior scientist in the field of Aquaculture &Fisheries and Fish Pathology.
• Worked as Officer –in –Charge of Regional Research Center at Kapparatota from 1998 -1999 and R.R.C.Rekawa   from 1999 to 2003, 2004-2005, 2008 to   March 2011 and August 2012 to March 2017. 
  • All management works including labour handling, infrastructure development in RRC.
  • Build up co-ordination with other institutes relevant to NARA Rekawa.
  • Represent District Coordinating Committee meetings and Divisional meeting.
• Served as Regional  Co- ordinator of AIDA project (Funded by Spanish Govt.)  From 2009 to 2011.
• Maintain Hatchery in RRC/Rekawa, Broodstock Management, and fry collection.
• Co-ordination of supply fry for beneficiaries.
• Authorized officer for reporting Aquatic animal diseases to the OIE quarterly reports from the NARA. (2011-2013).
• Organized the stakeholders' consultation workshop on 27^th Nov, 2017at NARA as a chairman of the committee.
• Working as a co-ordinator of laboratory proficiency testing programme of Asia Pacific region from 2012todate.
• Representing as member of Implementation of the National Biosafety Framework in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety from 2018.
• I have provided the service as an examiner for the evaluation of the thesis ( Species Identification of the gill trematode (Centrocestus sp.) in Koi carp and an Experimental study of its infection on the hosts) submitted for the Degree of Master of Philosophy, University of Ruhuna.