Dr. KMC Fernando

BSc (Agri)(Ruhuna), MSc (Norway), PhD (UK)

Senior Lecturer
Department of Crop Science
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka


Phone

:

+94 41 229 2200

Fax

:

+94 41 229 2384

E-mail

:

menaka@crop.ruh.ac.lk

Web

:

www.agri.ruh.ac.lk

Google Scholar

Research Gate

FULL NAME

Kurukulasuriya Menaka Chamindanie Fernando

 

NATIONALITY

Sri Lankan

 

LANGUAGE ABILITY

English excellent

Sinhala mother tongue excellent

 

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Awarded Commonwealth Scholarship by Commonwealth scholarship commission tenable at University of Nottingham, United Kingdom – PhD (2011-2015)

  • Awarded Norwegian Government Scholarship by the Government of Norway tenable at Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), Norway - MSc (2005- 2007)

  • Dr. S. K. Charles Memorial Gold Medal - Most outstanding performance at the Degree of Bachelor of the Science of Agriculture Final Examination at 12th Convocation held on 25th October, 2004, at University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

  • UpaliWijewardhena Memorial Gold Medal - All the examinations leading to the Degree of Bachelor of the Science of Agriculture and obtained the highest aggregate marks at 12th Convocation held on 25th October, 2004, at University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

  • The Gold Medal awarded by Prof. Y. D. A. Senanayake- Highest marks in Crop Science at all the annual examinations of the Bachelor of the Science of Agriculture course at 12th Convocation held on 25th October, 2004, at University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

  • D. H. E. Mohotti Memorial Gold Medal - The best performance in the Farm Practice Course at the Faculty of Agriculture at 12th Convocation held on 25th October, 2004, at University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

  • Ronie De Mel Gold Medal - First class with the highest aggregate marks in the Final Examination leading to the Degree of Bachelor of the Science of Agriculture Final Examination at 12th Convocation held on 25th October, 2004, at University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

  • Dr. P. S. J. W. Serasinghe Memorial Gold Medal awarded by Prof. (Mrs.) R. T. Serasinghe and family members to the graduate who obtained a distinction pass for Crop Science at the 300 series examination and followed specialization course in Crop Science and passed the Degree of Bachelor of Science of Agriculture with First Class (Honours) in the year 2003 at 12th Convocation held on 25th October, 2004, at University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

  • The best presenter at the 5th Annual Graduate Research Seminar- 2003 held at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

 

HIGHER EDUCATION

  • PhD in Crop Science- The University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (2011-2015) www.nottingham.ac.uk Thesis: Exploration of Favourable traits for Nitrogen use efficiency in ancient wheat species

  • M.Sc in Agroecology- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway (2005-2008) http://www.umb.no/ Thesis: Development of sustainable ecological vegetable production systems in Sri Lanka; An intervention approach

  • B.Sc in Agriculture, First Class (Honors) - Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (1999 –2003) http://www.agri.ruh.ac.lk/ Dissertation: In- vitro propagation of black pepper (Piper nigrum)

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • December 2015 - to date, Senior Lecturer (G-II) in Agroecology, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

  • February 2007 – December 2015, Lecturer in Agroecology, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

 

PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS

  • Participated three day Workshop on Multi-stakeholder Partnership (MSP) tools and Participatory Curriculum Development funded by Wageningen University and Research on 3-5 March 2019 at Hotel South Lake, Ahangama

  • Participated a workshop for the Self Evaluation Report (SER) writing for Programme Reviews in State Universities organised by UGC on 22nd January 2019

  • Participated three day Workshop on Multi-Stakeholder Partnership tools for agricultural development funded by Wageningen University and Research on 3- 5 March 2019 at Hotel Amari, Galle

  • Participated in the training programme on Career Counselling on 5-6 May 2010 at Faculty of Agriculture, university of Ruhuna sponsored by Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council Project of UGC, Sri Lanka

  • Participated five day training programme on Application Of Biotechnology in Plant and Pathogens conducted by SL-CARP at Coconut Research Institute on 1-5 December 2008

  • Participated in the workshop on Counselling the Undergraduate; Workshop for Academics on 10-11 September 2008 at Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna

WORKSHOPS/ TRAINING PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED

  • Training Programme for GCE Advanced Level Agriculture teachers in Southern province on Sustainable Agriculture on 23rd November 2017 at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna

  • Training for GCE Advanced Level Agro Technology teachers on Plant Tissue Culture on 12th October 2010 at NIE

  • Delivered a speech and presentation as a invited speaker at Asian Agroecology Encounter which was held on 18-22 May 2010, Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • Member of the workshop conducted by NIE for preparation of teaching materials of Agro-Technology subject on 26-27 October 2009

  • Training Programme for GCE Advanced Level Agriculture teachers in Southern province on Plant Tissue Culture on 19th October 2007 at Galle

EDITORIAL AND REVIEWING ACTIVITIES

  • Editorial board member of the International Journal of Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension published by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna (2018-2019)

  • Reviewer of the International Symposium on Agriculture & Environment organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna (ISAE 2017, 2018 & 2019).

  • Reviewer of the Second International Symposium on Agriculture organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka (ISA 2019) .

  • Reviewer of 5th and 6th International Science & Technology conference organised by the Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna (RISTCON 2017 & 2018) .

  • Reviewer of the 8th International Symposium organised by South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (2018)
 

PEER REVIEWED PAPERS

 

Fernando, KMC., Lieblein, G., Francis, C., Subasinghe, S & Weerakoon, L (2009). Development of Sustainable Ecological Vegetable Production Systems in Matara district, Sri Lanka: an Intervention Approach. Journal of Tropical Agricultural Research, Vol 20: 279-289

 

Fernando, KMC & Subasinghe, S (2006). Development of Cost- effective basal medium for in- vitro propagation of Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) as an alternative for Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. 4th Academic sessions, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

 

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES

 

Fernando, KMC & Sparkes, DL (2019). Study on stay-green properties of ancient wheat species and modern bread wheat. Proceedings of the International Symposium in Agriculture & Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, 28th February 2019, p. 79.

 

Fernando, KMC, Atkinson, JA & Sparkes, DL (2018). Phenotypic variations of seedling root architectural traits of wheat species under different growth media. Proceedings of the International Symposium in Agriculture & Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, 18th January 2018, p. 23.

 

Fernando, KMC & Sparkes, DL (2014). Identification of flag leaf traits associated with nitrogen use efficiency in einkorn, emmer, spelt and bread wheat. Challenges for Crop Production & Quality: Annals of Applied Biology Centenary conference, 10th December 2014, The United Kingdom.

 

Fernando, KMC., Ehoche, OG., Atkinson, JA & Sparkes, DL (2014). Root architectural traits of einkorn, emmer, spelt and bread wheat in relation to nitrogen uptake efficiency. PhenoDays 2014 conference, 28-31 October 2014, France.

 

Fernando, KMC., Mayes, S & Sparkes, DL (2013). Nitrogen Use efficiency traits in ancient wheat species, Crop Resource Use Efficiency and Field Phenotyping conference, Association of applied Biologists, on 25-26 March 2013, The United Kingdom.

 

Fernando, KMC., Mayes, S & Sparkes, DL (2012). Exploration of favorable traits for nitrogen use efficiency in ancient wheat species. Proceedings of the Postgraduate Symposium, Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham. The United Kingdom.

 

Rathnayaka, RMPA, Kuruppu, M & Fernando, KMC (2009) Induce Variations of Anthurium andreanum var. Angel through Chemical mutagens. A paper presented at 2nd National Symposium at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna

 

Fernando, KMC, Lieblein, G, Francis, C., Subasinghe, S & Weerakoon, L (2008) Exploration of reasons to change farmer’s attitudes towards ecological vegetable farming in Southern Sri Lanka: evidence from a case study. Proceedings of the First National Symposium, University of Ruhuna, 23 - 24 October 2008, p. 80.

 

Priyadarshani, NDN, & Fernando KMC (2008). Effect of different seed treatments on germination of Ipomoea mauritiana (Kiribadu) seeds, Proceedings of the First National Symposium, University of Ruhuna, 23 -24 October 2008, p. 27.

 

Kaliyadasa, PE, Fernando, KMC, & Purnima, MMA (2007). Evaluation of different potting media for multification of in-vitro propagated dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus Haw.). Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University, 8 - 12 July 2008, p. 19.

 

Fernando, KMC, Priyadarshani, NDN & Subasinghe, S (2008). Seedling development of Spinach (Basella alba) as affected by different sources of vermicompost. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University, 8 - 12 July 2008, p. 26.Fernando, KMC, Priyadarshani, NDN & Subasinghe, S (2008). Seedling development of Spinach (Basella alba) as affected by different sources of vermicompost. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University, 8 - 12 July 2008, p. 26.

 

Fernando, K. M. C. and Priyadarshani, N. D. N. (2008). Seed treatments affected on germination of Canna lily (Canna indica) under in-vitro and in-vivo conditions, Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University, 8 - 12 July 2008, p. 28.

 

Priyadarshani, N. D. N., Fernando, K. M. C., Kumarasinghe, H. K. M. S. and Subasinghe, S. (2008). Studies on growth and yield of leafy cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. acephala) as affected by organic liquid fertilizers, Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University, 8 – 12 July 2008, p. 25.

 

Priyadarshani, N. D. N., Kumarasinghe, H. K. M. S., Subasinghe, S., and Fernando, K. M. C. (2008). Kollankola (Poogostomon heyneanus) rooting as affected by cutting length and moisture level, Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium, Sabaragamuwa University, 8 – 12 July 2008, p. 27.

 

Fernando, KMC, Priyadarshani, NDN & Warakagoda, PS (2008). Ex-situ conservation of bird’s nest anthurium (Anthurium hookeri). Proceedings of the 64th Annual sessions of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, p. 265.

 

Fernando, KMC & Priyadarshani, NDN (2007). Bud initiation of different clones of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum Presl.) as affected by different BAP concentrations. Proceedings of the 12th Forestry and Environmental Symposium, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka, p. 76

 

Fernando, KMC & Subasinghe, S (2007). Studies of economically feasible basal medium for in- vitro propagation of Orchid as an alternative for Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Proceedings of the 12th Forestry and Environmental Symposium, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka, p. 77

 

Fernando, KMC & Priyadarshani, NDN (2007). Different concentrations of BAP on in-vitro root development of Vanilla (Vanilla fragrance). Proceedings of the 12th Forestry and Environmental Symposium- 2007, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka, p. 82

 

Fernando, KMC & Priyadarshani, NDN (2007). Seed germination and seedling development of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) as affected by earthworm castings. Proceedings of the 12th Forestry and Environmental Symposium- 2007, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka, p. 87

 

Kaliyadasa, PE, Fernando, KMC, Purnima, MMA & Subasinghe, S (2007). Early seedling growth of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) as affected by different types of compost tea. Proceedings of the 63rd the Annual sessions of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, p. 45

 

Fernando, KMC & Subasinghe, S (2005). Studies on in-vitro establishment of Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) as affected by seed size, maturity stage storage period and sterilization procedure. Proceedings of the 61st Annual sessions of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, p. 107

 

Wijesekara, VPR, Subasinghe, S & Fernando, KMC (2005). Resilient green belt to restore coastal environment and livelihood of people affected by tsunami in Sri Lanka, Norwegian Forum for Development in Fisheries, 26 – 27 October, 2005, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway

 

Fernando, KMC, Swarnathilaka, DBR & Subasinghe, S (2004). In- vitro propagation of Black pepper (Piper nigrum), A paper presented at the 9th Annual Forestry and Environmental Symposium, 27- 28 February 2004, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Abstract published in the proceedings, p. 56

 

Fernando, KMC & Subasinghe, S (2004). In- vitro clonal micropropagation of Agave (Agave sisilana), Proceedings of the 60th Annual sessions of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science. Abstract published in the proceedings, p. 85