Volume 04, No. 07 January – March 2011 ISSN 2012-5356 News

A quarterly update of important events of the University of Peradeniya

General Convocation - 2010

Contents The General Convocation 2010 of the University of Peradeniya was held on 01 March 2011 at the Gymnasium of the University. This prestigious occasion was organized by the Robocon 2011 Convocation Committee chaired by Dr. G. Buthpitiya, the Dean of the Faculty of Taruga Medicine. No. of Graduands Workshops/Seminars/ Conferences Agriculture ...... 194 Book Launching Ceremony Arts...... 665 MD examination in Surgery Dental Sciences...... 45 Engineering ...... 364 University Geography Society Medicine ...... 198 CDCE News Science...... 423 What’s new in the UP Veterinary Medicine Library Network & Animal Science...... 93 IT Centre News Postgraduate Degrees....449 Sports News The University of Peradeniya conferred 2431 degrees on graduands from seven Details of Retired /Resigned Faculties –Agriculture, Arts, Dental Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Vet. Employees Medicine - and Postgraduates Institutes. International Relations Contd. Page 2

Science Camps The Science Education Unit of the Faculty of Science conducted a Science Camp at the Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa, from 02nd to 03rd April, 2011 in collaboration with local organizations. Fifteen Senior Academic Staff members including the Dean of the Faculty and 30 Temporary Lecturers/Demonstrators participated as resource persons. Five Technical Officers of the Faculty provided the necessary technical support. More than 300 G.C.E. (A/L) students of the Polonnaruwa area participated in this two-day Science Camp which was conducted through lectures, demonstrations, hands- on laboratory sessions and the popular “Chemistry Magic” programme.

Sixth National Training Course in Integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Crises The Sixth National Training Course in Integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Crises conducted by the Health Emergency and Disaster Management Training Centre (HEDMaTC) in collaboration with the UNFPA was held as a three-day residential training programme from 3rd to 5th March 2011 at the Riverdale Hotel . The training was targeted for regional epidemiologists (RE's), Medical Officers of Maternal and Child Health (MO/MCHs), and Medical Officer Planning (MO Planning). Ten resource persons conducted the training for 28 participants. At the completion of six successful programs, the number of trained medical officers island-wide went up to a total of 117. University of Peradeniya News Web : www.pdn .ac.lk Statistics & Information Unit, Senate Building Tel. : 081-2392433 University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya. E-mail : [email protected] University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, . A live coverage of the proceedings was transmitted to viewers gathered outside the Gymnasium and it was beamed live on the World Wide Web.

The People's Bank and the Bank of Ceylon were the main sponsors of the General Convocation 2010.

Following the Convocation, a reception was held at the Vice Chancellor's Lodge to acknowledge the dedication and efforts of the Academic, Administrative and Non-Academic staff who contributed to make this event a success. Workshops / Seminars / Conferences Workshops / Seminars / Conferences

· The Department of Philosophy & Psychology and the Faculty of Medicine, University of · The members of the Department of Statistics Peradeniya, in collaboration with Samutthana (King's and Computer Science participated in a workshop on College London Resource Centre for Trauma, the First National Survey of Wild Elephants in Sri Displacement & Mental Health), Trauma and Global Lanka organized and conducted by the National Health program(TGH), People's Rural Development Wildlife Research and Training Centre, Giritale on Association (PRDA), Sri Lanka and McGill 24th March, 2011. The Department of Statistics and University Canada organized a workshop on working Computer Science is assisting the survey with with Children and Families on 21st of March 2011 at statistical data analysis. the Arts Faculty Seminar Room, University of Peradeniya. The Resource persons, Prof. Rachel Ribe, · The first 3-day short course on Analysis of Dr. Harriet Calvert and Ms. Caroline Gluckman are Experimental Data: Biological and Medical psychologists/psychotherapists from U.K. who Applications organized by the Board of Study in conducted the workshop in the English language with Statistics and Computer Science at the PGIS was the participation of psychiatrists, medical officers, completed successfully on 27th April, 2011. Initially, psychiatric nurses, students and staff of the the group targeted for the short course was Department of Philosophy & Psychology. postgraduate research students registered with the PGIS. However, as a result of the demand for the course · The Department of Philosophy & Psychology, from other universities and research institutes, the University of Peradeniya, in collaboration with the PGIS decided to conduct five consecutive short courses Tagore Society of Sri Lanka organized a Symposium to accommodate all applicants. on the Universality of Rabindranath Tagore on 31st of March 2011 at the Arts Faculty Seminar Room, The upcoming four short courses are scheduled as University of Peradeniya. The programme was follows: conducted in the English language with the participation of both staff members and students. The 2nd Short Course: 09, 10 and 11 May, 2011 Resource persons were Dr. Leel Gunasekera and Mr. 3rd Short Course: 23, 24 and 25 May, 2011 Kamal Premadasa from the Tagore Society of Sri 4th Short Course: 30, 31 May and 1 June, 2011 Lanka, Prof. G.B. Keerawella/Chair, Prof. Sumanasiri 5th Short Course: 6, 7, 8 June, 2011 Liyanage and Mrs. Mallika Rajaratnam from the Consequent on the large number of requests made, a Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya. The decision has been made by the Board of Study in philosophical theatre/dialogue between Einstein & Statistics and Computer Science at the PGIS to Tagore presented at the symposium was performed by organize in the near future an Advanced Short Course Mr. Wazim and Mr. Miraj from the Faculty of in Statistical Data Analysis. Engineering, University of Peradeniya.

MD Examination in Surgery

The National MD Part I and Part II Examinations in Surgery were conducted by the Department of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine on behalf of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) in February 2011.

University of Peradeniya News 02 Other Activities

·Department of Statistics and Computer Science · Following the accident at the nuclear reactor at and the Department of Police in Sri Lanka have Fukushima, Japan, the Department of Physics, initiated a joint research project on Computer University of Peradeniya, in collaboration with Supported Criminal Data Analysis. The main the Atomic Energy Authority, Sri Lanka, objective of this research is to increase established a Radiation Monitoring Centre to test efficiency in crime investigations conducted by the radiation levels in the atmosphere in and the Department of Police. At the initial stage, the around Peradeniya. Tests are being carried out research will be conducted in the Central round the clock and up to now no hazardous Province. radiation levels have been detected.

·A subject review was carried out in the Department of Management Studies, Faculty of Arts, from February 23-25, 2011. The Review Panel was appointed by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council of the UGC.

Book Launching Ceremony

A book titled 'In Honour of Herbert Allan Aponso, Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics, University of Peradeniya' was launched on the 27th of March 2011 at a ceremony held at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya. Prof. SBS Abayakoon, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, accompanied by Mrs. Jeewapani Abayakoon, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dr. Gamini Buthpitiya, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, and Prof. Ananda Wijekoon, Professor of Paediatrics also graced the occasion as Special Guests.

This book has been compiled and edited by Dr. Ananda Jayasinghe, Senior Lecturer in Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya. The book consists of three parts i.e. the life story of Prof. Aponso, his reminiscences and a collection of old essays The Book Cover written by Prof. Aponso on health matters.

Prof. Herbert Aponso joined the Faculty of Medicine at the time it was founded and retired in 1993 after 30 years of exemplary university service. The book launching ceremony was organized to mark his 86th birthday. Speaking on the occasion Prof. SBS Abayakoon commended the felicitation of an academic giant such as Prof. Aponso who has served the Medical Faculty and University of Peradeniya with utmost dedication.

Dr. Ananda Jayasinghe, the editor, handing over the first copy of the book to Prof. SBS Abayakoon. Prof. Aponso is pictured in the centre

IT Centre News Short courses vWeb Development - Batch 01 completed Seminars and Workshops vComputer Graphics & Animation - Batch 01 completed vA three-day workshop on ICT for Career vIntroduction to Computers & MS Office – Advancement for undergraduates in the Batch 01 completed, Batch 02 & 03 in Faculty of Arts - Completed v progress A workshop on Database Management Systems for undergraduates in the Faculty of vAdvanced Web Programming – in progress Arts - Completed vJAVA – in progress

University of Peradeniya News 03 Taruga, the only known tree-frog genus endemic to Sri Lanka

Using molecular, morphological and life history data, a team of researchers led by Dr. Madhava Meegaskumbura (Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science) have identified an endemic lineage of frogs from Sri Lanka and they have documented it as a new genus – Taruga (Meegaskumbura et al., 2010). The word Taruga in Sanskrit and early-Sinhala describe a "tree climber". This name is appropriate to the new genus since adult frogs are tree-dwellers and only rarely come to ground. They are so adapted to life on trees that they even lay their eggs there. Even though 15 genera of frogs have previously been identified from Sri Lanka, only 3 are endemic. Taruga is currently the only genus of endemic frogs among the tree-frogs (Rhacophoridae). With this, there are now three genera: Pseudophilautus, Polypedates and Taruga. Curiously, all genera of Sri Lankan endemic frogs are species depauperate and have only 1-4 species contained within them. The reason for this is still unclear. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using six gene fragments (three nuclear and three mitochondrial), morphological analyses of adults and tadpoles, and CT scanning of type specimens to analyze osteology have been used for the description of the genus. The most characteristic feature that distinguishes Taruga from the Polypedates is a set of prominent cone-like projections around the vent. Also, the supratympanic fold of Taruga is straighter than those in the Polypedates. Moreover, the snout of Taruga is more acute than that of Polypedates. The vent of Polypedates, such as the tadpoles, forms a tube between the left leg and the tail, and in Taruga, this tube is non-existent except for an opening between the leg and the tail. Several other features of the mouth cavity, such as, the number of projections on the tongue, the shape of the tongue etc, help to distinguish Taruga from Polypedates. Taruga is endemic to Sri Lanka, and the researchers have assigned T. fastigo as the type species for this genus. There are two more species currently included in this genus (T. eques and T. longinasus) and the researchers are working on describing a third. Taruga eques is found 1000m asl on Central Hills and Knuckles; Taruga fastigo 900m asl in Rakwana mountains (this species has the most restricted range); Taruga longinasus: below 600m in the wet-zone lowlands of Sri Lanka (this has the largest range). In order to survive, all three types of frogs require shade in the form of a canopy, and to breed, shallow and slow flowing streams or puddles. The female of the species builds a foamy nest overhanging water where eggs develop for a few days, after this, tadpoles fall into water where they undergo further development until metamorphosis. The juvenile frogs that emerge from water return to an arboreal life on trees. Sri Lanka is now known to contain a high level (clade level) of endemicity despite many land-bridge connections with India (Bossuyt et al., 2004). Taruga is yet another one of the deeply divergent clades. The following scientists contributed to this paper: Dr. Madhava Meegaskumbura (University of Peradeniya), Dr. Suyama Meegaskumbura (University of Peradeniya), Mr. Gayan Bowatte (University of Peradeniya), Mr. Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi (Wildife Heritage Trust), Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda (Sydney Museum), Prof. Christopher J. Schneider (Boston University) and Prof. James Hanken (Harvard University).

Outstanding Programmes of the “University Geography Students Society”

As a member of “Subject Society Network” of the Faculty of Arts, the Geography Students Society of 2009/10 initiated outstanding activities under the supervision of Senior Treasurer/Lecturer Mr. Muditha Prasannajith Perera with the assistance of the academic and other staff members of the Department of Geography. For instance the Society has introduced a “New Membership Card” for its members and a “New Notice Cover Page” in addition to improving the “File System” of the Society. The Society has organized a “Common / Guest Lecturer Series” including, “Environmental Science and Law” and “A Discussion on “War, Peace, and Next….”. Other accomplishments of the Society include rejuvenating the “Mihinada” wall newspaper, establishing a “Society Book Collection” in the At the Shramadana Campaign Department of Geography library with the support of the “Centre for Environmental Justice”, improving the Department's indoor landscaping, upgrading the bank accounts and organizing a “Shramadana Campaign” in the University temple.

University of Peradeniya News 04 CDCE News Best of luck, former Directors! Diploma Awarding Ceremony

Warm wishes from the Centre for Distance and The Diploma Awarding Ceremony for the successful Continuing Education to the former Director Prof. candidates of the 2009/2010 examinations was held at R.L. Wijeyeweera, and Deputy Directors Dr. N. the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education on Karunarathne, Mrs. M. Rranasinghe and Mr. 12th February 2011. The Diplomas offered were as Karunathissa Athukorala for the valuable services follows: Diploma in Participatory Housing & rendered during the last three years to bring the Community Development, Management & Centre to its status at present. Development and Co-operative Development & Management. The occasion was graced by the Chief Congratulations! – Present Directors Guest Prof. SBS Abayakoon, Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya. The Honourable Chief The following 03 Academic staff members were Minister Sarath Ekanayake was the Guest of Honour. appointed as the Deputy Directors of the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education for a period of Training Programme at Rantambe three years with effect from 03rd January 2011: A two-day out bound training programme for the staff Dr. (Ms.) N.C. Wanigasooriya of the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education was held at Rantambe (Tree Centre) on 04th and 05th Dr. (Ms.) Wanigasooriya was appointed as the March, 2011. Deputy Director/Training. She is a Senior Lecturer Grade I in the Faculty of Dental Sciences and is also During the training, staff members took part in the Director of the Unit for Development of Dental activities such as sports, drama, games and meditation. Education. This programme created a sense of community, trust, Dr. (Mrs.) M.R Pinnawala enthusiasm, commitment and confidence needed for achieving goals, improved the participants' attitude Dr. (Mrs.) M.R. Pinnawela was appointed as the towards team work, respect for others and laid a Deputy Director, Learning/Resources. She is a foundation for future success. Senior Lecturer Grade I attached to the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts.

Dr. (Mrs.) J.K. Dissanayake

Dr. (Mrs.) Dissanayake was appointed as the Deputy Director/ Examinations. She is a Senior Lecturer Grade II attached to the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine.

Library News Appointment of the New Librarian

Dr. Mrs. K.G.P.G. Wijeunge was appointed as the Librarian of the University of Peradeniya with effect from 17th January 2011. Dr. Wijetunge is a graduate of the University of Peradeniya and served in the library, University of , for a period of 24 years prior to her appointment at Peradeniya.

University of Peradeniya News 05 Gifts to the Medical Library Achievements o Sri Lanka Medical and Dental Association in the Ms. Harshani Dissanayake, Senior Asst. Librarian, IT UK has gifted text books worth Rs. 77,000.00 Division of the Main Library was invited by the o Victoria Chapter of the Peradeniya University UNESCO to participate at a seminar on Open Access Alumni Association of Australia gifted text books for Scientific Information in March 2011 held at the worth Rs. 200,000.00 India International Centre, New Delhi. She presented a o Peradeniya Medical Students Alumni Association paper on “Sri Lanka: Open Access Week 2010 of America has gifted text books worth Rs. initiative” based on the Open Access Week conducted th th 220,000.00 from 18 to 24 of October at the University of o An Alumnus of Faculty of Science (1982/1983 Peradeniya. batch) Alumni of University of Peradeniya has gifted five Wall Fans for the student reading area.

EBSCOhost full text database

A demonstration and discussion for a group of 16 academic staff members representing all Faculties of the University of Peradeniya was held at the Main Library on 31st March 2011 to introduce EBSCOhost full text database and some other facilities to access e-resources through the library. Dr. P. Wijetunge and Mrs. H. Dissanayake conducted the session. Sports

Commencing the 2011 season, the University For swimming lovers of the University of Peradeniya, a of Peradeniya undergraduates played two matches 03 month beginners swimming course was introduced with two foreign teams. The first was played on 06th on 01st February 2011. 65 students attended the January, 2011 at the University Grounds with a team programme. The University of Peradeniya swimmers from Singapore. The second was played at the same were placed overall second at the Open Sea Swim venue on 14th January 2011 with a team from India. Championship -2011 held on 06th February 2011 at the The Peradeniya University cricketers won Ambalangoda beach. comprehensively at both matches. On 14th February 2011, the 02nd Selection Trial for the Senior National Hockey Tournament 2010 was World University Games Swimming Championship worked off from 20th to 24th January 2011 at the CH was held at the University of Sri Jayewardenapura & FC Grounds, Colombo. A combined team from the swimming pool. At the Trial, Ms. H. Weerathunga was Sri Lanka Universities Sports Association participated chosen to compete at the World University Games. in the tournament. Even though they played extremely nd well, the Sri Lanka Universities Combined team failed The 02 Selection Trial of the World University Games to secure a medal position. CS Kanakkahewa Weightlifting Championship was held on 16th March (Medicine), PCI Madushan (Medicine) and KLW 2011 at the University of Peradeniya Gymnasium. Mr. Wijesinghe (Engineering), represented the University D. Gunathilake, an Arts student from the University of of Peradeniya in the Combined University men's team. Peradeniya was chosen to compete at the World Four players from the University of Peradeniya - KSN University Games weightlifting championship. Perera (Medical), VN Kanakkahewa (Medicine), GGMI Jayaweera (Management), and KD Kaumini Inter Faculty Championships for the year 2010 were (Arts) – played in the Sri Lanka Universities held from 07th to 25th of March 2011. The Combined Women's Hockey team. Championships kicked off with the game of Badminton.

Seethadevi All Island Hockey Tournament was held The Faculty of Medicine men's team emerged the on 29th & 30th January 2011 at the Asgiriya Stadium, champions in Elle, while the Faculty of Arts became the Kandy. The Women's team from the University of champions in the women's category. Faculty of Science Peradeniya was the Plate runner-up. clinched two championships in Rugby & Cricket. Faculty of Engineering was the men's swimming champions and the women's team from Vet. Medicine obtained the women's title.

University of Peradeniya News 06 In Baseball, the Faculty of Medicine secured the first (Engineering) and P. Anojan (Engineering) represented place. The Faculty of Arts & the Science Faculty were the University of Peradeniya, and SMPY Samaraweera joint champs and shared the wrestling Inter Faculty Championship as well. The Science Faculty won the Inter Faculty Volleyball men's championship and the Faculty of Allied Health Science won the women's trophy. The Science Faculty team was the champions of the powerlifting category. The 02nd track & field trial for the World University Games to be held in Shenzhen, Peoples Republic of China, was held on 21st March 2011 at the Diyagama International Sports Complex, Homagama. An Agriculture student, Ms. WMTK Weerasekara, was chosen to represent the University of Peradeniya.

Sri Lanka University teams in both men's & women's categories participated in the Sri Lanka Senior National Basketball Tournament 2010 held from 14th to 16th January 2011 at the Kingswood College, Kandy. Sri Lanka University men's Basketball team became the 'B' Division champions. SMPY Samaraweera (Science), A. Vishnuruban

Details of Retired / Resigned Employees(for the period from 01-01-2011 to 03-31-2011)

Name Designation Department Years of Service

1 Mr. ODR Wilfred Mason - Grade II Faculty of Engineering 11 2 Mr. WHM Nissanka Labourer- Special Grade Dept. of Civil Engineering , 33 Fac. of Engineering 3 Mr. WM Samaraweera Full Time Sub-Warden Mahailuppallama University Hostel 27 Special Grade 4 Mr. WR Rathnasena Supervisor – Maintenance Health Centre 39 5 Mr. PK Jinadasa Tractor Operator - Grade I Faculty of Agriculture 19 6 Mr. GG Gunasena Labourer- Grade I Dodangolla Experimental Station 27 7 Mr UG Jayarathne Labourer- Grade I Dodangolla Experimental Station 23 8 Mr. RB Nanda Kumara Staff Technical Officer Dept. of Physics, Fac. of Science 19 9 Mr. SM Abeyrathne Banda Laboratory Attendant Dept. of Chemistry, Fac. of Science 38 10 Mr. EG Dharmasena Health Services Labourer Arunachalam Hall 28 11 Mr. GKG Gunasara Health Services Labourer Mahailuppallama University Hostel 34 12 Ms. RPG Kusumawathi Labourer - Grade I Wijeywardhane Hostel 20 13 Mr. MG Senevirathne Security Guard Security Department 30 14 Mrs. DWK Niyangoda Stenographer Fac. of Vet. Medicine & Animal Sci. 38 15 Mrs. RM Nagahawaththe Senior Staff Assistant / Main Library 34 Library Services 16 Mr. JA Gunathilake Works Superintendent - Works Department 17 Grade I 17 Mr. RA Jayasinghe Cook- Higher Grade Vice Chancellor's Lodge 11 18 Mr. RJM Samarasekara Senior Staff Assistant / Engineering Workshop 36 Store Keeping 19 Mr. KWHB Kooradeniya Electrician - Special Grade Works Department 34 20 Mrs. TMJ Kamalasena Senior Staff Assistant / Academic Establishments 32 Clerical Services 21 Mr. EM Wijerathne Banda Labourer- Grade II Works Department 11

University of Peradeniya News 07 University of Peradeniya News A quarterly update of important events of the University of Peradeniya

ROBOCON 2011

A Robot Model presented by the team from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, has been selected again this year to represent Sri Lanka at ROBOCON 2011 to be held in Bangkok in September 2011. The team from the University of Peradeniya won at the competition of Robot Models against those from the universities of Moratuwa and Ruhuna.

The robot competition was organized by the Independent Television Network (ITN), the media sponsor of Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) ROBOCON.

In the past, the University of Peradeniya has represented Sri Lanka at Robocon competitions in China (2005), Malaysia (2006), Vietnam (2007), and India (2008). The robot model of the team from the University of Peradeniya under the guidance of Dr. Lilantha Samaranayake

Annual Colours Award Ceremony

Colours' Award Ceremony, the annual event honouring sportsmen & women of the University of Peradeniya was held for the year 2010 on 25th March, 2011 at the University Gymnasium. In addition to Special awards, 320 sportsmen and 150 sportswomen who excelled in various events at the inter University Tournament, national and international competitions were honored at this ceremony. Prof. S.B.S. Abayakoon, the Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Visit from the Delegation from Saga University, Japan-March 14, 2011

Two members of the Saga University Dr. Teruyoshi Yanagita, Director of International StudentCenter and Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, and Dr. Piyadasa Ratnayake, Professor, Faculty of Economics, visited the Vice-Chancellor University of Peradeniya on March 14, 2011.

The objective of the visit was to introduce the Saga University to the Faculty members and students of the University of Peradeniya and to lay the foundation for a strong future relationship between these two academic institutions.

Members of the Delegation from Saga University with Prof. SBS Abayakoon, the Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya

University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka.