Academic Building (B3)-Room 206
Department of Biosystems Technology
Faculty of Technology
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Mahenwatte, Pitipana North
Homagama 10200
Sri Lanka

Email: ruvinidil@sjp.ac.lk

Dr. K.M.R.D Abhayapala graduated from the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and obtained B.Sc.in Agriculture (Special) Degree with Second Class Upper Division. She completed her Master degree (M.Sc) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) under the board of study Crop Science at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. She joined the Department of Biosystems Technology in the Faculty of Technology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2019 where she currently working as a Senior Lecturer.

Research Keywords: Crop Production Technologies, Horticulture, Climate Change, Agronomy, Organic Crop Production, Plant Tissue Culture

Other Activities: Gardening and reading books

2010-2011
Temporary Demonstrator, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
Coordinator- Training Workshop for Farmers on Oyster Mushroom and Spawn Production by Faculty of Agriculture under PEACE Project.

2012-2016
Research Assistant, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.
Coordinator- Farmer Workshops at Mahailluppallama, Jaffna and Rahangala in Sri Lanka for Farmers, Research Officers and Research Instructors to Share Research Experience and Findings by University of Peradeniya Collaborate with HETC/QIG/W3/PGIA Project.

2016-2018
Lecturer (Temporary), Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
Resource Person – “Thirasara Mandapaya” Radio Program Telecasted in Rajarata Sewaya.
Academic Sub Warden (Female Hostels) – Vidyasekara Girls Hostel.

2018-2019
Lecturer (Temporary), Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka.
Coordinator- Certificate Course in Plant Tissue Culture, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka.

Since 2019
Senior Lecturer Grade II, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

2021
Presidential Award for Scientific Publication 2018- Exploitation of differential temperature-sensitivities of crops for improved resilience of tropical smallholder cropping systems to climate change: A case study with temperature responses of tomato and chilli.

2019
Best Oral Presenter of Sustainable Crop Production Technology Technical Session, International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University-2019.

2012
World Bank Scholarship for Higher Education in Twenty First Century for Ph.D degree for three years at Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya.

2010
Most Outstanding Presentation in the course module of Plantation Crop Production in Undergraduate Research Symposium 2010 at Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

Agronomy, Climate Change and Crop Production, Soilless Cultivation, Organic Agriculture, Horticulture, Plantation Crop Production, Floriculture, Tissue Culture, Urban Agriculture Technology

Abhayapala, K.M.R.D., De Costa, W.A.J.M., Malaviarachchi, M.A.P.W.K., Kumara, J.B.D.A.P., Suriyagoda, L.D.B. and Fonseka, R.M. (2018). Exploitation of differential temperature-sensitivities of crops for improved resilience of tropical smallholder cropping systems to climate change: A case study with temperature responses of tomato and chilli. Journal of Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 261. 103-114.

Abhayapala, K.M.R.D., De Costa, W.A.J.M., Fonseka, R.M., Prasannath, K., De Costa, D.M., Suriyagoda, L.D.B., Abeythilakeratne and Nugaliyadde, M.M.(2014). Response of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to increasing growing season temperature under different soil management and crop protection regimes in the Upcountry of Sri Lanka. Journal of Tropical Agricultural Research. 25 (4). 555-569.

Malaviarachchi, M.A.P.W.K., De Costa, W.A.J.M., Fonseka, R.M., Kumara, J.B.D.A.P. Abhayapala, K.M.R.D. and Suriyagoda, L.D.B. (2014). Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to a temperature gradient representing long-term climate change under different soil management systems. Journal of Tropical Agricultural Research. 25 (3). 327-344.
Bandara K.G.R.D.P., Hemal H. Fonseka, Devasinghe D.A.U.D., Abhayapala K.M.R.D. (2019). Stem Cuttings of Different Maturity Classes of Tomato: A Viable Option for Seedlings. Sri Lankan Journal of Agriculture and Ecosystems. 1: 16-22.

Fonseka, R.M., Fonseka, H.H.D., Abhayapala, K.M.R.D. (2020). Crop Wild Relatives: An Underutilized Genetic Resource for Improving Agricultural Productivity and Food Security, Agricultural Research for Sustainable Food Systems in Sri Lanka, Springer, Singapore. Pp 11-38.

Hariharan, G. Abhayapala, K.M.R.D., Karunarathne, B., Zakeel, M.C.M. (2022). Efficient Utilization of Rice Fallow through Pulse Cultivation. Advances in Legumes for Sustainable Intensification. Academic Press

Sooriyaarachchi, N. D., Zakeel, M.C.M., Safeena., Abhayapala, K. M. R. D. (2021). Role of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes in Alleviation of Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants, Microbiological Activity for Soil and Plant Health Management, Springer, Singapore. Pp. 195-235.

Abhayapala, K.M.R.D., Fonseka, R.M. and Abeythilakeratne, P.D. (2019). Effect of Open-hole Ratio of Perforated White Polythene Mulch on Growth of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). Proceeding of the International Research Conference, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. 7th February 2019.

Bandara, K.G.R.D.P., Fonseka, H.H., Devasinghe, D.A.U.D. and Abhayapala, K.M.R.D. (2018). Stem Cuttings of Different Maturity Classes of Tomato: A viable Option for Seedlings. Proceeding of the 10th Annual Research Symposium, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. 5th September 2018: 75.

Abeyrathne, A.M.S.M., Fonseka, H.H., Pavithrani, Y.L.B., Devasinghe, D.A.U.D. and Abhayapala, K.M.R.D. (2018). Comparison of Performance of Common Bean Varieties for Vegetable and Seed Production in the Upcountry Intermediate Zone of Sri Lanka. Proceeding of the 10th Annual Research Symposium, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. 5th September 2018: 76.

De Costa W.A.J.M., Abhayapala K.M.R.D., Malaviarachchi M.A.P.W.K., Kumara J.B.D.A.P., Fonseka R.M., Suriyagoda L.D.B., De Costa D.M. (2018). Impacts of climate-resilient and eco-friendly crop management practices on yields of a representative range of crops grown across a natural temperature gradient in tropical South-Asia. 2nd International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC 2018). Colombo. Sri Lanka: 29.

Karunarathne, N.S., Hemal Fonseka, H., Devasinghe, D.A.U.D. and Abhayapala, K.M.R.D. (2017). Fruit maturity stage on seed yield and seed quality of tomato (Solanaum lycopersicum L.). Proceeding of the 9th Annual Research Symposium, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. 21st September 2017: 58.

Abhayapala, K.M.R.D., Fonseka, R.M., De Costa, W.A.J.M., Malaviarachchi, M.A.P.W.K., Kumara, J.B.D.A.P. and Suriyagoda, L.D.B. (2014). Effects of increasing temperature on quality parameters of fresh tomato fruits grown in different agro-climatic regions in Sri Lanka. Proceeding of the Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Sri Lanka. 18: 26.

Abhayapala, K.M.R.D., Fonseka, R.M., De Costa, W.A.J.M. and Suriyagoda, L.D.B. (2014). Growth and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to increasing growing seasonal temperature under different agronomic practices in the upcountry of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Higher Education for the Twenty First Century (HETC) Project 2014. July 7th and 8th 2014. Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka: 91.

Abhayapala, K.M.R.D., Gunasekare, M.T.K., Ranaweera, K.K., Ranathunga, M.A.B. and Weerasinghe P.A, (2010). A Technique to Rescue Inter-specific hybrids of Camellia sinensis x Camellia sasanqua. Proceedings of the 67th Annual sessions – 2011. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science: 13.