Dr. Pradeep Gajanayake

Senior Lecturer Grade II
Specialized Area:Agriculture and Environmental Technology

Contact

Academic Building (B3)-Room 194
Department of Biosystems Technology
Faculty of Technology
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Mahenwatte, Pitipana North
Homagama 10200
Sri Lanka

Email: pradeepgajanayake@sjp.ac.lk

Education

2016-2019
Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering , Saitama University, Japan

2014-2016
M.Phil. in Integrated Water Resource Management, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2009-2013
BSc. (Honour) in Agricultural Technology and Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

2013-2014
Diploma in Exercise and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

 

Personal Profile

Pradeep Gajanayake, an environmental engineer obtained his PhD from Saitama University, Japan. He received his BSc and M.Phil. degrees from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka agricultural engineering as the major subject. Currently, he is working as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

Research Keywords: wastewater treatment, waste management, construction and demolition waste management, water resource management, hydrology and meteorology, microplastic pollution.

 

Other Activities: Taekwondo player, Athletic, Swimming

Positions Held

Since 2020
Senior Lecturer, Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Since 2022
Accredited Professional, Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL), Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka

Since 2019
Manager, The Kandy Conference (ICSBE/ ICSECM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

2022-2023
Deputy Director, Student Welfare Division, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

2020-2021
Visiting Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Technology, Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC), Ingiriya Road, Padukka, Sri Lanka

2019-2020
Consultant, Western Province Solid Waste Management Master Plan Sri Lanka (West Waste Management Project)

2018-2019
Research Associate, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Saitama University, Japan.

2016
Instructor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

2016
Secretory, 12th International Conference of the International Institute for Infrastructure Resilience and Reconstruction (IIIRR) on 5th to 7th August 2016 at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

2013-2014
Junior Research Scientist, Foundation for Environment Climate and Technology Institute, Digana, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Awards, Distinctions, and Memberships

Memberships

  • Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL)- Accredited Professional
  • Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka (IEPSL)- Member
  • Sri Lanka Institute of Agriculture (SLIAg)- Associate Member
  • International Water Association (IWA)- Member
  • Cap-Net Lanka- Member
  • Sri Lanka Academy of Young Scientist (SLAYS)- Member
  • Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS)- Member
  • National Science Foundation (NSF), Sri Lanka -Member

Research Interests

Microplastics pollution control, composting technology, solid waste and wastewater treatment, construction and demolition waste management, water resource management, GIS for agriculture

Publications

Book Chapters

Amila Abeynayaka., Induka Werellagama., Pham Ngoc-Bao., Matthew Hengesbaugh.,Pradeep Gajanayake., Bhagya Nallaperuma., Selim Karkour., Bui Xuan-Thanh., Norihiro Itsubo. Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Recent Developments and Future Directions. Advances in Biological Wastewater Treatment Systems- Chapter 11, Elsevier (2021)

Lareef Zubair., Sarath, P. Nissanka., Weerakoon, W.M.W., Dumindu I. Herath., Asha S. Karunaratne., Prabodha, A.S.M., Agalawatte, M.B., Rasnayaka M. Herath., Zeenas Yahiya, S., Punyawardhene, B.V.R., Janan Vishwanathan., Punya Delpitiya., A. Erandika N.Wijekoon., Janaka Gunaratna, Sewwandhi S. K. Chandrasekara., Wickramagamage, P., Weerasinghe, K.D.N., Champa M. Navaratne., Ruchika S. Perera., Asela I. Gunesekara., G. M. Pradeep Kumara., Daniel Wallach., Roberto O. Valdivia, and Sonali McDermid. Climate Change Impacts on Rice Farming Systems in Northwestern Sri Lanka, Chapter 10, Handbook of Climate Change and Agroecosystems (2015). Imperial College Press. ISBN: 978-1-78326-563-3 (Online reading:http://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/p970#t=toc).

Peer-Reviewed International Journals

A.D. Igalavithana, M. G. Y. L. Mahagamage, Pradeep Gajanayake, Amila Abeynayaka, P. J. D. Gamaralalage, M. Ohgaki, M. Takenaka, T. Fukai, N. Itsubo. Microplastics and Potentially Toxic Elements: Potential Human Exposure Pathways through Agricultural Lands and Policy Based Countermeasures. Microplastics (2022), 1, 102-120. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics1010007.

G.M.P. Kumara, K. Kawamoto. Use of natural zeolite and its mixtures to refine high‑concentrated heavy metal‑contaminated wastewater: an investigation of simultaneous removal of Cd (II) and Pb (II) by batch adsorption method. Water Air Soil Pollut (2021) 232:463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05420-9

G.M.P. Kumara, K. Kawamoto. Steel Slag and Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Grains as Low-Cost Adsorbents to Remove Cd2+ and Pb2+ in Wastewater: Effects of Mixing Proportions of Grains and Liquid-to-Solid Ratio. Sustainability 2021, 13, 10321. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810321.

A.B.P. Bandara, G.M.P. Kumara, A. Matsuno, K. Kawamoto. Examination of crushed laterite brick for removal of chromium and arsenic from wastewater. Inte. Jour. Geomate. 19(74): (2020), 22-30.

G.M.P. Kumara, K. Kawamoto, T. Saito, S. Hamamoto, S. Asamoto. Evaluation of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) fines for removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) from wastewater. Jour. Envir. Engi. American Society of Civil Engineering, 145(11): (2019), DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001597.

G.M.P. Kumara, K. Kawamoto. Applicability of crushed clay brick and municipal solid waste slag as low-cost adsorbents to refine high concentrate Cd (II) and Pb (II) contaminated wastewater. Inte. Jour. Geomate. 17(63): (2019), 133-142.

G.M.P. Kumara, T. Saito, S. Asamoto, K. Kawamoto. Reviews on the applicability of construction and demolition waste as low-cost adsorbents to remove-heavy metals in wastewater. Inte. Jour. Geomate. 14(42): (2018), 44-51.

Pradeep Gajanayake, Y.G.D.P. Wijewardana, S.K.D. Wijesinghe, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Assessment of the variability of soil properties for OFC cultivation under minor irrigation systems. Jour. Agri. Susta. 11(1): (2018), 11-34.

G.M.P. Kumara, H. Rathnasekara, M.D.D. Perera, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Market Orientation and Market Participation of Farmers in Awlegama, Wariyapola, Sri Lanka: Constrains and Potentials for Crop Diversification and Commercial Transformation. Inte. Jour. Soci. Eco. Res. 5(4): (2015), 132-149.

G.M.P. Kumara, S.M.L.D. Samarakon, Y.G.D.P. Wijewardana, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Evaluation of paddy fields system layout for other field crops (OFC) in a minor irrigation system. Trop. Agri. Res. 28(4): (2017), 364-374.

K.R. Thilakasiri, G.M.P. Kumara, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Strategies to improve water productivity in small tank system: A case study from Kurunegala district in Sri Lanka. Trop. Agri. Res. 26(4): (2015), 684 – 692.

Peer-Reviewed International Conferences (full papers)

H.M.S.D. Kumarasinghe, S.D.S.A. Wijerathna, P.B.R. Dissanayake, U. Kumarasinghe, P. Gajanayake. Formulation of a guideline to assess institutional sustainability in Sri Lanka. 11th ICSBE (2020), Kandy, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, A. Matsuno, T.T.V. Nga, N.H. Giang, K. Kawamoto. Simultaneous removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from binary and multi-metals solutions using autoclaved aerated concrete and steel slag grains as low cost adsorbents. 17th Sardinia conference (2019), Forte village, Italy.2020), Kyoto, Japan.

A.B.P. Bandara, Yuki Yoshida, G.M.P. Kumara, Akihiro Matsuno and Ken Kawamoto. Examination of crushed laterite brick for removal of chromium and arsenic from wastewater. 9th Geomate Conference (2019), Tokyo, Japan.

T.D.M. Hai, G.M.P. Kumara, T.T.V. Nga, N.H. Giang, K. Kawamoto. Characteristics of cadmium adsorption onto granulated clay brick and laterite. 12th ISE (2018), Tokyo, Japan.

G.M.P. Kumara, Y.G.D.P. Wijewardana, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Assessment of variability and availability of groundwater in command area of a minor irrigation system. 12th IIIRR (2016), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, H. Rathnasekara, S.M.L.D. Samarakon, S.K.D. Wijesinghe, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Factors affecting to participation and cultivation extent of other field crops: Heckman two stage model approach in Awlegama, Wariyapola, Sri Lanka. AWIC (2016), ISBN:978-93-85973-50-5, Singapore.

G.M.P. Kumara, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Assessment of suitability of paddy fields in a minor irrigation system for other field crops (OFC) based on soil physical properties. 4th ACEPS (2016), University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, M.D.D. Perera, W.M.S.M. Wijekoon, S. Pathmarajha, N.D.K. Dayawansa, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Water pollution in a natural stream and its impacts on society and environment: a review of studies on Meda Ela, Sri Lanka. 6th ICSECM (2015), Kandy, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, M.D.D. Perera, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Use of Computer Models in Agriculture: A Review. 2nd ICOAF (2015). Colombo, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, A.C.S. Perera, P.S.K. Pelpitiya, N.D.K. Dayawansa, M.I.M. Mowjood. Dynamics of urbanization and its impact on hydrology: A case study of Meda-Ela urban stream in Kandy, Sri Lanka. 5th ICSBE (2014), Kandy, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, A.C.S. Perera, P.S.K. Pelpitiya, M.M.J.G.C.N. Jayasiri, M.D.D. Perera, N.G.R. Saumyarathna, G.W.R.W.M.R.M.W.K. Kirinde, U.R.M.H.D. Rathnayake, R.P.S.P Chandrasiri, D.M.N Diyawadana, N.D.K. Dayawansa, M.I.M. Mowjood. Effect of urbanization on temporal and spatial variation of dissolved oxygen concentration in a natural stream: a case study in Meda-Ela canal, Kandy. Sri Lanka. IRSEA (2015), SAITM, Malabe, Sri Lanka.

National symposiums (full papers):

G.M.P. Kumara, M.D.D. Perera. Response to climatic change in rice cultivation practices: Area of Meegalawa of Sri Lanka. National Symposium on Agriculture (2015), Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.

R.P.S.P. Chandrasiri, G.M.P. Kumara, G.W.R.W.M.R.M.W.K. Kirinde, L.W. Galagedara, M.I.M. Mowjood. Water sharing practices and the conflicts rising among the farmers in a minor tank system in Yala season: A Case of Bayawa tank, Awlegama, Sri Lanka. Water Professionals’ Day (2014), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

International /Local conferences (abstract):

Selim Karkour, Amila Abeynayaka, Pradeep Gajanayake, Safa Rachid, Chia-Chun Lin, Bhagya Madusanka, Mariem Maaoui, Warefta -E-Mursshed. Overview of life-cycle assessment applied to building life-cycle. 12th ICSECM (2021), Kandy, Sri Lanka.

A.B.P. Bandara, G.M.P. Kumara, A. Matsuno, T. Saito, K. Kawamoto. Utilization of autoclaved aerated concrete and crushed laterite block as low-cost adsorbents for removal of heavy metals from wastewater. 10th ICSECM (2019), Kandy, Sri Lanka.

A.B.P. Bandara, Y. Yoshida, G.M.P. Kumara, A. Matsuno, K. Kawamoto. Application of crushed grains of laterite and autoclaved aerated concrete for heavy metal removal from wastewater. JPGU (2019), Tokyo, Japan.

T. Saito, G.M.P. Kumara, A. Matsuno, K. Kawamoto. Neutralization of acid discharged water around the Kusatsu hot spring area in Japan using construction and demolition wastes. AGU fall meeting (2018), Washington, D.C, USA.

G.M.P. Kumara, T. Saito, K. Kawamoto. Industrial slags as a low cost adsorbents to refine heavy metal contaminated wastewater. JPGU (2018), Tokyo, Japan.

T.D.M. Hai, G.M.P. Kumara, K. Kawamoto. Adsorption of cadmium onto aerated lightweight concrete (ALC) fines. JPGU (2018), Tokyo, Japan.

G.M.P. Kumara, T. Saito, K. Kawamoto. Use of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and its recycled materials for the removal of heavy metals in wastewater. 5 th SLJCR (2017), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, M.D.D. Perera, S. Pathmarajah, N.D.K. Dayawansa, M.I.M. Mowjood. Water Pollution in an Urban Stream, Kandy, Sri Lanka: A review. IPWE (2016), Colombo, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, Y.G.D.P. Wijewardana, M.I.M. Mowjood, L.W. Galagedara. Assessment of soil properties variability on other field crops cultivation under minor irrigation systems. WinC (2016), Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, L.W. Galagedara, M.D.D. Perera, S.S.K. Chandrasekara. Development of water management system to BG358 rice variety using a computer model. RISTCON (2015), University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara. Constrains and potentials of a paddy field irrigation system for other field crops cultivation under minor irrigation system. E-Conference- Agriculture and Food Security (2015), Orel State Agrarian University, Russia.

H.M.P.N. Herath, G.M.P. Kumara, L.W. Galagedara, M.I.M. Mowjood. Development of an area-capacity curve and effect of tank water for groundwater availability of command area of the Badabeddegama minor irrigation tank. 1st FAuRS (2014), University of Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka.

G.M.P. Kumara, L.W. Galagedara, R.P.R.K. Amarasingha, S.S.K. Chandrasekara. Modeling the effect of water stress on paddy yield using APSIM. iPURSE (2013), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Newspaper Articles:

“පෙරදිග ධානයාගාරයේ අනාගතය කෙසේ විසදෙවිද?” Pradeep Gajanayake, Ada Newspaper, 11th October 2022, pp. 5.

“කාබනික තීන්දුවේ වින්නැහිය” Pradeep Gajanayake, Lankadeepa Newspaper, 29th September 2022, pp. 4.

“ගොවියන්ට සහනාධාර දෙන්න හොදම වෙලාව මේකයි” Pradeep Gajanayake, Aruna Newspaper, 22nd September 2022, pp. 4.

“ලංකාව දැවැන්ත ආහාර අර් බුදයක් අබියස?” Pradeep Gajanayake, Mawbima Newspaper, 19th April 2022, pp. 4.

“රසායනික පොහොර නැතුවම බැරිද?” Pradeep Gajanayake, Mawbima Newspaper, 21th February 2022, pp. 4.

“පිට පොට නොපනින කාබනික වගාව”. Pradeep Gajanayake, Aruna Newspaper, 19th October 2021, pp. 4.

 “ආහාර සුරක්ෂිතතාවට වැටක් වන කාබනික වගාවක අවශ්‍යතාව”. Pradeep Gajanayake, Aruna Newspaper, 01st September 2021, pp. 4.

“පොහොර විප්ලවය සහ ආහාර සුරක්ෂිතතාව මැද ගෙවුම් ශේෂ අර්බුදය”. Pradeep Gajanayake and Hasara Rathnasekara, Aruna Newspaper, 20th July 2021, pp. 4.

Chemical fertilizer ban: A policy blunder. Pradeep Gajanayake and Hasara Rathnasekara, Sunday Times Newspaper, 18th July 2021, pp. 4.

“කාබනික කෘෂි විප්ලවයේදී අමතක නොකළ යුතු සංයමය”. Pradeep Gajanayake, Aruna Newspaper, 17th June 2021, pp. 5.

Teaching

Dr. Gajanayake teaches the following course modules:

BTA 3273
Water Resource and Water Quality Management

BTA 3192
Meteorology and Applied Hydrology

BTA 3282
Waste Management Technology

BTA 2052
Composting Technology

BTA 4371
Innovation Advancements