Staff Profile

Positions held:

• Senior Lecturer (Grade II) in Environmental Science , Department of Bio-science, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka; November 2017 – to date .
• Visiting Lecturer, Bachelor of Bio Systems Technology in Environmental Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo [August 2022] .
• Lecturer (probationary) , Department of Bio-science, Faculty of Applied science, Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna; May 2010 – July 2013.
• Assistant Lecturer, Department of Bio-science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka; November 2008 – November 2009.
• Demonstrator/Tutor ,Department of Bio-science, Faculty of Applied Science, Vavuniya Campus, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka December; [2007 – 2008].

Administrative posts: 

1. Chairperson, Research Ethics Committee, University of Vavuniya (May 2023 – todate)
2. Academic warden, Women’s Hostel, University of Vavuniya (May 2023 – todate)
3. Chairperson, University Research and Ethics Committee, University of Vavuniya (2021 – todate)
4. Member to the Senate of the University of Vavuniya as the Representative of the Faculty of Applied Science (August 2024 – todate)
5. Student counsellor, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya. (Sep 2020 – June 2024)
6. Project Coordinator, AHEAD ELTA-ELSE, Department DP funded by World Bank for the Department of Bio-science, Faculty of Applied science, University of Vavuniya. (2019 – 2023)
7. Coordinator, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Faculty of Applied science, University of Vavuniya. (2019 – 2022)
8. Academic Career guidance Advisor, Faculty of Applied Science, Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna. (March 2019-June 2020)
9. Member, Journal Editorial committee (Vavuniya Journal of Science), Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya. (to date)
10. Member, Research committee, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya (to date)
11. Member, Strategic Planning committee, Faculty of Applied Science (to date)
12. Member, Alumni Action committee, Faculty of Applied Science (to date)
13. Member, Editorial board for Vavuniya Campus Newsletter, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya.
14. Member, Wellbeing center, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya (to date)
15. Member, Organizing committee, Vavuniya Campus International Research Symposium – 2019, Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna (VCIRS – 2019)
16. Chairperson, Registration committee, Second Faculty Annual Research Session (FARS-2021)
17. Representative, Faculty of Applied Science, Academic affairs and publication branch, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. (2018 – 2021)

Served as resource person for workshops/training programs 

1. A workshop organized by Central Environmental Authority, District office, Vavuniya on 29th Feb 2024 for the Worlds Wetland – 2024.
2. A program organized by Central Environmental Authority, Vavuniya for the World Environmental Day – 2019.
3. A workshop organized for World wetland day, by Central Environmental Authority, District office, Vavuniya on the 12^th of Feb 2019.
4. An annual CPD program organized by Saivaprakasa School, Vavuniya school for their permanent teachers in 2018.
5. An event organized for World Environmental Day on the theme of ‘Beat the plastic pollution’ by Central Environmental Authority, District office, Vavuniya in 2018.
6. A workshop organized for World Habitat Day in 2008 by National Housing Development Authority, Sri Lanka.

Others

1. Coordinator for the establishment of Biogas Research centre at the Faculty of Applied Science
2. Member, Institute of Environmental Professional (IEPSL), Sri Lanka (since 2018).
3. Consultant: Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for the Proposed New Regional Centre of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka at Panadura for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training.
4. Evaluator/Reviewer for research proposals, papers and journals.

Teaching for undergraduates: 

• Advanced Water Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Research Methods and Experimental Design
• Groundwater Management

Interfaculty Teaching:  

Conducted for the Faculty of Business studies, University of Vavuniya for the course unit: Basic science for non-science students. 

Visiting Lecturer: Bachelor of Bio Systems Technology in Environmental Technology of the Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo for the course unit Water Treatment Technologies.

Adjunct: MSc (Environment and Safety), Department of Environment Management, Chhatrapati Shanu Institute of Business Education and Research (CSIBER), Kolhapur, India.

Journals (indexed in Web of Science, SCIE)  

1. Fonseka C, Ryu S, Devaisy S, Kandasamy J, McLod L, Ratnaweera H, Vigneswaran S. Application of Low-Pressure Nanofiltration Membranes NF90 and NTR-729HF for Treating Diverse Wastewater Streams for Irrigation Use. Water. 2024; 16(14):1971. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16141971

2. Sukanyah Devaisy, Jaya Kandasamy, Tien Vihn Nguyen, Harsha Ratnaweera and Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran. Membranes in Water Reclamation: Treatment, Reuse and Concentrate Management (Review). Membranes 2023, 13(6), 605. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13060605

3. Sukanyah Devaisy, Jaya Kandasamy, Rupak Aryal, Md Abu Hasan Johir, Harsha Ratnaweera and Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran. Removal of Organics with Ion-Exchange Resins (IEX) from Reverse Osmosis Concentrate. Membranes2023, 13(2), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes13020136

4. Sukanyah Devaisy, Jaya Kandasamy,Tien Vinh Nguyen, Md Abu Hasan Johir, Harsha Ratnaweera and Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran. Comparison of Membrane-Based Treatment Methods for the Removal of Micro-Pollutants from Reclaimed Water. Water2022, 14(22), 3708; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14223708

5. Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, P. Loganathan, C. Kazner, M.A.H. Johir, S. Vigneswaran, Submerged membrane filtration adsorption hybrid system for the removal of organic micropollutants from a water reclamation plant reverse osmosis concentrate, Desalination. 401 (2017) 134-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2016.07.048

6. Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, V. Nguyen, S. Jeong, J. Kandasamy, S. Vigneswaran, Submerged membrane – (GAC) adsorption hybrid system in reverse osmosis concentrate treatment. Separation and Purification technology. 146 (2015) 8-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.03.017

7. Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, S. Vigneswaran, V. Nguyen, P. Loganathan, J. Kandasamy, Use of nanofiltration and reverse osmosis in reclaiming microfiltered biologically treated sewage effluent for irrigation. Desalination for Agriculture. 364 (2015) 119-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2014.12.021

8. Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, A.H. Johir, T.V. Nguyen, J.Kandasamy, S.Vigneswaran. Experimental Evaluation of Microfiltration– Granular Activated Carbon (MF-GAC)/Nano Filter Hybrid System in High Quality Water Reuse. Journal of membrane science. 476 (2015) 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2014.11.009

9. Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, V. Nguyen, W.G. Shim, J.Kandasamy, A.Listowski, S. Vigneswaran. Effluent organic matter removal from reverse osmosis feed by granular activated carbon and purolite A502PS fluidized beds. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 20 (2014) 4499–4508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2014.02.022

10. Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, T. Nguyen, W.G. Shim, J.Kandasamy, S. Vigneswaran. Performance of submerged membrane – Ion exchange hybrid system with Purolite A502PS in treating reverse osmosis feed. Separation and Purification Technology. 122 (2014) 24–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2013.10.039

11. Johir, M.A.H., Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, S. Vigneswaran, J. Kandasamy. Performance of submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) with and without the addition of the different particle sizes of GAC as suspended medium. Bioresource Technology. 141 (2013) 13–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.03.032

12. Exploring the village tank cascade systems (VTCSs) in Vavuniya district, Sri Lanka (2021). Nanthakumaran, H. K. Kadupitiya, S. Devaisy, W. E. P. Athukorale. Journal of Water and Climate Change (2022) 13 (2): 999–1006. https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2021.412

Journals (Peer reviewed) 

1. Uthayashangar, A. Nanthakumaran, S. Devaisy. Status of the saltwater intrusion in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Science 48 (3), 235-241. http://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v48i3.7647
2. Role of Colocasia esculenta in Constructed Wetlands for Treating Rice mill Wastewater (2018). Thadsajini Balachandran, Nanthakumaran Ananthini, Sukanyah Devaisy, Kashinathar Somanathar Sivanesan. AGRIEAST Journal of Agricultural Sciences. http://doi.org/10.4038/agrieast.v12i2.56
3. Pragash, V.S.J., Manobavan, M., S, (2009) Evaluation of the dynamic trends prevailing in the forest cover changes of the Vavuniya District. Journal of Science and Management. 1:1, pp. 28-37, ISSN 2012-6131

Scholarly Work (Recognized publishers) 

1. Devaisy, S., Jeong, S., Kandasamy, J., Nguyen, T. V., Ratnaweera, H., & Vigneswaran, S. (2024). Membrane Hybrid System for Sustainable Removal of Organic Micropollutants and Biofoulants from Reverse-Osmosis Concentrate. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 150(10), 02524004. (Forum paper). Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 

2. Zero Waste Discharge in Wastewater Reclamation System for Small Cities, In Wastewater Recycling and Management, 7th IconSWM ̶̶ ISWMAW 2017, Volume 3. (2017). Gayathri Naidu, Md Abu Hasan Johir, Sukanyah Devaisy, S. Vigneswaran. Published by Springer; ISBN: ISBN 978-981-13-2618-9. (Book chapter) Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore

Conference papers [Full papers/Extended abstracts]   

1. M.D. S Gunarathna, S. Pallewatta, S. Devaisy, A.U. Rajapaksha,M.S Vithanage. Biochar-mediated remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in washing effluent from automobile service station soil (Full paper). 12th Young Scientist Forum, published by National Science and Technology Commission. January 2024. ISBN: 978-955-8630-32-7
2. D.T.M Uduwarage and S. Devaisy. Treating rice mill effluent using waste rice hull. (Full paper). 10th Annual Science Research Session 2021, FAS, SEUSL. http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/5889
3. A, Kadupitiya. H.K, Devaisy. S., and Athukorale. W.E.P. (2020) Identification of Village Tank Cascade Systems (VTCS) in Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka as a Strategy for Sustainable Water Management. Proceedings of the WaSo 2020 Final Conference – 2020. Pp 40-44.
4. Uduwarage, U.D.T.M and Devaisy, S. Preliminary Study of Waste-Delivered Biosorbents to remove Nutrients from Rice Mill Wastewater. Proceedings of the First Annual Research Session – 2020, Faculty of Applied Science, Vavuniya Campus, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
5. Sukanyah Devaisy, Md Abu Hasan Johir, Andrzej Listowski, Jaya Sustainable Processes for Treatment of Waste Water Reverse Osmosis Concentrate to Achieve Zero Waste Discharge: A Detailed Study in Water Reclamation Plant (2016). Proceedia Environmental Sciences. (Full paper)
6. Shanmuganathan, S., Manobavan, M., and, Fernando, G. W. A. R., (2009) Analyzing changes in surface-subsurface hydrology in Vavuniya UC limits. Proceedings of the Sixth-National Symposium on Geo-Informatics “Geo-Informatics for National development”. ISBN 955-130-812-4 (pp 63-74) (Full paper) 

Conference papers (Abstracts) 

1. Suntharalingam, Y., Devaisy, S. Fish Scale Derived Bio Sorbents for the Removal of Organics from Greywater. Proceedings of the 28th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2024 of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Pg. 85
2. Thavaratnam, H., Devaisy, S. Removal of Organics and Phosphate from Rice Mill Wastewater using Crab Shell Biochar. Proceedings of the 28th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2024 of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Pg. 99
3. Hafsa H.N.F., Devaisy S. Removal of Water Hardness from groundwater using Lemon peel derived biochar. Proceedings of FARS – 2023, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya. ISBN: 978-624-6269-05-0
4. Rishaya N.M., Devaisy S. Mangifera indica leaves as a biosorbent to treat municipal wastewater in Vavuniya District. Proceedings of FARS – 2023, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya. ISBN: 978-624-6269-05-0
5. Amarasuriya A.P.S.D., Karunarathne D., Devaisy S. Treatment of Coir mill wastewater using activated charcoal. Proceedings of FARS – 2023, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya. ISBN: 978-624-6269-05-0
6. Thilanka C., Devaisy S. Rice husk charcoal waste to treat the wastewater discharged by Rubber reclamation industry. Proceedings of FARS – 2023, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya. ISBN: 978-624-6269-05-0
7. S., Vigneswaran. S. Dual Membrane – Adsorption Hybrid System as a Sustainable Water Reuse System. Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Technological Research and Innovation (ICTRI – 2023), Faculty of Technology, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. 27th of September 2023. ISBN: ISBN 978-624-5731-31-2
8. Farwin A.F.S, Pratheepkumar M. and Devaisy S. ‘Banana stem as a waste-derived bio-sorbent to remove organics and nutrients from rice mill wastewater’. Proceedings of 10th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference (RISTCON) University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka January 18, 2023. ISSN: 1391-8796
9. Farwin A.F.S, Pratheepkumar M., Devaisy S. Eichhornia crassipes Leaves as a Waste-derived Bio-Sorbent to Remove Organics and Nutrients from Rice Mill Wastewater. 27th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2023, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 27th-28th of January 2023. ISSN: 2235-9427
10. Navogini, and S. Devaisy, S. Combined phytoremediation and biosorbents techniques to remove organics from rice mill wastewater. Faculty Annual Research Session 2022. Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya.
11. L.D.C Rasanga and S Devaisy. Treatment of Aquaculture Effluent through Combined Phytoremediation and Biosorption Techniques. 15th International Research Conference-2022. General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka.
12. Lankeshwara, L.S.R. and Devaisy, S. Assessing the waste management practices of Tourist Accommodation in Polonnaruwa. Proceedings of the First Annual Research Session – 2020, Faculty of Applied Science, Vavuniya Campus, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
13. Uduwarage, U.D.T.M and Devaisy, S. Waste-Derived Biosorbents to remove organics from Ricemill Wastewater. Proceedings of the International Conference on Environmental and Medical Statistics 2020, Sri Lanka, University of Peradeniya.
14. Arachchi, M.A.O.D. M and Devaisy, S. Public Acceptability of Treated Surface Water for Potable purpose: Case study in Vavuniya. Proceedings of the International Conference on Environmental and Medical Statistics 2020, Sri Lanka, University of Peradeniya.
15. Jayaweera, H, Devaisy, S., Nanthakumaran. A, Wijeyamohan, S. Site Suitability Analysis for Solid Waste Disposal in Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress, Sri Lanka. RESCON 2019, University of Peradeniya.
16. Uduwarage, U.D.T.M and Devaisy, S. Waste Peanut hull as a Biosorent to treat Rice mill wastewater: A Comparison with the efficiency of Granular Activated Carbon. Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress, Sri Lanka. RESCON 2019, University of Peradeniya.
17. Sukanyah Devaisy, Contamination of Agrochemicals and emergence of chronic kidney disease in Northern Sri Lanka, Northern Province water resource development Colloquium, Proceedings. 2017.
18. Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, M.A.H. Johir, T. V. Nguyen, S. Vigneswaran, J. Kandasamy. Submerged Membrane Ion-exchange Hybrid System as a Tertiary Wastewater Treatment. 5th International Conference on Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering, 2012. Melbourne, Australia.
19. Sukanyah Shanmuganthan, Peer observation and student feedback as effective tools for improving quality learning in higher education. Implementing quality learning for higher education purposes. Conference on Higher Education in Sri Lanka, Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo, 2011.
20. A.E.S., Sukanyah. S and Naveendrakumar. G., Preliminary study of Learning Behavior of Poecilia Reticulata in the Vavuniya Town tank water samples subjected to oil and grease pollution. Vavuniya Campus Annual Research Session, Vavuniya, 2011.
21. Sukanyah Shanmuganathan, M. Manobavan, G.W.A.R. Fernando, The importance of the small-tank cascade system for the sustainable production of water in the dry zone of Sri Lanka (Abstracts). 9th Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Production and Consumption, APRSCP 9th International Conference, 2010.
22. S., Pragash. S., Kajapathy. K, Manobavan. M., (2008) A MS Excel based prototype approach for modelling the issues of monkey menace resulting from unplanned urbanization in the Vavuniya Urban council limits in Northern Sri Lanka. (Abstracts) Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya from 8th – 12th July 2008. ISSN: 1800 – 4407. Pp 188.
23. Saminathan, S., Shanmuganathan, S., Logathasan, A. S., and Manobavan, M., (2008) Assessment of present drainage and waste water management aspects in the Vavuniya urban council limits using the synergistic approach. (Abstracts) Proceedings of the Vavuniya Campus annual Research Session – 2008 “Emerging trends and challenges in Science and Management”. ISSN: 1800- 4911. Pp15.
24. V. S. J, and, Manobavan. M., and Shanmuganathan, S., (2008) Evaluation of the dynamic trends prevailing in the forest cover changes in the Vavuniya District. (Abstracts) Proceedings of the Vavuniya Campus annual Research Session – 2008 “Emerging trends and challenges in Science and Management”. ISSN: 1800-4911. Pp14.
25. Shanmuganathan, S., Manobavan, M., and Saminathan, S., (2007) Development of a modelling approach as a tool for effective decision making in the drainage/sewerage management of the Vavuniya Town, Annual Research Sessions. 2007 of the Eastern University Sri Lanka.

Google scholar ID: mTNC9QYAAAAJ

• Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence – 2024 in the field of ‘Natural Science’, University of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka
• Cooperative Research Centre for contamination assessment and remediation of the environment (CRC-CARE) Scholarship 2013 – 2015
• UTS International Research Scholarship (IRS) 2011 – 2015
• Centre for water and wastewater scholarship (CTWW) 2011 – 2013