Staff Profile

• Proctor/ University of Vavuniya – From 01.08.2025 to date
• Coordinator/ Committee for the establishment of Faculty of Coastal and Marine Sciences, University of Vavuniya from 08.09.2026
• Director – Career Guidance Unit (01.02.2023 – 30.08.2026)
• Student Counsellor – (2016-2017) – (2022-2023) – (2023-2024)
• Deputy Proctor – Faculty of Applied Science (05.09.2023 – 31.07.2025)
• Director – Staff Development Centre (29.03.2023 – 01.09.2024)
• Senior Treasurer for the University of Vavuniya Students’ Union for three terms – 2022/2023, 2023/2024/ and 2024/2025
• President – Vavuniya University Teachers’ Association (VUTA) 2023/2024
• Secretary – Vavuniya University Teachers’ Association (VUTA) 2024/2025

Resource Person for seminars/ workshops/training programmes /short courses /Guest lecture 

• Resource person in Short Course – GIS for Agricultural Instructors – Conducted by Department of Bio-Science 20.01.2025-24.01.2025
• Resource person workshop on “Scientific Method and Design of Researches” – Trinco Campus, EUSL – 22.11.2023
• Resource person workshop on “Scientific Writing and Publication” – Trinco Campus, EUSL – 30.04.2025
• Resource Person SDC Workshop – University of Vavuniya 19.03.2025 
• Resource Person – World Wetland Day 2025 – Central Environmental Authority – 26.02.2025 
• Resource Person – One Day Chemistry Practical Session – 10.09.2025 
• Keynote Speaker – International Conference – CSIBER/ India – 15 and 16.03.2024
• Resource Person – Development of Sri Lanka National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2030 – 28.01.2026
• Resource Person – Environmental Awareness Training for Government Officers – 19.12.2025 
• Resource Person – Mangrove Restoration Program organized by Humanitarian Development Organization
• Resource Person – Provincial Level Bilingual Presentation Competition 2024 – 05.06.2025 – Zonal Education Office Vavuniya
• Panel Member – Bilingual Presentation Competition 2026- Vavuniya South Zone – 10.08.2026 – Zonal Education Office Vavuniya 
• Served as Editor in Chief for the Third Faculty Annual Research Session 2023 (FARS 2023) of Faculty of Applied Science – University of Vavuniya
• Served as Co-Editor for the Third Faculty Annual Research Session 2024 (FARS 2024) of Faculty of Applied Science – University of Vavuniya
• Served as Convener for the Vavuniya University International Research Conference 2023 (VUIRC2023) 
• Served as Steering Committee for the First International Conference on Applied Sciences (ICAS2025) of Faculty of Applied Science – University of Vavuniya
• Served as a Chairperson for the Seventh International Thirukkural Conference – University of Vavuniya 
• Served as the Convener for the Action Committee of the First International Conference on Harmony and Reconciliation (ICHR2022) – University of Vavuniya 
• Served as an organizer for the International Conference on Transforming the Future – CSIBER/ India – 19.09.2025
• Served as a Reviewer for Sixth International Conference of Trinco Campus EUSL – TRInCo 2024
• Served as a Reviewer for Eighth International Conference of Trinco Campus EUSL – TRInCo 2026
• Served as a Session Co-Chair for Eighth International Conference of Trinco Campus EUSL – TRInCo 2026
• Served as a Reviewer for the Vidathaltheevu International Symposium 2025 

Faculty level committees

• Editor in Chief – Faculty level Newsletter Committee – One-year – Newsletter Volume II (Two issues)
• Co-editor – Faculty level Newsletter Committee – One-year from 04.06.2026 (Ongoing position)
• Chairperson – Strategic Plan/ Action Plan Committee – One Year from 07.08.2024
• Chairperson – Faculty Research Committee – One year with effect from March 2026 (Ongoing position)
• Common Course Coordinator – One year with effect from second Semester of Academic year 2021/ 2022

University Level Committees

• Serving as the Coordinator for the Committee for the Establishment of Faculty of Coastal and Marine Sciences.
• Served as the member in the Committee for the Establishment of Faculty of Coastal and Marine Sciences
• Served as the member in the panel for the Trade Test for the Recruitment of Works Aide
• Served as an examiner for setting and marking of exam paper for the post of laboratory Attendant Gr III
• Served as the chairperson for the Special Board of Survey of Unserviceable articles in 2023, 2024, 2025 (Three consecutive years)
• Chairperson /member of the Inquiry Committees on student disciplinary action.
• Management committee for the Centre for the Gender Equity and Equality. Evidence
• Working committee for the Centre for the Gender Equity and Equality. Evidence

Undergraduate Teaching:

• ENS1142 Plant Biology
• ENS1212 Environment and Agriculture
• ENS3132 Environmental Policies and Law
• ENS3113 Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing
• ENS4232 Environmental Systems Modelling
• ENS4252 Integrated Weed Management

Research publications in refereed journals (Full Papers)

• Jacob, V., Choat, B., Churchill, A. C., Zhang, H., Barton, C. V., Krishnananthaselvan, A., … & Tissue, D. T. (2022). High safety margins to drought‐induced hydraulic failure found in five pasture grasses. Plant, Cell & Environment, 45(6), 1631-1646.
• Yang, J., Medlyn, B. E., Barton, C. V., Churchill, A. C., De Kauwe, M. G., Jiang, M., … & Power, S. A. (2023). Green-up and brown-down: Modelling grassland foliage phenology responses to soil moisture availability. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 328, 109252. (Contributed 20%)

Full Papers and Extended Abstracts published in National and International Conferences

• Arjunan, K. and Nanthakumaran, A. (2015). A preliminary terrain analysis using Digital Elevation Model for sustainable water resource management in Vavuniya District. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
• Arjunan, K. and Nanthakumaran, A., (2016). Identifying an appropriate and sustainable irrigation method using some remotely sensed parameters for the crop cultivation in Vavuniya district. Procedia food science, 6, pp.127-132.
• Arjunan, K., Suthakar, S. and Loganthan, P. (2013) ‘Estimation of soil moisture contents of paddy fields in Vavuniya District using remote sensing technology’, Proceedings International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment 2013, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.
• Arjunan, K., Nanthakumaran, A., Yatigammana, S.K. and Devaisy, S. (2021) ‘Invasion of Parthenium hysterophorus L. weed over other common weeds in the Vavuniya district, Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the Open University Research Sessions (OURS 2021), The Open University of Sri Lanka, 16–17 September 2021, p. 32. ISSN 2012-9912

Published in abstract form – International and National Conferences 

• Anoshan, A. and Arjunan, K. (2026) ‘Assessment of biophysicochemical conditions in the Mulli mangrove ecosystem, Northern Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Mangroves for Sustainability (ICMS 2026), Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, The Open University of Sri Lanka, 22–25 July 2026, p. 93
• Arjunan, K. and Keerthanaram, T. (2026) ‘Floral diversity and ecological significance of Kowtharimunai mangrove ecosystem in Poonakary, Northern Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Mangroves for Sustainability (ICMS 2026), Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, The Open University of Sri Lanka, 22–25 July 2026, p. 26.
• Arjunan, K. and Keerthanaram, T. (2026) ‘Assessment of tetrapod diversity in Kowtharimunai Mangrove System, Northern Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 13th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference (RISTCON 2026), University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, 21 January 2026, p. 117. ISSN 1391-8796
• Arjunan, K. and Sellar, J. (2026) ‘Assessment of the extent of shoreline change in Arugam Bay, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 13th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference (RISTCON 2026), University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, 21 January 2026, p. 99. ISSN 1391-8796
• Priyanchanaa, S., Keerthanaram, T. and Arjunan, K. (2026) ‘Evaluation of coral and non-coral community structure and water quality of the southern coast of Kayankerni Marine Protected Area, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 13th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference (RISTCON 2026), University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, 21 January 2026, p. 29. ISSN 1391-8796.
• Banupriya, T. and Arjunan, K. (2026) ‘Assessment of abundance and diversity of aquatic weeds in major tanks of Northern Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 13th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference (RISTCON 2026), University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, 21 January 2026, p. 105.
• Keerthanaram, T., Arjunan, K. and Priyanchanaa, S. (2026) ‘Preliminary assessment of seagrass diversity and meadow structure in the Kuchchaveli coastal region, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 8th International Research Conference 2026, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, September 2026. ISBN 978-624-5731-69-5
• Priyanchanaa, S. and Arjunan, K. (2026) ‘Ecotourism potential of Kayankerni Marine Protected Area, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 5th Citizen Scientists’ Symposium on Conservation and Ecology, 17 January 2026. ISSN 3021-6850.
• Keerthanaram, T., Arjunan, K., Jananthini, R. and Priyanchanaa, S. (2026) ‘First record of the seagrass Halophila ovalis and Enhalus acoroides in the coastal shallow waters of Kowtharimunai, Poonakary, Sri Lanka: a preliminary ecological assessment’, International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research (IJARM 2026), p. 22. Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India and University of Jaffna, Thirunelvely, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
• Kuhanesan, S. and Arjunan, K. (2025) ‘Occupational health and safety in the noisy work environments; from the perspective of lathe, saw and grinding mills in Vavuniya District’, Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research (ICMR 2025), Eastern University, Sri Lanka and Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence, India, p. 25.
• Bandara, W.B.S.U., Arjunan, K. and Bandara, N.J.G.J. (2024) ‘Investigation of compost generation potential for municipal waste: a case study in the Kurunegala Municipal Council area, Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 28th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2024, 5–6 January, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 28, p. 95.
• Kuhanesan, S., Arjunan, K. and Keerthanaram, T. (2023) ‘Status of noise pollution in urban and sub-urban environments, Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 9th International Conference of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka: Advancing Multidisciplinary Approaches for a Sustainable and Resilient Future, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 6–8 December 2023, p. 229.
• Arjunan, K. and Umasuthan, S. (2018) ‘Public perception and management implications of invasive flora in Vavuniya District, Northern Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the 2nd International Research Symposium, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka, 1–2 February 2018, p. 232. ISBN 978-955-0481-19-4.
• Arjunan, K. and Kuhanesan, S. (2016) ‘A remote sensing based preliminary climatology study: urban and sub-urban area, Vavuniya district, Northern Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the Wayamba University International Conference, Sri Lanka, 19–20 August 2016
• Weerawardana, B.K.G., Nanthakumaran, A. and Arjunan, K. (2016) ‘Spatial variability analysis on the distribution of natural forage species in selected tank bed grasslands of Mahaweli System C in Sri Lanka’, Proceedings of the Wayamba University International Conference, Sri Lanka, 19–20 August, p. 224
• Arjunan, K., Loganathan, P. and Suthakar, S. (2015). Necessity of more reliable meteorological model for Vavuniya District for effective planning. Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Environmental Management and Planning, 23–24 February 2015, Central Environmental Authority, Sri Lanka, p. 9
• Arjunan, K., Nanthakumaran, A. and Suthakar, S. (2014) ‘Application of SEBAL model for the mapping of evapotranspiration potential in Vavuniya district’, Proceedings of the International Conference of Agricultural Sciences 2014: Perspectives for Contemporary Agriculture: Challenges and Future Directions, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 9–10 January, p. 68
• Suthakar, S., Araskesary, S.J., Loganathan, P. and Arjunan, K. (2013) ‘Estimation of soil moisture in paddy fields utilizing SEBAL algorithm in Vavuniya District using remote sensing’, Annals of the Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture, 15, p. 373
• Patrick, A.E.S., Arjunan, K. and Naveendrakumar, G. (2011) ‘Preliminary study of sex ratio, gonado-somatic index and fecundity of Tilapia sp. in the Vavuniya Town Tank’, Proceedings of the Vavuniya Campus Annual Research Session (VCARS 2011), Vavuniya, Sri Lanka: Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna, p. 14
• Patrick, A.E.S., Naveendrakumar, G. and Arjunan, K. (2011) ‘Some aspects of linear morphometrics and sex ratio of Tilapia sp. in polluted and non-polluted location of Vavuniya tank’, Proceedings of the Vavuniya Campus Annual Research Session (VCARS2011), Vavuniya, Sri Lanka: Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna, p. 13. ISSN 1800-4911

• Kanthia Kunaratnam Gold Medal for best overall performance in Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Jaffna 2013
• Australian Research Council Post Graduate Research Scholarship (2018-2021)