- Faculty of Engineering
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering
- Professor
Contact information
Univerity of Moratuwa
Katubadda
Moratuwa
Sri Lanka
Teaching and Administrative Activities
Unit Operations I -Undergraduate -2000
Food and Bio Processing -Undergraduate -2002
Biochemical Engineering -Undergraduate -2004
Comprehensive Design Project I -Undergraduate -2015
Comprehensive Design Project II -Undergraduate -2015
Research Project -Undergraduate -2015
EnergyTechnolgy -Postgraduate -2015
Unit Operations II -Undergraduate -2003
Chairperson, Sports Advisory Board - (2012 To 2017)
HOD -HOD (2016 To 2019)
Treasurer - Treasurer, Sports Advisory Board (2002 To 2011)
Faculty 福利在线看 Committee Member - (2002 To 2016)
Chairperson, Medical Committee -Attend to medical-related requests from students. (2025 To date)
Director, Social Reconciliation Centre - (2023 To date)
Research Activities
Biodiesel
Bioethanol
Biorefinery
Fermentation
Food and Industrial Biotechnology
Biological waste treatment
鈥淒ecolourization of synthetic dye mixture and textile industry effluent in a fixed bed biofilm reactor鈥� H.G. Madushika (PhD), Supervisors: Dr. (Mrs.) Sanja Gunawardena, Dr. (Mrs.) Thilini Ariyadasa
鈥淒evelopment of a Sustainable Model for Composting in Sri Lanka鈥� 鈥� S. Vijayapala (PhD), Supervisors: Dr. (Mrs.) Sanja Gunawardena, Prof. S. Dasanayake, Dr. VISCK Fernando
"Process Analysis of Non-Thermal Plasma and UV Sterilization Processes for Sri Lankan spices". A.B.G.C.J de Silva (PhD), Supervisors: Prof. A de Alwis, Dr. (Mrs.) Sanja Gunawardena, Dr. PNRJ Amunugoda
"Production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using heterogeneous catalysts". R. Elabadagama (MSc), Supervisors: Dr. (Mrs.) Sanja Gunawardena, Dr. S.A.Dilantha Thushara Subasinghe
"Optimization of Bio-chemical Conversion of Rice Straw to 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural". P. N. Wanniarachchi (MPhil). Supervisors: Dr. (Mrs.) Sanja Gunawardena, Dr. S.A. Dilantha Thushara Subasinghe
"Enhanced Separation of Heterogeneous Carbon Microspheres for Supercapacitor Electrodes". L.A. Isanka (MPhil). Supervisors: Dr. Thushara Subasinghe, Dr. (Mrs.) Sanja Gunawardena
Biodiesel from low quality oils, Biorefinery for extraction of valuable chemicals and fuel, Fermentation, Food and Industrial Biotechnology, Biological waste water treatment, Solid waste treatment and management
Education and Professional Affiliations
Bachelors, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa ,1993
PhD, 福利在线看 of Birmingham ,1998 The research title was 鈥淚mage analysis for characterising Penicillium chrysogenum vacuolation鈥�.
Institute of Engineers(2011 To date)
Career
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Dec. 2019 - present |
Professor, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa |
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April 2016 - April 2019 |
Head of Department, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa |
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July 2006 鈥� Nov. 2019 |
Senior Lecturer (Grade I), 福利在线看 of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (on permanent basis) |
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July 2000 - July 2006 |
Senior Lecturer (Grade II), 福利在线看 of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (on permanent basis) |
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Feb. 2000 - June 2000 |
Senior Lecturer, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (on contract basis) |
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Sept 1995 鈥� Dec. 1999 |
Research Student, 福利在线看 of Birmingham, UK |
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Sept. 1994 鈥� Aug. 1995 |
Assistant Lecturer, 福利在线看 of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (on temporary basis) |
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May 1993 - July 1994 |
Temporary instructor, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka |
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May 1993 - July 1994 |
Temporary instructor, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka |
茂驴陆 Head of Department April 2016 to April 2019
茂驴陆 Chairperson - 福利在线看 Sports Advisory Board (2012 Dec. 茂驴陆 2017 Dec.)
茂驴陆 Senior Treasurer - 福利在线看 of Moratuwa Sports Council, 2002-2011
茂驴陆 Member - 福利在线看 Sports Advisory Board, 2002-2017
茂驴陆 Member - Faculty 福利在线看 Committee 2002-2016
茂驴陆 Incharge 茂驴陆 Food Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical & Process Engineering, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa (2014 - 2020)
茂驴陆 福利在线看 Coordinator - Semester 3 (previously Level 2 Semester 1)
茂驴陆 福利在线看 Counselor (Student Mentor) since 2008
茂驴陆
Chairman
- Departmental sub-committee on Curriculum Development since 2011.
茂驴陆 Member - 福利在线看 Sports Advisory Board since 2002-2012
茂驴陆 Incharge 茂驴陆 Food & Biochemical Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical & Process Engineering, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa (2001-2009)
茂驴陆 Incharge 茂驴陆 Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Chemical & Process Engineering, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa (2009-2013)
茂驴陆 Undergraduate inplant training co-ordinator in 2003.
茂驴陆 Member - Faculty sub-committee Exhibition, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa (2000 茂驴陆 2001).
茂驴陆 Chairman - Departmental sub-committee on Curriculum Development (2005)
茂驴陆 Member - Departmental sub-committee on Curriculum Development, 2000 & 2010.
茂驴陆 Member - Faculty sub-committee on Orientation, 福利在线看 of Moratuwa (2002 茂驴陆 2004).
茂驴陆 Member - Departmental sub-committee on Curriculum Development, 2010.
Resource person at the National Consultative Workshop on Strengthening and Road mapping of Emerging Technology Innovation Systems of Sri Lanka. Jointly organized by The Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology and Innovation (COSTI) and United Nations- Asia Pacific Centre for Technology Transfer (APCTT): 25th-27th August 2015, Colombo Sri Lanka. Presentation title - 鈥淏iochemical Process Options for Biofuel Production鈥� (26th August)
Resource person at the National Conference on Biotechnology; 鈥淏IOTECHNOLGY FOR WEALTH CREATION鈥�, 18th September 2014. Presentation title 鈥� 鈥淏iochemical Conversion of Biomass into Fuel鈥�.
Resource person at the SIS-Sida Pre-Seminar and subsequent ISO 13065, Sustainability Criteria for Bioenergy Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden 23rd September to 4th October 2013
Resource person at the SIS-Sida Pre-Seminar and subsequent ISO 13065, Sustainability Criteria for Bioenergy Meetings in Brisbane, Australia 17-25 January 2013
Trainer at the 鈥淭raining of Trainers Programme on Healthcare Waste Management鈥�. Faculty of Medicine, 福利在线看 of Colombo, Sri Lanka. 4th October 2012.
Resource person at the SIS-Sida-SAWTEE Pre-Seminar and subsequent ISO/PC 248 WG 3 Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya 2-3, 4-6 October 2011
Public Lecture on 鈥淏iosafety and Biosecurity: Issues and Concerns鈥�. Jointly organised by Institute of Biology/ SLAAS Section D and ZooNet of OUSL (30th June 2009)
Public Lecture on 鈥淭echnical Feasibility and Environmental Desirability of Biofuels鈥�. Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL), The Chemical Engineering Section. (24th March 2009)
Country presentation on 鈥淗ouse hold energy in Sri Lanka鈥� at the five day women-specific workshop on 鈥淓fficient Energy Management and Renewable Energy for South Asian Women鈥� (Phase 1) organized by USAID/SARI/Energy, Kerala, India (21-25th April 2008).
Resource person at the 鈥淪AARC Training workshop on Biofuels鈥� Kandalam, Sri Lanka. (22-26 September 2008). Presentation title 鈥� 鈥淏ioethanol Fuel Quality and Downstream Marketing Constraints鈥�
Honours and Awards
Endeavour Research Fellowship (Received 2011)
Outstanding Research Performance - Award of Excellence (Received 2016)
Outstanding Research Performance - Award of Excellence with Distinction (Received 2017)
Outstanding Research Performance - Award of Excellence with Distinction (Received 2018)
Outstanding Research Performance - Award of Excellence with Distinction (Received 2019)
Outstanding Research Performance - Award of Excellence with Distinction (Received 2020)
Outstanding Research Performance - Award of Excellence with Distinction (Received 2021)
Outstanding Research Performance - Award of Excellence with Distinction (Received 2022)
Publications*
Bavatharny Thevarajah, Sajani Piyatilleke, P. H. V. Nimarshana, Sanja Gunawardena & Thilini U. Ariyadasa,".Harnessing Algae: Advancements in Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery.",Springer,2024
H. Gimhani Madhushika, Thilini U. Ariyadasa, and Sanja H. P. Gunawardena,".Textile Dye Removal from Industrial Wastewater by Biological Methods and Impact on Environment in book: Environmental Degradation: Challenges and Strategies for Mitigation.",Springer,2022
S.H.P. Gunawardena,". Food Components and Food microbiology: Chapters on Food fermentation, Concentration of food products and Drying of food.",Open 福利在线看 of Sri Lanka.,2019
S.H.P. Gunawardena,".Chapters on Fermentor designs and construction & Biosafety and Biosecurity .",Open 福利在线看 of Sri Lanka.,2019
Samodya Hettige, Amanda Kodippili, Gayathri De Silva, Sanja Gunawardena,Neville Amunugoda. ,".Investigation of drying kinetics of heat pump drying and post-drying quality parameters of mango by using Gliding Arc Plasma Discharge (GAPD) pre-treatment. .",MERCON 2025, IEEE Conference ,福利在线看 of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.,2025,
De Silva, A.B.G.C. J., Amarasena, S.C., Karunaratne S.H.S., Amunugoda, P.N.R.J.,Gunawardena, S.H.P., De Alwis, A.A.P. ,".Development of radio frequency powered dielectric barrier discharge rotary plasma reactor and evaluation of the performance using native bacteria, fungi and Bacillus cereus inoculums..",6th Biennial - International Research Symposium 芒鈧�� 2023,Sri Lanka,2023,
Poornima Wanninayake, Mahinsasa Rathnayake, Dilantha Thushara, Sanja Gunawardena,".Optimization of Hemicellulose Recovery from Rice Straw for Biorefinery: Dilute Acid Pretreatment at Reduced Temperatures.",2021 Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference (MERCon),Moratuwa,2021,
Gayathri De Silva, Samith Amarasena, Neville Amunugoda, Sanja Gunawardena, Ajith de Alwis,".Effect of Low-Pressure Cold Plasma Treatment on Microbiological and Physicochemical Properties of Black Peppercorns.",From Innovation to Impact (FITI),Colombo, Sri Lanka,2021,315-320
Achini Liyanage, Dilantha Thushara, Sanja Gunawardena,".Simulation of Diffusive Transport of Nanoparticles under an Externally Applied Electric Field.",From Innovation to Impact (FITI),Colombo, Sri Lanka,2021,
RY Elabadagama, S Gunawardena, D Thushara. ,". Tea waste derived heterogeneous acid catalyst for esterification of free fatty acids in biodiesel production..",From Innovation to Impact (FITI),Colombo, Sri Lanka,2020,1-5
De Silva A. B. G. C. J., Weerasinghe W. A. B. S., Pitipanarachchi, R., De Alwis Ajith., Gunawardana, S. H. P., Amunugoda, P. N. R. J. ,".Cold plasma sterilization for selected Sri Lankan spices..",4th Biennial Research Symposium 2019,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2019,
D.T. Imalsha, W.M.S.S. Kumari, O.E. Walawege, Thilini U. Ariyadasa, Sanja H.P. Gunawardena, ,".Simultaneously Decolourization of Textile Dye & Bioelectricity Generation in a Microbial Fuel Cell..",Annual Transactions of IESL.The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (2019) ,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2019,483-487
Ayesha Sandaruwani, Chathushki Kumarasinghe, Dasuni Samarakoon, Thilini U. Ariyadasa, S.H. P Gunawardena ,". Investigation of the efficiency of dairy waste water treatment using lipid-degrading bacterial strains.", MERCon 2018,福利在线看 of Moratuwa,2018,
H.G.Madhushika, Thilini U.Ariyadasa, S.H.P. Gunawardena ,".Decolourization of Reactive Red EXF Dye by Isolated Strain Proteus mirabilis. .",MERCon 2018,福利在线看 of Moratuwa,2018,
B.K.T. Samarasiri, S.W.S Samarakoon, P.G. Rathnasiri ,".Mechanistic model for electricity generation via biomethane production through anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste generated in Sri Lanka..",Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference (MERCon),福利在线看 of Moratuwa,2017,-
N. P. Mendis, G. L. D. P. Gunawardana ,".Possibility of using chitosan as an adsorbent in a continuous fixed-bed column for removal of hexavalent chromium.",The 28th International Symposium on Transport Phenomena,福利在线看 of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka,2017,-
H.M.N. Jayawardena, S.C. Fernando, N. Jayathilake. ,".Variations to Key Chemical Parameters during Dried Faecal Sludge and Municipal Solid Waste Co-Composting.",Annual Sessions of IESL,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2017,537-543
K.S. Mallawarachchi, L.R.L.M. Bandara, S.K.D.H.S. Dilshan, T. Ariyadasa, S.H.P. Gunawardena ,".Optimization of mashing process in beer production using rice as an adjunct..",MERCON 2016,,,2016,
Sinnathamby, Vijayapala.; Paul, J. G.; Dasanayaka, S. W. S. B.; Gunawardena, S. H. P.; Fernando, Sudarshana. ,".Factors affecting sustainability of municipal solid waste composting projects in Sri Lanka. .",International Conference in Technology Management 2016,,Colombo,2016,98-103
A.K.D.N. Vithanage, T. Madushanka, Thilini Ariyadasa ,".Textile Dye Removal in Wastewater Using Chitosan .",IESL Annual Sessions,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2015,
T.K.K.S. Pathmasiri, Finn Haugen, S.H.P. Gunawardena ,".Simulation of a Biogas Reactor for Dairy Manure.",Annual Transactions of IESL. The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2013,394-398
Sachith Vidanapathirana, Chamara de Silva, Sanja Gunawardena. ,".Optimum processes and conditions for mass cultivation of algae for bio-fuel production in Sri Lanka.",2nd Sri Lankan Roundtable on sustainable consumption and production,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2013,29-47
W.M.G.I. Priyadarshana, Sanja Gunawardena, and W.A.P.J. Premaratne. ,".Synthesis and Characterization of Nanosilica from Paddy Husk Ash..",International Conference on Advanced Materials, Science and Engineering,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2012,
D.R.S. Hew Walpita, F.M.Ismail, S.H.P. Gunawardena ,".Production of biodiesel in pilot-scale using locally available feedstock materials..",Annual Transactions of IESL. The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka.,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2012,
J.R.U.C. Jayakody, A.D.U.S. Amarasinghe, S.H.P. Gunawardena ,".Effect of evaporation on sugar content of coconut water in desiccated coconut industry.",Annual Transactions of IESL, The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka.,Colombo, Sri Lanka,2011,
S.H.P. Gunawardena ,".Bioethanol Fuel Quality and Downstream Marketing Constraints..",SAARC Training workshop on Biofuels,Kandalama, Sri Lanka,2008,
Gunathilake M.P, Gunawardena S.H.P, de Alwis A.A.P. ,".Microbial Fuel cell (MFC) Technology for Wastewater Treatment and Bioenergy: Cow dung as a Waste Biomass substrate for MFC. .",International Forestry and Environment Symposium ,福利在线看 of Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka,2008,
G De Silva, B Weerasinghe, N Amunugoda, S Gunawardena, A de Alwis ,".Efficacy of Gliding Arc Plasma Discharge Remote Treatment on Microbial Decontamination of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) Seeds..", International Journal of Food Engineering,9 (1),,2025
A B G C J De Silva, H D Weerathunge, P N R J Amunugoda, S H P Gunawrdena, A A P de Alwis ,".Low-Pressure and Atmospheric-Pressure Cold Plasma Treatment as a Pretreatment for Extracting Volatile Oils from Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) Seeds.",Journal of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science,6/1,2024
Gayathri De Silva, Samith Amarasena, Upeka Rajawardana, Yoga Milani, Neville Amunugoda, Sanja Gunawardena, Ajith de Alwis,".Positive and Negative Impacts of Low-Pressure Cold Plasma as a Decontamination Method for Red Chili Powder (Capsicum Annuum L.).",IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science,Volume: 52 Issue: 7,2024
Samarasiri, M. H.; Chandrasiri, T. A.; Wijesinghe, D.B.; Gunawardena, S.P. ,".Antioxidant Capacity with Physical Property Variations of Morinda citrifolia L. Juice in Traditional Fermentation..",Chemistry Proceedings,10,2022
H. G. Madhushika, T.U. Ariyadasa, S.H.P. Gunawardena. ,".Decolorization of Textile Dyes in a Fixed-Bed Biofilm Reactor..",Chemical Engineering and Technology,45,2022
H. G. Madhushika, T.U. Ariyadasa, S.H.P. Gunawardena. ,".Biodegradation of reactive yellow EXF dye: optimization of physiochemical parameters and analysis of degradation products. .",Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. ,19,2022
Poornima Wanninayake, Mahinsasa Ratnayake, Dilantha Thushara, Sanja Gunawardena. ,".Conversion of rice straw into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural: Review and comparative process evaluation..",Biomass conversion and biorefineries ,12,2022
Bo Bao, Zhichao Wang, Dilantha Thushara, Achini Liyanage, Sanja Gunawardena, Zaiyong Yang, Shuangliang Zhao,".Recent Advances in Microfluidics-Based Chromatography鈥擜 Mini Review.",Separations,8, 3. ,2021
P.M.Y.S. Pathiraja, Y.M.M.K. Ranatunge, S.K.M.K. Herapathdeniya, S.H.P. Gunawardena,".Swarna Makshika Bhasma preparation using an alternative heating method to traditional Varaha Puta.",Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine,11(3): ,2020
Lakshika Hettiarachchi, Nilanthi Jayathillake, Sudarshana Fernando, Sanja Gunawardena.,".Effect of compost particle size, moisture content and binding agents on Co-compost pellet properties.",International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (IJABE),12(4): 184鈥�191,2019
Samavath Mallawarachchi, Sanja Gunawardena,".Modeling and optimization of mashing process in beer production with rice as an adjunct.",Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences,9 (1) 104-110,2019
H.G. Madhushika, Thilini U. Ariyadasa, S.H.P. Gunawardena,".Decolourization and degradation of reactive textile dyes by isolated strain Proteus mirabili.",Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution,Vol. 16, No. 4 ,2019
Malsha H. Samarasiri, Thushitha A. Chandrasiri, Diunuge B. Wijesinghe, Sanja P. Gunawardena ,".Antioxidant Capacity and Total Phenolic Content Variations against Morinda citrifolia L. Fruit Juice Production Methods.",International Journal of Food Engineering,Vol. 5, No. 4,2019
Hewayalage Gimhani Madhushika, Thilini U. Ariyadasa, Sanja H.P. Gunawardena,".Biological decolourization of textile industry wastewater by a developed bacterial consortium.",Water Science and Technology ,80 (10): ,2019
Upendra A. Rathnayake, Tharindu Senapathi, Chanaka Sandaruwan, Sanja Gunawardene, Veranja Karunaratne and Nilwala Kottegoda. ,".Rice bran nanofiber composites for stabilization of phytase..",Chemistry Central Journal,12:28,2018
Danadhi Gunawardana, Sanja Gunawardena. ,".Evaluating the effectiveness of chitosan for removal of hexavalent chromium from wastewater .",International Journal of Management Information Technology and Engineering, Vol. 6, Issue 8, Aug 2018. Pp. 1-10 ,2018
Nayani Wanni Arachchi, Marliya Ismail, Sanja Gunawardena ,".Degree of deacetylation of chitin in Sri Lankan prawn shells (Penaeus semisulcatus) under different treatment methods. .",The International Journal of Engineering and Science. (IJES), 7.10 (2018): 53-61,2018
Dinuka Hewa Walpita, Marliya Ismail,".Method for Quantification of Methanol and Sulfuric Acid Required for Esterification of High Free Fatty Acid Oils in Biodiesel Production.",International Journal of Renewable Energy Research. ,Vol. 7, No. 4,2017
Sanja Gunawardena, Bo Jin ,".Chemical pre-treatment for enhancing bio accessibility of oat husk..",American Journal of Biomass and Bioenergy,5 No 3,2016
G. N. Maheshika, J. A. R. H. Wijerathna, S. H. P. Gunawardena. ,".Ferric Sulphate Catalyzed Esterification of High Free Fatty Acids Content Waste Coconut Oil for Biodiesel Synthesis.",International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR),3 (10),2014
P.M.Y.S.Pathiraja, S.K.M.K.Herapathdeniya, Sanja H.P.Gunawardane ,".Investigation of temperature profiles and usage of traditional Puta in Ayurvedic Bhasma preparation.", SLJIM (2014),04(01): 224-229,2014
W.A.P.J. Premaratne, W.M.G.I. Priyadarshana, S.H.P. Gunawardena, A.A.P. DE Alwis. ,".Synthesis of nanosilica from paddy husk ash and their surface functionalization..", J. Sci. Univ. Kelaniya ,8 (2013): 33-48,2013