Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

  1. Profile

SUSL Staff Directory

Miss Malitha Tharindi

Position: Lecturer (Prob.)

malitha@agri.sab.ac.lk

Office: +94-0452280046

Qualifications

Reading for M.Phil in Crop Improvement and Plant Protection, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Research Fellowship  - Huang Lab, Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology, College of Agriculture, Louisiana State University, USA

MSc in Plant Biology Conservation and Breeding (First class), Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

BSc in Agriculture (Hons), Specialized in Biotechnology (Second class upper division) , Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.

Research Interests

  • Plant Breeding
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Expresstion
  • Genetic Engineering

Recent Publications

Abstracts and Journal Articles

  • Tharindi P.W.M, Bandara P.K.G.S.S., Karunarathne P.M.A.S., Wimalasiri G.E.M.,2025 Phenotypic Diversity of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.) Germplasm in Sri Lanka Based on Morphological Traits,Abstracts of the 15th Annual Research Session, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 27
  • Wimalasiri, E.M., Tharindi, P.W.M., Nayakarathne, H. et al. Potential of neglected and underutilized seed crops: a bibliometric analysis. Discov Agric 3, 92 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-025-00244-1
  • Tharindi P.W.M, Bandara P.K.G.S.S., Madhushani K. N. P., Karunarathne P.M.A.S., Wimalasiri G.E.M., 2024 Molecular Diversity Analysis of Selected Sri Lankan Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) Germplasm Using Microsatellite Markers, Proceedings of 5th International Conference of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 12
  • Hansika NWJV, Karunadasa SHSH , Ekanayake KRBMMK , Dissanayake DDMO, PWM Tharindi, 2024, Assessing the Awareness of Agricultural Undergraduates in Sri Lanka on the Application of Biotechnological Techniques in Crop Improvement, 8th International Research Conference, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka. pp 130
  • Tharindi P.W.M., Bandara P.K.G.S.S., Karunaratne P.M.A.S., and Wimalasiri G.E.M., 2023, Analysis of Molecular Diversity of Selected Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) Germplasm in Sri Lanka Using Microsatellite Markers, Abstracts of the 13th Annual Research Session, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 33
  • Hasara Y.A.K, Sugathadasa M.V.U.M., Uddipani K.I., Tharindi P.W.M., Dissanayake D.D.M.O., 2023, Investigating Attitudes Towards Genetically Modified (Gm) Foods: A Study of Sri Lankan Agriculture Undergraduates, Abstracts of the 13th Annual Research Session, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 63
  • Gunawardana H. D. S. I., Dissanayake H., Tharindi P.W.M., 2023, Study on the Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Callus Cultures as an Approach for Inducing Mutagenesis, Abstract book of Undergraduate Research Symposium, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 34
  • Sugathadasa M.V.U.M., Tharindi P.W.M., 2023, Fast and Efficient Ethanol Evaporation in DNA Extraction: Development of a Portable Mini Air Flow Cabinet, Abstract book of Undergraduate Research Symposium. Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 8
  • Sugathadasa M.V.U.M., Tharindi P.W.M., 2023, Mini Portable Pollen Collector: Efficient Tool for Local Plant Breeders, Abstract Book of Farmers’ Conference “Innovation + 2023”, Department of Agribusiness Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
  • Lenora R.E H., Withanage S.P., Tharindi P.W.M., 2023, Analysis of the Gene Expression Profiles of Oxidative Stress Tolerant Genes in Newly Developed Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Genotypes, Abstract book of Undergraduate Research Symposium. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 36
  • Dewapriya D.S.K.R., Withanage S.P., Kumara J.B.D.A.P., Tharindi P.W.M.,2023, Screening the Molecular Diversity of Selected Interim Clones in Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Using SSR Molecular Markers, Abstract book of Undergraduate Research Symposium. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 35
  • Sathsarani S.A.C., Withanage S.P., Kumara J.B.D.A.P., Tharindi P.W.M.,2023, Early Detection of High-Yielding Rubber Genotypes (Hevea brasiliensis) Based on the Expression of Rubber Elongation Factor (Ref) Gene, Abstract book of Undergraduate Research Symposium. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 29
  • Udari, S.A.A., Tharindi, P. W. M., 2022, Screening RAPD Primers for Molecular Diversity Analysis in Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) Landraces in Sri Lanka, Abstract book of Undergraduate Research Symposium, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 46
  • Nayakarathne, N.M.H.I., P.K. Dissanayake P.K., Tharindi, P. W. M., 2022,  Molecular and Leaf Morphological Variation among Syzygium cumini Trees from Different Locations of Sri Lanka. Abstract book of Undergraduate Research Symposium, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 44
  • Rathnayake, R.M. V. Y., Dissanayake, D. M. P. V., Tharindi P.W.M., 2022. A Study of the Effect of the Different Fertilizer Mixtures on the Early Growth of Betel (Piper betle L.), Abstract book of Undergraduate Research Symposium, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. pp 22
  • P.W.M.Tharindi & J.S.R.De Silva. (2022). Organic Rice Cultivation and Conservation of Agroecosystem Biodiversity – a Review. IAR Jr. Agr Sci Fd Res, 2(2), 36-40
  • Madhuwanthi P. I., Yapa P. I., Tharindi M., 2021. Effect of Organic Fertilizers and Chemical Fertilizers on Soil Biology: A short-term field trial, 11th Annual Research Session of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. Pp 36
  • Galahitigama  G. A. H., Tharindi P. W. M., Kaushalya K. C., 2021.Effect of Different Halo-primed Seed Treatments on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.), IAR Journal of Agriculture Research and Life Sciences, Volume-2: Issue-1; Jan-Feb (DOI: 10.47310/iarjals.2021.v02i01.005)
  • Amarawansa R.P.U.I., Balasooriya B. L. W. K., Dandeniya W. S., Suganthan B., Tharindi P. W. M., Dassanayake D. G. A. T., 2018. Compatibility among N fixing Cyanobacteria Isolated from paddy fields in the Intermediate Zone and Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, Wayamba International Conference. August 24 - 25  Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
  • Balasooriya B.L.W.K, Suganthan B., Vivehananthan K., Gunawardana M.M., Tharindi P.W.M., 2017. Morphological and Molecular Identification of Cyanobacteria Isolated from Selected Paddy Fields at RRDI, Batalagoda, Proceedings of the Wayamba University Research Congress  Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
  • Tharindi P. W. M., Balasooriya W. K., Suganthan B., Vivehananthan K., 2016. Isolation and Identification of Culturable Cyanobacteria from Paddy Soils of the Intermediate Zone of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the 15th Agricultural Research Symposium, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. pp 159-163

Book Chapters

  • Tharindi, P.W.M. et al. (2025). Perennial Forage Crops: Biodiversity and Ecosystems Service in Barren Land. In: Singhal, R.K., Indu, El Sabagh, A., Dwivedi, K.K. (eds) Forage Crops in the Bioenergy Revolution. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-2536-9_7
  • Tennakoon A, Tharindi MPW, Madhushani N, Nayakarathne H, Manimekala D, Indurugalla Y, et al. Biodiversity Boost: The Ecological Benefits of Agroforestry. In: Atapattu AJ, editor. Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies [Internet]. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-8282-0.ch009
  • Tennakoon, A., Galahitigama, G. A. H., Tharindi, P. W. M., Suthajini, T., Abeysinghe, N. P. M., Sandamal, S., Rajendran, K., Hadifa, A. A., El Sabagh, A., & Ratnasekera, D. (2023). Accumulation and Toxicity of Arsenic in Rice and Its Practical Mitigation. In M. Hasanuzzaman (Ed.), Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Vol 2: Agro-Biotechnological Advancement for Crop Production (pp. 463–498). Springer International Publishing.
  • Galahitigama, G. A. H., Thakshila, I., Sandamal, S., Tharindi, P. W. M., Suthajini, T., Abeysinghe, N. P. M., Tennakoon, A., Sabagh, A. E., & Ratnasekera, D. (2024). Nanofilms for Enhancing the Shelf-life of Harvested Products. In The Nanotechnology Driven Agriculture. CRC Press.

Magazine Articles

  • P W M Tharindi, Speed breeding – A Novel Breeding Technique for Smart Agriculture, Agri-Food Quarterly Magazine 2022 Issue I Issued by Department of Agribusiness Department, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
  • P W M Tharindi, Enhancing Biodiversity, Engaging Indigenous Knowledge, and Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Plant Breeding; Agri-Food Quarterly Magazine 2023 Issue IV Issued by Department of Agribusiness Department, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka