Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

  1. Profile

SUSL Staff Directory

Dr. Sampath Bandara Wahala

Position: Senior Lecturer

wahala@mgt.sab.ac.lk

Office: +94-0452280296

Fax: +94-0452280296

Qualifications

  • PhD in Forestry,  University of Sri Jayewardenepura, SRI LANKA [2013]

[Thesis title: Determination of the biomass production and carbon sequestration capacity of wet zone forests in Sri Lanka]

  • M.Sc. in Forestry and Environmental Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, SRI LANKA [2004]
  • B. Sc. in Biology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, SRI LANKA [2000]

Membership of Professional Bodies/Associations

  • Charted Member of the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka [IEPSL][from 2016]
  • Editor of the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka [from 2016]
  • Member of the Institute of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka [IEPSL][from 2012]
  • Life Member of Institute of Biology [IOB, Sri Lanka] [from 2007]
  • Life Member of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science [SLAAS -section D] [ from 2005]

  • Executive Committee Member of Lanka Responsible Care Council from 2012 [http://lankaresponsiblecare.org/]

Current Research Projects

Co- Incvestigator  of the research on "Quantification of the response of tropical rainforests of Sri Lanka to increased atmospheric temperature for prediction of the impact of future climate change on their carbon balance and biodiversity"  under the National Themetic Reasearch  Program - Climate Change & Natural Disasters of National Science Foundation [Grant No. NRTP/2017/CC&ND/TA-04/P-01/01]

Recent Publications

  • Nimalka Sanjeewani, Dilum Samarasinghe, Himesh Jayasinghe, Kanishka Ukuwela, Asanga Wijetunga, Sampath Wahala &Janendra De Costa. Variation of floristic diversity, community composition, endemism, and conservation status of tree species in tropical rainforests of Sri Lanka across a wide altitudinal gradient. Sci Rep 14, 2090 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52594-3
  • Influence of Geographical Aspect and Topography on Canopy Openness in Tropical Rainforests of Sri Lanka along an Altitudinal Gradient, RMC Madhumali, WMPSB Wahala, HKN Sanjeewani, DP Samarasinghe, WAJM De Costa, doi:https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.06.547768
  • Bandara, WALM and Wahala, WMPSB, Environmental Impact of Secondary Packaging: A Lifecyle Assessment of Milk Powder Packaging in Sri Lanka (May 2, 2023). Available at SSRN:https://ssrn.com/abstract=4435282 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4435282
  • A Life Cycle Assessment-Based Methodological Framework to Evaluate the Environmental Impacts of the Building and Construction Industry in Sri Lanka, D Vijerathne, WMPSB Wahala, C Illankoon, N De Silva, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2022
  • Estimation of Canopy Leaf Area Index of Tropical Rainforests of Sri Lanka from the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index along a Wide Altitudinal Gradient, RMC Madhumali, Wahala WMPSB, DR Welikanna, P Dunendran, HKN Sanjeewani, DP Samarasinghe, WAJM De Costa, Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2022
  • Assessment of Biodiversity and Blue Carbon in Mangroves, Sea grasses, Salt Marshes and Algae in Mannar, Northern Sri Lanka, S Senarathne, Ranasinghe DMSHK, Wahala WMPSB, Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2022
  • Assessment of the Blue Carbon Stocks Including Mangroves, Seagrasses and Salt Marshes in Puttalam, North West Sri Lanka, G Sathiyamohan, D Ranasinghe, W.M.P.S.B.Wahala, Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka 11 (1), 2022
  • Do Carbon Management Practices create an immediate impact? A Case Study on Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing Companies in Sri Lanka, A Thiranagama, W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka 11 (1), 2022
  • Response of Canopy Leaf Area Index and Architecture of Tropical Rainforests in Sri Lanka to Climatic Variation along an Altitudinal Gradient. RMC Madhumali, WMPSB Wahala, HKN Sanjeewani, DP Samarasinghe, WAJM De Costa, Tropical Agricultural Research 32 (1), 2021
  • Response of Tree Community Composition, Plant Diversity and Aboveground Tree Biomass in Tropical Rainforests of Sri Lanka to Variation in Altitude H. K. N. Sanjeewani, , D. P. Samarasinghe, H. D. Jayasinghe, P. H. Gardiyawasam, W. M. P. S. B. Wahala, W. M. G. A. S. T. B. Wijetunga, K. D. B. Ukuwela, P. Gomes and W. A. J. M. De Costa, Journal of Tropical Agricultural Research. 2020
  • Livelihood and ecosystem benefits of carbon credits through rainforests: A case study of Hiniduma Bio-link, Sri Lanka D.K. Lakmini Senadheera, W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, Shermila Weragoda, Journal of Ecosystem Services, 2019
  • Feasibility Study on Use of Cotton Apparel Waste for the Biomass Boilers as an Energy Source Prasanga W.M and Wahala W.M.P.S.B. 2nd International Conference on Climate Change - 2018 “Climate change and global sustainability: Action for bridging the gap” 5th -16th February 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • DKL Senadheera, W Wahala, S Weragoda, L Herath (2017). Corporate Water Stewardship Through Water Neutrality: A Case Study on the First Water-Neutral® Apparel Factory in Asia. Proceedings of the 22nd International Forestry and Environment Symposium, Held in Tangerine Beach Hotel, Waskaduwa , 10th and 11th November 2017.
  • Lakmini Senadhera, W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, Shermila Weragoda (2016). Valuing Ecosystem Benefits Through Reforestation of Degraded Rainforest Patches in Sri Lanka Whilst Helping to Mitigate Climate Change. Proceedings of The International Research Symposium, Sri Lanka – Next, A Blue -Green Era, held in BMICH, Colombo, 17th, 18th and 19th October 2016.
  • W Wahala, H Siriwardana, DKL Senadheera (2016). Product Carbon Footprint of a Fabric Manufactured in Sri Lanka. Proceedings part I of the 21st International Forestry and Environment Symposium, held in Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla. 23rd and 24th September 2016.
  • Chandanamali D.M.M. and Wahala W.M.P.S.B. (2016). Developing Carbon Footprint Based Environmental Performance Indices for Garment Manufacturing Industries in Sri Lanka: A Caser study at Bodyline (pvt) Balangoda. 1st Intradisciplinary Conference of Management Researchers. Held in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, 10th and 11th August 2016.
  • Liyanage L.D.P., Wahala W.M.P.S.B. and Wellagiriya R. (2016). An Assessment of Green House Gas (GHG) Saving Potential of Transport Related Operations: A Case Study at Brandix Lingeries (pvt) ltd. Wathupitiwala. 1st Intradisciplinary Conference of Management Researchers. Held in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, 10th and 11th August 2016.
  • Usgalhewa I.C., Wahala W.M.P.S.B. and Gunawardene R. (2016). Exploring Greenhouse Gas Saving Potential of Transport Plan Optimization in Fabric Manufacturing Industry: A Case Study at Textured Jersey Lanka Plc, Awissawella. 1st Intradisciplinary Conference of Management Researchers. Held in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, 10th and 11th August 2016.
  • Ariyadasa P.G.S.H., Wahala W.M.P.S.B. and Gunawardene R. (2016). Water Consumption and Potential Savings in Fabric Dying Process: A Case Study at Textured Jersey Lanka Plc, Awissawella. 1st Intradisciplinary Conference of Management Researchers. Held in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, 10th and 11th August 2016.
  • Panchali Fonseka, Thilantha Dammalage and Sampath Wahala (2016), Forest Fire Risk Zonation Mapping and Forest Fire Preventive Measures In Balangoda Area. Proceedings of The International Conference on Natural Science and Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2nd April 2016, ISBN: 978-93-85973-57-4
  • W.M.P.S.B. Wahala and U.M.R.M.D. Wijerathne (2016). An Assessment of Organizational Water Footprint: A Case Study on Brandix Apparel Solutions Ltd, Rambukkana. National Conference on Green Practices – 2016 organized by the Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, SRI LANKA
  • DKL Senadheera, D Ranasinghe, W Wahala (2015) Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Plantation to the Proceeded Wood Products via State Timber Corporation Depots for Selected Tree Species using Life Cycle Assessment. Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment, 2015
  • A Aththanayake, W Bandara, W Wahala (2015). Construction of a model to predict stem carbon of Eucalyptus grandis Wall ex. Maiden grown in upcountry, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Annual session of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, held in Colombo 11th December 2015.
  • L Senadheera, H Ranasinghe, H Amarasekera and W.M.P.S.B. Wahala (2015) Product Carbon Footprint of Wooden Products in Sri Lanka Special Reference to a Life Cycle of an Arm Chair. Proceedings part I of the 20th International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2015 held in Club Hotel Dolphin, Negombo. 16th and 17th October 2015.
  • Sampath B. Wahala and Athula C. Gnanapala (2015). Reliability of the term “Ecotourism” Used in tour operations an emphatical study of Sri Lanka.  Tropical Tourism Outlook Conference.
  • D.K.L.K. Senadheera, W.M.P.S.B. Wahala and S.D. Wijeyeratne (2014). Social - Business Model for Carbon Mitigation Through Reforestation A Case study, Hiniduma Biolink Project Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 16th World Congress on Environmental Management held New Delhi, India.
  • W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, Senadheera D.K. L. K, Daniela Lugoch (2014). Water Footprint Assessment of a tea product in Sri Lanka: A case study of black tea and selected tea flavors. (In) Proceedings part I of the Eighteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2014 held in MAS Fabric Park, Thulhiriya. 10th and 11th January 2014.
  • Senadheera D.K.L.K, Ranasinghe D.M.S.H.K., Amarasekare H.S. and Wahala W.M.P.S.B. (2014). Carbon stock movements and GHG emissions in the state-owned timber harvesting and distribution system in Sri Lanka. (In) Proceedings part I of the Eighteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2014 held in MAS Fabric park, Thulhiriya, 10th and 11th January 2014.
  • Senevirathne N.A.U.S., D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe, and Wahala W.M.P.S.B. (2014). Estimation of aboveground Carbon Stocks in selected home gardens in five agro–ecological regions of the low-country intermediate zones in Sri Lanka. (In) Proceedings part I of the Eighteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2014 held in MAS Fabric park, Thulhiriya, 10th and 11th January 2014.
  • L. Ranaweera, U. Samaraweerchchi, W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, G. Adikari (2013), Pathological evidence revealed from human skeletal remains from Pllemalala in Sri Lanka. (In) The 7th World Archeological Congress, 2013, held in the Dead sea, Jordan.
  • M.N.R.Cooray, L.G.L.M. Edirisinghe, A.A.P.De  Alwis, M.W.R. Malalasooriya and W.M.P.S.B. Wahala (2013). The Potential for Implementing Responsible Care ® in the Chemical Industry of Sri Lanka. 2nd Sri Lankan Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production, held in Galadari Hotel, Colombo Sri Lanka, 21st and 22nd February 2013
  • W.M.P.S.B.Wahala, L.G.L.M. Edirisingheand V.R.S. Peiris (2013). Identification of Key Factors to Develop Chemical Leasing Model in the Wood Preservative Sector. 2nd Sri Lankan Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production, held in Galadari Hotel, Colombo Sri Lanka, 21st and 22nd February 2013
  • W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, Edirisinghe L G L M, Peiris V R S, Kumarasena N W S (2012). Resource Efficient Cleaner Production (RECP) as a Potential Tool for Greening the Hospitality Industry in Sri Lanka. (In) Proceedings Part I of the Seventeenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2012 held in Ja Ela
  • Perera Priyan, Richard Vlosky and Sampath Wahala, (2011). “Motivational and Behavioral Profiling of Visitors to Forest-based Attractions in Sri Lanka”. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 2011.
  • D.K.L.K. Senadheera, C. Fernando and W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, (2011). Potential for Voluntary Carbon Market in Sri Lanka- Success story of Hiniduma Kanneliya BioLink Project. (In) Proceedings part I of the Sixteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2011 held in Golden Rose Hotel, Borelesgamuwa, 28th and 29th October 2011.
  • A.A.S.C. Ranaweera, D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe and W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, (2011). Comparative Enumeration for Dominant Species in Selected Natural Forests, North Central Province, Sri Lanka. (In) Proceedings part I of the Sixteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2011 held in Golden Rose Hotel, Borelesgamuwa, 28th and 29th October 2011.
  • U.Y.I.L. Dharmasoma, D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe and W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, (2010). Carbon Sequestration Potential of Replanted Rhizophora mucronata in Puttlam Lagoon, Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka. .(In) Proceedings part I of the Fifteenth International  Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2010 held in University of Sri Jayewardenepura 26th and 27th November 2010.
  • M.D.J.N. Wijesinghe, D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe and W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, (2010). Comparative assessment of Soil Carbon storage under rehabilitated Rhizophora mucronata in Kalpitiya, Puttlam Lagoon, Sri Lanka. (In) Proceedings part I of the Fifteenth International Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2010 held in University of Sri Jayewardenepura 26th and 27th November 2010.
  • D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe, D.K.L.K.Senadheera, W.M.P.S.B. Wahala, U.Y.I.L. Dharmasoma, M.D.J.N. Wijesinghe and T. Kapurusinghe (2010). Evaluation of growth of Rhizophora mucronata in relation to water and soil quality in selected sites Kalpitiya, Puttlam Lagoon, North-west Sri Lanka. (In) Proceedings of the 30th annual sessions of Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, held in Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo 24th September 2010.
  • A.Dissanayake , D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe and Wahala W.M.P.S.B, (2009).An Estimation of Carbon Sequestration Potential of Selected Home gardens in Kandy and Mathale districts in Sri Lanka .(In) Proceedings part I of the Fourteenth International  Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2009 held in University of Sri Jayewardenepura 18th and 19th December 2009.
  • D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe, Ranasinghe M. and Wahala W.M.P.S.B (2008). Status of Waste Management in the Western Province of Sri Lanka – A Review (In) Proceedings of the Second International Symposium, 2008 held in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka 8th – 12th July 2008. (Eds. Rohana P. Mahaliyanaarachchi, Mahinda S Rupasinghe, H. M. Bandara, Nirmalee Wickramarathne, M.Esham, A.L.T. Hewawasam, J. Prasanna Liyanage, J.K.C. Disanayake and H.K Salinda Premadasa). p. 63. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
  • Wahala W.M.P.S.B, Costa W.J.M.De and D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe (2006).An assessment of vegetation and canopy.(In) Proceedings part I of the Eleventh International  Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2006 held in Wadduwa 22- 23 December 2006. (Eds.Hiran Amarasekera, Prasanthi Gunawardene, Upul Subasinghe and Sobadini Kaluthota). pp.4 -5. Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
  • Wahala W.M.P.S.B, Costa W.J.M.De and D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe (2006). Current status of the forest canopy and its understory light environment in selected areas of Sinharaja, Kanneliya and Knuckles Forest Reserves in Sri Lanka. (In) Proceedings of the Fiftieth International Conference on Humid Tropical Ecosystems, 2006 held in Kandy 4 – 9 December 2006. organized by Sri Lanka National MAB committee and the National Science Foundation in collaboration with the International MAB secretariat, UNESCO.
  • Wahala W.M.P.S.B, Costa W.J.M.De, R.M.D.D.Rathnayeke and D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe (2006). Mitigating the impacts of climate change – Carbon sequestration capacity of selected natural forests in the humid zones of Sri Lanka (In) Proceedings of the Fiftieth International Conference on Humid Tropical Ecosystems, 2006 held in Kandy 4 – 9 December 2006. organized by Sri Lanka National MAB committee and the National Science Foundation in collaboration with the International MAB secretariat, UNESCO.
  • Wahala W.M.P.S.B, D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe and Costa W.J.M.De (2005).Determination of biomass production and carbon sequestration capacity of selected vegetation type in Yagirala Forest Reserve .(In) Proceedings  of the 61st Annual session of the Sri Lanka Association For the Advancement of Science, 2005 held in Colomb 12- 17 December 2005. (Ed. S.I. Amarasinghe ). p. 47. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science.
  • Wahala W.M.P.S.B and Pieng Huang (2005). *Foraging behavior of stingless bees – Trigono thorasica . (In) Proceedings part I of the Tenth Annual Forestry and Environment Symposium, 2005 held in Thulhiriya 2- 3 December 2005. (Eds. Hemanthi Ranasinghe, B M P S Singhakumara, H S Amarasekera, N J G J Bandara, S M C U P Subasinghe, U L  Kaluthota and W M P S B Wahala). p. 62. Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.  * Research was carried out in Khao Chong Wildlife Conservation Centre, Thailand
  • D.M.S.H.K. Ranasinghe and Wahala W.M.P.S.B (2006). An Assessment of tsunami (In) Proceedings of the Fiftieth International Conference on Humid Tropical Ecosystems, 2006 held in Kandy 4 – 9 December 2006. organized by Sri Lanka National MAB committee and the National Science Foundation in collaboration with the International MAB secretariat, UNESCO.
  • Devendra M. C., Amarasekera H. S. and Wahala W.M.P.S.B (1998). Distribution of invasive plant Ulex europeus in Horton Plains National Park (In) Proceedings part I of the Fourth Annual Forestry and Environment Symposium, 1998. Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.