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Department of Livestock Production

Established as one of the three pioneering departments in the faculty, the department of livestock production has been the focal point of producing graduates with profound knowledge, skills and experiences in the field of livestock production, catering the demands at local and international level. Covering a variety of subject areas within the discipline, the department is responsible for teaching all aspects of livestock production including production technology, post-harvest processing, quality assurance and management, waste handling and ecologically sound livestock production in both terrestrial and aquatic production systems.

Aided by a blend of both experienced and novel teachers expertized in all relevant fields, the department is geared to disseminate modern and traditional knowledge in the arena of livestock production to the undergraduates, graduates, industry and to the public, serving the needs of industry’s sustainability. Well-equipped laboratories in dairy science, meat science, food microbiology, food science and technology, animal reproduction technology, and molecular biology help undergraduates and graduates to pursue their thrust for research in relevant disciplines under the watchful eyes of eminent researchers in the department.

On-field exposure of undergraduates are enriched by animal rearing units in the faculty farm, including poultry, cattle, swine, goat, micro livestock and aquaria, wherein students are entrusted with the production of many livestock species. Pasture and fodder units in the faculty farm further extend achieving the said objective.  Via Livestock Extension and Research Centre, resources of the department are effectively shared with school teachers, students and farmers to educate and train them in various disciplines in livestock production, hence, contributing to national development of the sector.   

Staff members and ALUMNUS of the department are actively engaged in research, development, policy making and implementation of numerous livestock related development activities both national and international arena, enabling to keep a strong footprint of the department in the sector.

Our Mission

We strive to produce future leaders and innovators who can bear major responsibilities and perform roles for the enhancement of the livestock sector.We are also conducting workshops, seminars and on-farm consultation services to benefit the society. These events are conducted in collaboration with eminent scientists of international calibre.

Curriculum

Year I Semester I
Code Subject No.Credit
LP  11013  Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals   03
LP  11022  Genetics 02
LP  11032 Introduction to Aquatic Biology and  Aquaculture 02

Year I Semester II

Code Subject No. Credit
LP 12012 Fundamentals of Biochemistry 02
LP 12023 Principles of Food Science and Technology  03

Year II Semester I

Code Subject No.Credit
LP 21012 Animal Health and Hygiene  02
LP 21022 Management of Non Ruminants 02
LP 21032 Principles of Animal Nutrition 02

Year II Semester II

Code Subject No. Credit
LP 22012  Agrostology 02
LP 22023 Farm Practice 03
LP 22032 Management of Ruminants 02

Module 01: Animal Bio resource Technology and Management

Year III Semester I

Code Subject No. Credit
LP31012 Dairy Production 02
LP31023 Equine Management and  Microlivestock Production 03
LP31032 Food Microbiology 02
LP31042 Food and Nutrition 02
LP31053 Poultry Production  03
LP31063 Quality Management of Food Processing  and Handling 03
LP31072 Swine Production 02

Year III Semester II

Code Subject No. Credit
LP 32022 Animal Breeding 02
LP32042   Applied Animal Nutrition 02
LP 32052 Aquatic Bio-resource Production  02
LP 32064 Dairy Science and Technology 04
LP 32073 Meat Science and Technology 03
LP 32012 Animal Biotechnology 02
LP 32032 Applications of Aquatic Bio-resource Management 02
LP 32082 Risk assessment and Food Safety Management in Fishery Products 02
LP 32092 Zoonoses and Public Health 02

Year IV Semester I

Code Subject No. Credit
LP41012 Animal Behavior and Welfare  02
LP41023 Animal Reproduction and Assisted Reproductive Technologies 03
LP41032 Biodiversity Management  02
LP41042 Cereal Science and Technology 02
LP41052 Cleaner Production  02
LP41062 Extractive and Sustainable Aquaculture 02
LP41082 Health Management of Livestock Species and Fish  02
LP41093 Laboratory Techniques in Livestock Production  03
LP41103 Ornamental Fish culture 03
LP41113 Processing and Utilization of Animal Byproducts 03
LP41122 Proposal Formulation and  Scientific Writing 02
LP41132 Recent Advances in Animal Bio-resource Production  02

Year IV Semester II

Code Subject No. credit
LP42012 Industrial Training  02
LP42026 Research Project  06

Module 02: Aquatic Bio-resource Technology and Management

Year III Semester I

Code Subject No.Credit
LP31032 Food Microbiology 02
LP31063 Quality Management of Food Processing and Handling 03
LP31083 Applied Fish Nutrition and Live Feed Technology 03
LP31093 Biology of Aquatic Organisms 03
LP31103 Fish Diseases and Health Management 03
LP31113 Principles of Aquatic Bio-resource Management 03

 

Year III Semester II

Code Subject No. Credit
LP32032 Applications of Aquatic Bio-resource Management 02
LP32082 Risk assessment and Food Safety Management in Fishery products 02
LP32103 Fishery Product Technology 02
LP32113 Recent Advances in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology in Aquaculture 04
LP32123 Technology of Fish Species Production 03
LP32012 Animal Biotechnology 02
LP32022 Animal Breeding 02
LP32042 Applied Animal Nutrition 02
LP32092 Zoonoses and Public Health 02

Year IV Semester I

Code Subject No. Credits
LP41012 Animal Behavior and Welfare 02
LP41032 Biodiversity Management 02
LP41042 Cereal Science and Technology 02
LP41052 Cleaner Production 02
LP41062 Extractive and Sustainable Aquaculture 02
LP41072 Fish Breeding and Larviculture 02
LP41093 Laboratory Techniques in Livestock Production 03
LP41103 Ornamental Fish Culture 03
LP41113 Processing and Utilization of Animal Byproducts 03
LP41122 Proposal Formulation and Scientific Writing 02
LP41132 Recent advances in Animal Bio-resource Production 02

 

Year IV Semester II

Code Subject No. Credits
LP 42012 Industrial Training 02
LP 42026 Research Project 06

 

Year I Semester I
Code Subject No. Credits
LP 1101 Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals 03
LP 1202     Genetics 02

Year I Semester II

Code Subject No. Credits
LP 1201     Principles of Food Science and Technology 02
LP 1203     Biochemistry  02

Year II Semester I

Code Subject No. Credits
LP 2101     Management of Non Ruminants  02
LP 2102     Applied Animal Nutrition and Agrostology 03

Year II Semester II

Code Subject No. Credits
LP 2201     Animal Health and Hygiene 02
LP 2202     Management of Ruminants 02
LP 2203     Farm Practice 02

Year III Semester I

Code Subject No. Credits
LP 3101 Aquaculture 03
LP 3102 Food & Nutrition  02
LP 3103     Poultry Production 03
LP 3104     Quality Management of Food Processing and Handling 03
LP 3106 Swine Production  02
LP 3105 Ruminant Production  04

Year III Semester II

Code Subject No. Credits
LP 3201 Advanced Animal Nutrition 02
LP 3202 Animal Breeding  02
LP 3203     Dairy Technology  02
LP 3204     Food Microbiology  02
LP 3205 Health Management of Livestock Animal and Fish 02
LP 3206     Marine & Inland Fisheries 02
LP 3207 Meat Science & Technology  04
LP 3208     Micro Livestock Production 02

Year IV Semester I

Code Subject No. Credits
LP4101 Animal Reproduction & Assisted Reproductive Technologies  03
LP4102 Proposal Formulation and Seminar 02
LP4103 Animal Welfare & Ethics  02
LP4104 Laboratory Techniques in Livestock Production 03
LP4105 Ornamental Fish Culture  03
LP4106 Processing of Animal by Products  02
LP4107 Wild Life Conservation 02

Year IV Semester II

Code Subject No. Credits
LP 4201 Industrial Training 03
LP 4202 Research 05

 

Facilities

Laboratories under the Department of Livestock Production

Livestock Production Laboratory

Livestock production laboratory is situated in the faculty premises and is the place for most of the student practicals under the Biochemistry, Food Science, Microbiology and Animal Nutrition disciplines. It is equipped with lot of sophisticated instruments

and laboratory chemicals which will facilitate the student practicals as well as theundergraduate research under the Department of Livestock Production. It also possessesthe preserved animal samples including animal skeletons to facilitate the students to

study the anatomy and physiology of farm animals. In addition, the laboratory also facilitates the hatchery operation practicals under Poultry production. The laboratoryis under good management and has a well-organized setting with Standard Operating Procedures and Safety Concerns. Over all, the Livestock Production Laboratory utilizes the availableresources efficiently to provide a good learning environment for the undergraduates.

Diary Technology Laboratory

This laboratory is situated in the Mungasthanna premises of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.It is equipped with almost all the equipment necessary for the manufacturing of dairy productssuch as Yoghurt, Curd, Ice-Cream, Butter and Cheese. Students get a very good hands-on experienceand confidence in the product manufacturing through this laboratory where they are involved inpracticals as well as the commercial level production of dairy products. There are a lot of productbased researches carried out in this laboratory, which facilitate the innovative and creative ideasof the students.

Meat Science Laboratory

This laboratory is also found in Mungasthanna premises and is the house for all the meat science based practicals and research. The facilities available there could be used to produce and store Sausages,Surimi and Meat Balls under hygienic conditions. It is also equipped with vacuum packing machine tofacilitate the hygienic packaging of the products. Students can get a good practical exposure to asmall scale meat product processing line under this laboratory.

Histology Laboratory

The histology laboratory provides opportunity for undergraduate practicals and both graduate and undergraduate research experiments related to histological aspects. It is equipped with novel tissue sectioning system (Microtome) and tissue embedding system for processing of animal tissues used for histological analysis. There are also facilities for Hematoxylin and Eosine staining of animal tissues in this laboratory. This laboratory is situated in the Mungasthannapremises of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.

Reproductive Biology and Animal Biotechnology Laboratory

This laboratory has sophisticated equipment and chemicals to facilitate isolation, counting and in-vitro culture and growth of animal cells and is found in the Mungasthanna premises. It is operated under a standard setting and provides room for hands-on experience and innovative research ideas in reproductive biology of animals. It also facilitates thestudent practicals related to assisted reproductive techniques such as Artificial Insemination, in-vitro fertilization etc.

Aquaculture Laboratory (Aquarium)

The Aquaculture Laboratory is situated in the faculty premises and is a very pleasant and intimating place to visit. It facilitates the student practicals and research related to management and breeding of a wide variety of ornamentalfish species. It also gives hands on experience for students on the live feed production in aquaculture. It is highlyequipped with accessories necessary for catching, rearing, breeding and disease management of various fish species.It is currently under the development for the production of fish larvae for sale in future.The new aquaculture unit in mungastenna premises is in under constructions and it would be facilitated for breeding and rearing of number of exoticand indegenous food and ornamental fish species in the near future.

Staff

 

Mrs. D G Yasawathi

Technical Officer Grade I

Mrs. H R Geetha Malani

Management Assistant Grade I


Mrs. W D M S Dissanayake

Management Assistant Grade III
      

Mrs. B R S K Balasooriya

Lab Attendant

Mr. K M Athula Ruwanthissa

Lab Attendant

Mr. U Indike Lakmal Karunaratne

Lab Attendant

Miss. H V N L Jayarathne

Lab Attendant

Research and Knowledge Dissemination

The Livestock Extension and Research Center (LERC) domain to the Department of Livestock Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka organize training programs, seminars, and workshops for the school children, teachers, and farmers to disseminate the knowledge related to agriculture and Bio-system technology. The center has been doing a great service and for the community during past years conducting more than 100 programs within the university as well as outside the university.

Date

Name of the School/Institute Participated

2016.06.02

R/Karawita Madya Vidyalaya

R/Sivali Cental College, Ratnapura

R/Sumana Balika Vidyalaya

R/Kalawana National School, Kalawana
2016.06.16

R/Jailana Central College, Balangoda

R/Udagama Maha Vidyalaya

R/Gankanda Madya Vidyalaya

R/Balangoda Ananda Mathreeya Madya Maha Vidyalaya

R/Kiriella Madya Maha Vidyalaya

K/De/Ranjan Wijeratne Maha Vidyalaya

K/De/Pannala Maha Vidyalaya

K/De/Thunbage Maha Vidyalaya

K/De/Waharaka Vidyalaya
2016.06.24 K/De/Sirisaman National School
2016.07.01

R/Kolonna National School

R/Em/Wijeriya Sumana Maha Vidyalaya

R/Ehaliyagoda National School
2016.07.26 R/Ratmalavinna Maha Vidyalaya
2018.05.17

Ke/Galigamuwa Madya Maha Vidyalaya,Kegalle

Ke/Wara/Dharmasirisenanayake Maha Vidyalaya

Ke/St.Maries College

Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya

Ke/Gatiyamulla Maha Vidyalaya

Ke/Swarna Jayanthi Maha Vidyalaya
2017.06.18 B/St Josheps National School
2018.05.24 R/Eheliyagoda National College
2018.06.14 R/Eheliyagoda National College
2018.06.14

R/Sumana Balika Vidyalaya

R/Ni/Elapatha Maha Vidyalaya

R/Ferguson High School

R/St. Aloysius National School
2018.07.05

R/Udagama Maha Vidyalaya

R/Jeilani National School, Balangoda

R/Seevali Central College

 

Seminars Conducted outside the University

2011.05.08 R/St Aloysius College, Ratnapura

2011.07.18 – Ke/St Josheps Balika Vidyalaya, Kegalle

 

Achievements

Prof. DMA Gunaratne

  • President's award for scientific publications (2011, 2013, 2016), National Research Council, Sri Lanka
  • NRC merit award for scientific publications (2010, 2015), National Research Council, Sri Lanka
  • Endeavour Research Fellowship (2018) RMIT University, Australia
  • Visiting Scholar (2018). SJTU University, Shanghai China.
  • SUSRED, award (2018), NSF, Sri Lanka
  • Commonwealth academic fellowship (2014), Glyndwr University, UK
  • Outsanding researcher (2013), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka in recongnition of the research exellence in the field of Food Science and Technology
  • University award  (2013) for the patent research work carried out for the innovative finding of Walligama coconut wilt disease, Sri Lanka.
  • University award for the highest number of citation counted for year 2013  in the feild of Food Science and Technology

Dr. HAD Ruwandeepika

  • NRC Merit Award for Scientific Publication (for international publications) -2015, awarded in 2017, based on the National Research Council’s scheme of ranking scientific publications
  • Presidential Award for scientific research (2014), evaluated by peers and published in international scientific journals cited in the science citation index
  • NRC Merit Award for Scientific Publication (for international publications) -2012, awarded in 2014, based on the National Research Council’s scheme of ranking scientific publications
  • Travel Grant for participation to an international conference (Larvi 2013- Fish and Shellfish Larviculture symposium) - by Gent University, Belgium
  • Merit Awards for best presenter at research session of Young Scientists forum. 2013
  • Visiting research scientist: Centre for Science Education & Research, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore, India
  • Visiting research scientist: UNESCO Centre for Marine Biotechnology, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, India

Dr. RM Amila S Bandra

  • Ph.D. (Animal Biosciences-Animal Welfare) - Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Canada 2019
  • Best presenter award, Annual research symposium- 2017, Campbell Center for the study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Canada.
  • Research Assistant- University of Guelph, Canada (2015 - 2019)
  • Teaching Assistant - Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biosciences - University of Guelph, Canada (2018)
  • Visiting Scientist-Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, USA ( 2017)
  • Working as a scientific manuscripts reviewer in the journal of Animals, Switzerland (Since 2018)
  • Certificate course in Teaching Development Program (TDP) -University of Guelph, Canada (2017)
  • Certificate of recognition in professional and academic skills development-University of Guelph, Canada
  • M.Phil - Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2013

Prof. MMP Sumith

  • Indian Science Research Fellow- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, India 2016/17
  • Endeavour Research Fellow- ANZAC Clinical and Medical Research Institute, Concord General Hospital, University of Sydney, Australia 2017
  • Fulbright Academic and Research Fellow- University of Nebraska Lincoln, USA, 2013/14

Dr. CN Walpita

  • VLIR (Flemish Interuniversity council, Belgium) scholarship to follow “International Training Program on “Food safety management, quality assurance systems and risk analysis”
  • Outstanding oral presentation award for “Egg laying ability of zebrafish is thyroid hormone dependent” in the 16th International Conference on Biotechnology in Animal Production, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Ms. HMGP Herath

  • Scholarship for PhD, School of Veterinary Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand
  • Scholarship Award,  15th Asian Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, Animal Science Congress
  • Robert Munasinghe Memorial Gold Medal, Department of Livestock Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Mr PPSK Patabandi

  • VLIR-UOS Masters Scholarships 2013 - Belgium

Industrial and Academic collaborations

Industrial Training and Research Program

During this program, each student will address a problem identified in an industry related to livestock and aquaculture sectors. They will make an oral presentation as well as a written report at the completion of the program. Students specializing in livestock production acquire an opportunity to work in both private and government institutions, including

Government Institutions

  • National Livestock Development Board – NLDB
  • National Aquaculture Development Authority – NAQDA
  • Department of Animal Production and Health – DAPH
  • National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency – NARA
  • Milco Private Limited etc…..

Private institutions

  • Pussellawa Meat Producers (PVT) Ltd
  • Maxies and Company (PVT) Ltd
  • Cargills Ceylon PLC
  • Keells Food Products PLC
  • Lanka Milk Foods (CWE) PLC
  • Ceylon Grain Elevators – PRIMA
  • Ceylon Agro Industries (Pvt) Ltd
  • Pelwatte Dairy Industries Ltd
  • King Aqua Services (PVT) Ltd
  • Happy Cook Lanka Food (Pvt) Ltd
  • Srimic Exports (Pvt) Ltd  etc…..

Career Prospects

The graduates of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka carries great weight in the jobs market as employers value their academic knowledge, skills, and attitudes with having self-motivation. The agriculture graduates specialized from the Department of Livestock Production remain some of the most highly sought after amongst employers in the field of Agriculture. The students benefit from a stimulating study environment, research-led teaching, and interaction with academics who are working at the frontiers of knowledge in their field. This all serves to encourage critical thinking and encourages both self-reliance and teamwork.

Currently, the Department of Livestock Production offers two-degree programs titled,

  1. Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Sciences and Management) Special Degree in Animal Bio-resource Technology and management
  2. Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Sciences and Management) Special Degree in Aquatic Bio-resource Technology and Management

On completion of the above degree programs, the graduates will be able to access various job opportunities in the agriculture field including academics, research scientists/officers, production executives Quality Assurance Manager/Executives, Farm Managers, Aquaculturist, etc.

Alumini Profiles

Mr. AR Mudalige


Mr. Mudalige an alumnus of the Department of Livestock Production. He is a genetic specialist and currently serving as an Assistant Director, NAQDA, Dambulla.

Mr. CN Jayasooriya

Mr. Jayasooriya an alumnus of 1999/2000 batch and currently serving as a senior lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

Mr. PPC Jayanath

Mr. Jayanath an alumnus of 2003/2004 batch and currently serving as a Manager at National Savings Bank, Ratnapura. He has also been a Justice of the Peace for all Islands.

Mr. MGM Zoysa

Mr. Zoysa an alumnus of 2003/2004 batch and currently serving as the Production manager at Pussella Meat Producers (Pvt) Ltd, Kosgama.

Dr. N.M.N. Nambapana

Dr. Nambapana an alumnus of 2002/2003 batch and currently serving as a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Uwa Wellassa University.

Mr. SN Herath


Mr. Herath an alumnus of 2005/2006 batch and currently serving as an Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research) at Department of Agriculture.

Events

Livestock Day – 2019

 

The Department of Livestock Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka had organized “Livestock Day-2019” on 21st June 2019, under the theme of “Present Challenges on Livestock Production in Sri Lanka”, at the faculty premises. The main objectives of this event were to make an ideal platform for undergraduates to dialogs with eminent and expertise of the livestock industry in Sri Lanka. In addition, it also provided an opportunity for former graduates who employed in the Livestock sector to share their knowledge and skills in various disciplines with present undergraduates of the Department of Livestock Production for enhancing their attitudes on the working culture. In line with is program a training session was also arranged for O/L and A/L school students in the discipline of Agricultural Science and Biosystems Technology.

 

Final Year Undergraduate Research Presentation- Department of Livestock Production 2019

The Department of Livestock Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, organized the final year undergraduate research presentation of the industrial training and research program 2019, on 31st July 2019 at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. As one of the vital components of the curriculum, undergraduates were exposed to the livestock industry at the last semester of the degree program to conduct research under various disciplines under the supervision of the academic members of the Department of Livestock Production and industry expertise.

Contact Us

Dr. T.S.P Jayaweera

Head

Department of Livestock Production 

Faculty of Agricultural Sciences 

Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

P.O. Box 02, Belihuloya. Sri Lanka.

 Phone+94(0)45 - 2280074

 Email  livestock@agri.sab.ac.k