Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

  1. Profile

SUSL Staff Directory

Professor Priyantha Yapa

Position: Professor

piyapa@agri.sab.ac.lk

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy in Soil and Environmental Sciences, Department of Soil Science, The University of Reading, 2003

Master of Science, Department of Soil Science, University of Peradeniya, 1996

Bachelor of Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 1990

 Postdoctoral Experience

  • The University of New England, March/2014 to Sep/2014 NSW, Australia
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Brandon, MB – December 2004 to December 2006

Profile

I am the first Professor in Ecological Agriculture in Sri Lanka, due to my extensive international and national contribution, experience, knowledge, and international collaborations in the field of ecological agriculture. I also possess vast experience in organizing, implementing and handling of large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects, both at national and international levels. I have successfully completed a number of research projects with grants obtained from various funding sources.

Research Interests

Ecological Agriculture

Forest die-back studies

Soil Remediation and Rehabilitation

Urban Waste Management 

Mitigation of Green House Gas (GHG) emission in Agriculture

Current Research Projects

  • SUSL/RG/2016/04 "Environmentally Induced Forest Die-back in Horton Plains: Sources of Contaminants, Their Fate, and Mitigating Toxicity with Natural Geo-sorbents.”  2017 – 2019 (3 years), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (Principle Investigator)

Recent Publications

Refereed Journals

  • Lakmini, K., Ranasinghe, N., de Silva, R.J., Yapa, P.I., Bandara, R. and Senevirathne, M., 2025. Understanding Mid-Term Immobilization Patterns of Soluble Pb in Soils Treated with Natural Geo-Sorbents: Laboratory Trial with Ultisols from a Montane Forest, Sri Lanka. Journal of forest and environmental science, 41(1), pp.50-57. doi: https://doi.org/10.7747/JFES.2025.41.1.50
  • De Silva, S., Yapa, P. I., Mahatantila, K., Das, S., & Maharjan, B. (2023). Creeper legume, in conjunction with biochar, is a potential tool to minimize soil erosion. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 6(2), e20394.
  • Bandara, R. , Yapa, P. , Silva, R. , Lakmini, K. , Ranasinghe, N. and Senevirathne, M. (2021). Mitigating Cadmium (Cd) Toxicity in Montane Forest Soils Using Biochar: Laboratory Trial for Soils from Horton Plains, Sri Lanka. Open Journal of Soil Science, 11, 504-520. doi: 10.4236/ojss.2021.1110025.
  • Gunadasa, H. K. S. G. and Yapa P. I. (2015). Forest Dieback as Affected by Soil Pollution with Special Reference to Montane Forests - A Review, International Journal of Plant and Soil Science.
  • Gunadasa, H. K. S. G. and Yapa, P. I. (2015). Soil Chemical Quality and Forest Dieback. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development. 6(1).
  • Moulin, A. P., Glenn, A., Tenuta, M., Lobb, D. A., Dunmola, A. S., and Yapa, P. I. (2014). Alternative transformations of nitrous oxide soil flux data to normal distributions. Canadian J. of Soil Sci. 94(1): 105-108.

Refereed Conference Proceedings

  • Gunadasa, H. K. S. G. and Yapa, P.I. (2015). Mitigation of Pb Induced Forest Dieback in Sri Lanka: Use of Soil organic Matter. International Conference on Agricultural, Ecological and Medical Sciences (AEMS-2015), Feb. 10-11, 2015 Penang (Malaysia).
  • Bandara, T., Hewage, B., Herath, I., Kumarathilaka, P., Yapa, P., Wekumbura, C., Rajakaruna, P., Dissanayake, S., Vithanage, M. (2014). Role of Woody Biochar on Soil Microbial Activities, Organic Fraction and Heavy Metal Immobilization in Serpentne Soil. Proceedings 2nd International Symposium on Driving Research Towards Economy Opportunites & Challenges. November 13-14, Sri Lanka Academy of Young Scientists (SLAYS). 
  • Somaratne, R., Yapa, P. I. and Yapa, P. N. (2013). Use of different carrier materials for culture and storage of native forest soil microorganisms. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Ecological Environmental and Biological Sciences (ICEEBS’2013). Planetary Research Centre, Singapore. 29-30 April 2013

Completed Research Projects

  • “Soil contamination from polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in New South Wales, Australia”, P. I. Yapa (PI), Endeavour, Australia (2014), SL Rs. 0.8 million.
  • “Mapping of ecologically friendly agricultural practices of civil society organizations and other stakeholders”, P. I. Yapa (PI), Oxfam Australia, 15 Rohini Rd, Colombo 05 (2012 - 2013), SL Rs. 0.75 million.
  • “Use of Natural Microbial Cultures (Jeevamurthum) and Bio-Char for the Refurbishment of the Soils of Eco-Farms in Hambanthota”, P. I. Yapa (PI), New Environment Resources Alliance (NEWERA), Sooriyaweva (2011-2013), SL Rs. 3.8 million.
  • “Towards sustainable agriculture: A sweeping change of Sri Lankan Farming”, P. I. Yapa (PI), (Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform) MONLAR (2011 – 2013), SL Rs. 8.8 million.
  • “Soil nutrient imbalance and forest Dieback in Horton Plains”, P. I. Yapa (PI), University Research Grant, Sabaragamuwa University (2011-2012), SL Rs. 0.2 million.
  • “Establishment of natural indigenous species in dieback areas in Horton Plains National Park”, P. I. Yapa (PI), Protected Area Management (PAM) competitive grant from ADB (2008-2012), SL Rs. 1.45 million.

Consultancies

  • Founder and Director, Centre for Ecological Agriculture Research and Development, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka – February 2016 to date
  • Consultant, Ecological Agriculturist, Presidential Secretariat, Sri Lanka – 2016/2017
  • Consultant, Ministry Environment and Natural resources – 2010 to date
  • Consultant, New Environmental Resources Alliance – 2008 to date
  • Director, Movement of National Land Reforms – 2010/2013

Any Other

Outreach Programmes