About us

The Department of Microbiology at the university of Kelaniya was established in 1986 and has the distinction of being the only Department offering an undergraduate 3-year (General) or 4-year (Honours) degree from the first year onwards within the Sri Lankan public university system. The Department of Microbiology has its origins in the Department of Botany at the University Kelaniya. Pioneerung work for the establishment of the Department were carried out by the late Professor I. Balasooriya and Professor (Emeritus) S. Widanapathirana, who served as the first Head of the Department

Significant Developments

1. The number of students enrolled in the program has increased gradually, commencing with 30 students, then 40 students, 50 students and presently 60 students

2. Under a Development Plan submitted to the university by the in 2013 by the Department, laboratories have been expanded and new equipment purchased.

3. Maintains a large microbiological culture collection that serves the research and education within the Department and many public and private sector industries and research institutes in the country.

Undergraduate and postgraduate course offered by the Department

1. B. Sc. General Degree since 1990

2. B. Sc. (Special) Degree in Microbiology since 1992. This is now known as the B. Sc. (Honours) Degree in Microbiology

3. M. Sc. Degree in Food and Nutrition

4. M. Sc. Degree in Applied Microbiology

Heads of Department

1. Professor S. Widanapathirana 1989 - 1993

2. Dr. (Mrs.) G. A. S. I. Abeygunawardane 1994 - 2000

3. Professor D. L. Jayaratne March 2000 - 2010

4. Dr. M. M. Gunawardane 2010 - 2019

5. Dr. (Mrs.) G. D. D. K. Gunasena May 2019 - 2022

6. Professor (Mrs.) I. V. N. Rathnayake March 2022 - to date

Emeritus Professors

Professor Emeritus S. Widanapathirana