Current Research Projects

• Research support in terms of statistical design, analysis and interpretation.
• Survey design.
• Analysis of time series and forecasting.
• Devising appropriate methods to analyze social science research.
• Statistical process control.
• Response surface designs for industrial designs and their analysis and interpretation.
• Application of GIS and spatial data analysis.
• Statistical methods for on-farm participatory research.
• Analysis of rainfall and drought dynamics in rubber growing areas.
• Machine learning techniques for forecasting & modeling.

Research Highlights

• Applicability of non-parametric statistical methodologies and Bayesian networks were tested and introduced to analyze and interpret results generated through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
• Rainfall patterns, dry spells and shifts in rainfall pattern were identified for the rubber growing areas.
• Several drought indicators were tested and successfully employed the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for crop management.
• Used GIS technique to map the drought sequences.
• Applied a novel forecasting technique (MAPA) for forecasting of economic variables in rubber
• Applied ANN for forecasting of rubber prices

Services

• Assisting researchers in designing of experiments, statistical analysis and interpretation.
• Survey designing and analysis.
• Supervising postgraduate and undergraduate students.
• Training of students from technical colleges and various training institutions.
• Supplying meteorological data collected at the Dartonfield AGROMET station to the Department of Meteorology.
• Maintaining the meteorological stations at sub-stations (Moneragala & Kuruwita).

PUBLICATION RECORD Last 5 years 2017-2021

• Sankalpa, J.K.S., Wasana Wijesuriya, Senani Karunaratne and P G N Ishani. (2017). Use of GIS Geographically Weighted Regression to determine Natural Rubber productivity and their driving forces: A case study from the Kalutara district of Sri Lanka. IRRI & IRRDB International Rubber Conference 2017, Jakarta, Indonesia, 24 p.
• Sankalpa, J.K.S., Wasana Wijesuriya, Senani Karunaratne and P G N Ishani. (2017). A comparison of spatial interpolation methods in developing yield maps of natural rubber for precision crop production: A case study from smallholder rubber lands in Kalutara district of Sri Lanka. Proc. International Statistics Conference 2017, Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, 129 p.
• Wasana Wijesuriya (2018). Statistical insight improves the interpretability of data generated through participatory approaches: experiences from the smallholder rubber sector of Sri Lanka, IRRDB International Rubber Conference, Ivory Coast.
• Dissanayake D.M.A.P, B.W. Wijesuriya, P.K.K.S. Gunarathna and R A D Ranawaka (2018). Empowering rubber farmers in non-traditional rubber growing areas of Sri Lanka through knowledge on combating adverse impacts of environment for rubber cultivation: IRRDB International Rubber Conference, Ivory Coast.
• P.K.K.S. Gunarathne, D.M.A.P. Dissanayake, W. Wijesuriya and R.A.D. Ranawaka (2018). Livelihoods of Rubber Latex Harvesters in Kegalle District: Comparative Analysis of Harvesting Own Lands versus Operating on Hired Basis. In Proceedings of the SLCARP International Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Jeewanthi P.W., Wijesuriya W. and Amarakoon A.M.C. Identifying Changes in Rainfall Distribution using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI): An Application in Uva Province Sri Lanka”. Proceeding of second International Conference on Climate Change 2018:5p.
• Anura Dissanayake, A., Ishani, P.G.N., Gunarathne, P.K.K.S., Ranawaka, R.A.D., Sankalpa, J.K.S., Seneviratne, P. and Wijesuriya, W. (2019) ‘Strategies to prevent evading from rubber planting: Introducing Gliricidia as a fuel wood in smallholder rubber lands of Sri Lanka’, International Rubber Conference 2019, Myanmar.
• Wijesuriya, W., Herath, H.M.L.K., lshani, P.G.N. and Sankalpa, J.K.S. (2019) ‘Forecasting of Rubbe Prices in the Sri Lankan market using Multiple Temporal Aggregation (MTA)’, International Rubber Conference 2019, Myanmar.
• Rathnayaka, A.M.R.W.S.D., Samitha, S., and Wijesuriya, W. (2019). Occurrence of Extreme Rainfall Events in Rubber (Heveabrasiliensis) Growing Areas. Proceeding of 5th Annual Sessions of Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Pp.160.
• Jeewanthi P.W., Wijesuriya W. and Sankalpa J.K.S. (2016). Changes Observed in Rainfall Patterns in Three Major Rubber Growing Areas. Annual Research Colloquium on Agrarian Studies in Sri Lanka 2016: 25p.
• Liyanaarachchi, L.A.T.S., Wijesuriya, B.W., Sankalpa, J.K.S., Herath, H.M.L.K., Premalal, S., and Karunaratne, S.B. (2017). Identification of Temporal Trends in Rainfall Anomalies of Different Rainfall Seasons in Sri Lanka Using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Proceeding of 6th Young Scientists Forum, National Science and Technology Commission, Sri Lanka, 20th January 2017. 74-79.
• Ishani, P G N, J K S Sankalpa and W. Wijesuriya (2017). Sri Lankan Rubber exports performance by major destinations using shift-share analysis. 11th Annual Research Forum, Sri Lanka Agricultural Economics Association, University of Peradeniya. 13 p.
• Wasana Wijesuriya and Priyani Seneviratne (2017). Preparedness of the Natural Rubber sector against adverse impacts climate change and variability. Proc. Workshop on present status of research activities on climate change adaptations (Ed. B. Marambe). Pp 83-100. Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy, Colombo.
• Ishani, P.G.N., Wijesuriya, W. and Sankalpa, J.K.S. (2019) ‘Can Poverty be reduced through Improvement in Technical Efficiency in the Smallholder Rubber Sector: Case Study from Kegalle District of Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the Seventh Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 2, pp. 145-153.
• P.K.K.S. Gunarathne, D.M.A.P. Dissanayake, R.A.D. Ranawaka and Wasana Wijesuriya (2019). Training Induced Adoption Changes in Rubber Harvesting Technologies in Rubber Smallholdings in the Kegalle District of Sri Lanka: Comparative Analysis of Lands Harvested by Owners versus Operating on Hired Basis, Proceedings of the Seventh Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 2, pp. 135-144.
• Kuruppu, I.V., Edrisinghe, J.C., Herath, H.M.L.K., Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U.K., Wijesuriya, W., Udugama, J.M.M. and Fernando, A.P.S. (2015). Farmers’ valuation of agro-biodiversity in home gardens: Case study in the Kurunegala district. Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka, 4: 72-83.
• Dissanayake, D.M.A.P., P.K.K.S. Gunarathna and W. Wijesuriya. (2016). Evaluation of farmer awareness on rubber cultivation and production technologies in major rubber-growing areas of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of food and agriculture SLJFA, Vol. 01 (1): 39-50.
• Wickramarachchi, A.R., H.M.L.K. herath, U.K. Jayasinghe-Mudalige, J.C. Edirisinghe, J.M.M. Udugama. I.D.M.N. Lokuge and W. Wijesuriya. (2018). An analysis of price behaviour of major poultry products in Sri Lanka. The journal of Agricultural Sciences, Vol. 12 (2): pp 138-148.
• Sankalpa, J.K.S., Wijesuriya, W. & Ishani, P.G.N. Do rubber-based agroforestry practices build resilience upon poverty incidence? A case study from Moneragala district in Sri Lanka. Agroforest Syst (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-020-00502-9.
• Wijesuriya Wasana. (2020). Preparedness of the Sri Lankan Rubber Sector to minimize the impact of Climate Change. Natural Rubber Systems and Climate Change, Open Digital Workshop, 23-25 June 2020.
• James Jacob, Vincent Gitz, Eric Gohet, Aziz B S A Kadir, Lekshimi Nair, Salvatore Pinizzotto, Nguyen Anh Nghia, Sergey Blagodatsky, Michael Brady, Paolo Cerutti, Bangqian Chen, Amy Duchelle, Zaida Fairuzah, Tri Rapani Febbiyanti, Frédéric Gay, M. D. Jessy, Christopher Martius, Minami Matsui, Alexandre Meybeck, Yann Nouvellon, K. O. Omokhafe, Ramli Othman, Eric Penot, Lakshman Rodrigo, Fatima Rubaizah, Jérôme Sainte Beuve, Ashdeepak Singh, Ismail Tajuddin, Philippe Thaler, Thomas Wijaya, Wasana Wjiesuriya (2021). Natural rubber contributions to adaptation to climate change, Working Paper 9. Bogor, Indonesia: The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA).
• James Jacob, Vincent Gitz, Eric Gohet, Aziz B S A Kadir, Lekshimi Nair, Salvatore Pinizzotto, Nguyen Anh Nghia, Sergey Blagodatsky, Michael Brady, Paolo Cerutti, Bangqian Chen, Amy Duchelle, Zaida Fairuzah, Tri Rapani Febbiyanti, Frédéric Gay, M. D. Jessy, Christopher Martius, Minami Matsui, Alexandre Meybeck, Yann Nouvellon, K. O. Omokhafe, Ramli Othman, Eric Penot, Lakshman Rodrigo, Fatima Rubaizah, Jérôme Sainte Beuve, Ashdeepak Singh, Ismail Tajuddin, Philippe Thaler, Thomas Wijaya, Wasana Wjiesuriya (2021). Natural rubber contributions to mitigation of climate change, Working Paper 9. Bogor, Indonesia: The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA).
• Nayanakantha, N.M.C., B.W. Wijesuriya, S. Watawala, P.K.W. Karunatilaka, R.K. Samarasekera. (2022). Effect of time of tapping on latex yield of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) in Kalutara and Moneragala districts of Sri Lanka. 26th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2022 of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v26
• Nugawela, A. and B.W. Wijesuriya (2020). Impact of certain biological and environmental factors on the incidence of tapping panel dryness in Hevea brasiliensis. Rubber Science 33(3). 253-261.
• Wijesuriya Wasana. (2020). Preparedness of the Sri Lankan Rubber Sector to minimize the impact of Climate Change. Natural Rubber Systems and Climate Change, Open Digital Workshop, 23-25 June 2020.
• P.K.K.S. Gunarathne, T.M.S.P.K. Tennakoon, Jagath C. Edirisinghe, D.M.A.P. Dissanayake and Wasana Wijesuriya (2021). Adoption of Processing Technologies of Ribbed Smoked Sheet (RSS) Rubber in the Smallholder Rubber Sector: Case Study in Moneragala District of Sri Lanka. In: Proceedings of the Second National symposium on Sustainable Plantation Management. National Institute of Plantation Management. Sri Lanka: 66-72.
• P.K.K.S. Gunarathne, K. Jayasundara, S. Ratnayaka, D.M.A.P. Dissanayake and Wasana Wijesuriya (2021). Socio-economic status of latex harvesters in the smallholder rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) sector: A case study in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. Faculty Annual Research Session (FARS) 2021, Faculty of Applied Science, Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna.
• Nugawela, A. and B.W. Wijesuriya (2020). Impact of certain biological and environmental factors on the incidence of tapping panel dryness in Hevea brasiliensis. Rubber Science 33(3). 253-261.
• Wijesuriya, W., Rathnayaka, A.M.R.W.S.D. and Abeywardena, O.V. (2017) ‘Analysis of Rainfall Data at Dartonfield, Agalawatta in the Low Country Wet Zone (WL1a): Looking at the Past 57 Years since 1964, Bulletin of the Rubber Research Institute, Vol. 54:42-48.
• Rathnayaka, A.M.R.W.S.D., Wijesuriya, N.D. and Wijesuriya, W. (2018). ‘Appropriate methods in Rainfall Analysis; Detecting monotonic and sequential trend in rainfall data at Dartonfield. Bulletin of the Rubber Research Institute, Bulletin of the Rubber Research Institute, Vol. 55:60-68.

Chapters in books

• Wijesuriya, Wasana. (2001). Rainfall pattern in rubber growing area of Sri Lanka. In Hand Book of Rubber, Volume 1 (Agronomy), (Eds.) Tillekeratne, L M K and Nugawela, A., Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka.
• Wasana Wijesuriya, R.O. Thattil and Keminda Herath, (2006). Tools and approaches for studies on global environmental change: A case study on quantifying causal maps using Bayesian Networks to identify reasons for abandoning rubber cultivations in Sri Lanka. In Multiple dimensions in global environmental change, (Ed.) S.Sonak, Energy and Resources Institute, India.
• Lalani Samarappuli and Wasana Wijesuriya, (2006). Rubber in Sri Lanka: A Prospective Plantation Crop to Combat Adverse Impacts of Climate Change. In Multiple dimensions in global environmental change, (Ed.) S.Sonak, Energy and Resources Institute, India.
• Dissanayake, D.M.A.P. and Wasana Wijesuriya, (2014). Effective technology transfer for expansion of rubber cultivation in non-traditional areas of Sri Lanka. 73-86. In Mahinda Wijeratne and Rohana P Mahaliyanaarachchi (Ed.), Agricultural Extension: Recent interventions for development in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Agricultural Extension Association (SLAEA), Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• Wijesuriya, B. W. and Rathnayaka, A.M.R.S.D. (2021). Rainfall pattern in rubber growing area of Sri Lanka. In Hand Book of Rubber, Volume 1 (Agronomy), (Eds.) Rodrigo, V.H.L. and P. Seneviratne, Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, 12200, Sri Lanka.
• Mahakalanda, P. Demotte, I. Perera, D. Meedeniya, W. Wijesuriya, L. Rodrigo, "Deep learning-based prediction for stand age and land utilization of rubber plantation", M. A. Khan, R. Khan, M. A. Ansari (Eds.),in: Application of Machine Learning in Smart Agriculture, Ch. 7, pp.131-156, Elsevier Academic Press, 2022. ISBN: 9780323905503, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90550-3.00008-4, URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323905503000084

Editing Proceedings

• A Nugawela, V H L Rodrigo, B W Wijesuriya and M L A Samarappuli. (2009). Proceedings of the centennial rubber conference Sri Lanka – Development of Natural Rubber Industry through empowerment of stakeholders. Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka.
• V H L Rodrigo, B W Wijesuriya, D G Edirisinghe and N M C Nayanakantha (2019). Proceedings of the seventh symposium on plantation crop research. Volume 1 & 2, Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka.