Jayathi Wijethilake

Detail-oriented professional with hands-on experience in agricultural research, skilled in laboratory maintenance and field experimentation, contributing to effective pest and disease control strategies and sustainable agriculture.

• Kannappar Namasivayam Memorial Award 2025 for the overall best performance in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree Program.
• Somasundaram First Class Award 2025 for obtaining First Class in all four years of the Agriculture Degree Program.
• V. Arulnandhy Commendation Award 2025 for the best performance in three years in Agricultural Biology.
• Awarded the Sivasubramaniam Raveendranath Memorial Gold Medal Award 2025 for the best performer among those specializing in agricultural biology.

Publications

• Wijethilake, P.V.J.S., Ranaweera, P.H., Sriwardana, M.I., & Niranjana, R.F. (2025). Evaluation of blended attractants combined with cue lure for suppressing melon flies (Zeugodacus cucurbitae: Diptera: Tephritidae) in cucurbits. In: 4th International Symposium on Agriculture (ISA 2025), Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
• Ranaweera, P.H., Siriwardana, M., Wijethilake, P.V.J.S., & Nayomi, M.D.M. (2025). Optimizing cue-lure and methyl eugenol blends for male attraction of Zeugodacus cucurbitae. Annals of Sri Lanka Department of Agriculture, 27, 1–12.
• Wijerathna, P., Chen, X., Qiu, R., Wijethilake, P.V.J.S., Chen, Y., Madushanka, N., Perera, I.J.J.U.N., Cai, J., Jayasinghe, L., Liu, Y., & Bulugahapitiya, V.P. (2026). Advances in Natural Products from Mangrove-Associated Fungi Along the Indian Ocean Coast. Molecules, 31(2), 261.

Proceeding (Under Review)

• Sandamal, S., Tennakoon, A., Gamage, D., Wijerathna, P., Wijethilake, P.V.J. S., Ilangakoon, I.P.K.D., Henry, R.J., & Ratnasekera, D. (2025). A critical review of salinity stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.): Stress responses, tolerance mechanisms, and strategies for improvement [Manuscript under review]. BMC Agriculture.
• Keerthika, S., Wijethilake, P.V.J.S., Sahma, A.L.F.S., & Prasannath, V. (2025). Plant-based pest management for profitability and sustainability: A green economy perspective from Sri Lanka [Manuscript under review]. Young Scientist Forum (YSF), National Science and Technology Commission, Sri Lanka.
• Mafroora, M.T.F., Prasannath, K., & Wijethilake, P.V.J.S. (2026). In vitro screening of endophytic fungi from groundnut for antagonism against Aspergillus niger causing collar rot in groundnut. [Extended abstract under review]. 5th International Symposium on Agriculture (ISA 2026), Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
• Sahma, A.L.F.S., Wijethilake, P.V.J.S., Rameskaran, M., & Prasannath, K. (2026). In Vitro Evaluation of the Antifungal Effect of Spinetoram on Collectotrichum spp. Associated with tomato anthracnose. [Extended abstract under review]. 5thInternational Symposium on Agriculture (ISA 2026), Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

These/Dissertations

• BSc - Evaluation of blended attractants combined with cue lure for suppressing melon flies (Zeugodacus cucurbitae: Diptera: Tephritidae) in cucurbits.

• Participated in the Meta-analysis Workshop, conducted by the Eastern Chapter–SLAAS, on December 9th and 23rd, 2025
• Participated in the Phylogenetic Analysis Workshop, conducted by the Eastern Chapter–SLAAS on 10th January 2026
• Participated in a one-day training workshop on renewable energy technologies, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on March 22nd, 2024
• Participated in a three-day training workshop on driving innovation for agribusiness development and entrepreneurship, conducted by SenzAgro Solutions in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP)

• Prof (Mrs). Niranjana Rodney Fernando - Professor in Agricultural Entomology

Department of Agricultural Biology, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

niranjanaf@esn.ac.lk

+94 77 775 4999

• Dr. T. M. S. Asanka Tennakoon - Senior Lecture Gr. II,

Department of Agricultural Biology, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

tennakoontmsa@esn.ac.lk

+94711828786