Sugarcane Research Institute

The Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI) is a statutory body established by the Act of Parliament no. 75 of 1981 (ratified on 29 December 1981), for conducting research on the cultivation and processing of sugarcane to cater to technical and technological needs for the development of the sugar industry of Sri Lanka, which, until 1981 was undertaken by the Research and Development Division of the Sri Lanka Sugar Corporation (SLSC).

Organizational Structure

Board of Governors

Staff

HIGHER MANAGEMENT

Dr. A.L.C. De Silva

Director/CEO (Acting)

BSc (Agri) / MPhil / PhD

director@sugarres.lk

Ms. Nidarshani Perera

Deputy Director (Admin)

MBA(SJP) / BBA(Col) / CIMA Adv Dip MA / MIPC (IPS) / CBA(CASL)

dda@sugarres.lk

Crop Improvement (CI)

SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Ms. A.M.M.S. Perera

Senior Research Officer & Head

BSc / MSc

malika@sugarres.lk

Mr. K.P. Wickramasinghe

Research Officer

BSc / MPhil

kamal@sugarres.lk

TECHNICAL STAFF

Mr. D. Weerasinghe

Senior Technical Officer

Mr. M.K.D. Ubesena

Technical Officer

Crop and Resource Management (CRM)

SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Mr. L.M.J.R. Wijayawardhana

Research Officer (On study leave)

BSc / MPhil

janaka@sugarres.lk

Mr. G.A.A. Chathuranga

Research Officer

BSc

amilacga@sugarres.lk

Mr. P.R.B. Chandrasena

Farm Superintendent

BSc / MSc

TECHNICAL STAFF

Mr. W.G. Nimal

Senior Technical Officer

Mr. D.M.G.H. Chathuranga

Technical Officer

Mr. I.P. Manawadu

Technical Officer

HNDE (Electrical)

Crop Nutrition (CN)

SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Mr. B.R. Kulasekara

Research Officer In-Charge

BSc / MSc

kulasekara@sugarres.lk

Mr. U.W.L.M. Kumarasiri

Research Officer

BSc

lahirumadhushankaln99@gmail.com

TECHNICAL STAFF

Mr. G.S. Udawatta

Senior Technical Officer

Ms. W.A.S.Wijesuriya

Technical Officer

HNDT (Agri)

Crop Protection (CP)

SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Dr. K.M.G. Chanchala

Research Officer In-Charge

BSc / MPhil / PhDc

chanchala@sugarres.lk

Ms. A.N.W.S. Thushari

Research Officer

BSc

sumedhathush@sugarres.lk

Ms. V.K.A.S.M. Wanasinghe

Research Officer

BSc / MSc

sunethra@sugarres.lk

TECHNICAL STAFF

Mr. A.L. Kodagoda

Technical Officer

HNDT (Agri) / HNDEn

Ms. K.P. Harshani

Technical Officer

HNDT (Agri)

Ms. R.K.P. Jeewanthi

Technical Officer

HNDT

Mechanisation Technology (MT)

SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Mr. K.H.D. Abeyrathna

Research Officer In-Charge

BSc / MPhil

dimuthu@sugarres.lk

TECHNICAL STAFF

Mr. A.S.M.A. Fernando

Senior Technical Officer

NDT(Eng)

Processing Technology (PT)

SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Ms. S.M.T.A. Maralanda

Research Officer In-Charge

BSc / MSc

aloka@sugarres.lk

TECHNICAL STAFF

Ms. M.A.R.I.Perera

Technical Officer

BSc / HNDT (Agri)

Mr. W.K.D.S.Karunarathna

Technical Officer

Dip. (Agri)

Economic, Biometry and IT (EBIT)

SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Mr. K.A.D. Kodithuwakku

Research Officer In-Charge

BSc / MAGR

dinesh@sugarres.lk

Ms. B.D.S.K. Ariyawansha

Research Officer

BSc / MPhil

sandya@sugarres.lk

TECHNICAL STAFF

Mr. K.G.S.U.R.Bandara

Technical Officer

BSc / HNDIT / CCNA / MCTS

Technology Transfer and Development (TTD)

SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Mr. D.P.W. Pottawela

Technology Transfer Officer In-Charge

BSc (Agri) / PG.Dip

pottaweladpw@gmail.com

Mr. W.G.M.S. Weragoda

Development Officer

BSc (Agri) / MSc

Mr. M.K.P.C. Gunawardhana

Development Officer

Bsc (Agri) / MSc

Mr. A.P. Karunathilaka

Development Officer

BSc (Agri)

amilaprasad@sugarres.lk

Mr. M.A.N.M.B.R. Prabath

Development Officer

Bsc (Agri) / MSc

TECHNICAL STAFF

Mr. B.P.G.S. Sandanayake

Technical Officer

Dip (Agri)

Mr. G. Somaweera

Management Assistant

Administrative and Finance

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Ms. Nidarshani Perera

Deputy Director (Admin)

MBA(SJP) / BBA(Col) / CIMA Adv Dip MA / MIPC (IPS) / CBA(CASL)

dda@sugarres.lk

Mr. P.K.N. Priyadarshana

Bsc (Management) / CBA

ada@sugarres.lk

Ms. D.M.J.N. Dissanayake

Accountant

MBS / Charted (Intermediate) / BCom (Sp)

Dr. C. Epitawala

Administrative Officer

PhD

cepitawala@sugarres.lk

Mr. I.B. Kodagoda

Accounting Officer

BSc. (Business Studies)

kodagoda@sugarres.lk

Mr. A.G.U.S. De Silva

Procurement Officer

HNDA / HN-PIPPCA

Mr. G.S.K. Dahanayaka

Work Superintendent

BSc

SUPPORTING STAFF

Ms. A.K. Amarakoon

Senior Management Assistant-Accounts

Mr. B. Vitharana

Work Supervisor

Ms. T.M.K. Senadeera

Senior Management Assistant

Ms. M.M.I.M.K. Manikkadawara

Management Assistant

Ms. O.U. Subasingha

Management Assistant

Mr. T. Ranjith Peris

Management Assistant

Ms. D.H.S. Wijesinghe

Inspector of Works

Ms. M.A.R. Samarasekara

Management Assistant

Ms. A.K. Rathnayaka

Telephone Operator

Mr. R.G.S. Niroshana

Store Keeper

Mr. W.A.S. Madhusanka

Management Assistant

Ms. T.S. Weerasinghe

Management Assistant

Internal Audit

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Mr. I.J. Paranagamage

Internal Auditor

HNDA / CBA / MAAT / Reg. Auditor

indike@sugarres.lk

SUPPORTING STAFF

Mr. D.M.P. Nickshon

Management Assistant

Centers and Facilities

Main Research Center at Uda Walawe

Facilities

Colombo Administration Office

Facilities

Sugarcane Hybridization Substation

Facilities

Sugarcane Quarantine Station

Kantale Substation

Siymbalanduwa Research Substation

Under Construction

Research Program

Research and Technology Transfer and Development Programme 2023

The 2023 program for Sri Lanka’s sugarcane industry focuses on research, technology transfer, and development to improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability. It consists of six primary research areas:

Crop Improvement: Researching and developing superior sugarcane varieties with higher yields, disease and pest resistance, drought tolerance, and adaptability to different environments.
Crop and Resource Management: Recommending practices to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and stabilize income through efficient use of land and water resources, as well as diversified farming.
Crop Nutrition: Providing recommendations for soil and fertility management practices specific to sugarcane cultivation.
Crop Protection: Recommending disease and pest control practices and offering crop protection services to prevent and manage sugarcane plantation diseases and pests.
Processing and Product Development: Improving processing efficiency of sugarcane and developing new sugarcane-based products to diversify the industry.
Mechanization: Developing mechanization technologies to enhance farming efficiency and reduce costs.

The technology transfer program aims to share research findings with cane growers, millers, and sugar companies to promote the adoption of new technologies and improved management practices. Ongoing projects in 2023 include the development of sugarcane cultivation and small-scale processing industries in Kilinochchi and Badulla districts, seedcane production at Uda Walawe and Kantale, establishment of an information and promotion center at the SRI Colombo Office, evaluation of imported sugarcane varieties, large mill tests, and research programs exploring the conversion from inorganic to organic farming of sugarcane.

Each division within the program will undertake specific projects related to research, technology transfer, and development. Read More…