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
Dr. M.S. Perera
Director/CEO
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
Dr. A.L.C. De Silva
Acting Deputy Director (R&TT)
BSc (Agri) / MPhil / PhD
alc@sugarres.lkSCIENTIFIC 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.lkTECHNICAL STAFF
Mr. D. Weerasinghe
Senior Technical Officer
Mr. M.K.D. Ubesena
Technical Officer
SCIENTIFIC STAFF
Dr. A.L.C. De Silva
Senior Research Officer & Head
BSc/ MPhil/ PhD
alc@sugarres.lk
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)
SCIENTIFIC STAFF
Mr. H.A.S. Weerasinghe
Research Officer In-Charge
BSc / MPhil / MSc
asiriwee@sugarres.lk
Mr. B.R. Kulasekara
Research Officer
BSc / MPhil
kulasekara@sugarres.lk
Mr. U.W.L.M. Kumarasiri
Research Officer
BSc
lahirumadhushankaln99@gmail.comTECHNICAL STAFF
Mr. G.S. Udawatta
Senior Technical Officer
Ms. W.A.S.Wijesuriya
Technical Officer
HNDT (Agri)
Ms. M.A.T. Tharika
Technical Officer
HNDT (Agri)
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.lkTECHNICAL 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
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)
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
Senior Technical Officer
BSc / HNDT (Agri)
Mr. W.K.D.S.Karunarathna
Technical Officer
Dip. (Agri)
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.lkTECHNICAL STAFF
Mr. K.G.S.U.R.Bandara
Technical Officer
BSc / HNDIT / CCNA / MCTS
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
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
BSc (Agri) / MSc
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
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Mr. I.J. Paranagamage
Internal Auditor
HNDA / CBA / MAAT / Reg. Auditor
indike@sugarres.lkSUPPORTING STAFF
Mr. D.M.P. Nickshon
Management Assistant
Staff
Centers and Facilities
Main Research Center at Uda Walawe
Facilities
The engineering workshop is equipped with a range of manufacturing facilities, including welding capabilities (Arc/Tig), lathes, shaping machines, grilling equipment, metal shaping tools, tractor drawbar testing apparatus, a vehicle repair facility, and a machine design faculty equipped with workstation computers.
This laboratory specializes in the analysis of various types of chemicals and physical properties of soil, plants, sugarcane, fertilizers, and sugar.
Sugarcane Quarantine Station
Kantale Substation
Siymbalanduwa Research Substation
Under Construction
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…
Annual Report
History
Establishment
The Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI) is a statutory body established by the Act of Parliament no. 75 of 1981, for conducting research on 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).
Formally inaugurated
The Institute was formally inaugurated by then Minister of Agricultural Development and Research, Hon. Gamini Jayasuriya.
Research begun
The Sugarcane Research Institute initiated works in 1984 on the site of Kantale Sugar Industries Ltd, with acquiring laboratories and personnel attached to the research and development division of the former SLSC.
Shifted to Uda Walawe
The institute was shifted to the premises owned by SLSC in Uda Walawe in 1987 due to the acceleration of ethnic insurgency in North and East Provinces in Sri Lanka during that period.
Crop improvement program gained international recognition
Systematic development of institute’s crop improvement program by incorporating conventional and nonconventional efficient breeding techniques enabled the institute to gain international recognition. The SRI identified and incorporated new breeding technologies, such as adoption of proven parent and crossing approaches for directional breeding, effective screening of promising progenies through development and adoption of rank based selection indices, creation of genetic variability through callus culture, incorporation of molecular biological techniques for germplasm classification, marker aided selection to improve its overall efficiency.
Amended research divisions
After 2010, research, extension, and development activities in SRI were logically amended into the eight research programs i.e. crop improvement, crop and resource management, crop nutrition, crop protection, farm mechanization, processing and product development, and technology transfer and development.