Education:
PhD in Hydrogeology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, 2005/09
MSc in Environmental Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2003/05
BSc 2nd Class Upper Division, in Natural Resources, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 1999/2002
Employment:
Adjunct Associate Research Professor, University of Southern Queensland, Australia (2016-2019)
Senior Research Fellow, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka (2014 to 2017).
Visiting Faculty, University of Moratuwa (2017). MSc course in Environmental Engineering.
Visiting Faculty, The Open University of Sri Lanka (2017). MSc course in Waste Management and Recovery
Visiting Faculty, The Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (2017). Course in Management
Visiting Faculty, Post Graduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2016 to date). Water quality and Water pollution
Research Fellow, Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka (Aug. 2009 to 2014).
Visiting Research Scientist, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea (Oct. 2011-Dec. 2011 & Aug. 2012-Dec. 2012).
Visiting Faculty, Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (Feb. 2011 to date). Analytical techniques in water quality, water quality parameters
Research Associate, Dept. of Geography and Geology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (Jan. 2008-April, 2008).
Research Associate, Dept. of Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, USA (Oct. 2006-April, 2007).
PhD Fellow, Dept. of Geography and Geology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (Sep. 2005-Jan. 2008 and April, 2008-Dec, 2008).
Professional Experience:
Wastewater and leachate treatment, Solid waste management and pollution remediation, Monitoring and assessment of soil, water and air for pollutants, Groundwater flow modeling, Variable density flow and solute transport modeling, Conducting physical experiments in sand tanks and columns, Field monitoring design and implementation for groundwater studies, Surface Complexation Modeling, Water Quality Analysis, Antibiotic analysis, Teaching postgraduate courses
H Index: 20 in Scopus and 23 in Google Scholar
Total Number of Citations in Scopus and Google Scholar:
In Scopus: 1625 In Google Scholar: 2052
Serving in Professional Bodies:
Chairperson – Steering Committee, Young Scientists Forum (2017)
Member – Board of Governors, Atomic Energy Authority (2015)
Steering committee member – Young Scientists Forum, National Science and Technology Commission, Sri Lanka (2015)
Coordinator of the Expert Group on Water by the Ministry of Technology and Research (2014)
Member of the consultative committee on Water Safety Plan for the Kandy South Water Treatment Plant (2011-2012)
Member – International advisory board for Geo-Advanced Innovative Action project for environmental management of carcass burial sites funded by the Ministry of Environment, Korea (2012)
Committee member – International Symposium on Biochar for climate change mitigation & soil and environmental management 2011
Elected as a member of the Committee for International Participation of the American Geophysical Union (2010-2012)
Council member – Sri Lanka Academy of Young Scientists (2013 to date)
Research Council member – Institute of Fundamental Studies (2010 to date)
Tender Board member – Institute of Fundamental Studies (2011 to date)
Professional Activities:
Associations
Member – Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon (2017)
Member – Institute of Environmental Professionals, Sri Lanka
Founding Member – Sri Lanka Academy of Young Scientists
Life Member – Geological Society of Sri Lanka
Life Member – Soil Science Society of Sri Lanka
Life Member – Sri Lanka Association of Advancement of Science
Member – American Geophysical Union, USA
Member – International Water Association (IWA)
Member – Young Scientist Forum, Sri Lanka
Academic Distinctions, Awards and Medals:
- Webometrics award for highest H index and citations, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2016
- Science Popularization Award/Sinhala/Print media, Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science, 2016
- TWAS-NSF Award for Young Scientist (Chemistry), 2016
- The Most Outstanding Scientist of the Year 2015, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy
- Presidential Awards for Scientific Publications for 2013
- Presidential Awards for Scientific Publications for 2012
- Dr. Meththika Vithanage received the Commendation Award for Popularization of Science by National Science Foundation, 2014
- SUSRED awards for 2013 from the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka for the supervision of MPhil degrees of Mr. S.S.R.M.D.H.R. Wijesekara graduated from PGIS (2013)
- NRC Merit Award for Scientific Publications for 2011Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Young Affiliateship 2012-2017 - Central & South Asia Region
- Coordinating editor of the Environmental Geochemistry and Health Journal (Springer Publication)
- Coordinator of the expert group for research and development investment framework on water by the Ministry of Technology and Research, Sri Lanka
- Award for the supervision of MPhil students, 2012 - National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka
- Award for the supervision of MPhil students, 2011 - National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka
- Nominated for the Afro-Asia Young Scientist Conclave by the National Academy of Sciences in Sri Lanka (2009)
- American Geophysical Union Natural Hazard Focus Group Award for Best graduate scientist (2009)
- Presidential Awards for Research (2008)
- Presidential Awards for Research (2007)
- Best poster award, MODELCARE International Conference, Copenhagen (2007)
- Recipient of PG Cooray Medal for Best Young Geologist of the year, GSSL (2006)
- Presidential Awards for Research (2005)
- The best performer of the year 2000 - University of Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka
- Merit award for best translations by Department of Official Languages, Sri Lanka (1999)
Thesis supervision:
PhD ̶ Mr. Indika Herath – University of Southern Queensland
Ms. R.M.A.U. Rajapaksha – Kangwon National University, Korea, 2015
M.Phil. ̶ Ms. B.G.N. Sewwandi - PGIA, University of Peradeniya, 2011
Ms. R.M.A.U. Rajapaksha - PGIS, University of Peradeniya, 2012
Mr. H.R. Wijesekara - PGIS, University of Peradeniya, 2013
Ms. S.S. Mayakaduwa, PGIS, University of Peradeniya, 2016
Mr. S.M.P.R. Kumarathilaka, PGIS, University of Peradeniya, 2016
Ms. S.M.M.P.K. Seneviratne, PGIS (ongoing)
Ms. Lakshika Weerasundara, PGIS (ongoing)
Mr. Yohan Jayawardana, PGIS (ongoing)
M.Sc. ̶ Ms. Kirstine Wodschow - Dept. of Geography & Geology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, 2011
Ms. M. Wijesundara – PGIS, University of Peradeniya, 2013
Mr. Indika Herath – PGIS, University of Peradeniya, 2014
Ms. A. Thilakarathna – PGIS, University of Peradeniya (2014)
Ms. U.A. Siriwardhana – PGIS, University of Peradeniya (2015)
Teaching:
Environmental Management and Water Quality for BSc, Food Science and Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (15 hrs)
Environmental Management for BSc, Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (8 hrs)
Groundwater flow, modeling and pollution, MSc in Environmental Engineering and Management, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (15 hrs)
Water quality for agriculture and drinking, MSc in Integrated Water Resources Management, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (8 hrs)
Water pollution, MSc in Environmental Science, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (6 hrs)