Academic Qualifications

• MBBS / 2014 / University of Sri Jayewardenepura / Sri Lanka
• PG Dip (Med Micro) / 2019 / University of Colombo / Sri Lanka
• MD Med Parasit / 2023 / University of Colombo / Sri Lanka

Postgraduate Degrees Currently Registered

• Post MD Training / University of Colombo / Sri Lanka

Professional Qualifications

• Fully registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council since 27th November 2015
• Certified teacher in higher education

Memberships in Professional Organizations

• Sri Lanka college of Microbiologists life member
• Sri Lanka Medical Association life member

• Medical Parasitology

Research Interests

• Parasitic diseases among immunosuppressed

ORCID ID and Link

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7522-0943

Google Scholar Link

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=w2ujAcMAAAAJ&hl=en

Research Gate Link

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chamarika-Weerasekera

Research Grants Held

• Survey on the prevalence of human strongyloidiasis among immunodeficient patients attending selected hospitals in Sri Lanka (molecular study component). Research Grant by the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases of the World Health Organization. WHO registration no 2022/1205902-0 ; Purchase order no – 202805354

Publications and Scientific Communications

Full Text Publications

• Weerasekera C J, Fernando SD. Chemoprophylaxis for malaria: A Sri Lankan perspective- Review article. Annual Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2020. Volume 18. Issue 1. Pages 50-53. ISSN 1391-930X
• Fernando, D., Weerasekera, C. J., Gunasekera, W. M. K. T. A. W., Hapuarachchi, H. C., Koo, C., Munas, M., & Ranaweera, P. (2020). Case Report: The First Case of Genotypically Confirmed Plasmodium falciparum Kelch 13 Propeller Mutation in Sri Lanka and Its Implications on the Elimination Status of Malaria. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 104(3), 964-967. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-1310
• Weerasekera C J, De Silva N L, Yahathugoda T C. Implications of cutaneous larva migrans and its management in a patient with coexisting filarial lymphoedema in Southern Sri Lanka- Case Report. Annual Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2021. Volume 19. Issue 1. Pages 57-59. ISSN 1391-930X
• Weerasekera, C.J., Hapuachchige, C., Wijeratne, Y.M.T.Y., Goonesinghe, R., Wickremasinghe, D.R., Yahathugoda, T.C. and Ranasinghe, S., 2021. Omental dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens; visceralisation in a patient with diabetes mellitus. Journal of the Ceylon College of Physicians, 52(2), pp.105-108. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jccp.v52i2.7936
• Weerasekera, C.J., Menike, C.W., Anpahalan, J.P., Senevirathne, S.A.A., Perera, N., De Silva, N.R. and Wickremasinghe, D.R., 2023. Incidental diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in a patient with hepatic metastasis. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases, 13(2), p.E46:1-5.DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v13i2.8536

Abstracts- Poster Presentations

• Fernando, D., Weerasekera, C. J., Gunasekera, W. M. K. T. A. W., Hapuarachchi, H. C., Koo, C., Vitharana H, Munas, M. The first genotypically confirmed case of artemisinin resistant malaria in Sri Lanka. Ceylon College of Physicians. Annual Conference 2020.
• Muzrif MM, Mendis KN, Weerasekera CJ, Karunaratne S, Wickremasinghe R, Ranaweera KNDP, Fernando SD. Chemoprophylaxis for malaria: A costly approach to prevent re-establishment of malaria in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Medical Association – 134^th Anniversary International Medical Congress 2021.
• Weerasekera, C.J., Hapuachchige, C., Wijeratne, Y.M.T.Y., Goonesinghe, R., Wickremasinghe, D.R., Yahathugoda, T.C. and Ranasinghe, S. Omental dirofilariasis in a patient with diabetes mellitus in Sri Lanka; likely visceralisation in a patient with diabetes mellitus. International Conference of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2021.
• Weerasekera CJ, Menike CW, Seneviratne SAA, Perera GND, de Silva NR, Wickremasinghe DR. Incidental diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in a patient with hepatic metastasis: A report of a missed case at the time of a pandemic. Sri Lanka College of Oncologists- Annual Academic Sessions 2021.
• Weerasekera CJ, Menike CW, Anpahalan JP, Jayathilake DCC, Somawardana UABP, Perera N, de Silva NR, Wickremasinghe DR. The presence of intestinal strongyloidiasis among immunocompromised patients admitted in selected hospitals in Sri Lanka – a preliminary report. 135^th International Medical Congress by the Sri Lanka Medical Association.
• Weerasekera CJ, Menike CW, Jayathilake DCC, Somawardana UABP, Perera N, de Silva NR, Wickremasinghe DR. The presence of intestinal strongyloidiasis among patients with haematological malignancies- is it positively negative? 17^th SAARC Federation of Oncologists (SFO) International Cancer Conference & Sri Lanka College of Oncologists Annual Academic Sessions 2022
• Weerasekera CJ, Menike CW, Wimalasiri U, Wijerathna T, Jayathilake DCC, Somawardane UABP, Saravanamuttu U, Yoganathan N, Perera N, Gunathilaka N, De Silva NR, Wickremasinghe DR . The presence of strongyloidiasis and associated risk factors in patients undergoing treatment at National Cancer Institute, Maharagama, Sri Lanka. 136^th Anniversary International Medical Congress of the Sri Lanka Medical Association 2023.

Abstracts – Oral Presentations

• Weerasekera CJ,  Wimalasiri U, Wijerathna T,  Menike CW, Anpahalan JP,  Perera N, Gunathilaka N, De Silva NR, Wickremasinghe DR .  Detection of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in immunocompromised patients in selected tertiary care hospitals in Sri Lanka using coprological and molecular methods. 32^nd Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2023.

Abstracts – Three Minute Thesis challenge

• Weerasekera CJ, Menike CW, Wimalasiri U, Anpahalan JP, Wijerathna T, Jayathilake DCC, Somawardane UABP, Saravanamuttu U, Yoganathan N, Pilapitiya D, Perera N, Gunathilaka N, De Silva NR, Wickremasinghe DR. Parasitological, serological and molecular-based diagnosis of strongyloidiasis among immunocompromised patients in Sri Lanka and associated risk factors for disease occurrence. International Conference in Medical Sciences. Faculty of Medical Sciences. University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2023.

Newsletter Articles

• Weerasekera CJ. Toxocariasis- A neglected disease. SLMA NEWS +, September 2021, Volume 14. Issue 9. Pages 13-15. ISSN: 1800-4016 (Printed). eISSN: 2550-2778 (ONLINE)

Awards

• Research Awards 2020 from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura for scientific publications in Science Citations Index Expanded journals.
• Second Prize for Oral Presentations – 32^nd Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2023.

Other Faculties of University of Sri Jayewardenepura

• Faculty of Allied Health Sciences