Academic Qualifications

• MBBS / 1994 / University of Colombo / Sri Lanka
• MPhil / 2004 / University of Colombo / Sri Lanka

• Virus, cell culture, molecular biology

Research Interests

• Virology, Flaviviruses, STD, development of affordable diagnostic assays

ORCID ID

0000-0002-1132-5121

Google Scholar Link

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Oxye9uUAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

Research Grants Held

Abstracts and Presentations at Scientific Meetings

• Attanayake H, Goonasekara CL, Abeygunasekera N, Senaratna C, Elvitigala J, Gunasekera KM.
  Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Venereologists. 2024;
  Second prize for poster presentation
• Jaysekara KG, Suresh TS, Goonasekara CL, Soysa SSSBDP, Jayawardena A, Gunasekera KM. Dengue virus inhibitory activity of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra 32^nd Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2023;21(1):10.
  First prize for oral presentation
• Jayasekera KG, Suresh TS, Goonasekera CL, Soysa SSSBDP, Jayawardena A, Gunasekera KM. In-vitro virucidal and anti-adsorption activities of dried flowers extract of Aegle marmelos against dengue virus type 1 The 20^th Academic Sessions and 19^th Vice Chancellor’s awards 2023, University of Ruhuna, pg. 118
• Jaysekara KG, Soysa SSSBDP, Suresh TS, Goonasekara CL, Gunasekera KM. In vitro anti dengue viral activity of Aegle marmelos (Beal) dried flower aqueous extract. International Research and Innovation symposium on dengue amidst the pandemic. 2022 pg. 72-73.
• Attanayake H, Goonasekara CL, Abeygunasekera N, Senaratna C, Elvitigala J, Gunasekera KM. Optimization of a loop mediated isothermal amplification assay for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis DNA in urine
  The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. 30^th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2021;19: pg.15
• Jayasekara KG, Soysa P, Suresh TS, Goonasekara CL, Gunasekera KM. Preliminary results of anti-dengue viral activity of five plants used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine.
  Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Proceedings of the 75^th Annual Sessions 2019; pg. 146. Poster presentation
• Karunarathna WIM, Wedage NN, Wickrama WDSA, Erathna SS,Senaratna BCV, Gunasekera KM. Determination of the association between methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization of nose and contamination of mobile phones in nurses. Sixth International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2019; pg 37. Oral presentation
• Amarasinghe WKP, Wijerathne HMSA, Abeywickrama TT, Senaratna BCV, Gunasekera KM. Standard precautions during phlebotomy: do healthcare workers pay heed? Second International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2015; pg 34. Oral presentation
• Abeywickrama TT, Amarasinghe WKP, Wijerathne HMSA, Dharmaratne C, Fernando D, Gunasekera KM, Senaratna BCV. Tourniquets and faucets: Reservoirs of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Sri Lanka Medical Association 128^th Anniversary International Medical Congress, 2015: pg 191, PP061. Poster presentation
• Gunasekera HAKM, Silva KCDP, Prathapan S, Mananwaththa S, Weerasinghe G, and Abeygunasekera N. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in women attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 17^th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Venereologists on 13^th October, 2012. Oral presentation
• Fernando N, Peelawattage M, Gunasekera K, Weerasekera D, Holton J. Helicobacter pylori oxygenic hormones and diet. XXI^st International Workshop on Helicobacter and related bacteria in chronic digestive inflammation and gastric cancer,
  Helicobacter 2008; Vol 13(5): 436. PO62. Poster presentation
  http://www.abstractsonline.com/viewer/viewAbstract.asp?CKey={ADCE351F-6909-4EBC-B1D9-C7D1617D93F5}&MKey={F4FF4A8D-11B3-40F2-9DA2-7C0FB4F96EB0}&AKey={384D2523-AA39-4B08-A120-38A9AB93ADA3}&SKey={E251DBDE-4D0C-4D5E-A853-F54C16AB711F}
• Gunasekera HAKM, Senanayake CP, Sunil Chandra NP, Mendis L. A comparison of serological diagnostic techniques in Dengue fever.
  The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2005; 3(1): 22-23 Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists.5^th August, 2005. Third prize for oral presentation
• Gunasekera HAKM, Sunil Chandra NP and de Silva HJ. Hepatitis C seroprevalence: a community survey in the Gampaha district.
  Asian Pacific Association for the study of the Liver (APASL) Meeting 26-29 September, 2002, Taipei
• Gunasekera HAKM, Sunil Chandra NP and de Silva HJ. Hepatitis C seroprevalence: a community survey in the Gampaha district.
  Proceedings of the 115^th Anniversary Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association on 22^nd March, 2002 page 48. Oral presentation

Books

1. Clinical Microbiology for Paramedical Undergraduates – First Edition 2007 – Neluka Fernando, R. Rajapakse-Mallikahewa, Kamani Gunasekera ISBN-978-955-567-223-5
2. Routine Microbiological Investigations for common infections; Handbook for Medical and Allied health undergraduates – First Edition 2021 Sarasavi Publishers – Kamani Gunasekera ISBN 978-955-31-2319-0
3. Dos and Don’ts of Cell Culture – First Edition 2021 Sarasavi Publishers – Kamani Gunasekera ISBN 978-955-31-2318-3
4. Basics in Virology – First Edition 2022 Sarasavi Publishers – Kamani Gunasekera ISBN 978-955-31-2522-4

Newsletters

1. Gunasekera KM. Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP); Is it a cost-effective alternative for PCR? Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists Newsletter (Publication of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists) February 2021
2. Gunasekera K. Mycoplasma genitalium; An emerging Sexually Transmitted Infection Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists Newsletter (Publication of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists) July 2021
3. Gunasekera K. Vaginal microbiome and cancers of the reproductive system; recent findings in a nutshell. Annual Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, 2023.

Reviewer of Journals/Project Proposals

Awards

2024
Second place for poster presentation at the 29^th Annual Conference Proceedings Sri Lanka College of Sexual Health and HIV medicine, 31^st October – 2^nd November 2024.
Attanayake H, Goonasekara CL, Abeygunasekera N, Senaratna C, Elvitigala J, Gunasekera KM
Annual Conference Sri Lanka College of Sexual Health and HIV medicine 2024;PPR-19 pg. 67

2023
First place and Dr. C. Palesuntharan award for oral presentation at the 32^nd Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologist, August 2023.
Jayasekara KG, Suresh TS, Goonasekara CL, Soysa SSSBDP, Jayewardena A, Gunasekera KM
The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2023;21(1):10-11

2018
University of Sri Jayewardenepura research award for scientific publication in an indexed journal (SCOPUS)

2017
University of Sri Jayewardenepura research award for scientific publication in a refereed journal

2014
University of Sri Jayewardenepura research award for publication in an indexed journal (SCIE)

2005
Third prize for oral presentation, Silver Jubilee Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, August, 2005.
Gunasekera HAKM, Senanayake CP, Sunil Chandra NP, Mendis L. A comparison of serological diagnostic techniques in Dengue fever. The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2005; 3(1): 22-23

Patents Held

Applications submitted to NIPO for patent on: A novel method to isolate anti dengue viral fractions against dengue virus type 1,2,3 and 4 from aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots

Other Faculties of University of Sri Jayewardenepura

• Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

Other Universities

• University of Moratuwa