Academic and Professional Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. in Zoology
  University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
• B.Sc. Special (Honours) in Zoology
  University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Professional Experience

• Senior Lecturer Grade II
  Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
• Head of Postgraduate Studies
  Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, BMS Campus, Sri Lanka
• Lecturer
  Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, BMS Campus, Sri Lanka
• Research Assistant
  Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
• Temporary Demonstrator
  Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya

Awards and Fellowships

• Best Poster Presenter Award – Third Place, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (2024)
• Best Presenter Award – Third Place, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (2025)

Memberships and Activities in Professional Bodies

• Life Member – Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SLALAS)

Publications

Journal Publications

1. Dilrukshi, K. T., Beneragama, D. H., Suresh, T. S., Wanigasuriya, K. and Manage, P. M. (2022). Single and combined effect of fluoride and hardness of drinking water on nephrotoxicity: in-vivo study using Wistar rats as an animal model. Journal of the National Science Foundation, 51(3), 519–532.
2. Dilrukshi, K. T., Beneragama, D. H., Suresh, T. S., Wanigasuriya, K. and Manage, P. M. (2022). Synergistic effect of fluoride and hardness: Evaluation of nephrotoxicity on Wistar rats using environmental water samples. Fluoride, 56(4), 626–644.
3. Wijerathna, P. A. K. C., Dilrukshi, K. T., Liyanage, G. Y., Bandara, K. R. V., Mahagamage, M. G. Y. L. and Manage, P. M. (2024). Status of cyanotoxin contamination and water quality in major irrigational and recreational reservoirs in Sri Lanka. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 10(3), 116.
4. Hewawithana, J., Dilrukshi, K. T. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2025). Cytotoxicity of indigenous medicinal plants; Salacia reticulata, Coriandrum sativum and Aerva lanata on Vero kidney cell line: In-vitro study using MTT assay and SRB assay. Journal of Applied Learning, 3(1), 41–47.
5. Fernando, M. V. T. and Dilrukshi, K. T. (2026). Determination of plant growth-promoting activities of endophytic bacteria isolated from Capsicum annuum in Sri Lanka. Journal of Applied Learning, 4(1), 1–10.
6. Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Dilrukshi, K. T., Perera, I. C., Weerasekara, M. M., Wanigasuriya, J. K. P., Beneragama, D. H. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2025). Cytotoxic effects of cylindrospermopsin on the Vero kidney cell line. Current Science Bangalore. Accepted.

Book Chapters

1. Dilrukshi, K. T., Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Imanthi, K. P. A., Wijerathna, P. A. K. C., Manage, P. M. and Kulasooriya, S. A. (2023). Detection of cyanotoxins using vertebrate bioassays in mice. Springer Nature.
2. Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Dilrukshi, K. T., Manage, P. M. and Kulasooriya, S. A. (2023). In vitro assay for determining cyanotoxin using cell line method: Hepatotoxicity (cell lines—Hep G2, Caco-2 and V79). Springer Nature.

Conference Publications

1. Dilrukshi, K. T., Manage, P. M. and Wanigasuriya, K. (2019). Distribution of CKDu prevalence with drinking water sources in Medirigiriya DS Division with special reference to water hardness and fluoride. 7th International Symposium on Water Quality and Human Health: Challenges, Kandy.
2. Dilrukshi, K. T., Manage, P. M., Wanigasuriya, K. and Beneragama, D. H. (2020). Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown Aetiology (CKDu) with special reference to water hardness and fluoride in drinking-water wells. 7th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches, Colombo.
3. Abeyrathne, P. A. B. P., Imanthi, K. P. A., Wijerathna, P. A. K. C., Dilrukshi, K. T., Liyanage, G. Y. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2022). Water quality and microbial contamination status of ground and surface water in Chronic Kidney Disease of uncertain Aetiology (CKDu) high-prevalence areas of Polonnaruwa, North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2022), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, p. 45.
4. Dilrukshi, K. T., Wanigasuriya, J. K. P., Beneragama, D. H., Suresh, T. S. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2025). Determination of the synergistic nephrotoxic effect of fluoride and hardness of drinking water on Wistar rats. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2025), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
5. Dilrukshi, K. T., Wanigasuriya, K., Beneragama, D. H., Suresh, T. S. and Manage, P. M. (2025). Synergistic effect of fluoride and hardness of drinking water on nephrotoxicity: Morphological observations of phase-contrast and fluorescent microscopy using Vero kidney cell line. 9th International Symposium on Water Quality and Human Health: Challenges, Kandy.
6. Dilrukshi, K. T., Wanigasuriya, K., Beneragama, D. H., Suresh, T. S. and Manage, P. M. (2021). Nephrotoxic effect of environmental water samples on Wistar rats with special reference to the synergistic effect of fluoride and hardness. 5th International Research Conference, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla.
7. Dilrukshi, K. T., Beneragama, D. H., Suresh, T. S., Wanigasuriya, K. and Manage, P. M. (2021). Evaluation of the synergistic effect of fluoride and hardness on nephrotoxicity using Wistar rats as an animal model. 6th International Symposium on Water Quality and Human Health: Challenges, Kandy.
8. Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Dilrukshi, K. T., Abinaiyan, I., Manage, S. P., Wanigasuriya, K., Suresh, T. S. and Manage, P. M. (2019). In-vivo toxicity study of cylindrospermopsin on Wistar rats. 24th International Forestry and Environment Symposium, Colombo.
9. Dilrukshi, K. T., Wanigasuriya, K., Beneragama, D. H., Suresh, T. S. and Manage, P. M. (2024). Determination of the nephrotoxic effect of fluoride and hardness on Wistar rats using environmental water samples. 8th International Symposium on Water Quality and Human Health: Challenges, Kandy.
10. Dilrukshi, K. T., Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Beneragama, D. H., Perera, I. C., Wanigasuriya, K. and Manage, P. M. (2021). Synergistic effect of fluoride and hardness of drinking water on nephrotoxicity: Cytotoxicity assay using Vero cells. 8th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches, Colombo.
11. Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Dilrukshi, K. T., Perera, I. C., Wanigasuriya, K., Beneragama, D. H. and Manage, P. M. (2022). Cytotoxic effects of Microcystin-LR, Microcystin-RR, Nodularin and Cylindrospermopsin on the Vero-89 kidney cell line. 26th International Forestry and Environment Symposium, Colombo.
12. Dilrukshi, K. T., Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Amarasekara, B. M. Y. D. E., Beneragama, D. H., Perera, I. C., Wanigasuriya, K. and Manage, P. M. (2022). Cytotoxic effect of fluoride and hardness on the Vero monkey kidney cell line: An in-vitro study. 8th International Conference on Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
13. Dilrukshi, K. T., Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Beneragama, D. H., Wanigasuriya, K. and Manage, P. M. (2022). Cytotoxicity of fluoride and hardness on Vero monkey kidney cell line: Sulforhodamine-B assay. Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress (RESCON 2022), University of Peradeniya, pp. 28.
14. Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Dilrukshi, K. T., Perera, I. C. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2022). Cytotoxicity of Cylindrospermopsin, Microcystin-LR, Microcystin-RR and Nodularin on renal cells. Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress (RESCON 2022), University of Peradeniya, p. 29.
15. Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Dilrukshi, K. T., Perera, I. C., Wanigasuriya, J. K. P., Beneragama, D. H. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2022). Nodularin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in Vero renal cell line. 8th International Conference on Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
16. Dilrukshi, K. T., Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Beneragama, D. H., Wanigasuriya, K. and Manage, P. M. (2022). Cytotoxicity of water collected from Angunukolapelessa, Galnewa and Padaviya in Sri Lanka on monkey kidney cell line (Vero). Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2022), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, p. 125.
17. Abeysiri, H. A. S. N., Dilrukshi, K. T., Perera, I. C., Weerasekara, M. M. and Manage, P. M. (2023). Gene expression analysis of Cylindrospermopsin on the Vero kidney cell line. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2023), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
18. Dilrukshi, K. T., Sadeepa, H. D. D. and Manage, P. M. (2024). Antifungal activity of selected indigenous medicinal plants in Sri Lanka towards Candida infections. Proceedings of the 28th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2024, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
19. Rajaratnam, R. S. M., Dilrukshi, K. T., Sadeepa, H. D. D. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2025). Isolation of endophytic bacteria from Cyperus rotundus (Kalanduru) with antifungal activity against Candida sp. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2025), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
20. Hewawithana, J. K., Dilrukshi, K. T. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2023). Cytotoxicity of indigenous medicinal plants—Kothala Himbutu, Kottamalli and Polpala—on the Vero kidney cell line: In-vitro study using SRB assay. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2023), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
21. Hewawithana, J. K., Dilrukshi, K. T. and Pathmalal, M. M. (2024). Cytotoxicity of indigenous medicinal plants—Kothala Himbutu, Kottamalli and Polpala—on the Vero kidney cell line: In-vitro study using MTT assay. Proceedings of the 28th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2024, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
22. Dilrukshi, K. T., Manage, S. P., Disanayake, D. M. P. I. and Manage, P. M. (2024). Cytotoxic effect of glyphosate on Vero kidney cells: In-vitro evaluation of nephrotoxicity using MTT assay—A preliminary study. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2023), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
23. Dilrukshi, K. T., Yatigammana, S. K. and Wijesundara, C. S. (2018). Plankton abundance affects the flamingo numbers present in four major lagoons of the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka: A preliminary study. 6th International Symposium on Water Quality and Human Health: Challenges, Kandy.
24. Amanda, K. H. D. and Dilrukshi, K. T. (2026). Isolation and identification of plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria from roots of Cinnamomum ceylanicum. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2026), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.
25. Herath, C. D. B. and Dilrukshi, K. T. (2026). Determination of plant growth-promoting activities of bacterial endophytes isolated from Piper nigrum plants in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (iCMA 2026), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo.

Research Interests

• Environmental Toxicology
• Water Quality
• Animal Cell Culture
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology