Annual Sessions of the IOBSL – 2022

“Towards a Paradigm Shift in Biology”

 The 42nd Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka will be held on 30th September 2022 at the Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo 03, under the theme “Towards a Paradigm Shift in Biology. It will consist of the Inaugural session, the Annual General Meeting of the IOBSL and four parallel technical sessions.

Inaugural Session

The inaugural session is a celebration of all the ventures and undertakings of the IOBSL in the year 2022. It commences at 8.55 a.m. and marks the start of the annual sessions.

Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, a Linnean Medalist and world-renowned conservationist, will grace the occasion as the Keynote Speaker. This will be followed by his felicitation. The presentation of certificates and medals to the winners of the contests conducted by the Institute of Biology (i.e. Biology Oration, Young Scientist Award, Photography Competition, Quiz competition and Biology Olympiad) will also take place at the inaugural event.

Annual General Meeting

The annual general meeting of the IOBSL 2022 is scheduled to be held at 11.20 a.m. and is open to all full members. The council of the IOBSL for the year 2023 will be appointed at the AGM.

Technical Sessions

The technical sessions are scheduled for the evening of the day where more than 40 research abstracts will be presented by members of the Institute in four parallel sessions. The best presenter of each track will be recognized with the Best Presenter Award at the closing ceremony of the sessions which is scheduled at 4.30 pm.

 

Programme:

Inaugural Session

8.15 a.m.

Registration and Tea

8.55 a.m.

Ceremonial Inauguration

9.05 a.m.

Welcome Address

D. Darshani Bandupriya

9.15 a.m.

Address by the President, IOBSL

Dr. Gayani Galhena

9.30 a.m.

Address by the Keynote Speaker

Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda

9.50 a.m.

Felicitation of Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda

10.15 a.m.

Launching of the Thematic Publication “Towards a Paradigm Shift in Biology”

10.20 a.m.

Presentation of Awards
Biology Olympiad/
Nature Photography Competition/ Biology Oration/ Young Scientist

10.50 a.m.

Vote of Thanks
Dr. Rinukshi Wimalasekera

   

11.20 a.m.

Annual General Meeting

   

12.30 p.m.

Lunch

 
Technical Sessions

1.30 p.m.

Start of the Technical Sessions

4.00 p.m.

Distribution of Best Presenter Awards

4.15 p.m.

Tea

 

Session Schedule

Parallel Session A

TIME

ABSTRACT NUMBER

TITLE

1.30–3.20 p.m.

A-01

Studying the Microbial Community Interactions of Sri Lankan Cattle Milk Microbiota Under Different Climatic Conditions      

By U. Rajawardana and T. S. Artigala

A-02

Effect of Curcumin Extract on Inhibition of Coconut Oil Rancidity

        By S. P. P.  Amiyangoda, N. Balachandran and T. C. H. Gamage

A-03

Evaluating Plant-derived Antifungal Substances for the Effective Management of Seed-borne Fungi of Selected Crop Species

        By W. N. Hansini and D. A. Daranagama

A-04

Wound Healing Enhancing Terpenoids from Vernonia zeylanica (L.) Less.

        By W. M. P. Samarasinghe, G. M. K. B. Gunaherath, C. Ranasinghe, S. Somaratne and K. H. Jayawardana

A-05

Antibacterial Activity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Isolated from a Thorn Treehopper in Sri Lanka

        By I. B. N. S. Sewwandi and P. B. Ratnaweera

A-06

In vitro Bioefficacy of Beauveria sp. Against Tea Shot-hole Borer (Euwallacea fornicatus Eichh.)

       By R. D. S. M. Gamlath, P. D. Senanayake, G. D. Sinniah and R. G. S. C. Rajapakse

A-07

A Microbial Cocktail Combined with Organic Fertilizer with the Potential of Providing Rice Growth and Yields Similar to 100% Urea Recommendation

      By M. G. G. D. Kithmini and T. A. Perera

A-08

Rhizospheric Fungal Species of Selected Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) Varieties of Sri Lanka and their Ability to Control Fusarium sp., Causative Agent of Damping-off Disease in Capsicum

       By P. U. N. E. Srimali, N. Deshappriya, M. S. W. Fernando, R. N. Attanayake and D. S. Manamgoda

A-09

Antibacterial Activity of Selected Fungal Endophytes Isolated from Two Species of Pandanaceae

By W. N. N. Dabarera, S. S. Ediriweera, C. M. Nanayakkara, K. G. S. U. Ariyawansa, N. N. Wijayawardene, R.

P. P. K. Jayasinghe and S. C. Karunarathna

A-10

Effect of Cryoprotectants on Cell Viability and Biomass Growth of Chlorella sp. and Oscillatoria sp. Cells under Ultra Low Temperature

      By B. L. W. K. Balasooriya, I. G. S. S. Ekanayaka and S. A. V. Viduranga

A-11

Screening for Petrol Degradation Potential of Nine Bacterial Isolates Using a Redox dye 2,6-Dichlorophenolindophenol

      By A. M. Weerakoon, P. S. Wanigasooriya and S. R. Karunaratne

 

Parallel Session B

TIME

ABSTRACT NUMBER

TITLE

1.30–3.30

p.m.

B-01

Comparison of Phytochemicals of De-polysaccharide and Polysaccharide rich Methanolic Extracts of Sri Lankan Marine Alga Chnoospora minima

         By U. Bandaranayake, H. S. Kumarasinghe, T. L. Gunathilaka, P. T. Jayasooriya, P. Ranasinghe, L. D. C.

Peiris and K. W. Samarakoon

B-02

Association of Selected Genetic Variants in CBS and MTHFR Genes in a Cohort of Children with Homocystinuria in Sri Lanka

         By D. T. Mahaliyanage, M. H. N. J. Samarasinghe, S. De Silva, N. Punyasiri and E. Jasinghe

B-03

Effect of Simulated In vitro Gastro-intestinal Digestion on the Bioactive Properties of Phenolic Compounds From Edible Flowers

         By G. Janarny, K. D. P. P Gunathilake and K. K. D. S Ranaweera

B-04

Genome-wide Identification of Gretchen Hagen3 (GH3) Gene Family in Musa acuminata L.

         By K.H.M. Jayasinghe and H. D. D. Bandupriya

B-05

In vitro Antioxidant Capacity and Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) Inhibitory Activity of Leaves of Citrus aurantiifolia (lime) and Chemical Profile of Leaf Essential Oils

         By D. Jagoda, G. D Liyanaarachchi, H. D Weeratunge, S. M. Handunnetti, N. Fernando and J. K. R. R.          

               Samarasekara

B-06

Computational Analysis of EMBRYO-DEFECTIVE (EMB) Genes in Arabidopsis

         By K. H. N. Sandumina and A. M. Wickramasuriya

B-07

Molecular Docking for Discovering Lead Compounds of Fungal Origin for Quorum Quenching Agents Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

         By W. M. J. V. Wickramasinghe and I. C. Perera

B-08

DNA Methyltransferases and Demethylases in Theobroma cacao: Genome-wide Identification, Genomic Structures and Phylogeny        

        By W. M. A. Sanahari and A. M. Wickramasuriya

B-09

Prevalence of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and its Association with Oxidative Stress in a Subset of Sri- Lankan Pediatric Psoriatic Patients

        By S. A. K. Udayanga, J. Seneviratne, M. G. A. Saumyamala and A. D. D. S. Amarasekara

B-10

An ARMS PCR-based RT Coupled Method for Simultaneous Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Variants

         By S. Liyanage, R. Anthonies, C. S. Sepalage, S. Siriwardana and I. C. Perera

B-11

Investigating the Proteins Involved with Crosstalk Between Drought Response Sub-pathways in Oryza sativa Using a Network-based Approach

        By J. W.  J. K. Weeraman, T. L. S. Tirimanne and S. P. C. Fernando

 

Parallel Session C

TIME

ABSTRACT NUMBER

TITLE

1.30–3.10 p.m.

C-01

Modelling Environmentally Suitable Areas for the Potential Introduction and Cultivation of the Ornamental Cryptocoryne thwaitesii in Sri Lanka

       By K. A. M. R. P. Atapattu, P. R. G. K. T. Rankoth and H. S. Kathriarachchi

C-02

Morphological and Biochemical Characterization of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) – A preliminary Study

       By A. I. L. Silva and R. Wimalasekera

C-03

Prolonging the Shelf Life of ‘Ambul’ and ‘Cavendish’ Banana Using Potassium Permanganate and Activated Charcoal Based Sachet Fortified with Passive Modified Atmosphere Packaging

       By M. A. Sandaru and P. S. Saputhanthri

C-04

Effect of the Organic Liquid Fertilizer Amended with Trichoderma harzianum on the Growth and Yield of Capsicum annuum cv. MI 2

       By H. D. U. N. S. Senarathna, R. M. C. S. Ratnayake and B. T. S. D. P. Kannangara

C-05

Morphological and Phytochemical Characterization of Cajanus cajan L. (Pigeon pea) in Sri Lanka.

       By H. D. N. H. Karunarathna, A. I. S. Priyadarshan and R. A. S. P. Senanayake

C-06

Rooting of In vitro Developed Shoots and Stem Cuttings of Passiflora edulis

       By D. M. N. L. Dassanayake and T. D. Silva

C-07

Use of Plant-based Organic Fertilizer Paste Enriched with Trichoderma Species for the Cultivation of Basella alba – Alternative Solution to the Commercial Organic Fertilizer

       By N. N. Kalpani, B. T. S. D. P. Kannangara and R. M. C. S. Ratnayake

C-08

Investigating the Responses of Sesamum indicum L. (Variety ANKSE-3) to Drought Stress at Different Developmental stages

      By W. K. P. Purnima and I. A. J. K. Dissanayake

C-09

Morphological Characterization of Selected Phaseolus Cultivars in Uva Province, Sri Lanka

      By H. D. N. H. Karunarathna, A. I. S. Priyadarshan and R. A. S. P. Senanayake

C-10

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Based on Piper longum L. Leaf Extracts

     By T. K. Rupasinghe, S. M. Vithanarachchi and H. D. D. Bandupriya

 

Parallel Session D

TIME

ABSTRACT NUMBER

TITLE

1.30–3.10 p.m.

D-01

Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of Fruit extract of Catunaregam spinosa Using Brine Shrimp Assay

      By P. K. Lawrence and W. T. P. S. K. Senarath

D-02

Variations in Microclimatic Conditions Across Different Habitat Types in the Wasgamuwa National Park

      By A. D. Senevirathna, H. H.E. Jayaweera and M. R. Wijesinghe

D-03

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Air Pollutant Emissions in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

      By J. P. P. M. Jayalath, E. Lokupitiya and D. Halwathura

D-04

Effects of Sub-lethal Exposure of Ibuprofen on Laboratory-reared Oreochromis niloticus Juveniles: An Integrative Biomarker Study

      By H.P.S.H. Wickramarathna, S.H.N.P. Gunawickrama, and K.B.S. Gunawickrama

D-05

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Selected Food Fish and the Level of Human Exposure through Diet in Mahakanadarawa wewa, Anuradhapura District

      By A.I. Wanasinghe, R.G.D.R. Jayawickrama, R.L. Jayaratne and U.A. Jayawardena

D-06

Effect of Urbanization on Initiation of the Dawn Chorus of Home Garden Birds

      By M.G.D.D. Kariyawasam, G.D. Jayasinghe and M.R. Wijesinghe

D-07

Acute Toxicity of the Herbicide; Pretilachlor, and its Effect on Mortality and Behaviour of Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops)     

       By E.D.J. Chathurya, M.R. Wijesinghe and V.A.K. Fernando

D-08

Physicochemical Analysis and Toxicity Assessment of Sugarcane Distillery Spent Wash

      By H.D. Kuruppuarachchi, K.M.S. Ruvinda and J. Manathunga

D-09

Distribution of Endemic Plant Genera in Sri Lanka: Niche Breadth, Range Size and Altitudinal Range

      By W.A.A.D.M. Viduranga and H.S. Kathriarachchi

D-10

Investigating Spatial Variation of Stomatal Traits of True Mangrove and Mangrove Associates in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka in Accordance with Adaptation

      By W.R. Ranathunga and H.I.U. Caldera

Download the Session Schedule in PDF >>

Registration

Full/Corporate members

Registration is open free of charge for full members for both the inaugural session as well as the technical sessions. Please click here to register. Unregistered members cannot be accommodated in the sessions due to logistical reasons.  

Associate/Affiliate/Student Members

Associate members and student members can attend both events (The inaugural session and technical sessions) by making a payment as detailed below.

Rs. 3200/- for the inaugural session (includes morning tea and lunch)

Rs. 2000/- for technical sessions only (includes evening tea)

Rs. 5200/- for both inaugural session and technical session (includes lunch, morning & evening tea)

Please click here to register. You will be requested to upload the payment evidence. 

Presenters

Presenters can attend the technical sessions free of charge to present their abstracts. Please note that doing so is compulsory. Additionally, Presenters (who are not full members) can also join the inaugural session with a payment of Rs. 3200/-. 

Please click here to register. You will be requested to upload the payment evidence. 

Note

Based on the availability of seating, the IOBSL is also planning to open up the Inaugural session free of charge to as many presenters as possible.  The number of available places will be informed to you via email by 25th September and places will be offered on a first come first serve basis  However, we do not guarantee this opportunity.

Non-members

Any Interested parties (Coauthors etc.) who are not members of the IOBSL can attend the sessions by making a payment as detailed below.  

Rs. 3500/- for the inaugural session (includes morning tea & lunch)

Rs. 2500/- for technical sessions only (includes evening tea)

Rs. 6000/- for both inaugural session and technical session (includes lunch, morning tea & evening tea)

Please click here to register. You will be requested to upload the payment evidence.

 

The above information is summarized in the following table.

 

Inaugural Session (Rs.)

Technical Sessions (Rs.)

Both sessions (Rs.)

Registration link

Full/Corporate members

free

free

free

 click here 

Associate/Affiliate/Student members

3200

2000

5200

 click here

Presenters

 

Free (compulsory)

3200

(Free of charge for a limited number. See above)

 click here 

Non-members

3500

2500

6000

 click here 

 

Please make necessary payments through a direct bank deposit to the “Institute of Biology, Sri Lankaaccount at Peoples Bank, Thimbirigasyaya branch (Account number 086-100141191763). You will be asked to upload a scanned copy of the bank slip or the e-receipt as proof of payment.

 

Venue:

Diamond Ballroom, Marino Beach Hotel590 Marine Drive, Colombo 03

Dress Code

 Gents

Formal (suit optional)

Ladies

Saree

 

Keynote Speaker:  Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda

Rohan PethiyagodaMr. Rohan Pethiyagoda is a world-renowned conservationist, naturalist, taxonomist of amphibians and freshwater fish, as well as an author of many publications. He is the first Sri Lankan scientist to receive the prestigious Linnean Medal by the Linnean Society of London for his immense contribution towards the conservation of biodiversity through his impactful research and discovery and/or description of almost 100 new species of vertebrates from Sri Lanka.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Mr Pethiyagoda will be felicitated by the IOBSL this year .

 

Track Chairs:

Plant and Environment Sciences Zoological Sciences Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Microbiology and Chemical Biology
dr jinendra dr vindhya dr kalpa dr t mathiventhan
Dr. Jinendra Dissanayake
University of Colombo
Dr. Vindhya Kulasena
University of Colombo
Dr. Kalpa Samarakoon
General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University
Dr. T. Mathiventhan
Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Editorial Team:

dr jinendra dr kalpa prof suneetha
Dr. Jinendra Dissanayake
(Chief Editor)
University of Colombo
Dr. Kalpa Samarakoon
(Assistant Editor)
General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University
Prof. Suneetha Gunawickrama
University of Ruhuna
dr pradeepika prof pamoda dr gayani
Dr. Pradeepika Saputhanthri
University of Colombo
Prof. Pamoda Ratnaweera
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Dr Gayani Rajapaksa
University of Kelaniya

 

Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka | email: [email protected]