Our staff

Short Description about Institute of Astronomy, Sri Lanka (IOAS)

Institute of Astronomy is the first-ever astronomical learning institute in Sri Lanka which is organized for local students and adults. From this institute,  we have inaugurated Astronomy school for local students since December 2018 and also astronomy certificate courses. Especially, we designed an open lecture series for students and adults every month and it is also we offer freely. On the other hand, we are developing techniques of research methods and data analysis methods. Due to its quality and high academic structure, our institute has designated as the main astronomical learning institute in Sri Lanka.


Current Academic officials

                                       

Head of the Academic Staff

Mr Jude Vijayanga Wijesekara

  • MSc & PhD in Astrophysics and Cosmology (reading), University of Padova, Italy.
  • BSc in the Physics Open University of Sri Lanka.
  • Selected for NARIT International Astronomical Training Workshop 2019
  • Graduated in NARIT - Institute D’Optique Graduate School “Optical Design Summer School 2018”
  • Successfully participated for NARIT Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology (NARIT COMAC) Workshop 2018, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  • A member of a Geological Society of America, 2018
  • An online data analyzer of the American Association of Variable Star Observer (AAVSO) 2018
  • A member of a Space Generation Advisory Council and Space Exploration Project Group. At present his contribute for The Poland Mars Analogue Simulation 2017.
  • Certificate of Participation, Astronomical Data Reduction Workshop, Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka 2016.
  • A Trainer for Sri Lanka National Astrophysics Olympiad Team at Institute of Physics Sri Lanka.
  • Online researcher for International Asteroid Searching Campaign organized by International Astronomical Search Collaboration (Texas, USA) in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
  • An active member of the S & T group and contribute as a night sky observer.
  • Participated 22nd Asian Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), Bali, Indonesia 2015 and 2nd Asia Pacific Space Generation Workshop (AP-SGW2), Bali, Indonesia 2015. Team discussion: \"Space for all: Utilizing Small Satellite Program for Space Education and Awareness”.
  • Participated Sentinel Asia Tsunami WG Session held in Bali, Indonesia 2015.
  • Participated in the International Olympiad of Astronomy and Astrophysics held in Poland in 2011 and his team achieved 17 places out of 32 countries.
  • The silver medalist of National Astronomy Olympiad competition.
    Research Areas :
  • High Energy Astrophysics using Chandra data.
  • A project on probing emission-line properties of galaxies in the local Universe.
  • An investigation of lensing systems for deduction of the Hubble parameter
  • Analysis properties of type II and type III solar radio burst.



Senior & Junior Academic staff

Mrs. Thathsarani Bulathsinghala

  • M.Sc. Degree in Environmental & Industrial Chemistry, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
  • Research assistant and Demonstrator for undergraduates, At Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, New Zealand (2009-2011)
  • Participated in workshop Physical Containment level 2 training and has been trained for PC 2 lab facility at Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury- New Zealand
  • BSc. Degree in Biological Sciences (Microbiology), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
  • Lecturer - General Astronomy and Astrobiology - Institute of Astronomy
  • Lecturer - General Astronomy and Astrobiology - Night sky Observational Camps and seminars Organized by S&T Group (Since 2002)
  • Chemist/ Quality Assurance Executive Interpharm (Pvt) Limited (Established Pharmaceutical Company in Sri Lanka) July 2004 - October 2005
  • Participated workshop on introduction to animal cell culture, Conducted at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, organized by the SAAS- Section E2 (2014)
  • Participated workshop “Fundamental and Essentials of Good Documentation Practices in the Pharmaceutical Industry -Training Program Conducted by Mr Michael Anisfeld of Globepharm Consulting, Illinois, Organized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Sri Lanka
  • Participated workshop and has been trained for PCR + FA modules by St John, Christchurch conducted by St John, Christchurch. At the Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury- New Zealand
  • Competency to run the highly advanced techniques using NMR, HPLC, GC and spectrophotometer and competency to handle and run cell culture experiments and cytotoxic lab.
  • Chief Editor - S&T Group (from 2007)
  • Editor-“Tharulowa” Astronomical Monthly Magazine (2006-2007)
  • Editor- “Orion” Astronomical Monthly Magazine (2000-2001)
  • Free-lance writer- “Vidusara” Science weekly Magazine (1997-1999)
  • Author- Astronomy Books (Pasalen Wishwayata, Lowa Helikala Vidyanyayo, Ape Hiru Paula, Pitasakwala Jeewayak Pawatheeda)
  • Translator- 04 Science fictions into Sinhala (3 Arthur C. Clarke SF novels and 1 Andy Weir SF novel)
  • Secretary of the Astronomical Society of Visakha Vidyalaya and a Member of Astronomy Quiz Team -1996/97
  • Secretary of Inter-school Astronomical Society affiliated to the Sri Lanka Planetarium- 1996/97
  • Secretary of Inter-school Astronomical Society affiliated to the Arthur C. Clark Centre, the Institute for higher technology- 1996/97


Mr. Ayodya Thejasiri

  • Teaching Assistant at the Department of Physics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
  • BSc (Hons) in Physics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
        Represented Sri Lanka in 5th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
        Represented Sri Lanka in 17th International Astronomy Olympiad held in Gwangju South Korea.
        Silver medalist in National Astronomy Olympiad.
  • Subjects Area:
  • Orbital Mechanics
  • Classical Mechanics.
  • Galaxies dynamics
  • Theoretical Cosmology


Mr. Ethige Isuru Priyaranga Silva

  • BSc undergraduate in Microbiology (Specials) - the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (USJP)
  • Research Assistant - South Asian Astrobiology & Paleontology  Research Unit of Eco Astronomy Sri Lanka (EASL) (Since 2018)
  • Finalist -  National Science and Research Project Competition Organized by National Science Foundation (2010)
  • Secretory and the Founder member – Jayawardenapura University Astronomy Club (Since 2017)
  • Writer on Astrobiology -  Tharulowa Astronomy Magazine (Since 2017)
  • A Junior Research Assistant - EASL (2014-2017)
  • A Lecturer on General Astronomy - Astronomy Night Camps Organized by S&T Group (Since 2015)
  • Facilitator - National Science Camp organized by National Science Foundation (NSF) (2013)
  • Participated Residential Workshop on Introduction to Space Science and Eco Astronomy by EASL (2012)
  • A Member of Astronomy Quiz Team - De Mazenod College, Kandana, SL (2010-2012)
  • The president of Young Inventors’ Club - De Mazenod College, Kandana, SL (2010-2011)


Mr. Banuka Dimuthu

  • BSc (Hons) in Logistics and Transportation, Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (CINEC), Sri Lanka.
  • Participated in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad 2012 in Brazil. Representing National Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad team Sri Lanka.
  • Sri Lanka Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad Competition 2011, Gold medal (individual), organized by Institute of Physics, Sri Lanka, University of Colombo.
  • Participated in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad 2011 in Poland. Representing National Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad team Sri Lanka.
  • Sri Lanka Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad Competition 2010, Silver medal (individual), organized by Institute of Physics, Sri Lanka, University of Colombo.


Visiting Lecturers

Dr. Chathurie Niluka Nupearachchi

  • Mrs Chathurie Nupearachchi is currently doing her PhD research at OUSL in solid-state physics while working online as an educational consultant to Headstart (Pvt) Ltd. Previously she has worked as visiting lecturer in Universal College Lanka teaching engineering physics. Prior to that, she has also worked as an executive MBA Lecturer in Metropolitan School of Business and Management in the United Arab Emirates.
  • MPhil. (2013) under Characterization of Composite Electrodes of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Impedance Spectroscopic Analysis from The Open University of Sri Lanka.
  • BSc. 1st class in Natural Science (2009) from The Open University of Sri Lanka.
  • Lecturing subjects:        
  • Classical Mechanics and Astrophysics


Miss K.A.C. Nilmini

  • Visiting Lecturer in Physics at the Department of Physics, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Matara Regional Center.
  • Temporary Lecturer in Physics at the Department of Physics, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Matara Regional Center(August 2017 – August 2019)
  • B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics, Natural Science (2017) from The Open University of Sri Lanka.
  • Lecturing subjects:
     Optics
    Basic Astrophysics
    Mathematical Methods for Physics
    Quantum Physics and Relativity
    Classical Mechanics


Publications of Institute of Astronomy, Sri Lanka (IOAS)


1. Perera, Krishni & Wijesekera, Jude & Sigera, Veelochana & Rathnayake, Kaveendri & Udani, H & Senarath, Chathuki & Herath, H.M.K.G. & Nilmini, K.Amitha & Abeyratne, Isuru & Wimalaweera, Nayomi & Chathuranga, B. (2021). Stellar Populations and Structural Properties of Six Ultra Faint Dwarf Galaxies. 10.17909/T99H5G. 


2. Senarath, Chathuki & Wimalaweera, Nayomi & Udani, H & Rathnayake, J & Perera, Krishni. (2021). Determine the Properties of Recorded Type III Solar Radio Bursts on 7th May 2019 at 10.28 a.m. and 9th May 2019 at 12.59 p.m.


3. Rajakulathunga, Chamod & Bulathsinghala, A & Nilmini, K.Amitha & Wijesekera, Jude & Somarathna, Pavithra & Vidanaarachchi, Chamalie & Udani, H & Perera, Krishni & Senarath, Chathuki & Ranasinghe, Dilshani. (2021). Prediction of Crop Yield for Rice, Tea and Sugarcane in Sri Lanka Using Sunspot Number. 


4. Vidanaarachchi, Chamalie & Somarathna, Pavithra & Ranasinghe, Dilshani & Bulathsinghala, A & Nilmini, K.Amitha & Wijesekera, Jude & Rajakulathunga, Chamod & Udani, H & Perera, Krishni & Senarath, Chathuki. (2021). Relationship of the Sunspot Number with Crop Yield for Selected Crops in Different Countries: A Mathematical Approach


5. Perera, Krishni & Wijesekera, Jude & Rathnayake, Kaveendri & Udani, H & Sigera, Veelochana & Senarath, Chathuki & Wimalaweera, Nayomi. (2021). Qualitative review of the photometric data of six Ultra-Faint Dwarf Galaxies. 



       



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