Rohan new UGC member

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed Prof. Rohan Rajapaksa as a member of the University Grants Commission for 5 years with effect from March 19. He is the eldest and only son of late Don Wilson Rajapaksa of Tangalle and of Teckla Rajapaksa of Wellawatte. Prof Rajapaksa read for his B.Sc in Agriculture and M.Sc in Agricultural Biology at the University of Peradeniya, from 1972-1978.

Having joined the University of Peradeniya, from 1972-1978. Having joined the University of Ruhuna in 1978 as a pioneering member of staff, he carried out his doctoral studies at the University of Florida Gainseville, USA 1982-1985, and completed his PhD in Entomology in 1985.

Upon his return to Sri Lanka in 1985, with a Ph.D. in Entomology from University of Florida USA he pursued research in Entomology and Integrated Pest Management and he has over 100 publications to his credit.

Prof. Rajapaksa has been the recipient of several internationally competitive and prestigious research grants including a grant from International Foundation of Science, Sweden and University of Florida in USA and has held a number of coveted fellowships including the Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship by Commonwealth Academic Commission, UK, 1992-1993 at University of Reading. UK. He was a Visiting Professor in Plant Protection at University of Queensland in Australia in 2004-2005.