Prof. Sudharma Yatigammana

Professor Sudharma Yatigammana has held diverse administrative roles at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, from 2004 to 2023, displaying notable leadership. Serving as Chairperson for the International Symposium on "Water Quality and Human Health" and Head of the Department of Zoology, she exhibited expertise in environmental science. As Coordinator for the B.Sc Special Degree Programme in Environmental Science and the M.Sc. Programme on Biodiversity Ecotourism, her work bridges academia and environmental management.

In addition, Professor Sudharma demonstrated leadership as a Member of the Board of Management of the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS) and Chairperson for various boards, emphasizing a commitment to critical issues. Her involvement in organizing international conferences on water quality, biodiversity, and epidemics highlights her dedication to addressing environmental concerns. This extensive experience is invaluable for plantation eco-tourism projects, contributing a wealth of knowledge and leadership in sustainable practices.

Moreover, Professor Sudharma earned her Ph.D. in Biology from Queen’s University, Canada, in 2004, specializing in palaeoecological methods studying anthropogenic impacts on Sri Lankan lakes. Her M.Sc. in Environmental Science (1998) from the University of Peradeniya focused on soil profile development, while her B.Sc. in Zoology (First Class Honors, 1994) delved into avifaunal diversity in the Hanthana Range. Notably, her Ph.D. was supervised by Brian F. Cumming, M.Sc. by Kapila Dahanayake, and B.Sc. project by Charles Santiapillai.