Biography

Dr. Abhaya Balasuriya is Retired Professor at Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Puliyankulama, Anuradhapura. He has completed his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He is also serving as editor and reviewer for number of journals. Previously he was appointed as Demonstrator at University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Assistant Pest & Quality Controller and Assistant Production Manager - M/s Green Farms Ltd., Marawi-la, Sri Lanka, Agronomist and Senior Agronomist at M/s. Pelwatte Sugar Company Ltd., Buttala, Sri Lanka, Research Officer/Plant Pathology, Officer-In-Charge/ Plant Pathologist and Senior Research Officer/ Head, Plant Pathology Division at Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Talawakelle, Sri Lanka, Volunteer-ycology Group at Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand, Hort culture Tutor at Royal Business College, Hereford Street, Christchurch, New Zealand, and Visiting lecturer at University of Ruhuna, Mapalana. He is life member of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Alumni Association, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, British Society of Plant Pathology (BSPP), Senior Scientists’ Forum (SSF) of the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC), Sri Lanka, member of Pesticides Technical and Advisory Committee (PeTAC) of the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, and member of Sri Lanka Association for Mycology and Plant Pathology (SLAMPP). He supervised 11 students’ projects. He has published 36 research articles in journals, 8 book chapters, 29 abstracts and 19 technical communications contributed as author/co-author.

Area of Interest:

Plant and Soil Sciences

100%

Plant Protection

62%

Plant Pathology

90%

Horticulture

75%

Agriculture Science

55%

Research Publications in Numbers

Books
0

Chapters
8

Articles
36

Abstracts
29

Selected Publications

Kumari, K.A.S.I., D.M.J.B. Senanayake, W.A.R. Dhammika, W.M.K. Fernando and W.M.S.B.K. Wijerathne et al., 2019. Assessment of Colletotrichum capsici and C. Gloeosporioides resistance among chilli accessions available in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan J. Agric. Ecosystems,. 1: 117-128.
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Balasuriya, A., 2018. Coastal Area Management: Biodiversity and Ecological Sustainability in Sri Lankan Perspective. In: Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation in Tropical Islands, Sivaperuman, C., A. Velmurugan, A.K. Singh and I. Jaisankar (Eds.)., Academic Press, Elsevier, pp: 701-724.
Balasuriya, A., 2014. Tea that we drink; Potential, prospects and concerns. tea industry-recent trends. Econ. Rev. Res., 39: 2-9.
Mandanayake, M.A.R.A., K.M.H.G.N.S.B. Kekulandara, H.N.P. Wijayagunasekara, A. Balasuriya andU.C. Kahawaththa, 2013. A comparative study on arthropod faunal diversity in organic and conventional rice agro-ecosystems at batalagoda, Sri Lanka. Ann. Sri Lanka Department Agric., 15: 169-181.
Samarakoon, S.A.M.C., A. Balasuriya, R.G.A.S. Rajapaksha and W.A.R.T. Wickramarachchi, 2012. Molecular detection and partial characterization of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus in Sri Lanka. Pak. J. Biol. Sci., 15: 863-870.
CrossRef | PubMed | Direct Link |
Dissanayake, N.C., W.A.D.P. Wanigasundera, A. Balasuriya and M.K.S.L.D. Amaratunge, 2009. A field assessment of factors affecting Horse Hair Blight (Marasmius equicrinis) in tea in ratanapura district. J. Agric. Sci., Sabaragamuwa Univ. Sri Lanka, 4: 59-66.
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Balasuriya, A., 2009. Significance of biocontrol agents in disease management for sustainable agriculture, with special reference to Tea (Camellia sinensis). In: Role of Biocontrol Agents for Disease Management in Sustainable Agriculture, Ponmurugan, P. and M.A. Deepa (Eds.)., Research India Publications, B-2/84, Ground Floor, Rohini Sector-16, Delhi-110085, India, 1-11.
Balasuriya, A. and N.K.B. Adikaram, 2009. Some spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal considerations of wood decay of tea (Camellia sinensis), caused by Nemania diffusa (Syn. Hypoxylon vestitum). Crop. Prot. Elsivier, 28: 273-279.
CrossRef |
Balasuriya, A., 2008. Common Diseases of Tea and their Management (Revised). In: Handbook on Tea, Zoysa, A.K.N. (Ed.)., Tea Research Institute, Sri Lanka, pp: 173-209.
Sirisena, U.G.A.I., A. Balasuriya, P.A. Weerasinghe and J.W.K.K. Jayasundara, 2007. Microbial status of tea (Camellia sinensis) during different stages of processing in up country. Proceedings of the 63rd Annual Sessions, December 2007, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo, -.
Balasuriya, A., 2006. Role of natural vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza in the sustenance of plantation agriculture with special reference to tea (Camellia sinensis). Proceedings of the International Conference on Humid Tropical Ecosystems: Changes, Challenges and Opportunities, December 4-9th, Kandy, Sri Lanka, -.
Costa, D.M.D.E, R.M.S.P. Ratnayake and A. Balasuriya, 2005. Microbial population dynamics of the phyllosphere of tea (Camellia sinensis) and its influence on Exobasidium vexans, the blister blight pathogen. Sri Lankan J. Agric. Sci., 42: 94-104.
Balasuriya, A., 2004. Lessons learnt, contributions made to Plant Pathology; Managing Blister blight disease of tea (Camellia sinensis) in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 60th Annual Session, December 17-22, Part II-Inaugaral Address and Presidential Addresses, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo, pp: 45-62.
Edirisinghe, C., A. Balasuriya and D.C. Abeysinghe, 2003. The extent, severity and the major contributory factors that influence the Horse Hair Blight (Marasmius equicrinis) of tea in galle district of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of 3rd Agricultural Symposium, June 16th, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, pp: 39-44.
Cooray, B.A.P. and A. Balasuriya, 2002. Antagonism of three naturally occurring fungi against major tea root diseases of Sri Lanka and their sensitivity to recommended systemic fungicides. Proceedings of the 58th Annual Sessions, December 2002, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo, -.
Balasuriya, A., R.M.D.T. Pallemulla and R.M.A. Ratnayake, 2002. An improved measure of the intensity of blister blight in the field. Sri Lanka J. Tea Sci. Tea Res. Inst. Sri Lanka, Talawakelle, 67: 13-20.
Balasuriya, A., R.M.D.T. Pallemulla and A. Somarathna, 2002. New problem fungus in Tea?. Tea Bull. Tea Res. Inst. Sri Lanka, Talawakelle, 17: 1-7.
Balasuriya, A. and N.K.B. Adikaram, 2002. Extent of bush damage and resultant yield losses of a tea clone, susceptible to stem blight, caused by Nemania diffusa (Syn. Hypoxylon vestitum). Sri Lanka J. Tea Sci. Tea Res. Inst. Sri Lanka, Talawakelle, 67: 21-31.
Balasuriya, A., 2001. Control of blister blight leaf disease of tea in Sri Lanka; historical overview, milestones and future directions. Bull. UPASI Tea Res. Found., 54: 146-158.
Balasuriya, A., G.D. Wimaladasa and A.R. Ratnayake, 2000. Effect of applica-t-ion of NPK fer-tiliz-ers on the natural incidence of vesicular arbusc-ular mycorrh-iza in the rhizosphere soils and feeder roots of Tea (Camellia sinensi-s). Sri Lanka J. Tea Sci., 66: 61-68.
Balasuriya, A. and J. Kalaichelvan, 2000. Is there potential in natural tea-phylloplane microorganisms in the control of blister blight leaf disease of tea (Camellia sinensis)?. Planter, Incorporated Soc. Planters, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 76: 409-417.
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Balasuriya, A., R.M.D.T. Pallemulla and R.M.A. Ratnayake, 1999. Influence of mycorrhiza, systemic fungicide (Tebuconazole) and added P on phosphorous utilization by Tea (Camellia sinensis). Proceedings of the 55th Annual Sessions, Part I-Abstracts. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, December 1999, Colombo, -.
Balasuriya, A. and N.K.B. Adikaram, 1998. Wood rot in Sri Lankan tea (Camellia sinensis): The cause, nature of tissue damage and yield loss. Proceedings of the 7th International Congress of Plant Pathology, August 9-16th 1998, Edinburgh, Scotland, -.
Arulpragasam, P.V. and A. Balasuriya, 1995. Common Diseases of Tea. In: Field Guide Book, Sivapalan, P., N.C. Gnanapragasam and A. Kathiravetpillai (Eds.)., Tea Research Institute, Sri Lanka, pp: 88-100.
Balasuriya, A., P.V. Arulpragasam and R.M.A. Ratnayake, 1991. Mycorrhiza in Tea. Tea Bull., 11: 3-12.
Arulpragasam, P.V. and A. Balasuriya, 1991. A new wood rot in tea (Camellia sinensi-s). Tea Bull., 11: 23-26.
Balasuriya, A., 1982. Diseases of foliage plants. Phyta, Department Botany, Univ. Peradeniya, 2: 8-14.