K.L. WATHSALA GUNATHILAKE

Lecturer

MSc in Forestry and Environmental Management, Faculty of Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Bachelor in Arts (Honors) in Geography, University of Colombo.

CONTACT DETAILS

Email: wathsalaindeevarie@gmail.com (Personal)

Office Email: wathsalag@kln.ac.lk

Phone Number: +94718984773 (Personal)

Office Number: 0112903919

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION:

Bio geography, Environmental Management, Sustainable Energy and Household carbon foot printing, Quantitative Geography

PUBLICATIONS

Published Full Journal Articles

• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I and Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K. Influencing factors for household level carbon emissions and spatial differences. Modern Environmental Science and Engineering (ISSN 2333-2581) November 2019, Volume 5, No. 11, pp.1050-1055

• Gunathilake K.L.W.I., Chandrasekara C.M.K.N.K, Amarasekara D.D and Chandrasekara CMPB, Gunathilaka K.L.S.K, Socio economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the rural and urban lifestyles of Sri Lanka, World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development (E-ISSN: 2454-6615), May 2021 7 (5):53-57

• Manawadu, L Gunathilake K.L.W.I, Wijeratne, V.P.I.S., Urban Agglomeration and COVID-19 Clusters: Strategies for Pandemic Free City Management, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications (ISSN 2250-3153) July 2020, Volume 10, No. 7, pp. 769-775
• Naduni Jayasinghe, Nishara Fernando, Dilanthi Amaratunga, Richard Haigh,  Kithugasmulle Lekamalage Wathsala Indeevarie Gunathilake, Exploring the Impact of Planned Relocation on Agricultural Income Generation in Sri Lanka: A Case of Landslide Induced Resettlement in Y District, Journal of Regional and City Planning, vol. 33, no. 1, page 1-23, April 2022 DOI: 10.5614/jpwk.2021.33.1.1
• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I. and Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K, Assessment of emission based spatial distribution of household carbon footprints- a case study from Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Division, SLAAS Bi-annual Journal 2020
• Fernando N., Jayathilake P., De Silva M., Gunathilake K.L.W.I., Devapura N., Wise B., Built Environment Stakeholders and Climate Change Adaptation, The Case of Sri Lanka, International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment 2024.

 Book Chapters

• Herath H.M.N.T, Gunathilake K.L.W.I and Chandrasekara C.M.K.N.K., A site specific study on peacock and human conflict- A case study from Jayanthipura Grama Niladhari Division, Polonnaruwa- Sri Lanka, Multi - Hazard Early Warning and Disaster Risk Reduction Book Volume, Springer Nature Publications, 2020
•  Manawadu, L, Gunathilaka. M. D. K. L, Wijerathne. V. P. I. S, Gunathilake. K. L. W.I. How and Why the Land Resources Changed: A Chronological Change of Land Use and Land Cover in Sri Lanka, Examining International Land Use Policies, Changes, and Conflicts, IGI Global Publishers, 2020
•  K.L.W.I. Gunathilake, P.P.G. Jayathilake, Nishara Fernando, Naduni Jayasinghe, Dilanthi Amaratunga, Richard Haigh, Living with landslide risks: A case of resistance to relocation among vulnerable households residing in the Kegalle district of Sri Lanka, Rebuilding Communities after Displacement book volume, Springer Nature Publications, 2023

Abstracts
Published and presented: International level

• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I. and Chandrasekara C.M.K.N.K. 2018.Assessing household carbon emission and the driving factors: A case study in Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Division, Sri Lanka, International Conference on Climate Change ICCC- 2019- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Published and presented: National Level

• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I. Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K. and Ekanayake, T., 2018. Diversity of avifauna in residential landscape: A case study in Belihuloya village in Balangoda. 4^th International Research Symposium of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (ISIBES 2018)
• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I. and Ekanayake, T., 2018. DPSIR as a conceptual approach of structuring the human and natural environmental issues, 2^nd National Conference of Undergraduates on Environment and Development (NCUED-2018), University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka
• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I, 2018.Identification of drivers contributing to carbon emission and carbon footprints -A case study in Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Division, Sri Lanka, Undergraduate Research Symposium Humanities and Social Sciences University of Colombo-2019
• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I and Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K., quantifying unseen contributions to the global carbon emission from local anthropogenic environments: A case study in Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Division, SriLanka. 24^thInternational Forestry and Environment Symposium- 2019
• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I and Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K.., Contribution of secondary expenses based emissions on total carbon footprint: a case study in Balangoda divisional secretariat division, 2^nd South Asia Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2019 (SAMR’19)
• Ekanayake, T, Gunathilake, K.L.W.I and Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K.., Impact of snake bites on the people: A case study in Galenbindunuwewa Divisional Secretariat Division, Sri Lanka,24^thInternational Forestry and Environment Symposium- 2019
• Kotawella, C., Gunathilake, K.L.W.I. and Jayathilaka, M., 2018. A preliminary study on bird diversity and abundance of species in a semi-urban environment: A case study in Amunugoda North in Gampaha District, 2^nd National Conference of Undergraduates on Environment and Development (NCUED-2018), University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
• Ekanayake, T., Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K. &Gunathilake, K.L.W.I. 2018. A detailed study of snake bites in Galenbindunuwewa divisional secretariat division, Sri Lanka. 4^th International Research Symposium of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
• Herath H.M.N.T, Gunathilake K.L.W.I and Chandrasekara C.M.K.N.K., A site specific study on peacock and human conflict- A case study from Jayanthipura Grama Niladhari Division, Polonnaruwa- Sri Lanka, International Symposium on Multi - Hazard Early Warning and Disaster Risk Reduction, 2020
• Dhananja W.A.V.L, Gunathilake K.L.W.I, Chandrasekara C.M.K.N.K, Impact of anthropogenic activities on the habitat loss of water hens - A case study from Kesbewa Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD), Sri Lanka, 2^nd Asia International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2020 (AIMR’20)
• Senadheera S.D.S.N, Gunathilake K.L.W.I, Chandrasekara C.M.K.N.K, Human-Elephant conflict and Rural Livelihoods- A Case Study from Thenuwara and Mailankulama Grama Niladhari Divisions- Sri Lanka, International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS)- 2020
• L.W.I.Gunathilake and C.M.K.N.K. Chandrasekara, An application of the DPSIR framework in assessing household carbon emission, 7^th Annual Research Symposium, Department of Demography, University of Colombo (DemArs)- 2020
• Gunathilake, K.L.W.I. and Ranasinghe, E.M.S, Assessing the Factors Affecting Mortality and Premature Mortality- A case study from Balangoda Administrative Division, Sri Lanka, International Conference on Developmentalism Vs. Human Wellbeing, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023.
• Gunathilake K.L.W.I., Jayawardhana D.T and Chandrasekara C.M.K.N.K, Cause and Effect Analysis of Impacts of Land Cover Changes on Belihuloya Mini-Catchment Area, Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Science Research Congress, Sri Lanka: University of Peradeniya,1st -2nd November 2024
• Gunathilake K.L.W.I., Jayawardhana D.T and Chandrasekara C.M.K.N.K, Temporal and Spatial Changes in Land Use Pattern of the Belihuloya Mini Catchment Area in Sri Lanka (1959 – 2020), One Week International Seminar (Hybrid Mode) on Social Issues and Challenges in Current Scenario – A Multi-Disciplinary Approach, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2024

Newspaper  and E- Magazine Publications

•  Ekanayake, H. andGunathilake, W., 2017. Snake Bytes- Are we paying enough attention. Sunday Times, 26 11, p. 19.
• Ekanayake, H. andGunathilake, W., 2018. i¾m úI urK .ek jeâ wjOdkhla wjYHhs,Silumina, 11 04, P.22.
• Gunathilake, W. 2020. Global warming; Responsibilities of Individuals, Ceylon Today (Looks), 04 02, P.06.
• Gunathilake, W. 2020. Biggest Ever Global Experiment on How Nature Can Recover if Given an Opportunity: COVID-19 Pandemic Takes Command!, Times Online, 20 04
• Gunathilake, W. Be Friends of Nature: Contribute to a Cleaner Environment, Sunday Times, 23 02. P15
• Gunathilake, W. ගෝලීය උණුසුම්වීම හමුවේ පණ ගැහෙන පරිසර පද්ධති, Silimina, 23, 11, P15
• Gunathilake, W. Getting to Zero Emission Future through Cleaner Energy, Daily News, 2024.05.09
• Gunathilake, W. Why is it Important to Reduce the Carbon Footprint?, GreenInsight, E-Magazine, Issue No 03, March 2025

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS- OVERSEAS

•  Awarded with a scholarship to participate in the workshop “Energy Systems, Security and Net Zero Emission”, conducted by Indian institute of Technology, New Delhi (IITD), From 12^th – 23^rd February 2024, under the Indian Technical and Economic Corporation Program (ITEC).

ACADEMIC AWARDS

•  Wilson Wedaarachchi award for the student of Best Results in Geography Special Part I-2016, University of Colombo.
• Professor Yogambikai Rasanayagam Gold Medal in Geography at General Convocation- University of Colombo 2019
• Professor Kusuma Abeysinghe Gunawardana Memorial Award for Geography At General Convocation- University of Colombo 2019
• Session’s best presenter award at International Conference of Climate Change ICCC-2019, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Session’s best presenter award at 2^nd South Asia Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2019 (SAMR’19)
• Session’s best presenter award at 2^ndAsia International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2019 (AIMR’20)

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

•  Active member in Sri Lanka Association of Geographers (SLAG)
• Active member in Sri Lanka Association of Scientists (SLAAS)
• Active member in National Science Foundation (NSF)

OTHER ACADEMIC EXPERIECES AND QUALIFICATIONS

•  Currently working as a reviewer in IGI Global E- Editorial Discovery System.
• Successfully completed a short course in Making Teaching Effective (MaTE) conducted by Staff Development Centre, (2020) University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Worked as an editorial assistant in the International Conference of Geography and Global Sustainability (ICGGS) 2021, organized by University of Colombo
• Worked as a visiting tutor in the Mathematics Unit, University of Colombo
• Worked as a visiting demonstrator in the Information and Communication Technology Unit, University of Colombo

VOLUNTARY AND SOCIAL SERVICES

• Conduction of small scale social awareness programs on the promotion of organic fertilizer among small tea estate holders-Balangoda
• Monitoring and coordinating the consultation programs for the emerging farmers of the village to promote organic cultivations through home gardening.
• Donation of monetary funds to a mangrove plantation project organized by The Road to Rights youth-led organization which advocates on the 14^th goal of Millennium Sustainable Development Goals; Life below water.

TRAININGS AND WORKSHOPS

• Workshop on Technical Translations in the Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya. 2017
• Participated in ten hour training program on Technical Translations at Department of Official Languages, Rajagiriya 2017
• Field visit to observe Parliamentary Interpretation session 2017
• Active participation in online training sessions conducted on LMS based learning by University of Colombo (2017).
• Active participation in IIOE training session (COVID 19 Response Series) conducted by UNESCO-ICHEI, Shenzhen, China (2020).
• Participated in Mapping-Horizons GIS competition organized by The International Association of Young Geographers (IAYG)-India. (2021).
• Successfully completed a four-day (10 hours) Technical Training on Fundamentals, Platforms and Sensors in Remote Sensing under the framework of 'University Network for Disaster Risk Reduction and Managementin Indian Ocean Rim' (UN4DRR) Project. (2021).