Dr. Janith Warnasekara

MBBS, MSc, MPH, PhD, FRSPH

Senior Lecturer

Department of Community Medicine

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

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ORCID

Senior Lecturer in Community Medicine (Since 2020)

Department of Community Medicine

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Lecturer in Community Medicine (2015-2020)

Department of Community Medicine

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Lecturer in Masters Dissertation (Since 2020)

Master’s degree programme

People’s open access education initiative

Royal Society of Public Health

Lecturer in Epidemiology (Since Aug 2020)

Master’s degree programme

People’s open access education initiative – Royal Society of Public Health

Intern Medical Officer (May 2014- May 2015)

Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka Medical Council – 32457

Temporary Lecturer (Nov 2013 - May 2014))

Department of Community Medicine

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Member (2021)

Academic and training committee

Institute of applied statistics Sri Lanka

Visiting Lecturer (Since Jan 2013)

Centre for Education and Research of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CERCAM)

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Visiting Scholar (Nov 2015)

School of Medicine

University of California San Diego

USA

Secretory (Since 2019)

Ethics Review Committee

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Editorial board member (2020 -)

Anuradhapura Medical Journal

Anuradhapura Clinical Society

Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura

Editorial board member (2022 -)

Rajarata University Journal

Qualifications

MBBS, MSc, MPH, PhD, FRSPH

Fellow

Royal Society of Public Health

Fellow

Royal Statistical Society

EM Wijerama award for the best research presentation (first place) (2020)

Meteorological Associations of Leptospirosis in Different Climate Zones of Sri Lanka; a Time Series Analysis. 133^rd Anniversary International Medical congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020

Sir Nicholas Artigala award for best research paper (2020)

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Conditions among First Trimester Pregnant Females in Anuradhapura District, 133^rd Anniversary International Medical congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020

Best Poster presentation – Second place (2022)

Non-alcoholic Association between Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in pregnancy (NAFLD) and maternal weight gain during pregnancy. 14^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2022.

Best Oral presentation - Fourth place (2022)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among pregnant women with metabolic syndrome: should early interventions be a priority? 14^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2022

Best Oral presentation - Fifth place (2022)

Are people residing in villages affected by elephant attacks psychologically distressed; a cross-sectional comparative study. 14^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2022.

Best research paper – Mental Health (2020)

A systematic approach in mental health assessment in early pregnancy: an experience from Rajarata pregnancy cohort, 25^th Annual Academic Sessions of College of Community Physicians in Sri Lanka.

Best Oral research presentation

Annual Scientific session (2020)

Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Can the dating scan be used to detect non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in order to predict gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); a prospective cohort study

Best research presentation - Third place (2012)

Awareness of well-woman clinic services among attendees to Anuradhapura on Poson Poya day: are the socially deprived at a disadvantage? 3rd Annual academic sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2012

Dean’s award for research Publications (2016)

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Best research presentation - Second place (2017)

Can we satisfy the knowledge , perception and behaviors of sexual and reproductive health among newly entering university, 11^th Annual academic sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2017.

Dean’s award for research Publications (2017)

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Best oral research presentation – First Place (2018)

Isolation of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka, 12^th Annual academic sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2018

Best poster research presentation - First Place (2018)

Characteristics of Interstitial lung disease among the patients presented to Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, 12^th Annual academic sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2018

Young Investigator travel award (2019)

11^th International Leptospirosis Society, Vancouver, Canada

Best oral research presentation – First Place (2019)

Emmotional inteligence among prisoners of Anuradhapura, 13^th Annual academic sessions of Anuradhapura clinical society, 2019

Dean’s Award for Scientific Publications 2019

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

Dean’s Award for Scientific Publications 2020

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

Dean’s Award for Scientific Publications 2021

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

Principle Investigator – 2017

Health awareness among tourists visiting Sri Lanka (RJT/R&PC/2017/FMAS/R/02)

Rajarata University Research Grant

Principle Investigator - 2018

Survival of leptospira in natural environment and in vitro assessment of possibility of biological control (RJT/R&PC/2018/MED/R/04)

Rajarata University Research Grant

Co-Investigator – 2020

Association of restless leg syndrome and chronic kidney disease

Sri Lanka college of Neurologists

Full Papers

1. Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Neglecting the neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic; the case of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022015. doi:10.4178/epih.e2022015

2. Warnasekara J, Agampodi S, Abeynayake R. R. Time series models for prediction of leptospirosis in different climate zones in Sri Lanka. Zeng Q, ed. PLoS One. 2021;16(5):e0248032. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0248032

3. Warnasekara J, Srimantha SM, Agampodi SB. Estimating the burden of leptospirosis: global lessons from Sri Lanka. BMJ Glob Heal. 2021;6(10):e006946. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006946

4. Warnasekara J, Koralegedara I, Agampodi S. Estimating the burden of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka; A systematic review. BMC Infect Dis. 2019;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12879-018-3655-y

5. Warnasekara J, Srimantha S, Senavirathna I, et al. The variable presence of Leptospira in the environment; an epidemiological explanation based on serial analysis of water samples. Wooten RM, ed. PLoS One. 2022;17(2):e0263719. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263719

6. Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB, Marage PMNC, Athurupana AASD, Koonthota SD, Dahanayaka NJ. Real time surveillance of dengue fever – a preliminary study. Ceylon Med J. 2016;61(4):197. doi:10.4038/cmj.v61i4.8393

7. Warnasekara J, Aberathna P, Nanayakkara G, Vinetz J, Agampodi S. Improving the leptospirosis disease burden assessment by including ambulatory patients from outpatient departments: a cross-sectional study. F1000Research. 2020;9:1129. doi:10.12688/f1000research.26202.1

8. Warnasekara J, Srimantha S, Kappagoda C, et al. Diagnostic method-based underestimation of leptospirosis in clinical and research settings; an experience from a large prospective study in a high endemic setting. Poonawala H, ed. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022;16(4):e0010331. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0010331

9. Agampodi S, Warnasekara J, Siribaddana S, et al. Demographic, exposure, clinical, biochemical and diagnostic data of febrile patients recruited for the largest field study on leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. Data Br. 2022;43:108378. doi:10.1016/J.DIB.2022.108378

10. Agampodi S, Warnasekara J, Jayasundara D, et al. Study protocol: characterising the clinical, epidemiological and aetiological aspects of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: a hospital based clinico-epidemiological study. BMJ Open. 2019;9(9):e027850. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027850

11. Dahanayaka NJ, Agampodi SB, Seneviratna I, Warnasekara J, Rajapakse R, Ranathunga K et al. Clinical spectrum of endemic leptospirosis in relation to cytokine response. PLoS One. 2021;16(12):e0261025. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0261025

12. Koralegedara IS, Warnasekara JN, Dayaratne KG, De Silva FN, Premadasa JK, Agampodi SB. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a significant predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and early pregnancy miscarriages-prospective study in Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo). BMJ open Gastroenterol. 2022;9(1). doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000831

13. Koralegedara IS, Warnasekara JN, Rathnayake A, Dayaratne KG, Agampodi SB. Fatty Liver Index is a valid predictor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in pregnancy. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2022;9(1):e000913. doi:10.1136/bmjgast-2022-000913

14. Dahanayaka NJ, Warnasekara YPJN, Rajapakse RMSR, Ranathunga SYK, Agampodi SB. Validity of Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic-Assays (LFIA) in diagnosis of leptospirosis. Ceylon Med J. 2017;62(4):248. doi:10.4038/cmj.v62i4.8579

15. Jayasundara D, Senavirathna I, Warnasekara J, et al. 12 Novel clonal groups of Leptospira infecting humans in multiple contrasting epidemiological contexts in Sri Lanka. Lau CL, ed. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021;15(3):e0009272. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0009272

16. Schønning MH, Phelps MD, Warnasekara J, Agampodi SB, Furu P. A Case–Control Study of Environmental and Occupational Risks of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. Ecohealth. 2019;16(3):534-543. doi:10.1007/s10393-019-01448-w

17. De Alwis A, De Alwis S, Padeniya A, Warnasekara J, Jayatissa R. The mismatch between canteen guidelines and their implementation at canteens in medical institutions in Anuradhapura District. Ceylon Med J. 2021;66(3):113. doi:10.4038/cmj.v66i3.9489

18. Agampodi TC, Dharmasoma NK, Koralagedara IS, Dissanayake T, Warnasekara J, et al. Barriers for early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding up to six months in predominantly rural Sri Lanka: a need to strengthen policy implementation. Int Breastfeed J. 2021;16(1):32. doi:10.1186/s13006-021-00378-0

19. Jayasundara D, Gamage C, Senavirathna I, Warnasekara J, et al. Optimizing the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) panel for the diagnosis of Leptospirosis in a low resource, hyper-endemic setting with varied microgeographic variation in reactivity. Neela V kumari, ed. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021;15(7):e0009565. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0009565

20. Rajapakse S, Amarasiri L, Yasaratne D, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Temporal Variation and Factors Associated with Allergic Rhinitis in a Cohort of Rural Preschool Children from Sri Lanka. J Trop Pediatr. 2022;68(2). doi:10.1093/tropej/fmac017

21. Agampodi, T.C., Wickramasinghe, N.D., Prasanna, R.I.R., Irangani, M.K.L., Banda, J.M.S., Jayathilaka, P.M.B., Hettiarachchi, A.U., Amarasinghe, G., Jayasinghe, I., Koralagedara, I., Gunarathne, S.P., Wickramage, S., Warnasekara, J., Lokunarangoda, N., Mendis, V., Dissanayake, A.K., Premadasa, J., Hettigama, N., Koralagedara, D., Weerasinghe, M., Malawanage, K., Jayakodi, H., Wickramasinghe, A., & Agampodi, S.B. (2020). The Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo): Study Protocol. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20, 374. doi: 10.1186/s12884-020-03056-x

22. Rajapakse Mudiyanselage SIR, Amarasiri WADL, Yasaratne BMGD, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Epidemiology of wheeze among preschool children: a population-based cross-sectional study from rural Sri Lanka. BMJ Open. 2021;11(7):e046688. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046688

23. Agampodi TC, Wickramasinghe ND, Jayakodi HG, Amarasinghe GS, Warnasekara JN, et al. The hidden burden of adolescent pregnancies in rural Sri Lanka; findings of the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021;21(1):494. doi:10.1186/s12884-021-03977-1

24. Agampodi T, Agampodi S, Glozier N, WMS C, Warnasekara YPJN , Siribaddana S. How context matters: Demonstrating microgeographical differences in social capital and its implications for mental wellbeing in pregnancy with a novel bubble diagram technique. Health Place. 2019;60:102231. doi:10.1016/J.HEALTHPLACE.2019.102231

25. V Vijitharan, J Warnasekare, NC Lokunarangoda, MF Farah SS. Fatal poisoning with plant growth regulator–chlormequat. Ceylon Med J. 2016;61(2):89-90. doi:10.4038/cmj.v61i2.8297

26. Rajapakse S, Wickramasinghe N, Warnasekara J, et al. Asthma in a prospective cohort of rural pregnant women from Sri Lanka: Need for better care during the pre-conceptional and antenatal period. Barac A, ed. PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0269888. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0269888

27. Warnasekara JN, Agampodi S. Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan J Infect Dis. 2017;7(2):67. doi:10.4038/sljid.v7i2.8155

28. Warnasekara YPJN, Gamakumbura MK, Konthota SD, LIyanage LSK, Lakpriya BAD, Agampodi SB. Is Cancer Screening a Priority among Adult Females in Sri Lanka? Anuradhapura Med J. 2018;11(1):11. doi:10.4038/amj.v11i1.7639

29. Manoj Samarathunga, Janith Warnasekara. Health awareness and Health issues among international tourists visiting Sri Lanka. J Manag matters. Published online 2018. Accessed October 31, 2019.

30. Weerakoon HS, Ranawaka RR, Bandara WMP, Herath P, Warnasekara YPJN. Knowledge on Leishmaniasis among Health Care Workers In Endemic Area. Anuradhapura Med J. 2016;10(1):6. doi:10.4038/amj.v10i1.7597

31. Randika R, Sendanayaka SU, Rathnayake GT, Warnasekara J. Are mothers of preschool children aware about early childhood care and development (ECCD)? Anuradhapura Med J. 2021;15(2):6. doi:10.4038/amj.v15i2.7688

32. Weerakoon H, Banduwardana H, Ranawaka R, Bandara P, Kumara KS, Ariyaratne N, Warnasekara J, et al. Socio-demographic factors, treatment-seeking behaviours and common clinical presentations of leprosy patients in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura Med J. 2022;16(1):6. doi:10.4038/amj.v16i1.7669

33. Dissanayake Y, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Smartphone technology to monitor physical activity among medical students and its association with mental distress. Anuradhapura Med J. 2022;16(2):29. doi:10.4038/amj.v16i2.7702

34. Weerakoon HS, Ranawaka RR, Warnasekara J, Bandara P. Analysis of gaps in the correct diagnosis of leishmaniasis at primary care level; socio-demographic and environmental risk factors of leishmaniasis transmission in Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura Med J. 2018;12(1):10. doi:10.4038/amj.v12i1.7638

35. Senevirathna I, Jayasundara D, Lefler JP, Kira C, Warnasekara J, et al. Complete Genome Sequence of Leptospira interrogans Strains FMAS_KW1, FMAS_KW2 and FMAS_AW1 Isolated from Leptospirosis Patients from Karawanalla and Awissawella, Sri Lanka. J Genomics. 2020. doi:10.7150/jgen.43953

36. Gunathilaka MRKM, Rajapaksha RMSI, Senevirathna NK, Ekanayake BA, Gunathilaka MGRSS, Chinthani D, Ekanayake TD, Warnasekara JN, et al. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in medical students of a state university of Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study. Anuradhapura Med J. 2020;14(2):5. doi:10.4038/amj.v14i2.7677

37. Agampodi TC, Amarasinghe GS, Wickramasinghe ND, Warnasekara JN, Perez-Escamilla R, Agampodi SB. Maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN) policies and programs in Sri Lanka: a paradigm for public health in Asia. Sri Lanka J Med. 2021;30(2):70. doi:10.4038/sljm.v30i2.328

Abstracts

1. Warnasekara J et. al. Microgeographical Difference of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. In 11th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting.

2. Warnasekara J et. al. Understanding the clinical profile of leptospirosis for surveillance. In 11th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting

3. Warnasekara J et. al. Use of diagnostic tests for leptospirosis: a comparative study of quantitative PCR and microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In 11th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting.

4. Warnasekara J et. al. Health seeking and use of leptospirosis chemoprophylaxis among undifferentiated febrile patients in a leptospirosis. 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health, Incheon, South Korea;2017.

5. Warnasekara J et. al. Knowledge regarding common communicable diseases among tourists visiting Sri Lanka. 4th International Research Symposium of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, 2018.

6. Warnasekara J et. al. Opportunistic screening for Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a tertiary care hospital in endemic Sri Lanka; a preliminary study. 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health, Incheon, South Korea;2017.

7. Warnasekara J et. al. Leptospirosis mortality of Sri Lanka from 1959 to 2017; a systematic review: 10th International Leptospirosis society, Palmerton North, New Zealand. 2017.

8. Warnasekara J et. al. Real time surveillance of dengue fever; a preliminary study. 47th Asia Pacific academic consortium of Public Health, 2015.

9. Warnasekara J et. al. Leptospirosis in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka; Do we have enough knowledge to control the outbreaks? ; one year follow up study. 48th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health, Tokyo University, Tokyo, Japan.; 2016:220,2-132-P

10. Warnasekara J et. al. Analysis of the quality of sleep and the daytime sleepiness among medical students in the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Annual Scientific Sessions of the physiological society of Sri Lanka.

11. Dayaratne KG, Rajapaksha LS, Warnasekara J, Koralegedara I. Hematometrocolpos in a pubescent girl with non-specific abdominal pain: case report: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2019.

12. Koralegedara KIS, Dayaratne KG, Warnasekara YPJN, Jayasinghe HMIU, Hettiarachchi DAU, Premadasa AJK, Aberathna DMPLK, Rathnayake PPASK, LAPNF De Silva, Agampodi SB. The Use of Ultrasound Scanning (USS) to determine the association of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) with Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Pregnancy (IGTIP); does the use of USS increase IGTIP Detection?. 133rd Anniversary International Medical congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020.

13. Warnasekara J, Srimantha S, Senavirathna I, Nawinne A, Kappagoda C, Farika N, Agampodi S. Does the presence of Leptospira in surface water merely random? An epidemiological explanation using a quantitative pcr analysis of water samples. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

14. Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB, Ranawaka HCJ, Dembatapitiya DRWNK, Wijesinghe PATAB, Dewapriya IKS, Koralegedara KIS, Abeynayake R. Meteorological Associations of Leptospirosis in Different Climate Zones of Sri Lanka; a Time Series Analysis. 133rd Anniversary International Medical congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020.

15. J. Warnasekara, Dinesha Jayasunedara, Indika Senevirathna, Suneth Agampodi. Pitfalls of predicting leptospirosis by common clinical and biochemical markers, Amer soc trop med hyg. 2018.

16. Janith Warnasekara, Indika Senevirathna, Shalka Srimantha, Chamila Kappagoda, Sisira Siribaddana, SAM Kularathna, Joseph Vinetz, Suneth Agampodi, Dinesha Jayasundara. 2019. “Microgeographical Difference of Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka.” In 11th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting.

17. Warnasekara J, Gamakumbura M, Koonthota S, et al. Awareness of well woman clinic services among attendees to Anuradhapura on Poson poya day: are the socially deprived at a disadvantage? Anuradhapura Med J. 2013;6(1). doi:10.4038/amj.v6i1.5766

18. Imasha Jayasinghe, Thilini Agampodi, Gayani Amarasinghe, Ayesh Hettiarachchi, Janith Warnasekera, Ravindu Ilangasinghe, Nuwan Wickramasinghe, Suneth Agampodi. A systematic approach in mental health assessment in early pregnancy: an experience from Rajarata pregnancy cohort. 25th Annual Academic Sessions of College of Community Physicians in Sri Lanka.

19. Janith Warnasekara, Suneth Agampodi. Undifferentiated febrile patients in a leptospirosis endemic setting. In 10th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting.

20. Rajapakse, R.M.S.I., Wickramasinghe, N.D., Agampodi, T.C., Amarasinghe, G., Hettiarachci, A., Jayasinghe, I.U., Koralegedara, I., Warnasekara, J., & Agampodi, S.B. (2021). Effect of pregnancy on asthma control: a cohort study in rural Sri Lanka. European Respiratory Journal, 58(S65), doi:

10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.OA4216

21. Koralegedara, K.I.S., Warnasekara, Y.P.J.N., Dayarathna, K.G., Hettiarachchi, D.A.U., Jayasinghe, H.M.I.U., Amarasinghe, G.S., Agampodi, T.C., Wickramasinghe, W.A.N.D., Premadasa, A.J.K., & Agampodi, S.B. (2020). Can the dating scan be used to detect non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in order to predict gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); A prospective cohort study. The Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 42(S), 24-25.

22. Jayasinghe, I., Hettiarachchi, A., Koralegedara, I., Amarasinghe, G., Agampodi, T.C., Dissanayake, K., Warnasekara, J., Wickramasinghe, N., Abeyrathne, P., & Agampodi, S. (2020). Female Obesity: An Emerging Threat in Sri Lanka. Current Developments in Nutrition, 4(S2), 1645. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa063_043

23. Agampodi T, Dharmasoma N, Dissanayaka T, Koralegedara, I, Warnasekara J, Perez-Escamilla R. Sri Lanka; The First Ever Only “Green Nation” in the World for Breastfeeding; Yet Lessons to Learn Through Exploring Maternal Perspectives. Curr Dev Nutr. 2020;4(Supplement_2):929-929. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzaa054_001

24. Agampodi T, Dharmasoma N, Dissanayaka T, Koralagedara I, Warnasekara J, Pérez-Escamilla R, Agampodi S. Strengths and Barriers in Achieving “Green Status” of Breastfeeding; The Story of Frontline Health Care Workers in Sri Lanka. Curr Dev Nutr. 2020 Jun 1;4(Supplement_2):151–151.

25. Rajapakse Mudiyanselage SIR, Amarasiri L, Yasaratne D, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Allergic risk factors for severe asthma among preschool children: a descriptive-analytical study from rural Sri Lanka. In: Epidemiology. Vol 8. European Respiratory Society; 2022:5. doi:10.1183/23120541.LSC-2022.5

26. Kappagoda C, Senavirathna I, Warnasekara J, Srimantha S, De Silva N, Agampodi S. Response of Human Toll–Like Receptor 2 During the Infection of Leptospirosis. Int J Infect Dis. 2022;116:S71. doi:10.1016/J.IJID.2021.12.167

27. Rajapakse RMSI, Amarasiri WADL, Yasaratne BMGD, Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB. Under-diagnosis of severe asthma among preschool children of rural Sri Lanka. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

28. Rajapakse Mudiyanselage SIR, Amarasiri L, Yasaratne D, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Prevalence and factors associated with severe asthma among preschool children of rural Sri Lanka. In: Epidemiology. Vol 56. European Respiratory Society; 2020:2607. doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2020.2607

29. Rodrigo PWDCH, Lasanthi SS, Vijithananda HHTSM, Dissanayake CS, Sanjeewa WA, Warnasekara YPJN, et al. Psychological effects of Anatomy dissections among pre-clinical medical students in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Anat J. 2019;3(2):114. doi:10.4038/slaj.v3i2.100

30. Koralegedara I, Warnasekara J, Dayaratne KG, Jayasinghe I, Hettiarachchi A, Premadasa J, Agampodi S. Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with early pregnancy miscarriages; a prospective cohort study. The Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2021 (Supplement Issue), 36-37.

31. Kelum Karunanayake, Janith Warnasekara, Amitha Fernando, Afla Sadikeen and Buddhika Tilakaratne. A mathematical model to predict the probability of defaulting anti tuberculosis treatment. Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2022.

32. Iresha Koralegedara, Janith Warnasekara, Ashani Rathnayake, Imasha Jayasinghe, Dayaratne Korale Gedara, Jagath Premadasa and Suneth Agampodi. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among pregnant women with metabolic syndrome: should early interventions be a priority? Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2022.

33. Senavirathna RMISK, Jayasundara JMDD, Warnasekara YPJN, Picardeau M, Agampodi SB, Vinetz J. Twelve novel clonal groups of Leptospira isolated from Sri Lanka. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

34. Koralegedara KIS, Warnasekara YPJN, Dayarathna KG, Premadasa AJK, De Silva NF, Agampodi SB. A predictive mathematical model for fatty liver in pregnancy in order to predict the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

35. Srimantha LASM, JMDD Jayasundara, Warnasekara YPJN, De Silva LAPNF, Kappagoda CN, Senevirathne RMISK, Agampodi SB. A novel approach of microscopic agglutination test for the diagnosis of leptospirosis; improving clinical utility and cost effectiveness. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

36. Tharindu Ramanayaka, Janith Warnasekara, Thilini Agampodi, Aloka Nadeeshani, Udeshani Rathnayaka SA. Challenges of conducting infectious disease research a guide to plan data collection in a health facility a qualitative study. In: 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Incheon, South Korea; 2017.

37. Shobha Gunathilaka, SAM Kularathna, Jayantha Rajapaksha, Thilini Ekanayaka, Janith Warnasekara RM. Does the amount of rainfall affects the incidence of dengue in dry zone ; a preliminary study in Anuradhapura district. 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Incheon, South Korea. 2017.

38. D.S.Y.K.K. Dissanayake , Y.P.J.N. Warnasekara, Agampodi SB. Using smart phone technology to monitor physical activities among Medical Students. 48th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,2016; 2016. p. 166,2-023-P.

39. R. Senavirathna, Dinesha Jayasundara, Janith Warnasekara, Suneth Agampodi. Utility of q pcr assay as a clinically relevant diagnostic test, Amer soc trop med hyg, 2018.

40. D. Jayasundara, Indika Senevirathna, Janith Warnasekara, Chandika Gamage, Suneth Agampodi, Joseph Vinetz. Culture isolation and geographical distribution of leptospira spp from patients with leptospirosis in sri lanka, Amer soc trop med hyg. 2018.

41. Y.P.D.L. Gunarathna, M.M.B.S. Marasinghe, A.R.D.S. Menuka, DM Munasinghe, Madanayaka WM, YPJN Warnasekara et al. Disease pattern and health needs among flood affected people; Rapid spot survey from Thabbowa Sri Lanka. In: 48th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health. ; 2016:146.

42. Senavirathna, I.; Warnasekara, J.; Kappagoda, C.; Srimantha, S.; De Silva, N.; Jayasundara, D.; Agampodi S. The First Isolation of Leptospira weilii in Sri Lanka and Comparative Genomic Analysis of RAST Subsystems. International Symposium of Rajarata University. 2021. http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3462

43. Hettiarachchi, A., Agampodi, S., Agampodi T., Wickramasinghe, N., Warnasekara, J., & Jayasinghe, I. (2019, November). Perceived level of English proficiency affects final year performance; a prospective cohort study, Colombo Conference on Medical Education 2019, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

44. Thilini Chanchala Agampodi, Janith Warnasekara, Suneth Agampodi et al. Poor social capital as a risk factor for maternal self-harm in Rural Sri Lanka and the role of public health system as a buffer. In: 48th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Teikyo University,Tokyo,Japan. ; 2016:203,2-097-P.

45. Sathya Sendanayaka, RR Katulanda, Janith Warnasekara, Suneth Agampodi. Do mothers of preschool children aware about Early Chlidhood Care and Development ? A preliminary study in rural ... In: 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Incheon, South Korea. 2017.

46. Shalka Srimantha Dinesha Jayasundara, Indika Senevirathna, Chamila Kappagoda, Joseph Vinetz, Janith Warnasekara, Suneth Agampodi. Use of quantitative PCR to detect lower level of Leptospiraemia: Improving the sensitivity and validity. In: 11th International Leptospirosis Society Meeting. ; 2019.

47. Indika Senevirathna, Janith Warnasekara, Michael Matthias, Joseph Vinetz, Suneth Agampodi, Niroshana Dahanayaka. 2019. “Cytokine Signature as a Predictor of Leptospirosis Clinical Manifestations.” In 11th International Leptospirosis Society.

48. Gunathilaka, M.G.R.S.S.; Warnasekara, Y.P.J.N.; Kularathna, S.A.M.; Rajapaksha, R.P.V.J.; Muthugala, M.A.R.V.; Rathnayaka RMAS. Climatic factors, the abundance of Aedes aegypti and dengue infection in Nuwaragam Palatha East (NPE) MOH area, Anuradhapura. 2018. http://repository.rjt.ac.lk:8080/handle/123456789/2154.

49. Suneth Buddhika Agampodi, Janith Warnasekara. Deficiencies in passive surveillance system in Sri Lanka; a comparison with outbreak investigation data. In: 48th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Teikyo University,Tokyo,Japan [Internet]. 2016. p. 218,2-127-P.

50. Sathya Sendanayaka, RR Katulanda, Janith Warnasekara, Suneth Agampodi. Do people aware about Leptospirosis. In: 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Incheon, South Korea. ; 2017.

51. Suneth Agampodi, Janith Warnasekara. Clinical spectrum of endemic leptospirosis : the challenge for clinicians in tropical settings with limited resources. In: 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Incheon, South Korea. ; 2017:0-2.

52. Iresha Koralegedara, Janith Warnasekara, Gayani Amarasinghe, Thilini Agampodi, Suneth Agapodi. Can we satisfy the knowledge , perception and behaviors of sexual and reproductive health among newly entering university. 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Incheon, South Korea;2017.

53. Thilini Ekanayake, MRKM Gunathilaka, YPJN Warnasekara, RMSI Rajapaksha, RMNK Senevirathne, BAM Ekanayake, MGRSS Gunathilaka, JMD Chinthani SW. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness among medical students in the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences , Rajarata University of Sri Lanka: 49th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium of Public Health,Incheon, South Korea. 2017. p. 9–11.

54. De Silva LAPNF, Kappagoda CN, Srimantha LASM, Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB. Evaluation of the changes in biochemical parameters of patients with leptospirosis. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

55. Sewwandi MMS, Senarathne, H. M. A. M.; Senarath, P. G. D. D. W.; Senarathne, M. K. U.; Senarathne, M. K. U.D.; Sandaruwan, J. K.; Sampath, G. L. P.; Warnasekara, Y. P. J. N.; Koralegedara, K. I. S. Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in pregnancy (NAFLD) and maternal weight gain during pregnancy; a retrospective study. International Symposium of Rajarata University. 2021. http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3400

56. SMKA Ranaweera, Nanayakkara NGGCS, WA Sanjeewa, HTC Perera, YPJN Warnasekara, KIS Koralegedara, CS Paththinige. Students’ perception of the educational environment in an evolving medical school in Sri Lanka: Annual Academic sessions, Anatomical Society of Sri Lanka. 2019.

57. Hema Weerakoon, Janith Warnasekara, Supun Wedasinghe. Socio demography and clinical pattern of leishmaniasis patients in an endemic district of Sri Lanka: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2019.

58. Hema Weerakoon, Sumedha Walisundara, Janith Warnasekara, Thejana Somathilaka, Upali Shantha. True burden of leprosy among community in Anuradhapura: Eighteen years period since 2001 to 2019: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2019.

59. Imasha Jayasinghe, Iresha Koralegedara, Ayesh Hettiarchchi, Janith Warnasekara, Kumara Dissanayaka, Thilini Agampodi, Suneth Agampodi. Giving birth to many children; Does it alter the body shape? A cross sectional study among pregnant mothers in Anuradhapura: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2019.

60. Koralegedara K, Warnasekara YPJN, Dayaratne KG, Premadasa AJ, Agampodi SB. Association of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and large for gestational age neonates:A prospective cohort study. International Symposium of Rajarata University. 2021. http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/3391

61. Acharige S, Jayasundara D, Warnasekara J, De Silva F, Kappagoda C, Senevirathna I, Agampodi S. Overcoming the utility barriers of microscopic agglutination test for the diagnosis of leptospirosis in low income settings. Amer Soc Trop Med Hygiène. 2021;105(5):385-386.

62. Ayesh Hettiarchchi, Niroshan Lokunarangoda, Thilini Agampodi, Imasha Jayasinghe, Iresha Koralegedara, Janith Warnasekara, Suneth Agampodi. Improving detection of heart disease in Pregnancy; preliminary analysis: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2019.

63. Nadeera Dissanayaka, Prabodha Liyanage, Udana Rathnapala, Chaminda Kottage, Rohana Dayarathna, Janith Warnasekara, Nuwan Premawardana. A cross sectional descriptive analysis to determine the CKDu burden among the Patients undergoing haemodialysis at DGH Monaragala: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2019.

64. Jayasundara JMDD, Senavirathna RMISK, Warnasekara YPJN. Isolation and characterization of pathogenic Leptospira species from Anuradhapura district: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2018.

65. Yasaratne BMGD, Weerasundra AN, Gunathilaka MGRSS, Warnasekara YPJN, Wickramasinghe KS, Wickramasinghe RS. Clinical profile of patients with Interstitial Lung Disease in Anuradhapura district: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2018.

66. Rajapakse RMSI, Amarasiri WADL, Yasaratne BMGD, Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB. Association of Severe Asthma with Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis and Eczema in a Cohort of Preschool Children of Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. 133rd Anniversary International Medical congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020

67. Nimesha PVM, Nafha MRF, Narangammana WVS, Nasrullah FZ, Navodya HAT, Nawarathna DA, Warnasekara JN, De Silva CL. Prevalence of Fatty liver(FL) among medical students of Faculty of Medicine,(FMAS), Rajarata University(RUSL); Are obese males at a high risk of getting the disease; a cross sectional study. 2nd Undergraduate research symposium, Faculty of Medicine, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. 2019.

68. Hettiarachchi DAU, Lokunarangoda NC, Agampodi TC, Jayasinghe HMIU, Koralegedara KIS, Warnasekara YPJN, Madhushika MMH, Agampodi SB. Prevalence of Cardiovascular Conditions among First Trimester Pregnant Females in Anuradhapura District. 133rd Anniversary International Medical congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020

69. Jayasinghe HMIU, Hettiarachchi DAU, Koralegedara KIS, Amarasinghe GS, Warnasekara YPJN, Wickramasinghe ND, Kumara DMA, Agampodi TC, Agampodi SB. Screening for Future Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risks: a Missed Opportunity During Pregnancy. 133rd Anniversary International Medical congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020

70. Dinith Fernando, Nipun Fernando, Thilini Ekanayake, Anjula Ekanayaka, Fathima Fazniya and Janith Warnasekara. Are people residing in villages affected by elephant attacks psychologically distressed; a cross-sectional comparative study. Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2022.

71. Nawinne NMAS, Mapa TDS, Mahara MMR, Munasinghe MMSN, Mayamulle BDDS, Musharaffa AMF, Koralegedara KIS, Warnasekara YPJN. Factors associated with teenage pregnancies in rural Sri Lanka; A case control study. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

72. Nawinne NMAS, Mapa TDS, Mahara MMR, Munasinghe MMSN, Mayamulle BDDS, Musharaffa AMF, Warnasekara YPJN, Koralegedara KIS. Adverse outcomes of teenage pregnancies of Anuradhapura Sri Lanka; a Retrospective cohort study. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

73. Kaludewa, H.N., Agampodi, T.C., Wickramasinghe, N.D., Warnasekara, J.N. (2020, December). Physical violence during early pregnancy and its associated factors: Evidence from the first trimester pregnant mothers in Anuradhapura district, Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

74. Wijesooriya IMMST, Wijesooriya AGSN, Wijesooriya DPYW, Wijesundara WMDS, Wimalarathna, AMMB, Warnasekara YPJN. Perceived challenges to wives of disabled military veterans of Sri Lanka; A qualitative study. Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Virtual Online Conference 2020.

75. Charutha Mawilmada, Navanjana Muthuhari, Dileep Marasinghe, Ishani Rathnayaka, Kaveesha Malindi, Aysha Maryam, Janith Warnasekara. Emotional intelligence (EI) among prisoners of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka; Does low EI play a role as a risk factor for imprisonment: cross sectional comparative study: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2019.

76. Weerakoon H.S , Ranawaka RR, Sumanasena B, Warnasekara J. Socio demographic and environmental risk factors of leishmaniasis transmission in endemic district in Sri Lanka; A comparative study: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2018.

77. Harsha Dassanayaka, Iresha Koralegedara, Janith Warnasekara. Self-reported prevalence of urinary tract symptoms among medical undergraduates of Rajarata University; Are geographical origin and water intake predisposing factors; a preliminary study: Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, 2017.

78. Niroshani H.R.D, Nawarathne N.G.R, Nugahapola N.W.W.M, Parakrama G.R.M.G, Obeysekara T.M.N.L , Pathirana K.D.N.D , Warnasekara Y.P.J.N. Distribution of anthropometry and blood pressure( bp) among adolescence of Anuradhapura; are urban population at a risk; a preliminary study. 131st annual medical conference, Sri Lanka Medical Association.

79. Wickramathunga PGMH, Sendanayaka S.U., Warnasekara J.N.Awareness of Breast Cancer among school girls who are residents of Kandy District; Aschool based study. APACPH-KL Early Career global public health Conference. 2019

Senior Lecturer in Community Medicine

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Lecturer in Community Medicine

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Lecturer in Masters Dissertation

Master’s degree programme, People’s open access education initiative – Royal Society of Public Health

Lecturer in Epidemiology

Master’s degree programme, People’s open access education initiative – Royal Society of Public Health

Visiting Lecturer

Centre for Education and Research of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CERCAM), Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

RESEARCH PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Field Coordinator

Developing diagnostics for Leptospirosis

NIAID of the National Institutes of Health - USA under award number U19AI115658.

Co-investigator

AHEAD – Generating evidence for ending preventable maternal deaths

Applied Health Research Expert

ECLIPSE – Empowering cutaneous Leishmaniasis patients: An Interventional programme to reduce time to treatment and Stigma via community education

Phone	:	+94753181244(office)
Email	:	jwarnasekara@med.rjt.ac.lk

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