Dr. Shashanka Rajapakse

Senior Lecturer 

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

Secretary Rajarata University Teachers’ Union - April 2022 – to date

Professional memberships

European Respiratory Society (gold member) - 2020

Physiological Society of Sri Lanka (life member) - 2018

Sri Lanka Medical Association (life member) - 2018

National Science Foundation (life member) - 2018

Sri Lanka Medical Council - 2017

Positions held at professional organizations

Copy editor Anuradhapura Medical Journal - 2021 - to date

Executive committee member Physiological Society of Sri Lanka - 2021 - to date

Executive committee member Anuradhapura Clinical Society - 2020 - to date

MBBS (Rajarata), Master of Philosophy in Respiratory Physiology, Master of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Peradeniya)

Awards

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Research grant   - 2021

Travel grant to attend the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Early Career Conference  - 2019

Travel grant to attend the 2^nd World Summit on Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine  - 2018

Original articles and reviews in science-citation and science-citation-expanded journals

1. Rajapakse S, Wickramasinghe N, Warnasekara J, Abeyrathna P, Amarasinghe G, Hettiarachchi AU, 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. PLoS ONE. 2022 Jul 14;17(7): e0269888.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269888

2. 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. Paediatr. 2022 Feb 3;68(2):fmac017.

DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmac017

3. Rajapakse RMSI, Rajapakse S. Single-walled carbon nanotube-based biosensors for detection of bronchial inflammation. Int. J. Nanosci. 2021 Sep 16;20(4):2130002.

DOI: 10.1142/S0219581X21300029

4. Rajapakse RMSI, Amarasiri WADL, Yasaratne BMGD, Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB. Epidemiology of wheeze among preschool children: a population-based cross-sectional study from rural Sri Lanka. BMJ Open. 2021 Jul 1;11(7):e046688.

DOI:10.1136/ bmjopen-2020-046688.

5. Dunuweera SP, Rajapakse RMSI, Rajapakshe RBSD, Wijekoon SHDP, Thilakarathna MGGSN, Rajapakse RMG. Review on targeted drug delivery carriers used in nanobiomedical applications. Current Nanoscience. 2019;15(4):382-397.

DOI: 10.2174/1573413714666181106114247

Original articles and reviews in non-indexed journals

1. Rajapakse S, Agamodi S, Yasaratne D, Warnasekara J, Lakmali A. Lung function assessment in preschool children with symptoms of asthma: A preliminary study. Anuradhapura Medical Journal. 2023 Jul 05;17(2):11-19.

DOI: 10.4038/amj.v17i2.7780

2. Thennakoon S, Sumanapala V, Siriwardhana T, Subhanee T, Sridharan S, Sulakkahana S, Rajapakse S. Epidemiology of eczema among adolescents aged 13-14 years from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka: an analytical cross-sectional study. Anuradhapura Medical Journal. 2023 Jul 05;17(2):4-10.

DOI: 10.4038/amj.v17i2.7779

3. Gunathilaka MRKM, Rajapakse RMSI, Senevirathne NK, Ekanayake BA, Gunathilaka MGRSS, Chinathani D, et al. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in medical students of a state University of Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study. Anuradhapura Medical Journal. 2020 Dec 31;14(2):5-9.

DOI: 10.4038/amj.v14i2.7677.

4. Rajapakse RMSI, Yasarathne D, Amarasiri WADL. Lung function assessment in preschool children; a review of the utility of basic spirometry, interrupter technique and forced oscillation technique. Anuradhapura Medical Journal. 2018 Sept 06;11(1):31-36

DOI: 10.4038/amj.v11i1.7641

Oral and poster presentations at international conferences

1. I. R. Rajapakse Mudiyanselage, L. Amarasiri, D. Yasaratne, J. Warnasekara, S.Agampodi. Allergic risk factors for severe asthma among preschool children: a descriptive-analytical study from rural Sri Lanka. 20^th Lung Science Conference 2022 March 10-13, Estoril, Portugal, 2022
2. Rajapakse RMSI, Wickramasinge ND, Agampodi TC, Amarasinghe G, Hettiarachchi A, Jayasinge IU, et al. Effect of pregnancy on asthma control: a cohort study in rural Sri Lanka. European Respiratory Society International Virtual Conference 2021. 2021 Sep 5-8.

DOI: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.OA4216

3. Rajapakse RMSI, Amarasiri WADL, Yasarathne D, Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB. Under-diagnosis of severe asthma among preschool children of rural Sri Lanka. Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health International Virtual Conference 2020. 2020 Dec 5-9.
4. Kapuwatta KWDC, Karunarathna HMSW, Karunathilaka TWMSV, Karunathilake MKP, Keshari JPHC, Kodithuwakku KAVK, Rajapakse RMSI. Quality of life and symptom control among asthmatic patients attending the respiratory clinic of Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health International Conference 2020, 2020 Dec 5-9.
5. Rajapakse RMSI, Amarasiri WADL, Yasarathne D, Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB. Prevalence and factors associated with severe asthma among preschool children of rural Sri Lanka. European Respiratory Society International Virtual Conference 2020, 2020.09.7-9.

DOI: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2020.2607

6. Rajapakse RMSI, Wickramage SP. Evaluation of the occupational hazard of rice husk dust particle exposure on lung function. APACPH-KL Early Career Global Public Health Conference, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2019 Apr 11-12; 44.
7. Wijerathna LGCD, Wijerathna MND, Wijerathna HMRD, Wijerathna KDWA, Wijerathna MGHKM, Wijesiri SACM, Rajapakse RMSI. The knowledge and the attitude among schoolteachers of the Anuradhapura district about Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in school children. APACPH-KL Early Career Global Public Health Conference, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2019 Apr 11-12; 56.
8. Rajapakse RMSI. Review of atmospheric particulate matter contributing to lung diseases. 2^nd World Summit on Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine, London, England. 2018 Feb 15; 25-26.
9. Gunathilaka MRKM, Rajapakse RMSI, Senevirathne NK, Ekanayake BA, Gunathilaka MGRSS, Chinathani D, et al. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness among medical students of Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. 49^th Asia Pacific Consortium of Public Health Conference, Yonsei University International Campus, Seoul, Korea. 2017 Aug 17-19;297-298.

Oral and poster presentations at local conferences

1. Subhanee KKT, Thennakoon TMSL, Sivabalan PS, Sumanapla SDVK, Sulakkhana MS, Sriwardhana SJTC, Rajapakse RMSI. Epidemiology of asthma among children aged 13-14 years and control of asthma symptoms among children with severe asthma from Anuradhapura municipal council area, Sri Lanka. 136^th Anniversary International Medical Congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association. 2023 Jul 25-28; 81
2. Sulakkhana MS, Dissanayaka DMSD, Dissanayake MRS, Hordagoda IC, Arampath AMAS, Rajapakse RMSI. Indoor particulate matter levels in the classrooms of government schools located in Anuradhapura municipal council area, Sri Lanka: a descriptive cross-sectional study. 136^th Anniversary International Medical Congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association. 2023 Jul 25-28; 81
3. Nayakarathne G, Perera D, Edirisinghe Y, Chandrasiri P, Ananda K, Rajapakse S, Nuwangi H. Experiences and perspectives of 13–14-year-old adolescents with severe asthma during lung function testing: qualitative study. 15^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2023 July 26-27; 2.
4. Perera D, Nayakarathne G, Chandrasiri P, Ananda K, Edirisinghe Yeheni, Rajapakse S, Nuwangi H. Challenges faced by trainees when conducting spirometry in adolescents: qualitative study.15^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2023 July 26-27; 8.
5. Siriwardhana T, Sulakkhana S, Thennakoon Sajeewa1, Sumanapala V, Subhanee T, Sridharan S, Rajapakse S. Epidemiology of allergic rhinitis among 13-14-year-old adolescents from Anuradhapura municipal council area, Sri Lanka. 15^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2023 July 26-27; 14.
6. Sumanapala V, Siriwardhana T, Thennakoon S, Subhanee T, Sridharan S, Sulakkhana S, Rajapakse S. Epidemiology of eczema among adolescents aged 13-14 years from Anuradhapura municipal council area, Sri Lanka. 15^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2023 July 26-27; 20.
7. Thennakoon S, Sumanapala V, Siriwardhana T, Subhanee T, Sridharan S, Sulakkhana S, Nuwangi H, Rajapakse S. Epidemiology of asthma and the experiences, challenges, and perceptions of parents of adolescents with poorly controlled asthma from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka: cross-sectional study. 15^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2023 July 26-27; 26.
8. Chandrasiri P, Ananda K, Perera D, Nayakarathne G, Edirisinghe Y, Rajapakse S. Lung function assessment of 13-14-year-old school children with severe asthma from Anuradhapura municipal council area, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 15^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura Clinical Society, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2023 July 26-27; 27.
9. Rajapakse RMSI, Amarasiri WADL, Yasaratne BMGD, Chandrakumara WAJC, Agampodi SB. Lung function assessment in preschool children with spirometry and impulse oscillometry, Respire 13 Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2023 Feb 6-7; 59.
10. Munasinghe MVSP,Mohammed MMM,Muneer AHA, Mushrifa MMF, Nahrin MCF, Nanayakkara PH, Rajapakse RMSI. Epidemiology of chronic diseases among pregnant women from Wellawaya medical officer of health division, Monaragala district, Sri Lanka. 14^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2022 Mar 23-25; 83-84
11. Rajapakse RMSI, Amarasiri WADL, Yasarathne D, Warnasekara YPJN, Agampodi SB. Association of severe asthma with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in a cohort of preschool children of Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. 133^rd Anniversary International Medical Congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2020.07.24-26; 24
12. Rajapakse RMSI. Review of ecology of the gut microbiota and human immunity. 4^th International Research Symposium of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Investing in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (ISIBES 2018), Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2018 Oct 17-18; 171.
13. Rajapakse RMSI. Review: Role of gut microbiome in health and disease. 12^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2018 Sep 25-27; 47.
14. Rajapakse RMSI, Kumari AMMV. Review: the protective role of the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease. 12^th Annual Scientific Sessions, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. 2018 Sep 25-27;48

Senior Lecturer

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

Lecturer (probationary)

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka - Nov 2017 – June 2022

Intern medical officer

Teaching Hospital, Kandy - Nov 2016 – Nov 2017

Temporary Lecturer

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka - Feb 2016 – Nov 2016

Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort (RaPCo)