Prof. N.K. Anjana Silva

Chair Professor

Department of Parasitology

Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Adjunct Senior Research Fellow

Monash Venom Group

Faculty of Medicine

Nursing and Health Sciences

Monash University

Australia

Research Associate

South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research Collaboration

Faculty of Medicine

University of Peradeniya

• Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka - 2007)

• Master of Philosophy (University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka – 2012)

• Doctor of Philosophy (Monash University, Australia – 2017)

• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh (FRCP Edin) 2020

• Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (FNASSL) 2024

INTERNATIONAL

• Best Oral Presentation Award – 2018: Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology 2018 Bali, Indonesia.
• Vice chancellor’s commendation for the thesis excellence 2017: Monash University, Australia.
• Best Oral Presentation Award – 2015: Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology 2015 Perth, Australia.
• Outstanding Oral Presentation -2015: American Association of Clinical Toxicologists 2015 - San Francisco, USA.
• Young Investigator 2015: European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists Julians, Malta.
• Global Young Physician Leaders’ award 2013 (Intra Academy Medical Panel and the World Academy of Sciences for 20 outstanding physician leaders in the world aged under 40 years– Berlin, Germany)

NATIONAL

• CVCD Excellence Award for the Most Outstanding Young Researcher in Medicine, Dental, Veterinary and other Allied Sciences – 2020
• TWAS/NSF Young Scientist - 2013 (Biology)– World Academy of Sciences & National Science Foundation
• Health Research Prize 2019: Kandy Society of Medicine for lifetime achievements in health research
• Presidential Awards for Scientific Publications 2005, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
• Best publication by a Physician 2014 (Awarded by the Ceylon College of Physicians)
• NRC merit award for Scientific publications 2012 - National Research Council
• Kumaradasa Rajasuriya Award for the Best Paper in Tropical Medicine 2022 - Sri Lanka Medical Association
• Sir Nicholas Attygalle Award for the best paper 2022 - Sri Lanka Medical Association
• Award for the best presentation in Pharmacology 2021 –Sri Lanka Medical Association
• Gold medal for best poster presentation 2012: (Awarded by the College of Forensic Pathologists of Sri Lanka
• Award for outstanding contributions as a Young Scientist 2008 (Ministry of Social Welfare, Sri Lanka)

UNIVERSITY-LEVEL

• RUSL Excellence Gold Award 2023 for Lifetime Research Excellence - Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
• RUSL Award for the recognition of Tiuer 4* researcher under the transparent research performance scheme of the UGC, based on h-index
• Vice-chancellor’s Award for the Most Outstanding Senior Researcher - 2022
• Top 10 researchers with the highest citations in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka-2021,2022
• Top 10 researchers with the highest h index in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka -2021-2022
• Dean’s Award for publications 2016,2017,2018,2019, 2020 and 2021

ORATIONS

Ceylon College of Physicians Oration 2024 – Ceylon College of Physicians: Topic: Bridging bench and bedside to explore the role of Indian polyvalent antivenom in treating snakebite in Sri Lanka.”

Health Research Prize Oration 2019 –  Kandy Society of Medicine: Topic: “Combining experimental and clinical studies towards a deeper understanding of snake envenoming in humans.”

Anuradhapura Clinical Society Oration 2018 – Anuradhapura Clinical Society: Topic: “Snake envenoming and Antivenom: the clinical relevance and irrelevance of animal models”

Dr S. Ramachandran memorial oration 2018 – Sri Lanka Medical AssociationTopic: “Antivenoms in the treatment of neurotoxic snakebite: effectiveness and limitations.”

Research

• Epidemiology, clinical effects, Pathophysiology, Treatment and Prevention of snake envenoming
• Pharmacology of snake venom toxins
• Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Sri Lanka
• Systematics of venomous snakes
• Systematic Ichthyology

Grants

• Principal Investigator: Seroprevalance of toxoplasmosis in pregnant woman in Anuradhapura – Rajarata University Research Grants 2018 Rs. 830,000.00
• Principal Investigator: Exploration of the role of inflammatory response in the outcome of viper bite envenoming in Sri Lanka – Rajarata University Research Grants 2024 Rs. 950,000.00

2024

Wijesinghe WAK, Rathnasekara T, Wanniarachchi AW, Silva A, Siribaddana SH. ATAK (Adrenaline, Takotsubo, anaphylaxis, and Kounis hypersensitivity associated syndrome) following common cobra (Naja naja) bite: A case report from Sri Lanka. Toxicon 2024 in press

Wedasingha S, Silva A, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Utility of Three Serum Biomarkers for Early Detection of Systemic Envenoming Following Viper Bites in Sri Lanka. Annals of Emergency Medicine 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.06.023

Waiddyanatha S, Silva A, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Health issues and related health-seeking behaviours of snakebite patients after hospital discharge: A cohort study from rural Sri Lanka. Toxicon 2024; doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107840.

Johnston CI, Silva A, Hodgson W, Isbister GK. Investigating skeletal muscle biomarkers for the early detection of Australian myotoxic snake envenoming: an animal model pilot study. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2024 May;62(5):280-287.doi: 10.1080/15563650.2024.2349690.

Gunawardena C, Samarathunga H, Bandara D, Kiridena A, Silva A. Merrem's Hump-Nosed Viper (Hypnale hypnale) Bite on the Tongue of an Infant Leading to Upper Airway Obstruction: An Unusual Presentation. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. 2024 May 10:10806032241252109.

Chathuranga M, Ponnudurai S, Christopher P, Sanuj I, Silva A. A Bite by Shaw’s Short Sea Snake (Hydrophis curtus): A Case of Mild Myotoxicity or a Dry Bite? Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/10806032241230280

2023

Pilapitiya S, Jayasinghe S, Silva A, Wickremasinghe R, Paranagama P, De Silva J, Lekamwasam S, Kularatne SAM, Wanigasuriya K, Kaluthota S, Sumathipala S, Rathnnasooriya C, Siribaddana S. Approach to Study the Efficacy and Safety of New Complementary and Alternative Medicine Formulations: Lesson during COVID-19 from Sri Lanka. WHO South East Asia J Public Health. 2023 Jan-Jun;12(1):57-62. doi: 10.4103/WHO-SEAJPH.WHO-SEAJPH_67_22.

Wedasinghe, S., Isbister, G.K., Siribaddana, S. and Silva, A. Twenty-minute whole blood clotting test delays detection of coagulopathy in snakebite, use international normalised ratio. Ceylon Medical Journal 2023, 68(2), p.43-46.DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/cmj.v68i2.9807

Madhushani HU, Isbister GK, Hodgson WC, Siribaddana S, Silva A. Antivenom for local effects of snake envenoming Ceylon Journal of Science 52 (3) 2023: 241-253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v52i3.8209

Waiddyanatha S, Silva A, Wedasingha S, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Incidence of serum sickness following Indian polyvalent antivenom therapy in a cohort of snake-envenomed patients in rural Sri Lanka. Clinical Toxicology. 2023 Jul 14:1-6.

Silva A, de Alwis T, Wijesekara S, Somaweera R. Minimising misidentification of common medically important snakes of Sri Lanka in the hospital setting. Anuradhapura Medical Journal 2023; 17 (2): 50-57

Silva A, Weerakoon K, Pushpakumara J, Paththinige S. Outstation state medical faculties in Sri Lanka: nobody’s children when it comes to sustainability! Anuradhapura Medical Journal 2023; 17 (2): 1-3

Waiddyanatha S, Silva A, Weerakoon K, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Does snake envenoming cause chronic kidney disease? A cohort study in rural Sri Lanka. Clinical Toxicology. 2023;61(1):47-55. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2147843.

2022

Jayakody NK, Kumbukgahadeniya PL, Silva A, Wickramasinghe ND, Wickramasinghe S, McManus DP, Weerakoon K. The accuracy of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) in detecting human intestinal nematode infections: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS ONE 2022; 17(12): e0278920. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0278920

Waiddyanatha S, Silva A, Weerakoon K, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Does snake envenoming cause chronic kidney disease? A cohort study in rural Sri Lanka. Clinical Toxicology. 2022 Nov 28:1-9.

Wedasingha S, Silva A, Siribaddana S, Seneviratne K, Isbister GK. Comparison of bedside clotting tests for detecting venom-induced consumption coagulopathy following Sri Lankan viper envenoming. Clinical Toxicology 2022; https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2022.2128816.

Wedasingha S, Sarathchandra C, Weerawansa P, Rathnasekara T, Karunarathna S, Isbister GK, Silva A. Kounis syndrome following an anaphylactic reaction to antivenom in a patient with Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) bite: a case report. Toxicon 2022; 218:66-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.09.006

Waiddyanatha S, Silva A, Weerakoon K, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Long-term health effects perceived by snakebite patients in rural Sri Lanka: A cohort study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022;16(9):e0010723. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010723 

Silva A, Weerakoon K. Ensuring responsible conduct of research and publications in Sri Lankan context: an eye-opener. Anuradhapura Med. J. 2022; 16(2), pp.1–3. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/amj.v16i2.7731

Thakshila P, Hodgson WC, Isbister GK, Silva A. In Vitro Neutralization of the Myotoxicity of Australian Mulga Snake (Pseudechis australis) and Sri Lankan Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii) Venoms by Australian and Indian Polyvalent Antivenoms. Toxins. 2022; 14(5):302. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14050302

Huynh TM, Hodgson WC, Isbister GK, Silva A. The effect of Australian and Asian commercial antivenoms in reversing the post-synaptic neurotoxicity of O. hannah, N. naja and N. kaouthia venoms in vitro. Toxins 2022, 14(4), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14040277.

Huynh TM, Silva A, Isbister GK, Hodgson WC. Isolation and Characterization of Two Postsynaptic Neurotoxins From Indian Cobra (Naja naja) Venom. Front. Pharmacol. 2022. 13:815079. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.815079.

Priyankara S, Rathnasiri V, Mihiran T, Premawansa G, Isbister GK, Silva A. Mild venom-induced consumption coagulopathy associated with thrombotic microangiopathy following a juvenile Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming: A case report. Toxicon. 2022 Mar 26;S0041-0101(22)00085-X. 

Silva A, Weerakoon K. Anuradhapura Medical Journal (AMJ): Swimming against the tide. Anuradhapura Med. J. 2022; 16 (1): 1-2, DOI: http://doi.org/ 10.4038/amj.v16i1.7720

Amarakoon G, Wedasingha S, Sandakelum I, Chandrakumara J, Silva A. Myocarditis and severe neuromuscular paralysis following a suspected Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) envenoming in a child: A case report. Anuradhapura Med. J. 2022; 16 (1): 26-30, DOI: http://doi.org/ 10.4038/amj.v16i1.7713

Silva A, Scorgie FE, Lincz LF, Maduwage K, Siribaddana S and Isbister GK. Indian Polyvalent Antivenom Accelerates Recovery From Venom-Induced Consumption Coagulopathy (VICC) in Sri Lankan Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii) Envenoming. Front. Med. 2022; 9:852651. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.852651

Huynh TM, Silva A,  Isbister GK and  Hodgson W. Isolation and pharmacological characterization of α-elapitoxin-Oh3a, a long-chain post-synaptic neurotoxin from King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom. Front. Pharmacol. 2022; 13:815069. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.815069

Silva A, Hodgson WC, Tasoulis T and Isbister GK. Rodent Lethality Models Are Problematic for Evaluating Antivenoms for Human Envenoming. Front. Pharmacol. 2022 13:830384. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.830384

2021

Madhushani U, Thakshila P, Hodgson WC, Isbister GK, Silva A. Effect of Indian polyvalent antivenom in the prevention and reversal of local myotoxicity induced by common cobra (Naja naja) venom from Sri Lanka in-vitro. Toxins 2021;13(5):308. doi: 10.3390/toxins13050308

2020

Silva A, Hlusicka J, Siribaddana N, Waiddyanatha S, Pilapitiya S, Weerawansa P, Lokunarangoda, Thalgaspitiya S, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Time delays in treatment of snakebite patients in Rural Sri Lanka and the need for Rapid Diagnostic Tests. PLoS Neg. Trop. Dis. 2020

Madhushani U, Isbister GK, Tasoulis T, Hodgson WC, Silva A. In-Vitro Neutralization of the Neurotoxicity of Coastal Taipan Venom by Australian Polyvalent Antivenom: The Window of Opportunity. Toxins 2020; 12, 690.

Silva A, Jayakody S, Ranasinghe N, Manawaduge A, Perera K. First Authenticated Case of a Bite by Rare and Elusive Blood-Bellied Coral Snake (Calliophis haematoetron). Wilderness Environ Med. 2020: S1080-6032(20)30122-8. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2020.06.012.

Wedasingha S, Isbister G, Silva A. Bedside Coagulation Tests in Diagnosing Venom-Induced Consumption Coagulopathy in Snakebite. Toxins 2020;12(9):E583. doi: 10.3390/toxins12090583.

Thalgaspitiya S, Isbister G, Ukuwela K, Sarathchandra C, Senanayake H, Lokunarangoda N, Siribaddana S, Silva A. Bites by snakes of lesser medical importance in a cohort of snakebite patients from rural Sri Lanka. Toxicon 2020; 187:105-110. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.08.025

Tasoulis T, Silva A, Veerati PC, Baker M, Hodgson WC, Dunstan N, Isbister GK. Intra-Specific Venom Variation in the Australian Coastal Taipan Oxyuranus scutellatus. Toxins 2020, 12, 485.

Silva A, Isbister GK. Current research into snake antivenoms, their mechanisms of action and applications. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48(2):537-546.

2019 

Waiddyanatha S, Silva A, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Long term effects of snake envenoming. Toxins 2019; 11:193

Kumara H, Seneviratne N, Jayaratne DS, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK, Silva A. Severe coagulopathy in Merrem's hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) envenoming unresponsive to fresh frozen plasma: A case report. Toxicon 2019; doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.03.015.

Silva A, Sedgwick EM, Weerawansa P, Pilapitiya S, Weerasinghe V, Buckley N, Siribaddana S & Isbister GK. Neuromuscular dysfunction after envenoming by Merrem’s hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale), Toxicology Communications 2019, 3:1, 23-28, DOI: 10.1080/24734306.2018.1560991

Kakumanu R, Kemp-Harper BK, Silva A, Kuruppu S, Isbister GK, Hodgson WC. An in vivo examination of the differences between rapid cardiovascular collapse and prolonged hypotension induced by snake venom. Scientific reports 2019; 9(1):20231.

2018

Silva A, Cristofu-Armstrong B, Rash LD, Hodgson W, Isbister GK. Defining the role of a-neurotoxins in paralysis due to snake envenoming in humans. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 2018; DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2893-x.

Isbister GK, Silva A. Addressing the global challenge of snake envenoming. Lancet 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31328-X.

De Silva PUT, Sarathchandra C, Senanayake H, Pilapitiya S, Siribaddana S, Silva A. Hyponatraemia and seizures in Merrem’s Hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) envenoming: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports 2018; DOI: 10.1186/s13256-018-1756-2.

2017     

Silva A, Hodgson WC, Isbister GK. Antivenom for neuromuscular paralysis resulting from snake envenoming. Toxins 2017; 9(4): 143.

Silva A, Maduwage K, Buckley NA, Lalloo DG, de Silva HJ, Isbister GK. Antivenom for snake venom-induced neuromuscular paralysis (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD012604. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012604.

Silva A, Kuruppu S, Othman I, Goode RJ, Hodgson WC, Isbister GK. Neurotoxicity in Sri Lankan Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii) Envenoming is Primarily due to U1-viperitoxin-Dr1a, a Pre-Synaptic Neurotoxin. Nerurotox Res. 2017; DOI 10.1007/s12640-016-9650-4

2016     

Silva A, Johnston CJ, Kuruppu S, Kniesz D, Maduwage K, Kleifield, O, Smith I, Siribaddana S, Buckley N, Hodgson WC, Isbister GK. Clinical and Pharmacological Investigation of Myotoxicity in Sri Lankan Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii) Envenoming. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016;10 (12): e0005172

Silva A, Hodgson WC, Isbister GK. Cross-Neutralisation of In Vitro Neurotoxicity of Asian and Australian Snake Neurotoxins and Venoms by Different Antivenoms. Toxins (Basel). 2016;8(10). pii: E302.

Kularatne SA, Weerakoon K, Silva A, Maduwage K, Walathara C, Rathnayake I, Medagedara S, Paranagama R, Mendis S, Kumarasiri PV. Efficacy of intravenous hydrocortisone administered 2-4 h prior to antivenom as prophylaxis against adverse drug reactions to snake antivenom in Sri Lanka: An open labelled randomized controlled trial. Toxicon 2016; 120:159-65.

Maduwage K, Silva A, O’Leary M, Hodgson WC, Isbister GK. Efficacy of Indian polyvalent snake antivenoms against Sri Lankan snake venoms: lethality studies or clinically focussed in vitro studies. Sci. Rep. 2016, 6: 26778; doi: 10.1038/srep26778 (2016).

Maduwage KP, O’Leary MA, Silva A, Isbister GK. Detection of Snake Venom in Post-Antivenom Samples by Dissociation Treatment Followed by Enzyme Immunoassay. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8: 130

Silva A, Maduwage K, Sedgwick M, Pilapitiya S, Weerawansa P, Dahanayaka NJ, Buckley NA, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Neurotoxicity in Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming in Sri Lanka: a clinical and neurophysiological study. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2016 Jun;54(5):411-9.

Silva A, Maduwage K, Sedgwick M, Pilapitiya S, Weerawansa P, Dahanayaka NJ, Buckley NA, Johnston C, Siribaddana S, Isbister GK. Neuromuscular Effects of Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) Envenoming in Sri Lanka. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016;10(2):e0004368.

2014 

Silva A, Hifumi T, Sakai A, Yamamoto A, Murakawa M, Ato M, Shibayama K, Ginnaga A, Kato H, Koido Y, Inoue J, Abe Y, Kawakita K, Hagiike M, Kuroda Y. Rhabdophis tigrinus is not a pit viper but its bites result in venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy similar to many viper bites. J Intensive Care 2014 Jul 31;2(1):43.

Silva A, Samarasinghe R, Pilapitiya S, Dahanayake N, Siribaddana S. Viper bites complicate chronic agrochemical nephropathy in rural Sri Lanka. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2014;20:33.

Giles ML, Vincent FB, Volkenstein S, Shefin SM, Silva A, Fredrick F; Young Physician Leadership Group 2013. What has the Young Physician Leaders Programme achieved? Lancet 2014;384(9937):26-7.

Silva A, Marikar F, Murugananthan A, Agampodi S. Awareness and perceptions on prevention, first aid and treatment of Snake bites among Sri Lankan farmers: A knowledge practice mismatch? J Occuational Med Toxicol 2014; 9: 20.

Silva A, Weilgama D, Gawarammana I, Gunawardena P. Venoms of South Asian hump-nosed pit vipers (Genus: Hypnale) cause muscarinic effects in BALB/c mice. Anuradhapura Med J 2014; 8 (1): 13-15.

Kularatne SAM, Silva A, Weerakoon KGAD, Maduwage K, Walathara C, Mendis S, Paranagama R.Revisiting Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) bite in Sri Lanka: Is abdominal pain an early feature of systemic envenoming? PLoS ONE 2014; 9 (2):e90198.

Kularatne SAM, Silva A, Maduwage K, Ratnayake I, Walathara C, Mendis S, Pranagama R. Victims' response to snakebite and socio-epidemiological factors of 1018 snakebites in a tertiary carehospital in Sri Lanka. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine 2014; 25: 35-40

2013

Kanapathy G, Peiris LB, Goodacre S, Silva A, Jude P, Surendran S. Molecular identification of potential leishmaniasis vector species within the Phlebotomus(Euphlebotomus) argentipes species complex in Sri Lanka. Parasites and Vectors 2013; 6:302.

Silva A. Dangerous snakes, deadly snakes and medically important snakes. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 2013; 19:26.

Silva A, Gamlaksha D, Waiddyaratne D. Medico-legal significance of the identification of offending snake in a fatal snake bite: a case report. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine 2013; 20 (8): 965-967

Silva A, Weerawansa P, Pilapitiya S, Maduwage T, Siribaddana S.  First authenticated report of Sri Lankan Flying Snake (Chrysopelea taprobanica) bite. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine 2013; 24(3): 273-6

Maduwage K, Scorgie F, Silva A, Shahmy S, Mohamed F, Abeysinghe C, Karunathilake H, Lincz L, Ariaratnam A, Isbister GK. Hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) envenoming causes mild coagulopathy with incomplete clotting factor consumption. Clinical Toxicology 2014;51(7):527-31

Maduwage K, Isbister GK_, Silva A, Bowatta S, Mendis S, Gawarammana I.^. Epidemiology and clinical effects of Hump-nosed pit viper (Genus: Hypnale) envenoming in Sri Lanka, Toxicon 2013;61:11-15.

2012

Maduwage K,Silva A.Hemipeneal morphology of Sri Lankan Dragon lizards (Sauria: Agamidae), Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.)2012;41 (2): 111-123

Silva A, Pilapitiya S, Siribaddana S. Acute Myocardial Infarction following a possible direct intravenous bite of Russell’s viper (Daboia russelli).BMC Research Notes 2012; 5:500

Silva A, Gunawardena P, Weilgama D, Maduwage K, Gawarammana I.Comparative in-vivo toxicity of venoms from South Asian hump-nosed pit vipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae: Hypnale).BMC Research notes 2012; 5:471

2010      

Silva A, Maduwage K, Pethiyagoda R. A review of the genus Rasbora in Sri Lanka, with description of two new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 2010; 21(1):27-50.

2009 

Maduwage K, Silva A, Manamendra-Arachchi K, Pethiyagoda R. A taxonomic revision of the South Asian hump-nosed vipers (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae: Hypnale), Zootaxa 2009; 2232: 1-28

2008

Maduwage K, Meegaskumbura M, Silva A, Pethiyagoda R. Phylogenetic implications of hemipenial morphology in Sri Lankan Agamid lizards, Current Science 2008; 95 (7): 838-840.

Pethiyagoda R, Silva A, Maduwage K, Kariyawasam L. The Sri Lankan spiny eel, Macrognathus pentopthalmos (Teleostei: Mastacembelidae), and its enigmatic decline. Zootaxa 2008; 1931: 37-48.

Pethiyagoda R, Silva A, Maduwage K. Mystus ankutta, a new catfish from Sri Lanka (Teleostei: Bagridae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 2008;19: 233-242.

Pethiyagoda R, Silva A, Maduwage K, Meegaskumbura M. Puntius kelumi, a new species of cyprinid fish from Sri Lanka (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 2008; 19: 201-214.

Silva A, Maduwage K, Pethiyagoda R. Puntius kamalika, a new species of barb from Sri Lanka (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa 2008; 1824: 55-64.

Meegaskumbura M, Silva A, Maduwage K, Pethiyagoda R. Puntius reval, a new barb from Sri Lanka (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 2008, 19: 141-152.

Pethiyagoda R, Kottelat M, Silva A, Maduwage K, Meegaskumbura M. A review of the genus Laubuca in Sri Lanka, with description of three new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 2008, 19: 7-26.

2005      

Bahir M, Silva A. Otocryptis nigristigma, A new species of Agamid lizard from Sri Lanka, The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 2005; Supplement No: 12: 393-406.

2004      

Batuwita S, Maduwage K, Silva A. Snakes of Mount Gannoruwa, Central Sri Lanka, Lyriocephalus 2004;5(1&2): 150. 

2003 

Maduwage K, Silva A, Batuwita S. Snakes killed on the gardens of University of Peradeniya, Loris 2003, 23 (3&4): 22-24.

• Lecturing, tutoring and conducting practical classes and assessments on Medial Parasitology for MBBS students – Rajarata University of Sri Lanka since 2009.

• Teaching associate in Pharmacology 3021, 3032 and 2022 modules of the Monash University, Australia (2015-2016)

• Problem Based Learning (PBL) tutor for the 1st year and 2nd year MBBS students of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences of the Monash University – Australia (2016)

• Examiner for 1st and 2nd year clinical skills OSCEs of the summative assessments of the Monash MBBS programme – Australia 2016.

Major Projects

• Anuradhapura Snakebite Cohort – since 2012

• Antivenoms for neurotoxicity and local effects in snake envenoming - since 2017

• Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy in Anuradhapura – 2018-2020

INTERNATIONAL FORUMS 

Invited talk: 22^nd International Congress of Asia Pacific Association of Clinical Toxicology (APAMT) – 13^th November 2024 – Penang, Malaysia; Title: “A Decade of Antivenom Reactions in Rural Sri Lanka: Has Adrenaline Premedication Worked?”

Keynote address: Toxicology And Poisons Network Australasia (TAPNA) – 28th April 2023 -  Pan Pacific Perth, Perth Australia; title “Snakes and more snakes: challenges in the diagnosis of management of snakebite in rural Sri Lanka.”

Invited Talk: Tox Info Suisse (Swiss Poison Information Centre) – 30^th September 2021: title ”Combining experimental and clinical studies towards a deeper understanding of snake envenoming in humans.” Delivered online.

Keynote: North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) –27^th November 2019 -, Nashville, USA.Topic: “Charcoal in resource-poor settings – Why did a large negative RCT lead to more use of charcoal and better outcomes?”

Plenary lecture - Toxicology and Poisons Network Australasia (TAPNA)– 3^rd May 2019 –Gold Coast, Australia. Topic: “Does post-synaptic neurotoxicity occur in snakebite?”

Invited talk: 2^nd International Congress of the Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine, University of Peradeniya – 8^th December 2017, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Topic: “Snake venom neurotoxins and their relevance to paralysis in humans.”

Invited talk: 16^th International Congress of the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology  (APAMT) -  9^th November 2017,. Topic: “Snake alpha neurotoxins: clinically relevant or irrelevant?"

Invited talk: 16^th International Congress of the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology (APAMT) -  8^th November 2017, Topic: “Understanding the role of antivenom in treating neuromuscular dysfunction in snake envenoming"

Keynote address: Congress of the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT) – 19^th May 2017, Basel, Switzerland. Topic:” Biomarkers in snake envenoming: Local data prompts broad applications”

Invited talk: Early Career Speaker: Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR ) –29^th April 2016 Newcastle, Australia. Topic:” Investigating the neuromuscular dysfunction in Sri Lankan Russell’s viper envenoming.”

NATIONAL AND LOCAL FORUMS

Plenary lecture: RESCON2024 Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya: “Decoding the problem of snakebite: a complex public health problem due to a complex interaction between humans, venomous snakes, climate and the environment.”, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Invited Talk:  Beyond Medicine – Ceylon College of Physicians – “Researching Neglected Wonders of Nature” – 30th September 2023

Invited talk: TAPNA workshop for Emergency Medicine Registrars – Kotelawala Defence University – 2nd November 2023: “Controversies of managing snakebite”

Keynote speech: Applied Sciences Undergraduate Research Sessions (ASURS) 2023 on 10th May 2023 –“Four advices for young scientists”

Invited panel discussion: “Meet the professor” segment: “Snakebite: all you need to know.” Annual Academic Sessions, Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine – 7th November 2022.

Invited talk: Kandy Society of Medicine – 30th September 2020, National Hospital, Kandy. Topic “Controversies in snakebite management”

Invited talk: Anuradhapura Clinical Society and Jaffna Medical Association Joint symposium – 10th April 2019, Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura. Topic: Controversies in managing snakebite.

Invited talk: Regional Meeting of the Physiological Society of Sri Lanka – 15th March 2019, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Topic: Snake neurotoxins: Perfect weapons of perfect killers.

Invited talk: Ceylon College of Physicians – Toxicology Day – 4th May 2018. CLINMarc Auditorium, National Hospital, Colombo. Topic: “Antivenoms in the treatment of neurotoxic snakebite”

RESOURCE PERSON IN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS

Australian Society for Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology (ASCEPT) Clinical Pharmacology Workshop : at the annual congress 2016: “Reality bites from bench to bedside – the latest scoop on snake bite and anti-venom research”. – 27th November 2016, Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia.

Toxicology and Poisons Network Australasia (TAPNA) workshop at the 14th International Conference of the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology (APAMT): “Toxic Issues in Acute Care 2015” – 1st December 2015 – University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.