URC Multidisciplinary and URG research grants at the JRDC

A Multidisciplinary Research Grant titled “Characterization of the microbiota of water sources in selected CKDu endemic areas of Sri Lanka, and its association with water chemistry’’ has been awarded to a UoP-JRDC research team by the University Research Council (URC) of the University of Peradeniya (UoP).

The proposed research will explore the association of water chemistry and microbes (bacteria and viruses) with CKDu in selected CKDu endemic dry zone areas of Sri Lanka compared to that in non-CKDu dry/wet control areas. The presence of ARGs in well water will also be detected to understand the expansion of antimicrobial resistance.

One of the aims of the JRDC is to conduct collaborative research among its three partners; the Ministry of Water Supply (MoWS), the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), and UoP. The proposed research will fulfill the JRDC aims since most of the proposed work is expected to be carried out at the JRDC with collaborations from UoP, MoWS and CAS. Dr Rasika Jinadasa (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UoP) acts as the principal investigator. Prof SHP Parakrama Karunaratne from the Faculty of Science, Prof. Faseeha Noordeen from the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Sarangi Athukorala from the Faculty of Science, Dr. Thejanee Premachandra (Chemist/ JRDC), Dr. S.K. Weragoda (acting Director/JRDC), and Dr. Madhubhashini Makehelwala (Deputy Acting Director/ JRDC) from the MoWS act as Co-Investigators of the project.

A University Research Grant (URG) titled “Investigation of the extent of Escherichia coli O157:H7 distribution in cattle manure, raw beef and their contaminated wastewater in Kandy district” have been awarded to UoP-JRDC research teams. Dr. K.S.A Kottawatta (Senior Lecturer, Department of Veterinary Public Health & Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Sciences) acts as the Principal Investigator. The collaborators of the project are Dr. H.M.T.K Karunarathne, Department of Veterinary Public Health & Pharmacology, Prof. R.S Kalupahana, Department of Veterinary Public Health & Pharmacology, Dr. E.G.W Gunawardana, China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Center for Water Technology (JRDC), and Dr. Mrs. G.N Dilrukshi, School of Medical Laboratory Rechnology, Medical Research Institute, Colombo 08.