Department of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
Academic Staff member

Prof. (Mrs) Vajira. P. Bulugahapitiya

Senior Professor

B.Sc. (Ruhuna, S.L.) - 1991 , Master Equivalent - University of Lausanne, Switzerland - 1996 , Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (Fribourg, Switzerland) - 1999,
Email - vajira@chem.ruh.ac.lk
Office - +94412227023
Extention - 4404

LinnkedIn ResearchGate Google Scholar

  • Basic Organic Chemistry,
  • Organic Synthesis,
  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Chromatography
  • Investigation of Sri Lankan medicinal plants to discover potential compounds as anti-cancer, anti-diabetes drugs etc.
  • Value addition to natural products
  • Preparation of nutraceuticals and functional foods
  • Fish feeds from plant wastes
  • Studies on Sri Lankan Wild fruits and underutilized fruits
  • Studies on traditional and improved rice varieties for Glycemic Index and proximate compositions
  • Synthesis of Natural Products
  • Study on Structure-Activity relationship of Natural products ( drugs)
  • Biotransformation of Natural products to optimize the bioactivity of natural compounds
  • Fish meal from Plant Waste
  • Anti-cancer drugs from Guawa saponins
  • 1.K.T.S Madushika, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Gaya Bandara Wijerathna, (2024). Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): Unveiling the health potential, Ceylon Journal of Science. 53 (3),447-458. https://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v53i3.8509.
  • 2.B. E. A. U. Bulathgama, P. L. N. Lakshman , and V. P. Bulugahapitiya (2024). Evaluation of Sensory Acceptability, Functional Properties, and Proximate Composition of Four Novel Functional Foods Incorporated With Garcinia quaesita Leaves.The Journal of Agricultural Sciences - Sri Lanka. 19,( 2,) , 250-258 https://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v19i2.10032.
  • 3.Hashini I. Abeysuriya, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, and L. P. Jayatissa. (2024).Variation of vitamin C content and antioxidant capacities during the post-harvest storage of fresh fruits under different temperatures. Journal of Stored Products Research. Accepted on 19th September 2024.
  • 4.Kokilananthan S, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Harshi Manawadu, Chinthaka Sanath Gangabadage (2024).Isolation of saponins from the leaves of Psidium guajava and Garcinia quaesita and antioxidative capacities. International journal Food Science and Applied Biotechnology (FSAB)- Accepted.
  • 5.Kokilananthan S, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Harshi Manawadu, Chinthaka Sanath Gangabadage (2024). A comparative study of various extraction techniques for extracting antioxidant-rich phytoconstituents from Eryngium foetidum leaves utilizing spectrophotometric and HPLC applications. Malaysian Journal of Science. Accepted to publish in December 2024 issue.
  • 6.Kokilananthan S, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Harshi Manawadu, Chinthaka Sanath Gangabadage (2023), "Chemical profile and antioxidants property of Eryngium foetidum L. leaves – use of HPLC methods to optimize extracting solvents to be used in functional food development." Acta Sci.Pol. Technol. Aliment. 22(2) 159-168. https://doi.org/10.17306/J.AFS.2023.1119.
  • 7. Kokilananthan S, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Harshi Manawadu, Chinthaka Sanath Gangabadage (2023), Investigations of chemical compositions and antioxidative potential of essential oils isolated from the leaves of two Garcinia species. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Research & Technology, 14(1) 12-17. doi: 10.4103/japtr.japtr_570_22
  • 8.Upthpala Bulathgama, Nilantha Lakshman, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya (2022). Recent Trends in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals as Health-Promotive Measures: A Review. Applied Bio-Systems Technology 2(1): 11-33.
  • doi: fapm.wyb.ac.lk/?page_id=6049
  • 9.Kokilananthan S, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Harshi Manawadu, Chinthaka Sanath Gangabadage (2022), Sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes from different varieties of guava leaf essential oils and their antioxidant potential. Heliyon, 8 e12104. doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12104
  • 10.G.M.U.D. Wijenayaka, V.P. Bulugahapitiya* and S. Jayasinghe (2022), Cinnamon, a promising herbal plant for combatting diabetes and Its anti-diabetes mechanisms, Ceylon Journal of Science 51 (4), 335-346. http://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v51i4.8051
  • 11.Madhushika, K.T.S. and V.P. Bulugahapitiya* (2022), Variation of bioactive secondary metabolites in Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) in different climatic conditions, maturity status and propagation types, Journal of Agriculture and Value Addition 5 (1), 61–84. http://doi.org/10.4038/java.v5i1.35.
  • 12.Kokilananthan S, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Manawadu H, Gangabadage CS (2022). Effect of Extraction Techniques on Phytochemicals and Antioxidants Activity of Psidium guava L Leaves. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, (TJNPR), 6(4): 552-557. https://www.tjnpr.org/index.php/home/article/view/96.
  • 13.Kokilananthan S, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Manawadu H, Gangabadage CS (2022). Effect of Extraction Techniques on Phytochemicals and Antioxidants Activity of Garcinia quaesita Leaves. Advances in Technology, 2(1): 18-30. https://doi.org/10.31357/ait.v2i1.5444.
  • 14.Hashini Imalsha Abeysuriya, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya* Loku Pulukkuttige Jayatissa (2021). Comparative account of vitamin C contents, antioxidant properties and iron contents of minor fruits in Sri Lanka. PLANT SCIENCE TODAY, 8(4): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2021.8.4.1266.
  • 15.Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Shanthirasekaram Kokilananthan, Harshi Manawadu, Chinthaka Sanath Gangabadage (2021). Phytochemistry and medicinal properties of Psidium guajava leaves: A review. PLANT SCIENCE TODAY ,8(4):963-971. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2021.8.4.1334.
  • 16.Kokilananthan S, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Manawadu H, Gangabadage CS (2021) Phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of the leaves of wild guava varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of Science. 12(2): 33-46. https://doi.org/10.4038/jsc.v12i2.34.
  • 17.S.Kokilananthan, V.P. Bulugahapitiya*, C.S.Gangabadage and H. Manawadu (2021). Comparative accounts on proximate and phytochemical compositions and antioxidant properties of Garcinia quaesita and Garcinia zeylanica, International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 7 (2): 59-67. https://www.ijmfmap.in/pdf_vol7_2/vol_7_2_5.pdf
  • 18.Krishni Manesha Nishshanka, Kumudu Radampola & Vajira Bulugahapitiya (2021) Effects of partial replacement of dietary fishmeal using plant-protein sources on the growth performance, coloration and liver histology of guppy fry (poecilia reticulata) in outdoor farming conditions, Journal of Applied Aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.1080/10454438.2021.1886216.
  • 19.Kokilananthan,S., Bulugahapitiya V.P*, Gangabadage, C.S., Manawadu, H., (2020). Comparative account on antioxidant properties, proximate and phytochemical compositions of seven guava varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of Agriculture and Value Addition, 3(2): 1 -16.www.uwu.ac.lk/wpcontent/uploads/2021/java/v3i2/1.%20kokilananthan_et_al_p1_16.pdf.
  • 20.Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya* and Samarasekara H.K.S. (2020). Preparation and quality evaluation of Ready-To-Serve beverage from cashew apple. International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Vol. 6 (2), 96 101.https://sdbindex.com/Documents/index/00000598/00001-82600.
  • 21.Vajira. P Bulugahapitiya*, Fernando P.T.N and Jayasekara H.D. (2020). Anti-oxidant, pediculicidal and pesticidal activities of leaves of Rhinacanthus nasutus (Linn) grown in Sri Lanka. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res 6 (4): 754-760. https://doi.org/10.3329/ajmbr.v6i4.51243.
  • 22.Vajira P.Bulugahapitiya*, Munasinghe M.M.A.B., Hettihewa L.M., Kihara N (2020). Anti-cancer activity of Fluggea leucopyrus willd (katupila) against Human Ovarian carcinoma and characterization of active compounds. Journal of Science, Eastern University, 11 (2), 12-26. https://doi.org/10.4038/jsc.v11i2.27
  • 23.Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, A.A.M.B. Munasinghe (2020). Phytochemical profile, proximate composition and antioxidant properties Flueggea leucopyrus (Willd), a plant used as complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients in Sri Lanka. Vingnanam Journal of Science, 15 (1), 19-26. https://vingnanam.sljol.info/articles/abstract/4164/
  • 24.R. F. Hafeel, V. P. Bulugahapitiya*, G. E. D de Zoysa, A. P. Bentota (2020). Variation in Physico-chemical Properties and Proximate Composition of Improved and Traditional Varieties of Rice in Sri Lanka. Journal of Food and Agriculture, 13(I),19 – 32. http://doi.org/10.4038/jfa.v13i1.5225
  • 25. Hashini I. Abeysuriya, Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya* and Jayatissa Loku Pulukkuttige (2020). Total Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid, Dehydroascorbic Acid, Antioxidant Properties, and Iron Content of Underutilized and Commonly Consumed Fruits in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Food Science, Volume 2020, Article ID 4783029. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4783029
  • 26.V.P. Bulugahapitiya*, T.N. Rathnaweera and H.C. Manawadu (2020). Phytochemical composition and anti-oxidant properties of Dialium ovoideum thwaites (Gal Siyambala) leaves. International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 6 (1): 13- 19. https://www.ijmfmap.in/pdf_vol6_1/vol_6_1_2.pdf
  • 27.Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya*, Rathnaweera T. N., Wijayaratne W. M. D. G. B. and Manawadu H. C. (2020). Cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of Dialium ovoideum thwaites, an endemic plant in Sri Lanka. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res, 6 (2), 316-320. https://doi.org/10.3329/ajmbr.v6i2.48078
  • PIFI AWARD - Chinese Academy of Science, Bejing Chinese - Category "Visiting Scientist" 203/24
  • National Educator Award (Bronze) - Applied Sciences- 2024 ( 04.12.04) - Organized by SLIIT
  • and Ministry of Education
  • Invention Award -2023 - Six Gold Medals ( Institution Category)
  • SUSRED Award by NSF Sri Lanka, 2017:
  • For the successful supervision and completion of postgraduate research (Postgraduate Supervision -MPhil degree 2012-2015).
  • NSF Award -2016 for best presenter in anticancer drug discovery from Natural Product, NSF Research Summit – 2016, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • Title: Isolation and characterization of novel anti-cancer compounds against human ovarian carcinoma from the medicinal herb, Flueggea leucopyrus Wild.
  • TURIS AWARD- Commendation for Successful Completion of TURIS Research Project under the title of Isolation and characterization of compounds with anti-cancer potential of Fluggea leucopyrus(Wild) - 2018
  • Invited Guest - Chemistry Week- Kanagawa University Japan - 2022
  • Scholarship- OPCW - IICT- HYderebad - India -2022
  • • Visiting Fellow, Sakura Science Plan :2017, Kanagawa University Japan
  • • Commonwealth academic Fellowship : 2013,Visiting Research Fellow, Loughborogh University,
  • UK
  • • Matsumae International Foundation Fellowship: 2007–2008: Post-doctoral research fellow, Kanagawa University, Japan
  • • Joint NAM S&T and ICCS Fellowships :2006, Visiting research fellow,
  • International Centre for Chemical Sciences, HEJ Research Institute, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
  • • Swiss Federation of Scholarships :1995 – 1998: Postgraduate research,
  • University of Lausanne & University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
  • • Travel grant to present research in International conference in Malaysia – NSF -2015
  • Member of Governing Council - University of Ruhuna - since Nov/ 2022
  • Visiting Scientist - Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, China ( 0124-09/24)
  • Former Director - Distance And Continuing Education Unit ( DCEU) - Ruhuna ( 07/2020-07/2023
  • Former Head of the Department of Chemistry ( 2013-2019)
  • Council Nominee to BGS on UGC concurrence - since2022
  • Academic Warden 2011- 2018
  • Chairperson - 15th Vice Chancellors Award & 16th Academic session
  • • Editorial Board member, University of Ruhuna News Letter ( 2014- 2019)
  • • Technology Transfer Officer, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna – 2018 to date
  • • Serving as Chairperson for Criterion 2- Institutional Review, University of Ruhuna, 2019- to-date
  • • Faculty Representative, Faculty of Science, Editorial Board of Ruhuna University News Letter, 2015.
  • • Faculty Representative, Faculty of Science, Organizing Committee of the Academic Session, 2016.
  • • Overall Coordinator, Oratory Competition of the University of Ruhuna, 2013.
  • • Career guidance representative of Faculty Science -Conducting Career Fair at the Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, 2011 and 2012
  • • Secretary, 9th Science Symposium, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, 2012
  • • Senate representative, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna (2011-2013)
  • • Acting Head / Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ruhuna. (2010).
  • • Serving as a member of Preliminary and Formal Inquiry Committees, university of Ruhuna, 2009-2011.
  • • Carrier Advisor, Faculty of Science, 2006 and 2009 - 2013
  • • Course coordinator for Inter-Faculty courses, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, 2008 onwards
  • • Joint Secretary of Ruhuna Science Teachers Association, Faculty of Science, 2008- 2012
  • • Student counsellor, Faculty of Science, 2002-2006, 2008-2010
  • • Mentor, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna , 2008- 2013
  • • Coordinator of Ruhuna University Service Laboratory, 2008 onwards.
  • • Initiated Exchange Programme for Academic and Researches between Kanagawa University Japan and University of Ruhuna (MOU signed in 2008)
  • • Proposal Writer, IRQUE project, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (2005).
  • • Joint secretary, Alumni association, University of Ruhuna, Matara (2003- 2006).
  • • Serving as a member of Logistic Committee of Silver Jubilee, University of Ruhuna, 2003.