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Untitled Document
Academic Staff member

Prof. G. D. K. Mahanama

Professor in Physics

Ph.D. Solid Sate Physics, May, 2006.
London South Bank University, London, UK.

B.Sc. (Special in Physics), 1997.
University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.

Email - mahanama@phy.ruh.ac.lk
Office - +944122226812/4301

Email - mahanama@phy.ruh.ac.lk
Office - +94412227002/4301


  • Currently teaching courses
  • Solid State Physics
  • Mathematical Methods for Physics
  • Courses taught previously
  • Electricity & Magnetism
  • Classical Mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Statistical Physics
  • Astronomy
  • Renewable Energy
  • Solar Cell Research
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics
  • Journal Publications
  • 1.G D K Mahanama, H S Reehal, “Dark and illumination characteristics of crystalline silicon solar cells with ECR plasma CVD deposited emitters”, International Journal of
  • Electronics, 92, 525-537, 2005.
  • 2.T.L.Temple, G.D.K.Mahanama, H.S.Reehal, D.M.Bagnall, “Influence of localized surface plasmon excitation in silver nanoparticles on the performance of silicon solar cells”,
  • Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells”, 93, 1978-1985, 2009.
  • 3.G.D.K.Mahanama, H.S.Reehal, “A Comparison of Nitrous Oxide and Hydrogen ECR Plasma Dischargers for Silicon Solar Cell Passivation”, Vacuum, 86, 178-183, 2011.
  • 4.G.D.K.Mahanama, H.S.Reehal, “Effect of Zinc Oxide Antireflective coatings on Crystalline Silicon Solar cells”, International Journal of Engineering Technology, Management and
  • Applied Sciences, 3, 7, July 2015.
  • 5.K. Balashangar, M. Thanihaichelvan, P. Ravirajan, GDK. Mahanama, MAKL. Dissanayake, E. Colegrove, R. Dhere, and S. Sivananthan, “Effect of surface roughness of the substrate on
  • the performance of Polycrystalline CdS/CdTe Solar Cells”, Journal of Nanoelectronics and Optoelectronics, 10(2):1-5, August 2015.
  • 6.Edward J. Steele, Shirwan Al-Mufti, Kenneth A. Augustyn, Rohana Chandrajith, John P Coghlan, S.G. Coulson, Sudipto Ghosh, Mark Gillman, Reginald M. Gorczynski, Brig Klyce,
  • Godfrey Louis, Kithsiri Mahanama, Keith R. Oliver, Julio Padron, Jiangwen Qu, John A. Schuster, W.E. Smith, Duane P Snyder, Julian A. Steele, Brent J. Stewart, Robert Temple,
  • Gensuke Tokoro, Christopher A. Tout, Alexander Unzicker, Milton Wainwright, Jamie Wallis, Daryl. H. Wallis, Max K. Wallis, John Wetherall, D.T. Wickramasinghe, J.T.
  • Wickramasinghe, N. Chandra Wickramasinghe, Yongsheng Liu, “Cause of Cambrian Explosion - Terrestrial or Cosmic?”, Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, 136, 23-33,
  • March 2018.
  • 7.G.D.K. Mahanama, D.A. Madarasinghe, W.G.D. Dharmarathna, D. Jayasundara, “Optical and structural Properties of CdS thin films prepared using electro-deposition technique”,
  • Ruhuna Journal of Science, 9, 57-63, 2018.
  • 8.Edward J. Steele, Shirwan Al-Mufti, Kenneth A. Augustyn, Rohana Chandrajith, John P Coghlan, S.G. Coulson, Sudipto Ghosh, Mark Gillman, Reginald M. Gorczynski, Brig Klyce,
  • Godfrey Louis, Kithsiri Mahanama, Keith R. Oliver, Julio Padron, Jiangwen Qu, John A. Schuster, W.E. Smith, Duane P Snyder, Julian A. Steele, Brent J. Stewart, Robert Temple,
  • Gensuke Tokoro, Christopher A. Tout, Alexander Unzicker, Milton Wainwright, Jamie Wallis, Daryl. H. Wallis, Max K. Wallis, John Wetherall, D.T. Wickramasinghe, J.T.
  • Wickramasinghe, N. Chandra Wickramasinghe, Yongsheng Liu, “Numerical analysis of Steele et al. (2018): “Cause of Cambrian explosion - Terrestrial or cosmic?”, Progress in
  • Biophysics and Molecular Biology, 136 (3), 23-33, 2018.
  • 9.Edward J Steele, Shirwan Al-Mufti, Kenneth A Augustyn, Rohana Chandrajith, John P Coghlan, SG Coulson, Sudipto Ghosh, Mark Gillman, Reginald M Gorczynski, Brig Klyce, Godfrey
  • Louis, Kithsiri Mahanama, Keith R Oliver, Julio Padron, Jiangwen Qu, John A Schuster, WE Smith, Duane P Snyder, Julian A Steele, Brent J Stewart, Robert Temple, Gensuke Tokoro,
  • Christopher A Tout, Alexander Unzicker, Milton Wainwright, Jamie Wallis, Daryl H Wallis, Max K Wallis, John Wetherall, DT Wickramasinghe, JT Wickramasinghe, N Chandra
  • Wickramasinghe, Yongsheng Liu, “Reply to editorial and commentaries on Steele, Al-Mufti, Augustyn, Chandrajith, Coghlan, Coulson et al.(2018)" Cause of Cambrian explosion-
  • Terrestrial or cosmic?", Progress in biophysics and molecular biology, 2018.
  • 10.HDS Amaradasa, GDK Mahanama, S.S Abeywickrama, KSPC Jayaratne, N.C. Wickramasinghe “A Robotic Camera for Monitoring Meteors Entering the Earth’s Atmosphere near the Equator”,
  • Advances in Astrophysics, 4, 3, 86-95, August 2019
  • Conference Papers
  • 1.G D K Mahanama, H S Reehal, “Influence of surface plasmon excitation on the performance of silicon solar cells”, PVSAT-3, (Photovoltaic Science and Applications and
  • Technology), Durham, March 2007, 143-146.
  • 2.G.D.K.Mahanama, T.L.Temple, D.M.Bagnall, H.S.Reehal, Influence of Silver Nanoparticles on the Spectral Response of Silicon Solar Cells”, 18th International Photovoltaic Science
  • & Engineering Conference, Kolkata, 6-3p-019, 2009.
  • 3.G.D.K.Mahanama, H.S.Reehal, “Effect of thin Zinc Oxide transparent Layers on Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells”, Solar Asia 2011 International Conference, Institute of
  • Fundamental Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka, pp 265-270, 2011.
  • 4.G.D.K.Mahanama, H.S.Reehal, “Effect of Anisotropic Etching on Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells”, International Conference of Advanced Materials, Science & Engineering, July 1-4,
  • Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2012.
  • 5.P. Ravirajan, GDK Mahanama, L. Dissanayake, E. Colegrove,C. Blissett, R. Dhere, S. Sivananthan, Effect of buffer layer and CdS thickness on performance of Highly Efficient
  • Polycrystalline CdS/CdTe Solar cells, International Conference on Advanced Materials, Science and Engineering, July 01-03, 2012.
  • 6.P. Ravirajan, GDK Mahanama, L. Dissanayake, E. Colegrove, R. Dhere, S. Sivananthan, Effect of window-layer thicknesses on performance of Highly Efficient Polycrystalline
  • Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) / Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Solar cells, 4th International Conference on New & Renewable Energy 2013 (ICNRE2013), March 28-30, 2013.
  • 7.C.M.K. Liyanage, C.P. Rupasinghe, G.D.K. Mahanama, S.S. Abeywickrama, “Designing and Analysis of Solar and Grid Connected Hybrid Electricity System for Domestic Use, National
  • Energy Symposium 2014, 1-14.
  • 8.K.M. Liyanage, S.S. Abeywickrama, G.D.K. Mahanama, “Study of the improvements of solar cell performances by concentration”, Solar Asia 2018 Conference, January 4-6, 2018,
  • Kandy.
  • Published in Abstract Form
  • International
  • 1.GDK Mahanama, HS Reehal, “Crystalline silicon solar cells with microcrystalline emitter deposited by ECR PECVD at low temperatures”, 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy
  • Conference and Exhibition, Barcelona, 1095-1098, 2005.
  • 2.M. Thanihaichelvan, K. Balashangar, P. Ravirajan, GDK. Mahanama, MAKL. Dissanayake, R. Dhere, E. Colegrove, and S. Sivananthan, “Effect of surface roughness of the substrate on
  • the performance of Polycrystalline CdS/CdTe Solar Cells”, II-IV Conference, USA, 2013.
  • 3.D.A.Madarasinghe, G.D.K.Mahanama, W.G.D.Dharmaratne, “Preliminary results on the preparation of CdS thin films using electro-deposition technique for applications in CdS/CdTe
  • solar cells”, RITSCON 2014, Jan 20-22, 2014.
  • 4.M.L.T.B.Jayawantha, G.D.K.Mahanama, “Characterization of Cu2O layers Prepared by Photo-Electrochemical and Electro-deposition Methods”, RITSCON 2014, Jan 20-22, 2014.
  • 5.D.A.Madarasinghe, G.D.K.Mahanama, W.G.D.Dharmaratne, “Properties of CdS thin films prepared using electro-deposition technique for applications in CdS/CdTe solar cells”,
  • RITSCON 2015, Accepted.
  • 6.H.D.S. Amaradasa, S.S. Abeywickrama, E.M. Ranatunga, G.D.K. Mahanama, “Testing results on the parabolic mirror grinding study for the application in Newtonian Telescope”,
  • RISTCON 2016, University of Ruhuna, January 2016.
  • 7.H.D.S. Amaradasa, S.S. Abeywickrama, E.M. Ranatunga, G.D.K. Mahanama, “Study of thin telescopic mirror fabrication and mirror cell optimization” iCMA Proceedings 2016, 12-14
  • October 2016.
  • 8.H.D.S. Amaradasa, S.S. Abeywickrama, E.M. Ranatunga, G.D.K. Mahanama, “Analyses of an altazimuth mount drive design for a set of 0.25 m F/10 Newtonian telescope and camera”,
  • RISTCON 2017, University of Ruhuna, 22nd January 2017.
  • 9.M.D.M.Chathuranga, H.D.S.Amaradasa, G.D.K. Mahanama, “Preliminary results of Low Resolution Spectroscopy of some selected stellar objects using a DSLR camera”, RISTCON 2017,
  • University of Ruhuna, 15th February 2018.
  • Local
  • 1.K.V.S.Prasad, G.D.K.Mahanama, K.P.S.Jayatileke, “Investigation of a new method to study solar cell characteristics”, Fifth Science Symposium, Faculty of Science, University of
  • Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, February 2009.
  • 2.K.V.S.Prasad, G.D.K.Mahanama, K.P.S.Jayatileke, “Investigation for an equivalent model to study solar cell characteristics”, Sixth Science Symposium, Faculty of Science,
  • University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, December 2009.
  • 3.D.A.Madarasinghe, G.D.K.Mahanama, “Study of Photocurrent Generating Mechanism of p-CuSCn/n-Cu2O junction photo-electrode in Photo-electrochemical Cells, Seventh Science
  • Symposium, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, February 2010.
  • 4.A.K.D.P.M.Wimalasiri, G.D.K.Mahanama, “Comparison of photocurrent enhancement of p-CuSCN/n-Cu2O junction photo electrode in photo electrochemical cells prepared using KI and
  • FeSO4 electrolytes”, Eighth Science Symposium, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, February 2011.
  • 5.G.D.K.Mahanama, P.Ravirajan, E.Colegrove, M.A.K.L.Dissanayake, R.Dhere, S.Sivananthan, “Effect of CdTe layer thickness on the properties of CdS/CdTe Solar Cells”, 9th Science
  • Symposium, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, February 2013.
  • 5.M.K.S.Udayani, E.M.Ranatunga, G.D.K.Mahanama, ”Design and construction of Anemometer with a Wind Vane”, 9th Science Symposium, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara,
  • Sri Lanka, February 2013.
  • 6.D.A.Madarasinghe, G.D.K.Mahanama, W.G.D.Dharmaratne, “A preliminary study on the optimization of electrochemically deposited CdS layers for application in CdS/CdTe solar
  • cells”, 10th Academic Session, University of Ruhuna, March 20, 2013
  • 7.D.A.Madarasinghe, G.D.K.Mahanama, W.G.D.Dharmaratne, “Preliminary results on the preparation of CdTe thin films using electro-deposition technique for applications in CdS/CdTe
  • solar cells”, 11th University Academic Sessions, University of Ruhuna, March 19, 2014.
  • 8.H.D.S.Amaradasa, S.S.Abeywickrama, E.M.Ranatunga, G.D.K. Mahanama, “Preliminary results on the parabolic primary mirror making study for the application in Newtonian Reflecting
  • Telescope”, Astrobiology Research Conference, 22-23 August 2015, University of Peradeniya.
  • 9.H.D.S.Amaradasa, S.S.Abeywickrama, E.M.Ranatunga, G.D.K. Mahanama, “Fabrication of a 10" F/9 research grade astronomical telescope utilizing local resources” PGIS Research
  • Congress, 7-8 October 2016.
  • 10.K.G.Samararathna, H.D.S.Amaradasa, S.S.Abeywickrama, E.M.Ranatunga, G.D.K.Mahanama “Development of a prototype computerized driving system for the locally made Newtonian
  • telescope”, RESCON 2018, Nov 9-10, 2018, University of Peradeniaya.
  • 11.H.D.S.Amaradasa, G.D.K.Mahanama, S.S.Abeywickrama, A.G.P.D. Alahakoon K.P.S.C.Jayarathna, N.C.Wickramasinghe “Development of an autonomous wide-field camera unit for
  • monitoring optical transients that occur in the atmosphere”, SLAAS 74th Annual Session, Dec 04-08, 2018, University of Colombo.
  • 12.M.K.T.M.Sameera, B.A.T.M.Thilakarathne, K.G.Smararathna, A.G.P.D. Alahakoon, H.D.S.Amaradasa, H.A.D.S.D.Perera, G.D.K.Mahanama, “Test Results of Manually Made Plano-Convex
  • Lenses Designed to Use in Telescope Optics”, 16th Academic Sessions, University of Ruhuna, March 2019.
  • 1.Won the Wasantha Mohotti Memorial Gold Medal – 1998 for the graduate who obtained a First Class Honours at the Special Degree of Bachelor of Science Examination in Physics held
  • in the year 1996, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.
  • 2.I was awarded a scholarship for participating in a short term training on Remote Sensing and Physical Oceanography” which was held from 11.12.2000 to 15.12.2000 at the Asian
  • Institute of Technology in Thailand.
  • 3.I was awarded a full time research scholarship (GBP7600 per year) for postgraduate degree from South Bank University, London, UK in 2001.
  • 4.I was awarded OSTP fellowship award from National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka for short term training program on fabricating and characterization of CdS/CdTe solar cells at
  • Sivanandan Laboratories Inc. USA held on from 16th April 2012 to 17th May 2012.
  • 5.I was awarded a Letter of Commendation at the Senate by the Vice Chancellor for successfully completion of the research project titled “Electro-deposition of CdS & CdTe layers
  • to use in thin film solar cells under TURIS project funded by the Government of Sri Lanka.
  • 6.Our team won the best scientific poster award in the poster session of the faculty of Science in the 8th Science Symposium held at the Faculty of Science in 2011.
  • 7.Our team lead by me won the first place in the cricket tournament of the Faculty Day 2009 of the Faculty of Science was held on Thursday March 20, 2009.
  • 8.Our team lead by me won the first place in the cricket tournament of the Faculty Day 2010 of the Faculty of Science was held on Wednesday March 20, 2010.
  • •Head of the Department of Physics for four years -from July 19, 2010 to July 31, 2014
  • •Acting Head of the Department of Physics for seven months from July 15 2015 to February 28, 2016
  • •Head of the Department of Physics for four years -from February 29, 2016 to February 29, 2019
  • •Deputy Proctor of the Faculty of Science from 29th March 2015 to 08th May 2018.
  • •Secretary of the Ruhuna University Science Teachers’ Association (RUSTA) from 2015 to 2018
  • •Ruhuna University Deputy Project Director of the Science, Technology & Research Education Training Program with Facilities for Prototype Manufacturing Solar Panels (2017-2021) –
  • Rs. 240 Million Project
  • •Head of the Centre for Astrobiology in Sri Lanka, University of Ruhuna since 2017
  • •Team Leader of the research team of the ICE research grant received from the World Bank - Rs. 35 Million Project
  • •Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science from February 06 to May 03, 2020