Dr. Samanthi Kumari Wasala graduated from Faculty of Agriculture University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka  in 1990 and joined to the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka as a Research Officer in 1991. She completed her MSc (Agriculture) in Saga University Japan and in 2007, and graduated with PhD (Genetics) from Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India with the specialization of genetics, biotechnology and plant genetic resources.
As a Research Officer, she was engaged with variety development of rice and legume crops using conventional methods. In 2009 she joined to the Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) and conducted research works related to the biotechnological applications for crop improvement. Later, she was appointed as a head biotechnology division. In 2019 she was appointed as a head of the PGRC.
She was engaged with biosafety activities since 2009. At present she is working as a steering committee member of implementation of the national biosafety framework, working group member of the strengthening policy, institutional and regulatory framework in biosafety of the biosafety project. Further, she is working as a member of risk assessment committee of biosafety in Department of Agriculture.

Department of Agriculture

At present she is  working as a head of the Plant Genetic Resources Centre and responsible to technical activities related to crop genetic resource conservation and utilization, human resource management to fulfill the given targets and relevant administration activities.  At the same time she is working as a molecular breeder to utilize PGR for crop variety improvement. Involve with the activities of molecular characterization, marker aided selection, gene tagging etc.  Communicate with other relevant authorities (government offices, ministries, universities, farmer organizations) related to genetic resource activities, Agriculture Biotechnology   and biosafety activities. 

Within that period she was responsible for development of new Mungbean and Blackgram varieties with high yield and pest disease resistance.

She was responsible to develop 3⅟2 months age group rice varieties with high yield and major pest and disease resistance.

B.Sc. in Agriculture

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

M.Sc. in Agriculture

Saga University, Japan

Ph.D.  in Genetics

Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India

Master Class in Agricultural Research Leadership and Management" 4th -9th  November 2018, Penang, Malaysia

Plant Variety Protection at Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation (17th June 2013 to 28th June 2013)

Regional workshop in Biosafety, Bangkok, Thailand on Oct 30th -Nov 4th 2009 organized by FAO

Wasala, S.K, S.I Senavirathne, D.M.J.B. Senanayake and A.M.A. Navodita. (2019). Genetic analysis of Okra Yellow Vain Mosaic Virus Resistance in Wild Relative of Okra Abelmoschus angulosus . Wall. Plant Genetic Resource. 1-6  doi:10.1017/S1479262119000078

Manatunga,M.M.S.L, Wasala,S.K.,Sumanasinghe,V.A.,Ubeysekara,N.M.Genetic diversity analysis of "murungakayan" rice accessions based on seed morphology and molecular characterization 2019. Tropical Agriculture Research Vol 30 (In press)

Wasala, S.K, Hennayake, H.M.K.N.K., Gunasena, P.G.S.D, Rebeira,  S.P, Kondasinghe K.M.C.L, Dhanwaththa, A.S.J. and Ubeysekara N.M. 2017. Assessment of genetic diversity among "Suwndel" rice accessions based on morphological, molecular and physiochemical characteristics. Tropical Agriculturist.165:113-130

Competitive grant award for Tagging of Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) resistant genes in wild okra species  Abelmoschus angulosus. National Research Council Sri Lanka -2013-2016

Best presentation of the Annual Symposium of Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, 2016- Biotechnology session

Chief Editor Tropical Agriculturist, The International Agriculture Journal of Sri Lanka

Chairperson of National committee on Plant Breeding and Agronomy   Council of Agriculture Research Policy  2019

Member of risk assessment committee on biosafety in Department of Agriculture