Our Team

As the Head of John Keells Research Thilina is responsible for the execution of JKR’s mandate of creating value through R&D and IP for the John Keells Group and partner companies. He holds an MBA from the University of Wales and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. His experience includes over 10 years of Innovation, R&D, Technology & IP Management and Business Development. Outside of the office he is an avid classic car enthusiast.

Thusitha, with a background in Chemistry and Bioanalytical Chemistry, is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya’s Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry. His research interests, driven by a passion for interdisciplinary exploration, encompass therapeutic drug monitoring and aptamer applications. He actively contributes to the development of JKR’s innovative technologies as JKR’s Principle Scientific Consultant. Beyond the laboratory, Thusitha enjoys playing cricket and listening to music, finding a balance between his professional dedication and personal relaxation.

Nimesha, with a BSc in Clinical and Medical Laboratory Science and an LLM specialising in Patent and Design Law from Ankara University she blends scientific knowledge with legal expertise whilst navigating the complexities of Intellectual Property. With over five years dedicated to Technology Commercialisation, she spearheads JKR’s Business Development and Intellectual Property team, strategically driving the commercialization of innovative technologies. Outside of her professional endeavours, Nimesha is an avid reader, reflecting a commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual exploration.

Lakna, a driven biotechnology professional, leads the biotechnology team with expertise in molecular biology, microbiology and novel food development. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology from Northumbria University, UK and currently pursuing an MSc in Food Science and Technology from University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Passionate about sustainability, Lakna works to leverage micro organisms and plant resources to develop innovative solutions in various industries. She actively collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to translate research into impactful, real-world applications. 

With a background in Mechanical Engineering and a specialization in Mechatronic System Engineering, Akitha contributes to the Makerspace lab by leading multidisciplinary projects. He possesses knowledge in innovation and technology management and is currently pursuing an MBA in Technology Management, enabling him to bridge the gap between technical development and strategic implementation. His experience spans mechanical design, applied electronics, automation, smart agriculture, robotics, sensors, and control systems, along with building and leading high-performance teams to drive innovation and project success.

Prathibha leads the Chemistry team at JKR, overseeing multiple projects while also conducting her own research focusing on graphene-based materials, nanocomposite coatings, natural product chemistry, and nanoparticle synthesis. Her expertise in applied chemistry and industrial research is strengthened by her experience working in industrial research units prior to joining JKR. She is pursuing an MSc in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, having previously earned a BSc in Biological Science with a strong chemistry foundation from the same institution.​

With a BSc in Science and Technology specializing in Materials Science and a Master’s in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Kelaniya, she brings expertise in nanotechnology, nano-enabled cosmetics, and nanocomposites. Her innovative research focuses on material synthesis, surface modification, and optimizing performance for industrial applications. She excels at transforming research into commercially viable products, addressing industry needs. Outside of work, her involvement in photography, traveling, taekwondo, and music enhances her creativity and problem-solving skills.

Holding a B.Sc in Chemistry from the University of Kelaniya, an M.Sc. in Polymer Science and Technology from the University of Sri Jayewardenapura, and an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Eastern Illinois University, USA, Dinesh works at JKR focusing on antimicrobial materials, Graphite enhancement and Nanotechnology. With over 10 years of research experience, Dinesh is passionate about Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Protein Engineering, Inorganic Chemistry, and Polymer Science. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and gardening.​

With a strong background in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a specialization in Computer Science, Sanduni brings a multidisciplinary approach to technology and automation. She combines expertise in Embedded Systems, IoT, and Software Development to create innovative solutions. Her experience spans Industrial Automation, Smart Agricultural Systems, and Human-Computer Interaction. Passionate about technology-driven efficiency, and focuses on integrating Intelligent Control Systems, Real-time Monitoring, and User-Centric Designs to optimize performance across various applications.

With a background in Mechatronic Engineering, Danuka is part of the Makerspace Team, where he focuses on developing innovative mechatronic systems. His expertise includes robotics, automation, embedded systems, and industrial IoT. He is also actively involved in smart agriculture technologies, working on solutions to enhance efficiency and sustainability in modern farming. His interests lie in cutting-edge technology, rapid prototyping, and integrating smart solutions for real-world applications.

Recent addition to our Bio team with a background in engineering with BSc (Hons) Agricultural Technology and Management specialized in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Her research areas at JKR include microbiology and molecular biology with interest in food science and agriculture as well. Her leisure time activities include travelling, music, blog writing & a foodie.

As an IP and BD Executive Sivanjale is responsible for the commercialization of JKR’s proprietary technologies and creating value through them. She holds an BSc in Biotechnology from Manipal University, Malaysia, a MSc in Molecular Life Sciences from University of Colombo and a MBA from the University of Wales, Trinty Sains David. She shares a deep passion for environment conservation and protecting ecosystems.

Sasanka has a keen interest in bridging the gap between scientific research in the lab and real-world applications and he is responsible for the commercialisation of JKR’s technologies. With a BSc (Hons) in Chemical Sciences from the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon and currently reading for an MPhil in Chemistry at the University of Colombo, he is passionate about computational chemistry and materials science. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dogs, gaming, and diving into books.

Rashini is a Research Scientist in the Biotechnology team at John Keells Research. She is actively engaged in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and agriculture related research. She holds a BSc Honours degree in Biotechnology from SLIIT and brings a strong foundation in scientific research and innovation. With expertise in advanced laboratory techniques, Rashini actively contributes to innovative projects that drive advancements in Biotechnology. Her work plays a crucial role in developing innovative solutions that align with the company’s vision for scientific and technological progress.

With a background in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Moratuwa specialized in Energy and Environmental Engineering, Ayodhya Works in the Chemistry Team at JKR where she focuses on process scale-up design and the development of nanomaterial additives for polymer materials. Outside of her professional endeavours, she is a dedicated music enthusiast, always exploring new sounds and genres.​

Sandamini has a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry and is currently pursuing an MSc in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Kelaniya.​ She is actively involved in research on nanotechnology, antimicrobial products, biomaterials, bioplastics, and nanocomposites.​ Her work focuses on utilizing advanced analytical techniques to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that address industrial and scientific challenges. ​She enjoys travelling and cherishes the time spent with her dog, which brings her relaxation and joy outside of her research work.​