The Fauna of Sri Lanka - IUCN

At the time of his unexpected demise, he held the position of Theme Leader overseeing the global research
program related to the Water, Health and Environment Theme of the International Water Management
Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR-supported research institute with headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka. During
his six year tenure at IWMI, he initiated a collaborative partnership with The World Conservation Union
through a unique project integrating biodiversity conservation aspects into an irrigation development scheme
in Southern Sri Lanka. This was the first time in Sri Lanka where conservation concerns were addressed
parallel to the implementation of a large-scale irrigation development and agricultural settlement scheme.
Prof. Amerasinghe managed to introduce the concept of eco-agriculture into this project.
Prof. Amerasinghe received several national and international research awards and honours, for his unique
research work. In 2001, he brought immense honour and glory to his motherland by being included in the
First Edition of the “2000 OUTSTANDING SCIENTISTS OF THE 21ST CENTURY” published by the
International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England.
His untimely demise, which left a vacuum in the field of biological research in Sri Lanka, is an irreplaceable
loss to the scientific community of the world.
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