Prof. G. Sashikesh
Professor in Chemistry
sashikesh@univ.jfn.ac.lk
+94212218193
Admin Role
Publication
Awards & Grants
Teaching
Research
Admin Role
- Academic counsellor, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2021 – to date)
- Chief Editor, Vingnanam Research Conference, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2021 – to date).
- Chairperson, Grievances committee of the Center for Gender Equity and Equality, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2021 – to date).
- Member, Sub-Committee for conducting examination under extraordinary, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2021 – to date)
- University Coordinator for the Registration of Sri Lankan in international digital Research and Development platforms in Science and Technology, National Research Council, Sri Lanka (2020 – to date)
- Member, Health Promotion Committee, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2020 – to date)
- Member of the senate, University of Jaffna (2020 – to date).
- Visiting Lecturer, Master of Clean Energy Technologies, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2020 – to date)
- Senior Treasurer, Chemical Society, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna (2020 – 2021)
- Student counsellor, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2017 – 2018 and 2020 – 2021)
- Activity Coordinator, The Enriching Learning, Teaching and Assessment (ELTA) and English Language Skills Enhancement (ELSE) Development Project under the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (2019 – to date)
- Deputy Project Coordinator, The Development Oriented Research Project under the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (2019 – to date)
- Financial Chair, Science education for Bright Future (SBF) Programme -2020, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2019 – to date)
- Treasurer, Annular Solar Eclipse – 2019, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2019 – to date)
- Coordinator, Basic Tamil and Basic Sinhala Courses, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2019 – to date)
- Member of the Commissioning Editor Board, Journal of Sustainability in Environment (2019 – to date)
- Visiting Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Eastern University, Sri Lanka (2019 – to date)
- Visiting Lecturer, Master of Environmental Management, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2019 – to date)
- Chief Examiner, the chemistry subject in G.C.E. (A/L) examination at the national level, Sri Lanka (2019)
- Coordinator, the Chemistry Olympiad examination, Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon (2019)
- University Coordinator, Sustainable Consumption and Production, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2018 – to date)
- Coordinator, Environmental Science study programme, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2018 – to date)
- Jury Member, Evaluate Inventions of Northern Province, Sri Lanka Inventors Commission, Sri Lanka (2018 – to date)
- Member, Strategic Management Committee, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2018 – to date)
- Member of the academic board, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Sri Lanka (2018 – 2021)
- Member, Department Proposal writing committee for the World Bank funded Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Project, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2018)
- Member, Sub-Committee for conducting and drafting Syllabi for the undergraduate course unit of Computer Applications, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2018)
- Member of the Editorial Board, Journal of Plant Biotechnology and Microbiology (2017-to date)
- Staff Member for the Sampath Green Inventor 2017: National Competition on Green Invention, conducted by Sampath Bank (2017 – to date)
- Member, Self-Evaluation Report writing committee for Institutional Review, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2017 – to date)
- Chairperson, Jaffna Science Association (Section A – Pure Science), Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2017 – 2018)
- Member of the Editorial Board, Arabian Journal of Chemistry, Elsevier Editorial System (2016 – 2019)
- Treasurer, Jaffna University Science Teachers’ Association, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2016 – 2018)
- Secretary, Jaffna Science Association (Section A – Pure Science), Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2016 – 2017)
- Member, Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2015 – to date)
- Overall Coordinator, Applied Science Degree Programme, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2014 – 2020)
- Research Consultant, Palmyrah Research Institute, Kaithady, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2014 – 2016)
- Activity Coordinator, Quality Innovation Grant (QIG) Physical Science Study Programme, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2013 – 2015)
- Member, Technical Evaluation Committee, Palmayrah Institute, Kaithady, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2013-2015)
- Financial Chair, Jaffna University International Research Conference, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2013 – 2014)
- Fire Marshal, Magdalen College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (2009- 2010)
- Social Secretaries, Clarendon Scholars’ Council, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (2008 – 2010)
- Editor, Science Student Union, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2004 – 2005)
- Treasurer, Chemical Society, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2003 – 2004)
Publication
Journal Papers:
- N. Kuganathan; S. Ganeshalingam, Encapsulation and Adsorption of Halogens into Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Micro, 1(1), 140-150, 2021
- Menisha; J.H.T. Jayamaha; K. Vignarooban; G. Sashikesh; K. Velauthamurthy; H.W.M.A.C. Wijayasinghe; M.A.K.L. Dissananyake, Gel-Polymer Electrolytes for Sodium Batteries-Raman and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Studies, Material Science Forum, 1023, 2021.
- Nimasha; S. Ganeshalingam; N. Kuganathan; K. Davazoglou; A. Chroneos, Defects and Calcium Diffusion in Wollastonite, Chemistry, 2, 937-944, 2020
- Kuganathan; S. Ganeshalingam; and A. Chroneos, Defect, transport, and dopant properties of andradite garnet Ca3Fe2Si3O12, AIP Advances, 10, 075004, 2020
- Perera; S. Ganeshalingam; N. Kuganathan; A. Chroneos, A Computational Study of Defects, Li-Ion Migration and Dopants in Li2ZnSiO4 Polymorphs, Crystals, 9, 563, 2019.
- Kuganathan; S. Ganeshalingam; A. Chroneos, Defects, Diffusion, and Dopants in Li2Ti6O13: Atomistic Simulation Study, Materials, 12, 2851, 2019.
- Kuganathan; S. Ganeshalingam; P. Abiman; A. Chroneos, Atomistic Model Approach to Identify Defects, Lithium Ion Diffusion and Trivalent Dopants in Li2MnO2, Journal of Jaffna Science Association, 1, 2019.
- Kuganathan; G. Sashikesh; A. Chroneos, Defects, Dopants and Lithium Mobility in Li9V3(P2O7)3 (PO4)2, Scientific reports, 8(1), 8140, 2018.
- Senathirajah; S. Rasalingam; G. Sashikesh, Extraction of the Cyanidin-3-Sophoroside from Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis: An Efficient Natural Indicator over a Wide Range of Acid-Base Titrations, Journal of Natural Product and Plant Reseources, 7(3), 1-7, 2017.
- Velauthamurty; N. Nagenthirarajah; G. Sashikesh, Analysis of salt, water, and soil samples from selected areas in Jaffna Peninsula, Journal of Der Pharmacia Lettre, 9(4), 1-11, 2017.
- K. Velauthamurty; S. Mary; G. Sashikesh; S. Srivijeindran, Enhance the quality of palmyrah (Borrasus flabellifer) jiggery, Journal of Natural Product and Plant Reseources, 5(2), 37-42, 2015.
- K. Velauthamurty; S. Balaranjan; G. Sashikesh, A Feasibility Study for the Authentication of PalmyrahJaggery Using NIR Spectroscopy, Archives of Applied Science Research, 6(6), 2014.
- G.Sashikesh; E. So; M. S. Ford; T. P. Softley, Surface ionization of molecular H2 and atomic H Rydberg states at doped silicon surfaces, Journal of Molecular Physics, 112 (18), 2495-2503, 2014.
- Sashikesh; M. S. Ford; T. P. Softley, Ionization of Rydberg H2 Molecules at Doped Silicon Surfaces, Journal of Chemical Physics, 138, 114308, 2013.
- S. Ganeshalingam; J. P. Jeyadevan; K. Kuganathan, Physicochemical Analysis of Pond Water Samples from Selected Areas in Valukkai Aru Drainage Channel, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Water Research & Development, 2 (1 & 2): 12 – 23, 2012.
- N. Kuganathan; S. Ganeshalingam, Chemical Analysis of Datura Metal Leaves and Investigation of the Acute Toxicity on Grasshoppers and Red Ants, E-Journal of Chemistry, 8(1): 107-112, 2011.
Newsletter/Magazine Articles:
- M. S. Nimasha; G. Sashikesh, Calcium ion migration in wollastonite mineral, Chemsoc news, 2021
- Sashikesh, jpz;kf;fopT Kfhikj;Jtk;, Pirajoga Vingana Sudar- Jaffna Science Association, Vol 12(1), 2020.
Full Papers:
- J. H. T. B. Jayamaha; V. Jathushan; R. P. P. D. Rajakaruna; K. Vignarooban; G. Sashikesh; K. Velauthamurty, Novel gel-polymer electrolytes for sodium batteries – An electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies, International Conference on Nanomaterials (ICN 2021), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, 2021
- C.N.B. Tennakoon; J.H.T.B. Jayamaha; V. Jathushan; K.G.H.S. Keppetiyawa; K. Vignarooban; G. Sashikesh; K. Velauthamurty, Natural resin based biopolymer electrolytes for sodium batteries, International Conference on Nanomaterials (ICN 2021), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, 2021
Abstracts:
- A. Thabesan; J.H.T.B. Jayamaha; V. Jathushan; K. Vignarooban; G. Sashikesh; K. Velauthamurty, Solid state biopolymer electrolytes based on Azadirachta indica derived natural resin for sodium-ion secondary batteries, Technological Advances in Science, Medicine and Engineering Conference (TASME 2021), Toronto, Canada, 2021
- C.N.B. Tennakoon; J.H.T.B. Jayamaha; V. Jathushan; K.G.H.S. Keppetiyawa; K. Vignarooban; G. Sashikesh; K. Velauthamurty, Commiphora mukul derived natural resin-based biopolymer electrolytes for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries, Physics Society, University of Jaffna, 2021
- J.H. T. B. Jayamaha; V. Jathushan; R. P. P. D. Rajakaruna; K. Vignarooban; G. Sashikesh; K. Velauthamurty, Gel-polymer electrolytes based on poly (methyl methacrylate) host polymer for sodium-ion rechargeable batteries, 8th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference, 1, 2021
- J.H. T. B. Jayamaha; G. Menisha; K. G. H. S. Keppetiyawa; S. L. N. Seavirathna; K. Vignarooban; G. Sashikesh; K. Veluathamurthy, H. W. M. A. C. Wijayasingahe; M. A. K. L. Dissanayake, Poly (methyl methacrylate) based gel-polymer electrolytes for sodium-ion secondary batteries – A comparative study with different ionic salts, 7th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference, 1, 2020
- G. Menisha; J.H.T.B. Jayamaha; K. Vignarooban; G. Sashikesh; K. Velauthamurthy; H.W.M.A.C. Wijayasinghe; M.A.K.L. Dissanayake, Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Sodium Batteries Raman and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Studies, 9th International Conference on Material Science and Engineering Technology, 2020.
- P. Olivia; P. Sivakumar; G. Sashikesh, Determination of heavy metals in selected fish species collected from Kakkaithivu, Jaffna estuary, Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the Student Research Symposium, ZSA, University of Jaffna, 2020.
- Y.Praveena; P. Anushkkaran; G. Sashikesh, Removal of Phenol by Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer) Kernel Shell Activated Carbon from Aqueous Solutions, 75th Annual session of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Sri Lanka, 2019.
- Y.Thapeetha; K. M. D. S. Digamadulla; G. Sashikesh; K. Sivashanthini, Chitin extraction from Crab shells by using Chemical method, Jaffna Science Association, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 26 (01), 21, 2019.
- S.Sivagnanasundaram; G. Sashikesh, The Temperature Dependence on the Acid Hydrolysis Processes of Palmyrah Fruit Fibers to Glucose, International conference on chemical sciences, Institute of chemistry Ceylon, Sri Lanka, 2018.
- G.Sashikesh; M. S. Ford; T. P. Softley, Charge transfer of Hydrogen Rydberg molecules with doped Si surfaces, 22nd International Conference of International Academy of Physical Sciences, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018.
- S.Sivagnanasundaram; J. Prabagar; G. Sashikesh, Kinetic study of acid hydrolysis of Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer) fruit husk to glucose, Proceeding of the Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE 2017), Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 21, 98, 2017.
- W.M. M. M. P. U Gayangani; S. Rasalingam; G. Sashikesh, Impact of Particle Sizes of the Strychnos potatorum Stem on the Removal of Iron from Ground Water, 5th International Symposium on water quality and human health: Challenges Ahead, PGIS, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 05, 33, 2016.
- S.Vasanthakumar; S. Sangheetha; S. Srivijendran; G. Sashikesh, Analysis of Biochemical Properties of Palmyrah Leaf Flour: Utilize as a Commercial Cattle Feed, Jaffna Science Association, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 23 (01), 12, 2016.
- S.Tharsika; G. Sashikesh; R. Srikaran; S. Rathiga; R. Shivatharsiny, Stability Study of Yellow Colour Pigment Extracted from Tumeric (Curcuma Longa) Root, Jaffna Science Association, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 23 (01), 02, 2016.
- S.Mary; G. Sashikesh; A. M. Nilushiny; S. Srivijeindran, Assessment on water purification capabilities of activated charcoal prepared from Palmyrah (Borrasus flabellifer) kernel shell by different carbonization and chemical activation processes, International conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (ICMA), 2, 2015.
- S.Tharshana; G. Sashikesh; J. Prabagar; R. Sentooran, Physicochemical characteristics of groundwater in a selected agricultural area in Neervely, Jaffna, 4th International Symposium on water quality and human health: Challenges Ahead, PGIS, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2015.
- T.P. Softley; M. S. Ford; E. So; G. Sashikesh; J. Gibbard; M. Dethlefsen; M. Kohlhoff, Interaction of Rydberg hydrogen atoms and molecules with metallic, semiconductor and nanostructured surfaces, Workshop on Ultracold Rydberg Physics, Granada, Spain, 2014.
- S.Balaranjan; K. Velauthamurty; G. Sashikesh, A preliminary study and principal component analysis for the authentication of palmyrah palm jaggery using NIR spectroscopy, International conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (ICMA), University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka, 1, 122, 2014.
- S.Mary; K. Velauthamurty; S. Srivijeindran; G. Sashikesh, Standardization and enhancement of quality of palmyrah (Borrasus flabellifer) jaggery, International conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka, 123, 2014.
- M.Vishnumeera; R. Senthooran; G. Sashikesh; J. Prabagar, Physicochemical characteristics of selective well water samples in Klinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, Sri Lanka, Third International Symposium on Water quality and Human Health, 13, 2014.
- G.Sashikesh; J. P. Jeydevan; T. Manoranjan, Introducing the new degree programme of B.Sc in Applied Chemistry, International conference on chemical sciences, Institute of chemistry Ceylon, Sri Lanka, 2014.
- T.P. Softley; E. So; M. S. Ford; E. McCormack; S. Ganeshalingam; M. Dethlefsen, Surface ionization of long lived Rydberg molecules, Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society, 238, 2009.
Poster Presentations
- M.Dethlefsen; E. So; J. Gibbard; S. Ganeshalingam; X. Li; T. P. Softley, Charge Transfer Dynamics of Rydberg Hydrogen atoms at Surfaces, ITN Conference, Pisa, Italy, 2012.
- S.Ganeshalingam; M. S. Ford; T. P. Softley, Interaction of hydrogen Rydberg molecules with a silicon semiconductor surface, Annual meeting of the Spectroscopy and Dynamics Group, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2011.
- G.Sashikesh; M. S. Ford; T. P. Softley, Interaction of hydrogen Rydberg molecule with silicon semiconductor surface, 10th European Conference on Atoms Molecules and Photons, Salamanca, Spain, 2010.
Awards & Grants
Awards:
- Development Oriented Research Grant for STEM Projects under the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (2019 – 2022).
- Excellence in Reviewing in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the quality of the Open Science Journal (2019).
- Postdoc Training programme on strategic planning, academic development and research collaboration under the water and society project at the University of Bergen, Norway (2019)
- Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation scholarship, India (2019).
- Perkin Research Studentship, Magdalen College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (2007-2011).
- Clarendon Scholarship, Magdalen College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (2007-2010).
- Merit award, inter university chemistry competition, Royal Society of Chemistry, Sri Lanka (2006).
- Prof.S. Mageswaran Gold Medal, best performance in fourth year Advanced Organic Chemistry (Theory & practical) in the Honours degree Examination, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2005).
- University (ThambiahMudaliyarChatran trust) Prize, best performance of the highest average marks of the Honours degree in Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2005).
- Sir ArunachalamMahadeva Memorial Prize, best performance in Honours degree in Chemistry, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2005).
- Ratnanathar Memorial Prize, best performance in third examination in Science, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2003).
- Edmund J. Cooray Memorial Prize, best student selected to do Honours Degree in Chemistry, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2002).
Grants:
- University Research Grant (URG/2021/SEIT/03) LKR. 600,000.00, for the research project on Green synthesis of Nano-bio-pesticide against plant diseases in plant protection, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2021 – 2022)
- University Research Grant (URG/2021/SEIT/26) LKR. 798,840.00, for the research project on Catalytic/photocatalytic removal of Pollutant by Piezoelectric CuBi2O4 material, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2021 – 2022)
- Development Oriented Research STEM Projects under the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development Operation (AHEAD/RA3/DOR/UOJ/SCI/62) LKR. 40, 000,000.00, for the research project on Development of Novel Electrolyte and Electrode Materials for Secondary Sodium-Ion and Magnesium-Ion Batteries, Sri Lanka (2019 – 2022)
- Conference Travel Grant from Research and Publication Grant -2018, University of Jaffna to presenting an abstract at an International Conference in India (2019).
- University Research Grant (URG/2018/SEIT/05) LKR. 799,600.00, for the research project on Adsorption of a selected pesticide from the ground water near agricultural area in Jaffna Peninsula using the Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer) kernel shell activated charcoal, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2018 – 2019)
- University Research Grant (URG/2015/12) LKR. 499,750.00, for the research project on Analysis of nutritional values of haustorium of Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer) seed and introduce the new haustorium product into the global market, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2015 – 2017)
- University Research Grant (URG/2015/22) LKR. 499, 900.00, for the research project on Visible light induced hydrogen production using dye sensitized TiO2 materials: A Comparison between natural and synthetic dyes, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2015 – 2016)
Teaching
- MEM20403: Management of Waste
- MECT10503: Hydrogen Energy Technologies
- ENS302G2: Environmental Chemistry
- CHE405M2: Advanced topics in Quantum Chemistry and Reaction Dynamics
- CHE406M3: Advanced topics in Thermodynamics Surface Chemistry and Macromolecules and Aggregates
- CHE422ME3: Advanced Topics in Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Electrochemistry
- CHE402MC4: Quantum Chemistry, Statistical Thermodynamics, Advanced Surface Chemistry, Macromolecules and Aggregates
- CHE403XS3: Industrial Waste Management and Cleaner Production
- CHE301MC3: Advanced analytical and spectroscopic techniques
- CHE302G3: Electrochemistry, Chemical kinetics and Surface chemistry
- CHE301GC2: Analytical chemistry
- CHE202G3: Quantum Mechanical Approach to Atomic and Molecular Structure and Molecular Spectroscopy
- CHE202GC3: Atomic and molecular structure and Basic principles of molecular spectroscopy
- ENS242GE2: Environmental Chemistry
- ENS342GE2: Environmental Pollution and Management
- CHS 03: Physical Chemistry – I
- CHS 07: Physical Chemistry – II
Research
- Development of Novel Electrolyte and Electrode Materials for Secondary Sodium-ion and Magnesium-ion rechargeable batteries would be a viable alternative to expensive Lithium-ion batteries.
- A Computational Study of Defect processes, Dopant behaviour, and Ion migration in the various/natural Polymorphs cathode material for secondary ion Batteries.
- Synthesis and characterization of a novel biomass-based activated carbon from natural plant materials and to investigate the factors that influence the effectiveness of the removal of heavy metal and toxic compounds from aqueous solution via the batch sorption.
- Extraction and characterization of natural dyes from leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and determine the factors that influence the degradation of dyes.
- Evaluate the rate of the reaction of acid hydrolysis of cellulose fibers from natural plant waste materials.