Anjana H.J. Welikala

About

Anjana Welikala is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB), University of Colombo, specializing in population genetics. Her research investigates the geographic distribution and demographic expansion of the Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils and Adivasi (Vedda) populations through the analysis of uniparental markers, specifically mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosomal haplogroups. Under the mentorship of Dr. Ruwandi Ransinghe, Emeritus Professor Kamani Tennekoon and Emeritus Professor Gamini Adikari, her work aims to elucidate the genetic history and evolutionary trajectories of these populations.

In addition to her doctoral research, Ms. Welikala collaborates with the Cytogenetics Laboratory at the Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, India and the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya. She also serves as a Temporary Assistant Lecturer at IBMBB, where she conducts laboratory practical sessions, tutorials and provides research assistance to MSc students.

Ms. Welikala is actively involved in two major research projects: one exploring the human settlement history of Sri Lanka and another analyzing gut microbiome variations among contemporary populations. She also has expertise in heritage conservation, with a particular focus on microbial deterioration of archaeological sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya.

Beyond her academic and research contributions, she is deeply committed to community development, particularly in supporting the Adivasi (Vedda) communities. By integrating her scientific expertise with service-driven initiatives, she strives to bridge research and practical applications, fostering a meaningful impact in both academic and societal contexts.

Publications and Communications

·        Welikala A, Desai S, Fernando A, Kotelawala J, Adikari G, Tennekoon K, Chaubey G, Ranasinghe R, Phylogenetic insights into Mitochondrial DNA variations among the Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils and Indigenous Vedda populations of Sri Lanka, Integrating Archaeogentics, Forensics, and Multi-omics for Human Health Breakthroughs, INBIX-ADNAT, Banaras Hindu University, India, 2024 (Oral Talk).

·        Welikala AHJ, Kotelawala JT, Jayasekara L, Adikari G, Tennekoon KH, Ranasinghe R, Embarking on a genetic journey to ‘Simhapura’: Unraveling the ancestral homeland of the Sinhalese through genetics, 4^th International Conference on Frontiers in Molecular Life Sciences, IBMBB, 2024

·        Fernando AS, Bandyopadhyay E, de la Fuente Castro C, Witonsky D, Welikala A, Kotelawala, Somadeva R, Rai N, Raghavan M, Tennekoon KH, Ranasinghe R, Comparing mitochondrial and genome-wide demographic signals in the Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils, and Ratugala Adivasi Populations, 4th International Conference on Frontiers in Molecular Life Sciences, IBMBB, 2024

·        Welikala A, Desai S, Pratap Singh P, Fernando A, Thangaraj K, van Driem G, Adikari G, Tennekoon K, Chaubey G, Ranasinghe R. The genetic identity of the Vedda: A language isolate of South Asia. Mitochondrion. 2024;76:101884. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2024.101884.

·        Aragon JAU, Bandyopadhyay E, de la Fuente Castro D, Witonsky D, Steinrücken M, Fernando AS, Welikala AH, Kotelawala JT, Tennekoon KH, Ranasinghe R, Rai N, Raghavan M, Genomic histories of the Adivasi and Sinhalese populations of Sri Lanka, Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SEMB), Mexico, 2024

·        Aragon JAU, Bandyopadhyay E, de la Fuente Castro D, Witonsky D, Steinrücken M, Fernando AS, Welikala AH, Kotelawala JT, Tennekoon KH, Ranasinghe R, Rai N, Raghavan M, Genetic histories of the Adivasi and Sinhalese populations of Sri Lanka, 93rd Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California, 2024

·        Welikala AHJ, Fernando AS, Faizan M, Rai N, Thangaraj K, Tennekoon KH, Ranasinghe R, Understanding the maternal genetic affinities of Adivasi (Vedda) population in Sri Lanka: exploring the complete mitochondrial DNA, European Journal of Human Genetics, 2024: 319; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-023-01481-y

·        Welikala AHJ, Fernando A, Kotelawala JT, Tennekoon KH, Ranasinghe R, Length heteroplasmy analysis in the C-stretch of Mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region I in Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamil and Vedda populations in Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the 12^th Annual Scientific Sessions, IBMBB, 2023

·        Welikala AHJ, Ranasinghe R, Tennekoon KH, Kotelawala JT, Weerasooriya PR, Mitochondrial DNA (CA)_n dinucleotide repeat variations in Sinhalese and Vedda populations in Sri Lanka, Genetica, (2022) 150(2): 145-150. DOI: 10.1007/s10709-022-00150

·        Welikala AHJ, Ranasinghe R, Tennekoon KH, Mitogenome analysis in Sinhalese and Indigenous Vedda population in Sri Lanka, 3^rd International Conference on Frontiers in Molecular Life Sciences, IBMBB, 2022

·        Welikala AHJ, Ranasinghe R, Tennekoon KH, Weerasooriya PR, Rai N, Thangaraj K, Polymorphisms analysis of human mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region III in a cohort of Sinhalese and Vedda population in Sri Lanka, 28^th FAOBMB and 2^nd CBSL Conference, 2020

·        Welikala AHJ, Ranasinghe R, Tennekoon KH, Development of a Y-SNP array based on major Y- haplotypes using multiplex PCR and SNaPshot minisequencing and validating on a few selected Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Tamil individuals, European Journal of Human Genetics (2019) 27:1814–1920

·        Welikala AHJ, Ranasinghe R, Tennekoon KH, Weerasooriya PR, Rai N, Thangaraj K, Development of a Y chromosomal array with the use of minisequencing technique, Proceedings of the 11^th Annual Scientific Sessions, IBMBB, 2019

Book Chapters and Public Communicationss

·        Welikala AHJ, Adikari G, Tennekoon KH, Ranasinghe R, ‘Deshaja Vedda saha Jaana Praveniya (Native Veddas and Genetic Heredity)’ in book: Celebrating the Majesty of Mahiyangana, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, Mahiyanganaya, 2025 -Sinhala medium

Awards and Prices

·        Best Oral Presenter of the session “Population genetics” at 4^th International Conference on Frontiers in Molecular Life Sciences, IBMBB, 2024

·        Best Oral Presenter of “Molecular Genetics and Genomic Medicines” at Proceedings of the 12^th Annual Scientific Session of the IBMBB, 2023

·        Vidyajothi Professor Eric H. Karunanayake Gold Medal for the Best student for Master of science in Molecular Life Sciences, IBMBB, 2019