Dr.(Mrs).T. C.Jeyaseelan

Dr. (Mrs.) Tharmila C. Jeyaseelan
Senior Lecturer Gr.II
B.Sc. [Hons] (Jaffna),
Ph.D. (Peradeniya)

cjtharmila@univ.jfn.ac.lk
+94 21 222 9645

  • Ph.D. (Molecular Plant Virology) [2020]Plant Protection Board of Study
    Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
    Part of the research was carried out at the University of Reading, United Kingdom.
  • Coursework for Molecular and Applied Microbiology (30 Credits)
    Plant Protection Board of Study
    Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
  • B.Sc. (Honors) in Botany, First Class [2009]Department of Botany, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
  • Induction Course for Probationary Academic Staff [2013]Staff Development Centre, University of Jaffna.
  • Plant Diversity
  • Plant Systematics
  • Plant Breeding
  • Plant Virology
  • Applied Botany- Weed Biology
  • Economically Important Plants
  • Senior Lecturer in Botany (Grade I) [2023 – Present]
  • Senior Treasurer, Biological Society, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna (December 2023 – December 2025).
  • Senior Lecturer in Botany (Grade II) [2020 – 2023]
  • Member of the Technical Program Committee at the Vingnanam Research Conference -2022
  • Member of the committee in celebrating the Golden Jubilee year (2023-2024)
  • Member of the Biosafety Committee: A sub-committee of the Faculty Board of Science (03.11.2023- to date).
  • Member of the web & IT service committee: A sub-committee of the Faculty Board of Science (07.09.2023– to date).
  • Member of the Newsletter and student handbook committee: A sub-committee of the Faculty Board of Science (01.09.2023- to date)
  • Academic Counsellor (01.09. 2023 to date)
  • Student Counsellor (08.03.2022 –  07.03.2023)
  • Demonstrator (Temporary) [2009-2010]
  • Assistant Lecturer (Temporary) [2010 – 2012]
  • Lecturer in Botany [2012 – 2020]
  • Member of the Science Faculty Board, University of Jaffna, 2020 to date
  • Organizing committee member – Jaffna University International Research Conference (JUICE)-2014.
  • Member of the programme review committee under teaching and learning Criteria

  • Coordinator for Extended Applied Science Degree Programme, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna.

Research Interest

  • Diagnosis of Virus, Viroid and Phytoplasma diseases
  • Molecular Identification and Characterization of Plant Viruses, Viroids and Phytoplasmas
  • Developing Molecular Techniques to Detect Plant Viruses, Viroids and Phytoplasmas
  • Eco-friendly disease management practices
  • Screening bioactive compounds from plants

Book chapter

  • Jeyaseelan, E.C & Jeyaseelan, T.C. (2025). Plant Diversity. In Wijeyamohan, S. (Eds.). Ecotourism in the island of Delft, Sri Lanka (pp 26-51). Humedica International.
  • Emmanuel, C.J & Jeyaseelan, T.C. (2023). Brinjal (Eggplant). In L.P.Awasthi (Ed.). Viral Diseases of Field and Horticultural Crops (pp 387-392). Elsevier Inc, USA https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90899-3.00083-5.

In Peer Reviewed International Journals

  1.  I.A.S.S. Sumanasiri, I.A.S.S., Jeyaseelan, T.C. (2026). Assessing the transmissibility of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and its effects on growth, development and variation of antioxidant levels in tomato. Proceedings of the 14th YSF Symposium, p. 320-336.
  2. Tharmila Christy Jeyaseelan, Anoban Karunananthan, Deluxeani Kugathasan, Keshiga Gangeyan & Christy Jeyaseelan Emmanuel (2025).Indian strain of Sri Lankan Cassava Mosaic Virus associated with cassava mosaic disease in Sri Lanka. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection, p.1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/03235408.2025.2600586
  3. Dassanayaka, G. G., Srikokulan, S. and Christy Jeyaseelan, T. (2024). Physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical analysis of different brands of Hingwashtak churna; a polyherbal medicine in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 14(4), 1082–1086. https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v14i4.3966.
  4. Naseeha, N., Nuha1, M.A.F., Zahra, M.N.P., Sivasinthujah, S. and Christy Jeyaseelan, T. (2024). Antifungal activity of different solvent extracts from stem and leaf of Cassia fistula. Journal of Science Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 15(01), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.4038/jsc.v15i1.68.
  5. Jeyaseelan, T.C., Arachchi, D.S.S. and  Keshiga, G.  (2023). Molecular identification of phytoplasma associated with brinjal little leaf disease in Sri Lanka. Journal of Plant Pathology. 105, pp.1661–1667. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-023-01475-1
  6.  Gathika, G.D., Sivasinthujah, S. and Tharmila, C.J. (2023). Physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical analysis of different brands of Hingwashtak churna; a polyherbal medicine in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine. Vol 14 (4), pp.1082-1086.
  7. Jeyaseelan, T.C., De Costa, D.M. and Shaw, M.W. (2021). Two different begomovirus species are associated with yellow vein mosaic disease of okra in Sri Lanka. Molecular Biology Reports. 48, pp. 1383–1391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06213-3
  8. Tharmila, C.J., Emmanuel, C.J., De Costa, D.M, and Shaw, M.W. (2020). Detection and absolute quantification of betasatellites associated with okra yellow vein mosaic disease by qPCR. Journal of Virological Methods. 276, pp. 1-8.
  9. Jeyaseelan, T.C., Jeyaseelan, E.C., De Costa, D.M. and Shaw, M.W (2019) Selecting and optimizing a reliable DNA extraction method for isolating viral DNA in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). Vingnanam Journal of Science. 14 (1), pp. 7-13.
  10. Tharmila, C. J., Emmanuel, C.J., De Costa, D.M. and Shaw, M W. (2018) Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of betasatellite molecules associated with okra yellow vein mosaic disease in Sri Lanka. Tropical Plant Pathology. 43(5), pp. 468-472. doi:10.1007/s40858-018-0225-1.
  11. Jeyaseelan, E.C., Jenifer, J., Tharmila, C.J., Jashothan, P.T.J., Nandakumar, J. and Jeyadevan, J.P. (2017). Authentication of antibacterial activity of wound healing Siddha medicinal plants. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications .7(8), pp. 407-411.
  12. Piratheepa, K., Thavaranjit, A.C., Tharmila C. J., Nanthakumar, J. and Nalini, S. (2015) Factors influencing on germination of some plant seeds by bacterization of Serratia marcescens. J. Nat. Prod. Plant Resour. 5 (1), pp. 26-30.
  13. Sivasinthujah, P., Srikaran, R., Thavaranjit, A.C, Velauthamurty, K., Tharmila, C.J., Abiman, P. and Iyngaran, P. (2014) Contents of nitrate, nitrite and the occurrence of bacteria in fermented cooked parboiled rice and their potential ingestion in the diet. J. Microbiol. Biotech. Res. 4 (4), pp. 56-61.
  14. Tharmila, S., Jeyaseelan, E.C. and Justin Jasothan, P.T. (2013) Antibacterial efficacy of Manibadra choornaya and its individual ingredients. International Research Journal of Pharmacy. 4(7), pp. 95-98.
  15. Tharmila, S., Vasanthakala, R., Nalini, S. and Thavaranjit, A.C. (2013) In vitro screening of antagonistic effect of soil borne bacteria on some selected phytopathogenic fungi. Archives of Applied Science Research. 5(1), pp. 1-4.
  16. Jeyaseelan, E.C, Tharmila, S., Sathiyaseelan, V. and Niranjan, K. (2012) Antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts of some selected medicinal plants present in Jaffna peninsula. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Archives. 3(4), pp. 792-796.
  17. Jeyaseelan, E.C., Tharmila, S. and Niranjan, K. (2012) Antagonistic activity of Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus spp. against Pythium aphanidermatum isolated from tomato damping off. Archives of Applied Science Research. 4(4), pp. 1623-1627.
  18. Jeyaseelan, E.C., Kothai, S., Kavitha, R., Tharmila, S. and Thavaranjit, A.C. (2012) Antibacterial Activity of Some Selected Algae Present in the Costal Lines of Jaffna peninsula. International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archives. 3(2), pp. 343-347.
  19. Tharmila, S., Jeyaseelan, E.C. and Thavaranjit, A.C. (2012) Inhibitory effect of some traditional hair washing substances on hair borne bacteria. Der Pharmacia Lettre. 04(01), pp. 199-204.
  20. Tharmila, S., Jeyaseelan, E.C. and Thavaranjit A.C. (2011) Preliminary screening of alternative culture media for the growth of some selected fungi. Archives of Applied Science Research. 3(3), pp. 389-393.
  21. Jeyaseelan, E.C., Tharmila. S. and Thavaranjit, A.C. (2011) In vitro evaluation of different aqueous extracts of Senna alata leaves for antibacterial activity. Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine. 01(02), pp. 64-69.
  22. Tharmila, S., Thileepan, T., Thavaranjit, A.C. and Srikaran, R. (2011) Antibacterial properties of “Accmus” mouthwash. Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine. 01(02), pp. 83-8.

Research Abstracts Presented at Conferences

  1. Anulawansha, T.K.T.M., Sutharsini, U. and Tharmila, C.J., 2025. Eco-friendly silver nanoparticles synthesized from stem extracts of Mesosphaerum suaveolens: Antimicrobial and insecticidal potential. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Advanced Materials for Clean Energy and Health Applications, p.125.
  2.  Thenushika, J., Thenusha, J., Mayurika, M., Sivasinthujah, S., Tharmila, J. and Malathy, 2025. Antibacterial activity of Ulvan extracted from Ulva fasciata, Sri Lanka. In: Proceedings of the 7th Undergraduate Research Symposium 2025, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Jaffna, p.5.
  3. Ginthujah, V., Jayapria, S., Thirtsha, G., Sivasinthujah, S., Tharmila C.J. and Srithevi, S. (2024). Antibacterial activity of polysaccharides extracted from the root of Premna serratifolia (Wind killer). Proceedings of the International Research Conference in Health Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences University of Sri Jayewardenepura. p68.
  4. Ginthujah, V., Jayapria, S., Thirtsha, G., Sivasinthujah, S., Tharmila C.J. and Srithevi, S. (2024). Antibacterial activity of polysaccharides extracted from the root of Premna serratifolia (Wind killer). Proceedings of the International Research Conference in Health Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences University of Sri Jayewardenepura. p68.
  5. Hamshalini S. and Jeyaseelan T.C.(2023). Detection of Begomoviruses Using Dot-Blot Hybridization in Plant Sap. 9th International Conference of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. p187.
  6. Naseeha, N., Nuha, M.A.F., Zahra, N., Sivasinthujah, S. and Christy Jeyaseelan, T. (2023). In-vitro screening of antifungal activity of different parts of C.fistula in Kurunegala. Proceedings of Jaffna Science Association, Jaffna, Volume 29(1): p30.
  7. Dassanayaka, D.M.G.G., Srikokulan, S., Christy Jeyaseelan, T. (2021). Quality evaluation of selected different marketed brands of polyherbal medicine “Hingwashtak churna” in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. 4th Undergraduate Research Symposium, Faculty of Medicine. p 41.
  8. Arudchelvan, K., Tharmila, C. J., Jeyaseelan, E.C. and De Costa, D.M. (2022). Prevalence of begomovirus association with different viral disease symptoms in tomato cultivation in Jaffna peninsula. Proceedings of Jaffna Science Association, Jaffna, Volume 28(1): p10.
  9. Sujani, S.W. and Tharmila, C.J. (2022). Bioactivity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of plants traditionally used for oral care. Proceedings of 26th Annual Technological Advances in Science, Medicine, and Engineering Conference 2022.
  10. Kugathasan, D., Aruldchelvan, K., Jeyaseelan, T. C. and Emmanuel, C. J. (2021). Mutations observed in selected SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Undergraduate Research Symposium, Physics Society, University of Jaffna.1, pp. 3.
  11. Tharmila, C.J., Jeyaseelan, E.C., Ihsan, U., Wetten, A.C., De Costa, D.M. and Shaw, M.W. (2017) First Report on Association of Okra yellow vein mosaic virus With Yellow Vein Mosaic Disease of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in Sri Lanka. Plant Disease. 101(7), pp. 1335. doi:10.1094/PDIS-10-16-1492-PDN.
  12. Kothai, S., Tharmila, S. and Thavaranjit, A.C. (2014) Evaluation of two locally available tuber flours as alternative media for culturing fungi. Proceedings of the Peradeniya Univ. International Research Sessions, Sri Lanka. 18, pp. 428.
  13. Tharmila, S., Sevvel, P., Niranjan, K. and Ravimannan, N. (2013) In vitro antibacterial activity of some medicinal plants found in Jaffna peninsula. Jaffna Science Association twentieth Annual Sessions. pp. 03.
  14. Jeyaseelan, E.C., Tharmila, S. and Niranjan, K. (2012) In vitro antagonistic effect of Trichoderma spp. against Tomato damping off pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum. Proceedings of the abstracts of Jaffna university international research conference. pp. 13.
  15. Kalaichelvi, S., Tharmila, S. and Arulanantham, C.T. (2012) Antimicrobial study of different methods of purified sulphur. Pandit G.P Wickramarachchi Memorial International Research Symposium. Pp. 51.
  16. Tharmila, S., Jeyaseelan, E.C. and Thavaranjit, A.C. (2011) Feasibility of using palmyrah raw tuber flour as an alternative culture medium for fungal growth. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka. pp. 05.
  17. Tharmila, S., Jeyaseelan, E.C. and Thavaranjit, A.C. (2011) Evaluation of in vitro antibacterial activity of some medicinal plant extracts on hair borne bacteria. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka. pp.14.
  18. Jeyaseelan, E.C., Tharmila, S., Kavitha, R., Niranjan, K. and Thavaranjit, A.C. (2011) Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical analysis of different aqueous extracts of Senna alata. Vavuniya Campus Annual Research Session. pp. 46.

Peer-reviewed Presentations at Symposia – Published as full papers

  • Thuvaragan, S., Jayawardhane, S.W and Tharmila C.J. (2026). Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of marketed herbal mouthwashes at community pharmacies in the Jaffna municipal council area, Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 14th Young Scientists Forum Symposium. ISBN: 978-955-8630-46-4, p.101-104.
  • Anulawansha, T.K.T.M. and Jeyaseelan, T.C., 2025. Screening antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles green synthesized from Mesosphaerum suaveolens leaf extract. In: Proceedings of the 13th Young Scientists Forum Symposium, pp.27–31.

Articles in Newsletters

  • Tharmila Christy Jeyaseelan,  Paal vendi’: A traditional okra variety that is vanishing in front of us. Newsletter of the Jaffna Science Association (JSA). Page 5 and 6, volume 28, issue 02, January 2022.
  • Tharmila Christy Jeyaseelan. Biodiversity conservation through organic farming (in Tamil). “Warana/Varanam”, the first bilingual (Sinhala and Tamil) magazine on nature. The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) of Sri Lanka. Page 27 and 28, Vol. 11 Number 6 & Vol. 12 No 1, 2021.
  • Tharmila Christy Jeyaseelan. The silent spread of Neltuma juliflora and the hidden danger of misidentification. In the Newsletter of the Jaffna Science Association (JSA).  Volume 32, issue 02, May 2026.

National Awards

National awards for Excellence in Agricultural Research-2023 offered by Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation- 2nd place in the Non-Plantation Sector

Awards

Prof. K. Theivendirajah Gold medal

For the best performance in the honours degree examination in Science with a first class -2008

Mooththathamby Swaminathan prize

For the best performance in the honours degree examination in Science -2008 

Grants

  • University Research Grant-2021, Grant No- URG-2021-SEIT-21 [Rs.0.8 Million]: Ongoing
  • Financial Assistance by University Grants Commission for higher studies, Grant No: UGC/DRIC/PG/2015(ii)/JFN/01. [1.1 Million]

National and International Contributions

  • Member of the Sri Lankan Association for the Advancement of Science.
  • Life member of Sri Lanka Association for Mycology and Plant Pathology (SLAMPP)
  • Life member of Jaffna Science Association (JSA).

  • Member of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka

Resource person

  • Resource person for the workshop conducted on “Extraction and screening of antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and related products’ for postgraduate students, probationary lecturers, and recently graduated undergraduate students held from 15th to 17th October, 2025 organized by Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology.
  • Resource person for the workshop conducted on “Using AI in Research: From Topic Selection to Publication” for researchers at the Palmyrah Research Institute (PRI) on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
  • Training programme for technical officers organized by the Faculty of Science (August 2020).
  • Practical training for G.C.E. (A/L) Biology teachers held from 19th-20th March 2013 at the University of Jaffna.

Editor

  • 3rd VINGNANAM Research Conference  [Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna] – 2024
  • 30th Annual Session, Jaffna Science Association (2023/2024)

National / International Contributions

  • Conducted Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) awareness programme organized by SSM for school students in the schools of Northern province,2023- 2024.
  • Contributed to a 3-day scientific mapping exercise on Medicinal plants, Flora, Fauna and Ecotourism in Delft island, Jaffna District, organized by Humedika International Lanka (From 30th August to 1st of September).
  • Joint secretary for the Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology (SSM) conference Jaffna chapter-2024