Professional Associates
G. K. Madura Sanjeevani (DVM, MS, MS) – Veterinarian
Dr. Sanjeevani has a long history of involvement as a veterinary biologist with our primate program; her first involvement was in 2001 as an undergraduate in studies relating to issues of primate health. She co-authored two publications with us in prestigious international scientific journals.
She earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, in 2003, and obtained a MS degree in Dairy and Meat Product Technology from the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, from the sane university in 2008. She has extensive experience as a Government Veterinary Surgeon in Sri Lanka since 2006, and had expanded her training with two years (2009-2011) at the Freie Universität, in Berlin, Germany, and at the Chiang Mai University in Thailand, earning yet another degree in Veterinary Public Health. She had additional laboratory training in Vienna, Austria.
She is currently employed as a Veterinary Surgeon in the Polonnaruwa district. We are happy to have her participation again in our primate research program and look forward to fruitful collaborations in addressing health issues among primates and other wild animals in and around our study area.
Palitha Handunge – Photographer
Palitha has a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Peradeniya and holds Post Graduate diplomas in Mass Media Studies diplomas (University of Colombo) and Management and Development (University of Peradeniya), and has had special training in Japan concerning audio-visual communication. He has won several awards in national and international photographic competitions, including the prestigious Special Judges Prize in the SONY ICD Video Contest in Japan. He is president o f the Senkadagala Photo Circle and a Life Member of the National Photographic Art Society (Sri Lanka). As a pioneering member of the Institute of Sri Lankan Photographers he has organized many nature photographic workshops in different areas of Sri Lanka. He is currently employed as a Senior Staff Audio Visual Producer and Trainer with the University of Peradeniya.
His is keenly interested in the production of video documentaries about nature and rural life in Sri Lanka, but has also focused his lens to capture images of monkeys and their behavior.
He has passed his artistic flare on to his son, Pulasthi, who at an early age has won several prizes for his talents in painting. Palitha is married to Chandra who is employed in our office keeping data records.