Amila Peramune Arachchilage
Researcher, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago
Amila Peramune Arachchilage is a researcher at the Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, and a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. His research centres on bioceramic and nano-hybrid materials for endodontic and dental applications, alongside phytochemical analysis of anticancer compounds from Sri Lankan plants.
Primary Research Interests
- Bioceramics in Endodontics: Studies calcium silicate, calcium phosphate and bioactive glass materials for root-end fillings, pulp capping and perforation repair.
- Nano-Hybrid Dental Composites: Develops composites using hydroxyapatite and montmorillonite for endodontic and restorative applications.
- Montmorillonite in Dentistry: Investigates the clay mineral's use as a reinforcing filler and drug delivery medium in dental materials.
- Phytochemistry of Anticancer Compounds: Quantifies camptothecin and its analogs in Sri Lankan plant species such as Ophiorrhiza and Nothapodytes nimmoniana.
- Analytical Chemistry: Applies HPLC-DAD, LC-MS and TLC methods to validate and quantify bioactive natural products.
Academic History & Qualification
- MSc in Industrial Analytical Chemistry (2015–2019)
Selected Publications & Thesis Work
Development of a Nano‐Hybrid Composite Using Bovine Hydroxyapatite and Montmorillonite for Endodontic Applications—An In Vitro Study
P. A. A. S. Prasad Kumara, Paul R. Cooper, Peter Cathro, Henry F. Duncan, Maree Gould, George Dias, Jithendra Ratnayake (2026). International Endodontic Journal.
Develops and evaluates a nano-hybrid composite of bovine hydroxyapatite and montmorillonite for endodontic use.
Bioceramics in Endodontics: Limitations and Future Innovations—A Review
Peramune Arachchilage Amila Saman Prasad Kumara, Paul Roy Cooper, Peter Cathro, Maree Gould, George Dias, Jithendra Ratnayake (2025). Dentistry Journal, 13(4), 157.
Reviews limitations of endodontic bioceramics and highlights innovations shaping future materials.
Montmorillonite in dentistry: a review of advances in research and potential clinical applications
P. A. A. S. Prasad Kumara, Xiaoxuan Deng, Paul R. Cooper, Peter Cathro, George Dias, Maree Gould, Jithendra Ratnayake (2024). Materials Research Express, 11(7), 72001.
Reviews montmorillonite's properties, composite formulations and applications in dentistry.
Hewagamage Dona Gihani Asmeer Ranasinghe, Peramune Arachchilage Amila Saman Prasad Kumara, Koonara Mudiyanselage Thilini Dinesha Weerasekara, Poruthotage Pradeep Rasika Perera, Nazeera Salim, Chandrika Udumalagala Gamage (2024). Current Analytical Chemistry, 20(8), 599–610.
Quantifies camptothecin and analogs in Ophiorrhiza species across Sri Lanka, identifying sustainable anticancer compound sources.
Cellular localisation and quantification of Camptothecin in different plant parts of Nothapodytes nimmoniana (J. Graham) Mabberley of Sri Lankan origin
Kamalapani Darshani Degambada, Amila Saman Prasad Kumara Peramune Arachchilage, Nazeera Salim, Udumalagala Gamage Chandrika, Ajita Mahendra Abeysekera (2023). Phytochemical Analysis, 34(4), 453–460.
Investigates camptothecin distribution in plant parts and compares extraction methods for better recovery.
Diaporthe sp. F18; a new source of camptothecin-producing endophytic fungus from Nothapodytes nimmoniana growing in Sri Lanka
K. D. Degambada, P. A. A. S. P. Kumara, N. Salim, A. M. Abeysekera, U. G. Chandrika (2023). Natural Product Research.
Identifies a camptothecin-producing endophytic fungus from Nothapodytes nimmoniana in Sri Lanka.
Highlights
- PhD candidate at the Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, developing nano-hybrid endodontic materials (from 2022)
- Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (from 2007)