Profile

• Geriatric Nursing
• Epidemiology
• Community Health Nursing
• Pharmacology
• Gynecology and Obstetrics Nursing
• Fundamentals of Nursing

• Gerontological Nursing, Education, Nursing/ caregiver education, Neurodegenerative disorders

• University Colours for Chess (2007), University of Sri Jayewardenepura
• Inter University colours for chess - SLUSA (Sri Lanka Universities of Sports Associations) (2007)
• Young Educators Travel Award received from the FAOPS2019 & ADInstruments Teaching workshop, Kobe, Japan, for the research study on ‘Reasons for absenteeism from academic activities and clinical training among nursing undergraduates’ in 2019.

• Member of the nEURO care project (funded by Erasmaus+ grant) for 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, to develop a Master's degree programme in neurodegenerative disorders which will be delivered by four Sri Lankan partner universities in collaboration with European universities in 2025.
• Involvement as an Exchange teacher in the Student /Teacher Exchange Program conducted between Kristianstad University, Sweden and KDU, Sri Lanka, 2019-2020
• Student Counsellor, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
• Advisory board member to the curriculum and Bylaws revision committee, Diploma in Nursing program, Naval Nurses' Training School, Welisara.
• External examiner, Adult Nursing, practical examinations, BSc Nursing Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2017- 2018.
• External examiner Nursing Skills Practice Examination, BSc Nursing Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2018.
• Coordinator, Diploma in Naval Nursing Program conducted by Naval Nursing School Welisara, 2017-2018.
• Visiting lecturer, Diploma in Naval Nursing Program, Welisara, since 2016.
• Coordinator, Home Based Care for Elderly program, conducted by the Department of Health Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, 2012.
• Visiting lecturer, Home Based Care for Elderly program, conducted by the Department of Health Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, 2012
• Member of the Sri Lanka Nurses Association since 2012
• Member of the Graduate Nurses Foundation since 2011
• Member of the research committee of the Graduate Nurses Foundation, 2012
• Member of the Sri Lanka Association of Advancement of Science (SLAAS), since 2011
• Member of the National Science Foundation (NSF), since 2018

Referred Journal articles

• Wijesiri HSMSK, Wasalathanthri S, De Silva Weliange S, Wijeyaratne, C.N., 2023. Quality of life and its associated factors among home-dwelling older people residing in the District of Colombo, Sri Lanka: a community-based cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 13:e068773.
  https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068773
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Samarasinghe, K., Wasalathanthri, S. and Wijeyaratne, C.N., 2022. Experiences of family caregivers of the older people with limitations in activities: A qualitative study. International Journal of Health and Social care in the Community, Wiley Online Library, Vol. 30(6), PP. e6511-e6520.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.14097
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Weliange. S.H. De Silva, Wasalathanthri, S. and Wijeyaratne, C.N., 2021. The prevalence and correlates of activity limitations among the elderly in informal caregiving settings in Colombo district, Sri Lanka: A community based cross-sectional study. International journal of caring sciences, 13(3), 1568-1577.
  http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/3_wijesiri_original_14_3.pdf
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Samarasinghe, K., Edberg, A-K., 2019, ‘Loneliness among older people living in care homes in Sri Lanka’, International Journal of Older People Nursing, Wiley Online Library, Vol. 14, e12253.
  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/opn.12253
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K. and Suresh, T.S., 2013, ‘Knowledge and attitudes towards Dysmenorrhoea among adolescent girls in an urban school in Sri Lanka’, Journal of Nursing and Health sciences, Wiley Blackwell Publishers, Vol. 15(2), pp. 58-64.
  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1442-2018.2012.00736.x

Conference papers

• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Vidanage, D., 2022. Nursing Students' Self-interest in Selecting Nursing as a Career and its Association with the Clinical Attendance: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study' presented as an oral presentation at the Peradeniya University International Nursing Research Sessions - 2022 (iPUNRSE -2022), 17th June 2022. ISBN-978-624-5709-26-7.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., S.H. De Silva, Wasalathanthri, S. and Wijeyaratne, C.N., (2021). Abstract titled 'Factors Affecting the Overall Quality of Life of the Elderly living in Informal Caregiving Settings in Colombo district, Sri Lanka' presented as an oral presentation at the iPURSE conference, University of Peradeniya on 12th November 2021. Vol. 23.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., S.H. De Silva, Dalpatadu, K.P.C., Wasalathanthri, S. and Wijeyaratne, C.N., 2021. Abstract titled ‘the impact of a need-based educational intervention on the psychological wellbeing of activity limited older people in informal caregiving settings in Colombo district’ presented as an oral presentation at the PSSL (Physiological Society Sri Lanka) annual scientific sessions, 11th December 2021.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., S.H. De Silva, Wijeyaratne, C.N., and Wasalathanthri, S. S., 2020. ‘Morbidity status and its association with activities of daily living among elderly living in informal caregiving settings in Colombo district’, Sri Lanka Medical Association 133rd Anniversary International Medical Congress, 16th July, 2020.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., S.H. De Silva, Wijeyaratne, C.N. and Wasalathanthri, S., 2020, Comparison of activity limitations among different age groups of elderly living in informal caregiving settings in Colombo district, Gerontology and Geriatrics Medicine, 2020, 5-6th December, 2020.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., and Samarasinghe, K., 2019. ‘Perceptions towards health and caregiving among elderly with loneliness, living in aged-care homes’. The 96th Annual Meeting of The Physiological Society of Japan. The Journal of Physiological Sciences 69 (Suppl 1), 1-314 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12576-019-00673-w. Proceedings of the 9th Federation of the Asians and Oceanian Physiological societies (FAOPS) congress, springer, pp.124. Abstract presented at the FAOPS international research conference, Kobe, Japan on 29^th March 2019.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., and Vidanage, D., 2019. ‘Reasons for absenteeism from academic activities and clinical training among nursing undergraduates’, Paper presented to 9th FAOPS congress, Japan, 27th March 2019.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., and Samarasinghe, K., 2018. ‘Experiences of loneliness and coping methods used to alleviate loneliness among older people living in residential aged care facilities: A mixed method study’, paper presented to 1st International Nursing Congress proceedings, University of Peradeniya, 6th April 2018.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K. and Vidanage, D., 2017. ‘Association of gender difference and study discipline with absenteeism from academic activities and clinical training among undergraduates of Faculty of Allied Health Sciences’, paper presented to 10th International Research Conference, conference held at KDU, 3rd - 4th Aug 2017.
• Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K. and Samarasinghe, K., 2017. ‘Level of loneliness and its association with the socio-demographic factors among elderly living in elderly care homes’, paper presented to 3rd Annual Academic Sessions in Sri Lanka Association of Geriatric Medicine, conference held at Galadari Hotel, 17th Nov 2017.
• Vidanage, D. and Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., ‘Prevalence of needle stick injuries among B.Sc. Nursing Undergraduates in General Sir John KotelawalaDefence University’, paper presented to 9th International Research Conference, conference held at KDU, 8th - 9th Sep 2016.

Students' research publications

• Balachandra, R.T., Hansamali, R.A.P., Dhananjaya, S.M., Premarathna, W.P.I.P., Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K. and Rathnayake, S., 2022. Abstract titled ‘The Attitudes toward and Willingness to Work with Older People among Nurses at University Hospital, Kotelawala Defence University (UHKDU), Sri Lanka’ as an oral presentation at the 15th International Research conference on 30th September 2022.
• Malawana, M.W.S.I., Medawela, R.M.G.H.S., Jayamaha, W.K.I., Wasala, W.M.A.S., Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K. and Samarasekara, P.W.G.D.P., 2021. Abstract titled ‘Knowledge Regarding Cancer, Treatment Methods and Side Effects of Cancer Drugs among Parents of Children Attending Oncology Units at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama, Sri Lanka’ presented as poster presentation at the 14th international research conference, Kotelawala Defence University on 10th September 2021.
• Wijesekara, H.A.T.M., Sanjeewani, B.G.H., Sandeepani, B.A.D.N., Samarasinghe, H.A., Sathsarani, A.W.A., Godamulla, G.R.L., Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K. and Warnakulasuriya, Sudath S.P., 2020. Prevalence and association of overweight with major non-communicable diseases among elderly people living in kesbewa secretariat division, Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the 13th International Research conference, KDU on 15th October 2020.
• Sandarenu K.L.K.T.D., Liyanage, L.P.G.I., Jayaneththi, H.P.J.H., Thilakarathna A.G.L.N., Wijewardhana, R.G.M.S.D., Wijesiri H.S.M.S.K., Balasuriya, A., 2019. An abstract with oral presentation on attitudes towards elderly care among nursing undergraduates at KDU, Sri Lanka at the 1st International conference on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 13th September 2019.
• Sandarenu K.L.K.T.D., Liyanage, L.P.G.I., Jayaneththi, H.P.J.H., Thilakarathna A.G.L.N., Wijewardhana, R.G.M.S.D., Wijesiri H.S.M.S.K., Balasuriya, A., 2019. An abstract with poster presentation on knowledge towards elderly care among nursing undergraduates at KDU, Sri Lanka at the 12th International Research conference, KDU on 12th September 2019.
• Madhuwanthi, T.G.M.I, Kumari, M.K.K., Vithanagama, K.N., Yashoda, U.G.G., Dissanayake, D.M.S.S, Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Balasuriya, A., 2018. Study of dysmenorrhea and self-managing techniques among female factory workers in Piliyandala MOH area, Journal of Medical Association Sri Lanka. Vol.63(1), pp.111.
• Ranaweera, R.A.N.D., Dinesha, P.M.C., Weerasinghe, P.W.D.N., Pathirage, C.A.K., Senarathna, K.M.D.N., Ariyasena, G.A.G.M.S, Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Balawardane, K.A.S.J., 2018. ‘Awareness regarding breast cancer risk factors: comparative study between breast cancer patients of Sri Lanka and Women attended clinics, Piliyandala MOH’, paper presented to 1st International Nursing Congress proceedings, University of Peradeniya, 6th April 2018.
• Madhuwanthi, T.G.M.I, Kumari, M.K.K., Vithanagama, K.N., Yashoda, U.G.G., Dissanayake, D.M.S.S, Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Balasuriya, A., 2018, ‘The association between dysmenorrhea and daily activities among female factory workers in Piliyandala MOH area, Sri Lanka’, paper presented to 1st International Nursing Congress proceedings, University of Peradeniya, 6th April 2018.
• Prasad, A.P.G.C., Panditharathna, P.A.P.P., Karunathilake, R.A.C.J.K., Thilakarathne, T.M.U., Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Nandani de Silva, 2016, ‘Knowledge Attitudes and Practices towards Childhood Immunization among Mothers Attending Child Welfare Clinics in Medical Officer of Health area, Ratmalana’, paper presented to 10th International Research Conference, conference held at KDU, 3rd - 4th August 2017.
• Udayangi, R.A.D.S., Nilagarathna, T.R., Subasinghe, S.A.R.S., Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Balasuriya, A., 2017, Knowledge and attitudes of antenatal mothers regarding neonatal care in a selected Medical Officer of Health area's, paper presented to 10th International Research Conference, conference held at KDU, 3rd - 4th August 2017.
• Ranaweera, R.A.N.D., Dinesha, P.M.C., Weerasinghe, P.W.D.N., Pathirage, C.A.K., Senarathna, K.M.D.N., Ariyasena, G.A.G.M.S, Wijesiri, H.S.M.S.K., Balawardane, K.A.S.J., 2018, ‘Awareness regarding early detection techniques of breast cancer and knowledge regarding signs and symptoms of breast cancer: Comparative study between breast cancer patients of Apeksha hospital and women who attended clinics, Piliyandala MOH’, paper presented to 11th International Research Conference, conference held at KDU, 13th - 14th September 2018

Previous positions held

• Head of the Department, Nursing and Midwifery, FAHS, KDU March 2018 -March 2020.
• Academic Coordinator, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, FAHS, KDU, 2017
• Sub warden, at the Temporary Residential Facilities, The Open University of Sri Lanka, 2011- 2013