Senior Lecturer Dr. D. K. Gunesena was appointed as the new Head of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya. The appointment letter was handed over to the Head by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. D.M. Semasinghe on the 13^th of May 2019 at the Vice- Chancellor’s Office.

Present at the occasion were Senior Prof. Lakshman Senevirathne, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, academic staff members of the Department of Microbiology and Ms. Dhammika Ambegoda, Assistant Registrar- Academic Establishment Division.

Dr. D. K. Gunesena obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kelaniya. Afterwards she proceeded to University of Reading in United Kingdom where she completed her PhD.

Microbiology of food, Pathogenesis of bacteria, activities of Lactobacillus species in spontaneously fermented mudawapu kiri (curd), assessing microbiological qualities of different food products, preservation of foods using Chitosan treatment were her research interests.

Microbiological Quality of Ready-to-Eat Meat Based Food Available in Temporary Food Outlets in Gall Face Green, Primers Suitable to Screen for Type III Secretion Systems (TTSS) in Bacteria, Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens Recovered from Ready-to-Eat Foods Sold in Urban Informal Market, Antibacterial Activity of Lactobacillus Strains in Spontaneously Fermented Curd from Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 4^th International Conference on Agriculture, Animal Sciences, Aquaculture and Fisheries are some of her publications.

Dr. D. K. Gunesena was a member of the Society for General Microbiology, United Kingdom (2000-2004).  She also served as a life member of the Institute of Biology in Sri Lanka, life member of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, life member of the Sri Lanka Association for the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.