FECT Team

Dr. Lareef Zubair, the Principal Scientist / Engineer of FECT, works in the areas of climate, environment, adaptation and technological advancement for the tropics for the last two decades. He undertakes research on climate systems, adaptation approaches and uses these for generating practical solutions in tropical venues (Sri Lanka, Botswana, Maldives and Comoros). His work is undertaken through projects in partnership with decision-makers and other researchers and educators. Previously, He was a Postdoctoral Associate in Mathematics and Engineering at Yale University, and in Climate Monitoring and Applications at the University Consortium for Atmospheric Science. He has also been a Senior Lecturer in Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and a Research Fellow at the Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka. He worked as a Scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) and is attached to the Columbia University Water Center. His undergraduate education was at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and his graduate work was at Yale University, U.S.A.

Tuan Hadgie serves as the Administrative Officer of FECT since 2017. He previously served as an Administrative Officer at the Gemmological Museum, Kandy, and the Institute of International Education Lanka, the Operations Manager and Lecturer at the Gateway Computer Centre in Kegalle. He has qualified as an ICDL (International Computer Driving License) System Administrator and with International Pedagogical ICT Licentiate.

Since 2017, Fathima Shakira has worked as the Secretary. She completed her Personal Secretary Course at the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, Kandy & the Microsoft Office 2007 Package on MCCE. She previously worked as a Trainee Secretary in the Science Dissemination & Education Unit at the National Institution of Fundamental Studies, Kandy. She has also completed the Certificate Course in Human Resource Management at Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Kandy.

Nipuni Alahakoon joined as an intern after earning a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying from the International College of Business and Technology (ICBT). She previously worked for Squire Mech Engineering (Pvt) Ltd as a Trainee QS and Wickramapala Engineering as an Assistant QS.

Dilrukshi Kulasooriya has obtained her Higher National Diploma in Information Technology at SLIATE. She is an undergraduate in Bachelor of Management Studies with Honors (BMS Hons) at the Open University of Sri Lanka. She received her Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management from EIPEL Campus. Currently, she is coordinating the Data Library, web development, and the data-related work in FECT.

Devindi Bandara Joined the FECT in June 2024 as an Account Assistant. She completed her Higher National Diploma in Accountancy at the College of Technology in Kandy. She is an undergraduate in Bachelor of Management Studies with Honors (BMS (Hons)) at the Open University of Sri Lanka. She has worked as an intern at Victoria Residence Project Manager’s office Mahaweli Authority Sri Lanka.

Kavinda Dissanayake joined the Foundation for Environment, Climate, and Technology (FECT) in June 2024 as a Web Development Intern. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Software Engineering from the National Institute of Business Management NIBM) – Kandy. Currently, He is involved in web development, social media management, data-related tasks, and various IT-related projects.

Fazni Faiz joined the FECT in July 2024, as an intern. He has completed BSc (HONS) Computer Science from University of Staffordshire, UK through APIIT Campus, Kandy. He is currently working on Web Development, Mobile App Development, Data Analysis, Social Media and Graphic Designing and other various IT related works.

Rishad Khan Noor Deen joned FECT in July 2024. He has completed his Higher National Diploma in Computing and Software Engineering at ICBT, Kandy. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering at ICBT. He works on Hardware, Software and Infrastructure related tasks.

Ann Keerthana Mathavan joined FECT as an intern in July 2024. She holds a Higher National Diploma in Information Technology from the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE), Kandy. She is involved in Data Related work, Social Media Management and related IT projects.

Himaza Mifthah began her internship at the Foundation for Environment, Climate, and Technology (FECT) in July 2024, focusing on mobile app and web development. She holds a Higher National Diploma in Information Technology from the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) in Kandy. Currently, she contributes to projects in mobile and web development, social media management, and a variety of IT-related tasks.

Achini Wijesiri holds a B.Sc. Honours degree in Statistics from University of Peradeniya. She has worked as an intern at Emjay Penguin Pvt. (Ltd.), Palletalawinna. She started working at FECT as an intern for statistics in July 2024. She contributes to Statistical Analysis and Data Library related work.

Hepzhibah joined us as an intern in July 2024 to complete her Higher National Diploma in Business Administration at SLIATE (Kandy). Currently, she is working on Admin, HR and Account related work.

Dulanga Dasanayake is currently a Hardware Intern at FECT in Akurana. He has completed his Higher National Diploma in Information Technology (HND in IT) from the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education. As part of his HND, he joined FECT to complete his internship, where he is primarily responsible for managing hardware technological tasks and maintaining infrastructure. He possesses skills in computer hardware and web development and is passionate about troubleshooting, IoT, microcontroller programming, and software development. After completing his HND, he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT).

Haya Jameel joined FECT in October 2024. She is a part- qualified in ACCA and holds the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF level 4). She is currently contributing to the Administration, Accounts and Legal divisions.

Shifani Jaufer has completed her Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Computer Networking at London Metropolitan University. She is currently in her fourth year as an undergraduate at the Eastern University of Sri Lanka studying BSc (Hons) in Business Management, majoring in Information Management.

Kavinda Rathnayaka joined the FECT in December 2024 as an intern researcher. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Oceanography from the Ocean University of Sri Lanka. Currently, he is involved in research, publishing articles and analyzing climate and weather data contributing to the organization’s activities in this field.

Rimza Zacky is an IAB Finals (London) qualified accountant with 39 years of experience.  She previously worked as an accounting assistant at Accounting Systems and Services in Colombo(1983-1986) and in the accounts department at KPH in Kandy(1986-2003). She has been with FECT since 2003 and oversees the organization’s accounting system. She interacts with the Internal Auditor.

Clever Shawin Perera completed his bachelor of Science in Green Technology at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. His passion lies in environmental stewardship, sustainable technology, and project management. Currently, he works as a Junior Research Scientist at the Foundation for Environment, Climate, and Technology (FECT). His interests include renewable energy, climate change mitigation, and biomimetic innovations for sustainable development.

Kavindya Jayathilaka began working with FECT in June 2024 as a web development intern to complete her bachelor’s degree in information and communication technology specializing in software technology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. She is contributing for the web development, social media management, data-related works, and other IT-related works.

Chathuri Ayodya has been working as an Account Assistant since 2023. She completed her Higher National Diploma in Accountancy at the Advanced Technological College in Kandy and passed two stages of the Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (AAT). Before joining here, she worked as a Management and Accounting Trainee at the University of Peradeniya.

Asvini Senevirathna initially joined as an intern and after completed her internship started work as a research scientist. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Management and Forestry at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2022. Previously, she completed her internship at the National Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya.

Udeshika Rathnayake is a student at the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, specialized in Agricultural Extension and Economics. She is a committed researcher contributing to global challenges, with a focus on climate action. She possesses the capability to provide solutions to economic issues concerning agricultural economics, international trade, and significant agricultural practices.

Dhulmy Bandara joined as a science writer in 2023. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management from Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka in 2022. Previously, she has worked as a demonstrator at the same university. She worked on the publications and other documentation at FECT.

Maheshika Bandara Joined FECT in September 2023 as an intern to completed the Higher National Diploma in Information Technology at Hardy Advanced Technological Institute (SLIATE). She was contributed for the web development, data related works, graphic designing and other IT related works.

Ishini Jayawardane joined FECT in January 2024, as an intern to complete her Higher Diploma in Software Engineering at National Institute of Business Management (NIBM), Kandy. She was worked on Web Development, social media, Graphic Designing and other IT related work.

Zahra Hilmy joined as an IT intern to complete her Higher National Diploma in Information Technology at SLIATE, Kandy. Currently, she has worked on web development, data-related work, social media publishing, and other IT-related work.

In 2020, Shirin Sasna graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Peradeniya. She had expertise in operations research and statistics. She works at the Foundation of Environment, Climate, and Technology as a junior research scientist. She engages in research there on infectious diseases and climate.

Tharani joined FECT in September 2018 just after completing her Advanced Level in the Biological Science stream. She assisted in communication, research and proposal development. During her time she contributed for the projects on Dengue, STEM Education and Air Quality, and documentation work. Currently she is an undergraduate at the University of Peradeniya, Faculty of Science, majoring in Chemistry and Zoology.

Zain Iwais has completed his Engineering Degree in Electronic & Telecommunications field at IESL and got the Associate membership at IESL and Engineering Council Sri Lanka. Specialized in Robotics & control systems with signal processing. He has completed his internship at Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and has also worked at dravite labs, Huawei, and Digital Living Pvt ltd. He is interested in control systems, network security, digital signal processing, Electronics, and IT.

Tharushi Ekanayake graduated with B.Sc in Physics from the University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka. She has covered quantum physics, Particle physics, Solid-state, Nanotechnology and fluid mechanics as the key areas in her degree.

Milani Tharuka graduated in B.Sc. Surveying Sciences, specialization in surveying and geodesy from Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. She is currently reading masters in LIESMARS, Wuhan University specialization in Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. She has been an Assistant Lecturer Sabaragamuwa university of Sri Lanka nearly for four years. She also worked as the chief surveyor in China State Construction Engineering Crp.Ltd.She has engaged with research projects,surveying and geospatial data analysis at FECT.

Piushani has done her degree in Applied Sciences in 2017. Her interests are in Solid State Physics. She has done her internship last year at NBRO and prepared a report on Air Quality and Meteorology in Kandy which she presented at the Air Quality Conference organized by the Ministry of Environment. She also worked as an Administrative Coordinator for CAP Green Forest in Gampaha for five months before deciding to return to Science and Digana. She worked on Air Quality (data management, checking our instruments and their outputs, planning for extending the work) and helping with data extraction/ scraping and climate reporting.

Upamala has been trained in GIS work through the Environment and Development project in Ordnance Survey, UK in Resource Survey and Mapping, Cartography and GIS. She counts ten years of experience in drafting, cartography, architectural work, mapping and GIS work. Upamala provides GIS, graphics and presentation support for the project work. She had been developing an Atlas of Climatology for Sri Lanka and an Information System for the Mahaweli Project.

Madhura Weerasekera obtained a BSc special degree in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management at the Sbaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka in 2009 and currently is reading for his masters in GIS and Remote Sensing at the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. From December 2009 to several years he had been working as a Junior Research Scientist at FECT and supporting projects on disaster risk, seasonal hydroclimatic monitoring and prediction and infectious diseases.

Gobishankar Sathiyamohan joined FECT as an environmental science intern and is nearing the end of his B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Forestry at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. In 2019, he also completed his undergraduate internship at the Ministry of Mahaweli and Environment’s Department of Environmental Economics. He is very interested in climate change, meteorology, and oceanography.