• Soil microbial ecology
• Microbial biotechnology
• Biofertilizers and sustainable soil management
• Biotreatment and environmental biotechnology

• Presidential Award for Scientific Publication- 2016 for a publication in the top 15% of Science Citation Index Expanded journals (ranked on their Impact Factor under each journal category based on SCI categorization of journals) or at least one publication in a Science Citation Index Expanded journal with an Impact Factor of 3.5 or more, in the given year.

Balasooriya, W.K., Huygens, D., Rajapaksha, R.M.C.P. and Boeckx P., 2016. Effect of rice variety and fertilizer type on the active microbial community structure in tropical paddy fields in Sri Lanka. Geoderma, 216, 87-95

• Best Poster Award: 20th World Congress of Soil Science 20WCSS

W.K.Balasooriya, U. W.A.Vitharana, E.M.S.K.Thilakarathna, A. Verdoodt, T. Saey and M. Van Meirvenne. Apparent Electrical Conductivity (EC_a) based potential management zones for site specific nutrient management in paddy soils of Sri Lanka. 20^th World Congress of Soil Science 20WCSS. Jeju, South Korea, 8-13 June 2014. poster presentation.  

• Ghent University PhD Scholarship (competitive) in 2008

• Ghent University MSc Scholarship (competitive) in 2005

Selected publications in refereed journal

• Balasooriya, W.K., Huygens, D., Rajapaksha, R.M.C.P. and Boeckx P., 2016. Effect of rice variety and fertilizer type on the active microbial community structure in tropical paddy fields in Sri Lanka. Geoderma, 216, 87-95.
• Balasooriya, W.K., Denef, K., Huygens, D., and Boeckx P., 2014. Translocation and turnover of rhizodeposit carbon within soil microbial communities of an extensive grassland ecosystem. Plant and Soil, 376 (1-2), 61-73.
• Balasooriya, W.K., Huygens, D., Denef, K., Roobroeck, D., Verhoest, N.E.C., and Boeckx P., 2013. Temporal variation of rhizodeposit-C assimilating microbial communities in a natural wetland, Biology and Fertility of Soils, 49, 333-341.
• Balasooriya, W.K., Denef, K., Peters, J., Verhoest, N.E.C., and Boeckx P., 2008. Vegetation composition and soil microbial community structural changes along a wetland hydrological gradient, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 12, 277-291.
• Balasooriya, W.K., Samson, R., Mbikwa, F., Vitharana, W.A.U., Boeckx, P., and Van Meirvenne, M., 2009. Anatomical and chemical changes in plant foliage for biomonitoring of urban air pollution. Environmental and experimental botany, 65, 386-394.

Conference Proceedings

• Amarawansa R.P.U.I., B.L.W.K. Balasooriya, W.S. Dandeniya, B. Suganthan P.W.M. Tharindi and D.G.A.T.Dassanayake. 2018. Nitrogen fixation ability of Cyanobacteria isolated from tropical lowland paddy fields in Sri Lanka. International Conference on “Beneficial Microbes: Microbes for the Benefit of Mankind”- 30th July – 1st August 2018, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
• Balasooriya B.L.W.K, Dandeniya W.S., Amarawansa R.P.U.I, Dasanayake D.G.A.T and Suganthan B. 2018. Assessment of Prevalence and characterization of Cyanobacteria isolated from Selected Paddy Fields in Intermediate Zone and Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Wayamba University Research Congress 2018, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
• P.U.I. Amarawansa, B.L.W.K. Balasooriya, W.S. Dandeniya, B. Suganthan, D.G.A.T. Dassanayake. 2017.  Identification of Cyanobacteria Inhabiting Paddy Fields in Intermediate Zone and Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the National Conference on Biofertilizers and Biopesticides, International Water Management Institute, Colombo, SriLanka.
• A. A. S. Rathnayaka, U. W. A.Vitharana, B. L.W. K. Balasooriya, E. M. S. K. Thilakarathna, A. Verdoodt, T. Saey M. Van Meirvenne 2014. Detailed mapping of soil texture using proximally sensed apparent electrical conductivity. Proceeding of the University of Peradeniya International Research Sessions. Vol 18. Pp 453
• Balasooriya W.K., Denef K., Peters, J., Verhoest, N.E.C., and Boeckx, P., Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) based SIP to identify microbial community structural changes along a wetland hydrological gradient, Benelux Association for Stable Isotope Scientists (BASIS), Annual Meeting 2008, Arnhem, The Netherlands, April 3-4 2008

 Poster presentations

• W.K. Balasooriya, U. W.A.Vitharana, E.M.S.K.Thilakarathna, A. Verdoodt, T. Saey and M. Van Meirvenne. Apparent Electrical Conductivity (ECa) based potential management zones for site specific nutrient management in paddy soils of Sri Lanka. 20th World Congress of Soil Science 20WCSS. Jeju, South Korea, 8-13 June 2014.
• Balasooriya, W.K., Rajapaksha R.M.C.P., and Boeckx, P., Variation of soil microbial community structure and rhizodeposit carbon assimilation in paddy fields. 4th International congress EUROSOIL 2012: Soil Science for the Benefit of Mankind and Environment. Bari, Italy, 2^nd-6^th July 2012.
• Balasooriya, W.K., Rajapaksha R.M.C.P., and Boeckx, P., Soil microbial community structure and rhizodeposit carbon assimilation vary with rice variety and type of nutrient input. ESAFS 2011- 10^th international conference of the East and South Asia Federation of Soil Science Societies, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10th to 13^th October 2011.
• Balasooriya W.K., Denef K., Peters, J., Verhoest, N.E.C., and Boeckx, P., Hydrological control on vegetation composition and soil microbial community structure in a temporary wetland (Ghent, Belgium), European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2008, Vienna Austria, April 13-18, 2008. (Session HS7.3: Wetland ecohydrology: interactions and feedbacks between water table, soil moisture and vegetation).
• Huygens, D., Stalens J., Bode, S., Roobroeck, D., Balasooriya, B.L.W.K., and Boeckx P. Molecular Isotope signals to study terrestrial carbon fluxes in a changing environment. Stable Isotopes and biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems conference, Ascona, Switzerland, 21^st– 26^th March 2010.

Others

• D.D.A.E. Hemamali, U.W.A. Vitharana, B.L.W.K. Balasooriya, C.P. Attanayake, W.S. Dandeniya and S.I. Nimanthi 2020.  Impact of Agricultural Land Use on Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration at Sub-catchment Scale. Tropical Agricultural Research 31(1): 13-20.
• Rathnayaka, R. A. A. S., U. W. A. Vitharana and   B.L.W. K. Balasooriya. 2017. Detailed Mapping of Soil Texture of a Paddy Growing Soil Using Multivariate Geostatistical Approaches. Tropical Agriculture, 29(4):300–312.
• Amarawansa R.P.U.I., B.L.W.K. Balasooriya, W.S. Dandeniya, B. Suganthan, D.G.A.T.  Dassanayake. 2017.  Identification of Cyanobacteria Inhabiting Paddy Fields in Intermediate Zone and Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Tropical Agriculture, 29(4):320–329.
• S. Senthuran, B.L.W.K. Balasooriya, S.J.Arasakesary and   N. Gnanavelrajah. 2019. Effect of Seaweed Extract (Kappaphycus alvarezii) on the Growth, Yield and Nutrient uptake of Leafy Vegetable Amaranthus polygamous.  Tropical Agriculture, Accepted for publication.
• De Silva. L.H.N., Lakmali. C.D.A., Jayasinghe-Mudalige. U.K., Dharmakeerthi. R.S., Dandeniya. W.S., Balasooriya. W.K. 2018.  Replacing the Chemical Fertilizer Through Eco-Friendly Technologies Developed for Paddy Cultivation: How Much Farmers’ Willing-To-Pay For? Applied Economics and Business, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2018.

 Books and book chapters

•  Balasooriya, B.L.W.K., 2011. Variation of soil microbial community structure and activity along ecohydrological gradients, PhD thesis, Ghent University, Belgium. ISBN: 9789059894860
• Balasooriya, B.L.W.K., 2019. Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae at Department of Biotechnology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. NethWin Printers, Kandy, Sri Lanka, ISBN 978-624-5327-00-3
• Eeswara, J.P., and Balasooriya, W.K., 2000. Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) and its Economic Significance in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Tenth National Workshop on Multipurpose Trees, Ed. Gunasena, H.P.M., 118-140.

Research Grant

• Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy of Ministry of Agriculture (SLCARP) Grant-2016 (NARP/16/UP/AG/02)
  Project title: Development of detailed spatial inventory of soil phosphorus and organic carbon stocks at sub-catchment scale
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Principal Investigator – Dr. W.A.U. Vitharana, University of Peradeniya
  Value of the Grant: Rs. 1.657 Million
  Project duration : 2016 – 2018
• National Research Council Target Oriented Research Grant -2016 (NRC/TO/16-07)
  Project Title: Development of eco-friendly farming technologies to minimize inorganic fertilizer usage while maintaining adequate productivity and improving soil fertility
  Value of the Grant: Rs. 50 Million
  Role: Co-Investigator in work package 2: Development of cyanobacteria based biofertilizer for paddy cultivation.
  Principal Investigator – Dr. R.S. Dharmakeerthi, University of Peradeniya
  Project duration : 2016 – 2021
• National Science Foundation Research Equipment Grant (RG/2015/EQ/17) 2015
  Ultra low Temperature Freezer (-80 °C)
  Value of the Grant: Rs. 2.76 Million
  Role: Responsible Officer
• National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka Competitive Research Grant -2012.
  Project title: Use of Electromagnetic Induction Based Soil Apparent Electrical Conductivity (ECa) Measurements to Support Soil Management of Paddy Cultivation in the Intermediate Zone
  Value of Grant: Rs. 1.74 Million
  Role: Postdoctoral Research Scientist
  Principal Investigator – Dr. W.A.U. Vitharana, University of Peradeniya
  Project Duration – 2012 – 2014
• Wayamba University Research Grant 2018 (SRHDC/RP/04/18 – 13)
  Project title: Identification of potential cyanobacteria for wastewater treatment from domestic, agricultural and industrial wastewater stabilization ponds
  Value of Grant: Rs. 0.31Million
  Role: Principle Investigator
  Project Duration – 2018 – 2019
• Wayamba University Research Grant 2015 (SRHDC/RP/04/15-15)
  Project title: Cyanobacterial diversity of paddy soils of Sri Lanka
  Value of Grant: Rs. 0.26 Million
  Role: Principle Investigator
  Project Duration – 2015 – 2017
• Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Project Development Oriented Research (DOR) Grants 2019
  Project title: An Integrated Approach to Improve the Socio-Economic & Environmental Sustainability of Intensive Agricultural Systems with Special Reference to Kalpitiya Peninsula
  Role: Member of the Faculty level Proposal Development Team (Co-Investigator)
  Value of Grant: Rs. 33.6 Million
  Project Duration – 2019 – 2023

Editorial works

• Editorial committee/ Wayamba University Newsletter, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2017- 2020)
• Editorial committee/ Plantation Newsletter, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2016)
• Editorial committee/ Newsletter of the Biotechnology Society, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (2014– on wards)
• Chairperson/ Publication committee/ Proceedings of 13^th Agricultural Research symposium, 7^th– 8^th August 2014, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

 Reviewer

• Reviewer for International Journals; Geoderma, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, Ecological Indicators, Journal of Cleaner Production (from 2014 onwards)
• Reviewer for Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (from 2015 onwards)
• Reviewer for Proceedings of the Wayamba International Conference, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (from 2014 onwards)
• Reviewer for Proceedings of the Agricultural Research Symposium, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (from 2014 onwards)
• Reviewer for Annual Research Congress, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (2016, 2018)
• Reviewer for Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 2016
• Member of Judging Panel – 30th Annual Congress of PGIA 2018
• Reviewer for 6th Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 2016
• Reviewer for 5th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference – 2018
• Judging Panel Member for Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium 2016 at University of Peradeniya.
• Reviewer for International Conference on Dry Zone Agriculture-2019, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna
• Reviewer for International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences 2018, University of Kelaniya