Dr. U P G Pathirana

• B.Sc. (Hons) Oceanography and Marine Geology (University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka)
• M.Sc. in Physical Oceanography (South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), China)
• Ph.D. in Climate Dynamics (Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), South Korea)

• OCG1252 – Statistics for Experimental Analysis I
• OCG2243 – Physical Oceanography
• OCG3152 – Statistics for Experimental Analysis II
• OCG3292 – Ocean Modelling
• OCG3241 – Introduction to Meteorology
• OCG4162 – Advanced Physical Oceanography
• OCG4191 – Coastal Hazards and Mitigation

• Climate Dynamics
• Tropical Air-Sea Interactions
• Bio-Physical Interaction
• Meteorology (Extreme Weather)
• Ocean Dynamics
• Research Cruises
  • 2015 – R/V Roger Revelle, NRL, USA – Bay of Bengal Monsoon Expedition
  • 2018 – R/V Shi Yan 3, SCSIO, China – Eastern Indian Ocean Expedition
  • 2020 – R/V Xiang Yang Hong 6, SIO, China - Joint Advanced Marine and Ecological Studies (JAMES) in the Bay of Bengal and the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean

• Gamage, H. P., Pathirana, G., Kug, J.-S., Wang, D., Galagamage, P., Premarathne, U., and Kodikara, G. R. L.: Pacific warming precedes late-summer heat over Sri Lanka, Earth System and Environment, accepted for publication, 2026.
• Huang, H., Yang, L., Peng, Q., Wang, D., Hu, Z., and Pathirana, G.: IOD-induced Gill-pattern winds determine the interannual variability of southwest monsoon current axis in the southern Bay of Bengal, Journal of Climate, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-25-0674.1
• Werellapatha, H., Pathirana, G., Abeywickrama, T., Xue, A., Wang, D., and Premarathne, U.: Asymmetric impacts of the Indian Ocean Dipole on rainfall: Evidence from the tropical Indian Ocean, Earth System and Environment, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-026-01065-y
• Abeywickrama, T., Pathirana, G., Noh, K.-M., Dissanayake, D., Wang, D., and Lee, D.-G.: Asymmetric effects of Indian Ocean dipole on surface chlorophyll variability in the Indian Ocean, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-025-01714-2
• Le, Z., Subrahmanyam, M.V., Raju, P.V.S., Pathirana, G., Wang, D., and Song, W.: A revisit of the semi-geostrophic eddy east of the Sri Lanka Dome with anisotropy insight, Frontiers in Marine Science, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1504821
• Pathirana, G., Noh, K.-M., Lee, D.-G., Park, H.-J., Wang, D., and Kug, J.-S.: Intensified phytoplankton responses to the Indian Ocean Dipole under greenhouse warming, Environmental Research Letters, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad4db8
• Pathirana, G., Noh, K.-M., Lee, D.-G., Huiji, L., and Kug, J.-S.: A biological dipole variability in the Indian Ocean, Environmental Research Letters, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad1641
• Pathirana, G., Shin, N.-Y., Wu, Y.-K., Kwon, M., Kug, J.-S.:  Intermodel relation between present-day warm pool intensity and future precipitation changes. Climate Dynamics, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-023-06918-0
• Kajakokulan, P., Warnasooriya, A., Pathirana, G.: Strengthening of Sri Lanka summer monsoon rainfall with rapid Arabian Sea warming. International Journal of Climatology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.8172
• Kajakokulan, P., Pathirana, G., Dheerasinghe, M., and Edirisooriya, I.: Influence of Indian Ocean warming on rainfall of Sri Lanka. International Journal of Climatology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.8124
• Pathirana, G., Oh, J.-H., Cai, W., An, S.-I., Min, S.-K., Jo, S.-Y., Shin, J., Kug, J.-S.: Increase in convective Extreme El Niño events in a CO2 removal scenario. Science Advances, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh2412
• Ye, W… Pathirana, G., et al.: Vertical variation of bacterial production and potential role in oxygen loss in the southern Bay of Bengal. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1250575
• Ye, R… Pathirana, G., et al.: An energetic mesoscale anticyclonic eddy in the southern Bay of Bengal in June 2020: A case study. Journal of Geophysical research: Oceans, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JC019188
• Pathirana, G., Wang, D., Chen, G., Abeyratne, M.K. and Priyadarshana, T.: Effect of seasonal barrier layer on mixed-layer heat budget in the Bay of Bengal, Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-021-1966-0
• Pathirana, G., Chen, G., Wang, D., Abeyratne, M. and Priyadarshana, T.: Anomalous propagation pathway of the Sri Lanka Dome in summer 2014. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 2022. https://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v50i4.10636
• Pathirana, G. and Priyadarshani, K.: Tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal: comparison of environmental factors, Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 2022. https://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v50i1.10424
• Jinadasa, S. U. P., Pathirana, G., Ranasinghe, P. N., Centurioni, L. and Hormann, V.: Monsoonal impact of the circulation pathways of the Indian Ocean, Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-020-1557-5
• Pathirana, G. and Priyadarshani, K.: A mini-warm pool during spring in the Bay of Bengal, Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 2020. https://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v48i4.9256
• Pathirana, G., Priyadarshani, K., Wang, D., Chen, G. and Priyadarshana, T.: Effect of spring mini-warm pool on the tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal: case studies, Journal of Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 2020. https://doi.org/10.13878/j.cnki.jnuist.2020.04.007

• Werellapatha, H., Pathirana, G., Abeywickrama, T., Xue, A., Wang, D., & Premarathne, U. (2026). Asymmetric Responses of Tropical Indian Ocean Rainfall Variability to the Indian Ocean Dipole. In The Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) 2026, held in Glasgow, Scotland, 22-27 February 2026, Session: Climate and Ocean Change / Circulation, Biogeochemistry, and Coupled Processes in the Indian Ocean.
• Hewage, S., Pathirana, G., Thilakarathne, R., Noh, K.-M., & Wang, D. (2026). Warming-induced shifts in the mean state of the Arabian Sea Surface Chlorophyll. In The Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) 2026, held in Glasgow, Scotland, 22-27 February 2026, Session: Climate and Ocean Change / Circulation, Biogeochemistry, and Coupled Processes in the Indian Ocean.
• Abeywickrama, T., Pathirana, G., Werellapatha, H., Gunasekara, S., Noh, K.-M., & Wang, D. (2026). Influence of Tropical Climate Modes on Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Phytoplankton Size Structure Around Sri Lanka. In The Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) 2026, held in Glasgow, Scotland, 22-27 February 2026, Session: Climate and Ocean Change / Circulation, Biogeochemistry, and Coupled Processes in the Indian Ocean.
• Jinadasa, S. U. P., Pathirana, G., Wijesundara, A. P., Wijesekara, H. W. and Fernando, H. J. S.: Water Mass Intrusion from Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal during summer; Experimental Observations in August 2015, Ocean Science Meeting, 17th February 2020. https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm20/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/656795.
• Pathirana, G., Chen, G., Ranasinghe, P. N., Liang, Z., and Wang, D.: Heat storage variability in the Bay of Bengal: Importance of using altimetry data, CLIVAR Exchanges SI, 76, 33–37.
• Kanchana Priyadarshani, Jie, X., Pathirana, G., Liao, J., Li, R., Jayarathne, W.N.D.S., and Wang, D.: Spatial variability in Nutrients and Phytoplankton Biomass in Eastern Indian Ocean during spring inter-monsoon, Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences (XMAS-IV), 07th January 2019 at Xiamen University, China.

Conferences and Meetings of Professional Associations

• Hewage S.S.T, Pathirana, G., Thilakarathne R.M.G.N, Noh Kyung-Min, & Wang D. (2026). Warming-induced shifts in Arabian Sea surface chlorophyll a: Implications  for regional productivity . 13th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference  University of Ruhuna.
• Kokulathasan, T., Pathirana, G., Kyung-Min Noh, Aoyun Xue, & Dongxiao Wang. (2026). A Refined Perspective on Indian Ocean Dipole–Driven Surface Salinity  Changes and the Salinity Dipole Index . 13th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference  University of Ruhuna.
• Piranavan, R., Ratnayake, N., Premarathne, U., Pathirana, G., & R.M.  Pubudi Dilshara. (2026). NEARSHORE SEDIMENT TRANSPORT AND HEAVY MINERAL ENRICHMENT IN KIRINDA HARBOUR, SRI LANKA. 42nd Technical Session of Geological Society of Sri Lanka.
• W.P.D.A.V. Pathirana, Premarathne, U., & Pathirana, G. (2026). THERMAL HISTORY AND LITHOSPHERIC STRETCHING OF THE SRI LANKAN CAUVERY BASIN BASED ON BASIN MODELLING. 42nd Technical Session of Geological Society of Sri Lanka.
• Galagamage, P., Payagala, C., Pathirana, G., Kug, J.-S., Atapaththu, K. S. S., Geng, X., Wu, Y.-K., Wang, D., Premarathne, U., Ranasinghe, P. N., & de Silva, P. H. C. (2026). Rainfall dynamics in Sri Lanka: A Review of Present Variability, Trends and Responses to Climate Change. KIOST-NARA Joint Academic Conference 
• Hewage, S. S. T., Pathirana, G., Thilakarathne, R. M. G. N., Noh, K. M., wang, D., Kiel, C., & Sindhujan, J. (2026). Contrasting Physical and Biogeochemical Controls on the Post-2006 Decline of Surface Chlorophyll-a in the Arabian Sea. KIOST-NARA Joint Academic Conference.
• Gamage, H. P., Pathirana, G., Kug, J.-S., wang, D., Galagamage, P., Premarathne, U., & Kodikara, G. R. L. (2026). Early Summer Pacific SST as a Precursor of Late Summer Heat Over Sri Lanka. KIOST-NARA Joint Academic Conference.
• Kaludewalage, R. M., Thilakarathna, R. M. G. N., Pathirana, G., Dong-Geon Lee, & Dongxiao Wang. (2025). Impact of tropical climate modes (Indian ocean dipole and El Niño/Southern  oscillation) on winter surface chlorophyll in the Indian ocean . 12th Ruhuna International Science & Technology  Conference, University of Ruhuna.
• Peiris, K. N. C., Pathirana, G., Atapaththu, K. S. S., Wang, D., & Priyadarshana, T. (2025). Analysis of changes in the mean rainfall patterns in Sri Lanka. 12th Ruhuna International Science & Technology  Conference, University of Ruhuna.
• Werellapatha, H., Pathirana, G., Abeywickrama, T., Xue, A., Premarathne, U., & Wang, D. (2025). Investigation of indian ocean dipole-induced rainfall variability over Sri  Lanka . 12th Ruhuna International Science & Technology  Conference, University of Ruhuna.
• Pathirana, G., Chen, G., Abeyratne, M.K., Wang, D. and Priyadarshana, T.: Anomalous Propagation of the Sri Lanka Dome during 2014: Forcing Mechanisms, 17th Academic Sessions, 4th March 2020 at University of Ruhuna.
• Pathirana, U. P. G., Chen, G., Wang, D., and Priyadarshana, T.: Importance of cyclone induced vertical mixing: A case study on tropical cyclones Maarutha and Mora in the Bay of Bengal, 15th Academic Sessions, 7th March 2018 at University of Ruhuna.
• Pathirana, U. P. G., Jinadasa, S. U. P., Ranasinghe, P. N.: Study of Critical Factors on Cyclone Genesis in the Bay of Bengal during 2010 – 2015. NARA Scientific Sessions, 29th March 2016 at NARA Auditorium.
• Pathirana, U. P. G., Jinadasa, S. U. P., Ranasinghe, P. N., Centurioni, L.: Seasonal variability of surface circulation in the northern Bay of Bengal. NARA Scientific Sessions, 9th June 2015 at NARA Auditorium.
• Pathirana, U. P. G., Jinadasa, S. U. P., Ranasinghe, P. N., Centurioni, L.: Variability of Current Patterns in the Bay of Bengal with special reference on Coastal Currents along Sri Lanka. 12th Academic Sessions, 4th March 2015 at University of Ruhuna.

• October 2026 - January 2027: Talented Young Scientist Program (TYSP) Fellowship, Ministry of Science and Technology, China
• May 2024 – Best Young Scientist Award, 21st Pacific-Asian Marginal Seas Meeting (PAMS) 2024, Zhuhai, China
• August 2022 – Best Poster Award in Climate Session, Korean Meteorological Society Fall Conference, South Korea
• Sep 2016 - January 2019: UCAS full scholarship provided by the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences to follow the program: Master of Science in physical oceanography, SCSIO, China.
• Jun 2018 - Jul 2018: Scholarship offered by the IOC/UNESCO to follow a training course in Ocean Forecasting/Sea Level Change conducted by First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), China.
• Dec 2017: Awarded the first prize of 2017, 'The Silk Road' scholarship for international students, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO), China.
• Jul 2016: Scholarship offered by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) to follow a training course in Earth System Modelling conducted by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), India.
• Jul 2016: Scholarship offered by the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO) to follow a training course in Ocean Data Analysis conducted by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), India.
• Apr 2016 - May 2016: Scholarship offered by the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) to follow a short course in Weather Forecasting Using Numerical Weather Prediction Models conducted by Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), India.

• Ruhuna University Research Grant 2025 - "Characterizing Heatwaves over Sri Lanka: An Investigation of Intensity, Duration and Frequency"

• Coordinator - “Fire risk mapping and projection in the Asia-Pacific region based on big data and artificial intelligence technique”. A project funded by Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN).
• Coordinator – NARA-KIOST colloboration on data center and e-library.