Research and publications

Present research interests

Cancer care, Psychosocial aspects and Quality of Life, Health Promotion

Special awards and prizes

• Merit awards- 1^st RuFARS – 2018 (oral presentation)
• 3^rd place- 4^th RuFARS 2021 (oral presentation)

Workshops/training attended

• Attended as a Resource person- Workshop for Nurses on Research Methods and Proposal Writing 2021.
• Attended Staff Development Workshops conducted by the University of Ruhuna/ Sri Lanka, Counseling workshop conducted by the Faculty of Medicine/ University of Ruhuna/Sri Lanka and Curriculum development workshop of Kothalawala Defense University/ Sri Lanka.

Book publications

• Newsletter article - Graduate Nurses Foundation of Sri Lanka

Research publications(full paper)

• Weeratunga, E.B., Senadheera, C., Ekanayake, U., 2016. Psychological distress in cancer patients in Southern province of Sri Lanka. The Galle Medical Journal, 21(2), pp. 1-7.
• Weeratunga E, Senadheera C, Hettiarchichi M, Ekanayaka U, Perera B., 2019. Psychosocial Factors Associated with Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer in Southern Sri Lanka. Proceeding of 2nd Annual Research Conference- RuFARS, 2019, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, pp. 30-41.
• Weeratunga E.B., Senadheera C., Hettiarachchi M. and Perera B. 2021. The prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in patients with cancer treated in a Tertiary health care facility in Southern Sri Lanka. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 8(2), pp. 13 – 29. DOI: 10.31357/ijms.v8i2.

Published abstracts of oral presentations

• Weeratunga, E., Perera, B., Hettiarachchi, M., Senadheera, C., Ekanayake, U., 2015. The depressive symptomatology among cancer patients in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka, Proceedings of Annual Academic Sessions, Ruhunu Clinical Society, Matara, Sri Lanka, p. 06, 04 December 2015.
• Weeratunga, E., Senadheera, C., Ekanayake, U., 2016. Psychological distress in cancer patients, Proceedings of International Multidisciplinary Research Conference, ICRD- Colombo, p. 163, 02 February 2016 (Multidisciplinary Research 2016- ISBN 978-0-9939889-8-1).
• MPHK Dias, SMEB Weerathunga, SK Goonesinghe, 2016. Quality of life and satisfaction with care among patients undergoing dialysis treatment. Proceedings of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
• Weeratunga, E.B., Hettiarachchi, M., Senadheera, C., Ekanayaka, U., Perera, B., 2018. Correlates of social support of Breast cancer patients in a tertiary care hospital in Southern Sri Lanka, Proceedings of International Nursing Congress, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp. 80, 6-7 April 2018.
• Weeratunga, E.B., Senadheera, C., Hettiarchichi M., Ekanayaka, U., Perera, B., 2018. Validity and reliability of the Multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) in cancer patients, Proceedings of 11th International Research Conference- KDUiRC, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, Sri Lanka, p. 24, 13-14 September 2018.
• Milani Wanninayaka , Eranthi Weeratunga , Ajith Jayasekara, 2018. Stress Level among Disabled Army Soldiers in Gampaha District, Proceedings of 1st Research Symposium of Faculty of Allied Health Sciences-RuFARS 2018, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. 08 November 2018 (Merit award).
• Eranthi Weeratunga, Chandanie Senadheera, Manjula Hettiarchichi, Upul Ekanayaka, Bilesha Perera, 2020. Reliability and Validity of the Brief COPE Scale into the Sri Lankan Context, Proceedings of 17th of Academic Sessions and 16th Vice Chancellor‟s Awards Ceremony, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, 4 March 2020.
• Madhushani H. A. M. S., Weeratunga S.M.E.B. Prevalence and Influencing factors of Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents in a Rural area, Sri Lanka. Proceeding of 3rd Annual Research Conference- RuFARS, 2020, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka. p. 57. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.28071.78247.
• Weeratunga E., Senadheera C., Hettiarachchi M., Perera B. 2021. Coping strategies among patients with cancer: A cross- sectional study done in Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Southern Sri Lanka. Proceeding of 4th Annual Research Conference- RuFARS, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka. P.46. (3rd place- oral presentations- Second runner-up).

Published abstracts of poster presentations

• MPHK Dias, SMEB Weerathunga, SK Goonesinghe. 2017. Impact of consequences of chronic kidney diseases on quality of life and level of depression among dialysis patients, Proceedings of 130th Anniversary International Medical Congress, Sri Lanka Medical Association, Sri Lanka.
• Weeratunga, E., Hettiarachchi, M., Ekanayaka, U., 2018. Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients Treated at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Sri Lanka, Proceedings of 15th Academic Sessions and 14th Vice Chancellor‟s Awards Ceremony, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, p. 26, 7 March 2018.
• Weeratunga, E., Hettiarachchi, M., Senadheera, C., Ekanayaka, U., Perera, B., 2019. Satisfaction with cancer care among patients treated in a tertiary care hospital in Southern Sri Lanka, Proceeding of 51st Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), Bangkok, Thailand, p.275, 20-22 November 2019.

Editorial contribution

• RuFARS – Annual Research Symposium of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences/University of Ruhuna
• RuAHS Newsletter of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences/University of Ruhuna

Membership of professional associations

• Sri Lanka Nurses Association
• Graduate Nurses Foundation Sri Lanka