Charitha Pattiaratchi (
Sinhala: චරිත පට්ටිආරච්චි ,
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
People, culture and language
* Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka
** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...
: சரித பட்டிஆரச்சி) is a
Winthrop Professor of
coastal
A coast (coastline, shoreline, seashore) is the land next to the sea or the line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake. Coasts are influenced by the topography of the surrounding landscape and by aquatic erosion, su ...
oceanography
Oceanography (), also known as oceanology, sea science, ocean science, and marine science, is the scientific study of the ocean, including its physics, chemistry, biology, and geology.
It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of to ...
at the
University of Western Australia
University of Western Australia (UWA) is a public research university in the Australian state of Western Australia. The university's main campus is in Crawley, Western Australia, Crawley, a suburb in the City of Perth local government area. UW ...
. He leads the UWA Coastal Oceanography Group. and the IMOS Australian National Facility for Ocean Gliders. He has played an active role in research related to coastal ocean physical processes and their influence on climate, biological, and geological processes in estuaries, the nearshore (beach) zone, the continental shelf region and the deep ocean. This includes specifically climate change effects in regions of coastal Western Australia in terms of wind and wave climate, ocean currents, coastal flooding, sea level variability, and beach stability. The research programs he has developed involves ocean observation integration, numerical modelling and synthesis to define the role of physical processes in pathways of water and sediment (including morphological changes) weather and climate and ecosystem in the coastal ocean and the adjacent deep ocean.
Education
Pattiaratchi obtained his secondary education at the prestigious
Royal College Colombo
Royal College, Colombo also known as; Royal Colombo, Colombo Royal College or Colombo Royal) is a boys' school located in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Started by Joseph Marsh in 1835, it was established as the Colombo Academy by Si ...
. He received the
Donhorst Memorial Prize for all-around student.
Pattiaratchi holds Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees from the
University College of Swansea,
University of Wales
The University of Wales () is a confederal university based in Cardiff, Wales. Founded by royal charter in 1893 as a federal university with three constituent colleges – Aberystwyth, Bangor and Cardiff – the university was the first universit ...
, UK.
As the first and only Sri Lankan Professor of Oceanography globally, his contributions extend over 40 years, including the development of the
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia (continent), ...
tsunami warning system.
Pattiaratchi was honored as an 'Eminent Sri Lankan Scientist' by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2002. His publication records over 500 articles, including more than 220 in peer-reviewed international journals.
Sporting career
Royal College years (1972–1976)
Swimming
As a swimmer, Pattiaratchi earned Colors from 1972 to 1976 and served as the Captain in 1975. His achievements included holding national records and championships in the 100m and 200m Freestyle, as well as the 200m and 400m Individual Medley.
His Under 19 100m Free Style record lasted for 18 years.
Water Polo
Pattiaratchi earned Colors from 1972 to 1976. He captained the team in 1975, leading them to victory in the C league championship and securing the runner-up position in the National Championship in 1975.
Athletics
In athletics, Pattiaratchi participated in hurdles, high jump, discuss, and the 1500m. He was the Champion Athlete Under 16 and won numerous medals in various events, including the Gold in High Jump at the Under 15 National Championships in 1972.
Royal College Union Aquatic Club (1976)
Pattiaratchi continued his involvement in swimming by being appointed as the inaugural swimming captain in 1976.
Otter Aquatic Club (1974-1975)
In 1974, at the Otter Aquatic Club, Pattiaratchi's achievements were marked by the Gold Otter award for Best Performance of the Year, as well as recognition through the Laurel Wreath award for outstanding achievements.
Swansea University (1977-1983)
Swimming
As the captain of the
Swansea University
Swansea University () is a public university, public research university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
It was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it chang ...
swimming team from 1977 to 1983, Pattiaratchi secured full colors in 1978-1979. His achievements include winning Gold in the short course
Welsh and
English (UAU) swimming championships for three consecutive years (1977-1979), representing Welsh and English combined Universities during the same period.
Water Polo
Pattiaratchi also captained the water polo team at Swansea University from 1977 to 1984, earning accolades such as the inaugural 'Club of the Year' award and winning the
University of Wales Championship.
Awards and honours
*Eminent Sri Lankan scientist award (2001)
*2003 Excellence in Teaching Award: Postgraduate Supervision – UWA.
*2005 Fellow, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).
*Kevin Stark memorial award for excellence in coastal and ocean engineering (2011)
*Vice-chancellor's inaugural senior research award (2014)
*2023 UWA Vice-chancellor’s award for Research mentoring
Selected bibliography
Articles
*
*
*
*
*
Papers and publications
* https://uwa.academia.edu/CharithaPattiaratchi
* https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/charitha-pattiaratchi/publications/
* https://publons.com/researcher/2786539/charitha-b-pattiaratchi/
* https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/137781/publications
* https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=7003884923
* https://www.mendeley.com/profiles/charitha-pattiaratchi/publications/
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pattiaratchi, Charitha
Year of birth missing (living people)
Alumni of Swansea University
Academic staff of the University of Western Australia
Sri Lankan emigrants to Australia
Sri Lankan environmentalists
Living people