University Teacher in Psychology & Registered Clinical Psychologist
Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Psychological Interventions, Psychological Assessment, Abnormal Psychology
Programme Coordination:
Co-Coordinator – Master of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, University of Colombo
Course Coordination:
PLU3309; Introduction to Counseling Psychology
PLU3311; Cognitive Psychology
PLU4302; Abnormal Psychology
PLU4305; Language and Cognition
PLU5306; Clinical Psychology
PLU5311; Psychology and Law
PLU6302; Internship (Work Placement)
PLU6304; Advanced Counseling Practise
PLU6308; Psychology of Human Sexuality
PLU6309; Psychometrics
Country representative and research collaborator to the international research project, “COPEwithCOVID” initiated by the North East England South Asia Mental Health Alliance – Publications in progress.
Principal Investigator (OUSL Faculty Grant No: OUSL/FHS/2022/22) to the project ‘Mixed method exploration of post-COVID Minority Distress and Resilience in Sri Lanka’s LGBTQIA+ community’ – Data collection in progress
Research publication from doctoral dissertation, ‘Social Anxiety Disorder among University Students in Sri Lanka: Prevalence, associated risk factors and a cultural adapted treatment’ – Publications in progress
Ongoing Research:
Principal Investigator (OUSL Faculty Grant No: OUSL/FHS/2022/22) to the project ‘Mixed method exploration of post-COVID Minority Distress and Resilience in Sri Lanka’s LGBTQIA+ community’ – Data collection in progress
ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
de Silva, R., de Zoysa, P. T., Pathmeswaran, A., & Williams, S. S. (2022). Social anxiety disorder among university students in Sri Lanka: Prevalence and associated psychosocial factors. Special Suplement of the Ceylon Medical Journal. 67, pp. 78-79. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Medical Association.
Hapangama, A., de Silva, R., Williams, S. S., de Zoysa, P. T., Wickremasinghe, R. R.,Kuruppuarachchi, K. L., & Ravindran, A. (2021). Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) compared to a waitlist control in the treatment of university students with social anxiety disorder. Journal of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, E1511-10.
Nilakarawasam, N., de Silva, R., Alwis, D., de Silva, R., Bulathwaththa, T., Dilsha, N., & Athapaththu, B. (2021). Developing a proactive motivational individual student support system at OUSL: A preliminary study for identification of influential factors. 34th Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities (p. 64). Colombo : The Open University of Sri Lanka.
Hapangama, A., Kuruppuarachchi, L. A., de Silva, R., Wickramasinghe, A. R., Ravindran, A., & amp; Williams, S. S. (2020). Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS-SR) Sinhala Version. Ceylon Medical Journal, 65, 28-31.DOI: 10.4038/cmj. v65i1-2.9134
Hapangama, A., De Silva, B.G. R., De Zoysa, P. T., Kuruppuarachchi, K. A., Ravindran, A., Wickramasinghe, A. R., & Williams, S. S. (2020). Randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy compared to a waitlist control in the treatment of university students with social phobia. 133rd International Medical Congress, pp. 26-27. Colombo: Sri Lanka Medical Association.
Jansz, M. I., Tilakawardena, S., Nandana, W. A., de Silva, B. R., Hapugoda, J., & Punchimudiyanse, M. (2019). Networking Education into the Future: Why Social Media? A Review. Proceedings of the Open University Research Sessions (OURS 2019). Nawala: The Open University of Sri Lanka.
De Silva, B. G. R, de Zoysa, P., Williams, S. S. (2018). Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for University Students with Social Anxiety Disorder: The Development of a Culturally Valid Treatment. International Research Symposium on Social Sciences and Humanities (p.108). Colombo: National Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Sri Lanka.
de Silva, B. R., Williams, S. S., & de Zoysa, P. (2016). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for University Students with Social Phobia: A Method to Culturally Adapt Group Therapy. 129th Anniversary International Medical Congress (p. 171). Colombo: Sri Lanka Medical Association.
De Silva, B. R. (2015). Validation and Adaptation of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) among University Students in Sri Lanka. Annual Research Symposium, The Faculty of Graduate Studies. Colombo: University of Colombo.
De Silva, B. R., & Williams, S. S. (2015). Anxiety Disorders. The Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry, 6 (1), 38-40.
De Silva, B. R. (2014). Validation and the Adaptation of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) among University Students in Sri Lanka. Annual Research Sessions of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Colombo: University of Colombo.
PEER REVIEW CONTRIBUTION TO JOURNALS/CONFERENCES
PLOS One, ‘In Employees’ favour or not? – The Impact of Virtual Office Platform on the Work-Life Balances’, (Manuscript ID: PONE-D-21-14212R1), 2021
PLOS One, ‘In Employees’ favour or not? – The Impact of Virtual Office Platform on the Work-Life Balances’, (Manuscript ID: PONE-D-21-14212), 2021
Annual Conference of Asian Association of Open Universities, ‘The Utilization of Augmented Reality-based Learning Media in Practical Courses’ (Abstract ID: 170), 2021
Annual Conference of Asian Association of Open Universities, ‘Data Monopoly and Social Media Pedagogy: Curious Case of Data Capitalism and Platformed Fetishism in Life Long Learning’ (Abstract ID: 170), 2021
Annual Conference of Asian Association of Open Universities, ‘The Attitudes and Motivations Toward Mobile Learning – a Study on the Teachers and Learners of Bangladesh Open University’ (Abstract ID: 170), 2021
PLOS One, ‘Health Anxiety, Coping Mechanisms and COVID 19: an Indian Community Sample at Week 1 of Lockdown’, (Manuscript ID: PONE-D-20-23653R1), 2021
PLOS One, ‘Health Anxiety, Coping Mechanisms and COVID 19: an Indian Community Sample at Week 1 of Lockdown’, (Manuscript ID: PONE-D-20-23653), 2020
OUSL Journal, ‘Challenges of Mentoring Among University Academics in Nigeria’, 2020
‘Quantitative research about factors influencing the adherence of regular clinic follow up among the patients in Southern Province, Sri Lanka’, K. P. J. D. Pathirana, for for MSc Clinical and Health Psychology, University of West London – 2023
‘A study on the perception of gender identity in the LGBTQIA+ community of Sri Lanka’, Chithranga Edirisooriya, for BSc (Hons) Psychology, The Open University of Sri Lanka – 2023
‘Tendency to self-diagnose and find self-help for mental health related conditions among psychology undergraduates of the Open University of Sri Lanka’, Anusha Kumara, for BSc (Hons) Psychology, The Open University of Sri Lanka – 2023
‘Literacy and stigma of suicide among undergraduate students in public universities in Sri Lanka’, Anushika Bandara for BSc (Hons) Psychology, The Open University of Sri Lanka – 2023
‘The relationship between personality traits, depression and anxiety amongst university students’, Amra Ali for MSc Clinical and Health Psychology, University of West London – 2023
‘How conformity to feminine norms affect general mental-wellbeing and stress levels in Sri Lankan women’, Ashra Kamal for MSc Clinical and Health Psychology, University of West London – 2023
‘Impact of workplace bullying on coming out of the LGBT community in Sri Lanka’, Samurddhi for MSc Clinical and Health Psychology, University of West London – 2023
‘Association between smartphone addiction, subjective feelings of loneliness and depression in adults aged 20-30 in Sri Lanka’, Ornella Nadaraja for MSc Clinical and Health Psychology, University of West London – 2022 (MERIT)
‘The attitudes of the secondary level students of Dhammarathana Vidyalaya in Galle towards learning English Language’, Sankalpa Gamage for MA in Teaching English as a Second Language, OUSL – 2021 (MERIT)
‘Traits of depression, anxiety, stress and self-esteem among adults who stutter’, Rangika Fernando for MSc Clinical and Health Psychology, University of West London – 2019 (DISTINCTION)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Reg No. 33) – Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC)
International Affiliate (Membership No. 13815874) – American Psychological Association (APA)
Early Career Researcher (Sri Lanka) – North East England South Asia Mental Health Alliance (NEESAMA)
Associate Member – Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists, National Science Foundation
Member – Sri Lanka Association of Child Development, Oct 2013- Present
Member – Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association
Guest Lectures/Invited Talks/Media Appearances
Resource panelist for the event “Building and promoting inclusive work environments and work cultures in higher education institutions: With special focus on gender awareness and gender blindness” to commemorate the international women’s day 2022 organized by the center for gender equality and equity, OUSL, March 11, 2022
Presenter on the episode of ‘The effects of trauma on one’s physical wellbeing’, ‘Bring-to-light’ video mini-series organized by the Rotaract Club of the Kotalawela Defense University, Sri Lanka, September, 2021
Resource panelist, ‘Beyond the Pandemic: The role of Youth’, organized by the Rotaract club of the katugastota region, 21st August, 2021
Resource panelist, ‘Physical, Mental & Eye Health of Children during the pandemic’, hosted by the talkative parents, Yara Techonologies, 16th July, 2021
‘Let’s talk about it – LGBTIQ mental health and well-being’, Cheers-Sri Lanka (Youtube Channel), May 01, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGWCRYNrX5Q
‘Online gender-based violence: The new normal of sexual harassment’ The Sunday Morning newspaper, February 28, 2021 https://www.themorning.lk/online-gender-based-violence-the-new-normal-of-sexual-harassment/
‘How professional are Sri Lanka’s mental health professionals?” The Sunday Morning newpaper, January 24, 2021 https://www.themorning.lk/how-professional-are-sri-lankas-mental-health-professionals/
Resource panelist for the webinar on “The importance of practicing kindness for mental wellbeing” to mark the world mental health day organized by the Department of Psychology and Counselling, OUSL – October 8, 2020
Resource panelist in mental health at the ‘Webinar on Domestic Violence during the Curfew’ organized by the Cosmopolitan Magazine, Sri Lanka – 3rd May 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLE2BqRTBqw
‘Little Miss Shy-No-More’, The Cosmopolitan Magazine, Sri Lanka, Page 84-86, August 2017
‘Slay every first impression like a star’, The Cosmopolitan Magazine, Sri Lanka, Page 85-86, July 2017
‘Suicide is not the answer: How to overcome the overwhelming’, The Cosmopolitan Magazine, Sri Lanka, Page 126-128, February 2017
“Psychologist at Work – Ransirini de Silva”, W@W – Women at work career feature, Daily Mirror Newspaper, December, 2016
Resource panelist in mental health on the discussion of Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Sri Lanka, ‘Shanida Ayubowan’, a nationally televised program from the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation, June, 2016
FELLOWSHIPS/GRANTS
▪ The Open University of Sri Lanka, Faculty Grant Recipient, FHS/2022/22/02, LKR 336,250.00
▪ Early Career Research Fellow (ECR) member from Sri Lanka for the North East England South Asia Mental Health Alliance (NEESAMA: www.neesama.org ) – Oct 2019 to present
▪ Conference Travel Grant and Living Stipend for the North East England South Asia Mental Health Alliance annual conference participation, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2019
▪ MPhil Research Fellow, National Research Council, Sri Lanka – 2016-2018
Certifications
▪ Certified Publons Academy Peer Reviewer, June 2021
▪ Certificate in Research Skill Development, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2019
▪ Certificate in Psychological First Aid, Johns Hopkins University (online), USA – 2021
▪ Certificate on ‘The Science of Well-being’, Yale University (online), USA, 2020
▪ Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) certification – Level 1
▪ Certificate in Psychological First Aid, Tokyo Learning and Development Center, The World Bank, U.N. University Institute of Global Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Japan, Sep 2014.
▪ Certificate in Solutions for Challenging Behaviors in Children with Intellectual Disabilities and Difficulties, The Ability Foundation, Jul 2008.
▪ Certificate in Art Therapy and Mental Disorders, Teacher Training Center, Ratmalana, May 2008.
▪ Certificate of Achievement, Presidential Classroom Program, Future World Leaders Summit, Washington D.C. 2004.
