Dr Siriwardana was a TWAS young affiliate (2009-2014) from Sri Lanka and completed the doctoral training in Sri Lanka and in UK (Liverpool School of tropical Medicine and Hygiene) under a commonwealth doctoral scholarship. She holds the first Sri Lankan PhD on human leishmaniasis, a newly established health issue in Sri Lanka and her main research interest continues on clinical, parasitological and immunological aspects of leishmaniasis. Her work so far has paved the way for the development of the National Action Plan on leishmaniasis, resulted in over 20 scientific publications, over 70 abstracts and many book chapters on the same. She has played a pioneering role in establishing the first patient clinic, diagnostic laboratory, research techniques under TWAS science exchange program and in designing and establishing a laboratory training course for government technical officers on leishmaniasis diagnosis in Sri Lanka. She is also a recipient of many awards including presidential awards, Dr. SC Paul oration (Sri Lanka, 2014) and other research awards.