About me
Agriculturist, soil scientist and lecturer — bridging soil science with data, remote sensing and precision agriculture.
I'm Isuru Kasthuri Arachchi (K.A.I.L. Kasthuri Arachchi), a probationary lecturer in the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. My work sits at the intersection of agronomy and computer science — using soil sensing, remote sensing and machine learning to make soil management more precise.
My current research develops digital soil mapping frameworks and predicts soil water retention curves using physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), building on earlier work with soil moisture sensors, soil temperature dynamics and ensemble machine learning for soil properties such as cation exchange capacity.
Alongside research, I design and teach courses in soil management, remote sensing and precision agriculture, serve as secretary of the faculty's eLearning committee, and contribute digital content for the Soil Science Society of Sri Lanka.
Skills & tools
Experience
Probationary Lecturer
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya- Designing and delivering courses in soil management, remote sensing and precision agriculture.
- Researching digital soil mapping and soil water retention prediction with physics-informed neural networks.
- Secretary, eLearning and Computer Center Management Committee subcommittee.
- Web developer and digital contributor for the Soil Science Society of Sri Lanka.
Temporary Lecturer
Dean's Office, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya- Developed data and web tools to support departmental research and teaching.
- Faculty website development and system administration.
Education
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Soil Science
Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of PeradeniyaResearch on digital soil mapping and soil water retention prediction using physics-informed neural networks (PINNs).
- Predicted cation exchange capacity (CEC) in tropical soils with ensemble machine learning and SHAP interpretability.
- Developing national-level digital soil mapping pipelines.
Extracurricular
- Editor, Postgraduate Agriculture Students' Association (PASA) (2023).
Master of Science (MSc) in Data Science
Kingston University, LondonDistinction pass.
Research project on predicting soil temperature dynamics with deep learning models.
BSc in Agricultural Technology & Management — Soil Science
University of PeradeniyaSecond class, upper division.
Research project on developing a soil moisture sensor and a companion mobile application.
- Arduino-based sensor development.
- React Native-based mobile application development.
- Calibrated the sensor for multiple local soil types.
Extracurricular
- President, Soil Science Society (2021–2022).
- Chief organizer, Robobots Society (2021–2022).
- Editor, Buddhist Brotherhood Society (2020–2021).
Publications
- Kasthuri Arachchi, K. A. I. L. (2026). Machine learning prediction of soil cation exchange capacity in tropical soils [Extended abstract]. Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture Annual Congress.
- Gamage, D. N. V., Peiris, T., Kasthuriarachchi, I., Mohotti, K. M., & Biswas, A. (n.d.). Enhancing soil resilience to climate change: Long-term effects of organic amendments on soil thermal and physical properties in tea-cultivated Ultisols. Available online