Subashini Balakrishnan
About me
Subashini Balakrishnan is a Lecturer in the Department of Textile and Apparel Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka. She holds an M.Phil. in Textile and Clothing Technology from the University of Moratuwa and a B.I.S. (Hons.) in Apparel Production Management from OUSL, and is a Chartered Textile Technologist and Fellow of The Textile Institute, UK (CText FTI). She is currently reading for her PhD in Textile Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, specializing in vegan leather development.
Her research interests span sustainable textiles, fibre science, natural dyes, synthetic dyes, fibre-based leather alternatives, and apparel innovation, with a special focus on banana fibre extraction, modification, and applications. To date, she has published eight peer-reviewed journal articles in leading indexed journals (including Textile Research Journal, Journal of Natural Fibers, and Industrial Crops and Products), one book chapter with Springer Nature, and a forthcoming contribution to Elsevier. She has also presented at international and national conferences, including IEEE symposia and OUSL research forums.
In addition to her research, Subashini has led numerous awareness and training programs on natural fibres for government bodies, industry professionals, and artisan communities, and her work has been featured in BBC Sinhala News and other media. She showcased sustainable design through her Wealth from Waste fashion collection at INTEX South Asia.
She actively supervises undergraduate projects in sustainable textiles, dyes, fibre innovation, and eco-friendly printing, while serving on academic and research committees at OUSL.
Mrs. Subashini Balakrishnan is a Lecturer in the Department of Textile and Apparel Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, at The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). She has been actively engaged in teaching and research in textiles and apparel since 2013, with more than a decade of academic and industry-linked experience.
She holds a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Textile and Clothing Technology from the University of Moratuwa and a Bachelor of Industrial Studies (Honours) in Apparel Production Management from OUSL. She is also a Chartered Textile Technologist and Fellow of The Textile Institute, UK (CText FTI), reflecting her international professional recognition. Currently, she is reading for her PhD in Textile Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, focusing on the development of vegan leather from natural fibres.
Before her academic career, Subashini worked as an Assistant Technologist at the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA) and completed her industry training at Omega Line (Pvt) Ltd, gaining practical experience in apparel technology.
Her research portfolio primarily focuses on sustainable textiles, fibre science, dyeing, natural fibre–based leather alternatives, and apparel innovation, with a particular emphasis on banana fibre extraction, modification, and applications. She has authored eight indexed journal publications in leading journals such as Textile Research Journal, Journal of Natural Fibers, Industrial Crops and Products, Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, and Fibers and Polymers. Her contributions cover areas including banana fibre grading, dyeing behaviour, eco-friendly softening, and natural dye applications. She has also contributed a book chapter in Textiles of Sri Lanka (Springer Nature, 2024) on eco-friendly dyeing of banana fibres and is currently preparing a chapter for the forthcoming Elsevier volume Banana Fibres and Their Composites: Processing, Design, Properties and Applications (expected 2025).
Subashini has presented research at international forums, including an IEEE symposium and the International Research Conference of OUSL, along with five local conferences organized by OUSL, SLITA, and the Ministry of Industries. Her presentations have addressed both applied textile innovations and pedagogical studies in online and blended learning.
Beyond publications, she has actively promoted sustainability and natural fibre applications through awareness programs and workshops for diverse audiences: SLITA staff and trainees, Industrial Development Board (IDB) officers, Export Development Board (EDB) representatives, provincial handloom weavers, and Sri Lanka Army officers. Her work has also been recognized in BBC Sinhala News and other local media platforms. In 2022, she showcased her sustainable design initiative, the “Wealth from Waste” fashion collection, at INTEX South Asia, further bridging academia and industry.
At OUSL, Subashini plays an active role in student research supervision in areas such as natural and synthetic dyes, antimicrobial textiles, fibre-based innovations, sustainable supply chain practices, and eco-friendly printing methods. She contributes to academic governance as a member of CRADE–OUSL (2025), the Faculty Research Committee (2025), and the Faculty of Engineering Technology Student Academic Conference (FETSAC 2024), where she has been involved in organizing, reviewing, and editorial work. In addition, she served as Assistant in Charge of the Research Centre at SLITA (2023).
Her career reflects a strong blend of academic excellence, research innovation, industry collaboration, and community engagement, with a continuing focus on advancing sustainable solutions in textiles and apparel.
Other Memberships/Affiliations
Degrees:
1) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S (2019). Investigation on improving banana fiber fineness for textile application. Textile Research Journal 89(21–22), 4398–4409. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517519835758
2) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S (2019), Study on dyeing behavior of banana fiber with reactive dyes, Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 14 (22). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1558925019884478
3) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G.L.D., Wijayapala, U.G. S. (2020). A novel approach for banana (Musa) Pseudo-stem fibre grading Method: Extracted fibres from Sri Lankan Banana Cultivars. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/1558925020971766
4) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U. G. S. (2020). Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Mechanically Extracted Banana (MUSA) Fibers from Top Ten Sri Lankan Cultivars. Journal of Natural Fibers, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2020.1848732
5) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S. (2021). Investigation on mechanical and chemical properties of mechanically extracted banana fibre in pseudostem layers : From Sri Lankan banana (Musa) cultivation waste. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabric, 16(1–10). https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250211059832
6) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala., U. G. S. (2021). Eco-Friendly softening for banana Fibers from Sri Lankan banana cultivar: Influence on physical and chemical Properties on banana Fibers. Journal of Natural Fibers, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2021.1982811
7) Balakrishnan, S. (2024). Silk fabric dyeing with Basella alba (Sri Lankan green spinach fruit) natural dyes: Mordant-free dyeing approaches. Industrial Crops and Products, 222, 119337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.119337
8) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., & Wijayapala, U. G. S. (2024b). Impact of sodium sulfide treatment on the mechanical performance of banana fiber. Fibers and Polymers. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-024-00792-1
International Conferences
1) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S, Influence of enzyme and chemical pretreatment processes on the colours of banana fibres, IEEE Symposium on 5th International Multidisciplinary Engineering Research Conference, Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 29 August 2019. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8818786
2) Balakrishnan, S., Evaluating the impact of one-word student feedback on lecture effectiveness in virtual learning environments, International Research Conference of the Open University of Sri Lanka (IRC-OUSL 2024)
Local Conferences
1) Balakrishnan,S., Perera, M.E.R, , The effect of detergents on colour deterioration of white school uniform shirting materials used in Sri Lanka The Open University of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Research sessions -2016 – A503 https://ours.ou.ac.lk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/A503-E.pdf OR https://www.ou.ac.lk/home/images/OUSL/publications/OURS2016_Extended_Abstracts_Final.pdf
2) Balakrishnan,S., Perera, M.E.R, A Study on the Influence of washing and hot pressing on the colour fastness of white School uniform material. The Open University of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Research sessions -2015, Student Academic conference -2015 abstract No .TT206
3) Balakrishnan, S., Extraction of natural dyes from Basella alba (Sri Lankan green spinach) for Silk fabric: Mordant-free dyeing techniques towards Resource Efficiency- Research sessions -2023, 1st Research symposium on Textile and Apparel Industry
3) Balakrishnan, S., Extraction of natural dyes from Basella alba (Sri Lankan green spinach) for Silk fabric: Mordant-free dyeing techniques towards Resource Efficiency, 1st Research symposium on Textile and Apparel Industry, Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel, 2023
4) Balakrishnan, S., Wickramasinghe, G. L. D., Wijayapala, U.G.S, Banana Fiber Extraction and Treatment for Textile Production: A Sustainable Approach, Cosmetic Textile and apparel, footwear, Leather and related wearable fashion accessories, pharmaceuticals, wellness products, nutraceuticals and related services and support system-based industry related research presentation and networking forum, Ministry of Industries, 2023
Book Chapter
1) Textiles of Sri Lanka, Eco-Friendly Dyeing Techniques for Banana Fibers from Banana application in the Sri Lankan context. Promoting Sustainable Coloration Methods. (2024), Springer Nature Singapore, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-0569-6
BMICH
National cleaner production center
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
University of Moratuwa
National cleaner production center
Sri Lanka Foundation
Galadari Hotel