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Former Head of the Department |
Prof. Anuradha Waidyasekara served as the 8th Head of the Department of Building Economics from 3 rd
November 2022 to 2 nd November 2025. She is a product of the Department of Building Economics itself.
She earned her Bachelor of Science Honours in Quantity Surveying in 2002, Master of Science by
Research in 2006 and Doctor of Philosophy in the Built Environment in 2016 from the University of
Moratuwa.
Prof. Waidyasekara began her journey with the Department of Building Economics in 2005 as a Lecturer
on Contract. She was appointed as a Lecturer (Probationary) in 2008, marking the start of her
distinguished academic career. Her dedication and expertise were recognised through successive
promotions, first to Senior Lecturer Grade II in 2016 and subsequently to Senior Lecturer Grade I in 2019.
In 2022, she achieved the esteemed position of Professor in Quantity Surveying (on Merit), a testament to
her outstanding contributions to the field and the department.
During her three-year tenure as the 8th Head of the Department of Building Economics, Prof. Anuradha
Waidyasekara provided steady, purposeful, and inclusive academic leadership that strengthened the
Department in multiple dimensions. Her term was marked by improvements in academic quality,
departmental governance, staff development, industry collaboration, and physical infrastructure. A
defining feature of her leadership was the emphasis placed on enhancing the Department’s academic and
physical facilities. Through her close and continuous collaboration with both local and international
Quantity Surveying Alumni Associations, she successfully mobilised support, funding, and resources to
uplift the Department. These efforts led to upgraded learning spaces, improved departmental facilities,
and better student-support environments. Her ability to bring together alumni, staff, and students to work
toward shared goals has significantly contributed to the long-term development and modernisation of the
Department.
Prof. Waidyasekara also prioritised maintaining high academic standards within the Department. She
encouraged the enhancement of teaching materials, and ensured the quality and integrity of
assessments. Under her guidance, professional development among staff, particularly early-career
lecturers and temporary instructors, was strongly supported, fostering a collaborative environment for
teaching, administration and research. Her leadership further extended to ensuring the smooth
functioning of all academic procedures. She worked closely with all Coordinators and administrative staff
to expedite moderation activities, streamline examination processes, and enhance overall academic
workflows, ensuring the timely completion of all required tasks.
Prof. Waidyasekara is a well-recognised professional in the field. She is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, a
Corporate member of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka (IQSSL) since 2009, a corporate
member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) since 2010 and became a Certified
Quantity Surveyor at AIQS since 2020. She is also a council member of the Australian Institute of
Quantity Surveyor (AIQS) in the Sri Lankan Chapter since 2015.
During her remarkable career spanning more than two decades, Prof. Waidyasekara has made immense
and invaluable contributions to the development of the Department of Building Economics. Notably, she
served for over eight years as the Undergraduate Coordinator for the BSc Quantity Surveying degree
programme, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and programme management. Her
dedication extends beyond teaching and research, encompassing significant roles in student engagement
and welfare. She served as the Senior Treasurer of the Building Economics Students' Society (BESS)
from 2018 to 2022, fostering a vibrant and supportive student community. Since 2018, she has also been
serving as a Student Counsellor for the Faculty of Architecture, providing steadfast guidance and
mentorship, underscoring her unwavering commitment to students’ holistic development
With over two decades of teaching and research experience, she has contributed extensively to
academia and industry, with more than 100 publications in reputable, indexed journals and conferences.
Her impactful research has been recognised with numerous awards, and she has served as both a
principal and co-investigator on a range of local and international collaborative projects. Since 2018, Prof.
Waidyasekara has co-chaired the Scientific Committee for the World Construction Symposium, further
demonstrating her leadership in the academic community. She is also an active member of several
international scientific committees, serves as a reviewer for multiple indexed journals, and has been the
Associate Editor of the Built Environment Project and Asset Management journal since 2022. Prior to this,
she served as the Assistant Editor in 2021.
Her research spans a broad array of critical topics, including sustainable construction, green building
practices, circular economy, modular construction, and innovative construction technologies. Her
contributions to these fields have garnered several "Best Paper" awards at international conferences,
further highlighting the relevance and impact of her research. Professor Waidyasekara’s excellence in
research has been consistently recognised by the University of Moratuwa, where she has received
outstanding research performance award every consecutive year since 2011.
At the national level, Prof. Waidyasekara has provided consultancy services for high-profile projects
across both state and non-state organisations, demonstrating her professional expertise in Quantity
Surveying. She has made significant contributions to advancing the Quantity Surveying profession in Sri
Lanka through her active involvement in the Board of Quantity Surveying Education and Training
(BQSET) and various committees of the IQSSL. Since 2017, she has also served as a Member of the
Panel of Judges representing the Quantity Surveying profession for the Construction Industry
Development Authority’s (CIDA) National Construction Excellence Awards for construction contractors in
Sri Lanka.
At the University of Moratuwa, Prof. Waidyasekara has provided invaluable service by serving as the
Chairman, Member, and Client Representative of the Technical Evaluation Committees (TECs) for over
40 projects, reflecting her dedication to institutional development.
Prof. Waidyasekara’s tenure as Head of the Department brought together strong academic credentials
and practical, forward-looking leadership. Her vision, dedication, and sustained commitment have
positioned the Department of Building Economics for continued progress and future growth.
31st December 2025