FEATURED NEWS

The Avrudu festival celebration was held on the 24th of April 2025 from 9.30 am onwards at the Civil Engineering Department. The celebration was organized by the Head of the Department, Prof. Udeni Nawagamuwa, to promote cultural understanding among various communities by disseminating information about various ethnic groups. Prof. Nawagamuwa addressed the gathering by wishing everyone a Happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The event was attended by both academic and non-academic staff members of the Civil Engineering Department, as well as postgraduate students.

Prof. H. R. Pasindu, one of the esteemed professors in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, was elected as the Vice President / President-Elect at the 41st AGM of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka held on 7th April 2025.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently published a comprehensive new resource titled "Guidebook on Machine Learning Techniques for Road Quality Monitoring" co-authored by Prof. H. R. Pasindu, a distinguished academic in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa. For more information or to download the guidebook, visit: https://dx.doi.org/10.22617/TCS250091-2

The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa recently conducted a soft skills workshop focused on crafting a professional CV, aimed at empowering final-year undergraduates as they prepare to enter the job market. The workshop was conducted by Mr. Kasun Hettiarachchi, Manager – HR, Legal & Regulatory Affairs at Sri Lanka Telecom Services (PVT) LTD, who shared valuable insights into effective CV writing tailored for industry expectations. This session, following earlier workshops on team building and interview preparation, highlights the department’s continued commitment to producing well-rounded graduates equipped for professional success.

The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa organised an Interview and Industry Readiness Training Programme for Civil Engineering Batch 20 on 27 March 2025. The session was conducted by Eng. Chathura Vidanapathirana, Founder of Creative Junction and a certified trainer of the Sri Lanka Institute of Training and Development (SLITAD), with the support and guidance of departmental staff. The programme aimed to equip students with the essential skills and confidence required to navigate job interviews and transition smoothly into the professional engineering environment.

The Highway Engineering Society Student Chapter of the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, conducted a Road Safety Awareness Program on March 12th at Bauddhaloka Maha Vidyalaya, Panadura. The initiative aimed to raise awareness among school students about road safety practices and introduce them to modern transportation technologies. The program also featured a motivational session to inspire students in their academic journey, making it a well-rounded and impactful outreach activity.

The Ramadhan festival celebration was held on the 7th of April 2025 from 10.30 am onwards at the Civil Engineering Department. The celebration was organized by the Head of the Department, Prof. Udeni Nawagamuwa, to promote cultural understanding among various communities by disseminating information about various ethnic groups. Prof. Udeni Nawagamuwa addressed the gathering by wishing everyone a Happy Ramadhan. The event was coordinated by Dr. N.M.M. Nihaaj under the guidance of the Head of the Department. The event was attended by both academic and non-academic staff members of the Civil Engineering Department, as well as postgraduate students. At the event, Dr Nihaaj provided an overview of the Eid festival and the importance of the month of Ramadhan for Muslims around the world.

Prof. H. R. Pasindu, one of the esteemed professors in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, delivered the John Diandas Memorial Lecture organized by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka on Public Transport Safety focusing on bus transport in Sri Lanka. The event was held at the National Transport Commission.

The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa organized a Leadership Program for Civil Engineering Batch 23 on February 12, 2025. The program was conducted by Eng. Chathura Vidanapathirana, the Founder of Creative Junction and a certified trainer of the Sri Lanka Institute of Training and Development (SLITAD), under the guidance of department members and was aimed at enhancing students’ leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. A key highlight was the ‘Paper Bridge Challenge,’ where students built a Warren truss bridge using limited materials, reinforcing teamwork and engineering principles. The program provided valuable takeaways, including teamwork, problem-solving under pressure, and applying theory to practice. By fostering unity and essential skills for future careers, the event proved to be an enriching experience. The Department of Civil Engineering remains committed to organizing such initiatives to empower future engineers with practical and leadership capabilities.

The highly anticipated annual entertainment event, "Civil Padura 2025," was held at the Civil Engineering Department premises on the 05th of February, 2025. This event was coordinated by the Civil Engineering Society (CES) with the guidance of the Head of the Department, Prof. Udeni Nawagamuwa and also with the pivotal leadership from the Civil 2020 Batch. The event commenced at 6.00 pm with the ceremonial lighting of the oil lamp. The event was well-attended by the academic/non-academic staff and undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Civil Engineering Department. The venue was adorned with colorful decorations, creating an inviting and warm atmosphere. The evening's program showcased the immense talents of the Civil Engineering students. Attendees were treated to a delightful array of performances, including a captivating drama piece, several fascinating dance performances, and over 20 musical performances accompanied by a live orchestra. One of the amazing highlights of the evening was the captivating musical performances by the academic staff. As the night reached its grand finale, the sheer number of students from various departments converging on the venue was a testament to the event's resounding success. "Civil Padura 2025" once again proved to be a true celebration of talent and unity within the Civil Engineering Department, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended the event.