FEATURED NEWS

The UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM) at the Department of Civil Engineering recently hosted a landmark event to promote climate science literacy and strengthen awareness of climate change on 27th January 2025. Bringing together home and overseas students, university officials and academics, and climate experts, the event featured interactive sessions designed to inspire climate action. A major highlight was the Climate Awareness Quiz, where Advanced Level Science students from nearby schools actively participated. This engaging competition provided a unique platform for young learners to enhance their understanding of climate science and global environmental challenges, fostering early awareness and proactive thinking on climate solutions. The event also marked the unveiling of Climate Science Literacy Posters, a visually engaging educational series developed by UNESCO South Asia Regional Office, New Delhi. These 27 posters communicate fundamental climate concepts, highlight pressing environmental issues, and connect climate action to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030. Expert lectures by Dr. Benno Böer (Chief, Natural Sciences Unit at UNESCO New Delhi) and Prof. A.W. Jayawardane (Adj. Professor at University of Hong Kong) provided deep insights into climate literacy, resilience, and adaptation strategies. The event concluded with an Interactive Discussion Session, encouraging collaborative dialogue and inspiring participants to take meaningful climate action.

A two-day training workshop on the Application of the Hydrologic Engineering Centre's Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC-HMS) for Watershed Modelling was held on January 23-24, 2025, at the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM), Department of Civil Engineering. The workshop brought together over 50 water professionals from esteemed organisations such as the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL), Water Management Secretariat (WMS), Ministry of Irrigation, Irrigation Department, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation, and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Organized under the Integrated Watershed & Water Resources Management Project (IWWRMP) of MASL and funded by the World Bank, the event provided participants with an in-depth understanding of basin rainfall-runoff modelling procedures. Participants also gained hands-on experience in hydrological simulations, enhancing their skills for effective water resources planning and disaster management. The two-day workshop was expertly conducted by the dedicated staff of UMCSAWM and the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Moratuwa. Through hands-on training, expert-led sessions, and insightful discussions, attendees learned advanced hydrological modelling techniques and watershed analysis that are crucial for sustainable water management.

Professor Udeni Nawagamuwa, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, has been inducted as the 84th General President of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) at a ceremony held on January 7th at the Galle Face Hotel. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Prime Minister Hon. Harini Amarasuriya, Professor Gomika Udugamasooriya, the President’s Senior Advisor on Science & Technology, as well as the outgoing General President Prof. Ramani Wijesekera, past General Presidents, SLAAS Council members, fellow scientists, and other distinguished invitees.

The Department Christmas Carols Program was held on the 30th of December, 2024 from 4.30 pm onwards at the Civil Engineering Auditorium. The event was organized by the students of Intake 22, led by Ms. Hiruni Nonis (Academic Instructor), under the guidance of the Head of the Department, Prof. U.P. Nawagamuwa. The event was attended by the staff and the students of the Department, Rev. Father Amila Maduranga Jayathilaka, children and guardians from the homes of Diri Daru Piyasa-Maharagama. The event included a time of singing carols, led by the students of Intake 22 and junior staff members of the department. Rev. Father Amila Maduranga Jayathilaka shared a short reflection about the true spirit of giving during Christmas time. The performances of the children from Diri Daru Piyasa-Maharagama were one of the highlights of the evening. As part of sharing the true spirit of Christmas, the distribution of gifts to the children from these homes was carried out from the generous contributions of the staff and former students of the Department.

Department of Civil Engineering (DoCE) is pleased to announce that as of the 29th October 2024, Professor Udeni Nawagamuwa is now the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering. Professor Udeni Nawagamuwa is an accomplished academic with an international reputation as a leading Sri Lankan scholar whose research provides considerable insight into the area of Geotechnical Engineering, with a specific focus on earth retaining structures, ground improvement techniques, and topics related to geo-environmental engineering. We congratulate Professor Nawagamuwa on the new appointment and look forward to a bright future with him at the DoCE. His exceptional expertise and visionary leadership are sure to elevate the department to greater heights of excellence.

Prof. H. R. Pasindu, one of the esteemed professors in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, was appointed as a member of the International Education Standards Committee (IESC) of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. IESC is a committee of the International Management Committee with delegated powers. It is an important body in the Institute being the forum that maintains and develops the content and structure of the Body of Knowledge that forms the basis of our professional status and the suite of professional qualifications across the Institute.

Dr P.L.N. Fernando of the Department of Civil Engineering spent three months at the end of 2024 at the Institute of Structural Mechanics (ISM), Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany under the DAAD Funding Programme: Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists, 2024. He was involved in an industry funded project related to the Dynamic Response of Metaconcrete with Core-Coated Inclusions, which aligned with his research interest in the dynamic loading on structures. Further, during this visit he delivered a guest lecture titled “Shaken but not broken: Engineering for Blast and Impact Resilience” and had the opportunity to initiate several potential collaborative research projects in mutual areas of interest.

Prof. M.T.R Jayasinghe and Prof. (Mrs.) Chintha Jayasinghe of the Department of Civil Engineering visited the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thailand from 1st October to 1st November 2024 under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with University of Moratuwa (UoM) in 2019. During their visit, Prof. M.T.R Jayasinghe and Prof. (Mrs.) Chintha Jayasinghe delivered lectures on “Design of Tall Buildings” and “Energy efficient construction materials and Green material rating system” to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the SIIT and sought opportunities for joint research degree programmes with SIIT and UoM. In addition to the above, the opportunities for applying for joint research grants in different areas of Civil Engineering were also explored.

Department of Civil Engineering is proud to announce that as of the 29th October 2024, Senior Professor Jagath Manatunge, one of our esteemed senior professors, has been appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Moratuwa. Known for his exceptional academic and research contributions, Professor Manatunge brings both experience and vision to this role, leading the faculty toward new achievements in engineering education and research. We extend our warm congratulations and look forward to the impactful advancements he will inspire within our university community.

Civil Engineering Research Symposium (CERS) 2024, organized by the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, was held successfully on the 26th of September 2024 at the Civil Engineering Auditorium. The symposium showcased the latest and novel research activities undertaken by undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Department. The symposium is dedicated specifically to two esteemed retiring Senior Academics: Prof. Saman Bandara and Dr. (Mrs.) Premini Hettiarachchi, in recognition of their valuable contributions to the Civil Engineering Department. The symposium proceedings produced as a book of abstracts were published, which comprised the findings of the latest undergraduate research projects. The research showcased the advances in Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Construction Management, Environmental Engineering, and Transportation Engineering. A selected set of abstracts were presented by students at the symposium. Download the Proceedings: https://uom.lk/civil/cers2024 A 3-Minute Thesis (3-MT) Challenge for postgraduate students was also organized in parallel, demonstrating their latest research achievements in a creative manner. The winners of the competition were announced at the symposium, and they were awarded certificates.