FEATURED NEWS

The prestigious Thomas Howard Medal at the ICE Publishing Awards 2024 has been awarded to a team of researchers for their groundbreaking paper titled "Improving the Lateral Load Resistance of Vernacular Masonry Walls Subject to Flooding". The journal paper was co-authored by Prof. (Mrs). Chintha Jayasinghe, Prof. Thishan Jayasinghe, Dr Indunil Erandi and Eng. Gihan Ranasinghe from the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, alongside Dr. Shawn Platt, Dr. Daniel Maskell and Prof. Peter Walker from the Building Research Establishment Ltd. (BRE) Centre for Innovative Construction Materials, University of Bath, United Kingdom. The research focuses on developing affordable strategies to enhance the resilience of low-rise masonry structures in Sri Lanka, particularly in flood-prone areas. The findings of the study are expected to provide direct welfare benefits to communities by reducing the risk of structural collapse during extreme flooding events, allowing residents to remain safely in their homes.

The Survey Camp for the 20-Batch, conducted by the Department of Civil Engineering, was successfully carried out in two phases with the support of the both academic and non-academic staff of the department. Phase 1 was conducted at the department premises from July 23rd to 26th, 2024, to refresh the existing knowledge of students, while assessing their proficiency with surveying instruments and methodologies. During this period, students were not only engaged in recalling theories, but were also introduced to advanced surveying technologies such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveying and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), through specialized sessions led by industry professionals.

The Geotechnical Engineering Division at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, successfully completed a training program on the Testing of Engineering Properties of Soil during July and August, 2024. The program involved the participation of geotechnical engineers and technical officers from the Northern and Eastern Provincial Councils under the Irrigation Department of Sri Lanka. Structured as a four-day course, the training provided participants with a thorough understanding of soil engineering properties and their practical applications. It featured a combination of lectures and hands-on laboratory soil testing, enabling participants to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in soil testing and data analysis. These competencies are crucial for developing a solid foundation in soil mechanics, which will benefit them in their professional careers.

On the 31st of May 2024, the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa bid farewell to one of its esteemed Senior Lecturers, Dr. (Mrs.) Premini Hettiarachchi, who retired after a commendable and dedicated service. An alumnus of the University of Moratuwa with a First-Class Honours degree in Civil Engineering having been jointly awarded the A.N.S. Kulasinghe Award for the Best Civil Engineering Graduate, Dr. (Mrs.) Hettiarachchi counts over forty years of uninterrupted service to the University in the fields of teaching, research, administration and consultancy. Dr. (Mrs.) Hettiarachchi is responsible for introducing the latest revisions to Codes of Practice, including the Eurocode Recommendations in Timber and Steel, to the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Curricula at the University of Moratuwa.

Department of Civil Engineering (DoCE) is pleased to announce that as of the 15th June 2024, Senior Professor Jagath Manatunge is now the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering. Professor Jagath Manatunge is an accomplished academic with an international reputation as a leading Sri Lankan scholar whose research provides considerable insight into the area of Environmental Engineering, with a specific focus on water pollution control, restoration and management of surface water bodies, and topics related to water technology. We congratulate Professor Jagath on the new appointment and look forward to a bright future with him at the DoCE. At the same time, we would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge our outgoing Head of the Department, Senior Professor (Mrs.) Chintha Jayasinghe. Professor (Mrs.) Chintha Jayasinghe was the Head of the Department for nearly three years, offering exceptional leadership, support, and guidance to both students and staff, helping them achieve greater heights.

Prof. H. R. Pasindu, one of the esteemed professors in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, was elected as a Council Member of the Asian Society for Emerging Transport (ASET) during its inaugural Annual General Meeting held on 4th July 2024.

Prof. H.R. Pasindu received a research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the competitive research grant scheme for the year 2024 for the research project on Developing a Multi-Year Asset Management Program for Low Volume Road Networks in Sri Lanka.

Eng. Namal Peiris, Managing Director / CEO of International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd (ICC), which is a leading construction company in Sri Lanka delivered an interactive lecture session on “The Opportunities for Civil Engineers”, to the semester 4 (2nd year) undergraduates of the Department of Civil Engineering. The session was held at the Civil Engineering Auditorium on 4th April 2024. Eng. Namal Peiris successfully conducted the lecture discussing the roles a civil engineer must play in the industry, the current state of the construction industry, the construction industry in the future, the global construction industry and finally providing valuable insights to students on preparation for employment. This interactive lecture session was organized as part of the Awareness Session which was proposed during the Department Quality Circle (DQC) meetings to motivate the junior undergraduate students by providing a glimpse into the civil engineering industry.

Prof. Atula Abeysekara, professor of practice in risk management at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom, delivered a guest lecture on “Managing Black Swans”, to final-year undergraduate students of the Department of Civil Engineering. The session was held at the Civil Engineering Auditorium on 2nd May 2024. Prof. Atula started the lecture by providing a brief introduction to Imperial College, his career and the world in 2050. Then, he continued with the lecture by describing the construction journey and risk management process and extreme risks, what black swans are and why they are difficult to predict, how to manage black swans, and advice to the UK government on managing them. This guest lecture was organized by the Civil Engineering Society (CES) as a part of the “Civil Engineering Career Fair 2024”.

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 of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Sri Lanka at their 40th Annual General Meeting held on 28th March 2024.