The Facilities Management Research Unit (FaMRU) of the Department of Facilities Management, University of Moratuwa, successfully hosted the Facilities Management Futures (FMF) 2026: Circular and Future-Adaptive Facilities international conference on 22 May 2026. The conference served as a dynamic platform for researchers, academics, industry professionals, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, present innovative research, and discuss emerging trends shaping the future of facilities management.
Held primarily as a physical conference, FMF 2026 also welcomed international participants through an online platform, promoting broader global participation and collaboration. The conference explored several contemporary themes, including sustainability, smart facilities management, building performance, circular economy and waste management, occupational safety and health, and climate resilience. These themes highlighted the evolving role of facilities management in creating sustainable, resilient, and future-ready built environments.
The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, followed by a welcome address delivered by the Head of the Department of Facilities Management, and an inaugural speech by the Chief Guest, Prof. Mohan M. Kumaraswamy. Delegates also benefited from two insightful keynote speeches delivered by Mr. Manone Perera and Prof. Matt Tucker, who shared their expertise and perspectives on the future of facilities management. The conference proceedings were officially launched during the opening ceremony.
The remainder of the day featured three parallel technical sessions, providing authors with the opportunity to present their research both physically and online. The technical sessions facilitated engaging discussions and networking among participants from academia and industry.
To recognise excellence in research, the conference organisers, together with distinguished academic and professional partners, presented awards for outstanding contributions. These included the Best Paper Award and the Highly Commended Paper Award, acknowledging high-quality research and innovation in the field of facilities management. FMF 2026 once again reaffirmed the University of Moratuwa's commitment to advancing research, fostering international collaboration, and promoting innovative solutions to address the challenges and opportunities in the built environment.