Mr.T D C Pushpakumara | University of Moratuwa

Mr. T D C Pushpakumara

Faculty of Engineering

Department of Civil Engineering

Senior Lecturer Grade I

Teaching and Administrative Activities

Teaching

surveying 1 -Undergraduate -2016

surveying 11 -Undergraduate -2016

aspect of Civil Engineering -Undergraduate -2016

GIS and Rempte Sensing -Undergraduate -2016

survey camp -Undergraduate -2016

Administrative Activities

Academic cordinatoir - coordinates academic activity , conduct activities wit industry persons (2008 To 2022)

Academic cordinator -Coordination of Survey Camp Activities, Teaching, and Student Evaluation (2022 To 2022)

Academic Coordinator - Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation. (2006 To 2006)

Academic cordinator - Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation. (2007 To 2007)

Academic cordinator -Coordination of Survey Camp Activities, Teaching, and Student Evaluation (2008 To 2008)

Academic cordinator - Coordination of Survey Camp Activities, Teaching, and Student Evaluation (2009 To 2009)

Academic cordinator - Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation (2011 To 2011)

academic cordinator - Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation (2012 To 2012)

Academic Coordinator - Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation (2013 To 2013)

Academic Coordinator -Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation (2014 To 2014)

Academic Coordinator -Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation. (2018 To 2018)

Academic Coordinator - Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation. (2019 To 2019)

Academic Coordinator -Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation. (2020 To 2020)

Academic Coordinator - Academic Coordinator for Survey Camp Activities, including planning and coordination of fieldwork, teaching, supervision, and student evaluation. (2021 To 2021)

Education and Professional Affiliations

T D C Pushpakumara, Harshana Wijesekara,".Enhancing Traffic Signal Systems in Sri Lanka Using Artificial Intelligence.",2025 Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference (MERCon),University of Moratuwa, Sri lanka,2025,669-674

T D C Pushpakumara,".ITRC 2025 .",ITRC 2025 ,BMICH,2025,

TD C Pushpakumara Fazeela Jameel Ashan ,".Integrating AI into Eco-Tourism: A Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Travel Planning.",23rd International Conference on Sustainable Development 2025,BMICH,2025,

L.H.M.K. Kumarasingh T D C Pushpakumara ,".Identification of traffic hotspots in CMC area and study of flow dynamics around them using GIS & RS techniques.",Transport Research Forum 2024,University of Moratuwa,2023,

1. T D C Pushpakumara, UGA Puswewala,".Analyzing and Predicting of land Slide Prone Areas using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques.",international Conference on Building Reliance , 2013, Sri Lanka,Sri Lanka,2013,

2. T D C Pushpakumara, Masao Kuwahara,et al ,".Effect of Rainfall on Travel Time and Accuracy of Travel Time Prediction with Rainfall.",11 th World Conference on Transport Research and Transport Research Board,USA,2007,

Journal Publications

T D C Pushpakumara, Fazeela Jameel Ashan, DAC Silva,".Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption for Ecotourism Development: A Multi-Stakeholder Analysis in Sri Lanka.",Journal of Intelligent Learning Systems and Applications,18/01,2026

T D C Pushpakumara, Fazeela jameel Ashan,".THE EVOLUTION OF AI CHATBOTS IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW.",International Journal on Cybernetics & Informatics,14/03,2025

T D C Pushpakumara Fazeela Jameel Ashan,".Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Sustainable Tourism in Sri Lanka: An Operator Perspective.",International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology,10/1,2025

T D C Pushpakumara Fazeela Jameel Ashan,".Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Service Industries: A Systematic Literature Review of key Drives, Barriers, Challenges, and Strategies.",International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ,10/3,2025

T D C Pushpakumara G.D.V.C Dissanayaka,".Road Alignment Optimization in Landslide-Prone Areas: A GIS-Based Approach in Yatiyanthota, Sri Lanka.", ISSN No:-2456-2165 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology,10/3,2025

T D C Pushpakumara S.W.M.J.D. Premarathna,".Assessment of Agroecological Zone Based Management Strategies for Sustainable Development in Sri Lanka.",International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology,10/01,2025

T D C Pushpakumara Fazeela Jameel Ashan,".Transforming Industries through AI and Emerging Technologies: Literature Review of Opportunities, Challengers, Responsibilities, and Strategies.",nternational Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology,10/01,2025

T D C Pushpakumara Chathumina Ravinsha Jayasinghe,".Introducing a Mobile Application with Suitable Hiking Routes Created Using Geographic Information System to Promote Hiking Tourism: The Case of Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka.",International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology,9/12,2024

T D C Pushpakumara,".A Method of Finding the Best Route and Shortest Route to a Ready Mixed Concrete Plant Through Real Time Tracking System by using GIS and GPS.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,10,2021

T.D.C. Pushpakumara , Shohan Gamlath,".GIS Based Tsunami Risk Assessment.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,10,2021

T.D.C. Pushpakumara and W.G.T. Sandakelum,".Heavy Metal Potential of Domestic Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge.",International Journal of Advanced Alternative Energy, Environment and Ecology,4,2021

A.M.A.M. Premathilaka and T.D.C. Pushpakumara,".Evaluation of Harvested Rainwater Quality As a Drinking Water Source in Urban Land Uses in Western Province Sri Lanka.",International Journal of Advanced Alternative Energy, Environment and Ecology,4,2021

M.K.S.C. Udayanga, T.D.C. Pushpakumara, Nalin Jayarathne ,".Study of the Accuracy of Sri Lankan Drone Survey Technology for Land Survey on Different Terrain Conditions.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,10,2021

T.D.C. Pushpakumara , P.P.G.P. Madushanka,".Analysis and Prediction of Landslide using Drone Image and GIS Techniques- Case Study Aranayaka Area.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,9,2020

T.D.C. Pushpakumara , W.M.S.K. Peris,".Analysis of Land Use Pattern for Tourism Management using GIS.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,9,2020

T.D.C. Pushpakumara , U.L.P. Nimesh,".Development on Water Transport System in Sri Lanka with Available Water Resources.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,9,2020

T.D.C Pushpakumara , K.G.M. Ranga ,".Land Use Management in Colombo Municipal Council Area.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,9,2020

T D C Pushpakumara, K.P. BATHEEGAMA,".Develop a Micro Model for Sugar Production in Kanthale Area.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,7,2018

T D C Pushpakumara, CHANDRASIRI,".Analysis and Forecasting Sugar Production using Aerial Photograph in KanthaleArea.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,7,2018

T. D. C. Pushpakumara, T. V. A. Isuru,".Flood Modelling and Analyzing of Attanagalu Oya River Basin Using Geographic Information System.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,7,2018

hudugalage Don Chaminda Pushpakumara, T Piumika Vidyadari,".Geographic Information System for Flood Management in Greater Colombo Area.",International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS,7,2018

T D C Pushpakumara, U G A Puswewala,I P Senanayake ,".A GIS Based Analysis on Use of Inland Waterways for Public Transportation in the Western Province of Sri Lanka.",Jurnal of Institute of Engineer ,ISSN number 1800-1122,2013

Pushpakumara T.D.C., Senanayake I.P., Puswewala U.G.A and M.K.S.Maduranga ,".Impact of Rain on Raod Accident in Sri lanka .",Global Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Rising Research Journal Publications,,ISSN 2249-2631,2012

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Web archived publications

AI Chatbots: New lifeline for floods, landslides and climate emergenciesBy T.D.C. Pushpakumara, Senior Lecturer, University of Moratuwa and Prof. Fazeela Jamel Asan,Professor , University of ColomboSri Lanka has always lived in close relationship with nature its monsoons, tropical storms, and lushhill country. Yet in recent decades, the scale and speed of natural disasters have changed. Climatechange has altered rainfall patterns, causing intense cloudbursts, flash floods, prolongeddroughts, and sudden landslides in areas that were once considered safe. Communities thatpreviously enjoyed predictable seasonal weather now face uncertainty almost every month. Insuch an environment, the ability to communicate fast, accurate, and understandable disasterinformation is no longer a convenience it is a life-saving necessity.Despite this urgent need, many Sri Lankans still do not receive timely warnings duringemergencies. The countryâ€™s disaster-management agencies such as the Department ofMeteorology, NBRO, the Irrigation Department, and District Disaster Management Centres collectvast amounts of real-time hazard data. They track rainfall, river levels, landslide risk, reservoirinflows, and storm movements. But the challenge lies not in generating information, but intranslating that information into clear guidance for the public. Technical bulletins can be confusingfor ordinary people, rural communities may not have consistent internet access, andmisinformation often spreads faster than official announcements. As a result, many families onlyrealize the severity of a situation when the floodwater is already at their doorstep or when alandslide cuts off their route.Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots have emerged globally as a powerful tool for addressing thesecommunication gaps. In simple terms, a chatbot is an automated digital assistant that people cantalk to through familiar platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, SMS, or evenvoice systems. During emergencies, this chatbot becomes a 24/7 helping hand, ready to answerquestions instantly. A person can simply type: â€œIs my village at risk tonight?â€ or â€œHow much hasthe river risen?â€ or â€œWhere is the safe evacuation centre. and receive an immediate responsebased on official data, free from the delays that typically affect manual communication systems.A major strength of AI chatbots is their ability to provide information in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.Sri Lankaâ€™s diverse language landscape often creates barriers during emergencies, especially whenwarnings are issued only in one language. A multilingual chatbot ensures that every citizenwhether in Colombo, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Galle, Matara, Badulla, or Ratnapura receives life-savinginformation in a language they fully understand. This feature is especially important for elderlypeople living alone, migrant workers unfamiliar with formal technical terms, and schoolchildrenwho may need clear instructions in simple language.

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Beyond translation, chatbots simplify complex information into easy-to-read, friendly messages.Rather than receiving a technical warning like â€œriver gauge exceeded critical threshold,â€ a personreceives a human-like message: â€œThe River in your area is rising quickly. Move to safe groundnow.â€ This clarity helps people act quickly and confidently. It reduces confusion, panic, andhesitationâ€”factors that often lead to tragic outcomes during fast-moving floods and landslides.MisinformationOne of the most dangerous elements during disasters is the spread of misinformation. Rumoursabout dam failures, evacuation orders, or road closures often circulate through WhatsApp andFacebook. In many cases, these false alerts cause unnecessary panic or distract emergencyservices. AI chatbots provide a solution by instantly verifying whether a forwarded message isreal or fake. If someone receives a frightening rumour, they can simply forward it to the chatbotand receive a clear response: â€œThis message is not from an official source. Please follow verifiedupdates only.â€ This function helps maintain public calm and prevents communities from makingdecisions based on unreliable information.Another transformative capability of chatbots is their support for two-way communication.Traditional disaster alerts operate in one direction: from authorities to citizens. However, duringemergencies, people on the ground often have more immediate knowledge of conditions thancentral agencies. A chatbot allows citizens to send geo-tagged photos, voice notes, and writtenreports of rising water levels, blocked bridges, fallen trees, broken embankments, or landslidecracks. These real-time updates help authorities gain a clearer understanding of how a disaster isunfolding across multiple locations. Instead of relying solely on fixed sensors or delayed fieldreports, emergency teams can receive fresh information directly from affected communities,enabling faster decision-making and more targeted rescue operations.To integrate AI into Sri Lankaâ€™s disaster communication ecosystem, the Sri Lanka AI-EnabledDisaster Communication Framework (SL-AIDCF) has been proposed. This framework organisesthe entire process into four interconnected layers. The first layer focuses on collecting hazard datafrom national sources, ensuring that the chatbot is always connected to verified, up-to-dateinformation. The second layer processes this data using AI this includes interpreting weatherpatterns, predicting potential risks, translating information, checking accuracy, and tailoringmessages for each user. The third layer distributes alerts and responses across multiplecommunication platforms, ensuring that even if one network fails, others remain functional. The

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fourth layer enables citizens to interact with the system, ask questions, send reports, and receivespersonalised guidance.Four-layer approachThis four-layer approach ensures that disaster communication becomes more inclusive, reliable,and responsive. It also recognises that technology alone cannot save lives; it must work hand-in-hand with people. AI chatbots support human responders by reducing their workload, allowingthem to focus on urgent rescue operations rather than spending hours answering phone calls orchecking rumours. For rural communities, the chatbot becomes a trustworthy companion intimes of fear and uncertainty, offering both practical instructions and emotional reassurance.Equally important is the role of chatbots in empowering vulnerable groups. Many elderly citizensstruggle to read long text messages, particularly during stressful situations. The chatbot can usevoice features to deliver spoken instructions with clarity. People with disabilities can receivetailored instructions based on their needs, ensuring they are not left out during evacuations. Evenhouseholds with low digital literacy can interact with simple button-based menus instead oftyping long questions.AI chatbots can also contribute to long-term disaster preparedness. During quieter periods, thechatbot can send reminders about creating emergency kits, safe evacuation routes, familycommunication plans, and how to protect important documents. By educating the public year-round, the chatbot fosters a culture of readiness, reducing panic when disasters occur.In many communities, the introduction of such technology could transform the way people relateto disaster information. Imagine a farmer in Ampara receiving a chatbot alert about heavy rainfallexpected overnight and moving his livestock to higher ground, preventing major losses. Imaginea mother in Galle receiving a midnight warning and calmly guiding her children to a safe locationbecause the chatbot explained the situation clearly. Imagine a group of schoolchildren in Badullausing the chatbot to verify a circulating rumour and preventing fear from spreading in theirneighborhood. These everyday scenarios highlight the human impact of AI-enabledcommunication.Bridging the gap in informationSri Lanka stands at an important moment in its disaster-management journey. The countryâ€™sresilience depends not only on dams, weather radars, or emergency shelters, but also on theability to communicate timely, accurate information to its citizens. Traditional systems sirens, SMSblasts, media announcements are not enough in an age defined by rapid climate change anddigital misinformation. An AI-powered communication system bridges this gap by combiningspeed, intelligence, and compassion.

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The adoption of AI chatbots does not replace human responders; instead, it enhances their abilityto protect lives. A firefighter, a district officer, or a Grama Niladhari can make better decisionswhen armed with real-time community reports and predictive AI insights. A family living near ariver can evacuate safely when given clear instructions hours before the water rises. A mothercaring for children can verify messages instantly, avoiding panic caused by false rumours.As Sri Lanka prepares for the increasing challenges of climate change, forward-thinkingcommunication tools like AI chatbots offer a pathway to greater national safety. They representnot just a technological upgrade, but a commitment to protecting every citizen no matter theirlanguage, income, or location. In a world where disasters can escalate in minutes, having a trusteddigital assistant in your pocket may be the most powerful tool of al

(1) (PDF) AI Chatbots: New lifeline for floods, landslides and climate emergencies. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/405756410_AI_Chatbots_New_lifeline_for_floods_landslides_and_climate_emergencies#fullTextFileContent [accessed Jun 12 2026].

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Mr. T D C Pushpakumara