Institutional-Repository, University of Moratuwa
Welcome to the University of Moratuwa Digital Repository, which houses postgraduate theses and dissertations, research articles presented at conferences by faculties and departments, university-published journal articles and research publications authored by academic staff. This online repository stores, preserves and distributes the University's scholarly work. This service allows University members to share their research with a larger audience.
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Recent Submissions
item: Conference-Abstract
Integrated analysis of skid resistance, texture, and geometric factors for enhanced road safety on the Southern expressway
(Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2025) Jayasinghe, WAWP; Jayantha, WRAN; Mampearachchi, WK; Baskaran, K; Mallikarachchi, C; Damruwan, H; Fernando, L; Herath, S
Road safety is a critical concern worldwide, particularly on high-speed roads such as expressways, where traffic flow is dense and road geometries can be complex. The Southern Expressway in Sri Lanka, the country’s first expressway, has significantly reduced travel time and promoted economic development. However, it has also been linked to a considerable number of road accidents, raising serious concerns about safety. This research aims to explore the factors that contribute to the severity of accidents on the Southern Expressway. It will focus on the impacts of road geometry, surface conditions, environmental factors, and lighting. The study analyses data collected over a decade, from 2012 to 2022, by the Expressway Operations, Maintenance, and Management Division (EOM & M). The dataset includes various accident characteristics, such as the time and location of accidents, weather conditions, and lighting, along with road geometry parameters like horizontal curvature, vertical alignment (K-value), and surface texture. The research utilises a combination of statistical techniques and machine learning models to identify the key factors influencing accident severity and to predict the outcomes of accidents. The study found that road geometry, particularly curves, gradients, and poor lighting conditions, significantly affects the severity of accidents. Wet weather conditions were also identified as a crucial factor, as they reduce skid resistance effectiveness, leading to a higher risk of accidents. The analysis emphasized the importance of road surface conditions, including skid resistance, which is vital for preventing accidents in adverse weather. To streamline the dataset and identify the most significant contributing factors, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering were employed. Furthermore, machine learning models such as Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and Support Vector Machines (SVM) were used to predict accident severity effectively. The Random Forest model achieved an accuracy rate of 91.5%, demonstrating its potential to accurately predict accident severity and identify high-risk zones. The study highlights the importance of improving road design, especially in high-risk areas. Enhancing road surface conditions, such as increasing skid resistance and upgrading lighting in poorly lit zones, could significantly reduce the severity of accidents. Additionally, incorporating real-time traffic and weather data into predictive models would allow for timely interventions and better safety management. The research also advocates for the use of advanced technologies, such as GIS-based hotspot analysis and digital road signs, to enhance driver awareness and promote safer driving behaviours. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to road safety management on expressways. This approach should combine improved road design, predictive modelling, and real-time data integration. By implementing these recommendations, the safety performance of the Southern Expressway can be greatly enhanced, ultimately reducing accident severity and contributing to safer transportation. The findings provide valuable insights for enhancing road safety.
item: Conference-Abstract
Exploring the potential of nature-based solutions for water management and sanitation in urban areas
(Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2025) Vidusika, KHT; Manatunge, JMA; Baskaran, K; Mallikarachchi, C; Damruwan, H; Fernando, L; Herath, S
Rapid urbanisation, water pollution, and infrastructure development are increasingly facing challenges in water management and sanitation in urban areas. Conventional gray infrastructure such as centralised treatment plants and extensive drainage networks, while effective in certain contexts, often remains costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally unsustainable. Traditional infrastructure can cause environmental degradation and public health risks when managing wastewater and stormwater. Therefore, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) emerge as a sustainable alternative to address these challenges. The main objective of the research was to assess the feasibility of implementing NbS to create more resilient, sustainable, and liveable urban water systems. Specific objectives included identifying the most suitable NbS for urban residential wastewater management, evaluating their performance in terms of pollutant removal, and designing context-appropriate systems for a selected study area. Parliament Lake sub-catchment 1 in Sri Lanka, one of the most urbanised and heavily polluted areas in the country, was selected as the study area for this research. A methodological framework was developed comprising terrain and hydrological analysis, land-use compatibility assessment, and ecological enhancement potential. After investigating the applicability of various types of NbS for this sub-catchment, constructed wetlands (CWs) were selected based on the existing needs and requirements of water management and sanitation.
This study specifically targeted two sites within the Parliament Lake sub-catchment. Location 1 consisted of three houses, and Location 2 consisted of seven houses, both of which contribute
domestic wastewater to the sub-catchment. Based on site suitability and functional requirements, hybrid constructed wetlands combining Horizontal Flow (HF) and Vertical Flow (VF) systems were selected for application. At Location 1, a HF wetland of 30.4 m² and a VF wetland of 22.8 m² were proposed, while at Location 2, larger units of 70.8 m² (HF) and 53.1 m² (VF) were designed. HF wetlands were selected to efficiently remove Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and suspended solids, while VF wetlands were designed to target ammonia removal. The hybrid system combining HF and VF wetlands provides a comprehensive approach to treating complex wastewater streams. It was found that scaling up CWs within the available land space of the selected sub-catchment was practical and feasible. Beyond wastewater treatment, CWs offer co-benefits including urban cooling, biodiversity conservation, flood control, and opportunities for safe water reuse in non-potable applications. However, successful implementation requires attention to long-term maintenance, institutional coordination, and community engagement to ensure sustained functionality.
item: Thesis-Abstract
The Resilience of Sri Lankan construction engineers in adapting to economic crisis : a study of the construction industry
(2024) Rohan, WDS; Kuruppu, G
This research study addresses the research problem of understanding the factors that influence the resilience and life satisfaction of Sri Lankan construction engineers during economic crises in the construction industry. The construction industry is particularly vulnerable to economic downturns, and it is essential to comprehend the factors that contribute to the well-being and adaptability of construction engineers in such challenging times. By examining the relationship between personal income, health status, well-being, education level, and their ability to adapt and maintain life satisfaction, along with the impact of social relationships and the moderating role of extraversion, this study aims to provide valuable insights into enhancing the resilience of construction engineers. The findings of this research have implications for policymakers, industry leaders, and human resource managers in developing strategies to support the well-being and resilience of construction engineers during economic crises.
The population for this study comprises professional construction engineers in Sri Lanka actively involved in the construction sector. Purposive sampling method is utilized, resulting in a sample size of 115 individuals. The survey, conducted over a three-week period, employed Google Forms as an online cross-sectional data collection tool. The questionnaire was disseminated through various online social media channels and professional networks. A response rate of 55% was achieved, with 59 participants providing valuable insights.
The research findings highlight the influence of income level, social relationships, education level, and health condition on the life satisfaction of construction engineers during economic crises. Policymakers and industry leaders can utilize these findings to develop supportive measures, such as stabilizing incomes, providing social support systems, and prioritizing access to healthcare and education, to enhance the resilience of construction engineers.
This research provides valuable insights into the factors influencing the resilience and life satisfaction of Sri Lankan construction engineers during economic crises. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, industry leaders, and human resource managers in developing strategies to support the well-being and resilience of construction engineers in the face of economic challenges.
item: Thesis-Abstract
The Drivers of compulsive buying behavior among credit card-using Sri Lankan millennials : exploring the mediating role of credit card usage
(2024) Walimunige, SJ; Kururppu, G
In line with other developed nations, Sri Lanka has recently moved towards a cashless environment. Today, credit cards are the most popular financial tool, which convenience and versatility for making purchases, managing finances, and accessing credit to their end users. Compare to other ages, millennials identified as a key demographic, who contribute significantly to the country's economy through their high credit card usage. Even though, credit card-related purchasing are higher among the population, credit card-related debt also significantly improved in the world. According to data from the Central Bank, credit card- related debt in Sri Lanka has surged by 35% over the past two years. So, this study explores credit card-related compulsive buying among millennials in Sri Lanka and examines how money attitude, financial self-efficacy and digital financial literacy factors influence credit card usage and affect credit card-related compulsive buying. The research framework was developed by the base on Theory of Reasoned Action and a well-developed questionnaire was distributed using online mail-in questionnaires, which were sent to credit card holders who live in the Colombo district Sri Lanka, belonging to the born years 1982-1997. The population of the study is distributed among credit card-using millennials in Sri Lanka, with a convenient sampling technique employed to select a sample of 120 individuals who are using credit cards in Colombo district. Out of the selected sample, only 100 respondents completed the questionnaire as active credit card users. The collected data was analyzed by using the statistical software SPSS 26 version and the developed hypotheses were tested by SmartPLS 4 software. The findings of this research indicate respondent’s purchasing behaviour, is significantly affected by the factors of money attitude, digital financial literacy and financial self-efficacy. Going depth further, it proves that money attitude and financial self-efficacy variables are positively mediates by credit card-related compulsive buying and the digital financial literacy factor is negatively affected by credit card-related compulsive buying. Moreover, power-prestige, financial self-control and financial confidence variables are positively correlated to compulsive buying mediates by credit card usage. The insights from this research hold significant importance for both credit card-holding millennials and financial institutions in Sri Lanka. They shed light on identifying and addressing issues related to credit card-induced compulsive buying behaviors among millennials in the country
item: Thesis-Abstract
The Factors influencing e-wallet adoption among Sri Lankan millennials
(2024) Vitharana, TH; Kuruppu, G
The digital revolution in 21st century has transformed and reshaped the way people engage in financial transactions worldwide. Electronic wallets, as a prominent component of this technological shift, have emerged as an essential tool in the financial sector. Despite their potential benefits such as convenience, efficiency, effectiveness, and security, e-wallet adoption in Sri Lanka remains relatively low compared to the countries in the region. This research aims to examine the determinants of e-wallet adoption among Sri Lankan millennials studying factors such as Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonic Motivation, and Perceived Security. Considering the theoretical frameworks of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model (UTAUT), and UTAUT2 model, empirical analysis is conducted to explore the relationships between these variables and behavioral intention towards e-wallet adoption. The study also examines the moderating effect of gender on these relationships. A sample of Millennials in the Western Province of Sri Lanka was considered in the data collection process providing an online survey to gather data to get more insight into their attitudes and perceptions towards e-wallets. The findings of this research reveal that Performance Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonic Motivation, and Perceived Security show significant relationships with behavioral intention to adopt e-wallets while Effort Expectancy does not show a significant relationship with behavioral intention. Further, the moderating effect of gender is not significant on the relationships between behavioral intention to adopt e-wallet with Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonic Motivation, and Perceived Security. The findings of this research bring valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and e- wallet service providers to promote digital payment systems in Sri Lanka.