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.
 Research Publications |  Thesis & Dissertation |  E- Books |
 UoM Journal Publications |  UoM Conference Proceedings |  Articles published in Scimago's Q1 journals |  UoM Research Reports |  Other Articles authored by UoM staff |
Recent Submissions
item: Conference-Abstract
Hydrogeological feasibility of sponge zone implementation for urban flood resilience and groundwater recharge in Bangalore
(2026) Aswathanarayana, R; Gopinath, R; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
The present research scientifically assesses the feasibility of implementing sponge zones in Bengaluru as a nature-based water resource management strategy, to address shallow-aquifer depletion and flash flooding. The methodology encompasses conducting hydrological and hydrogeological investigations, around Bellandur - Varthur valley and Hebbal - Nagavara valley, considering a buffer zone of 2 kms on the either side of the valley, entailing field survey to locate and analyze urban drainage parameters, conduct well inventory, pumping - recovery tests, and gridded geophysical survey. Further, primary data mapping and its integration with Government based validated secondary data, explains the hydrogeological setup of the terrain. Well inventory analysis of 95 borewells in Bellandur Varthur wetland complex reveals a combination of pseudo aquifer conditions, due to continuous hydraulic loading over the weathered formations extending beyond 40 m, along with over-exploitation of ground water resource with water level fallen beyond 24 m, over the last 25 years. Similar analysis of 86 wells in Hebbal - Nagavara valley revealed that construction of basement structures, with excavation depth greater than the bed level of adjacent surface water bodies has developed hydraulic slopes, within the weathered formation and has led to hydrological imbalances. Also, as the seepages ingresses into the plot owing to the tangential flows, the degraded lake water, containing 95% of domestic sewage, saturates the phreatic aquifers with the contaminated water, slowly polluting the pristine ground water also. These afore-mentioned site-based scenarios limit the suitability for implementation of sponge zones. To summarize, Bengaluru’s sponge-zone approach can rather be replaced with point recharge structures and inverted borehole mechanisms, designed sitespecifically and positioned 2-3 m below the excavation depth of underground basement structures to account for local hydrogeological and drainage conditions, alongside urban-planning considerations.
item: Conference-Abstract
Enhancing urban stormwater resilience through surface low impact development (LID) measures: a hydrological assessment in Sri Lanka
(2026) Sutharsan, ME; Shafique, M; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
Rapid urbanisation increases stormwater runoff. This study focuses on comparing four surface-based LID techniques, namely, bioretention cell, permeable pavement, rain garden, and vegetated swale, based on two hydrological performance measures, namely, infiltration efficiency and surface-runoff efficiency. The evaluation was carried out on a 2.5-acre mixed-land-use catchment in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, that discharges into a lake. A model using the EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) was created for 16 subcatchments, 12 conduits, 12 junctions, and one outfall. The four surface LID measures were assessed relative to the baseline scenario, which represented the catchment without any LID measures. Rainfall was recorded over six hours, with a maximum intensity of 12 mm/h, and was categorised as a moderate rainfall event according to World Meteorological Organization criteria. The increase in infiltration for each LID measure was as follows: bioretention cell, 25%; permeable pavement, 33%; rain garden, 18%; and vegetated swale, 23%. Surface runoff was reduced by the following percentages for each LID measure: bioretention cell, 23%; permeable pavement, 23%; rain garden, 24%; and vegetated swale, 19%. Permeable pavement achieved the highest infiltration efficiency, while the rain garden achieved the highest surface-runoff efficiency. Although the differences in surface-runoff efficiency were small, the results suggest that the four measures have different hydrological efficiencies. The results show that permeable pavement could be selected over other surface LID measures where the priorities are infiltration and surface-runoff control. These results show that surface LID measures may be chosen purposefully to ensure resilience in urban planning and stormwater management. Consequently, urban planning should include a mix of surface LID measures, rather than just one, depending on the specific land use, available space, and dominant drainage objective in each case.
item: Conference-Abstract
Johads as resilient urban water bodies: reimagining the climate discourse in India
(2026) Kumar, P; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
This paper examines the relationship between water and climate change by contextualising Johads (traditional water reservoirs) in the North Delhi district within the discourse on climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience in India's National Capital. It argues that the water crisis cannot be addressed only through technological and infrastructural interventions, and that the revival of traditional water bodies and the knowledge systems associated with them is critical for building climate-resilient cities. The paper first discusses the growing importance of blue infrastructure in responding to climate change, particularly amid rising heat, flooding, water scarcity, groundwater depletion, and shifting rainfall patterns. It then examines the growing recognition of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices in global climate governance and argues that India’s climate politics have nevertheless continued to privilege particular knowledge systems and economic interests in water governance. The paper then focuses on Johads as socio-ecological structures that contribute to physical, psychological, social, cultural, and ecological well-being. Their restoration can support groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, urban heat reduction, and community well-being. Finally, the paper proposes three steps for protecting Johads: identification, demarcation, and notification. The paper also introduces geo-cultural mapping as a participatory approach that integrates GIS and remote sensing data with local knowledge and cultural practices. Methodologically, it is based on the use of digital humanities to map narratives and indigenous oral history to document knowledge. Using a comparative analysis between Holambi Kalan village in Delhi and Manipur village in Ahmedabad, the study demonstrates how geo-cultural mapping can help document and protect disappearing water bodies.
item: Conference-Abstract
Integrating digital technologies and nature-based solutions for climate-resilient urban water infrastructure planning in African cities: a conceptual framework
(2026) Laolang, G; Mashwama, NX; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
African cities face escalating climate-related water challenges, including flooding, drought, water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and inadequate stormwater management, intensified by rapid urbanisation and constrained municipal capacity. The literature review identifies nature-based solutions (NbS) urban wetlands, green roofs, rain gardens and bioswales as increasingly documented options for African cities, nonetheless finds their institutionalisation restricted by poor land-use and infrastructure planning mandates, limited access to localised climate-risk data, weak technical capacity within municipal engineering departments, and constrained coordination across water, planning and environmental authorities. From the review analysis, the study found that digital technologies, particularly GIS-based spatial risk mapping, remote sensing, IoT-enabled monitoring and predictive analytics, emerge as key enablers for hazard visualisation, real-time infrastructure monitoring and evidence-based decision-making, though their uptake is constrained by limited digital infrastructure, data governance gaps and municipal skills shortages. Building on these findings, this paper proposes a conceptual framework comprising four interlinked components: (1) a climate-risk and vulnerability assessment layer mapping exposure of urban water systems using digital spatial tools; (2) an NbS infrastructure integration layer matching NbS typologies to contextspecific risk profiles alongside conventional grey infrastructure; (3) a digital decision-support layer using monitoring and predictive analytics to guide adaptive infrastructure management; and (4) a governance and institutional-coordination layer aligning municipal, provincial and community stakeholders around shared data platforms. The framework contribution lies in positioning digital technologies as the connective mechanism that enables NbS and grey infrastructure to function as one adaptive system, rather than treating digitalisation and NbS as parallel interventions, as in much existing climate-resilient infrastructure literature. The study offers a conceptual, context-responsive basis for municipalities, planners and infrastructure practitioners in Africa to plan urban water systems capable of anticipating, withstanding and adapting to climate-related water risks.
item: Conference-Abstract
Thermal spring governance in arid regions: community perspectives and local governance at Al hammam, Oman
(2026) Hanai, AA; Alzeidi, K; Habsi, RA; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
Thermal springs are important yet understudied resources, particularly in arid regions. This study investigates community perceptions and management practices of Al Hammam Thermal Spring in Muscat, Oman’s hottest geothermal spring (60–70°C). The spring has been managed as a typical Falaj, compromising its ecological integrity. A structured questionnaire survey of 60 residents in December 2025 assessed spring usage, governance perceptions, management satisfaction, and future development preferences. Findings emphasize the spring’s importance to local livelihoods and rural identity, highlighting its diverse uses. Agriculture is the village's main economic activity, with flood irrigation widely used; however, adoption of modern irrigation methods remains limited, leading to inefficient water use. Respondents value the spring for its environmental, aesthetic, and therapeutic benefits, yet report dissatisfaction with government services, regulatory enforcement, and tourism management. Respondents notably rated community involvement in spring management highly, reflecting strong local stewardship. Most favor government-led tourism development and conservation-focused protection strategies over private-sector tourism development. These findings reveal governance gaps and community priorities but do not indicate environmental degradation, as the study did not directly assess hydrological or ecological conditions. The results support a more participatory governance model that enhances institutional collaboration and local engagement in monitoring and sustainable tourism planning. This model involves collective stewardship, equitable resource use, local monitoring, and shared decision-making, complementing traditional and government-led water management systems. Integrating community knowledge with systematic environmental monitoring strengthens the evidence base for balancing resource conservation, local livelihoods, and sustainable tourism at Al Hammam and other hot springs in arid regions.