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-Full-text
FARU 2025 Conference Proceedings (Pre-Text)
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025)
item: Conference-Full-text
Integrating CNN deep learning and biomass correlation approaches for paddy land detection and yield estimation in north central province, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Sankavi, K; Madusanka, NBS; Jayasinghe, A
Accurate paddy land monitoring and production forecasting are critical for ensuring food security and making informed import decisions. This research focuses on integration of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) deep learning models with vegetation index-based analyses to enhance paddy land identification and yield estimation in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The research design outlined involves two overall stages. First stage involves two steps. First, CNN models are applied to high-resolution satellite imagery to detect paddy lands in the region accurately. Second, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) are utilized to classify active and inactive paddy fields during cultivation seasons. The second stage is the production estimation using a biomass correlation approach by employing NDVI and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) to predicting yield before harvesting. The study addresses a major problem in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector—inaccuracy of data, which typically leads to inefficient decisions in rice import and compromises food security at national level. By providing timely and accurate information on active paddy lands and expected production, the proposed method offers a scientific basis for better planning and policy-making in the agricultural sector.
item: Conference-Full-text
Reclaiming abandoned railway landscapes for community well-being a case study of Ratmalana, Colombo, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Amandi, KPS; Hettiarachchi, AA
The study examined the impact of abandoned landscapes on the social well-being of nearby residential communities, focusing on the abandoned railway premises in Ratmalana, Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was selected as a suburban area with delayed redevelopment and long-term exposure to environmental neglect. Framed by the theories of Urban Decay, Spiral of Decline, Broken Windows, and Social Disorganization, the research identified six significant abandonment-related impacts as independent variables, with Social Well-Being as the dependent variable. Social well-being was assessed using the Personal Well-being Index-A across seven key factors through a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data, including field observations, physical assessments, and a household survey (N = 50). The study found that visual blight was the most unsatisfactory factor, with a mean score of 2.12, while vandalism had the least impact (M=2.94). Among social well-being indicators, future security recorded the lowest (M=1.86), whereas achieving life recorded the highest (M=2.72). Overall, the community's subjective well-being was categorized as ‘challenged level’ in the PWI-A category, reflecting a reduced quality of life. The study concludes that adaptive reuse, enhanced safety, inclusive participation, and balanced investment are essential for revitalizing abandoned urban landscapes and strengthening social well-being.
item: Conference-Full-text
Influence of tactile features on sensory cues of visually impaired patients in National Eye Hospital, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Jayasekera, JP; Mendis, MS
A visually impaired person is someone whose’ eyesight cannot be corrected to normal levels. Visually impaired people heavily rely on their other senses more than the visual sense to experience the surrounding world. Tactile features cater to the haptic cues of a visually impaired person through helping with tactile navigation & way finding, safety & hazard awareness, independence & self-awareness, communication & information access and spatial orientation & memory. This study is conducted to explore the sensory cues of visually impaired patients & how they can be catered using different tactile features, materials, lighting & colours. Also, the existing tactile features are identified along with the influence tactile features have on visually impaired patients at the National Eye Hospital Sri Lanka.
A mix method (qualitative & quantitative) study is carried out through a comprehensive literature review, observational study & questionnaire surveys. The Outpatient Department of the National Eye Hospital is chosen for the study as it’s the tertiary care centre for the visually impaired patients in Sri Lanka. Visually impaired patients & staff members from the General Ophthalmology Clinics were chosen for the study. This study clearly shows that the existing tactile features are not sufficient for the visually impaired patients. Overall, most of the staff members think that implementing tactile features will be beneficial for the patients while almost 50% of the patients agree with them. Finally, this research clearly depicts the importance of implementing tactile features in the Outpatient Department of National Eye Hospital.
item: Conference-Full-text
Faith as a catalyst for community organization & participatory transformation: the case of Gale Dewalaya, Minuwangoda, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2025) Gunarathne, WDMM; Rathnayake, RMSR
Scholars argue that faith groups often lead and drive urban regeneration and local development. However, the knowledge in this regard is seemingly limited to western church-based faith groups, and the global south experience has often been overlooked. This paper explores the role of faith in community organization and participatory community transformation, focusing on the case Gale Dewalaya, a community-centered shrine in Minuwangoda, Sri Lanka. Drawing upon the conceptual framework, on Mancini and Bowen’s Community Resilience, Social Organization, and Change Model (2009) and Chaskin’s Community Capacity Framework (2001), the research examines how faith-centered communities organize and transform spatial, economic, and socio-political structures towards local community development. The research is a qualitative case study, and focus-group discussions, semi-structured interviews have been used for the data collection. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. Findings of the study reveal that faith-centered communities participate in community transformation, enhancing community capacity, social capital, and resilience, with spatial, economic and socio-political outcomes. The study also highlights the importance of community-led spatial planning associated with faith-centered community networks to foster inclusive and sustainable development.