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
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The Growth of Leadership Potential of Engineers; A Case Study
(The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka) Saumyadi, HAD; Wijesinghe, DPS; Jayawardane, VPT; Munawwara, MNN
As the global workforce increasingly emphasises interpersonal skills along with technical skills, engineers face the unique challenge of expanding their leadership and communication capabilities. The aim of this study is to examine how the collaboration with Toastmasters International, a global organisation dedicated to public speaking and leadership development, has supported and catalysed the growth of the leadership potential of Sri Lankan engineers as a case study. An online face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 Sri Lankan engineers who worked with Toastmasters International to achieve the aim of this study. Voice-recorded interviews with the consent of the interview participants were transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVIVO software employing the thematic analysis method. This study has revealed that engineers’ experience and engagements with Toastmasters have helped them to improve confidence, communication skills, experiential learning, networking, and transformation that foster their leadership potential to the next level in their professional work environments. They have realized the drastic improvement in their leadership potential was catalysed with the Toastmasters engagements. Hence, this study confirms Toastmasters as a proven pathway to transformative growth of the leadership potential of Sri Lankan engineers. However, further studies are needed to investigate the range of leadership development opportunities available within society, with the aim of identifying the most effective approaches for cultivating leadership among professional engineers. Integrating such frameworks into undergraduate engineering curricula has the potential to significantly enhance the leadership competencies of future engineers in Sri Lanka.
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Towards a Globally Benchmarked Operations Management Framework for New Zealand Small and Medium Enterprises in a Diverse Workplace Context
(The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka) Jayawardane, VPP; Jayawardane, VPT
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of most economies, including New Zealand, where they constitute more than 97% of businesses and play a central role in innovation, employment, and national growth. However, the increasingly diverse workforce in New Zealand presents both opportunities and challenges for SME operations management. While global research has established frameworks for large corporations and multinational enterprises, the unique operational and cultural contexts of SMEs remain underexplored. Existing studies often assume that operations management strategies for large firms are equally applicable to SMEs, overlooking the constraints and strategic informality typical of smaller businesses. This paper aims to address this gap by proposing a globally benchmarked framework tailored to New Zealand SMEs operating within diverse workplace environments. Drawing on a comprehensive review of international operations management literature, cross-cultural management theories, and New Zealand policy documents, the paper identifies the critical elements of effective SME operations management. These include leadership, communication, cultural integration, strategic flexibility, and innovation. A mixed-methods research design is outlined, incorporating surveys, interviews, case studies, and comparative analysis with global best practices. The resulting conceptual framework integrates cultural diversity into operational strategy, enabling SMEs to achieve higher productivity, adaptability, and sustainability. The framework is further validated through proposed pilot testing with New Zealand SMEs, demonstrating its applicability across different sectors. This research contributes to the field of engineering and operations management by providing a context-specific yet globally informed framework that addresses the intersection of diversity, strategy, and operational excellence in SMEs. It offers practical insights for managers, policymakers, and researchers seeking to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of SMEs in an increasingly interconnected and multicultural world. This study is positioned as a conceptual framework development paper supported by exploratory pilot observations, with full empirical validation planned in subsequent research phases.
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Climate-smart agriculture adoption: key drivers and impacts on food security
(Faculty of Graduate Studies) Sewwandi, H; Herath, M
Understanding Food Security
Food security is the assurance that every person has reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy life. Traditionally, this is built upon four pillars: availability (adequate supply), access (ability to obtain food), utilization (nutritional value and proper use), and stability (consistent access over time, even during shocks). In recent years, our understanding has evolved to include agency—the power of communities to make their own food decisions and sustainabil-ity, which protects the resources needed for future generations. Together, these six dimensions offer a holistic perspective, shifting the focus from mere production to a more equitable, resilient, and long-term approach to feeding the world.
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Integrated GIS-MCDA approach for planning sustainable urban development in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Graduate Studies) Senevirathne, H; Wijesiri, C; Keerthi, T
Why Urban Planning Matters in Trin¬comalee
Trincomalee District, home to Sri Lanka’s largest natural harbor, is undergoing rapid urban growth. While development brings economic opportunities, unplanned expansion can place heavy pressure on infrastructure, agricultural lands, and environmen¬tally sensitive areas. Problems such as traffic con¬gestion, loss of green spaces, flooding, and infor¬mal settlements often emerge when cities grow without clear spatial guidance.
To avoid these challenges, urban growth needs to be planned, informed, and evidence based. Identi¬fying where development should happen is just as important as deciding how it should happen. This study focuses on supporting that decision-making process by using modern geospatial tools to iden¬tify the most suitable areas for future urban devel¬opment in the Trincomalee District.
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Enhancing daily life: a prosthetic hand with finger abduction and adduction
(Faculty of Graduate Studies) Gunawardhana, G; Gopura, R; Ranaweera, P
The human hand is a remarkable design of nature. Its complexity and dexterity go beyond imagination, combining both functionality and aesthetic appeal that enhance human creativity and daily life. Life without a hand can be mentally and physically challenging, as it affects nearly every activity. Un¬fortunately, accidents, injuries, and certain diseas¬es sometimes lead to the loss of a hand. Over the years, engineering innovations have aimed to cre¬ate smart prosthetic hands that not only restore function but also mimic the natural formation of the human hand, offering both aesthetic value and full functionality.