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BRIDGING RESEARCH TO ADDRESS WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN EMERGING NATIONS

  Post-Graduate Institute of Science (PGIS) Conference Hall at Peradeniya University, Sri Lanka

July 17-18, 2025

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Sponsors and Partners

  • Center for Experimental Study of Subsurface Environmental Processes (CESEP)- Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA (https://cesep.mines.edu)
  • Sri Lanka Institute of Agriculture (https://www.sliag.lk)
  • National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (https://www.nsf.gov.lk/)
  • National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (https://nassl.org)
  • Post-graduate Institute of Science, Peradeniya University, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (http://www.pgis.pdn.ac.lk)

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Description

The conference will convene researchers from abroad and Sri Lanka to translate cutting-edge research into practical solutions for critical water and environmental challenges in emerging nations. It will provide a platform for visiting researchers to collaborate with local scientists and engineers addressing water sustainability, water quality protection, and environmental conservation amidst the challenges of climate change, agricultural sustainability under stressed water resources, rapid industrialization, and natural disasters such as floods and droughts in Sri Lanka.

This two-day conference will showcase presentations from both visiting and local researchers and will include panel discussions in a workshop format. The workshop will be organized around five key themes: (1) Local and regional water and environmental challenges, (2) Climate change, sustainability, and tools , (3) Water supply,  (4) Environmental protection, and (5) Natural hazards. The conference will culminate in a summary report and a possible journal article, which will be shared with the scientific community and agencies involved in research, water management, environmental protection, and policy development.

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Webcast

Join Zoom Meeting (starting 10:30 AM on July 17 and  9:030 AM July 18
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83470565979?pwd=38waqN80kJpzp2I5Xo4gGAz8mW4bJf.1

Meeting ID: 834 7056 5979
Passcode: 736501

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Contact

Tissa Illangasekare +1 303 475 1129 (US or WhatsApp); tissa@mines.edu

Ranjith Mapa +94 71 443 0549 (Sri Lanka and WhatsApp); maparb@yahoo.com

Gayan Julianga- Travel Agent (transport, hotel, and tours): , +94 71 562 3715 

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International Speakers

• Petra Doll, Professor of Hydrology at the Institute of Physical Geography, Goethe University Frankfurt, GERMANY [https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/45217719/Univ__Prof__Dr__rer__nat__habil__Petra_D%C3%B6ll]

• Fritjof Fagerland, Professor at Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, SWEDEN [https://www.uu.se/en/contact-and-organisation/staff?query=N2-513]

• Daniel Fernandez-Garcia, Professor of Civil Engineering at Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona, SPAIN [https://apren.upc.edu/en/professorat/1109684]

• Majid Hassanizadeh, Professor of Hydrogeology at Utrecht University, THE NETHERLANDS [https://www.uu.nl/staff/SMHassanizadeh]

• Christopher Higgins,  AMAX Distinguished Chair and Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, USA https://cee.mines.edu/project/higgins-christopher/

• David Hyndman,  Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Professor of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences, and Maurine G. Johnson Distinguished  University Chair, University of Texas at Dallas, USA [https://profiles.utdallas.edu/hyndman]

• Karsten Jensen, Professor, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Geology, Copenhagen University, DENMARK [https://ign.ku.dk/english/employees/geology/?pure=en/persons/36308]

• Masahiro Imbe, Former Executive Director – Association for Rainwater Storage and Infiltration Technology (ARSIT), JAPAN [https://www.linkedin.com/in/masahiro-imbe-3382b370/?originalSubdomain=jp]

• Jiri Mikyska Professor, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, | Czech Technical University in Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC [https://usermap.cvut.cz/profile/24f63aaf-9af5-44da-b8d6-dba7533a41a1?lang=en]

• Tissa Illangasekare , AMAX Distinguished Chair and Research Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines and
     Staff Scientist, Energy and Earth Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, California, USA https://cee.mines.edu/project/illangasekare-tissa/; [https://cesep.mines.edu/]

• Dennis O’Carroll, Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Managing Director of the Water Research Laboratory (WRL), University of      New South Wales, AUSTRALIA [https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/denis-o-carroll]

• Kumar Praveen,  Colonel Harry F. and Frankie M. Lovell Endowed Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Executive Director, Prairie Research, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA [https://cee.illinois.edu/directory/profile/kumar1]

• Balaji Rajagopalan,  Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA [https://www.colorado.edu/ceae/rajagopalan-balaji]

• Danny Reibel,  Donovan Maddox Distinguished Engineering Chair, Horn Professor, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Professor of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, USA [https://www.depts.ttu.edu/ceweb/faculty/danny_reible/index.php]

• Jose Rodriguez,  Professor of Environmental Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Sydney, AUSTRALIA [https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/jose-rodriguez]

• Patricia Saco,  Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, AUSTRALIA [https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Patricia.Saco]

• Schradh (Pom) Saenton,  Professor, Faculty of Science, Chian Mai University, THAILAND [http://www.esrc.science.cmu.ac.th/teaching_detail.php?id=161]

• John Selker,  University Distinguished Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences, Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, USA [https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/users/john-selker]

• Ashes Sharma, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, AUSTRALIA [https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/ashish-sharma]

• Kamini Singha,  Professor and Associate Dean of Earth and Society Programs, Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, USA [http://people.mines.edu/ksingha/} 

• Scott Tyler, Professor emeritus in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering and co-director of Center for transformative Environmental Monitoring Programs, University of Nevada, USA [https://www.unr.edu/geology/people/admin-faculty-and-staff/scott-tyler]

• Clint Willson,  Professor and Dean of the College of the Coast & Environment, and Director of the LSU Center for River Studies, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA [https://www.lsu.edu/cce/about/cce-directories/faculty-profiles/willson_clint.php]

• Zhibing Yang,  Professor, School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, Wuhan University, CHINA [https://jszy.whu.edu.cn/Zhibingyang/en/index.htm]

• Wendy Zhou,  Professor of Geological Engineering and Director of GIS & Geo Informatics Program, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA https://geology.mines.edu/project/zhou-wendy/

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 Invited Sri Lankan Speakers 

Invited Session Chairs

  • Professor Tilak Hewawasam, Senior Professor,  Department of Geography and as the Director of the Center for Environmental Sustainability (CES), University of Peradeniya
  • Professor  Buddhi Marambe, Senior Professor, Department of CropScience, University of Peradeniya rofessor
  • Saman Senaweera, Chairman, National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (NSFSL) 
  • Professor S.B. Weerakoon, Senior Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya 
  • Professor Rohan Weerasooriya, Research Professor, National Institute of Fundamental Studies of Sri Lanka (NIFS) 

 

Invited Sri Lankan Participants 

    • Professor Ajith Abeysekera, President, Sri Lanka National Academy of Science (SLNAS)
    • Dr. Mohamad Akram, Scientific Officer, Sri Lanka National Science Foundation (NSFSL)
    • Dr. (Mrs). Sewwandi Chandrasekera, Lecturer, Department of Agricultural, Engineering, University of Peradeniya
    • Dr. (Mrs) Gouri De Silva, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya
    • Dr. Chatura Dissanayaka, Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa

    • Dr. Mahesh Dissanayake, Head of Research, National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (NSFSL)

    • Dr. (Mrs) Pavani Dissanyaka, Senior Lecturer, Department of Soil Science, University of Peradeniya

    • Dr. (Mrs) Sanjeewani Ginigaddara,Professor in Agriculture Systems Engineering, Rajarata University

    • Professor Ayantha Gomes, Dean of Engineering, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLITT)

    • Dr. (Mrs.) Chandima Gunawardena, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya 

    • Professor Barana Jayawardena, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya

    • Mr. J.M.P.M Jaywardena, Research Assistant, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa
    • Dr. Praween Madusanka, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya
    • Dr Lashya Manage, Department of Zoology and Environmental Managemen, University of Kelaniya
    • Professor Buddhi Marambe, Senior Professor, Department of CropScience, University of Peradeniya
    • Dr. Nishantha Nanayakkara, Consultant Nephrologist at National Hospital, Kandy
    • Professor  Nadeeshani Nanayakkara, Professor in Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya 
    • Dr. Panduka Neluwala, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya
    • Mr. M.N.N.K. Peiris, Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa
    • Mr. Kasun  Raigama, Graduate Student (Stanford University)
    • Professor Sanath Rajapaksha , Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya
    • Dr. Lasitha Rathnayake, Senior Lecturer Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya
    • Professor Lilantha Samaranayake, Dean of Engineering, University of Peradeniya.
    • Ms. Pamudi Samaraweera,  Lecturer Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya
    • Mr. D.S. Shanuka, Scientific Officer, Sri Lanka National Science Foundation (NSFSL)
    • Dr. (Mrs.) G. M. P. R. Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya 
    • Professor S.B. Weerakoon, Senior Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya 
    • Professor (Mrs.) V.P.A. Weerasinghe, Professor in Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, Kelaniya University
    • Professor Rohan Weerasooriya, Research Professor, National Institute of Fundamental Studies of Sri Lanka (NIFS)
    • Dr. WMRT Wickramaarachchi, President,  Sri Lanka Institute of Agriculture (SLIAG) & Director General of Agriculture
    • Mr. Upul Wickramaratne, National Water Supply & Drainage Board (Groundwater)
    • Mr. Nalintha Wijayweera, Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa

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Electronic Travel Application (Travel Visa)

Please use this official site to apply for visa before you arrive in Sri Lanka. Don’t use other promotional travel sites. Seems most appropriate is tourist visa as the meeting is only 2 days and the rest is tourist. 

Address in Kandy: The Grand Kandyan Hotel, 89/10, Lady Gordon Drive, Kandy

Tel:(+94) 081-2020400-5

e-Mail: info@grandkandyan.com

https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

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Two-Day Program 

Day 1- Thursday, July 17

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM       Opening Ceremony 

11:00 AM – 11:40 AM      Welcome tea with invited guests and participants

Invited Guests: 

  • Professor Terrence Madhujith – Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya 

  • Professor Saman Senaweera – Chairman, National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (NSFSL)

  • Professor Ajith Abeysekara – President, National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (NASSL)

  • Professor Pradeepa Silva – Secretary, Sri Lanka Institute of Agriculture  (SLIAg)

  • Professor B.M.B.N.W.B Balasooriya – Director – Post Graduate Institute of Science (PGIS)

  • Professor Ayantha Gomes, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLITT)
  • Professor B. Jayawardena – Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya

  • Prof.essor B.G.L.T. Samaranayake – Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya

  • ProfessorR. G. S. C. Rajapakse – Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya

11:40  AM – 1:30 PM    Session 1 – Regional and Local Challenges– Chaired by  Prof. Saman Seneweera

  • Manthrithilake – Regional Environmental and Water Challenges- Asian Perspectives
  • Weragoda            – Water Sustainability and Supply challenges
  • Kethessan            – Water and Environmental Challenges in the Northern Sri Lanka
  • Herath.                  –  Water and Waste Water Treatment Challenges
  • Chandrajith        – Water Quality and Human Health Challenges 
  • Rajapaksa            – Climate Change and Water and Environmental Challenges under Climate Stresses

1:30 PM – 2: 15 PM          Buffet Lunch 

2:15 PM  – 4:15 PM   Session 2 – Climate, Sustainability, and Tools-Chaired by Prof. Buddhi Marambe

  • Deoll                         – Supporting Local Climate Change Adaptation Worldwide-A Web Application for Exploring Uncertain Future Changes
  • Sharma                   – Practical Alternatives for Water Engineers when Climate Models Fail
  • Tyler                        –A Review of the Impacts of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami on the Water Resources of Coastal Sri Lanka and What Does it  Tell  us about Future Sea Level Rise Impacts
  • Rajagopalan        – Towards a River Network Based Modeling of Flows for Flood Hazard Mitigation and Water Sustainability
  • Hazzanizadeh     –Sustainable Use of Dune Sands for Preparing Microbially Clean Watey
  • Kumar                     –Dynamics at Critical Interfaces of Intensively Managed Landscapes

4:15 PM  4:30 PM.            – Afternoon Tea Break

4:30- 5: 30 PM.             Panel1 Discussion on Sessions 1 and 2 –Co-chaired by Prof.  Ayantha Gomes and Prof. Petra Deoll    

5:30  PM                          End of Day 1 Program

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Day 2 –  Friday, July 18, 2025

9:30 – 10:30 AM         Tour of Engineering Faculty and drive through campus to PGIS building 

10:30 – 10:40 AM    –Morning Tea Break

10:45 – 12:00 PM.       Session 3 – Water Supply and Sustainability– Chaired by Prof. Rohan Weerasooriya 

  • Jensen                 – Estimating Groundwater Recharge Variability in a Semi-Arid Catchment in South Africa using Machine Learning
  • Garcia                 – Challenges and Solutions for Advanced Water Resources Management in the Besòs River Basin, Barcelona
  • Selker                  – Undergraduate-led Advancements in Environmental Monitoring
  • Yang                     – Challenges in Construction of Water Diversion Tunnels for the National Water Network in China
  • Willson                – The Lowermost Mississippi River and Deltatic Floodplain: Balancing flood risk reduction, restoration and navigation in a high    subsiding and fragile system.

12:00  – 12:45 PM – Lunch Break

12:45 PM- 3: 00 PM.   Session 4- Environmental Protection–Chaired by Prof. Tilak Hewawasam

  • Reible                 – Assessment and Modeling Tools for Remediation of Contaminated Sediments
  • Higgins              – Forever Chemicals (PFASs) in Asia: a Perspective 
  • O’Carroll          – PFAS Risk detection and strategies for developing world? How important this for emerging nations? 
  • Fagerlund        – Transport of PFAS in the soil-groundwater system
  • Singha               – Geophysics for Discovering New Horizons in Critical Zone Science
  • Mikyska            -Mathematical Models for Complex Problems  
  • Illangasekare- Multi-scale Testing for Conceptual Insights and Model Validation for Challenging Problems in Water and Environment

3:00- 3:30 PM             Panel 2  Discussion  on Session 3 and 4-  Co-chaired by Prof. BMBNWB Balasooriya and Prof. David Hyndman

3:30- 3:45 PM       Afternoon Tea Break

3:45 – 5:30 PM           Session 5- Natural Hazards- Chaired by Prof. S.B. Weerakoon

  • Zhou             – Flood Hazards in the Context of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) and Communities at the Intersection of Flood Risk and Social Vulnerability 
  • Imbe             – River Basin Flood Control based on Natural Flood Mitigation Functions
  • Saco.             – Modelling biophysical Interactions in coastal wetlands to assess resilience to sea-level rise.
  • Rodriguez – Mangroves Under Climate and Human Pressures: Modelling Tools for Adaptation and Planning
  • Saenton     – An Overview of the Groundwater Pollution Status of the Chiang Mai Basin, Northern Thailand 

5:30 – 6:00 PM         Panel 3 Discussion on Session 5– Co-chaired by Prof. Sarath Nissanaka and  Prof. Scott Tyler

6:00 PM        End of Conference  and Vote of Thanks

  • Majid Hassanizadeh
  • Tissa Illangasekare
  • Ranjith Mapa

 

 

 

 

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Local Organizing Committee

  • Rohana Chandrajith, Faculty of Science, Peradeniya University, e-mail: rohanac@hotmail.com
  • Sewwandhi Chandrasekara, Faculty of Agriculture, Peradeniya University; e-mail: sewwandhich@agri.pdn.ac.lk; Tel.: +94711567070
  • Sarath Nissanka,  Faculty of Agriculture, Peradeniya University, and Sri Lanka Institute of Agriculture, spn@pdn.ac.lk
  • Gouri De Silva, Faculty of Engineering, E-mail: gouri@eng.pdn.ac.lk; tel:
  • Pavanee Dissanayaka, Faculty of Agriculture; Peradeniya University; e-mail: pavanidissanayake@ymail.com; Tel.: +94 773968574
  • Tissa Illangasekare, Colorado School of Mines, e-mail:tissa@mines.edu; Tel: +1 303 475 1129
  • Ranjith Mapa, Peradeniya University, e-mail: maparb@yahoo.com; Tel :+94 714430549