PAST CONFERENCES

The 9th International Conference on Advances in Technology and Computing (ICATC 2024) organized by the Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya, was held on Thursday, 19th December 2024 at the Faculty Premises. The conference brought together researchers, academics, engineers, undergraduates, and industry professionals to explore the latest advancements and innovations in technology, computing, science, and engineering.

The ICATC 2024 conference was technically co-sponsored by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) Sri Lanka Section and IEEE Global.

The event featured two main tracks:

Engineering, Science, and Technology Track - This track covered a wide range of topics, including automation and smart manufacturing, embedded systems and IoT, robotics, and autonomous systems. It also addressed process development and optimization, sustainable systems and technologies, novel materials and product development, environmental remediation, and resource recovery technologies.

Computing Technology Track - Discussions in this track focused on emerging areas such as data science, cyber security, computational intelligence, artificial intelligence, privacy and security, and computer systems and software engineering. Networking with distributed systems and communication were also key themes.

The conference featured engaging keynote speeches, workshops, insightful discussions, and numerous networking opportunities, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among participants.

Workshop 1 - Empowering Learning and Research: Harnessing NextGen AI Tools

Dr. Laalitha Liyanage

Revolutionize your academic journey with GenAI! Our workshop empowers undergraduates to harness AI for smarter studying and groundbreaking research. Discover how GenAI streamlines tasks like summarizing and bridging learning gaps, fostering deeper understanding. Explore its role as a research assistant, from formulating questions to crafting discussions. Experience collaborative learning as GenAI becomes your virtual tutor and collaborator.

Dr. Laalitha Liyanage is an expert in physics, scientific computing, and materials science and engineering holding a Bachelor's and Master’s in Physics and a Doctoral degree in Engineering. His research focuses on molecular dynamics simulations, electronic structure calculations, and computational materials engineering. Using advanced supercomputing facilities and high-performance computing systems, Dr. Liyanage investigates the adsorption properties of crystalline and amorphous surfaces, explores nanowire behavior through classical molecular dynamics simulations as well as develops risk prediction models for medical diseases.

At the University of Kelaniya's Faculty of Computing and Technology, Dr. Liyanage serves as the Head of the Department of Applied Computing, Coordinator for the Staff Development Unit, and Director of the Center for Excellence in Technology Education, where he contributes significantly to advancing technology education and research.

Workshop 2 - Designing an IoT solution using a single-board computer

Dr. Anuradhi Welhenge

The Internet of Things is a collective network of connected devices and technology that facilitates communication between devices and the cloud, as well as between the devices themselves. A variety of industries use IoT for efficient operations. In this workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of IoT as they step through the creation of an IoT sensor system.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

Understand the principles of IoT, including IoT components and communication methods.
Use sensor modules and single-board computers or microcontrollers to build different types of IoT systems.
Build and deploy an IoT Sensor System.

Dr. Anuradhi Welhenage is an academic from Curtin University. She is an early career researcher in the domains of Biomedical Engineering, Embedded systems , and the Internet of Things. She received her PhD from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand and her Master of Biomedical Engineering from the University of New South Wales, Australia. She specialises in embedded systems, sensors, IoT and assistive technology.

Prof. Clarence W. de Silva

Clarence W. de Silva has served as a Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada, since 1988. Prior to that, he served as Assistant and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (1978-87), Pittsburgh, USA. He graduated from the University of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) obtaining a B.Sc. Engineering degree with First Class Honors and also receiving the Dr. C. H. Hewavitarana Prize, in the entire class of engineering. After working in the Sri Lankan industry for several years, he went overseas, obtained a MASc degree from the University of Toronto, PhD degrees from MIT and the University of Cambridge, and in 2020, the ScD degree, the so-called “Higher Doctorate,” from the University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow of: IEEE, ASME, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and the Royal Society of Canada. Also, he has been a Senior Canada Research Chair Professor in Mechatronics and Industrial Automation, NSERC-BC Packers Chair Professor in Industrial Automation, Mobil Endowed Chair Professor, Lilly Fellow (USA), Senior Fulbright Fellow (UK), Killam Fellow (UBC), Erskine Fellow (New Zealand), Professorial Fellow (Australia), Faculty Fellow (UBC), Distinguished Visiting Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, and a Peter Wall Scholar (UBC). He has authored 26 books and over 600 technical papers, with more than half of which are in archival journals.

Dr. Chanaka Udayanga

General Chair

Dr. Sandeli Kasthuri Arachchi

Co-Chair

Dr. Madusha Chandrasena

Conference Secretary

Ms. Meesha Mervyn

Assistant Secretary

TRACK CHAIRS

Dr. Sidath Liyanage

Computing Technology towards a Circular Economy

Dr. Kasun Fernando

Science, Engineering and Technology towards a Circular Economy

ADVISORY BOARD

Prof. Clarence De Silva

The University of British Columbia, Canada

Prof. Magdalena Toda

Texas Tech University Texas, USA

Prof. N. G. J. Dias

University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

CONFERENCE TREASURER

Dr. Tharaga Sharmilan

The University of British Columbia, Canada

Mr. Akash Tharuka

The University of British Columbia, Canada

CREATIVITY AND PUBLICITY

Mr. N.N.C. Sandaruwan Cooray

Chair University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Mr. C.M.C.S. Chandrasekara

Member University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Mr. H.A.P.P. Hapugala

Member University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

CONFERENCE WEB COMMITTEE

Mr. Pathum Mihiranga

Web master University of Kelaniya , Sri Lanka

Ms. I.S.Wijesinghe

Member University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

Dr. Navodi Hakmanage

Publication chair University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. Gamini Wijayarathna

Co-chair University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. Shakila Pathirana

Co-chair University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. Amila Jeewandara

Member University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Ms. J.A.R.M. Perera

Member University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

TECHNICAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Prof. Dhammika Weerasinghe

Technical Program Committee Chair University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Prof. Alistair McEwan

The University of Sydney, Australia

Prof. Anuradha Karunasena

Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology , Sri Lanka

Dr. Anusha Withana

The University of Sydney, Australia

Prof. Masahiko Inami

University of Tokyo, Japan

Dr. Chamli Pushpakumara

University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. Akila Wijethunga

University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka

Prof. Pradeep Abeygunawardhana

Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Sri Lanka

Dr. Yu Kai Wang

University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

Prof. Ken Tye Yong

The University of Sydney, Australia

Dr. Laalitha Liyanage

University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Prof. Sugimoto Maki

Keio University, Japan

Assistant Prof. Sampath Jayarathna

Old Dominion University, USA

Dr.Mohasha Sampath

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Prof. Sidath Liyanage

University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Assistant Prof. Apostolos Giannis

Technical University of Crete, Greece

Dr. Rasara Samarasinghe

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Dr. Tharaka Samarasinghe

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Dr. Anuradhi Welhenge

Curtin University , Australia

Mr. Praveen Weerasinghe

National Engineering Research and Development Centre, Sri Lanka

Dr. Chamitha De Alvis

University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Mr. Thisara Pathirana

University of Kelaniya,

Sri Lanka

Dr.Sunimal Rathnayake

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Prof. S. Vasanthapriyan

University of Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka

Dr. Oh Wen Da

Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Dr. Tharaga Sharmilan

University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Prof. Ruwan Gopura

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Dr. Muditha Tissera

University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Prof. Roshan Ragel

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Ms. Darsha Jayamini

Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

Dr. Thilini Mahanama

University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. Dileepa Fernando

SUTD University of Singapore

Prof. Dasuni Nawinna

Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, Sri Lanka

Dr. M. N. Sevwandi Perera

University of Tokyo , Japan

Dr. W.G.C.W. Kumara

South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Prof. Jeevani Jayasinghe

University of Wayamba, Sri Lanka