December 2003

The first working day of the New Year (1^st January 2004) would be commenced, as has been the tradition in the recent past, with a multi-religious ceremony in the James George Hall commencing at 0900 hrs. [Lighting of the oil lamp, Buddhist blessings, Hindu blessings, Christian blessings, Muslim blessings] This would be followed by a few addresses along with the award of medals for long service of the staff.
The Vice-Chancellor has invited all staff to be present at the above ceremony.
The New Cafetaria will be opened soon after the above ceremony. The Vice Chancellor has also invited all staff to the New Canteen (Bridge Level) according to a given roster, so that the Vice-Chancellor could greet each one individually and also to join in partaking of kiribath and other traditional foods. The time scheduled for the staff of the Department of Electrical Engineering is 1040 hrs.

The University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka is rumoured to claim full responsibility for Sri Lanka winning the Test Series with England inside 4 days. The following are the facts (and probable reasons) relating to the win.

1. At the Asgiriya Cricket grounds, on Saturday 13th December 2003, our dynamic and resourceful Vice Chancellor (Prof Dayantha Wijeyesekera) enticed Mr Roger Knight, the Chief Executive of the MCC, to become the Chief Guest at the Colours Awards Ceremony of the University scheduled for 1600 hrs Monday 22nd December 2003 (that is, on the afternoon of the final day of the final and decisive test between England and Sri Lanka at the SSC Grounds).
   Obviously, to allow the Chief Executive of the MCC to miss the final moments of the match would be almost blasphemous, so that the match had to be finished either early on Monday or more conveniently on Sunday evening itself to allow Mr Knight to come without a guilty conscious. The latter option was obviously taken so that the match finished inside 4 days.
2. The Electrical Vehicle designed and manufatured by the Automobile Section of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Moratuwa (in association with KOICA in Korea) was used for the first time at a Cricket Match to transport "drinks" to the turf from the pavilion, at the just concluded Test Match between England and Sri Lanka played at the SSC grounds.
   Based on experience at both the Galle Test Match and the Asgiriya Test Match, the tail-enders of the England team were capable of easily playing out the 165 or so overs left to draw the match, even with a dramatic collapse at the top. However, their plans obviously would not have been made with the knowledge that a new and sophisticated drinks transporter would be used at the SSC grounds, designed and constructed by the University of Moratuwa which was not used at either of the other two grounds. Lack of playing under this condition put paid to all hopes they had of drawing the match.
   [Note by the Editor: The power of the capabilities of the University of Moratuwa students should not be underestimated. At a very recent International University games, 5 of the 17 participants selected to represent Sri Lanka from 11 universities were from the University of Moratuwa. 94% of students gaining entry to Engineering on Merit in January 2004 had Moratuwa as their first choice. When the results of the final examination in engineering was released very recently, 89 students secured First Class passes at examinations of very high standard. These show the quality of our students both in extra-curricular activities as well as in academic matters.].
3. The observations made in this news item in a lighter vein are not intended to take the credit from the Cricketers who wholly deserve are congradulations on the victory.

The Colours Awards Ceremony was held yesterday in the presence of a distinguished gathering, which included the Chief Guest (Mr Roger Knight - Secretary & Chief Executive of the MCC), the Chancellor (Dr Ray Wijewardena), the Vice Chancellor (Prof Dayantha Wijeyesekera), Deans of the three Faculties (Prof Nimal de Silva, Prof Malik Ranasinghe, and Dr Ajith Madurapperuma), the Registrar (Mr Chandra de Silva), the Chairman of the Sports Advisory Boards (Prof Priyantha Wijayatunga), the Director of Physical Education (Mrs Wimala Jayaweera), Academic & Administrative Staff, sportsmen and well-wishers. Over 500 Awards of Colours was made (around 250 for 2002 and over 250 for 2003). Around 70 special and very special awards were also made at the ceremony.
The Chief Guest Mr Roger Knight was introduced as being not only a sportsmen who excelled in cricket (with 31 first class centuries in the UK), also in Rugby, Tennis and Squash but also had a distinguished academic career with roots at the University of Cambridge and teaching and administering educational institutions at the highest level.
During his address Mr Knight explained that he was very fortunate to have been able to have done what he wanted, and that even during 14 years as a Headmaster he was always able to take time off in the Summer to actively participate in Cricket at County Level. He also gave a vivid example of how when their team had become Runners-Up in the Nat-West trophy three times in a row, the team got together and came out with a game plan for the next year - CHEERS. If I remember correctly, C stood for Courage, H for Honesty, the first E for Entertainment which the crowds expect, the second E for Enjoyment which is essential if one is to carry-on, R for Responsibility, finally resulting in S for Success.
Evidently "CHEERS" worked as when they came to the Nat-West final the next year, they were able to win the Cup although the other team even had the Captain of the England Cricket Team. Their team then celebrated with "Cheers". The address by the chief guest was perhaps the best ever given at one of our Colours Awards Ceremonies.
MCC for those who are not familiar with it is the most prestigious cricket club in England and is still the authority responsible for the laws of the game of cricket, and the most well-known cricket ground LORDS is owned and maintained by the MCC. Till 1968, the England team was known as the MCC team. The MCC was responsbile for the game overseas until 1990s.

The University of Moratuwa is Twenty-Five years old today. It celebrated its twenty-fifth birthday during the colours awards ceremony with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dayantha Wijeyesekera, inviting the Chancellor, Vidya Jothi Dr Ray Wijewardena, to cut the Birthday cake (with "2 5" lighted candles) and with the audience of sportsmen and well wishers singing "Happy Birthday".
Although the University can trace back its roots to 1893 (one hundred and ten years) when the Ceylon Technical College was established, and to 1972 when it first gained University status as a campus the University of Sri Lanka, it became an independant University - University of Moratuwa - on 22 December 1978 exactly 25 years ago today.

The University Senate at its meeting in December 2003 approved changes to the course units EE 428 - Power System Control and System Modelling (2 credit) and EE 429 - Power System Planningand Operation (2 Credit). This change will be effective from January 2004.

Prof Priyantha Wijayatunga started work as the first Director General of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. A News Item on this appeared on the Ceylon Daily News of 22 December 2003.

The arrival of the new students and theInauguration of BSc Engineering Course - New Intake will take place on Tuesday 13th January 2004. As has been the practice in recent years, the Chief Guest for the occassion will be the President of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka - Eng Piyal de Silva. A Programme for the parents of the new students will also take place on the same day.

The Vice Chancellor University of Moratuwa has declared 26th December 2003 as a special holiday for Christmas.

The Annual Colours Awards Ceremony 2002 & 2003 of the University of Moratuwa will be held on Monday 22 December 2003 at the Civil Engineering Auditorium commencing at 1600 hrs. The chief guest for the occasion will be Mr. Roger Knight, M.A. who is the Secretary & Chief-Executive of the Maryleborne Cricket Club (MCC), England. The Guest of Honour will be our Vice Chancellor, Prof Dayantha Wijeyesekera.

The UGC has released the Minimum "Z" Score for selection to the various courses of study in respect of each district today. The University of Moratuwa intends to have the inauguration for the students who have been selected for the BSc Engineering course in January 2004.
A comparison of "Z" scores for 2003/04 is also available. The "Z scores" for the previous intake relevant to our University is also available on our site.

Chandana Karawita Probationary Lecturer in the department of electrical engineering obtained a research assistantship to work with Professor M R Raghuveer at the University of Manitoba in Canada in the general area of high voltage power transmission. [Professor Raghuveer is our external examiner for high voltage engineering]. Chandana will be leaving for Manitoba on 17th December.
[Note: During the winter, the temperatures go down to the unique value where the unit of measurement - whether celsius or farenheit does not have to be stated.]

The Fourth Workshop on Lightning Protection, jointly organised by the Institute of Physics, Sri Lanka and the IEE Sri Lanka will be held on Thursday 18th December 2003 at Hotel Galadari, Colombo. The fee for members of IPSL and IEE is Rs 3000/- per participant while for non members it will be Rs 4000/- per participant. The number of places has been limited to 75 to ensure quality. You are invited to secure a place in the Workshop by registering early.

The registration fee should be by cheque written in favour of IEE Sri Lanka Center and posted to the honorary secretary, IEE Sri Lanka. Reservations may be made by telephone (2678630) between about 5.15 pm and 7.15 pm or by sending an email (ieeslcenter@eureka.lk or indra@ent.mrt.ac.lk)

The CADENCE Electronic Design Automation Software, supplied under the ADB STPD Project, to the Engineering Design Center of the University of Moratuwa will be officially launched by Prof. Lakshman Ratnayake, Vice Chairman - UGC at the The Vice Chancellor's Board Room on 12th December 2003 at 1030 hrs.

The Master of Science in Computer Science / PG. Diploma in Computer Science 2004/2005 at the University of Moratuwa will commence in early 2004. The Closing Date for application is 20th December 2003. Students will follow courses during the first year which consists of two semesters of 14 weeks each and a short semester of 7 weeks. Lectures will be held from 08.30 -17.30 hrs on Fridays and Saturdays at the University of Moratuwa. Brochure.
You may contact Dr. Sanath Jayasena, MSc Course Coordinator, Department of Computer Science & Engineering for details. Telephone: 94-11-2650301(Ex:3111), Fax: 94-11-2650491, E-mail: sanath@cse.mrt.ac.lk, Website: http://www.cse.mrt.ac.lk/pg/msc.

Mr Rukmal Jayasinghe and Ms Nayana Wijesiriwardena successfully defended their dissertations on 2nd December 2003 for the MEng degrees. Their results are released subject to formalities and confirmation by the University Senate.

A Lecture on Business Risk Management will be delivered by Holcim Lanka Ltd at the Electrical Engineering Seminar Room on Thursday 4th December 2003 from 1530 hrs to 1700 hrs. The talk is organised by AIESEC and everyone is welcome for the talk.

The new cafetaria, which has just been completed will, I understand, be ceremonially opened on Thursday 1st January 2004.

November 2003

The Board of Examiners for the B Sc Engineering degree final examination was held today (28 November). 89 students from over 350 students who completed the examination received First Class passes. Among these are 17 students from Electrical Engineering, about 9 students from Electronic & Telecommunication Engineering and about 27 students from Computer Science & Engineering streams.

In the Electrical Engineering stream from among the total of 49 students, a further 18 students obtained Second Class (Upper Division) passes and 12 students Second Class (Lower Division) passes. The detailed results have been put on the official notice board of the Examinations Division at about 1600hrs. The overall results of the Electrical Engineering Stream is available at this site. Non Java Link. These results have been released subject to confirmation by the University Senate.

Notes:

1. I am not in a position to display the results of the other fields as I do not have direct access to those results.
2. The high amount of first classes are not surprising considering the facts that (i)only a very limited number get selected for engineering, (ii)from those selected on merit, over 90% select University of Moratuwa as their first choice and (iii)for field selection, the above three fields are the first choice.

Prof Priyantha Wijayatunga will attend the Reforms Conferecene of the World Energy Council in Manila Phillipines from the 1st December to 6th December 2003 as a representative of the Government of Sri Lanka.

Dr Ajith P Madurapperuma has been elected uncontested as the Second Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, University of Moratuwa. The meeting for the election was presided by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dayantha S Wijeyesekera on 27th November at 1600 hrs at its premises at Borella. Dr Madurapperuma will take over as the Dean with effect from 1st December 2003. Our Best Wishes go to him.

Dr Madurapperuma who is presently the Head of the department of Computational Mathematics in the Faculty of Information Technology takes over from Professor Priyantha Wijayatunga, who moulded the Faculty from inception. Prof Wijayatunga has tendered his resignation as he has recently been appointed as the First Director General of the newly established Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.

I have recast the original paper of D J Wimalasurendra, the Father of Hydropower Development in Sri Lanka and put it on the web, as I believe everyone of you should read it. There is also a biography of him on our site.
Wimalasurendra's interest in Hydro Power development dates back to 1901. From the day he saw Laxapana, his interest was to harness it and other falls for generation of hydro electricity.
In 1918, Wimalasurendra read a paper titled Economics of Power Utilization in Ceylon to the Engineering Association (now the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka) wherein he argued the case for the development of hydro potential of the country. He estimated that 114.5 MW could be developed from Kehelgamuwa Oya. The engineering fraternity, who were essentially Englishmen at that time, were sceptic of the whole project. Besides they wondered what the country would do with 114.5 MW of power. He countered them and pointed out the need for cheap power for setting up heavy industries for the development of the country. This included the electrification a section of the railway.
In 1923, the government accepted the proposal for constructing a hydro-electric project. However, Wimalasurendra retired from public service in 1930 as a frustrated man as his mission was still unaccomplishhed. The defiant Wimalasurendra then successfully contested for the State Council from Ratnapura and with courage of conviction fought for the speedy implementation of the hydro-electric scheme. Even with all his efforts, the scheme on which work was started in 1923 was completed only in 1950.
Link for paper for Non Java viewers (hopefully).

The Course on Information Technology Applications was inagurated by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake MP Minister of Commerce & Consumer Affairs at 0930 hrs today in the presence of distinguished guests, the Ven. Maha Sangha, the University Staff, School Children and the Media. Among the distinguished persons present were the Director General of the Mahapola Board of Management (Mrs Shamila Perera), Secretary/Ministry of Consumer Affairs (Mr Harsha Wickremasinghe), Chancellor (Vidyajothi Dr Ray Wijeyewardena), Vice Chancellor (Prof Dayantha Wijeyesekera), the Dean/Engineering (Prof Malik Ranasinghe), the Dean/Information Technology (Prof Priyaantha Wijayatunga), Chairman ICGAT (Prof Sohan Wijeyesekara), and the Director of the University Industry Interaction Cell (Ms Surani Dias).

The Mobile IT Bus THE MOBITECH was commissioned at 1030hrs by the Minister. The MOBITECH has 10 computers installed with seats for 20 students at a time.

The Course on Information Technology Applications and the Mobile IT Bus THE MOBITECH will be inaugurated by the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake MP Minister of Commerce & Consumer Affairs on 27th November 2002 at 0930 hrs. The MOBITECH is a mobile computer laboratory equipped with computers and other training support facilities. The mobile unit is to operate primarily at different spacial locations where Mahapola is held. Programs are to be over a period of 10 days at one particular location.
The course on IT applications and the program to disseminate IT awareness using the MOBITECH, are two projects of ICGAT, supported by The Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund.

The 59th Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science will be held from 9th to 13th December 2003. The focal theme for this year is Science is for the People. The ceremonial inauguration will be held at the BMICH on 9th December 2003 commencing at 1500 hrs. The remaining sessions will be held at the SLAAS, the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka and at the Department of Meteorology.

Sri Lanka won the 7th SAARC Television Quiz which was held in Karachi,Pakistan on 17th November. The Sri Lankan Team comprised of Tharanga Mahakumarage of the Department of Electrical Engineering , University of Moratuwa and Asela Olupeliyawa of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. We are proud of the achievement and our congradulations go to them.
Sri Lanka scored 245 point to win the quiz by a handsome margin, and received the highly crafted trophy. The runners-up and the 3rd place winning teams were from Pakistan and Nepal scored 180 and 170 respectively. The Sri Lankan contestants also made the highest individual scores in the quiz.
This quiz was organized by Pakistan Television(PTv) and the SAARC secretariat.
The quiz is due to be aired on PTv in Prime time on Friday and will be aired in all other 6 SAARC countries later under the SAARC Audio and Visual Exchange Programme(SAVE).
Sri Lankan team was accompanied by Mr Sugath Watagedara, Director Genaral (Education), SLRC.
The information for the news item has been provided by Mr Tharanga Mahakumarage (010215, Level 3, Electrical)

The Inaugural Meeting of the Inventors and Innovators Society of the University of Moratuwa was held today, 20th November, commencing at 1140 hrs at the Mechanical Engineering Seminar Room. Dr M A R V Fernando was elected as the first President and Mr B S Samarasiri was elected as the Senior Vice President of the Society. The membership of the Society is open to all students, academic staff, non-academic staff, and graduates from the University of Moratuwa. Among the other senior staff present were Prof Malik Ranasinghe and Prof Rohan Lucas.

Professor Priyantha Wijayatunga, Professor in Electrical Engineering has been appointed as the first Director General of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka with effect from 8th December 2004. Priyantha is well qualified to take up the new challenge having already established the first Faculty of Information Technology in any University in Sri Lanka. We are very happy for him, but are sorry to loose his services for a further period away from the department.

• The SAR/Examinations & Academic has notified that the Annual Registration for the academic year 2003/04 for the BSc Engineering 2000/01 batch is now on. Registration may be made on or before the 28th November 2003 on payment of a registration fee of Rs 100/= to the University Shroff. This registration must be done with the examinations & academic branch.
• The deadline for the academic registration for Level 4 Semester 2 and June term have been extended up to Tuesday 2nd December 2003. This registration must be done with the undergraduate studied division.

The Level 2 and Level 3 registration for the semester 1 of the academic year 2003/04 have been put on the web. Please check and inform if there are errors or omissions.

This is just a reminder to Level 4 students, who recently completed their industrial training, that the closing date for Level 4 registration is 15th November 2003.

An International Conference of Information and Automation is scheduled to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from the 16th to the 20th December 2005. This is organised by Dr Thrishantha Nanayakkara, on behalf of the Industrial Automation Research Centre of the University of Moratuwa.

The University of Moratuwa (UoM) Tennis Team created history when they beat the University of Colombo (UoC) at the Inter-University Tennis Tournament 2003 finals on the 28th September 2003 at the UoM tennis courts, to emerge Inter University Tennis champions for the Robert Jayasuriya challenge trophy and end the 28 year long winning streak of UoC.

The UoM team led by Suresh Cooray and guided by their coach Mr.Ricardo De Fonseka did well to convincingly defeat the UoC team which included Chamara Wijesinghe a former national player, with a match score of 3-1.

Dr Nishantha Nanayakkara Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering will lead the Sri Lankan delegation of about 15 persons to the Internation Congress on Small Hydro Power to be held in Kerala, India from 11th to 16th November 2003. Dr Nanayakkara will also make the country presentation on Small Hydro Power developments, Small Hydro Power Implementation, and village hydro power projects. Among the other delegates is Prof Priyantha Wijayatunga who will give a presentation on Policy Matters. The Congress is open to developers, Manufacturers and consultants and is sponsored by UNIDO.

The Certificate Award Ceremony of the course Programming in C++ with Object Oriented Techniques and WIN 32 Applications conducted by the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa will be held on 7th November 2003 at the Electrical Engineering Seminar room at 1630 hrs. The course was taught by Mr Anusha Ganegoda (computer science & engineering graduate. The following students who have completed the course will receive certificates.
Amarasekera PASD, Amarasinghe D, Atapattu T, Faizal CM, Gnanarathna UN, Jayasekara AGBP, Jayasundera JMKE, Jeyashanker S, Lakmal DAN, Rajapakse HWDZ, Rathnayake RMJ, Silva AGP, Siriwardana SAPC, Susewhewa DL, Thotawatta RT, Thushara HK, Thushara RMHL, Wanaguru DC, Wickramasinghe AS, Wickramathilaka GAMD, Yapa KI, Yasapalitha TJE
P.S. The award ceremony was graced by the Lecturer - Mr Anusha Ganegoda, the Course Co-ordinator - Dr Nalin Wickramarachchi and the Head/Electrical Engineering - Prof Rohan Lucas.

The Fourth Workshop on Lightning Protection - 2003, jointly organised by the the IEE Sri Lanka and the Institute of Physics, Sri Lanka, is sheduled to be held at the Hotel Galadari, Colombo on Thursday 18th December 2003. More details of this will be made available in due course.

Mr A C T Mahakumarage , Level 3 student specialising in Electrical Engineering, has been selected to represent Sri Lanka at the 7^th SAARC TV Quiz to be held in Karachchi on 17th November 2003. The Deputy Director General (Educational Programme) of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation has informed me that the event is organised by the SAARC Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Our Best Wishes go to him for success at the Quiz.

Some pictures of E-nite 2003 have now been put on the web.

From 1 November 2003 the appearance of the news page has been slightly changed. Any comments ?

185.   Talk by B SubbaReddy on Pollution induced flashover
 Posted: 30/10/2003

184.   Await the 19th Curse a.k.a. Christmas /Haloween        Posted: 27/10/2003

183.   Public & Bank Holidays for 2004
         Posted: 21/10/2003

182.   Change in Telephone Number Area Codes
         Posted: 18/10/2003

181.   National Best Quality Software Awards 2003
         Posted: 17/10/2003

180.   Launch of the Electric Vehicle - an update
         Posted: 17/10/2003

179.   Selections to MEng/PGDiploma Course 2003
         Posted: 16/10/2003

178.   Future Engineer 2003
         Posted: 16/10/2003

177.   Offical Launch of Solar Assisted Electrical Vehicle
         Posted: 16/10/2003

The Solar Assisted Electric Vehicle designed and constructed by the Automobile Engineering Laboratory of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Moratuwa in association with KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) will be officially launched by His Excellency Mr Lee Nam Soo, Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, as the chief Guest on Thursday 16th October 2003, in front of the new Classroom Block, at 1100 hrs. The electric vehicle is the efforts of the staff and students of the department and a Korean Overseas Volunteer (Mr Hyen Chul Jang).

176.   EESoc Award for the Best Final Year Project         Posted: 15/10/2003

175.   Ceylon Electricity Board - Vacancies for Electrical Engineers         Posted: 12/10/2003

174.   Prof Priyantha Wijayatunga visits Bangladesh on a SARI/Energy project of the USAID
    Posted: 06/10/2003    updated 14/10/2003

173.   Final Year Projects 2002/03
         Posted: 06/10/2003

172.   EESoc Workshop on Maintenance
         Posted: 06/10/2003

171.   Wednesday Programme on Tuesday 21 October
         Posted: 06/10/2003

170.   Advances in Microelectronics - course for Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Students
         Posted: 06/10/2003

169.   Electrical Nite 2003 - an update         Posted: 04/10/2003

Electrical Nite 2003 for welcoming the Level 2 students to the department, by the Seniors, took place in a grand scale with banners lining the roadway from the gate to the entrance of the Sumanadasa Building and flames lighting the way from the entrance to the Electrical Engineering Seminar Room.

The evening got underway soon after 7 pm, with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp and very brief speeches by Prof Rohan Lucas and Prof Priyantha Wijayatunga. Among the other Senior Academic Staff members present were Dr Ranjit Perera, Dr Thrishantha Nanayakkara and Mrs Janaki Premaratne. A feast of entertainment had been laid out for the enjoyment of all, even surpassing in quality, the high quality events of the previous years.

A neat souvenir with messages, articles, jokes, cartoons about the batches were distributed to the gathering. One of tohse taht cuahgt my eye was tetild the Pweor of the Hmuan Mnid.
A high class and innovative computer presentation by EUA creations was projected on the wall to welcome the guests. It started with coursework flying from one folder to another and ended with electrical engineering in the form of a sinusoidal wave terminating in a beautifully made 2-D transmission line.

As has been the practice in recent years, a highly creative Drama was enacted by the Level 2 students where patients with various illnesses are brought before the Doctor and the Matron by the attendant to the mental hospital. Among the patients were a pair who had identical prescriptions (probably copied from one another) rolled up in their trouser pockets. Another was plea bargaining with the Doctor about the punishment for coming late.
[More details of the Drama will probably be unfolded in the next few days. The editor is happy to note that a young lady (in saree) took part in the Drama and that a male actor did not have to play the part of the Matron.]

Among the other events which were interspersed between Sinhala and English songs were the following.

• Interviews with Level 2 students about interesting facts in their lives (and not mud slinging ). [The interviewers specifically and repeatedly reminded the audience that they wanted to to ban mud slinging in the Universityand eradicate it and that they even hope to get the ban backdated].
• Selection of E-nite 2003 Award winners in the different categories. For each Award, Three prospective nominees were called up to the stage and the judged award winner being presented with the award by the "last year's winner" of the event. Reasons for choice was ably presented by the compeer. The categories were
  1. (the Lord of Sleep)
  2. (the Lord of Flirts/honey)
  3. (the Lord of the Ladies Guard)
  4. (the Lord of Academic Queries)
  5. (Special Coursework Award)
  6. (the Lord of Drunkards)
  [Note by the editor: names of award winners have been withheld to avoid them being besieged by newspaper reporters, fans and well-wishers] .

The entertainment was followed by the staff and students mingling with each other and followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner. The senior academic staff left at about 1130 pm. The students would have then gone on to enjoy the common DJ with the computer and electronics students which would have gone on to the early hours of the morning.

168.   University Convocation for the Award of degrees         Posted: 02/10/2003

168.   Appointment of New Professors on Merit         Posted: 02/10/2003

167.   EE Level 3 students welcome new EE Level 2 students to the Department
         Posted: 02/10/2003

166.   Ms Kamala Gamage completes MPhil Degree         Posted: 02/10/2003

165.   BScEng Final Year Project Evaluations in Electrical Engineering         Posted: 01/10/2003

164.   MEng/PG Diploma Course in Electrical Engineering         Posted: 01/10/2003

163.   ERU Symposium 2003 : Research for Industry
         Posted: 30/09/2003

162.   Memorandum of Understanding between Engineering Institutions
         Posted: 29/09/2003

161.   Extension Buildin g of Faculty of Architecture - an update
         Posted: 23/09/2003

160.   High Praise for Fresher's design projects at IEE YMS Sri Lanka Sessions 2003
         Posted: 21/09/2003

Thirty-three high quality papers were presented at the Annual Sessions of the Younger Members Section of the IEE Sri Lanka on Saturday 20th September 2003 at the Electronics & Telecommunications Building of the University of Moratuwa.

The judges were unanimous and high in their praise for efforts taken, especially by the undergraduates at the end of their first year of study at the University. They were happy to note that these first year students had paid a great deal of attention to detail, and had come up with working and marketable prototypes, starting from the basic design concepts, within five weeks of the assignment being given. Details included an initial market survey, design, circuit simulation, computer aided drawings, physical process animation, PCB design, PCB manufacture, construction of prototype, cost analysis for mass scale production, marketing strategy, sales brochures, user leaflets, attractive packaging and in one case even a complete web-site to market the product. The Power Point presentations made by the students were also of extremely high quality. These first year projects had been done inorder to fulfil the requirements of Engineering Design and Engineering Skill Development in the degree course.

Among this is the automatic coffee maker shown (together with the packaging), to make coffee automatically at a pre-determined time. Freshly brewed coffee had even been drunk by the university panel during their undergraduate presentation.

159.   Extension Building of Faculty of Architecture
         Posted: 19/09/2003

158.   YMS Sessions 2003
         Posted: 19/09/2003

157.   National Leadership Development Seminar 2003
         Posted: 19/09/2003

156.      Pahasara - Cultural Festival
         Posted: 18/09/2003

155.   Prof. Mohan Munasinghe Wins Coveted International Award:
         Posted: 18/09/2003

154.   Naming of Wimalasurendra Auditorium at IESL
         Posted: 17/09/2003

153.   Eng. D J Wimalasurendra Memorial Lecture - 2003
         Posted: 16/09/2003

152.   World Energy Council Executive Assembly 2003
         Posted: 15/09/2003    Updated 16/09/2003

151.   IEE Sri Lanka Annual Sessions - 2003
         Posted: 15/09/2003

150.   Prof E.O.E.Pereira Memorial Lecture 2003
         Posted: 15/09/2003

149.   ADB Scholarships in Electrical Engineering
         Posted: 08/09/2003

148.   Next MEng/PGDip Course in Electrical Engineering
         Posted: 05/09/2003

147.   ERU Symposium rescheduled
         Posted: 05/09/2003

146.   Retirement of Professor GTF de Silva and Professor Lakdas Fernando
         Posted: 05/09/2003

145.   Jeewantha de Silva to proceed to Manitoba for higher studies
         Posted: 05/09/2003

144.   Web up and working
         Posted: 05/09/2003

143.   First Year Design/Engineering Skill Development Projects
         Posted: 03/09/2003

142.   IEE Sri Lanka new Office Bearers
         Posted: 03/09/2003

141.   IEE Sri Lanka Website migrated to "iee.org"
         Posted: 03/09/2003

140.   Recommencement of Academic Activities
         Posted:01/09/2003

139.   Ruchira Withanage marries Iresha
         Posted: 01/09/2003

Mr. Ruchira Withanage, who is presently undertaking postgraduate studies at the University of Sheffield in the UK, will be marrying Ms Iresha Dharmawansa this evening. Our Best Wishes go to them.

August 2003

138.   HSBC ties up with AIESEC with Employable You Program
         Posted: 26/08/2003

137.   Participation at the International Tea Exhibition
         Posted: 26/08/2003

136.   IEE YMS Sri Lanka Annual Paper Presentations
         Posted:25/08/2003

135.   Renumbering of Telephones
         Posted:18/08/2003

134.   ERU Symposium 2003 Postponed
         Posted:18/08/2003

133.   Talk by Dr Rohan Munasinghe
         Posted: 18/08/2003

132.   Are You Ready/Careers Day 2003
         Posted: 18/08/2003

131.   High Voltage Open Day at Peradeniya
         Posted: 18/08/2003

130.   University Swimming Meet
         Posted: 08/08/2003

129.   Academic Masters' Tennis Championship 2003
         Posted: 08/08/2003

128.   Ceremonial Opening of Class Room Complex
         Posted: 07/08/2003

127.   Lectures by visiting Academics from Sheffield, UK
         Posted: 07/08/2003

126.   IEE YMS Sessions at Moratuwa
         Posted: 06/08/2003

125.   Dr Ranjit Perera returns after Sabbatical
         Posted: 06/08/2003

124.   Meet the Challenge
         Posted: 31/07/2003

123.   8th Installation Ceremony of the Rotaract Club
         Posted: 31/07/2003

121.   Are Your Ready - Pre-session
         Posted: 31/07/2003

121.   New face to Mechanical Web site...
         Posted:31/07/2003

120.   Seminar on Project Management - IEE Sri Lanka
         Posted: 29/07/2003

119.   Receives Best Country Presentation Award
         Posted: 29/07/2003

118.   IEE Faraday Lecture Screening at Moratuwa
         Posted: 29/07/2003

The 2003 IEE Faraday Lecture Fighting Crime with Science will be shown at the University of Moratuwa on Thursday 31st July 2003 commencing 1600 hrs. All computer science & engineering, electrical engineering, and electronic & telecommunication engineering students and all others are welcome to attend this video/CD presentation. The presentation has been arranged by the Younger Members Section of the IEE Sri Lanka at the University of Moratuwa.

117.   Autonomous Car Control for Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems
         Posted: 29/07/2003

116.   " ARE YOU READY..?" - CAREERS DAY - 2003
         Posted: 25/07/2003

"Are You Ready..?" program of the University of Moratuwa is organized by the Career Guidance Unit and the University-Industry Interaction Cell in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of University of Moratuwa. This event is planned with the main objective of strengthening the relationship between the university, the corporate/state sector and the undergraduates.

115.   Talk by Dr Sisil Kumarawadu
         Posted: 25/07/2003

114.   Formal Opening of Class Room Building Complex
         Posted: 25/07/2003

113.   Nomination of Professor PDC Wijayatunga for an International (JCI) Award
         Posted: 24/07/2003

112.   IESL - Call for papers from Young Members
         Posted: 18/07/2003

111.   Non-academic staff strike
         Posted: 18/07/2003

110.   Sinharaja Workshop Award Ceremony
         Posted: 11/07/2003

The Award Ceremony for the participants of the 16th and 17th Annual Sinharaja Workshop, organised by the University of Moratuwa branch of the World University Service (WUS), will be held at 1700 hrs on 16th July 2003 at the Textile Auditorium of the University of Moratuwa. The awards will be given for the best reports submitted at the Sinharaja Environmental Awareness Workshop held in 2002 and 2003.

109.   IEE YMS 2003 - Call for papers
         Posted: 11/07/2003

108.   The native mongoose stakes a claim in landmine detection
         Posted: 11/07/2003

The mongoose, who is native to the north of Sri Lanka where the mine fields are located, has good olfactory powers and can be trained to sniff plastic explosives. He is thus claiming his place in the University of Moratuwa IARC led research on land mine detection over the rat and the pig. A bionic Mongoose could tranmit the locations of detected landmines through wireless communications to remote monitors who could then remove the mines using remotely controlled robots.

107.   Presentation by Ms Elizabeth Rose
         Posted: 11/07/2003

106.   IEE Sri Lanka Visits the Colombo Dockyard
         Posted: 11/07/2003

Members of the IEE Sri Lanka visited the Colombo Dockyard on Saturday 5th July 2003. This was a sequel to the lecture given by Mr Yapa the General Manager of Colombo Dockyard to the IEE Sri Lanka on Manufacture of boats at the Hotel Galadari on June 24th.

The visit was well appreciated by all present. They were also taken on a ride around the harbour in a boat built by Colombo Dockyard. They were also able to visit the Indian Oil Rig which was in the dry docks for maintenance.

105.   Level 2 - Non-Technical Modules - June 2004
         Posted: 09/07/2003

104.   Dr Nishantha Nanayakkara to attend SARI/Energy Programme
         Posted: 09/07/2003

103.   CSSL Awards Honorary Life Fellowship to Dr A S Induruwa
         Posted: 09/07/2003

102.   Rats and pigs to help remove landmines
         Posted: 07/07/2003

101.   University of Moratuwa completes Radar Repair Work
         Posted: 04/07/2003

100.   Presentation on Demining to the UNDP mine action center
         Posted: 03/07/2003

The Industrial Automation Research Centre (IARC) of the University of Moratuwa is undertaking research on Robotic demining. In this regard, a team led by Dr Thrishantha Nanayakkara visited many landmine sites in the north [see picture] of Sri Lanka very recently. First hand information was obtained about present methods of detection and removal [see picture - trained dog, metal detectors] of landmines in Sri Lanka. Three research students are involved in developing a robotic platform [see picture] for demining at the University of Moratuwa.

A presentation on Design and Implementation of a cost effective robotic platform for landmine detection and removal will be made to the UN Mine Action Centre in Colombo by a team from IARC led by Dr Thrishantha Nanayakkara tomorrow.

A preliminary presentation on the same subject was made this arfternoon to staff and students of the University of Moratuwa at the Electrical Engineering Seminar Room.

June 2003

99.   Baby Boy Born to Badra and Jahan
         Posted: 30/06/2003

98.   High Voltage Question Paper and Sample Answers
         Posted: 30/06/2003

97.   150 pens saved from destruction
         Posted: 24/06/2003

Around 150 pens were saved from destruction at the end of the BSc Engineering, Final Part III Examination paper yesterday. The students were expecting a certain Professor to be supervising at the examination yesterday and had planned to break their pens at the scheduled end of the paper on the announcing of Stop Work so that even accidently the pen would not write beyond the scheduled time. The said Professor is said to be very strict in this regard as he does not want those who abuse the system to get an advantage over those who do not. The pens were saved as the said Professor, although he came to the examination hall for a short time, was not present at the scheduled close.

96.   Field Selection
         Posted: 20/06/2003

95.   Professor Sriyananda starts work at Moratuwa
         Posted: 20/06/2003

94.   International Conference on Computational Intelligence, Robotics and Automation
         Posted: 16/06/2003

93.   Paper Presentation in Germany
         Posted: 16/06/2003

92.   EESoc Lecture Series - Wind Energy Potential for Electricity Generation
         Posted: 16/06/2003

91.   Proposed Changes
         Posted:11/06/2003

90.   People in the News - Energy South Asia
         Posted:11/06/2003

89.   Resumptions & Resignations
         Posted:06/06/2003

88.   New Academic Staff
         Posted:05/06/2003

87.   Returns after PhD to Computer Science & Engineering
         Posted:05/06/2003

86.    Inauguration of the Orientation Programme
         Posted: 03/06/2002

85.   Priyantha travels overseas on research study
         Posted:29/05/2003

84.   Academic staff changes - an update
         Posted: 29/05/2003

83.   Seminar on e-Sri Lanka
         Posted: 29/05/2003

82.   Clarke marooned in exotic island
         Posted: 29/05/2003    Updated: 30/05/2003

Clarke enjoyed a one week challengin holiday (Sunday 17th May to Sunday 25th May) in an exotic island resort on the banks of the Kaluganga. Among the many exotic sports available on the island were rafting, canoeing, river bathing, swimming and diving in waters upto 15 ft (5 m) deep in strong currents. To add to the excitement and challenge, electricity and fresh water supplies had been disconnected for the duration of the holiday. This permitted studies to be done on the use of river currents for the generation of electricity and purification for drinking purposes for those inclined in that direction. The holiday had been granted by courtesy of the gemming town of Sri Lanka. The creators of the island spared no expenses to enhance the quality of this temporary island. They had even dissolved 25,000 hand crafted pre-baked clay bricks available in the premises to get the rich muddy effect to the water.

Editor's correction: Clarke should read as clerk of the department of electrical engineering. Ratna - gem, Pura - town

P.S. The University has collected food, clothing and other materials to be distributed to help rehabilitate those displaced by the recent floods in the Ratnapura, Matara and Kalutara districts in Sri Lanka. The University is also helping to assess the damages caused by the floods and in other relief measures.

81.   Evidence updating in a distributed sensor environment
         Posted:20/05/2003

80.   Overseas Leave - An Update
         Posted: 20/05/2003

79.   New Internal Telephone numbers
         Posted: 09/05/2003

78.   UNESCO Workshop on Lightning - An Update
         Posted: 08/05/2003

77.   Dr Amith Munindradasa appointed Head of Electronics & Telecommunication Eng
         Posted: 08/05/2003    Updated: 09/05/2003

Dr Amith Munindradasa has been appointed as the Head of the Department of Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering. He succeeds Dr Ms Dileeka Dias who gave her resignation in April after leading the department for over three years culminating with the openning of the new Electronics building on 8th April 2003.

Dr Munindradasa completed his doctoral studies at the University of Liverpool on Electronics devices.
Dr Munindradasa's current research interests include Semiconductor materials, wildlife related electronics, mechatronics, automotive electronics and acoustics.

In addition he actively participates in Wild Life Conservation activities in Sri Lanka and an ardent photographer.

76.   Professor in Civil Engineering
         Posted: 08/05/2003

Prof Mrs Niranjanie Ratnayake was promoted as a full Professor in Civil Engineeing on merit by the University Council at its meeting held on 7th May 2003.

Her speciality is Environmental Engineering within the Civil Engineering Discipline.

She also currently holds the post of Director of Post Graduate Studies at this University.

April 2003

75.   Design of Electrical Installations Course - 9th Intake
         Posted: 24/04/2003

74.   General Convocation for Award of Degrees - An Update
         Posted: 24/04/2003

The General Convocation for presentation of Graduands to the Chancellor took place yesterday at the BMICH, Colombo in two sessions.

In the morning session, 4 postgraduate diplomas and 36 degrees were awarded in Quantity Surveying, and 405 degrees were awarded in the Engineering disciplines. Among these were 49 Electrical Engineering graduates.

[Picture shows some of the Electrical Engineering graduates posing with the Professor Rohan Lucas and Dr Nalin Wickramarachchi immediately after the ceremony]

In addition, 8 awards of academic distinction were made. Among these were

• Professor Ted Parish Award in Electrical Engineering to D M P Anuradha Dissanayaka
• UNESCO Team Gold Medal Award to T R Elvitigala from the Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering field

The Convocation Address was delivered by the Chancellor Vidyajothi Dr Ray Wijewardena in both sessions.

In the afternoon session, 87 Master's degrees and 30 postgraduate diplomas were awarded. Among these were 5 (HCS Hettigoda, GM Prasantha, KKAC Samarasinghe, DDP Yasarathna and N Kuruparan) from the electrical engineering stream. There were also 58 degrees awarded in Built Environment, and 366 degrees awarded in the Engineering disciplines. Among these were 45 Electrical Engineering graduates.

In addition, 15 awards of academic distinction were made. Among these were

• Lanka Tranformer Ltd Award at Master's Level in Electrical Engineering to Ms D G Ajantha K Wijeratna
• Professor Ted Parish Award in Electrical Engineering to Ms Sankika M K Tennakoon
• UNESCO Team Gold Medal Award to C H Baranasuriya from the Computer Science & Engineering field

73.   LYC Amarasinghe to leave for Postgraduate studies to Manitoba, Canada
         Posted: 17/04/2003