Suhastha - 2017

“Suhastha 2017” was successfully concluded on the 16^th and 17^th of September 2017 which is an altruistic initiative conducted by the 15^th batch of the Department of Civil Engineering of University of Moratuwa in the Welimada area, targeting grade 10/11 students.

This year, the beneficiaries of this humane program were the students from the Uduhawara Maha Vidayalaya and the Welimada Tamil School. This was a collective effort of 55 students. They conducted seminars and paper discussions in the foretold schools followed by the funds raised by both 15^th and 16^th batches of the Civil Engineering Department.

The seminars were conducted group-wise in order to be effective and selected students were rewarded for their outstanding performances during the seminars. Around 113 Sinhala students and 46 Tamil students participated in the seminars.

The program commenced by the opening ceremony with the participation of the academic staff and the students followed by the welcome speech by Mrs. M.M. Somawathee, the Vice Principal  of Uduhawara Maha Vidyalaya. The seminars were conducted from 8.30am to 3pm along with refreshments, tea and lunch breaks. Great assistance was provided by the academic staff of the school and the parents and residents in the vicinity of the school for meals, accommodation and other various activities.

The program was concluded by the closing ceremony where Mr. S.M. Lalith Samarakoon, the principal of the Uduhawara Maha Vidyalaya delivered a speech of appreciation. He also highlighted how helpful and effective the seminars were and appreciated the immense effort of us. One of the best performing students of the section also went on thanking and appreciating the initiative followed by presents given to the students and other contributions and donations provided to the school by us
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The gathering was encouraged by a speech of Bathiya Patabandige, followed by the vote of thanks delivered by Nalaka Jayantha. So, expected task was completed successfully, bringing joy to everyone who participated.

16^th batch Welcome

“16^th batch welcome” was successfully concluded on the 28^th  of August 2017 which is an initiative conducted by the 15^th batch of the department of civil engineering. The beneficiaries were the students of 16^th batch of the department of civil engineering who are the new comers for the civil family.

This was a collective effort of 126 students of the 15^th batch of the department of civil engineering who conducted entertaining items and games to make the welcome of 16^th batch a colorful evening at the Civil Auditorium.

A key tag and a welcome card were given to each student of 16^th batch as a memory of the welcome and as a token of friendship. The funds were raised from the students of 15^th batch of the civil department.

The program commenced by the arrival of Chief Guest Prof. J.M.S.J. Bandara, Head of the Civil Engineering Department with the participation of the academic staff and the students followed by the welcome speech by Shashikala Rajasinghe, batch representative of 15^th batch. 

Few videos on introduction and events in department of civil Engineering were played followed by an entertaining item done by 15^th batch. The programme including entertaining items were conducted from 6.00pm to 8.00pm along with refreshments.

 A great speech was delivered by the Chief Guest mentioning the history and current status of civil engineering department. He concluded the speech by some advises to the 16^th batch, the new comers. Some introductory activities were conducted by the 15^th batch with 16^th batch to get to know each other in both batches followed by entertaining items from both 15^th and 16^th batches. The program was concluded by the vote of thanks by Pasindu Malshan, batch representative of 15^th batch. 

Intra University Spaghetti Bridge Competition 2017

Spaghetti bridge competition is organized annually by the Civil Engineering Society and it is about constructing a bridge made up of spaghetti with the provided quantity of materials over a specific span that can sustain a load. The structure that could withstand the greatest load for a short period of time wins the contest.  The team which has maximum index is chosen as the winner.

Civil Engineering Society organized the spaghetti bridge competition at university level on 5^th of September 2017. It was originally conducted in order to select the best team to take part in the spaghetti bridge competition organized by IESL.

 

Students of all four levels participated as teams of 6 members. More than 20 teams participated and extended the competition to a very high potential.Teams were given 5 hours to complete the structure and each team was provided with required materials; spaghetti, glue guns and glue sticks. Teams were expected to manage building it using that limited amount of materials in the limited time period.

We were able to conduct this competition successfully with the support and guidance given by the Research Assistants Mr. Shashika Ranawaka and Mr. Sakitha Kumarage. We are very grateful to them for making this event a success.

Team of Level 3 got the first place, a team from level 4 got the 2^nd place and a level 1 team achieved the 3^rd place. Winning teams were directed up to the IESL competition. Hence, everyone who participated the event gained valuable experiences and knowledge for their career.

Pirith Ceremony

The Department of Civil Engineering, one of the most outstanding departments under faculty of engineering of university of Moratuwa, is proceeding with many extra-curricular activities parallel to academic work. Pirith chanting ceremony is a main event out of those, which was organized, blessing a successful and prosperous year ahead for all university community including academic staff, non-academic staff and students.  

This was organized by the Civil Engineering Society and was held on 16^th of August 2017 at the common area of the department from 9 p.m. onwards. Under the major dedication of level 4 students of the department, all other levels gave their maximum support for the event. Pirith chanting ceremony was followed by an alms-giving on 17^th of August. Hence a morning meal was offered to the thera.

As Civil Engineering undergraduates, we have to extend our heartiest gratitude to the head of the department, Prof J.M.S.J. Bandara, senior treasurer of Civil Engineering Society, Prof W.K. Manpearachchi and all other academic staff who were present on that day and the Civil Engineering Society for organizing these events to maintain the concord of the colleagues and giving them an opportunity to relax themselves by involving in religious activities. 

We should also extend our sincere thanks to all the Civil engineering students as well, for giving their contribution and dedication to make this event a success. Also, Prof. S.A.S. Kulatilake, Dr. C.S.A. Siriwardana and Dr. A.S. Ranathunga also participated for the ceremony. 







A hand may consist of five fingers of various sizes and shapes. Each finger has a specific and a unique task, which is more than a mere difference between two fingers. This difference is essential for a tight grip. Hence, likewise individuals with different capacities can reveal their skills and abilities by the indulgement in such enlightening activities which reflects not only their intellect but their characters as well.

FLOOD RELIEF – 2017 (Phase 02)

When the Southwest monsoon mayhem further continued to havoc across the island that occurred towards the end of May 2017, the initiative of providing relief to victims of floods and landslides by the Civil Engineering Society (CES) of University of Moratuwa concluded its phase 02 on the 7th of June 2107 with the collaboration of Majlis-Ul-Islam of University of Moratuwa and the World University Service (WUS) of University of Moratuwa.

Through this initiative, generous donations were distributed for the displaced people mainly in the affected areas in Pitabeddara and Akuressa. The collaboration was very efficient in their flood relief responses bringing the enthusiastic volunteers together and created a portal for this good cause. This was a collective humanitarian task of young students in the University that was performed for several days in which flood relief supplies such as water, food, medicine, sanitary etc. were collected and distributed to the flood victims during the disaster situation.

      

     

This contribution was able to support the impacted families and communities especially in Pitabeddara and Akuressa areas through the time, effort and resources sacrificed by the young people in the University of Moratuwa.

 At a time where catastrophic floods and landslides shook the Nation, the Civil Engineering Society (CES) of University of Moratuwa stepped up to lend a hand and to support victims of the flood-hit areas. It ensured the consistent assistance of the young students of our University in whatever the times of tragedies that would forth come.

FLOOD RELIEF – 2017 (Phase 01)

The South-west monsoon established over the country towards the end of May 2017 with heavy rains tended the water levels to rise in Kelani, Kalu and Gin rivers resulting disaster situations of floods and landslides.

 More than 14 districts were affected by the rainfalls and the worst affected areas were located in the Southern province, the Western province and the Sabaragamuwa province.The health care network was also affected and people were evacuated from hospitals and residential areas due to the floods and risk of landslides. This catastrophe killed around 200 civilians and around 600,000 were displaced giving rise to the wanting of basic supplies for the people.  

                    

As a response to this, the Civil Engineering Society (CES) of University of Moratuwa gathered together in collecting donations for the displaced people mainly in the affected areas in Keselhenawa.

 This was a collective humanitarian task of young students in the University that was performed for several days in which flood relief supplies such as water, food, medicine, sanitary etc. were collected and distributed to the flood victims during the disaster situation towards the ending of May 2017.

This contribution was able to support the impacted families and communities in the Keselhenawa area as they recovered from the worst floods the country has ever seen. This made the young people in the University of Moratuwa to experience humanity on a different level and achieve a sense of personal satisfaction by helping those in need. Our help could get their lives back to normal during the aftermath of the flood.

EXMO 2017 Departmental Felicitation Ceremony

The EXMO Departmental Felicitation Ceremony was held on the 18th May of 2017 at the Civil Auditorium as an indication of appreciation for

             

the participants as well as to reward the outstanding participants with commendation of the Department of Civil Engineering of EXMO, one of the biggest and the most innovative engineering exhibition in Sri Lanka which was held on the 28^th and 29^th of April at the University of Moratuwa premises. 

The head table of this ceremony was chaired by 7 invitees namely, Prof. J. M. S. J. Bandara, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Prof. K. K. C. K. Perera, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Dr. W. D. G. Lanerolle, Chairman of the Organizing committee of Exmo 2017, Professor Ruwan Weerasekara, Chairman of Civil engineering organizing committee, Prof. S.M.A. Nanayakkara, Prof. W. K. Mampearachchi, and Dr. C. S. Lewangamage.

The commencement of the ceremony was marked by welcoming the gathering by Prof. J. M. S. J. Bandara, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering followed by the speech of Prof. K. K. C. K. Perera, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. 

 

Further Dr. W. D. G. Lanerolle, Chairman of the Organizing committee of Exmo 2017 went on addressing the gathering on how EXMO successfully achieved the primary objectives of the event and how it unveiled the creativity and innovation of young undergraduates in all the engineering departments.

Then a video presentation was showcased on how the educational demonstrations and awareness sessions were carried out by the engineering students enhancing the knowledge of students from various schools and the general public in cutting edge engineering.

The certificates of appreciation were then distributed by Dr. C. S. Lewangamage. The certificates for the 12 batch were received by Mr. Milinda Amarasinghe. For the 13 batch the certificates were received by (13 batch Representative) Dhanuka Nadeeshan. For the 14 batch the certificates were received by (14 batch Representative) Kushan Chandimal and finally for the 15 batch were received by (15 batch Representative) Sajith Bandaranayake.

The Commendation Certificates were distributed by Prof. J. M. S. J. Bandara, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and were as follows:

§  Colombo Landscape – Dumindu Ariyaratne (13 Batch)

§  Structures around the Globe – Thisura Nanjitha (14 Batch)

§  Front Decorations – Thisaru Sandulika (15 Batch)

§  Models of Bridges – Sudhara Withana (15 Batch)

§  Hydraulic Models – Chamal Anjana (13 Batch)

§  Shaking Table Demonstrations – Ayesh Dushmantha (13 Batch)

§  Cement Manufacturing Plant – Ruchintha Lakshan (14 Batch)

§  Advanced Transport System – Sandun Nilakshana (13 Batch)

§  Innovations in Pavement Technology – Madhawa Hareendra (13 Batch)

§  Geotechnical Structures   - Afsar Nazeer (13 Batch)

§  Survey team & Museum  - Udara Wijeratne (13 Batch)

§  Sequence of House Building – Upeksha Virajini (13 Batch)

§  Green Building Technology – Rasadhi Dissanayaka (13 Batch)

§  Continuously Flowing Magic Tap - Milinda Amarasinghe (12 Batch)

§  Pedestrian Crossing for the Blind – Tharindu Kalhara (13 Batch)

§  Spontaneous bridge – Piruthapan Janakan (15 Batch)

§  Environmental lab exhibits – Nipun Jaratne (13 Batch)

§  Organizing Committee – Jatila Sharanya (13 Batch)

The attendees were served with refreshments as the ceremony came to an end followed by the conclusion of the ceremony which was marked by Professor Ruwan Weerasekara, Chairman of the Civil engineering organizing committee. 

Civil Talks - 2017 (Phase 02)

The second phase of the annual panel discussion was held on the 25^th of May 2017 at 4.30pm at the Civil auditorium. 

The discussion was titled “Civil Talks 2017”. The event was chaired by Engineer Ahilan Selladurai, the senior bridge engineer at T.Y.LIN international. 

The gathering was addressed on the topic “Bridging the gap - university to work”. 

The panel discussion was well attended by the lecturers and students in the Bachelor’s program of the department of civil engineering, in overall around 150 participants were presented for the discussion.

The panel discussion commenced by the welcome speech delivered by Anushka Dassanayake, the president of the civil engineering society(CES).As the topic implies the purpose of this discussion was to provide a complete guidance on the career development of the young civil engineers, various opportunities that are available and how the decision making should be carried out accordingly.

After the introductory speech on the panelist which was delivered by Osanda Muthuhewa, the chairman of the panel discussion committee of the civil engineering society (CES) the panelist went on discussing how targeting careers at specific companies can offer students strategic advantage. 

Also how internationally, in countries where local businesses and corporations sponsor higher education. Some students may want to choose a focus that they are passionate about but some may want to choose top companies with highly values. Building a career which includes both would be the winning combination as the panelist discussed.

The panelist also went on discussing about management credibility, overall job satisfaction, pay and benefit programs and a series of information about hiring practices, methods of internal communication, training, recognition programs and diversity efforts.  

The layout of the discussion was about 90 minutes followed by a brief Q&A session to engage audience and panelist for about 10 minutes. In overall the discussion is highly appropriate and appreciated by the attendees as the knowledge gained by the discussion will be in greater assistance when providing consensus for projects that will come forth.

              

The attendees were served with refreshments as the discussion came to an end with the vote of thanks that was delivered by Achala Isuru, the secretary of the civil engineering society (CES).