Department of Civil Engineering



PROF. S.B.S. ABAYAKOON

Senior Professor


Office Address:

Department of Civil Engineering,

University of Peradeniya,

Peradeniya,20400,

Sri Lanka.

Email: sbsa@pdn.ac.lk

Telephone : +94-81-2393513

  • PhD: The University of British Columbia, Canada, 1987
  • MASc: The University of British Columbia, Canada, 1983
  • BScEng (First Class Hons): University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1979
  • Fellow, the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka
  • International Professional Engineer, Sri Lanka
  • Chartered Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineering, Seismic response analysis, Timber Engineering, Disaster management and mitigation, Use of Finite Element Methods in Engineering
  • Senior Professor, Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2006 – To date)
  • Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2009 – 2012)
  • Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2005 Apr – 2009 Jul)
  • Head, Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2003 Oct – 2005 Apr)
  • Professor, Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2004 – 2005)
  • Visiting Professor, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2002, 1999 – 2001)
  • Research Engineer, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (2002, 1999 – 2001, 1997 –1998)
  • Visiting Fellow, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (1997)
  • Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (1999 – 2003)
  • Senior Lecturer, Civil Engineering , University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (1990-1999)
  • Lecturer, Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (1988-1989)
  • Graduate Fellow, University of British Columbia (1982-1986)
  • Teaching and Research Assistant, University of British Columbia (1981-1987)
  • Lecturer, Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (1979 – 1980)
  • 2002, 1999-2001 : Visiting Professor, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  • 2002, 1999-2001, 1997-1998 : Research Engineer, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  • 1997 : Visiting Fellow, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
  • 1981 – 1987 : Teaching and Research Assistant, University of British Columbia
  • Institution of Engineers
  • Sri Lankan Geotechnical Society
  • Board of Governors of the Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies
  • Dam Safety Review Panel (DSRP) set up by the World Bank
  • National Committee on Sri Lankan Quality Framework
  • Ratnayake, R. M. P. D. and Abayakoon, S. B. S., “Low Cost Housing, Economical Use of Sri Lankan Timber”, Proceedings, International conference on Impact of Natural Hazards and Disasters on Social and Economic Infrastructure Development - International Institute for Infrastructure Renewal and Reconstruction (IIIRR), Ahungalle, Sri Lanka, pp 13 – 17, July 2009.
  • Kumarasiri, H. C. and Abayakoon, S. B. S., “Potential of Soil Liquefaction in Sri Lanka”, Proceedings, International Symposium, A Dynamic Approach to the Mitigation of Natural Disasters – International Institute for Infrastructure Renewal and Reconstruction (IIIRR), Calgary, Canada, pp 11-12, 10-11 April 2008.
  • Mohadevan, N. and Abayakoon, S. B. S., “An Appraisal of Seismically Weak Buildings in Colombo, Sri Lanka”, Proceedings, International conference on Mitigation of the Risk of Natural Hazards, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 42-43, 27-28 March 2007.
  • Ratnayake, R. M. P. D. and Abayakoon, S. B. S., “Economical Timber Roof Structures”, Proceedings, International conference on Mitigation of the Risk of Natural Hazards, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 57-58, 27-28 March 2007.
  • Ratnayake, R. M. P. D. and Abayakoon, S. B. S., “Young’s Modulus of Havari Nuga (Alastonia) Timber”, Proceedings, Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 72-72, Nov. 2006.
  • Abayakoon, S. B. S., “Seismicity Around Sri Lanka - A Probabilistic Approach”, Proceedings, International conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hiroshima, Japan, Nov. 2005.
  • Abayakoon, S. B. S., “A Design Earthquake Magnitude for Sri Lanka”, Proceedings, International conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hiroshima, Japan, Nov. 2005.
  • Mohadevan, N., Perera, G. A. G. D., Abayakoon, S. B. S., and Seneviratne, H. N. “Development of a Surface Wave Testing System to Analyse Soil Dynamic Properties”, Proceedings, Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 87-87, Nov. 2005.
  • Perera, G. A. G. D. and Abayakoon, S. B. S., “Application of Artificial Neural Networks in Assessment of Liquefaction Potential”, Proceedings, Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference, Taipei, Taiwan, 2004.
  • Mohanaraj, R. T., Nanthagopan, P., Sivasithamparam, N. and Abayakoon, S. B. S., “Development of Correlations for Cone Penetrometer for Srilankan Soils”, Proceedings, Project Day, Sri Lankan Geotechnical Society, 30 Sept. 2004.
  • Thurairajah, A., Thirumaran, N., Sutharsanan, S. and Abayakoon, S. B. S., “Evaluation Of Shear Velocity of Soil Using Surface Waves Generated By Different Sources”, Proceedings, Project Day, Sri Lankan Geotechnical Society, 30 Sept. 2004.
  • Mohadevan, N., Abayakoon, S. B. S. and Seneviratne, H. N., “A study of Seismic Status of Colombo, Sri Lanka” , Proceedings, Second International Symposium on New Technologies for Urban Safety of Mega Cities in Asia, University of Tokyo, Japan, October 30-31, 2003.
  • Lam, F., Abayakoon, S., Svensson, S. and Gyamfy, C., “Influence of Proof Loading on the Reliability of Members”, Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff Journal, Vol 61, pp 432-438, 2003.
  • Mohadevan, N., Perera, G. A. G. D., Abayakoon, S. B. S. and Seneviratne, H. N., “Development of a surface wave testing system to analyse the soil dynamic properties” , Proceedings, Peradeniya University Research Sessions, Vol. 8, October 23, 2003.
  • Mohadavan, N, Seneviratne, H. N., Abayakoon, S. B. S., Dissanayake, P. B. R and Kurukulasuriya, L. C. “A Study of Seismic Status of Greater Colombo Area”, Proceedings, Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference, Sri Lankan Geotechnical Society, pp 1-4, March 7 2002.
  • Mohadavan, N., Abayakoon, S. B. S., Seneviratne, H. N., Dissanayake, P. B. R. and Kurukulasuriya, L. C. “An Analysis of the Influence of Local Soil Conditions on Earthquake Ground Motion in Colombo, Sri Lanka”, Proceedings, Annual Seminar, Civil Engineering Society, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, March 31, 2001.
  • Lam, F., Abayakoon, S.,Svensson, S. and Gyamfy, C., “Influence of Proof Loading on the Reliability of Members”, Proceedings, International Council for Building and Construction Working Commission W18-Timber Structures, Venice, Italy. CIB-W18/34, pp 12, Summer 2001.
  • Abayakoon, S. B. S. and Lam, F, “Finite Element Analysis of Saw Blade Vibrations Under In-Plane and Lateral Loading” , Journal of the Institution of Wood Science, Vol. 15, No. 5, Issue 89, pp 253-260, Summer 2001.
  • Abayakoon, S. B. S., “The Use of Computers in Civil Engineering”, Proceedings, Engineering Jubilee Congress (Engineering beyond 2000), Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, pp 219-222, June 29-July 1, 2000.



Department of Civil Engineering