Image  Department of Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering
 University of Peradeniya

Dr. P. Gamage

Senior Lecturer (Head of the Department)


Image

Office Address:

Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering,
University of Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka.

Email: pramilag@eng.pdn.ac.lk

Telephone: 081-2393969

Biography

Dr. Pramila Gamage obtained her BSc (Hons) in Production Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya in 2008. She joined the Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering soon after graduation and was appointed as a Lecturer (Probationary) in 2010. In 2012, she commenced her doctoral studies at Massey University, New Zealand, specializing in Quality Engineering. Her PhD focused on developing a theoretical and practical framework integrating Taguchi’s robust parameter design approach with Lean Manufacturing principles to strengthen quality improvement methodologies in modern industrial environments.

Her key research and professional interests include quality engineering, Lean Six Sigma, manufacturing technology, product design and development, and process improvement methodologies. As a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, she is passionate about applying statistical thinking, data-driven decision-making, and Generative AI to enhance efficiency, minimize non-value-adding activities, and strengthen value-creating processes.

Since December 2022, Dr. Gamage has been serving as the Head of the Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering. She is deeply committed to fostering a collaborative, innovative, and hands-on learning environment. Her philosophy centers on helping students and professionals bridge the gap between theory and real-world application, empowering them to think critically, act practically, and contribute meaningfully to industry and society.

Beyond academia, Dr. Gamage is passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and incubation, actively encouraging individuals with ideas to become creators and innovators. She believes that every industry and every project is a new learning opportunity and that true engineering leadership lies in continuous improvement, collaboration, and transformation. Her vision is to inspire people to realize their potential, embrace change, and create a positive impact through engineering and innovation.

Educational Qualifications

PhD (Massey, New Zealand)

BSc Eng (Peradeniya)

Research Interests

Design of Experiments (DOE)

Statistical Process Control

Six Sigma

Lean Thinking

Recent Publications

Published Journal Papers

Premarathna, W.A.A.S., Jayasinghe, J.A.S.C., Senanayake, C.D., Wijesundara, K.K. and Gamage, P., 2022. Failure prediction of solid resilient tyres due to kerb impact: A finite element modelling approach. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 50(3), pp.625–637. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v50i3.10593

Premarathna, W. A. A. S., Jayasinghe, J. A. S. C., Gamage, P., Senanayake, C. D., Wijesundara, K. K., & Ranatunga, R. R. M. S. K. (2022). Analysis of factors influencing on performance of solid tires: Combined approach of Design of Experiments and thermo-mechanical numerical simulation. European Journal of Mechanics-A/Solids, 104680.

Kularathne, I. W., Gunathilaka, C. A., Rathnaweera, A. C., Kalpage, C. S., Rajapakse, S. & Gamage, P. (2021) Optimization of Fermentation Process Parameters for Bioethanol Production from Sri Lankan Overripe Fruits. Journal of Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, vol. LIV (01), 77-86.

Premarathna, W. A. A. S., Jayasinghe, J. A. S. C., Wijesundara, K. K., Gamage, P., Ranatunga, R. R. M. S. K., & Senanayake, C. D. (2021). Investigation of design and performance improvements on solid resilient tires through numerical simulation. Engineering Failure Analysis, 128, 105618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105618)

Gamage, P., Jayamaha, N. P., & Grigg, N. P. (2016). Acceptance of Taguchi's Quality Philosophy and Practice by Lean practitioners in apparel manufacturing. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 1-17. doi: 10.1080/14783363.2015.1135729.

Published Conference Papers

Meragalge, M. L. R. & Gamage, P. (2021) Finite Element Simulation Model to Predict the Formability of AA 2014 T6 Aluminum Sheets at Elevated Temperature, 10th IEEE international conference on Information and Automation for Sustainability, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Premarathna, W. A. A. S., Jayasinghe, J. A. S. C., Wijesundara, K. K., Gamage, P. & Ranatunga, R. R. M. S. K. (2020) High-Fidelity Finite Element Modelling and Simulation of Solid Resilient Tire: Application to Forklift Solid Resilient Tire. Paper was presented at the Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2010 IEEE International Conference, Singapore.

Meragalge, M. L., Gamage, P. & Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. (2020) Enhancing the Formability Property of AA 2014 T6 Aluminium Sheet Materials to use in Automotive Body Parts Manufacturing Process. Paper will be presented at the National Engineering Research Symposium (NERS), December, 2020, Colombo.

Herath, H. M. D. B., Thalagala, S. & Gamage, P. (2019). Enhancing the Dimensional Accuracy of Components Fabricated Using Rapid Prototyping Technique by Optimizing Machine Parameters of a 3D Printer. Paper was presented at the Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2019 IEEE International Conference, Macau.

Meragalge, M. L., Gamage, P. & Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. (2019) Full Factorial Design of Experiment Approach to Quantify the Effect of Forming Parameters on Wrinkling Effect of Deep Drawn Cylindrical Cups. Paper was presented at the Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2019 IEEE International Conference, Macau.

Perera, A., & Gamage. P. (2017). An Application of Fractional Factorial Method to Obtain Robust Solutions at a Glove Manufacturing Environment in Sri Lanka. Paper was presented at the Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2017 IEEE International Conference, Singapore.

Samaraweera, L., Thalagala, S., Gamage, P., & Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. Optimization of Green Sand Casting Parameters Using Taguchi Method to Improve the Surface Quality of White Cast Iron Grinding Plates. Paper was presented at the Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2017 IEEE International Conference, Singapore.

Perera, A., & Gamage, P. (2017). Assessing the Performance of a Destructive Measurement System: A Case of an Industrial Glove Manufacturing Environment. Paper was presented at the IESL Annual Sessions 2017, Sri Lanka.

Perera, A., Gamage, P., & Kanagasingham, S. (2017). The correlation between area of latex penetration and abrasion resistance of industrial gloves. Paper was presented at the IPURSE Annual Sessions 2017, Sri Lanka.

Perera, A., & Gamage, P. (2017). Enhance the Abrasion Resistance Level of Industrial Gloves –An Application of Taguchi’s Robust Parameter Design Approach. Paper was presented at the IASSL International Conference 2017, Sri Lanka.

Thalagala, S., Gamage, P., Samaraweera, L., Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. (2017). Improve the surface profile of white cast iron grinding plate by factorial design of experiment – A case study. Paper was presented at the IASSL International Conference 2017, Sri Lanka.

Wijerathna, W. H. A. C., Jayantha, I. D. M. H., & Gamage, P. (2016). Improve surface roughness in turning operation based on the factorial design methodology. Paper presented at the Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Symposium (MIES), (pp. 1-6), Colombo, Sri Lanka. doi: 10.1109/MIES.2016.7779986.

Gamage, P., Jayamaha, N. P., Grigg, N. P., and Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. (2014). Application of Taguchi’s Robust Parameter Design Approach to Optimise the Sewing Parameters to Minimise the Variability of Stitch Density. Paper presented at the International Statistics Conference 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Retrieved from https://louisville.edu/sphis/bb/iassl_proceedings.

Gamage, P., Jayamaha, N. P., Grigg, N. P., & Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. (2014). Comparative analysis of Taguchi’s crossed array approach vs combined array approach to robust parameter design: A study based on apparel industry. Paper presented at the Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM), 2014 IEEE International Conference, Malaysia.

Gamage, P., Jayamaha, N. P., Grigg, N. P., & Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. (2014). Testing the theoretical relationship between Taguchi’s robust design philosophy and Lean to improve manufacturing performance through continual improvement-an empirical study involving a large apparel manufacturer. Paper presented at the 12th ANZAM 2014, Auckland, NZ [Best Paper Award].

Gamage, P., Jayamaha, N. P., Grigg, N. P., & Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. (2013). Developing and testing a theoretical model integrating Taguchi’s quality philosophy in a Lean manufacturing context. Paper presented at the 11th ANZAM 2013, Brisbane, Australia.

Gamage P., Dharmapriya U.S.S, Kulatunga A.K., Pathirana S.D. Sandareka B.A.P.S., Wickramaarachchi W.L.I. and Mederigama M.R.N.N., Design and Development of Worker Performance Indices to Improve the Overall Productivity of a Plant, Proceedings: Annual Research Sessions 2008, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Dharmapriya U.S.S., Gamage P., Kulatunga A.K. and Siyambalapitiya S.B., Optimizing the Collection and Distribution Operations of a Tyre Re-manufacturing Plant, Proceedings: Annual Research Sessions 2008, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Poster with Refereed Abstract

Gamage, P., Jayamaha, N. P., Grigg, N. P. and Nanayakkara, N. K. B. M. P. (2014) Optimisation of Sewing Parameters to Minimise Variability of Stitch Density Using Taguchi’s Robust Design Approach. HETC Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Symposium presentation with Refereed Abstract

Gamage, P., Jayamaha, N. P., & Grigg, N. P. (2012). Integration of design of experiments within strong Lean manufacturing environment. Paper presented at the World Business Capability Congress, Auckland, NZ.