Ms. K. K. K. Sylva

Academic Staff Member:

Ms. K. K. K. Sylva

Senior Lecturer

Biography:

K. K. K. Sylva is having 20 years of experience in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. She was attached to the University of Ruhuna at the inception of the Faculty of Engineering in 2000 and served there for 11 years. She was working as a visiting lecturer for the University of Peradeniya during this period. She joined the University of Peradeniya as a permanent member in 2014. Memoir of her life is to cater for the development of young professionals; especially in the areas of communication and soft, transferable skills and to enhance their capabilities in meeting the complex challenges of the modern society they serve. She contributes to the area of sustainable development by volunteering to serve in the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka in their activities and carrying out research in the area of sustainability.

Educational Qualifications:
  • M.Sc.  (Energy Systems), University of Gävle, Sweden | Thesis: Modelling of EOE Pereira Auditorium Modeling and Optimization of Energy Utilization of Air Ventilation System of an Auditorium, 2018
  • MBA, Post Graduate Institute of Management, 2013
  • M.Eng. (Geotechnical Engineering), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), 1995
  • B.Sc. Eng. (Hons) (Civil Engineering), University of Peradeniya, 1992
Professional Qualifications:
  • Member Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (MILT)
  • Member Australian Maritime Logistics Research Network (AMLRN)
  • Associate Member of Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka
  • Certified Business Accountant at Institute of Chartered Accountants Sri Lanka 
  • Deputy Director (Research and Environmental Management), Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CES), University of Peradeniya (UOP), Sri Lanka from December 2024 to date.
  • Head of the Department – Department of Engineering Management, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya from November 2018 to November 2024.
  • Postgraduate Coordinator – Postgraduate Programme in Construction and Project Management from December 2015 to December 2018
Appointments (Selected):
  • Associate Research Fellow at University of Wollongong Australia (2023/24)
  • Casual Academic at University of Wollongong Australia (2022-2024)
  • Business Operations Manager (2015 to 2017), Rockwell Automation Asia Pacific Business Center, Singapore
  • Senior Lecturer (2014 – to date), Department of Engineering Management, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
  • Business Planning Manager (2011-2015), Rockwell Automation Asia Pacific Business Center, Singapore
  • Project Manager (2005-2009), Johnson Electric, Hong Kong
  • Systems and Pre Sales Engineer (2002-2003), hSenid Software International, Sri Lanka
  • Lecturer (2000-2011), Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
  • Civil Engineer (1998-1999) (Planning and scheduling), LAN Management Service (Pvt.) Ltd, Sri Lanka
  • Scientist (1996-1997), National Building Research Organization (NBRO) Sri Lanka
  • Civil Engineer (1995-1996), International Blaster, Bagna, Bangkok, Thailand
Research Interests:
  • Sustainability and Sustainable Economies: Green/Circular Economy
  • Engineering Management/Leadership/Entrepreneurship/CSR
  • Resilient and Sustainable Communities/Cities for Disaster Mitigation
  • Education/Adult Education
Publications:
  • Sylva, K. K. K., Kithsiri, U. G., Bogahawatta, S., Senanayake, N. S., and Abeyweera, R., 2014. Dendro Power Generation in Sri Lanka – Successes, Failures and Policies. SLEMA, V17(2), pp:20-26.
  • Sylva, K. K. K., 2016. Modeling and Optimization of Energy Utilization of Air Ventilation System of an Auditorium. Independent Thesis Advanced level (degree of Master -Two Years), University of Gävle, Faculty of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Department of Building, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Energy system. OUSL (KTH)
  • Kumara, A. R. W. M. M. N. R., Vitharana, M. V. D. L, and Sylva, K. K. K., 2016. A comprehensive guideline for selecting building materials for a sustainable built environment: an approach through life cycle analysis. In: 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 16 – 18, 2016.
  • Thennakoon, T.M.C.Y., Nawarathna, N. M. H. B. and Sylva, K. K. K., 2017. A circular economic model for construction industry waste management. In: 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 7 – 10, 2017.
  • Pallekumbura, P.K.W.A.S.K., Bandara, B.G.A.S. and Sylva, K. K. K., 2017. A model for the application of triple-p concept in management of public buildings and infrastructure for sustainability. In: 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 7 – 10, 2017.
  • Herath, H. M.U. R., Gomes, T. K. and Sylva, K. K. K., 2017. A preliminary user guide for comparison of green building material alternatives through life cycle analysis. In: 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 7 – 10, 2017.
  • Sylva K.K.K. (2018) A Circular Economic Model for a Sustainable City in South Asia. International Conference on Sustainable Development Research in the Asia-Pacific, SDRAP 2017, Melbourne, Australia. July 25-28, 2017.
  • Somachandra, V. and Sylva, K., 2017. Ethical management practice”, as a CSR tool to ensure the corporate sustainability of construction industry: a conceptual review. In: international conference on technology management (INCOTEM), Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
  • Herath, H. M.U. R., Sylva, K. K. K., and Dissanayake, P. B. R., 2018. Performance of fly-ash based light weight concrete block: A case study on selection of green building material related to contextual considerations. 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 13 – 15, 2018.
  • Niroshana,  W. V. N., Dissanayaka D. D. J. K., and Sylva, K. K. K., 2018. Land-use planning model: a case study on business improvement district (BID). In: 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 13 – 15, 2018.
  • Udapitiya, G.A.M.A.S.B., Rathnayake, R.M.T. and Sylva, K. K. K., 2018. Transit-oriented development (TOD) – verification of application possibilities in Sri Lanka. In: 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 13 – 15, 2018.
  • Somachandra W. D. I. V., Sylva K. K. K., and Dissanayake, P. B. R., 2018. Business process CSR towards sustainability: contribution of the client organizations of construction industry. In: 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 13 – 15, 2018.
  • Hippola, H. M. S. S., Jayasooriya, E. M. S. D., Jayasiri, G. P., Randil, C., Perera, C., Sylva, K. K. K., Kulathunga, A. K., Bandara, C. S., Siriwardena, C. S. A. and Dissanayake, P. B. R., 2020. Gap Assessment of Warning and Dissemination Process of Early Warning System in Coastal Areas of Sri Lanka. In: 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 13 – 15, 2018.
  • Jayasooriya, E. M. S. D., Hippola. H. M. S. S., Bandara, C. S., Kulathunga, A. K., Sylva, K. K. K., Dissanayake, P. B. R., Jayasiri, G. P., Randil, C., Perera, C. and Siriwardana, C. S. A., 2020. Gaps in the Evacuation of People with Special Needs During Coastal Disasters in Sri Lanka. In: 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 13 – 15, 2018.
  • Somachandra, V., Sylva, K., and Dissanayake, R., 2018. Construction industry focus towards sustainability through corporate social responsibility. In: international Conference on Disaster Management (ICDM), Padang, Indonesia, May 2 – 4, 2018.
  • Somachandra W.D.I.V., Sylva K.K.K. and Dissanayake P.B.R., 2019. Strengthening Sustainability in Sri Lankan Construction Industry: Through Corporate Social Responsibility. International Conference on Sustainable Development Research the Asia-Pacific, SDRAP 2019, Gwalior, lndia. December 19-21, 2019.
  • Sylva, K. K. K. and Sylva, K. K. L. A., 2019. Sustainable City Planning and Management Strategies in Vernacular Settlement Patterns in Sri Lanka. International Conference on sustainable Development Research in the Asia-Pacific, SDRAP 2019, Gwalior, India. December 19-21, 2019
  • Sylva, K. K. K., 2019. Public-Private-Partnership in Disaster Risk Management. International conference on Capacity building for research and innovation in disaster resilience. Colombo, Sri Lanka, January 14-18, 2019.
  • Weerasekara, W.M.S.N., Sylva K.K.K., Dissanayaka, S.M. (2023) Sustainable Construction of Transport Connectivity and Asset Management Project, Sri Lanka, The 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment. 15 – 17 December 2023, Kandy, Sri Lanka, pp.256.
  • Wadugodapitiya, R.R.M.M.K., Sylva K.K.K., Dissanayaka, S.M. (2023) Flexibility to Incorporate Circular Economic Practices within Built Environment Procurement Contracts in Sri Lanka, The 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment. 15 – 17 December 2023, Kandy, Sri Lanka, pp.110.
Edited book chapters and Journal papers:
  • Sylva K.K.K. (2018) A Circular Economic Model for a Sustainable City in South Asia. In: Leal Filho W., Rogers J., Iyer-Raniga U. (eds) Sustainable Development Research in the Asia-Pacific Region. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73293-0_20
  • Jayasooriya, E. M. S. D., Hippola. H. M. S. S., Bandara, C. S., Kulathunga, A. K., Sylva, K. K. K., Dissanayake, P. B. R., Jayasiri, G. P., Randil, C., Perera, C. and Siriwardana, C. S. A., 2020. Gaps in the Evacuation of People with Special Needs During Coastal Disasters in Sri Lanka. In: Dissanayake R., Mendis P. (eds) ICSBE 2018. ICSBE 2018. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 44. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9749-3_5
  • Hippola, H. M. S. S., Jayasooriya, E. M. S. D., Jayasiri, G. P., Randil, C., Perera, C., Sylva, K. K. K., Kulathunga, A. K., Bandara, C. S., Siriwardena, C. S. A. and Dissanayake, P. B. R., 2020. Gap Assessment of Warning and Dissemination Process of Early Warning System in Coastal Areas of Sri Lanka. In: Dissanayake R., Mendis P. (eds) ICSBE 2018. ICSBE 2018. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 44. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9749-3_4
  • Udapitiya G.A.M.A.S.B., Rathnayake R.M.T., Sylva K.K.K., 2020. Land-Use Planning Model: A Case Study on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). In: Dissanayake R., Mendis P. (eds) ICSBE 2018. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 44. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9749-3_17
  • Sylva, K. K., 2020. A Value for the Non-Valued: Valuation of Ecosystem Resources. In S. Patti, & G. Trizzino (Eds.), Advanced Integrated Approaches to Environmental Economics and Policy: Emerging Research and Opportunities (pp. 49-70). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-9562-5.ch003
  • Sylva K., 2020. Proficiency for Assessment in Quality Education: Internalization of Values of Sustainability. In: Leal Filho W., Azul A.M., Brandli L., Özuyar P.G., Wall T. (eds) Quality Education. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95870-5_73
  • Sylva. K, 2020. Paradigms of Poverty: Concepts and Causes. In: Leal Filho W., Azul A., Brandli L., Lange Salvia A., Özuyar P., Wall T. (eds) No Poverty. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69625-6_78-1
  • Sylva K., 2020. Global Policy-Making Process of Inequality Reduction: Equalities and Non-equalities of Inequality. In: Leal Filho W., Azul A., Brandli L., Özuyar P., Wall T. (eds) Reduced Inequalities. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71060-0_50-1
  • Sylva K., 2020. Regulatory Paradigm Shift for Social Peace and Justice. In: Leal Filho W., Azul A.M., Brandli L., Lange Salvia A., Özuyar P.G., Wall T. (eds) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71066-2_59-1
  • Sylva, K., Sylva, A. (2021). Sustainable City Planning and Management Strategies in Vernacular Settlement Patterns in Sri Lanka. In: Iyer-Raniga, U. (eds) Sustainability in the Built Environment in the 21st Century: Lessons Learned from India and the Region. SDRAP 2019. Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61891-9_9
  • Somachandra, W.D.I.V., Sylva, K. K. K., Dissanayake, P.B.R. (2021). Strengthening Sustainability in Sri Lankan Construction Industry: Through Corporate Social Responsibility. In: Iyer-Raniga, U. (eds) Sustainability in the Built Environment in the 21st Century: Lessons Learned from India and the Region. SDRAP 2019. Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61891-9_14
  • Somachandra, W. D. I. V., Sylva, K. K. K., Bandara C. S. and Dissanayake P. B. R., 2022. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in the construction industry of Sri Lanka, International Journal of Construction Management, DOI: 10.1080/15623599.2022.2049489
  • Sylva, K., Iyer‐Raniga, U., 2023. Partnership in the Built Environment for Realizing the 2030 Agenda: A Soft Systems Model Incorporating Systems Theory and the Circular Economy. In: Walker, T., Cucuzzella, C., Goubran, S., Geith, R. (eds) The Role of Design, Construction, and Real Estate in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28739-8_9
  • Ho, O., Iyer-Raniga, U., Sadykova, C., Balasooriya, M., Sylva, K., Dissanayaka, M., Sukwanchai, K., Pal, I., Bhatia, A., Jain, D., and Sivapalan, S., 2024. A conceptual model for integrating circular economy in the built environment: An analysis of literature and local-based case studies. Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141516.
  • Ho, O., Iyer-Raniga, U., Sylva, K., Sivapalan, S., Dissanayaka, S. M., & Sadykova, C. (2024). Circular economy education: student feedback from five higher education institutions in the Asia Pacific. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe-07-2023-0292
  • Sylva, K., Ho, O., Iyer-Raniga, U., Dissanayaka, M., Sivapalan, S. (2025). Facilitation of the Internalization Process of Circular Economic Concepts in Students Through Quality Education: Use of Case Studies in Teaching. In: Leal Filho, W., Gasparetto Rebelatto, B., Annelin, A., Boström, GO. (eds) Competence Building in Sustainable Development. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-80380-2_12
  • Sylva, K.K.K., Shanthini, R. (2024). Higher Order Circularity Strategies in Wastewater Treatment: A Case Study from Vernacular Settlements of Sri Lanka. In: Yadav, S., Ghangrekar, M.M., Yadava, R.N. (eds) Emerging Technologies in Biological and Hybrid Wastewater Treatment: Lessons from Developed to Enhancing Practices in Developing Countries. Earth and Environmental Sciences Library. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-74515-7_14
  • Kumarasinghe, K.A.G.G.K., Sylva, K.K.K. (2024). Resource Management in Irrigation Projects of Sri Lanka Using Principles of Circular Economy. In: Dissanayake, R., et al. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment. ICSBE 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 517. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3737-6_29
  • Balasooriya, B.M.M.I., Sylva, K.K.K. (2024). Application of Circular Economic Concepts at Construction Waste Management (Cowam) Project, Dadalla, Sri Lanka. In: Dissanayake, R., et al. Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment. ICSBE 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 517. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3737-6_30
  • Khajuria, A., Verma, P., Vella, A., Zanini-Freitag, D., Xin, H., Murthy, I. K., Arora, J. K., Sylva, K., Menon, L., Pardeshi, S., Kral, U., Liu, X. (2025). The SDG accelerator: Circular economy solutions through efficient sustainable consumption, Circular Economy, 4 (2). ISSN 2773-1677, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cec.2025.100140