Dr. Eng. Kamalanath Samarakoon

Welcome

Dr. Eng. Kamalanath Samarakoon

Professor in Computer Engineering

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

BSc.Eng.Hon (Peradeniya) M.Eng (AIT, Thailand) PhD (Cardiff, UK)
CEng, Member (IEE, UK) CEng, Fellow (IESL, Sri Lanka) IEEE Senior Member

About Me

I am a Professor in Computer Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, a position I have held since 2024. I joined the academic staff in 2007 as a Senior Lecturer, and have accumulated over three decades of combined industry and research experience spanning electrical engineering, power systems, and computer science.

I was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka in 1964 and studied at Dharmaraja College, Kandy from 1970 to 1983, where I served as Deputy Head Prefect and Vice Captain of both the General Knowledge and Debating teams. I entered the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya in 1985.

Before joining academia, I served for 15 years at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the public power utility of Sri Lanka, rising to Chief Engineer. I led hydropower plant rehabilitation projects, control and instrumentation engineering at three major hydro complexes, and headed IT & Computer Applications at the Mahaweli Hydro Complex.

More recently, I served as work package and task leader in the EU-funded Erasmus+ EUSLEnergy project (2020–2023), developing remote laboratories for wind, solar, wave, and thermal energy as part of a joint MSc programme across four Sri Lankan and five European universities. I also led the development of electrical and control systems for 35 cold rooms under the World Bank-funded Agriculture Sector Modernisation Project of Sri Lanka. My current focus includes AI applications in industrial systems, IoT, LLMs in engineering, and precision agriculture.

I am an active member of professional and community organisations including IESL, IET, IEEE, the Old Boys' Association of Dharmaraja College, the Dharmaraja College Archives Foundation (Founder President), PEFAA, Lions Club (Hill Capital, Kandy) and the Kandy Toastmasters Club. During school and beyond, I participated as captain and team member in oratory and general knowledge competitions, winning several provincial and national championships, including the Dulux Engineering Knowledge quiz championship televised on Sri Lanka Television Corporation (1992).

35+ Publications
654 Google Scholar Citations
11 h-index (Google Scholar)
15 Years at CEB
9 Awards & Honours
18+ IESL Accreditation Panels

Career Timeline

2024 – Present

Professor

Department of Computer Engineering

University of Peradeniya

Teaching and research in computer engineering, smart grid technologies, SCADA systems, and power system automation.

Jul 2024 – Jul 2025

Senior Lecturer (HG) & Head of Department — Computing

SLIIT Kandy University Campus, Pallekele

On sabbatical leave from University of Peradeniya. Led the Department of Computing; conducted undergraduate lectures and lab sessions in Database Systems, Operating Systems, and Secure Systems; interviewed and selected more than 20 academic staff members; successfully obtained Ministry of Higher Education Institutional Review compliance; and developed IoT and Networking Laboratories.

2022 – 2023

Director

Engineering Technology Incubation Centre

University of Peradeniya

Led the incubation centre supporting technology innovation and entrepreneurship within the Faculty of Engineering.

2019 – 2021

Head of Department

Department of Computer Engineering

University of Peradeniya

Oversaw academic and administrative functions of the department, curriculum development, and departmental research strategy.

2013 – 2019

Director

Engineering Education Unit (EEU)

University of Peradeniya

Led initiatives to improve engineering pedagogy and educational quality within the faculty.

2007 – 2024

Senior Lecturer

Department of Computer Engineering

University of Peradeniya

Teaching and research in computer engineering, smart grid technologies, SCADA systems, and power system automation.

Dec 2008 – Aug 2012

Research Assistant

Cardiff University, UK

On study leave from University of Peradeniya. Conducted research on smart metering and renewable energy, leading to a PhD degree.

Jun 2004 – Feb 2007

Visiting Lecturer

Department of Computer Engineering

University of Peradeniya

Taught Computer Interfacing while serving concurrently at CEB.

Mar 2006 – Feb 2007

Chief Engineer — IT & Computer Applications

Asset Management (Hydro Electrical) Division, CEB

Headed IT and Computer Applications for the hydro electrical asset management division of Ceylon Electricity Board.

Dec 2005 – Mar 2006

Chief Engineer — IT & Computer Applications

Mahaweli Hydro Complex, CEB

Led IT and Computer Applications at the Mahaweli Hydro Complex.

Jun 1999 – Dec 2005

Electrical Engineer — Instrumentation & Development

Mahaweli Hydro Complex, CEB

Responsible for instrumentation and development engineering across the Mahaweli Hydro Complex.

Dec 1996 – Jun 1999

Electrical Engineer — Control & Instrumentation

Randenigala & Rantambe Hydropower Stations, CEB

Control and instrumentation engineering at Randenigala (2×60 MW) and Rantambe (2×25 MW) hydropower stations and their 132 kV/220 kV switchyards.

Jun 1994 – May 1995

Electrical Engineer — Maintenance

Ukuwela Hydropower Station, CEB

Maintenance engineering for Ukuwela Hydropower Station (2×20 MW generators) and 132 kV switchyard.

Jun 1992 – Jun 1994

Electrical Engineer — Rehabilitation

Bowatenna Hydropower Station, CEB

Rehabilitation engineering for Bowatenna Hydropower Station (40 MW generator and 132 kV switchyard).

May 1992 – Jun 1992

Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer

Soil and Water Ltd. — Kandy District Water Supply & Sanitation Project

Designed a booster pump automation system using pressure sensors.

May 1991 – Apr 1992

Instructor

Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Engineering

University of Peradeniya

Conducted laboratory experiments for undergraduate courses.

Education

2012

Ph.D.

Use of Smart Meters for Frequency and Voltage Control

Cardiff University, United Kingdom

1996

M.Eng.

Computer Science — Object Oriented Modelling & Client/Server Architecture

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok, Thailand

1991

BScEng (Hons)

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

1970 – 1983

Secondary Schooling

Deputy Head Prefect · Vice Captain, GK & Debating Teams

Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Research Interests

SCADA & Industrial Control Systems

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems, communication protocols, and computer applications for industrial and power utility environments.

Smart Grid Technologies

Advanced power system management, demand response, and smart meter-enabled grid optimisation.

Renewable Energy Systems

Integration of PV-battery storage and wind turbines with optimisation strategies and energy management systems.

AI, Machine Learning & LLMs

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and large language models applied to industrial systems and engineering challenges.

Internet of Things (IoT / IIoT)

Industrial and consumer IoT applications, embedded systems, remote monitoring, and connected sensor networks.

Image Processing & Computer Vision

Applied computational techniques for pattern recognition, vision-based activity prediction, and knowledge extraction from data.

Precision Agriculture & Water Systems

Technology applications for precision agriculture, water quality/quantity monitoring, and data-driven management of natural resources.

Mobile & Remote Learning

Mobile applications and remote laboratories supporting science and engineering education in resource-constrained environments.

Publications

35+ journal articles, conference papers, monographs and technical reports  ·  Google Scholar: 654 citations, h-index 11  ·  Scopus: 413 citations, h-index 8

Journal Papers

2023

"Overlaying DAQ Systems on Existing Control Systems for Modernizing Power Plants to Realize Industry 4.0"

ENGINEER Journal, Vol. LVI, No. 04, pp. 123–135, The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka

K. Samarakoon

SCADAIndustry 4.0DAQ
2021

"The Correlation Between Three Teleconnections and Leptospirosis Incidence in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka, 2004–2019"

Tropical Medicine and Health (2021) 49:43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-021-00325-z

N.D.B. Ehelepola, K. Ariyaratne, A.M.S.M.C.M. Aththanayake, K. Samarakoon, H.M. Arjuna Thilakarathna

EpidemiologyData Analysis
2019

"Comparison of Optimization- and Rule-Based EMS for Domestic PV-Battery Installation with Time-Varying Local SoC Limits"

Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hindawi, Vol. 2019, Article ID 8162475

A. Herath, S. Kodituwakku, D. Dasanayake, P. Binduhewa, J. Ekanayake, K. Samarakoon

Smart GridEnergy StorageEMS
2016

"Support of Mobile Phones in a Private Network for Science Learning"

International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, Vol. 10(2)

S.Y. Ekanayake, K. Samarakoon

Mobile LearningEducation Technology
2015

"Novel Way of Using Mobile Phone for an Outside Science Learning Activity"

Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal (LICEJ), Vol. 6(3), pp. 2005–2012

T.M.S.S.K.Y. Ekanayake, K.B. Samarakoon, S.D.K. Wijesundara

Mobile Learning
2013

"Reporting Available Demand Response"

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, Vol. 4(4), pp. 1842–1851

K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins

Demand ResponseIEEE Trans.Smart Grid
2012

"Investigation of Domestic Load Control to Provide Primary Frequency Response Using Smart Meters"

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, Vol. 3(1), pp. 282–292

K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins

Frequency ResponseSmart MetersIEEE Trans.
2007

"Wake Up Call: Sustainability of the State-of-the-Art Utility SCADA Systems"

Annual Transactions of IESL, Vol. 1 Part B, pp. 181–185

K. Samarakoon

SCADAPower Utilities

Monographs & Theses

2012

"Use of Smart Meters for Frequency and Voltage Control" — Ph.D. Thesis

Cardiff University, United Kingdom

K. Samarakoon

2010

"Assessment of Smart Metering for Control of Micro-generation and Cells"

Supergen III: Highly Distributed Energy Futures, EPSRC/HiDEF/TR/2010-09, Cardiff University

K. Samarakoon, J. Wu, J. Ekanayake, A. Burchill, N. Jenkins

2008

"Development of Technical Concepts of DSP into Smart Meters"

Centre for Distributed Generation and Sustainable Electrical Energy, Cardiff University

K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins

2008

"Role of Smart Meters and Demand-Side Participation to Accommodate the Expected Addition of Wind and Renewable Energy"

Study based on UK Renewable Energy Strategy Consultations and UK White Paper on Energy, Cardiff University

K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins

1996

"Object Oriented Modelling of and Mapping Applications to Distributed Client/Server Architecture" — M.Eng. Thesis

Thesis No CS-96-15, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

K. Samarakoon

Selected Conference Papers

2017

"Genetic Algorithm Based Cost Optimization to Integrate a Community-Based Wind Turbine While Considering Smart Appliances Scheduling"

12th IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), 2017

A. Wijethunga, J. Wijayakulasooriya, S.M.K.B. Samarakoon, J.B. Ekanayake, A. Polpitiya

Smart GridWind EnergyOptimization
2017

"Development of Low-Cost Weather Data Collecting System for Public Use to Evaluate Effects of Weather on Natural Disasters"

Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE), 2017

S.M.K.B. Samarakoon, M.D.D. Gunarathne, K.V.I. Kumara, L. Wijewardana

2016

"Near-Real Time Vehicle Diagnostic Data Collection and On-line Vehicle Monitoring System"

Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE), 2016

H.M.A.B. Herath, S.M.K.B. Samarakoon

2015

"Effective Demand Side Management for an Isolated Island Power System in Sri Lanka with Renewable Energy Sources"

Vidulka National Energy Symposium, 2015 & Asia Clean Energy Forum, 2016, Philippines

K. Ratneshwaran, K. Samarakoon, B. Drysdale, J. Ekanayake

Demand Side ManagementRenewable Energy
2012

"Control of Electricity Network Using Smart Meter Data"

CIGRE 2012

L.J. Thomas, A. Burchill, K. Samarakoon, Y. He, J. Wu, J. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins

2011

"Selective Load Control to Provide Primary Frequency Response in Sri Lanka"

6th IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), 2011, pp. 204–209

K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake

Frequency ResponseLoad Control
2011

"Use of Delayed Smart Meter Measurements for Distribution State Estimation"

IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting, 2011, pp. 1–6

K. Samarakoon, J. Wu, J. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins

Smart MetersDistribution Networks
2011

"Frequency Response from Electric Vehicles"

1st International Conference on Smart Grid, Green Communications and IT Energy-aware Technologies (ENERGY 2011)

J. Wu, J. Ekanayake, K. Samarakoon

Electric VehiclesSmart Grid
2010

"Development of a Demonstration Rig for Providing Primary Frequency Response Through Smart Meters"

45th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), 2010, pp. 1–6

W.M.T. Vijayananda, K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake

Frequency ResponseSmart Meters
2010

"Smart Metering and Self-Healing of Distribution Networks"

IEEE International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies (ICSET), 2010, pp. 1–5

K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake, J. Wu

Smart MetersDistribution Networks
2009

"Demand Side Primary Frequency Response Support Through Smart Meter Control"

44th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), 2009, pp. 1–5

K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake

Frequency ResponseSmart Meters
2009

"A Survey of Frequency Control Methods and Demand-Side Contribution in Sri Lanka and Great Britain"

IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), 2009, pp. 454–459

K. Samarakoon, J. Ekanayake

Frequency ControlDemand Response
2007

"Mechanisms for Timing Optimization and Reliability of a Fast Data Acquisition System"

IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), pp. 435–440

K. Samarakoon

Data AcquisitionSCADA
2005

"Data Acquisition System for Hydro Power Plant Operation and Maintenance Automation"

IEEE International Conference on Information and Automation (IICIA), December 2005

K. Samarakoon

Awards & Honours

2013

Hiran Tillekeratne Special Award

Outstanding Postgraduate Research in Engineering (2010–2012)

University Grants Commission (UGC), Sri Lanka

2015

Best Research Paper Award (3rd Place)

National Energy Symposium, Sri Lanka

2006

National Science & Technology Award

R&D Quality Improvements

Sri Lanka

2000

Wimalasurendra Award

Best On-the-Job R&D

Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL)

1999

Excellent Achievement Award

Client-Server System Development

CICC, Tokyo, Japan

2011

iSolve Winning Team

Contest for developing business from University Research

Cardiff University, United Kingdom

2026

Runners-Up — Three-Minute Pitch on Product Commercialization

Colloquium in Academic Participation for Sri Lankan Education (CAPSLE)

Fulbright Commission, Sri Lanka

1992

Winner — Dulux Inter-University Challenge Quiz (Engineering)

Captain of the University of Peradeniya team; telecasted by Sri Lanka Television Corporation

Chemical Industries (Colombo) Ltd.

President's Award

Sri Lanka

Memberships & Credentials

Member (MIET)

Institution of Engineering and Technology, United Kingdom

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Fellow (FIESL) — since 2023

Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (Member since 1997)

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Senior Member — since 2017

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (Member since 2001)

Service & Activities

Appointments & Positions

Adjunct Faculty

Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India — since 2023

Chairman / Member, IESL Accreditation Panels

Served on 18 evaluation panels (Chairman in 10, Member in 8) for Computer, Electronics & Communication, Biomedical, and Electrical & Electronic Engineering programmes — since 2018

Chairman, Programme Review Panel

Ministry of Higher Education, Sri Lanka — BSc Eng (Hons) in ICE at SLTC, Padukka, 2025

Member, Business Plan Development Committee — JRDC

China-Sri Lanka Joint Research & Development Centre, appointed by Ministry of Water Supply & Estate Infrastructure, 2023

Faculty Representative, Research Committee — JRDC

China-Sri Lanka Joint Research & Development Centre, May 2023 – July 2024

Director, Engineering Education Unit (EEU)

Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya — 2013 to 2019

PEFAA — Peradeniya Engineering Faculty Alumni Association

Faculty Board Representative (2018–present, 2007–2008) · Treasurer (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017) · Ex-Co Member (2016, 2018, 2025) · Assistant Secretary (1993)

IESL — Central Provincial Centre

Editor (2013, 2007) · Ex-Co Member (2008, 2019)

Public Relations Committee, Faculty of Engineering

Convener (2007, 2008) — University of Peradeniya

IEEE Sri Lanka — Central Region Subsection

Founder Chairman (2005, 2006)

IET Student Chapter, Faculty of Engineering

Adviser / Senior Treasurer (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) — University of Peradeniya

Member, Price Committee

Chief Secretary's Office, Central Province — 2020, 2021

Founder President, Dharmaraja College Archives Foundation

Established and developed the school archive (considered the best school archive in Sri Lanka) — 2000 to present

Secretary, Engineering Faculty Teachers' Union

University of Peradeniya — 2013, 2014

Kandy Toastmasters Club

Secretary (2007) · VP Public Relations (2006) · Charter Member (2005)

Lions Club — Hill Capital, Kandy

Board Member (2007, 2008) · Charter Member (2007)

Consultancy

2013

Review Committee Member, National Science and Technology Commission — Performance Review of National Engineering Research and Development (NERD) Centre, Sri Lanka

2006

Consultant — Designing a Data Acquisition System for Kotmale Dam, HO&M Division, Mahaweli Authority, Ministry of Irrigation, Sri Lanka

2006

Consultant — Feasibility Study on Mini-hydro Plants for Watawala Plantation Group, Sri Lanka

1992

Part-Time Adviser / Consultant — Programming for DARP/USAID project (Payroll System, Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka)

Invited Lectures & Keynotes

2022

Keynote Speaker — 6th International Joint Conference on Computing Sciences (ICCS-2022), Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India

2022

Faculty Scholarly Exchange Programme: "Best Practices in Writing and Publishing Research Articles" — Faculty of Indigenous Social Sciences and Management Studies, Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Gampaha

2016

Asia Clean Energy Forum 2016 — Demand side support in power system control to accommodate more renewable energy, Philippines

2016

"Set the Mindset of Students to Do Inventions and Innovations" — Chandananda Buddhist School, Kandy

2011

Pre-conference Workshop: Next Generation of Power Systems — 6th IEEE ICIIS, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya

2007

Eng. D.J. Wimalasurendra Memorial Lecture — Annual commemoration lecture, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka

2006

"Computerization of Power Utilities" — Seminar, Power Engineering Society, Faculty of Engineering, Peradeniya

2006

"Utility Wide Area Networks" — CPD programme organised by IEE Sri Lanka Chapter

2004

"Data Acquisition System for Reliability Centred Maintenance of Power Plants" — CPD programme, IEE Sri Lanka Chapter

1995

"Power Plants and Their Protection Systems" — Electrical and Electronic Engineering Society, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya

Resource Person & Community Outreach

2025

Building Integrated Hydrology Risk Coordination System in Sri Lanka — Invited by the Hon. Governor, Central Province

2025

Workshop on Using Advanced Technologies — Invited by the Secretary of the Central Province on the direction of the Hon. Governor

2025

AI Literacy for All — Non-Science Graduate Student Training Programme organised by LEARN

2025

AI in Accounting — Online seminar for Chartered Accountants organised by Association of Chartered Accountants, Kandy

2024

Teacher Training on AI for Education — Trained ~50 teachers at Sumangala MV, Bandarawela; ~150 teachers in Central Province

2024

Promoting AI Among School Students — Hillwood, Pushpadana, St Anthony's Girls' Colleges (Kandy), Zahira and St Thomas Boys' College (Matale)

2024

Chief Guest — All Island Inter School Innovation Competition and Exhibition (MELIORA'24), Mahamaya College, Kandy

2016

Smart Metering and Demand Side Management in Power System Frequency and Voltage Control — Pre-conference Workshop: Next Generation Power Systems (Smart Grids), 6th IEEE ICIIS, University of Peradeniya

2016

Solution for Kandy City Traffic Problem — Workshop organised by IESL Kandurata Chapter

2013 – present

Junior Inventor of the Year — Workshops for school teachers and students in Central Province; Panel Member / Judge, Preliminary Round (IESL)

2012

Power System Frequency and Voltage Control through Demand Response — Presentation, IEEE Power and Energy Society

2010

"Introduction of Smart Meters to Sri Lanka: Advantages, Challenges and Pitfalls" — Presentation, PHES with IEEE Sri Lanka Central Region Subsection

Reviewer & Conference Roles

International Journal Reviewer

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid · IEEE Transactions on Power Systems · IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics · Electric Power Components & Systems · IEEE Access · Electrical Power & Energy (Elsevier) · Ceylon Journal of Sciences — 2012–present

IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS)

Reviewer — 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023

Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE)

Reviewer — 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

Session Chair / Co-Chair

ICIIS 2017 · APAN 2023, Sri Lanka · APAN 2025, Hong Kong · iPURSE 2015

Continuous Professional Development

2026

Colloquium in Academic Participation for Sri Lankan Education (CAPSLE) — Fulbright Commission, Sri Lanka

2025

Train the Trainer Programme on the Use of AI — AI Opportunity Fund of Asia-Pacific and LEARN Sri Lanka

2025

Train the Trainer Course on the Use of AI — Asia Pacific University, Malaysia, UNESCO Chair Programme and LEARN Sri Lanka

2022

Erasmus+ EUSL Energy Project — Progress Meetings and Site Visits, Netherlands (2022); France, Finland, Sweden (2023)

2022

Training Programme on Washington Accord Accreditation

2021

Developing Database Applications with the Oracle Academy Cloud Program — Oracle Academy

2020

Training Programme on Preparing for IESL Accreditation

2020

Insight into Green Building Practices and Sustainable Development — Green Building Council

2020

Image Processing and Machine Learning Methods for Image Analysis

2019

Workshop on Machine Learning — Postgraduate Institute of Science

2018

Theory and Practices of Problem-Based and Flipped Learning — Staff Development Centre, University of Peradeniya

2014

Electronic Printed Circuit Board Design and Fabrication — Engineering Design Centre, University of Peradeniya

2013

Animation Technology Development — Fuzhou, China

2013

Induction Programme for Academic Staff — Staff Development Centre, University of Peradeniya

2011

Business and Enterprise — Cardiff University, UK

2010

IEEE Tutorials, Summer Meeting — Michigan, Detroit, USA (Smart Distribution Systems; Deeper View of Smart Grid)

2008

Academic Visitor, Research on Smart Metering & Demand Side Management — Cardiff University, UK

2008

Five-day Workshop on Nano-science and Nano-technology — PGIS & IESL, Kandy

2007

Train the Trainer Programme — Toastmasters International, District 82P, Sri Lanka

2007

JAVA EE5 Training — IT Centre, University of Peradeniya

2006

Hydropower Development Follow-up Training — Swedpower AB, Vietnam

2005

Hydropower Development — Swedpower AB, Sweden

1999

Client/Server Application System Development — CICC, Tokyo, Japan

Contact

Office

Department of Computer Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
University of Peradeniya
Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
Tel: (+94) 081 239 3918

Home

363, Madawala Road, Katugastota 20800, Sri Lanka
Tel: (+94) 081 2499199

Mobile

(+94) 071 2277994