Dr. Eng. Kamalanath Samarakoon

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Dr. Eng. Kamalanath Samarakoon

Senior Lecturer

BIO

Dr. Eng. Kamalanath Samarakoon is a Senior Lecturer of the Department of Computer Engineering. He entered the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Peradeniya in 1985. He received the BScEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 1991, the M.Eng. in computer science from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand in 1996, and the Ph.D. degree from Cardiff University, the U.K. in 2012.

He has wide industrial experience, particularly in electrical power generation, instrumentation and controls. He joined Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the public power utility of Sri Lanka, in 1992 as an Electrical Engineer and worked 15 years in the areas of the hydro power plants rehabilitation, maintenance, instrumentation, and control and as a Chief Engineer (Computer application and IT).

In 2007, he joined the Department of Computer Engineering, the University of Peradeniya as a Senior Lecturer. From 2009 to 2012, he worked as a Research Assistant while studying for the Ph.D. degree at Cardiff University.

He has published more than 25 papers in journals and conferences. He is a Chartered Engineer in Sri Lanka and in the U.K. and a Member of the IESL and IET and a senior member of IEEE.

Research Interests:
  • Data Accqusistion and Computer Interfacing
  • Supevisory Control
  • Power System Control
  • Image Processing
Educational Qualifications:
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Cardiff University, United Kingdom, August 2012
  • Master of Engineering (‘Excellent’ pass) in Computer Science, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, Dec 1995
  • BScEng (Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, March 1991
Awards and Honours:
  1. Best Research Paper Award (3rd Place) at National Energy Symposium, Sri Lanka, 2015
  2. ‘Hiran Tillekeratne special Award‘ for the outstanding postgraduate research carried out in the field of Engineering from 2010 to 2012 awarded by University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka in 2013
  3. Member of the winning team of iSolve, The contest for developing business from the University Research, Cardiff University, UK, 2011
  4. ‘National Science and Technology Award ’ in the category of ‘Quality Improvement of Products, Processes, and Services’ for the R&D work conducted in CEB, organized by the National Science Foundation and Ministry of Science and Technology and awarded by His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka in 2006
  5. ‘Wimalasurendra Award’ for the best on the job Research and Development awarded by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka in 2000 for the R&D conducted in CEB
  6. ‘Award for Excellent Achievement’ in the Client-Server System Development Course conducted by Centre of the International Co-operation for Computerization (CICC), Tokyo, 1999
  7. Postgraduate scholarship to study abroad in Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, 1995
Consultancy and Professional Services
  • Chairman, Evaluation Panel for Recognizing Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree Programme, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 2020, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
  • Chairman, Evaluation Panel for Recognizing Bio-Medical Engineering Degree Programme, University of Moratuwa 2020, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
  • Chairman, Evaluation Panel for Recognizing Electronic and Communication Engineering Degree Programme, Open University of Sri Lanka, 2020, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
  • Chairman, Evaluation Panel for Recognizing Electronic and Communication Engineering Degree Programme, Kothalawela Defence University 2019, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
  • Panel Member, Evaluation Panel for Recognizing Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree Programme, University of Jaffna 2018 and 2019, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
  • Panel Member, Evaluation Panel for Recognizing Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree Programme, South Eastern University, Sri Lanka 2018, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka
  • Consultant, Kandy Municipality Council for design review of public addressing system and sound system, CCTV system of Kandy City Auditorium, 2019
  • TEC member, Kandy Municipality Council for procuring conferencing system for the council chamber
  • TEC member, Institute of the Fundamental Studies (IFS), Sri Lanka for procuring solar panel system worth Rs. 20 million,. 2018
  • Consultant for tender evaluation, for co-operatives and rural banks of Kandy district to purchase CCTV, Generators, computers and software 2014-2019
  • Consultant, Institute of the Fundamental Studies (IFS), Sri Lanka for rehabilitating electrical wiring system, 2017-2018
  • Consultant, Ceylon Electricity Board, Sri Lanka for evaluating contract documents and design reviews of electrical systems, 2018
  • Consultant, Tetra Tech Co. for designing and implementing new bulk supply electricity distribution systems for residential teacher training schools and multi-storied office premises of the Education Department worth more than LKR 100 million (160 kVA or more) 2015-2017.
  • Consultant, To Department of Engineering Services for the erection of electrical and communication systems of new Teldeniya Hospital 2017.
  • Review Committee Member, National Science and Technology Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka for Performance review of National Engineering Research and Development (NERD) Centre, Sri Lanka, 2013
  • Consultant, for Designing a Data Acquisition System for Kotmale Dam, HO&M, Mahaweli Authority, Ministry of Irrigation, Sri Lanka, 2006
  • Consultant, Feasibility study on Mini-hydro plants for Watawala Plantation Group (a leading tea plantation company), Sri Lanka, 2006,
  • Part-Time Advisor/Consultant for Programming, Diversified Agricultural Research Project (DARP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 1992 (To modify Payroll system of Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka)
Resource person in Continuing Professional Development programmes and workshops
  • Asia Clean Energy Forum, Asian Development Bank, Philippine, 2016
  • Solution for Kandy City Traffic Problem, Workshop organised by IESL – Kadurata Chapter in 2015
  • Workshops are conducted to promote Junior Inventor of the Year, organised by the Institution of Engineers’ (IESL), Sri Lanka for the students and school teachers of all zones of the Central Province in 2007, 2008 and from 2013 – 2018.
  • Panel Member for selecting Junior Inventor of the Year (preliminary rounds held in Central Province), organised by the Institution of Engineers’ (IESL), Kandurata Chapter, Sri Lanka from 2013 – 2018.
  • Teacher Training on Technology Stream
    • Electronics for Engineering Technology 2014
    • Electronics for Bio-Technology 2015
    • Electrical for Engineering Technology 2015
    • Electronic for Engineering Technology 2016
    • Electrical for Engineering Technology 2016
  • Power system frequency and voltage control through demand response using smart meters Presentation organized by IEEE, Power and Energy Society, Oct 2012
  • Smart metering and demand-side management in power system frequency and voltage control, Preconference workshop: Next Generation Power Systems (SMART GRIDS) 6th IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, 2011
  • Introduction of smart meters to Sri Lanka: Advantages, Challenges and Pitfalls, Presentation organized by Power High Voltage and Energy Systems Club (PHES) with IEEE Sri Lanka Central Region Subsection, July 2010
  • Use of smart meters for Kandy City Distribution Automation Project, A presentation made to the officers and engineers of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Kandy, July 2010
  • Computerization of Power Utilities, Seminar organized by Power Engineering Society, Faculty of Engineering, Peradeniya, 2006
  • Utility Wide Area Networks, CPD program organised by IEE Sri Lanka Chapter, January 2006
  • Data Acquisition System for Reliability Centered Maintenance of Power Plants, CPD program organised by IEE Sri Lanka Chapter, December, 2004
Continuous Professional Development
  • 2020: Training Programme on Preparing for IESL accreditation
  • 2019: Training for Panel Members Undertaking Accreditation Assessment Visits, IESL
  • 2013: Animation Technology Development, Fuzou, China
  • 2009-2012: Postgraduate research leading to PhD, Cardiff University, UK
  • 2012: Business and Enterprise, Cardiff University, UK
  • 2010: IEEE tutorials, Summer Meeting, Michigan, Detroit, USA
    • Smart distribution systems(0.8 IEEE CEU and 8 PDH)
    • Deeper view of smart grid (0.4 IEEE CEU and 4 PDH)
  • 2008: Academic Visitor, Research on integrating smart metering concepts to demand side management, Cardiff University, UK
  • 2008: Power System Modelling and Simulation, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya
  • 2008: Five day workshop on Exploring opportunities in nano-science and nano-technology, organised by Postgraduate Institute of Science and Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka, Kandy
  • 2007: Trained a Trainer Program Toastmasters International, District 82 P, Sri Lanka Division
  • 2007: JAVA EE5 Training, IT Centre, University of Peradeniya,  May
  • 2006: Hydropower development, Follow up training by Swedpower AB, Vietnam
  • 2005: Toastmasters International Speechcraft Communication Series, organised by Colombo Toastmasters Club
  • 2005: Hydropower development, Swedpower AB, Sweden
  • 1999: Client/Server Application System Development, Centre of the International Co-operation for Computerisation (CICC), Tokyo, Japan
  • 1995 – 1996: Postgraduate Research leading to M.Eng, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
Research and Development Experience
  • European Union-Sri Lanka Energy Erasmus + project for developing online masters energy programme with four Sri Lankan Universities. Project in progress 2019-2021
  • Use of mobile devices for science teaching, NRC Grant, Published two journal papers and three conference papers. 2013-2015
  • Use of smart meters for power system operation and controls, Cardiff University, UK, Obtained PhD degree, published two journal papers, four mono graphs and eight conference papers, received one award 2009-2012
  • Research and development in Ceylon Electricity Board, received two national awards. Published one journal paper and two conference papers 1996-2007
  • Development of object-oriented client server distributes systems, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand 1995-1996. Obtained Masters degree
  • Systems and Sensing, Peradeniya Engineering Faculty Research Group 1992, Published 3 conference papers
Appointments
  • Head of Department, Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, April 2019 to date.
  • Faculty Board Representative to the Peradeniya Engineering Faculty Alumni Association, 2018 to date
  • Faculty Representative to International Affairs Office, University of Peradeniya,  Jan 2019 to date.
  • Director, Engineering Education Unit, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, 2013 to 2019
  • Adviser/ Senior Treasurer, IET Student Chapter, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, 2015,2016,2017,2018
  • Founder Chairman, IEEE Sri Lanka Section-Central Region Subsection, 2005,2006
  • Editor (2013, 2007), Ex Co Member (2006),  Institution of  Engineers, Sri Lanka (Central Provincial Centre)
  • Convener(2007,2008), Public Relations Committee, Fac. of Engineering, University of Peradeniya
  • Treasurer (2013,2014,2015, 2017), Faculty board representative (2007,2008), Assist Secretary (1993) Peradeniya Engineering Faculty Alumni Association, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya
  • Vice President (Public Relations) (2006), Secretary (2007), Kandy Toastmasters Club
  • Board Member, Lions Club, Hill Capital Kandy, 2007,2008
Available for Supervision:
  • Yes
  • Support of mobile phones in a private network for science teaching

Sakunthala Yatigammana Ekanayake, Kamalanath Samarakoon,

International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM)

  • Genetic algorithm based cost optimization to integrate a community based wind turbine while considering smart appliances scheduling

AH Wijethunge, JV Wijekulasooriya, JB Ekanayake, KB Samarakoon, A Polpitiya,

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

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

Akila Herath, Supun Kodituwakku, Dinithi Dasanayake, Prabath Binduhewa, Janaka Ekanayake, Kamalanath Samarakoon,

Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering

  • Frequency response from electric vehicles

Jianzhong Wu, Janaka Ekanayake, Kamalanath Samarakoon

  • Use of delayed smart meter measurements for distribution state estimation

Kamalanath Samarakoon, Jianzhong Wu, Janaka Ekanayake, Nick Jenkins,

2011 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting

  • Selective load control to provide primary frequency response in the wake of introducing new large thermal power plants to Sri Lanka

Kamalanath Samarakoon, Janaka Ekanayake,

2011 6th International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems

  • Investigation of domestic load control to provide primary frequency response using smart meters

Kamalanath Samarakoon, Janaka Ekanayake, Nick Jenkins,

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid

  • Use of smart meters for frequency and voltage control

Kamalanath Bandara Samarakoon

  • Control of electricity networks using smart meter data

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

Proc. of CIGRE C6-114

  • Reporting available demand response

Kamalanath Samarakoon, Janaka Ekanayake, Nick Jenkins,

IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid

  • effective Way of Facilitating Outside Science Learning Activites Using Mobile Phones in Private Network

SY Ekanayake, K Samarakoon, SDK Wijesundara,

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

  • Photovoltaic emulator for smart grid test facility

Y Amirthagunaraj, FM Fazil, MMA Sawsan, PJ Binduhewa, JB Ekanayake, KM Liyanage, A Atputharajah, K Samarakoon,

Proceedings of the Peradeniya Univ. International Research Sessions. Sri Lanka

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

TMSSKY Ekanayake, KB Samarakoon, SDK Wijesundera

  • Development of Technical Concepts of DSP into smart meters

K Samarakoon, J Ekanayake, N Jenkins,

  • Survey of frequency control methods and demand side contribution in Sri Lanka and in the UK

K Samarakoon, Janaka Bandara Ekanayake

  • Demand side primary frequency response support through smart meter control

Kamalanath Samarakoon, Janaka Ekanayake,

2009 44th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC)

  • A survey of frequency control methods and demand side contribution in Sri Lanka and in Great Britain

Kamalanath Samarakoon, Janaka Ekanayake,

2009 International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS)

  • Development of a demonstration rig for providing primary frequency response through smart meters

WMT Vijayananda, Kamalanath Samarakoon, Janaka Ekanayake,

45th International Universities Power Engineering Conference UPEC2010

  • Smart metering and self-healing of distribution networks

Kamalanath Samarakoon, Janaka Ekanayake, Jianzhong Wu

2010 IEEE international conference on sustainable energy technologies (ICSET)

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

Kamalanath Samarakoon, OMEGA

  • Lightning Radiated Electromagnetic Fields and High Voltage Test

Prof Hoole, JB Ekanayake, KBS Samarakoon, BAAP Balasuriya,

Digest of the Fifth Biennial IEEE Conference on Electromagnetic Field Computation

  • This paper is shared only for educational purposes. If the paper is used for a different purposed please take the permission from the Publisher

LJ THOMAS, A BURCHILL, K SAMARAKOON, Y HE, J WU, J EKANAYAKE, N JENKINS

  • International review panel

Adrian Plesca, Debdoot Sheet, Gamini Dissanayake, Gihan Dias, Helder Leite, Janaka Ekanayake, Nimal Ekanayake, Ravinda Meegama, Saluka Kodituwakku, Saman Abeysekera, Udaya Annakkage, Ajith Tennakoon, Alagan Anpalagan, Amalka J Pinidiyaarachchi, Aruna Gunawardane, Asanga Ratnaweera, Chamila Walgampaya, Chathurika Dharmagunawardhana, Dhammika Elkaduwe, Disala Uduwawala, GMRI Godaliyadda, Himal Suraweera, Janaka Wijayakulasooriya, Jun Liang, KDR Jagath Kumara, Kamalanath Samarakoon, Karm Arya, Krishanthmohan Ratnam, Lakshika Nawarathna, Lilantha Samaranayake, Lochana Menikarachchi, Maheshi Buddhinee Dissanayake, Manjula Sandirigama, Manjula Udayanga Hemapala, Mervyn Parakrama Ekanayake, Nalin Harischandra

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

K Samarakoon, J Wu, J Ekanakaye, A Burchill, N Jenkins