As mentioned above, my broader research interests fall in the areas of electrical machines and drives, digital control, estimation and identification, non-linear control, instrumentation, automation, renewable energy, micro grids, and hybrid electric systems.

With my research grant successes and postgraduate supervision, instrumentation leading to conditioning monitoring, renewable energy and micro grids can be highlighted as the thrust areas going forward.

In relation to instrumentation leading to conditioning monitoring, I have been able to attract a major grant (as CI) from Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) on “Moving Vehicle Rail Foot Flaw Detection”. I was also successful in attracting another grant (as PI) titled “Review and Simulation of Crack Detection Methodologies for Industrial Applications” through Joint ACK-CQU Research Grant Scheme. Through the same scheme, I was also successful in getting another grant (as PI) titled “Distributed fault diagnosis for power systems using signature tracking”, which mainly deals with the condition monitoring of grid connected electrical machines. Rail flaw detection, pipe crack detection and the condition monitoring of electrical machines are very significant applied research ensuring undisrupted industrial operations, which could save millions of dollars for the industry by avoiding unplanned down times and costly accidents.

In relation to renewable energy and micro grids, I have been able to attract a major grant (as PI) from Advance Queensland Grant Scheme on “Battery and Micro Grid Management Systems”. My most recent grant (as CI) titled “Network Studies for dSTATCOMs to Support Distributed Solar Generation” from eleXsys Energy Pty Ltd and Whitsunday Regional Council-CQUniversity Elevate Scholarship to support the project titled “Optimized Operation of Solar Powered Water Treatment Plants for Whitsunday Regional Council” are also in the areas of renewable energy and micro grids. My goal for the future research in this area is to put more emphasis on fuel cell-battery hybrid energy systems for future transportation systems such as electric ferries and for energy systems for remote communities. With Australia’s carbon reduction targets and drive toward Hydrogen economy, this research has a strong potential in attracting a lot of external funding in the years to come.

Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden (PhD)

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (B.Sc. Eng (Honours))

CQUniversity, Australia

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

1. Senior Fellow – Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) (2020)

I have been able to achieve a strong track record of quality teaching and my efforts have been internationally benchmarked with the achieving of Senior Fellow – Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), which is in recognition of attainment against the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in higher education in 2020.

2. Gledden Visiting Fellowships - The University of Western Australia 27^th January to 23^rd April 2008.

I was involved in advanced research within the Systems Engineering group of the School of EECE mainly in the area of Sliding Mode Observers. I have shown a lot of dedication and commitment in producing the maximum possible outcome from my stay here and within the period of 12 weeks, I was able to finalize and submit 10 research publications (5 publications for peer reviewed journals and 5 publications for peer reviewed conferences) detailed in my list of publications.

3. Graduate School of life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan (September 2006)

I was awarded this postdoctoral research fellowship by the Graduate School of life Science and Systems Engineering of Kyushu Institute of Technology in order to initiate research on soft actuators and sensors using ionic polymer-metal composite technology. The visit yielded several recent publications and also active research collaboration between the two institutes.

“Hybrid Power Will Energise the Future”, Gladstone Observer, 14^th December, 2010, Page 15

“Industrial Growth Has Gladstone Playing Host”,Gladstone Observer, 09^th February, 2011, Page 17

“CQU Arm Trains Workforce”, CQ Industry Bi-Monthly Edition – February 2011, Page 09

“Symposium on Hybrid Electric Systems for Heavy Machinery”, Gladstone News, February 19^th, 2011, Page 8

“CQUniversity Gladstone Hosts the Symposium on Hybrid Electric Systems for Heavy Machinery”, Gladstone News, February 26^th, 2011, Front Page and Page 8

“Hybrid Tech Opens Eyes”, Gladstone Observer, 01^st March, 2011, Page 5

 http://uninews.cqu.edu.au/UniNews/viewStory.do?story=7682

Teaching at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka:

1.      Currently working as a Senior Lecturer – electrical engineering in the Central Queensland University Gladstone Campus attached to the School of Engineering and Technology of the Division of Higher Education - Since 02^nd July 2009.

2.      Worked as Head of Department and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, SRI LANKA

(http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/pages/departmentHome/EE/index_elec.html) - Since May 2000 till 28^th June 2009.

3.      Worked as a probationary lecturer in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, SRI LANKA

(http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/pages/departmentHome/EE/index_elec.html) - Three & a half years since October 1996.

4.      Worked as a temporary instructor in the Department of Engineering Mathematics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, SRI LANKA

(http://www.pdn.ac.lk/eng/pages/departmentHome/EM/index_maths.html) - Four months in 1995.

5.      Industrial training at the Arthur C. Clark Centre for Modern Technologies, Moratuwa, SRI LANKA (http://www.accimt.ac.lk) - Six months - 1993

6.      Industrial training in the Buildings Department, Kegalle, SRI LANKA

(http://www.buildings.gov.lk/index.asp) - Three months - 1985

1.      Member of Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE).