The inaugural international research conference of Southern Campus was held on 29^th and 30^th September 2022 at the campus premises in Sooriyawewa. The event marked a milestone in the Southern Campus history as the first conference to be organized and held within the premises. The sessions of the Faculty of Built Environment and Spatial Sciences were conducted parallel to the conference proceedings at the main campus in Ratmalana. Eminent scholars and dignitaries graced the plenary session with their participation. Emeritus Professor Chitra Weddikkara, the renowned academic, former Dean of Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, who is also a distinguished professional in the Sri Lankan construction industry over 35 years graced the event as the guest of honour and chair of the plenary session. Many other eminent academics, including Prof Lalith De Silva, Ch. QS Upul Shaantha, Mr.S. Sivanantharaajaa, Prof. STW Saman Yaapa and Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi shared their invaluable knowledge as plenary speakers. This session ceremoniously marked the beginning of the conference. Furthermore, a conference dinner was also held for the invited dignitaries, authors and the staff.

The technical and poster sessions proved to be a great opportunity for the participants with ingenious research findings across multiple disciplines being shared and discussed. Prof Lalith De Silva, Prof. Chandana Jayalath, Prof. Yasangika Sandanayake and Dr. Wathsala Gunawardena chaired the sessions.

H.D.S Asoka’s innovative research based on the topic ‘Investigating the Potential of Using an Alternative Finishing Material for Counter Top Construction as a Cost-Effective Solution’ and a case study done on ‘Impact of Flood on the Built-Up Environment – A Study of Baddegama DS Division’ by K.G.E.S Dias won the awards for the best oral presentations of the technical sessions. The awards for the best poster presentations were won by K.U.J Sandamali for her research work on ‘Mapping the Pattern of Distribution of Threatened Marine Species from the X-Press Pearl Ship Explosion Using GIS Techniques’, and IUK Gunawardhana for the research study on ‘Investigating the Potential of Utilizing Simulation Studies to Identify UHI Mitigatory Strategies in Proposed Cities’.

The event was preceded by a pre-conference organized by the Department of Quantity Surveying and concluded with the post-conference session hosted by the Department of Spatial Sciences.