Academic Building (B3)-Room 129
Department of Civil and Environmental Technology
Faculty of Technology
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Mahenwatte, Pitipana North
Homagama 10200
Sri Lanka

Email: choolaka@sjp.ac.lk

Dr. Choolaka Hewawasam received his B.Sc Honours Degree (2011) in Town and Country Planning from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka with First class (GPA 3.9), and M.Sc degree (2015) in Environmental System Engineering from Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan. He received his Ph.D. (Doctor of Engineering) in Energy and Environment Science form Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan in 2018. He joined the Faculty of technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura as a senior Lecturer from November 2018.

Research Keywords: Wastewater treatment, Waste management, Environmental Assessment, Environmental Economics, Sustainable renewable energies

Since 2021
Project coordinator of Faculty of Technology of Erusmus Grant LBS2ITS

Since 2021
Senior Treasurer of Student Union of Faculty of Technology

Since 2018
Senior Lecturer Grade II, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka

2018
Consultant at Green Tech Consultant of Sri Lanka

2011-2013
Project Coordinator Consultancy division, State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka

Since 2018
Associate member of Institute of Planners, Sri Lanka

Since 2015
Member of Japan Society of Water Environment (JSWE)

Since 2015
Member of Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE)

2013-2018
Recipient of Japanese government (Monbukagakusho) scholarship

2007-2011
Dean’s awards for superior academic performance in seven (7) consecutive semesters within the B.Sc. (Hons.) Degree in University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Removal of wastewater contaminants using biological treatment is critical for wastewater treatment due to its high efficiency and low cost. The nitrogen removal process is one of the complicated processes of wastewater treatment due high cost incurred. Developing novel treatment systems to increase nitrogen removal is one fundamental research interest of him. Further removal of textile dyes using fungi and development of filter system is another ongoing research interest of the lecturer. Furthermore, the use of natural materials to treat drinking water in areas where health issues are abundant due to lack of safe water is another area of interest.

Nimesha, S., Hewawasam, C., Jayasanka, D.J., Murakami, Y., Araki, N. and Maharjan, N., 2021. Effectiveness of natural coagulants in water and wastewater treatment. Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management.

Hewawasam, C., Matsuura, N., Takimoto, Y., Hatamoto, M. and Yamaguchi, T., 2018. Optimization of rotational speed and hydraulic retention time of a rotational sponge reactor for sewage treatment. Journal of environmental management, 222, pp.155-163.

Hewawasam, C., Matsuura, N., Maharjan, N., Hatamoto, M. and Yamaguchi, T., 2017. Oxygen transfer dynamics and nitrification in a novel rotational sponge reactor. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 128, pp.162-167.

D.D.P. Preethika, Hewawasam, C., D.J.Jayasanka., 2021. Sustainable Development of Sri Lankan Water sector. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING

Maharjan, N., Hewawasam, C., Hatamoto, M., Yamaguchi, T., Harada, H. and Araki, N., 2020. Downflow Hanging Sponge System: A Self-Sustaining Option for Wastewater Treatment. Wastewater Treatment.

“Potential of nitrification in novel rotational sponge reactor”, Choolaka Hewawasam, Masashi Hatamoto, Takashi Yamaguchi, The 2 nd STI -GIGAKU Conference, Japan, 2017

“Development of a novel rotational sponge (RS) reactor for nitrification process” Choolaka Hewawasam, Norihisa Matsuura, Masashi Hatamoto, Takashi Yamaguchi, 51st Conference of Japan Society on Water Environment, Japan, 2017

“Potential of using new rotational sponge type reactor for nitrification of sewage treatment” Choolaka Hewawasam, Masashi Hatamoto, Takashi Yamaguchi, 50th Conference of Japan Society on Water Environment, Japan, 2015

“Evaluation of process performance of UASB-DHS system for treating high concentration industrial wastewater containing ethylene glycol” Choolaka Hewawasam, Takahiro Watari, Daisuke Tanikawa, Kyouhei Kuroda, Akinobu Nakamura, Masashi Hatamoto, Nanako Fujii, Fuminori Yoneyama, Osamu Wakisaka, Takashi Yamaguchi, Conference of 69th Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Japan, 2014