Sri Lanka Fire Safety Engineering Centre marks a major step forward in strengthening national safety standards and advancing engineering research, with the University of Sri Jayewardenepura unveiling the country’s first dedicated facility for fire testing and structural fire studies.
Sri Lanka Fire Safety Engineering Centre boosts research and safety
The newly established Centre for Fire Safety Engineering (CFSE) at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura represents a milestone in Sri Lanka’s higher education and public safety landscape. Formally set up in August 2022, the facility fills a long-standing gap in structural fire engineering research and testing capabilities within the country.
The initiative was driven by Professor K.M.C. Konthesingha, whose efforts secured a research grant of Rs. 169.98 million under the Competitive Research Grant Scheme of the Ministry of Education, with support from the Asian Development Bank. The funding enabled the procurement of advanced fire testing equipment, while a further investment of nearly Rs. 100 million was directed towards constructing purpose-built laboratory facilities.
The origins of the Centre date back to 2018, during the early development of the university’s Faculty of Engineering. At the time, Sri Lanka lacked a specialised discipline dedicated to structural fire safety engineering, a gap that posed challenges for infrastructure resilience and public safety. Recognising this, Prof. Konthesingha initiated a long-term vision to introduce the field locally, aligning it with national priorities such as sustainable development and risk mitigation.
To realise this objective, a dual strategy was adopted. On one hand, efforts were made to build local expertise through academic research and education. On the other, the focus remained on securing funding and resources to establish a state-of-the-art fire testing laboratory capable of supporting advanced experimental work.
A significant milestone in this journey was the launch of doctoral research in 2019 examining the fire performance of lightweight concrete panels. This research involved collaboration with international and local experts, including Associate Professor Keerthan Poologanathan of Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and Professor Anura Nanayakkara of the University of Moratuwa. Such partnerships have played a critical role in ensuring that Sri Lanka’s research efforts align with global standards in fire engineering.
Today, the CFSE operates as a comprehensive hub that integrates advanced experimental facilities, technical expertise, and modern computational tools. The Centre enables a wide range of investigations, including full-scale structural fire testing, material fire performance evaluations, and simulation-based fire analysis. These capabilities are expected to directly influence building design practices and improve the development of fire-resistant construction materials.
Importantly, the Sri Lanka Fire Safety Engineering Centre is not limited to research alone. It also plays a central role in education and professional development. The facility supports undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, while also offering training opportunities for industry professionals. Through these initiatives, the Centre is helping to build a new generation of engineers equipped with specialised knowledge in fire safety engineering.
In addition, the CFSE contributes to the development of national guidelines and regulatory frameworks. By collaborating with universities, industry stakeholders, and regulatory authorities both locally and internationally, the Centre is facilitating knowledge transfer and promoting innovation across the sector. This collaborative approach is expected to strengthen the integration of scientific research into practical applications within Sri Lanka’s construction and infrastructure industries.
The mission of the Centre is to conduct advanced research in fire safety engineering while providing guidance to improve the safety of buildings across the country. Its core objectives include establishing cutting-edge testing facilities, evaluating the fire performance of construction materials, developing technical expertise, and supporting regulatory advancements in the sector.
As Sri Lanka continues to urbanise and expand its built environment, the importance of fire safety engineering is becoming increasingly evident. The establishment of the CFSE positions the country at the forefront of fire safety innovation in the region. By strengthening national capacity in structural fire engineering, the Centre contributes to safeguarding lives, protecting property, and enhancing infrastructure resilience through science-driven solutions.