Academic and Professional Qualifications

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Technology — 2015–2019
  Research title: Development of a Lower Back Pain Prevention Index Due to Whole-Body Vibration: System Dynamics
• Master of Philosophy in Safety in Construction Engineering — 2012–2014
  Research title: Health Effects on Construction Workers Exposed to High Levels of Noise and Vibration
• Bachelor of Science (Special) in Physics — 2007–2011
  Research title: Wireless Multiple-Choice Question and Answer Evaluation System for Classrooms

Professional Experience

• Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna — June 2020–Present
• Lecturer in Physics, Uva Wellassa University — May 2019–May 2020
• Temporary Lecturer, Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna — December 2018–April 2019
• Research Assistant, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand — July 2017–July 2018
• Teaching Assistant, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology — September 2016–July 2018
• Temporary Instructor, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna — November 2014–July 2015
• Research Assistant, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna — September 2012–August 2015
• Temporary Demonstrator, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna — February 2012–August 2012

Awards and Fellowships

• Transforming University of Ruhuna to International Status 2012 Offered by University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, Thailand
• Best Paper Award Times Icon 2016, Bangkok, Thailand
• Excellence Foreign Student Scholarship (EFS) 2015 Offered by Thammasat University, Thailand

Publications

Publications in International Journals

1. Vitharana, V. and Chinda, T. (2019). Development of a lower back pain prevention index for heavy equipment operators in the construction industry: System dynamics modelling. International Journal of Construction Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2019.1579969
2. Vitharana, V.H.P. and Chinda, T. (2017). Structural equation modelling of lower back pain due to whole-body vibration exposure in the construction industry. Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2017.1366119
3. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2015). Health hazards, risk and safety practices in construction sites: A review study. ENGINEER Journal, 48, 35–44.

Publications in National Journals

1. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2015). Noise and vibration exposure levels of workers in building construction sites. ICTAD Journal, 12, 74–79.

Publications in International Conferences

1. Vitharana, V.H.P. and Chinda, T. (2017). Policy analysis of the budget used in training programmes for reducing lower back pain among heavy equipment operators in the construction industry: A system dynamics approach. IconCEES 2017, Langkawi, Malaysia.
2. Vitharana, V.H.P. and Chinda, T. (2016). Factors affecting health problems among construction workers due to whole-body vibration: A literature review. TIMES-iCON 2016, Bangkok, Thailand. Best Paper Award.
3. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2015). Comparing health risks among vehicle operators in construction sites exposed to whole-body vibration using EU Directive 2002/44/EC and ISO 2631-1. Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development, 274–278.
4. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2014). Method to assess the comfort level and potential health risks of construction workers. 4th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
5. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2014). Whole-body vibration exposure of workers at construction sites in Sri Lanka. 4th Annual Sessions of the Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka.
6. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2013). Workers’ awareness of risk factors and safety practices at construction sites. 3rd Annual Sessions of the Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka, 47–52.
7. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2013). Health hazards, risk factors and safety practices at construction sites: A review study. International Conference on Advanced Civil Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development, 52–59.
8. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2014). Noise and whole-body vibration exposure of construction workers at building construction sites in Sri Lanka. 1st Annual Research Symposium, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, 14.
9. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2014). Workers’ awareness of the acute and chronic effects of risk factors at construction sites. 11th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.
10. Vitharana, V.H.P., De Silva, G.H.M.J.S. and De Silva, S. (2013). Safety practices among construction workers in Sri Lanka. 10th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna, 55.
11. Vitharana, V.H.P., Abeywickrama, S.S., Dharmarathna, W.G.D. and Yapa, K.K.A.S. (2013). Wireless multiple-choice question and answer evaluation system for classrooms. 9th Ruhuna Science Symposium, 24.

Research Interests

• Whole body vibration exposure
• Noise
• Occupational health and safety
• Renewable energy
• Exploratory factor analysis
• Structural equation modelling
• System dynamics modelling