About & Journey

Four decades of transformative contributions to structural engineering, sustainable built environment frameworks, nature-inspired biomimicry, and academic leadership.

ACADEMIC LEGACY & LEADERSHIP

Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake

Senior Professor Emeritus

Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya · Chair of UNIGAP Global Network

A Lifetime Dedicated to Engineering Excellence & Societal Transformation

Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake is a celebrated Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, recognized internationally for his pioneering work in structural dynamics, sustainable construction materials, nature-inspired biomimicry, and disaster risk resilience. Over a distinguished four-decade career, he has guided the evolution of civil engineering education in South Asia and bridged the gap between academic research and commercial application.

Graduating with First Class Honours in Civil Engineering in 1983, Prof. Dissanayake went on to conduct doctoral and postdoctoral research at premier international institutions, including the University of Tokyo, Ehime University, and the University of Calgary. His fundamental contributions to high-performance low-carbon concrete, seismic assessment of heritage monuments, and cable-stayed bridge dynamics have been widely published in leading journals such as ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Bioinspiration & Biomimetics.

Beyond the university campus, Prof. Ranjith has served as a senior advisor to state ministries on national infrastructure planning, building codes, and green construction rating systems. He is the visionary behind The Kandy Conference (ICSBE), which has hosted thousands of researchers since 2007, as well as the founder of the gapHQ ecosystem, which encompasses applied R&D laboratories, specialized construction contracting, and executive leadership institutes.

Accreditations & Professional Fellowships

Fellow, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (FIESL)

Apex national professional engineering credential and council fellowship.

Chartered Civil & Structural Engineer (CEng)

Certified senior practitioner in structural dynamics and resilience engineering.

Founder General Chair, ICSBE

International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment platform since 2007.

International Editorial Member, Springer

Editorial contributor to Springer Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering (LNCE).

CAREER MILESTONES & JOURNEY

Explore Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake's journey across academic excellence, structural engineering, sustainable leadership, and entrepreneurship from 1983 to the present.

2023 – Present

Academic

Professor Emeritus & Global Senior Advisor

Professor Emeritus in Civil EngineeringUniversity of Peradeniya & UNIGAP Global Network

Appointed Professor Emeritus following four decades of distinguished university teaching, doctoral guidance, and establishing international engineering alliances.

2018 – 2023

Academic

Senior Professor of Civil Engineering

Senior Chair & Head of DepartmentFaculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya

Led major curriculum modernization, secured multimillion-dollar competitive research grants, and expanded international exchange programs with top global institutions.

2012 – Present

Entrepreneurship

Founder & Chairman of gapHQ Ecosystem

Founder & Chief Executive DirectorgapHQ / gapR&D / GAP Master Builders / UNIGAP

Established a specialized enterprise cluster translating university research into commercial testing labs, sustainable contracting, and executive colleges.