Prof. (Mrs) Isuru
Hewapathirana
Professor and Senior Academic Advisor
BSc Hons (Colombo, SL), PhD (Canterbury, NZ)
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Prof. (Mrs) Isuru
About Me
About Me
As a professor, I enjoy designing computational algorithms that integrate statistical modeling, machine learning, and deep learning to reveal subtle, complex patterns. My research primarily focuses on machine learning, deep learning, and graph analysis, with a particular emphasis on discovering structure in complex data. I teach courses in the areas of statistics, business intelligence, machine learning, and quantitative systems modeling.
My teaching philosophy centers on developing students’ analytical skills and cultivating a mindset that integrates quantitative reasoning with practical problem-solving.
Research Interests
Research Interests
Semantic Web, Knowledge Graph, and Knowledge Engineering
Blockchain and Applications
Software Architecting and Scalable Systems
Agentic AI and Applications
📅 One-to-One Meeting Appointments | 📅 Research Meeting Appoinments
Publications
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers
Hewapathirana, I. U. (2023, December 15). Advancing tourism demand forecasting in Sri Lanka: Evaluating the performance of machine learning models and the impact of social media data integration. Journal of Tourism Futures. https://doi.org/10.1108/jtf-06-2023-0149
Hewapathirana, I. U., & Thilakarathna, W. A. S. M. S. (2023, January). Analysis of employee satisfaction using artificial neural networks: A case study in the information technology industry in Sri Lanka. Journal of Technology and Value Addition, 5(1), 51–68. https://www.uwu.ac.lk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/04-Full-paper-1.pdf
Hewapathirana, I. U. (2023, July 25). A review on current trends and applications of social media research in Sri Lanka. Cloud Computing and Data Science, 223–242. https://doi.org/10.37256/ccds.4220233257
Hewapathirana, I. U. (2018, December 4). Change detection in dynamic attributed networks. WIREs Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/widm.1286
Aberathna, W., Alles, L., Wickremasinghe, W. N., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2014, December 15). Modeling and forecasting mortality in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Applied Statistics, 15(3), 141. https://doi.org/10.4038/sljastats.v15i3.7794
Hewapathirana, I. U., Lee, D., Moltchanova, E., & McLeod, J. (2020, February 6). Change detection in noisy dynamic networks: A spectral embedding approach. Social Network Analysis and Mining, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13278-020-0625-3
Hewapathirana, I. U., & Lee, D. (2021, December 17). Combining information from multiple views for vertex-based change detection in dynamic networks: A comparative study. SN Computer Science, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-021-00982-1
Hewapathirana, I. U. (2022, October 28). Utilizing prediction intervals for unsupervised detection of fraudulent transactions: A case study. Asian Journal of Engineering and Applied Technology, 11(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.51983/ajeat-2022.11.2.3348
Hewapathirana, I. U., & Perera, N. (2024). Navigating the age of AI influence: A systematic literature review of trust, engagement, efficacy and ethical concerns of virtual influencers in social media. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(5). http://dx.doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i8.6352
Hewapathirana, I. U. (2025). A comparative study of two-stage intrusion detection using modern machine learning approaches on the CSE-CIC-IDS2018 dataset. Knowledge, 5(1), 6. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9585/5/1/6
International Conference Proceedings
Sandaruwani, M. D., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2023). A review of recent trends in Sri Lankan social media analytics research. In 2023 International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering (SCSE) (pp. 1–7). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SCSE59836.2023.10214993
Hewapathirana, I.U., Kekayan, N., & Diyasena, D. (2022). A systematic investigation on the effectiveness of the Tabbert model for credit card fraud detection. In 2022 International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering (SCSE) (pp. 96–101). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SCSE56529.2022.9905208
Grabau, S., & Hewapathirana, I.U.(2021). Simulation analysis of an expressway toll plaza. In 2021 International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering (SCSE) (pp. 223–229). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SCSE53661.2021.9568293
Wimalasena, R. A. W. L., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2024). Real-time chronic obstructive pulmonary disease detection using YamNet-based spectrogram image analysis. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2024–Kelaniya), Volume 4. Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya.
Maduwanthi, W. V. C., Tharaka, Y. M. S., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2025). Benchmarking hybrid architectures of BERT-based embeddings with CNN and LSTM for real-time phishing URL detection. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2025–Kelaniya), Volume 5. Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya.
Thilakarathna, W. A. S. M. S., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2024). Predictive modeling for tourist arrivals: Assessing the impact of weather data using machine learning models. In 2024 International Conference on Advances in Technology and Computing (ICATC) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICATC64549.2024.11025220
Hewapathirana, I. U., & Maduwanthi, W. V. C. (2024). A hybrid approach for predicting tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka: Integrating machine learning with time series modelling. In 2024 International Conference on Advances in Technology and Computing (ICATC) (pp. 1–7). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICATC64549.2024.11025255
Wimalasena, W., Herath, H., & Hewapathirana, I.U. (2025). A systematic literature review of deepfake face image detection with transfer learning techniques. In 2025 International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering (SCSE) (pp. 1–7). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SCSE65633.2025.11031009
Fernando, G., & Hewapathirana, I.U. (2025). Sector-specific electricity demand forecasting in Sri Lanka using deep learning and hybrid models. In 2025 International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering (SCSE) (pp. 1–7). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SCSE65633.2025.11030954
International Conference Proceedings - Abstracts
Dushyanthika, G. P., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2023). Enhancing usability in learning management systems: Exploring future prospects with virtual assistants. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2023–Kelaniya), Volume 3 (p. 117). Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Boteju, P., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2021). A case study in financial fraud detection using big data analytics. In Proceedings of the International Conference in Data Science 2021. (ISBN 978-624-5873-02-9).
Devyanjalee, D. D. W. N., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2024). Empowering influence discovery: Utilizing machine learning for social media influencer identification. In Proceedings of the 8th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University (IRCUWU 2024) (p. 55). Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka.
Gayan, V. G. N., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2024). Deep learning-based correctness assessment for the Tadasana (Mountain Pose) Yoga Asana. In Proceedings of the 8th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University (IRCUWU 2024) (p. 88). Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka.
Rathnayaka, R. M. S. I., Hewapathirana, I. U., & Software Engineering Teaching Unit, University of Kelaniya. (2024). Development of a machine learning model for air quality forecasting: Leveraging long-term meteorological data analysis to predict air quality index in Colombo District. In Proceedings of the 8th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University (IRCUWU 2024) (p. 60). Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka.
Jayawardene, B. P. D., & Hewapathirana, I. U. (2024). Comparison of ML algorithm performances in evaluating human-generated text summaries using Google Vertex AI. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS 2024–Kelaniya), Volume 4. Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Thilakarathna, W. A. S. M. S., Hewapathirana, I. U., & Software Engineering Teaching Unit, University of Kelaniya. (2024). TourismXplorer: Interactive dashboard for data-driven decision-making in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. In Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference on Technological Advances in Science, Medicine, and Engineering (TASME 2024) (p. 221). University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, Canada.
Book Chapters
Hewapathirana, I. U. (2024). Leveraging artificial intelligence for ethical social media influencer communication. In N. Bi & R. Zhang (Eds.), Global perspectives on social media influencers and strategic business communication (pp. 343–359). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0912-4.ch017
Books
Hewapathirana, I. U. (2024). Business intelligence essentials with Power BI: An introductory guide for undergraduate students (ISBN 978-624-94711-1-5).
Awards
Awards
Senate Honours for conducting high-quality research and publishing in indexed journals in the year 2020 by the University of Kelaniya
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