Research

I work on climate downscaling, flood forecasting, hydrodynamics, and water resources.

Core Areas

• Regional climate modeling & bias correction
• Real-time flood forecasting & early warning
• Hydraulic/hydrodynamic modelling (1D/2D)
• Reservoir operation & river basin management
• Dam-breach parameterization & risk analysis

Methods & Tools

• WRF, HEC-HMS / HEC-RAS / HEC-ResSim / HEC-RTS / Machine Learning
• Python, GIS/Remote Sensing workflows

Publications

View publications annualy

Full papers (Journals - Peer reviewed)

• Dewasurendra, S., Pramodya, N. and Neluwala, P., 2026. ANN-Based Climate Downscaling for Future Precipitation Projections in the Mi Oya Basin Using CMIP6 Data. Engineer: Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, 59(2). https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v59i2.7750
• Silva, U.H.M.S., Ranwala, S., Neluwala, N.G.P.B. and Nandalal, K.D.W., 2026. Efficient Operation of Minipe Left Bank Canal Irrigation Scheme to Satisfy Irrigation Demands. Engineer: Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, 59(1). https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v59i1.7735
• Peramuna, P.D.P.O., Venkatesan, S., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Wijesundara, K.K. and De Silva, S., 2026. Dam Breach Parameters in a Cascade Dam Failure Based on a Regional and Site-Specific Seismic Response Analysis Approach. CivilEng, 7(1), p.9. https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng7010009
• Balasooriya, M. and Neluwala, P., 2025. Statistical Approach to Selecting Global Circulation Models (GCMs) – A Study Based in the Kalu Ganga Catchment of Sri Lanka. Engineer: Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, 58(3). https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v58i3.7704
• Madumalsha, C., Nawoda, I., Neluwala, P. and Revel, M., 2025. Estimation of Water Elevation Using ICESat-2 Satellite. Engineer: Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, 58(1). https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v58i1.7674
• Athuraliya, V.D., Neluwala, P. and Pathirana, K.P.P., 2025. Assessing the impacts of sea level rise on salinity intrusion in the Kelani River, Sri Lanka. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 16(2), pp.607-624. https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2025.607
• Peramuna, P.D.P.O., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Wijesundara, K.K., De Silva, S., Venkatesan, S. and Dissanayake, P.B.R., 2024. Enhancing 2D hydrodynamic flood model predictions in data-scarce regions through integration of multiple terrain datasets. Journal of Hydrology, 648, p.132343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.132343
• Tennekoon Mudiyanselage, S., Wijesundara, K., Venkatesan, S., De Silva, S., Dissanayake, R. and Neluwala, P., 2024. Significance of construction sequence and the initial behaviour in concrete-faced rockfill dams. Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 25(2), pp.125-143. https://doi.org/10.1080/13287982.2023.2268288
• Daranagama, D.A.R., Neluwala, P. and Wijetunge, J.J., 2024. Joint probability of cyclonic wind speed and maximum rainfall for cyclones affecting Sri Lanka. Engineer: Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, 57(4). https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v57i4.7663
• Perera, P.L.L.N., Neluwala, N.G.P.B. and Wijetunge, J.J., 2024. Influence of weather research and forecasting model microphysics and cumulus schemes for forecasting monsoon rainfall over the Kelani River basin, Sri Lanka. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 15(10), pp.5189-5206. https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2024.291
• Peramuna, P.D.P.O., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Wijesundara, K.K., Venkatesan, S., De Silva, S. and Dissanayake, P.B.R., 2024. Novel approach to the derivation of dam breach parameters in 2D hydrodynamic modeling of earthquake induced dam failures. Science of the Total Environment, 927, p.171505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171505
• Sadushan, S. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2024. Application of GIS & RS in Rainwater Harvesting for an Arid Region. ENGINEER, 57(02), pp.69-80. https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v57i2.7650
• Koswaththa, H.M.S.A., Ranasinghe, S.K., Ekanayake, I., Herath, D. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2024. Downscaling Future Precipitation over Mi Oya River Basin using Artificial Neural Networks. ENGINEER, 57(02), pp.57-67. https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v57i2.7649
• Abeyratne, W.M.L.K., Weerakoon, S.B., Neluwala, P. and Ratnaweera, H., 2023. Suspended solid removal efficiency of plate settlers and tube settlers analysed by CFD modelling. Water Science & Technology, 87(9), pp.2116-2127. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2023.107
• Peramuna, P.D.P.O., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Wijesundara, K.K., DeSilva, S., Venkatesan, S. and Dissanayake, P.B.R., 2023. Review on model development techniques for dam break flood wave propagation. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, p.e1688. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1688
• Wijetunge, J.J. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2023. Compound flood hazard assessment and analysis due to tropical cyclone-induced storm surges, waves and precipitation: a case study for coastal lowlands of Kelani river basin in Sri Lanka. Natural Hazards, 116(3), pp.3979-4007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-05846-w
• Wanasinghe, W.M.A.Y., Gamage, K.H., Neluwala, N.G.P.B. and Gimhan, P.G.S., 2023. Performance of Different Parameterization Configurations of WRF-ARW Model during Heavy Rainfall over Mi Oya River Basin. ENGINEER, 56(01), pp.31-41. https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v56i1.7558
• Gimhan, P.G.S., Neluwala, P. and Acierto, R.A., 2023. High-resolution WRF simulations of a monsoon event (2019) over the Badulu Oya Catchment, Sri Lanka: Role of cumulus parameterization condition and microphysics schemes. Journal of Earth System Science, 132(4), 166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-023-02186-y
• Gimhan, P.G.S., Neluwala, P., Acierto, R.A. and Raghavan, S.V., 2022. Assessment of WRF microphysics and cumulus parameterizations in simulating heavy rainfall events over Badulu Oya catchment, Sri Lanka. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 13(12), pp.4213-4233. https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2022.371
• Edirisooriya, E.M.N.T., Neluwala, N.G.P.B. and Weerakoon, W.M.S.B., 2022. Flood Inundation Modelling in Greater Colombo Region Using HEC-RAS 2D. ENGINEER, 55(03), pp.21-27. https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v55i3.7518
• Athukorala, R., Thol, T., Neluwala, P., Petri, M., Sengxeu, S., Lattada, L., Keomanivong, S. and Sithivong, V., 2021. Evaluating the Performance of a WRF Physics Ensemble in Simulating Rainfall over Lao PDR during Wet and Dry Seasons. Advances in Meteorology, 2021(1), p.6630302. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6630302
• Samarasingha, S.M.T.C., Sandaruwan, M.S., Sampath, D.S. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2021. Dynamic downscaling of rainfall data for Deduru Oya River Basin using WRF weather model. ENGINEER, 54(02), pp.69-75. https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v54i2.7443
• Toride, K., Neluwala, P., Kim, H. and Yoshimura, K., 2017. Feasibility study of the reconstruction of historical weather with data assimilation. Monthly Weather Review, 145(9), pp.3563-3580. https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-16-0288.1
• Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Karunanayake, K.T.S., Sandaruwan, K.B.G.M. and Pathirana, K.P.P., 2013. Characteristics of hydraulic jumps over rough beds – an experimental study. Engineer: Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, 46(3). https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v46i3.6779

Full papers (conferences - Peer reviewed) and book chapters

• Peramuna, P.D.P.O., DeSilva, S., Venkatesan, S., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Wijesundara, K.K. and Dissanayake, P.B.R., 2024. Sensitivity of input parameters of infiltration-on-grid in a 2D integrated hydrologic-hydrodynamic flood modeling. In: Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium (HWRS 2024), 18-21 November 2024, Melbourne, Australia. National Committee on Water Engineering, Engineers Australia, pp.34-40. ISBN 979-8-3313-1902-1.
• Perera, P.L.L.N., Neluwala, N.G.P.B. and Wijetunge, J.J., 2024. Optimizing Physics Parameters for Heavy Rainfall Forecasting in the Kelani River Basin Using the WRF Model. In: Dissanayake, R., et al. (eds) Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, ICSBE 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 517. Springer, Singapore, pp.325-339. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-3737-6_24
• Peramuna, P.D.P.O., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Wijesundara, K.K., Dissanayake, P.B.R., DeSilva, S. and Venkatesan, S., 2023. Effect of Available Topographic Maps on Flood Modeling Studies in Sri Lanka. In: Dissanayake, R., et al. (eds) ICSBE 2022. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 362. Springer, Singapore, pp.869-885. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3471-3_59
• Niwunhella, D.R.T., Kalpadeep, D.N.S., Neluwala, N.G.P.B. and Dammika, A.J., 2023. Experimental Investigation on Porous Concrete for Sustainable Drainage Systems. 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment 2023, Kandy, Sri Lanka. https://www.kandyconference.org/
• Athuraliya, V.D., Neluwala, N.G.P.B. and Pathirana, K.P.P., 2023. Dynamic Behavior of Salinity Intrusion in Kelani River, Sri Lanka. 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment 2023, Kandy, Sri Lanka. https://www.kandyconference.org/
• Widushanka, W.M.S., Pathum, E.A., Neluwala, P., Gimhan, P.G.S. and Abeynayaka, A., 2022. Developing a Reservoir Operation Strategy Integrating HEC-HMS & HEC-ResSim for Tabbowa Reservoir of the Mi Oya River Basin, Sri Lanka. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, ICSBE 2022, 16-18 December 2022, Kandy, Sri Lanka, pp.187-199. https://www.kandyconference.org/
• Peramuna, P.D.P.O., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Wijesundara, K.K., Dissanayake, P.B.R., De Silva, S. and Venkatesan, S., 2022. Development of a Digital Elevation Model Integrating Different Datasets for an Area of Mahaweli Basin, Sri Lanka. In: 12th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, ICSECM 2021. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 266. Springer, Singapore, pp.427-441. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2886-4_30
• Tennekoon, T.M.S., Wijesundara, K.K., Dissanayake, P.B.R., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., De Silva, S. and Venkatesan, S., 2022. Significance of Construction Stage Analysis on the Initial Configuration of Concrete Faced Rockfill Dams. In: 12th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, ICSECM 2021. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 266. Springer, Singapore, pp.161-172.
• Bandara, W.H.M.Y.D., Dinelka, K.H.S. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2021. Discharge Observations Assimilation to Improve Flood Prediction Skills. In: Dissanayake, R., et al. (eds) ICSBE 2020. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 174. Springer, Singapore, pp.143-150. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4412-2_12
• Abeyratne, W.M.L.K., Weerakoon, S.B. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2021. Clarification Efficiency of Plate Settlers Analyzed by CFD Modelling. In: Dissanayake, R., et al. (eds) ICSBE 2020. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 174. Springer, Singapore, pp.543-551. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4412-2_42
• Tennekoon, T.M.S., Wijesundara, K.K., Dissanayake, P.B.R., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., De Silva, S. and Venkatesan, S., 2021. Construction Stage and Seepage Analysis Incorporated in Two Dimensional Kotmale Dam Model. In: Proceedings of the Annual Sessions 2021, Society of Structural Engineers, Sri Lanka, 30 August 2021, https://ssesl.lk
• Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Karunanayake, K.T.S., Sandaruwan, K.B.G.M. and Pathirana, K.P.P., 2013. Effect of Bed Roughness on Characteristics of Hydraulic Jumps. University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Abstracts and extended abstracts

• Madushanka, G.A.T., Nandalal, K.D.W. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2025. Evaluation of satellite rainfall products for hydrological modelling in a data-scarce catchment: A case study of Kalu Ganga catchment of Mahaweli Basin, Sri Lanka. In: Proceedings of iPURSE 2025. Peradeniya: University of Peradeniya, p.358. https://doi.org/10.63967/AULT4918
• Ekanayake, E.M.Y.C. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2025. Continuous hydrological modelling with HEC-HMS for runoff simulation: Case of Kotmale Reservoir, Sri Lanka. In: Proceedings of iPURSE 2025. Peradeniya: University of Peradeniya, p.286. https://doi.org/10.63967/AULT4918
• Madushanka, G.A.T., Nandalal, K.D.W. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2025. Adaptive reservoir operation under climate change: A rule curve-based approach for the Kalu Ganga-Moragahakanda reservoir system, Sri Lanka. In: Book of Abstracts of the Regional Climate Change Conference (RCCC) 2025, Colombo, 13-15 October 2025. Colombo: TIIKM, p.13. ISBN 978-624-5746-94-1.
• Jaalarasan, S., Sugeetharan, S. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2025. Estimation of reservoir water levels using satellite altimetry: A case study of SWOT in Sri Lanka. In: Book of Abstracts of the Regional Climate Change Conference (RCCC) 2025, Colombo, 13-15 October 2025. Colombo: TIIKM, p.12. ISBN 978-624-5746-94-1.
• Ekanayake, E.M.Y.C. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2025. Climate change impacts on reservoir inflow: Case of Kotmale Reservoir, Sri Lanka. In: Book of Abstracts of the Regional Climate Change Conference (RCCC) 2025, Colombo, 13-15 October 2025. Colombo: TIIKM, p.7. ISBN 978-624-5746-94-1.
• Karunarathne, M.R.D.D., Punchihewa, K.G.G., Haseeb, M.H.A. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2025. Lessons learned in the depth gauge installation of small tanks: Field-based study from Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project. In: Climate Action Symposium (CAS) 2025 – Extended Abstracts, Colombo, 30 September-1 October 2025. Colombo: CRIWMP, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Sri Lanka and UNDP, pp.249-252.
• Kokularamanan, S., Wijesinghe, W.A.S.G. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2025. Harnessing artificial intelligence for climate-resilient water management: A concept paper on IWRM in the Mahaweli Cascade. In: Climate Action Symposium (CAS) 2025 – Extended Abstracts, Colombo, 30 September-1 October 2025. Colombo: CRIWMP and UNDP, pp.261-262.
• Pramodya, N., Dewasurendra, S. and Neluwala, P., 2024. Quantile mapping-based climate downscaling for future precipitation projections in the Mi Oya Basin using CMIP6 data. IESL Young Members’ Technical Conference 2024, 29 September 2024, Colombo. Colombo: The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, pp.60-67. https://app.box.com/s/horq8mlbodhdysrf3fq2il9vbh0fd5um
• Wickramasinghe, S.S.A., Udawaththa, U.K.D.V.L., Sampath, S., Wijesena, A.N. and Neluwala, P., 2024. Development of dam breach model for Iranamadu Reservoir. IESL Young Members’ Technical Conference 2024, 29 September 2024, Colombo. Colombo: The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, pp.201-211. https://app.box.com/s/horq8mlbodhdysrf3fq2il9vbh0fd5um
• Prabashini, W.A.P., Jayasundara, J.P.M.M. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2024. Development of a numerical weather forecasting model for disaster risk reduction in Kandy. Proceedings of iPURSE 2024. Peradeniya: University of Peradeniya, p.17. E-ISSN 1391-4111.
• Peramuna, P.D.P.O., Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Wijesundara, K.K., Venkatesan, S., De Silva, S. and Dissanayake, P.B.R., 2024. Flood impacts due to cascade dam failures. Abstract Book of the 15th ICSBE 2024, 20-22 December 2024, Kandy, Sri Lanka, p.89.
• Daranagama, D.A.R. and Neluwala, P., 2024. Dam breach analysis on impact of breach parameters and reservoir levels on downstream floods: Case study on Tabowa Reservoir, Sri Lanka. Abstract Book of the 15th ICSBE 2024, 20-22 December 2024, Kandy, Sri Lanka, p.91.
• Tennekoon, T.M.S., Wijesundara, K.K., Venkatesan, S., De Silva, S., Dissanayake, P.B.R. and Neluwala, N.G.P.B., 2024. Seismic analysis on CFR dams including material parameter optimization. Abstract Book of the 15th ICSBE 2024, 20-22 December 2024, Kandy, Sri Lanka, p.92.
• Neluwala, N.G.P.B., Dammika, A.J., Rathnayake, R.M.L.D., Niwunhella, D.R.T. and Kalpadeep, D.N.S., 2023. Experimental Investigation on Porous Concrete for Sustainable Drainage. In: Proceedings of Peradeniya University International Research Sessions, 20th & 21st September 2023, Sri Lanka, Vol. 24.
• Yoshimura, K., Neluwala, P., Toride, K., Ichino, M., Masuda, K. and Hirano, J., 2019. Atmospheric reanalysis before modern era using historical weather archives. In: AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Vol. 2019, pp. A24I-02.
• Neluwala, P., Yoshimura, K., Toride, K., Hirano, J., Ichino, M. and Okazaki, A., 2017. Reconstruction of Historical Weather by Assimilating Old Weather Diary Data. In: AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Vol. 2017, pp. PP31A-1264.
• Neluwala, P., Yoshimura, K., Hirano, J. and Ichino, M., 2017. Assimilating Various Fields from Historical Documents: Idealized Experiments. Annual Conference of the Japan Society of Hydrology and Water Resources, Vol. 30, p.7.

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