Sri Lanka’s First Fire Testing Facility Inaugurated at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Sri Lanka marked a historic milestone with the ceremonial inauguration of the Centre for Fire Safety Engineering (CFSE), housing the country’s first-ever dedicated fire testing facility, on 11 February 2026 at the Faculty of Engineering premises in Mattegoda, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. This landmark development represents a major advancement in Sri Lanka’s capacity for fire safety research and structural fire engineering.
The Centre was established under the visionary leadership of its Director, Professor K. M. C. Konthesinghe, through a competitive research grant valued at LKR 169.98 million, secured in January 2022 under the Science and Technology Human Resource Development Project of the Ministry of Education, funded by the Asian Development Bank. This grant provided the foundation for procuring specialised fire testing equipment and developing a comprehensive national-level research laboratory.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor Pathmalal Manage, as Chief Guest, together with the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Deans of other faculties, academics, the Librarian, Registrar, Bursar, university staff, as well as academics from other universities, industry professionals, and representatives from government institutions and regulatory bodies.
A key highlight of the event was a series of four technical sessions delivered by distinguished experts:
Mr. P. D. K. A. Wilson, Chief Fire Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council
Emeritus Professor S. M. A. Nanayakkara, University of Moratuwa
Professor Ts Dr Mohd Fadzil b Arshad, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
Associate Professor Keerthan Poologanathan, Northumbria University, United Kingdom
Their presentations addressed structural fire engineering, fire safety practices, and emerging global trends in fire research.
About the Centre for Fire Safety Engineering (CFSE)
Established formally in August 2022, the Centre for Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura is Sri Lanka’s pioneering fire testing and structural fire research facility. It was founded to address the national need for scientifically grounded, evidence-based fire engineering solutions and to strengthen resilience within the built environment.
The origins of the Centre trace back to 2018 during the formative years of the Faculty of Engineering. Recognising the strategic importance of Structural Fire Safety Engineering — a critically underrepresented yet nationally significant field — Professor K. M. C. Konthesinghe initiated a two-stream development strategy:
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Building national expertise in structural fire safety through education and research.
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Securing funding to establish a dedicated structural fire testing laboratory with advanced experimental infrastructure.
As part of this initiative, doctoral research commenced in 2019 focusing on the fire performance of lightweight concrete panels, in collaboration with Associate Professor Keerthan Poologanathan (Northumbria University) and Professor Anura Nanayakkara (University of Moratuwa). This marked the introduction of structured, internationally collaborative research in Structural Fire Engineering in Sri Lanka.
Research and Technical Capabilities
CFSE integrates advanced experimental facilities, technical expertise, and modern research methodologies. Its capabilities include:
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Full-scale structural fire testing
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Material fire performance characterisation
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Component analysis under elevated temperatures
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Simulation-based performance evaluations
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Performance-based fire engineering assessments
These facilities support the development of safer building practices, innovative fire-resistant materials, improved design methodologies, and strengthened national resilience against fire-related risks.
Mission
To conduct advanced fire safety engineering research in Sri Lanka and to disseminate knowledge and guidance on building fire safety.
Objectives
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Establish state-of-the-art fire safety testing facilities
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Conduct high-quality research on building fire performance
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Evaluate fire performance of materials and new construction products
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Develop national expertise in structural fire safety
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Disseminate knowledge through undergraduate, postgraduate, and industry training
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Support performance-based fire design and regulatory development
National and Regional Impact
Today, the Centre for Fire Safety Engineering serves as a national hub for research, innovation, consultancy, and professional services in fire engineering. Through strong collaborations with local and international universities, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, CFSE promotes knowledge transfer and translates research outputs into practical guidelines, decision-making tools, and engineering solutions.
The establishment of Sri Lanka’s first dedicated fire testing facility significantly strengthens national research capacity, enhances safer building design practices, and positions the country as an emerging leader in structural fire engineering within the region.
Further details: https://firecenter.sjp.ac.lk/
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