Professor Weerasekera obtained BSc Eng (Hons) in Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa in 1982 and joined the Department of Civil Engineering as a Probationary Assistant Lecturer in July 1983. He proceeded for postgraduate studies in 1985 upon receiving a Scholarship from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Professor Weerasekera obtained his doctoral degree from University of Calgary specialising in the field of Structural Engineering in 1991 and returned to the University of Moratuwa as a Senior Lecturer Grade II. He was promoted Professor on merit in 2009 and Senior Professor in 2017. He obtained charter status from the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka in 2006.
Professor Weerasekera led the Building and Structural Engineering Group of the Department for over seven years and contributed to the improvement of structural analysis and design modules of the undergraduate programme. He played a pioneering role in the commencement of the postgraduate course in Structural Engineering Design and served as its first coordinator. He taught a number of modules on the course and even those on the Highway Engineering postgraduate programme.
Professor Weerasekera also served as the first Director, Quality Assurance of Faculty of Engineering for 3 years. He introduced a process of documentation that enhanced the quality of teaching and assessment within the faculty.
Professor Weerasekera’s research interests are in Structural Engineering and encompasses Analysis, Design and Materials Technology. His research has won awards. He is also the co-author of over 60 research papers.
Professor Weerasekera was also a resource person and the organiser of several short courses organised by the Department of Civil Engineering under the auspices of Uni-Consultancy Services of the Faculty of Engineering. The topics covered were Bridge Structures, Water-retaining Structures, Transmission line Structures and Finite Element Analysis. Some of these courses were repeated due to the heavy demand in the Industry and Academia with the support of ACECOMS, AIT of which Society of Structural Engineers acted as a Satellite Centre.
An alumnus of the University of Moratuwa, Professor Weerasekara’s service spans forty years. His pioneering activities within the university and with the structural engineering fraternity is exemplary.