Joint Research Study - Collaboration between Department of Geography, University of Colombo and the Island Research Center, China

The inauguration of the joint research study between Department of Geography, University of Colombo and the Island Research Center, State Oceanic Administration, P.R. China, was held on 23rd October 2015 at 9.00 am in the Room no. 157, New Arts Building. There were 2 presentations at the inauguration ceremony, followed by a discussion between the Chinese delegation and Department staff members.

• China’s Coastal Protection Measures – Dr. Li Jianhui from China

• Coastal Erosion in Kalpitiya peninsula – Dr. R.U.K. Piyadasa and Ms. Samanmalie Matharaarachchi

This is a joint organized research project on the Impact of Global Climate Change and Human Activities on Tropical Coastal Evolution and Management, by which both parties will be benefited in terms of gathering, processing and analyzing oceanographic data using recently invented methods and equipment. This study mainly focuses the coastal morphology, shoreline changes, sediment transport and budget, nearshore hydrodynamics, monsoon effects and human impact of coastal changes along the coastal line from Negombo to Chilaw. Under this research project, special attention will be given to the :

i. Geological and Geophysical background of the coastal area
ii. Historical evolution of the area
iii.Present status of coastal morphology and seasonal changes
iv. Causing factors and driving mechanism of coastal ecosystem
v. Coastal risk accessing and management

The main objective of this project is to promote research capabilities in the field of marine science, especially in the areas of coastal erosion and protection, risk management, climate change, sustainable coastal management and other related fields of oceanography.