Dilanthi Amaratunga
Biographic Data
| ID | 1405337 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Dilanthi Amaratunga |
| GIVEN NAMES | Dilanthi |
| FAMILY NAME | Amaratunga |
| SIGNATURE | AMARATUNGA D |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Huddersfield |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1682-5301 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 31 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 18 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 23 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 8 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2002 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Novel methodology for resilience assessment of critical infrastructure considering the interdependencies: A case study in water, transportation and electricity sector
Critical Infrastructures (CI) are vital for societal and economic stability, yet their resilience against disasters remains inadequately understood with the increasing interdependencies among the CIs. A better understanding of these interdependencies and the dynamic nature of CI functionalities is crucial for advancing disaster resilience assessment within engineering systems. This paper introduces a novel approach using a Dynamic Bayesian Networ…
A unified framework for evaluating the resilience of critical infrastructure: Delphi survey approach
This study advocates establishing an indicator system for Critical Infrastructures (CIs) resilience assessment to ensure consistency and comparability in future endeavors. Resilience has emerged as a fundamental framework for effectively managing the performance of CIs in response to the challenges posed by disaster events. However, it is evident that a lack of uniformity exists in the choice and standardization of resilience assessment framework…
A review of tsunami early warning at the local level - Key actors, dissemination pathways, and remaining challenges
At the International Symposium on the Lessons Learnt from the 2018 Tsunamis in Palu and Sunda Strait, organised by IOC-UNESCO, experts identified the need for a critical dialogue on the future direction of tsunami warning systems, especially for events other than tectonic origins and with short warning times. This first phase of a longer-term study was initiated to develop a better understanding of tsunami early warning at the local level in coun…
A systematic literature review on integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) in sustainable tourism (SusT): Conceptual framework for enhancing resilience and minimizing environmental impacts
Enhancing systemic risk management to strengthen community resilience: Key recommendations from state-of-the-art practices of past complex incidents
Traditional hazard risk analysis methods have historically encouraged single-hazard resilience, yet complex events often precipitate systemic risks, surpassing established resilience measures and presenting novel policy dilemmas in disaster risk management. Recent studies, including the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFMTR) from 2015 to 2030, reveal significant gaps and uncertainties in the compartmentalised a…
Managing compound events in the Covid-19 era: A critical analysis of gaps, measures taken, and challenges
Since the beginning of 2020, the focus has predominantly been on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the 'new normal' has drastically altered responses to other hazards, underscoring the need to prepare and plan for complex, multi-risk scenarios. Nevertheless, there's limited literature on disaster preparedness and response for compound hazard scenarios, particularly pandemic-natural hazard hybrids. The few studies that …
Panic in the Pandemic: Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy and the Dilemma of Public Health Information Sharing during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka
Vaccine hesitancy, a pressing global challenge in vaccination programs, was significantly amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proliferation of misinformation, including false claims and rumours, and the influence of anti-vaccine movements fuelled hesitancy. This study aims to explore the socio-economic determinants that influenced vaccine hesitancy and the impact of public health information sharing in Sri Lanka during the pandemic. The s…
Rebuilding Communities After Displacement: Sustainable and Resilience Approaches
This book presents double-blind peer-reviewed papers under scope of sustainable and resilient approaches for rebuilding displaced and host communities
Identifying and prioritizing climate change adaptation measures in the context of electricity, transportation and water infrastructure: A case study
Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) has become a vital measure within every nation due to the significant impacts posed by climate change on Critical Infrastructures (CIs) and human lives. Despite scholars' identification of possible impacts on CIs, a lack of consideration for CCA measures to mitigate these impacts can be observed. This study aims to identify and prioritize CCA measures in the assets and infrastructure of critical sectors; electricit…
Need for effective detection and early warnings for epidemic and pandemic preparedness planning in the context of multi-hazards: Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic
The need for effective early detection and timely surveillance for a robust pandemic and epidemic early warning and preparedness has been widely discussed amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, which suddenly erupted worldwide. This need is further established by various other hazards reported in many countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the failure of early detection of pathogens and their source of origin has been largely connected with …
International development and disaster risk reduction research: A UK research practitioner stocktake
Rebuilding Communities after Displacement: Sustainable and Resilience Approaches
Improving the resilience of critical infrastructures: Evidence-based insights from a systematic literature review
Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Disaster Risks
Factors affecting the women's empowerment in disaster risk governance structure in Sri Lanka
Governance, Institutions and People within the Interface of a Tsunami Early Warning System
The interface mechanism in a tsunami early warning system (TEWS) occurs between receiving tsunami information at the country level and disseminating warning and evacuation orders to the public. Three crucial actions take place during the interface: issuing the warning, disseminating it, and ordering an evacuation. Using two case studies in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, a study was undertaken to understand the nature of the interface mechanism and the …
Mainstreaming women into disaster reduction in the built environment: A guideline for Sri Lanka
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a guideline to mainstream women into disaster reduction in the built environment in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on ten in-depth interviews conducted with professionals engaged in disaster risk reduction in the built environment in Sri Lanka. The interviews are complemented by a comprehensive literature review conducted on the impacts of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on wo…
Overcoming challenges faced by local governments in creating a resilient built environment in cities
Purpose Although, a number of initiatives have been taken after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami to institutionalise disaster risk reduction (DRR), gaps still exist in the Sri Lankan local government sector. Even after ten years, local governments are still struggling to overcome a number of challenges in relation to making resilience in the built environment. DRR has not yet been properly integrated into the local government system and, as a…
Capacity building for post disaster construction and demolition waste management: A case of Sri Lanka
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical framework for capacity building in post disaster construction and demolition (C & D) waste management at a national level to address the identified capacity gaps in managing disaster waste resulting from natural hazards. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered through pilot interviews, case studies and expert opinion surveys representing government, non-government and other …
Enhancing post-disaster reconstruction capacity through lifelong learning in higher education
Purpose – Due to the complexities involved in disasters and due to the peculiar nature of post-disaster reconstruction, built environment professionals require continuous updating of their skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to disaster resilience. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ways in which higher education institutions (HEIs) can address this need through the provision of lifelong learning. Design/methodology/approach …
Constructing a holistic approach to disaster risk reduction: The Significance of Focusing on Vulnerability Reduction
As a result of the increase in natural disaster losses, policy-makers, practitioners, and members of the research community around the world are seeking effective and efficient means of overcoming or minimising them. Although various theoretical constructs are beneficial to understanding the disaster phenomenon and the means of minimising losses, the disaster risk management process becomes less effective if theory and practice are set apart from…
Developing an approach to assess the influence of integrating disaster risk reduction practices into infrastructure reconstruction on socio‐economic development
Purpose Disasters provide physical, social, economic, political and environmental development windows of opportunity particularly through housing and infrastructure reconstruction. The reconstruction process should not be neglected due to the opportunistic nature of facilitating innovation in development. In this respect, post‐disaster “infrastructure” reconstruction plays a critical role in development discourse and is often essential to sustain…
Post-disaster reconstruction of the built environment: Rebuilding for resilience
About the Editors. List of Contributors. Foreword. 1 Introduction (Richard Haigh and Dilanthi Amaratunga). 1.1 A global challenge. 1.2 Why focus upon the built environment? 1.3 Resilience in the built environment. 1.4 Disasters as a window of opportunity. 1.5 Structure of the book. 2 Capacity Development for Post-Disaster Reconstruction of the Built Environment (Kanchana Ginige and Dilanthi Amaratunga). 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Capacity needs for po…
Disaster Management and the Built Environment
Attaining improved resilience to floods: A proactive multi‐stakeholder approach
Purpose There is a need to proactively address strategic weaknesses in protecting the built environment from a range of hazards. This paper seeks to focus on the mitigation for flood hazards in the UK; particularly in understanding the extent of the problem, collating key guidance and legislation related to flood hazard mitigation, identifying who the key construction decision makers are and the most opportune stages of the Design‐Construction‐Op…
Quantitative and qualitative research in the built environment: Application of “mixed” research approach
Built environment research consists of cognitive and affective, as well as behavioural, components. Existing built environment research utilises either strong qualitative or, more often, strong quantitative methodologies. Aims to discuss some of the philosophical issues that would be considered when undertaking academic research into the built environment. Considers the available research options or paradigms and suggests ways in which a research…
Governance, Institutions and People within the Interface of a Tsunami Early Warning System
The interface mechanism in a tsunami early warning system (TEWS) occurs between receiving tsunami information at the country level and disseminating warning and evacuation orders to the public. Three crucial actions take place during the interface: issuing the warning, disseminating it, and ordering an evacuation. Using two case studies in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, a study was undertaken to understand the nature of the interface mechanism and the …
Constructing a holistic approach to disaster risk reduction: The Significance of Focusing on Vulnerability Reduction
As a result of the increase in natural disaster losses, policy-makers, practitioners, and members of the research community around the world are seeking effective and efficient means of overcoming or minimising them. Although various theoretical constructs are beneficial to understanding the disaster phenomenon and the means of minimising losses, the disaster risk management process becomes less effective if theory and practice are set apart from…
Quantitative and qualitative research in the built environment: Application of “mixed” research approach
Built environment research consists of cognitive and affective, as well as behavioural, components. Existing built environment research utilises either strong qualitative or, more often, strong quantitative methodologies. Aims to discuss some of the philosophical issues that would be considered when undertaking academic research into the built environment. Considers the available research options or paradigms and suggests ways in which a research…
Disaster Management and the Built Environment
Attaining improved resilience to floods: A proactive multi‐stakeholder approach
Purpose There is a need to proactively address strategic weaknesses in protecting the built environment from a range of hazards. This paper seeks to focus on the mitigation for flood hazards in the UK; particularly in understanding the extent of the problem, collating key guidance and legislation related to flood hazard mitigation, identifying who the key construction decision makers are and the most opportune stages of the Design‐Construction‐Op…
The role of knowledge management in post‐disaster housing reconstruction
Purpose A disaster is a serious disruption for the operation of a society, causing extensive life and property losses. Since construction activities are highly knowledge‐intensive, knowledge management (KM) practices will encourage continuous improvement, distribute best practices, quick response to beneficiaries, share valuable tacit knowledge, reduce rework, improve competitiveness and innovations, and reduce complexities in post‐disaster housi…
Raising preparedness by risk analysis of post‐disaster homelessness and improvement of emergency shelters
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of a winterised tent for emergency shelter use in cold climate regions. As in any risk management process the risk analysis and evaluation are of major importance. First, a risk analysis of post‐disaster homelessness is presented. Second, a number of feasible floor insulations for tents will be dealt with. Design/methodology/approach The risk analysis was undertaken evaluating …
Towards a more “robust” technology? Capacity building in post‐tsunami Sri Lanka
Purpose In fast urbanizing economies such as Sri Lanka, the construction industry tends to fragment into almost separate spheres of production with little or no reciprocal connection in training, know‐how and career development paths, and consequent limitations in internal knowledge dissemination and technology transfer. This type of industrial compartmentalization is detrimental to the social acquisition of skills, and restricts the operational …
Mainstreaming gender in disaster reduction: Why and how
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of gender mainstreaming into disaster reduction decision making as a way of reducing disaster vulnerabilities of women, a highly vulnerable group to disasters. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds a discussion around disaster reduction, the importance of gender mainstreaming in disaster reduction and the ways of mainstreaming gender based on a literature review. It reviews a…
Supporting urban emergency response and recovery using RFID‐based building assessment
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on improving mobile computing support for professionals involved in a disaster response and recovery operation to facilitate better assessment of the damage caused to buildings and to make this assessment information available to personnel within the disaster response arena so as to expedite a safe, efficient and effective disaster response process. Design/methodology/approach The research method invo…
Post-disaster reconstruction of the built environment: Rebuilding for resilience
About the Editors. List of Contributors. Foreword. 1 Introduction (Richard Haigh and Dilanthi Amaratunga). 1.1 A global challenge. 1.2 Why focus upon the built environment? 1.3 Resilience in the built environment. 1.4 Disasters as a window of opportunity. 1.5 Structure of the book. 2 Capacity Development for Post-Disaster Reconstruction of the Built Environment (Kanchana Ginige and Dilanthi Amaratunga). 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Capacity needs for po…
Developing an approach to assess the influence of integrating disaster risk reduction practices into infrastructure reconstruction on socio‐economic development
Purpose Disasters provide physical, social, economic, political and environmental development windows of opportunity particularly through housing and infrastructure reconstruction. The reconstruction process should not be neglected due to the opportunistic nature of facilitating innovation in development. In this respect, post‐disaster “infrastructure” reconstruction plays a critical role in development discourse and is often essential to sustain…
Constructing a holistic approach to disaster risk reduction: The Significance of Focusing on Vulnerability Reduction
As a result of the increase in natural disaster losses, policy-makers, practitioners, and members of the research community around the world are seeking effective and efficient means of overcoming or minimising them. Although various theoretical constructs are beneficial to understanding the disaster phenomenon and the means of minimising losses, the disaster risk management process becomes less effective if theory and practice are set apart from…
Enhancing post-disaster reconstruction capacity through lifelong learning in higher education
Purpose – Due to the complexities involved in disasters and due to the peculiar nature of post-disaster reconstruction, built environment professionals require continuous updating of their skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to disaster resilience. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ways in which higher education institutions (HEIs) can address this need through the provision of lifelong learning. Design/methodology/approach …
Mainstreaming women into disaster reduction in the built environment: A guideline for Sri Lanka
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a guideline to mainstream women into disaster reduction in the built environment in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on ten in-depth interviews conducted with professionals engaged in disaster risk reduction in the built environment in Sri Lanka. The interviews are complemented by a comprehensive literature review conducted on the impacts of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on wo…
Overcoming challenges faced by local governments in creating a resilient built environment in cities
Purpose Although, a number of initiatives have been taken after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami to institutionalise disaster risk reduction (DRR), gaps still exist in the Sri Lankan local government sector. Even after ten years, local governments are still struggling to overcome a number of challenges in relation to making resilience in the built environment. DRR has not yet been properly integrated into the local government system and, as a…
Capacity building for post disaster construction and demolition waste management: A case of Sri Lanka
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical framework for capacity building in post disaster construction and demolition (C & D) waste management at a national level to address the identified capacity gaps in managing disaster waste resulting from natural hazards. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered through pilot interviews, case studies and expert opinion surveys representing government, non-government and other …
Factors affecting the women's empowerment in disaster risk governance structure in Sri Lanka
Governance, Institutions and People within the Interface of a Tsunami Early Warning System
The interface mechanism in a tsunami early warning system (TEWS) occurs between receiving tsunami information at the country level and disseminating warning and evacuation orders to the public. Three crucial actions take place during the interface: issuing the warning, disseminating it, and ordering an evacuation. Using two case studies in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, a study was undertaken to understand the nature of the interface mechanism and the …
Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Disaster Risks
Improving the resilience of critical infrastructures: Evidence-based insights from a systematic literature review
Rebuilding Communities After Displacement: Sustainable and Resilience Approaches
This book presents double-blind peer-reviewed papers under scope of sustainable and resilient approaches for rebuilding displaced and host communities
Identifying and prioritizing climate change adaptation measures in the context of electricity, transportation and water infrastructure: A case study
Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) has become a vital measure within every nation due to the significant impacts posed by climate change on Critical Infrastructures (CIs) and human lives. Despite scholars' identification of possible impacts on CIs, a lack of consideration for CCA measures to mitigate these impacts can be observed. This study aims to identify and prioritize CCA measures in the assets and infrastructure of critical sectors; electricit…
Need for effective detection and early warnings for epidemic and pandemic preparedness planning in the context of multi-hazards: Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic
The need for effective early detection and timely surveillance for a robust pandemic and epidemic early warning and preparedness has been widely discussed amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, which suddenly erupted worldwide. This need is further established by various other hazards reported in many countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the failure of early detection of pathogens and their source of origin has been largely connected with …
International development and disaster risk reduction research: A UK research practitioner stocktake
Rebuilding Communities after Displacement: Sustainable and Resilience Approaches
A unified framework for evaluating the resilience of critical infrastructure: Delphi survey approach
This study advocates establishing an indicator system for Critical Infrastructures (CIs) resilience assessment to ensure consistency and comparability in future endeavors. Resilience has emerged as a fundamental framework for effectively managing the performance of CIs in response to the challenges posed by disaster events. However, it is evident that a lack of uniformity exists in the choice and standardization of resilience assessment framework…
Business (23 works) · Disaster Management and Resilience (19 works) · Engineering (18 works) · Computer Science (17 works) · Environmental planning (17 works) · Geography (16 works) · Political science (16 works) · Infrastructure Resilience and Vulnerability Analysis (12 works) · Disaster risk reduction (11 works) · Computer security (10 works)