Profile
Ms. Banu Nissanka is a Lecturer in Information Technology at the Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Dance and Drama, University of the Visual and Performing Arts. She obtained her first Degree, Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka in 2017 with a first class. She completed her Master’s in Information Management at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology in 2021.
In 2025, she joined University of the Visual and Performing Arts as a Lecturer. Before her current appointment, she held several academic and industry positions, including Senior Lecturer in Computing at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Lecturer in IT at ESOFT Metro Campus, and worked in the IT industry as a Software Engineer at Reap Digital and a Trainee Software Engineer at WSO2 in the Data Analytics and Research team.
Research Interests
- Blended and Remote Learning
- Machine Learning
- Data Mining
- Anomaly Detection
- Teaching and learning in higher education
- Digital literacy
Research Publications
Refereed Journal Articles:
- Sören Köpke, Sisira S. Withanachchi, E. N. Chinthaka Perera, Chandana R. Withanachchi, Deepika U. Gamage, Thushantha S. Nissanka, Chinthana C. Warapitiya, Banu M. Nissanka, Nirangani N. Ranasinghe, Chathurika D. Senarathna, Hansani Ruwanthika Dissanayake, Ruwan Pathiranage, Christian Schleyer & Andreas Thiel “Factors driving human–elephant conflict: statistical assessment of vulnerability and implications for wildlife conflict management in Sri Lanka”, Biodiversity and Conservation, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02903-z
- Sören Köpke, Sisira S Withanachchi, Ruwan Pathiranage, Chandana R Withanachchi, Deepika U Gamage, Thushantha S Nissanka, Chinthana C Warapitiya, Banu M Nissanka, Nirangani N Ranasinghe, Chathurika D Senarathna, Hansani R Dissanayake, EN Chinthake Perera, Christian Schleyer, Andreas Thiel,2023, “Human-elephant conflict in the Sri Lankan dry zone: investigating social and geographical drivers through field-based methods”, GeoJournal 88 (5), 5153-5172.
- Sören Köpke, Sisira S Withanachchi, Ruwan Pathiranage, Chandana R Withanachchi, Deepika U Gamage, Thushantha S Nissanka, Chinthana C Warapitiya, Banu M Nissanka, Nirangani N Ranasinghe, Chathurika D Senarathna, Hansani R Dissanayake, EN Chinthake Perera, Christian Schleyer, Andreas Thiel, 2021, “Human Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka: A critical review of casual explanations”, Sustainability 2021, vol.13, issue 15.
Conference Papers:
- Banu M Nissanka, Chandana R Withanachchi, 2025. “AI-based predictive modelling of visitor flow at Sri Lankan heritage sites to manage over tourism and structural stress”, CCF–ICOMOS Sri Lanka National Conference: Beyond Dr. Roland Silva Charting New Frontiers in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Heritage.
- Banu M Nissanka, Nirangani N Ranasinghe, 2022, “A conceptual model of student satisfaction in online learning in sri lankan state universities”, National Research Symposium, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.
- Banu M Nissanka, Chandana R Withanachchi,2021, “Application of computerized data analysis for archaeological studies”, National Archaeology Symposium, Department of Archaeology.
- Banu M Nissanka, Chathurika D Senarathna, 2019, “Uses and the potential of information technology to promote archaeological tourism in Sri Lanka”, International Conference on Heritage as Soft Power, Centre for heritage studies, University of Kelaniya.
- Banu M Nissanka, 2019, “Current potential of Internet of Things and application domain”, 5th International Buddhist conference, Biksu University of Sri Lanka.
- Banu M Nissanka, 2017, “Physical activity recognition with three dimensional smartphone accelerometer for improving physical activeness”, Applied Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri lanka.
Memberships and Awards
- Vice chancellor’s award on recognition for publishing indexed articles at the awards of excellence and vice chancellor’s award for research, rajarata university of sri lanka held in (2022)
Links
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RsALmyoAAAAJ&hl=en
Research gate : https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Banu-Nissanka
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/banu-nissanka-910a1084/