my-profile
Contact
+94777804071
harinda.f@sliit.lk
Dr. Harinda Fernando
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Computing | Computer Systems Engineering
Career Summary
- Overview
Senior academic with 18 years of experience in tertiary education across Australia and Sri Lanka. My expertise spans Cyber Security, Networking, and Machine Learning, encompassing technical, research, and teaching domains. Over the past 13 years, I have supervised more than 250 undergraduate and 50 postgraduate dissertations, demonstrating my strong commitment to academic mentorship.
I have a proven track record in curriculum development, revision, and localization, ensuring that programs meet diverse educational needs and standards. Additionally, I have successfully negotiated and developed transnational academic partnerships, fostering collaboration and exchange between institutions. My experience extends to leadership, management, and administration within higher education, where I have effectively led teams, managed projects, and contributed to the overall strategic vision of academic institutions.
- Experience
- SLIIT Uni - Sri Lanka
- 2024 - Current - Cluster Lead - Information Assurance and Security Research Cluster
- 2023 - Current - Assistant Professor
- 2023 - Current - Program Coordinator (MSc - Cybersecurity) | Faculty of Computing
- 2022 - 2023 - Senior Lecturer (HG) | Faculty of Computing
- 2022 - 2023 - Program Coordinator (MSc - IS) | Faculty of Computing
- 2022 - 2023 - Coordinator (CDAP) | Faculty of Computing
- APIIT - Sri Lanka
- 2021 - 2022 - Head | Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing Research Lab
- 2014 - 2022 - Senior Lecturer | School of Computing
- 2017 - 2022 - Final Year Project Coordinator | School of Computing
- 2016 - 2019 - Head | School of Computing
- 2014 - 2016 - Award Coordinator | School of Computing
- Deakin University - Australia
- 2013 - 2013 - Research Assistant
- 2008 - 2013 - Sessional Lecturer
- SLIIT Uni - Sri Lanka
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD In Computing - Deakin University, Australia
- Research Domains - Cybersecurity, Networking and IOT
- BBIT (Hons) - Deakin University, Australia
HONOURS AND AWARDS
- Judge of "National Best Quality Software Awards" (NBQSA) for years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023
- Recipient of "Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP)" scholarship for PhD
- Inducted into the Golden Key Honor Society
- Placed on Deans List for Undergraduate Degree
- Awarded AINTEC 2024 Travel grant - 2000 USD
- Awarded SLIIT research grants for the years:
- 2002 - Principal Investigator - 400,000 LKR
- 2003 - Co-Investigator - 400,000 LKR
- 2004 - Principle Investigator - 500,000 LKR
Research Interests and Memberships
Research Interests
- Machine Learning/Deep Learning (ML/DL)
- Cyber Security (CS)
- Computer Vision
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Networking and Network Security
Memberships
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- Senior Member of Institute of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (SMIEEE)
- Member of Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET)
- Member of the Australian Computer Society (MACS)
- Committee Member - IEEE ComSoc Society - Sri Lanka Chapter (2024)
Ongoing Research
Personal Research
- Deep Learning Based Prediction of the Properties of Nanoparticles for Use in Healthcare
- Deep Learning for Network Attack Detection on Resource Constrainted Edge Devices
- A Framework for Improving Youth Social Media Users’ Cyber-Risk Profile
- Use of autonomous drones to detect physical faults in high voltage insulators
- A framework for securing teaching LLMs against prompt injection attacks
MPhil Supervision
- A novel DNA-based quantum-safe encryption algorithm for IoT devices - Deemantha Siriwardena
- Securing Autonomous Vehicle Communications and Privacy: Novel Approaches to V2V Trust - Niranjan Meegammana
- Enhancing the Accuracy and Security of Federated Learning Systems - Kaushalya Rajapakse
- Enhancing Mobile Forensic Analysis of Social Networking Applications on Android Smartphones through Intelligent Data Analytics and Cognitive Computing - Ayesha Wijesooriya
My Publications
Book Chapters
- H. S. Fernando and J. Abawajy " Malware Detection and Prevention in RFID Systems " N. Bessis, Internet of things and inter-cooperative computational technologies for collective intelligence, Ed. 1, 2013, Springer,
- H. Fernando and J. Abawajy " A Security Framework for Networked RFID " J. Abawajy, Internet and Distributed Computing Advancements: Theoretical Frameworks and Practical Applications, Ed. 1, 2012, IGI Global, pp.28,
Journal Publications
- J. Abawajy and H. Fernando " "Policy-based SQLIA Detection and Prevention Approach for RFID Systems" " Journal for Computer Standards & Interfaces, vol.38, 2015, pp.64-71, Elsevier - ScienceDirect , 10.1016/j.csi.2014.08.005,
- W. C. Y. S. Lowe, A. P. O. Kithma, H. Fernando, L. Abeywardhana " "Integrated Human-Proximity and Recognition for Detecting Smart Object Ownership in Organizational Settings" " International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology, vol.7, Issue 10, 2023, pp.185, ProQuest, 10.47001/IRJIET/2023.710024,
- I. R. Senanayake, B.J. D. A. Weerasekara, H.T. A. Siriwardana, N. G. R. P. Ekanayake, H. Fernando, T. Kelegama " "Smart Navigation System for Supermarket" " International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology, vol.7, Issue 10, 2023, pp.543, ProQuest, 10.47001/IRJIET/2023.710071,
- K. H. Vidanage, H. Fernando, L. Abeywardhana " "Human, Object and Pose Detection for Theft Prevention through Surveillance System" " International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology, vol.7, Issue 11, 2023, pp.160, ProQuest, 10.47001/IRJIET/2023.711023,
Conference Proceedings
- H. Fernando and H. Mahdin A Web based peer-to-Peer RFID Architecture in The Second International Conference on Recent Advances on Soft Computing and Data Mining, year 2016, Bandung, Indonesia, pp.549 - 559, Springer,
- H. Fernando and J. Abawajy A Hybrid Mutual Authentication Protocol for RFID in 7th International ICST Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Systems: Computing, Networking and Services, year 2010, Sydney, Australia, pp.310 - 317, Springer,
- H. Fernando and J. Abawajy A RFID Architecture Framework for Global Supply Chain Applications in 11th International Conference on Information Integration and Web-based Application and Services, year 2009, Kular Lampur, Malaysia, pp.313 - 320, ACM Digital Library,
- H. Fernando and J. Abawajy Mutual Authentication Protocol for Networked RFID Systems in 10th IEEE International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing and Communication, year 2011, Changsa, China, pp.417 - 424, IEEE Computer Society,
- H. Fernando and J. Abawajy Securing RFID Systems from SQLIA in International Conference on Algorithms and Architectures for Parallel Processing, year 2011, Melbourne, Australia, pp.245 - 254, Springer,
- R. Chitty, K. Gunawikrama and H. Fernando Development of Loan Default Prediction Model for Finance Companies in Sri Lanka – A Case Study in International Conference on Data Science and Its Applications (ICoDSA), year 2022, Bandung, Indonesia, IEEE, 6 -7 July 2022,
- I. Kiridena, D. Marasinghe, R. Karunarathne, K. Wijethunga, H. Fernando Emotion and Mentality Monitoring Assistant (EMMA) in 8th International Conference on Communication and Electronics Systems (ICCES), year 2023, pp.1572-1579, IEEE,
- Y. Wimukthi, H. Kottegoda, D. Andaraweera, P. Palihena, H. Fernando, D. Kasthurirathnae Advancing Canine Health and Care: A Multifaceted Approach using Machine Learning in 5th International Congress on Human-Computer Interaction, Optimization and Robotic Applications (HORA), year 2023, pp.1-6, IEEE,
- S. D. Rajkumar, I. U. Dewpura, P Fernandez, C. Maduka, H. Fernando, S. Rajapakshe MindRelax: Smart System for Emotion and Mental Stress Monitoring, Detection and Management in 2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.268-273, IEEE, 12-13 December,
- W. L. D. C. K. De Alwis Gunathilake, S. H. Kalansooriya, W. A. P. Shavinda, S. H. K. Madushan, H. Fernando, D. Kasthurirathna Deep Learning-Based Approach for Real-Time Traffic Signal Optimization and Vehicle Surveillance in 2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.41-46, IEEE, 12-13 December,
- N. W. Meegammana, H. Fernando Detection of Network Attacks on Application Servers Using Deep Learning in IoT Environments in 2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.645-650, IEEE, 12-13 December,
- O. V. D. E. Roshani, H. M. K. J. J. Ayuwardhana, P. H. M. S. Rodrigo, R. U. Hewageegana, H. Fernando, D. I. DeSilva Novel Approach for Enhancing Mental Well-Being Through Machine Learning Techniques in 2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2023, Colombo, pp.651-656, IEEE, 12-13 December,
- T. S. Perera, A. N. Garusinghe, T. S. De Silva, T. K. Senevirathne, K. Y. Abeywardena, H. Fernando Electronic Voting System Using Blockchain Technology in 2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2023, Colombo, pp.460-465, IEEE, 12-13 December,
- W. H. K. Fernando, P. L. D. N. Perera, M. I. N. Fernando, P. T. E. W. Gunasekara, H. Fernando, R. De Zoysa Empowering Deaf Children with Sinhala Sign Language, Emotion Detection, and Sound Recognition in 2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.388-393, IEEE, 12-13 December,
- K. N. Dilshan, H. A. C. K Rathnayake, L. P. T. L. Pathirana, D. H. S. V. Dhanapala, H. Fernando, P. K. W. Abeygunawardhana Blockchain-Based Decentralized Breast Cancer Patient Monitoring System for Remote Healthcare Security in 2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.573-578, IEEE, 12-13 December,
- K. Mudunkotuwa, C. Senadeera, B. Gunawardana, O. Pathiraja, D. Wijendra, H. Fernando Water Quality Assessment of Reservoirs in Sri Lanka in 2023 5th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2023, Colombo, pp.810-815, IEEE, 12-13 December,
- T. Gunasekara, D. Thihan, S. Kodithuwakku, D. Dissanayake, , H. Fernando, S. Vidhanaarachchi, A. Sindhujan Improving Fake News Detection with a Mixture of Experts: Leveraging Sentiment Analysis and Sarcasm Detection as Core Expert Models in 2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.1 - 6, IEEE,
- Navindu Praveen, Harinda Fernando, Manori Gamage Machine Learning-Driven Toolkit for Sinhala Text-to-Speech and Spell Checker in 2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.151 - 156, IEEE,
- Mishara Jayathilaka, Hiranya Weerasinghe, Kithmi Gunawardana, Pinidu Samarasinghe, Harinda Fernando, Deemantha Siriwardene Design and Implementation of a Secure Documentation System for Robust Document Transfer and Access Control in 2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.270 - 275, IEEE,
- Niranjan W Meegammana, Harinda Fernando A Comprehensive Threat Model for Autonomous Vehicle Communication Security in 2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.217 - 222, IEEE,
- Chamath Liyanage, Hirushini Dematgoda, Dewmini Harindi, Nirmal Perera, Harinda Fernando, Samadhi Rathnayake Machine Learning Based Detection System for Identifying Deepfake Images and Social Bots in 2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.324 - 329, IEEE,
- Dewmini Harindi, Nirmal Perera, Chamath Liyanage, Hirushini Dematagoda, Harinda Fernando, Samadhi Rathnayake Combating Digital Deception: Machine Learning Approaches for Detecting Political Misinformation and Clickbait on Social Media in 2024 6th International Conference on Advancements in Computing (ICAC), year 2024, Colombo, pp.318 - 323, IEEE,
- WAPN Weerasinghe, NH Kalupahana, MRM Shifak, WMDP Gunathilake, Harinda Fernando, Samanthi ER Siriwardana Intelligent CCTV-Based Motorbike Theft Detection System in Bike Parks with 3D Slot Identification and Posture Monitoring in 2024 9th International Conference on Information Technology Research (ICITR), year 2025, Colombo, pp.1 - 6, IEEE,
- Eelanila Thayalan, Ayingaran Arumugavel, Sharujan Ganeshan, Makenthiran Dalaxshan, Harinda Fernando, Kaushalya Rajapakse Web Application to predict Skin Disease: An Approach Using Deep Learning Algorithm in 2024 International Congress on Human-Computer Interaction, Optimization and Robotic Applications (HORA), year 2024, ?stanbul - Türkiye, pp.1 - 6, IEEE,
- GE Manukulasooriya, RSI Munasingha, Harinda Fernando, HKI Uthpali, AVSH Yeshani, Deemantha Siriwardana Enhancing Automated Android Application Security through Hybrid Static and Dynamic Analysis Techniques in 5th International Congress on Human-Computer Interaction, Optimization and Robotic Applications (HORA), year 2024, ?stanbul - Türkiye, pp.1 - 6, IEEE,
- Isuru Kavinda, Harinda Fernando Handwritten Prescription Recognition Using VGG Based Architecture with Bi-LSTM in 2024 International Research Conference on Smart Computing and Systems Engineering (SCSE), year 2025, Colombo, pp.1 - 6, IEEE, 2024/4/4,
- N. Meegammana, H. Fernando Securing IoT Servers: Strategies for Employing Shallow and Deep Neural Networks in 25th ICTer International Conference, year 2024, Colombo, University of Colombo School of Computing, 2024/11/6,
World Wide Web
- H. Fernando and J. Abawajy " Enhancing RFID performance and security in networked environments "https://dro.deakin.edu.au/view/DU:30056787." By: Deakin University By: 2012
Conference Presentations
- N. Meegammana, H. Fernando " Securing IoT Servers: Shallow vs. Deep Neural Network Architectures Presentation, at Sydney, Australia, 2024
English
Sinhala
Tamil
