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You are here: OUSL / Faculty of Natural Sciences / Dept. of Computer Science 

Dr. (Mrs.) W.A. Suresha Nilmini Perera

BSc(Hons)in IT (University of Moratuwa), Master of Computer Science( UCSC), PhD (University of Moratuwa), SMIEEE

Lecturer (Probationary)

Department of Computer Science
  • Central Campus, Science and Technology Building, 3rd Floor
  • +94 718110358
  • waper@ou.ac.lk , sureshasnp@gmail.com

Dr. Suresha Nilmini Perera obtained her B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Information Technology from
the University of Moratuwa in September 2009 and completed her MCS in Computer Science at
the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) in December 2020. She earned her
doctoral degree from the University of Moratuwa in 2025, conducting research in the areas of
Natural Language Processing (NLP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and social networking.
Following her undergraduate studies, she began her career as a Software Engineer at
Millennium Information Technologies, Malabe. She later joined Gigies (Pvt) Ltd., Sri Lanka,
where she served as a Senior Software Engineer and was subsequently promoted to Tech
Lead. She then moved into academia, joining the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering at the Open University of Sri Lanka as a Lecturer (on contract). Since 2019, she
has been serving as a Lecturer (Probationary) in the Department of Computer Science, Faculty
of Natural Sciences.
Her current research interests include hate speech analysis on social media platforms, text
analytics, natural language processing, and social network analysis. She continues to contribute
to advancing AI-driven methodologies and applications through research, teaching, and
collaborative projects.

Natural Language Processing, AI Techniques, Machine Learning

Social Network Analysis, Natural Language processing, Social Network Analysis

CSU4301/CSU4616 – Object Oriented Programming
ECZ3262/ECZ3161 – Mathematics/Mathematics for Computing
ECI5161 – Human Computer Interaction
BBM11033 – Information and Communication Technology
ECS201/CE2201 – Software Engineering
CE2201 – Data Structures and Algorithms
BTM11033 – Basic computing and application
ECS402 – Management Information Systems
EEX9233 Research Methodology
Final year group project supervision

Hate speech user identification in Social Media.

 

  1. Author of 2 units of the book “Programming in Python”, which was developed by the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Open University of Sri Lanka as part of the collaborative advanced ICT course development project of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). The same book is used as the course material for EEI3367 – Python Programming at the Open University of Sri Lanka.
  2. Author of 2 units of the book “Introduction to Android” which was developed by the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Open University of Sri Lanka as a part of the collaborative advanced ICT course development project of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). The same book is used as the course material for EEI3269 – Introduction to Mobile Application Development at the Open University of Sri Lanka.
  3. Script writer and video editor – videos for “Introduction to Android” which was developed by the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Open University of Sri Lanka as a part of the collaborative advanced ICT course development project of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Overview of the course – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgOJwaMtv_k
  1. D. H. W. Kannangara, S. Ahangama, S. N. Perera, M. Pushpakumara, A. S. Karunananda and D. K. Withanage, “Iddhipada Agent for versatile e-Learning,” 2007 Third International Conference on Information and Automation for Sustainability, Melbourne, VIC, 2007, pp. 129-134, doi: 10.1109/ICIAFS.2007.4544791.
  2. KushaniPerera, Nalin Bandara, SureshaPerera, LakshikaBalasuriya ,DamithAmarasena, Dileeka Dias (2009), InforMate-GIS for Diverse Mobile Devices, 4 th annual eASiA 2009 conference and exhibition, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  3. SureshaPerera, Shalini Rajasingham, “Quantitative Analysis of Blended Learning in ODL Education”, Second Asia-Pacific Conference on Multidisciplinary Research 2017 (APMR2017), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  4. SureshaPerera, B.K. Werapitiya, S. Rajasingham, I.A. Premaratne, “Using extrinsic and intrinsic motivation factors to encourage student discussions in online classrooms: integrating facebook”, 31st Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) Conference in Indonesia, 2017
  5. L.S.K. Udugama, Suresha N. Perera, “Converting a Course from Traditional Teaching to Online Learning for a Blended Programme”, Ninth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF9), Edinburgh, Scotland, 9 – 12 September 2019.
  6. Suresha N. Perera, Nuwan Hettiarachchi, “Latest advancements in Information and Communication Technology for better interactive Virtual Healthcare Medical Clinic”, 4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences IRSPAS 2019, October 2019, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
  7. Suresha N. Perera, “Game Based Learning for Primary School Children to avoid COVID-19 educational disruption”, Teaching-Learning in the Time of Pandemic: Role of Online Learning, Krishna KantaHandiqui State Open University, INDIA in Collaboration with Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), INDIA, 21–22 April, 2020.
  8. Suresha N. Perera, S. Rajasingham, “GAME BASED LEARNING APPROACH FOR VIRTUAL ROGRAMMING LABORATORY CLASSES”, The Open University Research Sessions (OURS) 2020, Sri Lanka, 12th& 13th November 2020.
  9. Suresha N. Perera, Kasun Karunanayaka, “Sentiment Classification of Social Media Data with Supervised Machine Learning Approaches:Common Framework, Challenges, and New Dimensions”, 4th SLAAI – International Conference on Artificial Intelligence (SLAAI-ICAI-2020), 16th Annual Sessions-2020.
  10. Silva, H.D., Ahangama, S., Perera, S. (2021). Sinhala Text Extraction from YouTube Thumbnails using Convolutional Spiking Neural Networks. From Innovation to Impact 2020, Sri Lanka
  11. Caldera, H.M.M., Perera, S., Meedin, G.S.N., Perera, I. (2021). Classification of Trending Videos in YouTube, From Innovation to Impact 2020, Sri Lanka
  12. Perera, W.A.S.N., Perera, I., Ahangama, S. (2021). Hate Speech Detection on Sinhala Social Media Text Using LSTM and FastText. Proceeding of the Open University Research Sessions (OURS 2021), Sri Lanka, 16th & 17th September 2021.
  13. Perera, W.A.S.N., Perera, I., Ahangama, S. (2021). Identifying Hate Content with Facebook Posts in Sinhala Language Using Emoticons and Reactions-based Text Analysis. SLAAS 77th Annual Sessions – 2021, Sri Lanka.

 

Poster Presentations

  1. R.A.C.S.Ranawaka, W.A.S.N.Perera, “Learning Analytics Intervention and Evaluation of Factors Associated with Student Academic Performance in SLTC Education Study Programs”, 4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences IRSPAS 2019, October 2019, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
  2. W.A.SureshaNilminiPerera, Panduka Karunanayake, Dileeka Dias, Paper titled “UCFM Travel Health Clinic: Concept and Design” written based on “UCFM Travel Health Clinic” which was developed by me for the 4th year project, got selected for the 27th National IT conference (NITC) 2009, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  3. KushaniPerera, Nalin Bandara, SureshaPerera, LakshikaBalasuriya ,DamithAmarasena, Dileeka Dias, (2009). InforMate-GIS for Diverse Mobile Devices, 4th annual eASiA 2009 conference and exhibition, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10.13140/RG.2.2.32416.74243.

 

Have been supervising undergraduate Final Year Project students in the areas of Machine Learning,Agent Technology, and data mining.

2025 – Present – Executive Committee Member of the Section E3 committee of the Sri
Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS)
2025 – Present – Executive Committee Member (Coordinator – Industry Relations) – IEEE
Computer Society Sri Lanka Chapter
2025 – Present – Council member of Sri Lanka Association of Artificial Intelligence(SLAAI)
2024 – 2025 – The Secretary of the Section E3 committee of the Sri Lanka Association for the
Advancement of Science (SLAAS)
2019 – 2021 – The Secretary of the i-Team, Department of Computer Science Society of the
OUSL -(2020/2021)
2010 – Present – Member of IEEE
Life Member – Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS)

1. 2023 Velocity Innovation Challenge by the University of Auckland, 2023. Listed at the
final 15 finalists- $100k Challenge Grand Finals
ReferenceStar is a transformative digital platform streamlining global reference letter processes
for job applicants, referees, and employers. Customizable templates enhance efficiency,
eliminate biases, and validate references for a more effective job market, catering specifically to
the needs of the dynamic global workforce.
https://www.cie.auckland.ac.nz/newsroom/finalists-announced-from-biggest-velocity-100k-
challenge-ever/
2. 2022 Velocity Innovation Challenge by the University of Auckland, 2022. Won the
social prize award for the team “SentiSay” which I am a member of the team.
SentiSay is a multi-application, cross-platform plugin (your digital voice of reason) that
identifies the tone/sentiment of written interactions. SentiSay enables responsible/ethical written
communication on the go, by giving a general score/colour emoji or context-specific
(demographic etc.) sentiment analysis for written content.

https://www.cie.auckland.ac.nz/newsroom/2022-velocity-innovation-challenge-winners-
revealed/
3. 2007 Microsoft Imagine Cup 2007 Worldwide Competition, “Software Design” Category
Local Second Runner up, Member of Team “Sanhitha” from Faculty of Information
Technology, University of Moratuwa.
This project leverages the Buddhist philosophical concept of Iddhipada, which identifies four
mental factors—desire-to-do (chanda), mindfulness (citta), effort (viriya), and investigation
(vimansa)—as crucial for successful learning. Good teachers promote a balanced development
of these factors in students. The aim is to develop a Software Agent that integrates these
Iddhipada principles into e-learning systems, emulating the role of an effective teacher.
4. 2019 Awarded the Best Oral Presentation in Multidisciplinary Approach in Science for
the
paper “Latest advancements in Information and Communication Technology for better
interactive Virtual Healthcare Medical Clinic”.