University of Sri Jayewardenepura: Journals & Proceedings
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Enhancing Stakeholders Confidence in Financial Reporting through Corporate Governance and Accounting Ethical Practices in Nigerian Non-Financial Services Firms
Get PDFThis study investigates the role of corporate governance and accounting ethical practices on enhancing stakeholders’ confidence in financial reporting in non-financial services firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group. Using a longitudinal panel data approach and expo-fact design, the study analyzes secondary data from 16 purposively selected firms over a 20-year period. The study employs statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics and multiple panel regression of Random effect models alongside with some diagnostic test for data analysis.The study found that established ethical codes significantly enhance stakeholders’ trust, while unethical accounting practices have a detrimental effect. Furthermore, shareholder activism positively influences financial reporting transparency. The research concludes that corporate governance and accounting ethical practices enhance stakeholders’ confidence in financial reporting of the non-financial services firms. The study outcome boosted transparency may attract international investments and enhance market stability. Findings from the study encourage further exploration of governance and ethical dynamics in other sectors. The research calls for stricter regulations to enforce ethical compliance and promote shareholder engagement.The study contributes to more understanding on how ethical and governance practices shape stakeholder confidence in financial reporting within emerging markets. The research recommends that enforcing ethical codes, enhancing shareholder engagement, and instituting regulatory measures to mitigate unethical practices. These findings hold implications for policymakers, practitioners, and academics seeking to foster transparency and accountability in financial reporting
The Impact of Financial Crisis Towards the Real Estate Developments and Market in Colombo during 2020-2023
Get PDFSri Lanka's economic collapse began in 2019 with the Easter bomb blast and worsened in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The crisis affected industries like apparel, exports, tourism, and the construction industry. The Real Estate sector, which contributes to the economy, is crucial for retail, industrial, and commercial sectors. A research study aimed to identify the impact of the financial crisis on the Real Estate sector and identify strategies to overcome it. Semi-structured interviews with ten Real Estate Developers revealed risks such as withdrawal of investments, loss of sales, abandonment of businesses, and loss of opportunity cost. Strategies to overcome the crisis included small-scale projects and engaging in real estate or non-real estate-related alternative businesses. This study could help the Real Estate development industry proceed with construction projects and inform future research on strategies and business protection during economic collapse
Success of Hands-On Practices of the Local Community Involving Sea Turtle Conservation in the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka
No full textThe marine reptiles (sea turtles) are under threat worldwide, presumably due to environmental pollution, habitat fragmentations, coastal developments, and predator pressure. The ex-situ conservation site was established at Midigama, adjacent to the in-situ site, to study survival and effectiveness of the conservation process while minimizing predator pressure and anthropogenic pressure on the eggs and nests. Through the night patrol, which involved collecting and incubating eggs in an ex-situ site under a proper shade area, the depth of the hatchery nest dug at the ex-situ site was 35 (±2.50) cm, and the widest point of diameter was 14 (±2.00) cm. In particular, sand taken from the nest was deposited and coated on the wall of the hatchery nest before the eggs were laid. Nests were protected from possible predators until the hatchlings were ready for release. Furthermore, the number of survival and mortality of hatchlings were recorded over nesting seasons (December–April) for three years (2022–2024). Recorded all species was Olive Ridley Sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and average number of eggs was 120±4.35 per individual. Results indicated hatchling survival rates of 94%, 92%, and 87.7%, respectively, in 2022, 2023, and 2024. A significantly higher percentage highlighted the effectiveness of these conservation strategies in mitigating threats to hatchling survival. An increasing trend was observed in the estimated number of nests, eggs, and live hatchlings, further supporting the success of the conservation initiatives. The ANOVA analysis highlighted there was a significant difference between survival rates and total number of live hatchlings (p<0.05) in three different years. Notably, the integration of indigenous knowledge from the local community, from re-nesting of eggs to live hatchling release, played a key role in the success of the conservation efforts. The study underscores the importance of involvement of the coastal communities and the related institutes in sea turtle conservation and the need for developments of ex-situ conservation strategies. The available data and biological knowledge suggest that ex-situ conservation efforts may have contributed significantly to the conservation of sea turtles nesting in Midigama Beach; that increase is not only of regional importance but also of significance at the global level.
Keywords: Olive ridley turtle, Ex-situ conservation, Hatchling survival rates, Anthropogenic pressure, Survival rates, Coastal communitie
Detection of Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum in Bell Pepper and Lettuce Cultivation Lands in Sri Lanka
No full textRalstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne, gram-negative, phytopathogenic bacterium that critically threatens global agriculture. R. solanacearum comprises two distinct strains: one pathogenic and the other non-pathogenic. This bacterium exhibits extensive genetic diversity, infecting over 200 crop species, including bell pepper and lettuce. This study aimed to identify pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of R. solanacearum in bell pepper and lettuce cultivation across diverse agricultural sites. Samples were collected from lettuce and bell pepper cultivation lands in Sri Lanka, including Divulapitiya, Mirahawatta, Keppetipola, and Nuwara Eliya, along with control sites such as Jaffna, Colombo, and Kegalle. Soil, water, and infected plants were collected, kept in sealed bags, and transported to the laboratory under cool conditions. The samples were processed for R. solanacearum isolation using (TTC) agar medium. Based on the recorded results in Divulapitiya sampling site, 87.5% and 100% of soil samples were contaminated with virulent and non- virulent R. solanacearum respectively. Further, 70% and 100% of collected water and plant samples were respectively contaminated with virulent R. solanacearum species in Divlapitiya sampling site. Further, at the Mirahawatta sampling site, 0% contamination was recorded for virulent strains of R. solanacearum whereas 78% contamination was recorded for non-virulent R. solanacearum. Similarly, none of the samples from Keppetipola and Nuwaraeliya sites, were positive for virulent R. solanacearum whereas 100% samples of those sites were positive for non-virulent. Importantly, none of the samples from Jaffna control site were positive for virulent R. solanacearum whereas 100% of samples were positive for non-virulent strain. Moreover, 50% and 60% of samples from Kegalle and Colombo control sites were respectively contaminated with virulent strains whereas 100% of samples of those sites were contaminated with non-virulent strain. The finding of the present study reveals that the prevalence level of R. solanacearum in selected agricultural lands giving an alarming condition for Sri Lankan agriculture.
Keywords: R. solanacearum, Bell pepper, Lettuce, Agricultural contaminatio
Physicochemical Properties of Flour Obtained from Selected Traditional Corn Landraces in Sri Lanka
No full textIn Sri Lanka, most widely grown corn varieties are local and hybrid types. Besides these, there are traditional corn landraces that are relatively overlooked. This study examined physicochemical properties (starch granular structure, colour, pH, water absorption capacity, water solubility, oil absorption capacity, swelling capacity, bulk density, foaming capacity and foaming stability) of flour obtained from 4 such traditional corn landraces (Deshiya Iringu, Kahata Iringu, Kesel Iringu and Rathu Kappal) using standard procedures. For comparative purposes the above parameters were determined in a popularly cultivated local corn variety (Ruwan) and a Hybrid corn variety (M1 Maize Hybrid 5). All tests were conducted with triplicate measurements. Statistical differences between means were determined using analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference test. Morphologically no difference was observed in the shapes of starch granules observed under the light microscope. All the samples displayed polygonal granular shapes. Colour was analyzed using CIELAB colour parameters, (L*, a*, b*) which represent lightness, red-green, and yellow-blue values respectively. Highest a* value was shown by Rathu Kappal landrace. Highest L* and b* values were shown by Ruwan variety. pH of corn flours varied between 5.95–6.35. Water absorption capacities and water solubilities of corn flour types ranged between 129.98%–143.47% and 1.75%–4.38% respectively. The Ruwan variety showed the highest water absorption capacity and the lowest water solubility. Oil absorption capacities of corn flours ranged from 91.98%–105.70%. Bulk densities of the corn flours varied between 0.75–0.79 kg/m-3. Statistically there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in bulk densities of flour obtained from traditional corn landraces. Flour obtained from local and hybrid varieties showed significantly high bulk densities. Swelling capacities of the corn flours ranged from 9.00–11.33 mL and Hybrid variety showed the lowest swelling capacity. Foaming capacities of the corn flour types varied between 6.10%–8.40%. The Ruwan variety showed the lowest foaming capacity and Deshiya Iringu showed the highest foaming capacity. Foaming stability of all the corn flour types were found to be 0.00% in 1 hour. Although the study revealed variations in certain physicochemical properties among the six corn flour types, similarities were observed in properties such as foaming stability.
Keywords: Corn flour, Hybrid corn, Physicochemical properties, Traditional landraces
 
Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Cultivation using Agro-Industrial Waste Substrates
No full textThe increasing global demand for sustainable agricultural practices has led to a growing interest in oyster mushroom cultivation using agro-industrial waste substrates. These substrates, such as mango sawdust and coir dust, provide a low-cost cultivation medium while addressing the issue of agricultural waste disposal. This study evaluates the economic and environmental sustainability of using these waste materials for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation. The objectives include assessing the effects of different mango sawdust and coir dust ratios on mushroom yield and growth, analyzing the economic feasibility based on production costs and benefit-cost ratios, and exploring how the use of these waste substrates can reduce reliance on non-renewable materials and minimize waste. The experiment involved five treatments with varying ratios of mango sawdust and coir dust: T1 (100% mango sawdust, control), T2 (75% mango sawdust, 25% coir dust), T3 (50% mango sawdust, 50% coir dust), T4 (25% mango sawdust, 75% coir dust), and T5 (100% coir dust). Key measurements included mycelium growth time, primordia initiation, substrate weight loss, mushroom yield (cap diameter, fresh weight, dry weight), and benefit-cost ratios. Environmental benefits were evaluated through waste reduction. Data were analyzed using ANOVA to determine significant differences between treatments. The results revealed significant differences across the treatments, with T3 (50:50 mix of mango sawdust and coir dust) showing the most favorable outcomes. T3 exhibited the shortest mycelium growth and primordia initiation times, the highest substrate and fresh weights, and the best cost-benefit ratio, making it the most economically viable option. T2 and T3 also produced the largest cap diameters and highest dry weights. In contrast, T5 (100% coir dust) showed less favorable results for most parameters. The findings highlight that a balanced combination of mango sawdust and coir dust not only optimizes mushroom yield but also enhances economic returns and environmental sustainability. Reusing agro-industrial waste materials reduces production costs and environmental pollution, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The study demonstrates the potential of oyster mushroom cultivation using waste substrates as an economically and environmentally sustainable solution. Further research is encouraged to optimize substrate mixtures for different mushroom species and explore other agro-industrial waste materials for broader application.
Keywords: Agro-industrial waste, Economic and environmental impact, Oyster mushroom, Sustainabilit
The Effects of Botanical Extracts on Cercospora Leaf Spot Disease in Okra
Get PDFOkra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a heat-tolerant vegetable crop cultivated in many parts of Sri Lanka, facing significant challenges from Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) disease caused by Cercospora sp. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of some botanicals applied in controlling CLS of okra under field conditions. The experiment consisted of three treatments laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications at Horticultural Crop Research and Development Institute (HORDI), Gannoruwa. CLS susceptible MI5 variety of okra was used as planting material and artificially inoculated with the cercospora pathogen after reaching growth stage. About two weeks after inoculation of spore suspension of pathogen and when cercospora leaf spot symptoms were appeared, started the application of aqueous Azadirachta indica, aqueous Coscinium fenestratum, and Mancozeb 80% WP fungicide as treatments at 10% concentration, and untreated plants were kept as control. Over three spray regimes were assessed with a ten-day interval, and disease evaluation and measurements of percentage disease severity index (DSI%) of CLS on plants were performed and recorded. Microscopic observations confirmed that the causal agent of cercospora leaf spot of okra was Cercospora sp. Results of DSI% of CLS in the experiment showed that all treatments significantly suppressed the disease severity of CLS with spray regimes over control. The lowest disease severity was observed in plants treated with Mancozeb 80% WP, recording a DSI% of 2.92±0.21%, compared to a significantly higher DSI% of 59.95±2.55% in untreated plants. No statistically significant difference (P˃0.05) was shown between Coscinium fenestratum (9.14±0.52%) and Azadirachta indica (6.66±0.43%). The application of three sprays demonstrated superior efficacy in controlling the disease than one or two applications. Results revealed that the performance of plant extracts is comparable to the synthetic fungicide Mancozeb 80% WP, has remarkable ability to control CLS, and provides an ample opportunity to produce an eco-friendly control tool protecting okra plants from CLS devastating disease.
Keywords: Okra, Cercospora leaf spot disease, Plant extracts, Severit
Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Setting the Requirements for Sustainable Forest Management Certification Scheme
No full textThe holistic approach to sustainable forest management provides the improvement of a variety of forest ecosystem services such as enhanced wildlife diversity, improved water quality, carbon sequestration, etc. All these aspects need to be considered by forest certification schemes when setting criteria and requirements for forest owners to provide sustainable timber production while enhancing nature management, the local economy and biodiversity. Therefore, a decision-making process in setting certification criteria shall be knowledge based and transparent, with an open and multi-stakeholder participation. The main aim of this study is to examine the latest PEFC national sustainable forest management standard revision process in the Slovak Republic from the viewpoint of stakeholder participation. To assess the success and effectiveness of the process the emphasis is on the evaluation of the level of stakeholder participation, their expectations and contribution to the process as well as barriers and opportunities for participation. Additionally, trust among participating stakeholders, conflict resolution and overall satisfaction with the results achieved is examined. The results revealed that the stakeholders involved in the revision process are well informed about the PEFC certification in Slovakia, understand its importance for sustainable forest management processes, and are fully aware of their roles in the participatory process linking them with the roles of their organizations. Results also indicate that formal rules of consensus-based participation and informal aspects such as voluntary self-exclusion, education of the participants contributed to the improvement of trust between the participants, overall satisfaction and the perception of the revision process as effective. As the importance of participation in forest certification for forestry policy also lies in learning processes, revealed relations can be a useful benchmark for other countries with lacking or inadequate culture of participation and their mutual comparison.
Keywords: Forest certification, Standard setting, Stakeholders, Participation, Consensu
Density-Dependent Variations of Vegetation Dynamics in the Horton Plains National Park as Indicators of the Possible Long-Term Impacts of Forest Dieback and Recovery
Get PDFForest dieback in the Horton Plains (HNP) has been documented since the 1970s. However, its impact on the current vegetation composition has not been studied. Our objective was to determine the possible impacts of forest dieback on vegetation diversity and taxonomic composition in HNP. Here, we carried out a complete vegetation census of all trees ≥ 5 cm diameter at breast height in 24 sub-plots of 25 m × 25 m within four main plots (3750 m2 each) having six sub-plots each. Two of the main plots (A and B) were on the eastern slope of HNP towards Ohiya while the other two (C and D) were on the western slope towards ‘World’s End’. Tree density at the sub-plot and main plot levels varied significantly (p(χ2) <0.0001) with main plots A and C having lower tree densities (1,363 and 1,824 ha-1) than B and D (3,253 and 2,712 ha-1), possibly as a long-term (over 50 years since the 1970s) consequence of dieback-related phenomena. Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices, species richness and Shannon-Wiener and Simpson evenness indices varied significantly (p<0.05) among main plots while showing negative linear relationships with tree density at the main plot level. Accordingly, all five indices were higher in the two lower-density plots (A and C) in comparison to the respective higher-density plots (B and D). We recorded 42 tree species in the overall study area, with Syzygium revolutum (IVI=27.97), Symplocos bractealis (IVI=23.08) and Neolitsea fuscata (IVI=20.45) being the three most-influential, based on the Importance Value Index (IVI). We identified tree species sensitive or resilient to density reduction, possibly due to dieback-related phenomena, by quantifying the plot-wise variation of IVI of each species. Accordingly, Syzygium revolutum and Symplocos bractealis showed substantial reductions in IVI due to density reduction on both slopes of HNP, which shows that they are sensitive species. In contrast, Calophyllum walkeri is identified as resilient as its IVI showed little variation with density reduction on both slopes. The IVI of Neolitsea fuscata decreased with decreased tree density on the western slope, but increased on the eastern slope, thus showing differential sensitivity to dieback-related processes, probably due to environmental variations on the two slopes. Increasing trends in species richness, evenness and diversity indices with decreased tree density indicate that processes of recovery from tree dieback are occurring via colonization and re-growth. These results reveal important underlying trends of vegetation dynamics in HNP.
Keywords: Horton Plains, Forest dieback, IVI, Diversity, Tree densit
Isolation of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index, and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Compost from the Western Province of Sri Lanka
No full textThe dispersion of antibiotics in the environment has played a role in spreading Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) that cause resistance. Contaminated compost with antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARG can infiltrate into water resources or spread through the soil, it may bring ARB which can exchange genes with the other environmental bacteria. This can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogen populations in the environment. The objectives of the present study were the isolation of Amoxicillin (AMX), Cloxacillin (CLOX), Tetracycline (TET), and Ciprofloxacin (CIP) resistant bacteria from six municipal solid waste samples and five commercially available compost samples, the determination of multiple antibiotic-resistant indexes (MARI), and the detection of ARGs in resistant bacteria. ARBs were isolated according to the Clinical & Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Among 68 isolates, 37% exhibited resistance to AMX, 35% to CLOX, 15% to TET, and 13% to CIP. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Index (MARI) range varied from 0.25 to 1 for the isolated bacteria against tested antibiotics. The highest number of bacteria (45.5%) showed a MAR index 0.25. The ARGs, amp a, bla TEM, bla OXA, OPR (D), tet (A), tet (M), gyr A, and gyr B were selected for the screening of ARB and the amplification was done using PCR protocol. From the selected genes, bla TEM was detected in a high percentage (40.5%) in AMX-resistant bacteria, OPR (D) was detected in a high percentage (40.5%) in CLOX-resistant isolates, gyr B gene (54%) was detected at a higher percentage whereas tet (M) was detected in a high percentage (56%) in TET bacterial isolates compared to other resistant genes. However, all the collected samples were positive for at least one resistance gene. It is important to prevent antibiotic resistance from entering the environment through compost, as it poses considerable threats to public health. These findings can be used to provide a baseline for future research on controlling antibiotic resistance in agricultural operations.
Keywords: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Antibiotic-resistant genes, Compost, Multiple antibiotic-resistant inde