University of Sri Jayewardenepura: Journals & Proceedings
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Developing Timber Classification Systems for Sri Lanka based on Wood Properties and End Uses
No full textThis research develops enhanced timber classification systems for Sri Lanka, based on wood properties and end-use applications. The study analyzed wood properties of 60 timber species which are included in eight classes of the current timber classification of State Timber Corporation (STC), assessed the durability and applications through local carpenter surveys and proposed improved classification systems integrating wood property analysis, survey results, and international comparisons. Wood property analysis included the wood density, Modulus of Rupture (MOR), and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE). Through expert consultations, the analysis yielded a four-category quality-based classification system (Q1 to Q4) focused on structural applications. This data-driven approach revealed significant differences from the existing STC classification. While high-quality (Q1) species like Satin and narrow-leaved Mahogany aligned with higher STC groups, other Q1 species such as Hora and Coconut were categorized in lower STC groups (fifth and sixth groups of STC classification). Notable discrepancies included Q3 species like Jack (classified in STC's second group) and Q4 species including Toona, Cypress, and Lunumidella (classified in sixth group of STC classification). The research further classified the wood species according to dimensional stability using the Tangential/Radial (T/R) ratio, durability characteristics and end-use suitability. These classification systems provide a scientifically grounded framework for timber selection process in Sri Lanka, enabling evidence-based decision-making and optimal utilization of timber resources across various applications.
Keywords: Timber classification, Structural applications, Dimensional stability, Durability, Expert consultations
 
A Medical Anthropological Study of Traditional Medicine of the Vedda People for the Prevention and Control of Epidemics
Get PDFPeople around the world use a variety of medical methods to treat diseases. Of these, the traditional medicine methods of the indigenous people are unique because they are built in conjunction with their culture. The ‘Vedda people’, known as the indigenous people of Sri Lanka, use their own medical techniques to cure diseases. What are the treatments they use for the prevention and control of epidemics using their traditional medical methods? This is a research problem in this research. The objective of the research is to study what are the traditional medical treatments of the Vedda people for the prevention and control of epidemics. The research is based entirely on secondary sources. Only qualitative data is used for this. Traditional healers of Vedda community believe that the cause of all diseases is the influence of gods and demons. For this reason, various rituals are one of the main methods of treatment for the epidemics and other ailments of the Vedda people. They perform these rituals to please the evil spirits of their dead relatives who are endangering them. It is the belief of the Vedda people that after doing so, the demonic spirits of the dead relatives will be happy and they will stop endangering themselves. Here, various treatments could be identified in the traditional medicine of the Vedda people for the prevention and control of epidemics. Among them are the use of medicines, the use of Manthra, and the holding of ritual offerings. According to the study data, it can be concluded that the influences of Sinhala medicine have been added to the traditional medicine of the Vedda people.
KEYWORDS: Traditional medicine, Vedda people, epidemic, ritual
Exploring the Needs for Green Practices in the Hotel Supply Chain: The Case of Colombo District
Get PDFThis study examines the need for adopting green practices in the hotel supply chain within the Colombo District. The research aims to explore the needs for green practices in hotel supply chain in the Colombo district. In this study employed qualitative approach. Through semi-structured interviews with 5 hotel managers and supply chain professionals, and convenience sampling technique use for this study. Data analysis done by using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the five main needs for green practices in hotel industry. Such as Sustainability as a Necessity, Environmental Challenges and Collective Responsibility, Financial Benefits and Market Relevance, Luxury and Environmental Responsibility, Eco-Conscious Guests and Competitive Edge. The study concludes that adopting green practices in the hotel supply chain is not just a strategic advantage but a necessity for sustainability, financial efficiency, and market relevance. By integrating eco-friendly initiatives, hotels can meet global sustainability goals, reduce costs, and appeal to a growing base of environmentally conscious consumers
Investigating Critical Barriers of Green Building Technologies (GBTs) Adoption in the Sri Lankan Construction Industry
Get PDFThis research investigates the critical barriers to the adoption of Green Building Technologies (GBTs) in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Despite the global shift towards sustainable construction practices, Sri Lanka has been slow to embrace GBTs due to various challenges. Through a comprehensive literature review and a survey of 50 industry professionals, this study identifies 14 significant barriers, including high initial costs, economic uncertainties, and lack of supportive government policies. The findings highlight the predominance of economic and political barriers, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies such as financial incentives, policy reforms, and capacity-building initiatives. The study concludes that overcoming these barriers is essential for advancing sustainable construction practices in Sri Lanka and promoting long-term environmental sustainability
Analysing Historical Real Estate Price Trends and Economic Indicators from 2004 to 2023: A Study of Office Properties at CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai
Get PDFThis study investigates real estate price trends for office properties in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, from 2004-2023, and how these changes relate to macroeconomic variables including interest rates, GDP growth, unemployment, and inflation. In order to account for major economic events, the COVID-19 epidemic, the 2008 financial crisis, and India's demonetization in 2016, the analysis is divided into two periods: 2004-2013 and 2014-2023. The findings indicate, nominal prices have increased significantly over time, and real prices accounting for inflation show considerable fluctuation, after 2016. GDP growth and real estate prices are found to have a significant negative correlation, while interest rates had a positive effect on real estate prices from 2004-2013. However, from 2014-2023, none of these factors had a significant impact on price stability. The post-pandemic trend toward remote work further reduced demand for office space, which slowed the rise in prices. This study offers information to help policymakers and investors make wise choices in an evolving socioeconomic context
Study on Urban Agglomeration in Hambanthota City based on Hambanthota Seaport: A Review of Planning Framework
Get PDFUrban agglomeration involves clustering cities of various scales to form a metropolitan region, optimizing economies of scale and reducing transport costs by centralizing populations, economic activities, and infrastructure. Seaports are crucial in this process, acting as transport hubs and catalysts for urban expansion. In 2010, the National Physical Planning Department of Sri Lanka aimed to develop metro cities through seaport projects, with Hambantota being a key focus in Creating Hambanthota Metro Region. However, the outcomes of the development and associated costs have been the subject of significant debate and skepticism.Given the lack of comprehensive studies evaluating the planning efforts, this research investigates the relationship between the seaport and the development of a metro city in Hambantota. The findings indicate that, despite attempts to create a metropolitan region throughout the district, only 37% of urban agglomeration has been achieved in the Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD). If current trends persist, only a 1% increase in urban agglomeration is projected by 2050. Although there is a positive relationship between the seaport and urban agglomeration, the significance of each factor contributing to the growth of both the seaport and the city is less than 1%. This underscores the critical need to revise development strategies to effectively enhanceurban agglomeration and achieve the initial planning goals
Impact of Celebrity Endorsement on Purchase Intention: Does Gender Matter? (With Special Reference to Hair Care Industry in Sri Lanka)
Get PDFPurpose: Celebrity endorsement is a marketing approach in which a well-known public person, such as a celebrity, athlete, or influencer, endorses a particular product, brand, or service. Companies use the celebrity's popularity, personality, or skill to strengthen the brand image and create customer intention to buy the product. Thus, the study aimed to test the impact of celebrity endorsement on customer purchase intention in the Sri Lankan hair care industry, with the moderating effect of gender.
Design/methodology/approach: Through a comprehensive survey conducted among 175 customers of the Sri Lankan hair care industry, data was collected based on the convenient sampling method. Further, the smart pls 4 software was used to analyze the findings due to the fact that the model of the present study is a multi-dimensional model.
Findings: The findings revealed that celebrity’s trustworthiness, expertise and attractiveness are significantly influenced on customer purchase intention accepting the first three hypotheses. Moreover, gender emerged as a significant moderator in these relationships, with two gender groups exhibiting varying responses to celebrity endorsement accepting the hypothesis four.
Originality: Although, number of research are available on the impact of celebrity endorsement on purchase intention, desired research findings are not enough to figure out the role of celebrity endorsement on customer purchase intention with a particular focus on gender differences.
Implications: The practical implications of these findings are substantial for marketers and retailers operating in the Sri Lankan hair care industry. By understanding the factors driving purchase intention and how gender moderates these relationships, hair care marketers can tailor their marketing efforts and optimize their store environments to better cater to the preferences of different demographic segments
Omnichannel Integration and Positive Word-of-Mouth: A Study of Colombo Supermarket Consumers
Get PDFPurpose: This study aims to identify the impact of omnichannel integration on fostering positive word-of-mouth (WOM) among supermarket consumers in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Focusing on the types of omnichannel integration, namely informational, transactional, and relational, the study investigates how a seamless and unified customer experience across digital and physical channels can drive positive word of mouth among customers in the retail sector.
Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a quantitative research approach, data were collected from 350 respondents in the of Sri Lanka who engage with both online channels, including websites, mobile applications, and social media platforms, as well as offline channels, including physical stores and home delivery services. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to examine the relationship between types of omnichannel integration and positive WOM.
Findings: The results indicate a significant positive effect of omnichannel integration on positive WOM, with relational integration exerting the strongest influence, followed by informational and transactional integration. This suggests that cohesive customer interactions, consistent product information, and seamless transactional capabilities enhance customer experience and drive positive WOM.
Originality: This study's originality lies in its focus on the impact of different types of omnichannel integration on positive word of mouth (PWOM), a topic that has received limited attention in existing research. By exploring this phenomenon within the supermarket sector in an emerging market context, specifically Sri Lanka, it addresses a significant gap in the literature.
Implications: This study contributes to omnichannel literature by revealing how informational, transactional, and relational integration uniquely influence positive word-of-mouth. Theoretically, it extends existing frameworks by empirically demonstrating how these integrations impact trust, convenience, and emotional connections within Sri Lanka's supermarket sector. By enhancing customer experience through integrated channels, supermarkets can leverage omnichannel strategies to strengthen positive WOM and maintain a competitive advantage. Retailers should provide consistent product information and integrate loyalty programs, payment systems, and personalized engagement to build trust, enhance convenience, and drive customer loyalty and positive WOM. The findings underscore the value of strategic omnichannel practices for retail practitioners, particularly in emerging markets
න්යාය පත්රය සැකසීමේ න්යාය
No full textAgenda-setting hypothesis is the notion that the more news media emphasize an issue or event, the more importance readers or viewers place on that issue or event. (Demers, 2005, p.18). The primary purpose of agenda-setting theory is to examine the relationship between the media’s emphasis on various issues and the audience’s perception of their importance. The manner in which news media cover events inevitably establishes a hierarchy of media content, known as the media agenda. Media audiences, in turn, rely on this underlying agenda to shape their own perceptions, forming the public agenda. Additionally, scholars have explored the role of the policy agenda, which reflects how media coverage influences policymaking. This study primarily investigates the relationship between the media agenda and the public agenda, contributing to a broader understanding of media influence in shaping public discourse
දේශීය රූපවාහිනී දේශපාලන සංවාද මණ්ඩප
No full textThe formats used in electronic media to present content are diverse. Among them, talk shows—featuring discussions and debates—have long been a prominent program type, originating in radio before transitioning to television. Over the past few decades, these programs have garnered significant global attention due to various factors. However, in the local context, scholarly and industry attention to this genre has been relatively recent. Examining the factors that contributed to this shift and assessing the current status of television talk shows locally is of academic significance. Both economic and political influences have shaped the development of local television media, leading to the expansion of political talk shows. The emergence of private channels and the diversification of programming have played a notable role in this evolution. While political talk shows have grown in number, critical perspectives on their qualitative aspects remain mixed, with concerns raised regarding issues such as bias, credibility, balance, ethical standards, and state intervention. These concerns highlight the need for increased scholarly and professional engagement with the role and impact of television political talk shows. Despite these challenges, talk shows have the potential to serve as a meaningful and socially relevant format within the television media landscape