University of Sri Jayewardenepura: Journals & Proceedings
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Development of Plant-derived Banana Ripening Spray Using Kappetiya (Croton laccifer) Leaves
Full text linkFruit ripening is a natural process that includes physiochemical changes such as tissue softening, aroma and flavor production, pigment changes, etc. Induced ripening is essential in commercial -scale banana cultivation and distribution to assure good texture, flavor, and uniform peel color. However, the use of potentially toxic ripening agents such as ethylene gas, acetylene gas (calcium carbide-based), and ethephon can affect fruit quality and health-related issues (such as induction of cancer, cardiovascular dysfunction, diabetic mellitus, etc.). In Sri Lanka, smoke induced by Kappetiya (Croton laccifer) leaves is traditionally used in banana ripening. This study focuses on the development of a non-toxic, Kappetiya-derived banana ripening spray (KBRS) using Kappetiya leaves. Kappetiya crude was extracted from Soxhlet extraction using two different solvents (pure ethyl acetate and distilled water). According to FTIR analysis, C-H/N-H (2918.10 cm-1, 2850.65 cm-1, C=O (1711.75 cm-1), NH2 (1375.18 cm-1), C-O (1239.08 cm-1), C-N (1044.88 cm-1) and C-X (608.65 cm-1, 523.33 cm-1) stretching were obtained from the crude extract using ethyl acetate. KBRS has been tested on "Ambon banana" (Musa acuminata) as a common commercially available variety that takes more time to ripen in comparison to other banana varieties. KBRS has been prepared in a concentration series of 4000 ppm, 2000 ppm, 1500 ppm, 1000 ppm, 500 ppm, and 100 ppm and applied to green Ambon bananas and tested for physical parameters (peel color, black marks, color of the stalk, texture). The green Ambon banana applied with 100 ppm, 500 ppm, and 1500 ppm KBRS took more time (4 to 10 days) to ripen, while the banana applied with 1000 ppm KBRS ripened within 2 days without any black marks on the peel or stalk of the banana. However, the green Ambon banana applied with 4000 ppm and 2000 ppm of KBRS had black marks on the peel and stalk, and the fruits had bad texture. Accordingly, it concludes that 1000 ppm Kappetiya-derived banana ripening spray is the best selection to ripen the Ambon banana variety in Sri Lanka
Dynamic Connectedness across Equity, Currency, and Commodity Markets in South Asia: A Time- Varying Parameter Vector Autoregressive Approach
Full text linkThis study examines the dynamic return spillovers among major South Asian financial markets, including equity indices from India (NIFTY50R), Pakistan (KSER), and Sri Lanka (SLASPIR), as well as key global commodities such as Brent crude oil (BrentR) and gold (GoldR), and the relevant exchange rates (USDINR, USDPKR, and USDLKR). Using the Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregressive (TVP- VAR) connectedness approach, the analysis covers the period from March 2, 2005, to February 29, 2024, providing insights into how financial shocks propagate across these interconnected markets over nearly two decades. The findings reveal that the Indian equity market (NIFTY50R) and the Indian Rupee exchange rate (USDINR) serve as significant transmitters of shocks within the South Asian region, influencing other regional markets. Conversely, the Sri Lankan (SLASPIR) and Pakistani (KSER) equity indices are identified as net receivers of shocks, indicating their vulnerability to external financial disturbances. The study also highlights the pivotal role of Brent crude oil prices (BrentR) in driving spillovers, particularly affecting the Indian financial markets. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding the complexities of market interconnectedness in South Asia, particularly in the context of global economic integration.
 
PRELIMINARY PAGES
No full textThe second issue of the first volume of the Journal of Social Reconciliation (JSR) explores diverse themes central to fostering social harmony and healing in varied cultural contexts. This volume presents four insightful studies that address pivotal aspects of reconciliation and social cohesion
A Case Study of the Past, Present and Future of the Sesath Industry of Unaveruwa
Full text linkHandicrafts represent a unique aspect of art in Asian cultures. They are a living cultural heritage that still continues in today's society. Handicrafts that use natural raw materials and simple techniques are excellent in quality and decoration as an end product. Sesath is one such traditional product in our country. At present, the traditional practice of Sesath making this is limited to only one region in Sri Lanka. Research problem is "What are the challenges to the continuity of Sesath industry in Unaveruwa?" Therefore, the aim of this study is to study the current nature of the traditional Sesath industry and the challenges faced by the industry in its continuity. The study area is Unaveruwa village in the Matale district. Interviews were conducted with 20 artisans and obtained information through field observations. Among the results of the study, Sesath has become a consumer product of the upper class of society in Sri Lanka. It was confirmed that the traditional Sesath industry in Unaveruwa is dying out. In the past, the youth have also shown interest in learning about the industry. There was no gender difference in Sesath making and the youth assisted the older artisans. In this way, the traditional knowledge of Sesath making passed to the next generation. But at present, the youth no longer assist the older artisans. The continuity of this traditional craft industry is seriously threatened due to the inability to purchase graphite, the main raw material, the lack of interest of the youth to join and continue this craft industry and not having a market for the products. Unaveruwa is located between two world heritage cities of Anuradhapura and Kandy. Sigiriya, a well-known World Heritage site, is located in Matale district. However, there are no initiatives in Unaveruwa to attract these tourists and sell their products to the tourists and local visitors. It would be beneficial to implement such programmes with government support to protect this traditional craft technology. Furthermore, it is suggested to encourage undergraduates who are studying archeology and fine arts to learn about such a dying tradition in order to preserve as an intangible cultural heritage in Sri Lanka
An Analytical Study of the Current Trends in the United National Party and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party
No full textThe Soul bury period is an important period in the development of political parties in Sri Lanka. The establishment of the United National Party was an important moment in the Soul bury period. Even though the party was a pioneer of the dominant party system, whether in power or opposition, until 2020, the voter base of the party decreased in every election held thereafter. Therefore, the research question was why has the voter base of the United National Party decreased in the current Sri Lankan party system? The aim of the research was to study the factors that influenced the decrease in the party's voter base, and the research was conducted based on the 35 data contributors. The research sample consisted of 10% of the students in the Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the non-academic staff of the faculty. The stratified sampling method was used in selecting the data contributors. Data were collected via prepared open-ended questions. The obtained quantitative data was analyzed by the statistical method using MS Excel software, and the qualitative data was analyzed under the qualitative approach. It was found that the vote base of the United National Party has been reduced due to the formation of new political parties by the party's effective leaders, leadership crises, and weakening of internal party democracy. The research findings emphasize that there should be a change in the party's policy and that the party should focus on the need for an agenda with a democratic spirit, away from conservative and traditional political policies
Gender Differences in the Usage of Online Banking Services
Full text linkThe rise of online banking has transformed the global financial landscape, particularly in developing countries like Sri Lanka, where the adoption of digital banking is increasing. This study investigates gender differences in the usage of online banking services in Sri Lanka, with special reference to the Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Division. The objective is to identify whether there are significant differences between male and female users in terms of their usage of online banking services. A quantitative methodology was employed, with data collected from a sample of 382 bank customers in the Balangoda Divisional Secretariat Division. A structured questionnaire and interviews were used to gather primary data, while secondary data were sourced from previous studies and reports. The Independent sample t-test was conducted to analyze gender differences, with the results indicating a statistically significant difference between male and female users. These findings suggest that gender influences online banking behavior in Sri Lanka. Therefore, based on these results, the study recommends that financial institutions and policymakers design gender-sensitive strategies to enhance digital literacy and improve the security of online banking platforms. This will help foster greater inclusivity and bridge the gender gap in digital financial services. Further research is needed to explore how other socio-cultural factors, such as ethnicity and geographic location, might influence online banking usage in Sri Lanka
Causes of Building Permit Delays: A Case Study of a Sri Lankan Local Government Authority
Full text linkAlthough the construction sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and ensuring societal well-being, construction delays within the sector remain a significant challenge in both developed and developing countries. In Sri Lanka, the construction industry is particularly affected by delays in building permit issuance. Yet, recent research addressing this issue within the Sri Lankan context remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the causes of delays in building permit issuance in a selected local government authority in Sri Lanka, focusing on both administrative and architect perspectives. A qualitative approach was adopted, including focus group interviews with administrative officers, individual interviews with architects, and descriptive analysis of secondary data on building applications from 2018-2023. The findings reveal significant challenges in the permit process, with 65% of applications during 2018-2023 exceeding the stipulated 14-day processing period. Through thematic analysis, the study identified 11 administrative reasons and 9 architect-related reasons for the delay. These insights offer critical insights into inefficiencies within the current permit process and highlight the need for reform. The study recommends enhancing administrative procedures, addressing client related issues, and improving architect practices to streamline the overall building permit process and support timely project delivery
Conceptualization in HRM Research and Conceptualization of HRM Research: A Simplified Conceptual Study
Full text linkDoing research has become a valuable duty of academics, a mandatory requirement to be met by the students pursuing Bachelor’s Honours Degrees, Research Master’s Degrees, and Doctoral Degrees, and an emerging responsibility, if not a duty, for practitioners. Conducting Human Resource Management (HRM) research is daunting and laborious, particularly for beginners and less experienced researchers. Surprisingly, little research has been conducted with regard to conceptualization in HRM research and conceptualization of HRM research particularly in Sri Lankan context, and perhaps even the broader Asian context. Adopting the authority method and the desk research strategy this study makes a systematic attempt to address this gap to some extent. The study yielded a comprehensive synthesis of conceptualization in HRM, which refers to the essential activity of making abstract, unclear, or general concepts used in conducting HRM research definite, clear, or specific, and conceptualization of HRM research, which refers to not an activity in researching but defining and understanding the meaning of HRM research itself.
Key Words: Conceptualization, Definition, Human Resource Management, Researching, Research Methodology, Research Method
Cultural Borrowing and Religious Transformation: Yakkure and Henanigala Vedda Syncretism with Buddhism
Full text linkThe Vedda, recognized as the indigenous people of Sri Lanka, originally practiced a religious belief system centered around Na Yakku. However, development projects initiated during the late 90s, forced them to resettle, and create a process of cultural erosion and the syncretism of Sinhalese Buddhist and Hindu practices into their life. This research aimed to examine the extent of religious borrowing and syncretism with Buddhist practices and its impact on the Vedda people's entire socio-cultural system, as well as efforts that can be undertaken toward cultural preservation and restoration. The research problem addressed in this study is how external pressures, particularly resettlement, led to a decline in the Vedda’s unique religious belief system. Data collection was done through interviews, life-histories, focus group discussions, and participant observations that were conducted at Yakkure and Henanigala Vedda villages. In addition, sociodemographic data were collected from 193 families in Henanigala and 107 families in Yakkure through a questionnaire. Qualitative insights gathered were analyzed using thematic analysis, and quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS. Results reveal that resettlement caused significant disruption to the Vedda's traditional way of life, with extensive borrowing and adoption of Buddhist and Hindu practices, leading to extensive damage to their cultural system. While all the people of Yakkure identify their ethnicity as Sinhalese, only 41% of Henanigala residents identify as Vedi. Notably, both villages identify as Buddhist. The sudden resettlement into a new sociocultural location forced them to adopt ways of life from their neighbors, as there was insufficient time for natural adaptation. The forest-based Na Yak belief system, once central to their culture, was disturbed due to the resettlement. While rituals such as Bodhi Puja and almsgiving centered around Buddhist practices now dominate their religious life, remnants of traditional rituals like the Kiri Koraha and Hathma dances are rarely performed, often only as exhibitions. In conclusion, the Vedda communities of Yakkure and Henanigala have undergone profound cultural and religious transformations due to forced resettlement. These changes have led to the assimilation of Sinhalese Buddhist and Hindu practices, resulting in the erosion of their indigenous religious identity. The study highlights the urgent need for documenting and preserving Vedda culture and advocating for land rights to safeguard their traditions.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v10i02.0
ESL Learners’ Perceptions and Preferences of Written Corrective Feedback (WCF)
Full text linkDespite the growing body of research examining the effectiveness of Written Corrective Feedback (WCF) in improving L2 learners’ writing accuracy, there has been a notable lack of studies investigating learners’ preferences and perceptions of WCF in the Sri Lankan context. This study aims to address this gap by investigating ESL learners’ perceptions and preferences of WCF in a Sri Lankan ESL classroom. Specifically, the study seeks to investigate ESL learners’ perceptions of WCF, their preferred types of WCF, and the causes underlying their preferences. This study applies a mixed-methods research approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected from 60 ESL students by means of written questionnaires. The qualitative data were analyzed using the deductive content analysis method, whereas the quantitative data were processed using Microsoft Excel to generate descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that students tend to hold a positive view of WCF. In addition, the study concludes that students perceive teacher-provided WCF positively, viewing it as beneficial for improving their writing skills. Moreover, the study reveals that students prefer indirect WCF, where errors are highlighted or indicated by the teacher but not corrected, suggesting that they value guidance and support in their writing development over explicit correction. However, the generalizability of the findings is limited by the fact that the sample was drawn from a single public school and focused only on Grade 11 students, which may not fully represent the broader population of ESL learners. To address this limitation, future studies should expand their scope by including larger and more diverse samples from multiple schools and educational levels to offer a more comprehensive understanding of ESL learners’ feedback preferences.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v10i01.0