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A literary analysis of the works of poet Mahmud al Sami al Baroudi's poems depicting the sorrow of separation: a study focused on his poetry created within the context of the Sri Lankan environment
Full text linkMahmoud Al-Sami al-Baroudi is considered a pioneer of modern literature and a prominent figure
in the field of poetry. He was born on October 6, 1839in Cairo, Egypt. His family was wellestablished in the fields of literature, politics, and science. He is known as the founder of modern
Arabic literature and inspired people with his poetry against Western Colonial rule. As a result, the
British colonial authorities banished him from Egypt to Sri Lanka in 1882, where he spent 17 years,
enduring severe loneliness, illness, and separation from his homeland. During this time, he created
a variety of poems reflecting his feelings of lone lines and separation, which he compiled into his
Diwan. While his literary contemporaries created poems on a variety of themes, his work stands
out. This is the reason why he is hailed as one of the leading poets of the 20th century. This study
focuses on Al-Baroudi's poems composed in Sri Lanka and assesses the literary qualities they
symbolize. The researcher employed a social descriptive research method and an inductive
approach using secondary data for this study. From this analysis, it can be inferred that the poems
created by him Sri Lanka are distinctive, reflecting literary traits and incorporating various literary
elements that express emotions
Spatiotemporal variation of land surface temperature and urbanization indicators in the Bandarawela Divisional Secretariat Division, Sri Lanka
Full text linkAnthropogenic activities contribute prominently to the natural environment, particularly to
vegetation cover and land surface temperature (LST). The present study examines the
spatiotemporal variation in LST and its associated urbanization indicators, such as Normalized
Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Urban
Heat Index (UHI), and urban hotspot distribution of the Bandarawela Divisional Secretariat
Division, Sri Lanka. The remote sensing data gained from Landsat 5 for 2005 and Landsat 8 images
for 2015 and 2025, and geospatial analysis by ArcGIS, were conducted to examine temporal
changes. The results demonstrate as, the Land Surface Temperature (LST) values decreased from
16.83–31.69°C in 2015 to 16.72–30.41°C in 2025 but the 2005 was ranged from 8.31 – 31.43°C,
and there is a significant increase in the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), from 0.133
in 2015 to 0.235 in 2025, indicating substantial urban expansion during the study period.
Conversely, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) shows as 0.657 in 2005, but
there is a slight decrease, from 0.598 in 2015 to 0.592 in 2025, reflecting minimal vegetation loss.
Likewise, the urban heat island (UHI) effect exhibited a notable reduction, with values dropping
from 11.68 in 2015 to 0.81 in 2025. However, the findings show an increasing trend in annual
maximum and minimum temperature distribution in the area. These findings suggest an
improvement in microclimatic conditions despite ongoing urban growth. The spatial distribution
of urban hotspots also shifted, highlighting dynamic changes in land use patterns, particularly
within the urban core of the study area. These findings indicate the complex interplay between
environmental forces and urbanization that focuses on integrating ecological issues into
sustainable urban planning. The research area is a developed tourist resort by virtue of having
benign climatic conditions all year round. Nevertheless, recurring changes in land use and urban
sprawl can pose threats to the tourism industry. Therefore, the enforcement of comprehensive
urban planning regulations is essential to ensure a sustainable and resilient future
The impact of urbanization on energy consumption: a comparative analysis of selected developing countries
Full text linkUrbanization has emerged as a critical determinant of energy consumption patterns, particularly in
developing economies experiencing rapid economic and demographic transitions. This study
investigates the relationship between urbanization and energy demand through a comparative
analysis of four rapidly urbanizing South and Southeast Asian nations: Sri Lanka, India,
Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Covering the period from 1990 to 2023, the research employs advanced
panel data econometric techniques to provide robust empirical evidence on how urban expansion
influences energy use in these developing contexts. The analysis utilizes both fixed-effects and
random-effects models to account for country-specific heterogeneity while examining the core
relationship between urbanization and total energy consumption. To isolate urbanization’s distinct
impact, the study controls for several key variables: GDP per capita, industrial and services value
added, and renewable energy adoption (indicating sustainability efforts). The empirical results
demonstrate that urbanization exerts a statistically significant positive effect on energy
consumption across all sample countries, though the effect size varies considerably. Notably, the
energy-urbanization elasticity is highest in Vietnam and lowest in Sri Lanka, reflecting differences
in urban infrastructure quality and industrial composition. The study finds that industrialization
acts as an amplifying factor, while greater renewable energy penetration serves as a moderating
influence on urban energy demand. These findings carry important policy implications for
sustainable development in the Global South. The results suggest that urban planning strategies
should prioritize energy-efficient infrastructure development and accelerated renewable energy
adoption to mitigate the environmental impacts of rapid urbanization. Furthermore, the country
specific variations highlight the need for tailored policy approaches that consider national
economic structures and urbanization trajectories. This study contributes to the broader literature
on urban energy systems by providing comparative, empirically grounded insights from four key
Asian emerging economies
The rise of illicit liquor production and challenges to human security in Post-COVID- 19 societal structures: an anthropological study based on the Vakarai Region – 2024
Full text linkWe can observe that various socio-economic changes have taken place in the social structure
in the post-COVID-19 period. In modern society, human needs have expanded, and to meet
these needs, individuals have become increasingly interdependent. Society has evolved, and
the world is gradually transforming into a single global community. As a result, since the end
of the COVID- 19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable increase in the production of various
substances, including drugs, among the people living in the Vakarai region of the Batticaloa
district. This study aims to closely examine this phenomenon by identifying the rise in drug
production and the resulting challenges to human security. It seeks to gain a deeper
understanding of the evolving social structure in this context. During the COVID-19
pandemic, several critical factors such as lockdown measures, limited access to public services,
the suspension of commercial activities, rising prices of goods, and restrictions on human
mobility created significant challenges to the economic livelihood of individuals and
communities. In the Vakarai region, the local population continues to face multiple hardships,
many of which pose direct threats to human security, as highlighted in this study. Drugs are
consumed by people for intoxication and entertainment. They affect the body, mental, social
behaviour among the individuals and community. When drug addicts are identified as illegal,
they are arrested by the police and then sent to rehabilitation centers at the request of the
family and released after the treatment. Additionally, data indicates a sharp rise in the use of
narcotic substances such as cannabis, heroin, methamphetamine, and crystal meth (commonly
referred to as “ice”) among school-aged children and young adults in both urban and rural
areas. Consequently, there has been a rapid increase in the number of drug users, leading to a
range of negative health and social impacts. This qualitative research uses primary and
secondary data through descriptive analysis. The statistical data were gathered from Vakarai
Divisional Secretariat and other materials related this topic were gathered from books, research
papers, articles and websites
The history of the chola trade hubs in the Indian Ocean – tracing its tides
Full text linkThe tracing of the tides of the History of Chola Maritime power helps us to understand the early
maritime activities, trade route and the spread of culture of the Chola who had participated in these
activities. Tamil Nadu boasts a long coastline with numerous ancient ports like Kavirippatinam
(Poompuhar), Nagappatinam, Korkai, Alagankulam, Gulf of Mannar and Periyapattinam, which
were critical hubs for transoceanic trade and commerce for their path to become a Great Empire.
The Cholas gave priority to gain control over critical trade routes and straits, specially the strait of
Malakka and Palk Strait. The main objective of this research is to analyze the trade expansion of
the Cholas through these Ports and Straits. The Cholas were well aware of their strategic
importance for their economic expansion. These routes were significant as merchant guilds and
ships from Arabia, Europe and America frequently past through them. The Cholas also sought to
impose taxes on ships passing though these straits. Further, these ports were not only used for
the trade activities, but also for the war with other states. To write this article, I have followed the
historical and descriptive methodology. I have consulted mainly the secondary sources from
books, journals and other article
The role of national colleges of education (NCEOs) in developing self-efficacy and pedagogical competence among prospective teachers
Full text linkSelf-efficacy, a concept introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura, refers to a teacher's belief in
their ability to manage classroom challenges and achieve teaching goals successfully. As teacher
education institutions, the National Colleges of Education (NCOEs) play a pivotal role in
nurturing future educators' confidence and pedagogical competence. This study investigates how
NCOE training programs foster self-efficacy among prospective teachers and develop the
instructional competencies necessary for contemporary classrooms. The present study underlined
Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. The study aimed to examine how institutional training quality,
subject specialization, and gender intersect to shape self-efficacy skills among prospective teachers.
The study employed a quantitative approach using stratified sampling to select 230 student teachers
(114 male, 116 female) across selected NCOEs. The Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES), adapted
and validated for the Sri Lankan context, served as the primary instrument (Cronbach's α > 0.70).
Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA used to analyze self-efficacy and perceived
pedagogical competence differences. Findings indicate that male student teachers reported
marginally higher self-efficacy scores than their female counterparts. Subject specialization also
influenced outcomes; history trainees demonstrated greater instructional confidence than those
specializing in English, though the difference was not statistically significant (p = .634). Notably,
institutional disparities emerged, with student teachers from Vavuniya NCOE exhibiting
significantly higher self-efficacy (p = .000) than peers from NCOE at Dhargatown. Pedagogical
competence was consistently associated with the quality of practical training, the strength of
mentorship, and the coherence of the curriculum. The study underscores the need for NCOEs to
enhance their programs through confidence-building modules, gender-responsive mentoring
practices, and deeper collaboration with schools for immersive practicum experiences. These
insights offer critical implications for policy reform, institutional development, and the broader landscape of teacher education, especially in contexts seeking to elevate teaching quality through systemic capacity building
Epics of Mahakavi (T. Uruththiramoorththi) in critical perspective
Full text linkEpic tradition was established by several poets who adopted this form of literature for expressing
their views, observations and experiences in creative styles. Poets have been writing epics since
antiquity until the present day. As a result, epics are divided into two categories based on their
chronological period: classical epics and modern epics. Present day epics of Bharathiar,
Bharathidaasan, Kannadaasan, Mahakavi and others can be outlined. Origin of the modern epic begins
with Bharathiar whose epics ‘Panchali Sapatham’ and ‘Kuyilpattu’ differ from the traditional epics
in content and technique. Mahakavi, Neelavanan, M.A. Nuhuman, and others are among the first
to write modern epics in Sri Lankan Tamil literature. For the purpose of this study, the Mahakavi
epics only here analyzed. The epics of mahakavi have broken free from traditional epics and have
created modernity in terms of structure and content (Epic material). The epics of the great poet
have broken free from traditional epics and have created modernity in terms of structure and
content (epic meaning). When it comes to structure, they have broken free from traditional epics
and have revealed Poetic form, Dialogue style, Visual art, Realism, Poetic structure, Strange
imagination, Sarcasm, Methods of expression such as Mythological epic tradition, Names with a
rustic character, Progressive characters, Character creations such as Mythological epic characters,
Symbolism, Alankaara (parable, metaphor, hyperbole, self-referentiality), Commentary, (Character
commentary, Place commentary, Event commentary) ,Proverbs, Creative techniques
Colloquialism, Foreign langurge words, Adjectives, Double entendre, Language use or linguistic
specificity. Social issues are realistically expressed as the theme of the epic. He has covered themes
in his epics such as Social inequality and resistance, Women's issues, The lifestyle of rural people,
such as occupation, residence, rural sports, education, rituals, customs, and arts, Humanity,
Biological features of the Urban and middle classes, Cultural degradation, Anti-imperialist, Nature,
The purpose of life, Philosophy of life. The research objectives of this study are to introduce the
epics of the great poet, to reveal the characteristics of modern epics found in the epics of the great
poet, and to identify the modern epic characteristics expressed in terms of content and form
throughout the epics of the great poet.. The six epics written by the great poet, namely Kallazhagi,
Sadanku, Oru satharana manithanathu Charitram, Kanmaniyal Kathai, Kandappa Shapadham, and Daganam, have been used as primary data, and the books and articles written by others regarding
the epics of the great poet have been used as secondary data. This study uses interpretive,
sociological, and cultural approaches. This study has presented that the characteristics of modern
epics are well-established in the epics of Mahakavi, and that Mahakavi holds a unique place among
the modern epic creators of Eelam
Improving reading comprehension through picture books in primary grades: a study at Ak/Al-Muneera Junior College, Addalaichenai
Full text linkReading comprehension is a vital skill for young learners, particularly in English as a second
language (ESL) context. This study explores the use of picture books as a tool to enhance
reading comprehension among Tamil-medium Grade 4 and 5 students at Ak/Al-Muneera
Junior College, Addalaichenai. Given the linguistic and cognitive development stage of primary
learners, picture books serve as a bridge between visual literacy and text understanding, making
them ideal for young ESL learners who face challenges in vocabulary, sentence structure, and
inferencing. The study adopts a qualitative approach supported by simple pre- and post-tests
to measure improvements in comprehension. A purposive sample of 30 students (15 from
Grade 4 and 15 from Grade 5) was selected. Over a four-week intervention period, students
were exposed to a series of graded English picture books with guided reading sessions, group
discussions, and follow-up activities such as sequencing, storytelling, and vocabulary matching.
Findings indicate that the use of picture books significantly increased students’ ability to
predict content, identify main ideas, and make inferences. Visual support helped in decoding
unfamiliar words and improved students’ engagement and motivation to read. Teachers also
reported better participation during reading activities, especially among low-proficiency
learners. The study concludes that integrating picture books into the English curriculum can
be an effective method to support reading comprehension development in Tamil-medium
primary learners. It recommends teacher training on how to use picture books strategically and
calls for more contextualized materials that relate to students’ cultural and linguistic
backgrounds
Electoral literacy and political participation in multi-ethnic societies of Sri Lanka: a case study in Trincomalee District
Full text linkThe inequality in political participation at different levels of social structures is generally considered
a ‘democratic deficit’. As a number of studies suggest, in most cases, the disengaged citizens in
electoral processes are disproportionately poor, less educated, and younger. There is no doubt that
a lower level of women's and youth participation in electoral processes creates negative
consequences for a substantive democracy. It has widely been noted in the public debate of
electoral democracy in Sri Lanka during the last few years that women and youth were often
alienated from the political system. Against this backdrop, this study attempts to investigate
electoral behavior and electoral literacy in Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic societies. The research focused
on four selected Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions in the Trincomalee District. The research
employed mixed methods in order to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Therefore, it
was effectively combined qualitative methods, including focus group discussions and expert
interviews, with quantitative research methods involving a structured questionnaire. This study
explored critical themes, including the awareness of Local Government Election Act No. 16 of
2017, women’s representation through the 25% quota, youth participation in politics, and
democratic accountability under the PR system while the findings reveal a mix of progress and
challenges: Public awareness of the Local Government Election Act No. 16 of 2017 reveals mixed
perceptions while recognized as progressive legislation, its complex nature and implementation
challenges have limited its effectiveness. The 25% female representation quota represents a
landmark achievement toward gender-inclusive governance, though cultural resistance persists.
Youth representation faces similar challenges, with widespread recognition of young leaders'
potential contrasted against entrenched systemic barriers limiting their participation. The
Proportional Representation system, while theoretically inclusive, suffers from public distrust due
to its complexity and perceived weaknesses in accountability mechanisms. Recent political
developments signal potential for transforming passive voters into engaged citizens, though this
requires an innovative institutional framework to collaborate across state and private sectors in
collaboration with civil society in redefining Sri Lanka's political culture
The marginalization of geospatial technologies in the Global South: a critical analysis (with special reference to India and Sri Lanka)
Full text linkThis paper critically examines the marginalization of geospatial technologies (GSTs) in the Global
South, with a special focus on India and Sri Lanka. While GSTs have revolutionized planning,
resource management, and development in the Global North, their adoption in the Global South
is hindered by persistent digital divides, high costs, limited technical expertise, and infrastructural
deficits. Rural areas, in particular, face challenges in internet connectivity and access to essential
hardware and software, exacerbating inequities in development opportunities. A key issue
discussed is data sovereignty: geospatial data ownership and control are often concentrated in
developed nations and multinational corporations, resulting in a form of data colonialism that
restricts the Global South’s ability to tailor GSTs to local needs. Institutional and policy barriers—
such as inadequate regulatory frameworks, insufficient funding, and lack of robust infrastructure—
further impede the effective use of GSTs. The shortage of education and capacity-building
programs limits the development of local expertise, perpetuating reliance on external actors. The
consequences of this marginalization are profound: ineffective resource management, limited
disaster preparedness, inequitable development planning, and reduced global competitiveness. To
address these challenges, the paper advocates a multipronged approach: investing in digital
infrastructure, promoting local data ownership, strengthening institutional frameworks, building
local capacity, and encouraging international collaboration. The study highlights successful
initiatives such as India’s BharatNet and Digital India programs, Sri Lanka’s National Broadband
Network, and community-based GIS projects that empower local communities. It also
underscores the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern geospatial
technologies, ensuring ethical use, and protecting data sovereignty. The proposed policy
framework combines regulatory reforms, infrastructure development, capacity building, and
inclusive implementation, drawing on best practices from both India and Sri Lanka. In conclusion, bridging the digital divide and empowering the Global South to harness GSTs is essential for
sustainable development, equitable growth, and the preservation of local agency in the digital era