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Trends and challenges of tea cultivation - a study focused on the Welipenna
Full text linkExport agriculture is one of the most important economic sectors in the world. Crops of different
kinds are grown in different nations. Tea is a vital crop that generates foreign cash in Sri Lanka.
Tea is successfully grown for export, especially in areas like Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, Kalutara,
Nuwara Eliya, Gampaha, and Ratnapura. The purpose of this study is to determine the patterns
and difficulties associated with tea growing in Welipenna, Mathugama Divisional Secretariat
Division, the study region in the Kalutara District. Primary data, including direct observations,
questionnaires, and interviews, as well as secondary data, including reports, websites, and journals,
were used to gather information for this purpose. The collected data were analyzed using software
such as MS Excel and Arc GIS 10.8, and conclusions were drawn. The study found that the
research area has a suitable climate and topography for tea cultivation. However, challenges
identified include the decline of agricultural land due to population growth and infrastructure
development, as well as a decrease in production trends due to disease outbreaks and climate
change. Finally, the study proposes recommendations to effectively address the challenges faced
by tea cultivation in the research area
Bridging the geospatial divide: barriers and strategies for Google Earth integration in Sri Lankan geography education
Full text linkContemporary geographical education increasingly recognizes the transformative potential of
geospatial technologies, with platforms like Google Earth offering unparalleled opportunities for
immersive visualization and spatial analysis. However, Sri Lanka's advanced-level geography
instruction persists in utilizing static two-dimensional pedagogical approaches, creating a
significant disconnect between current practices and evolving educational standards that
emphasize spatial reasoning and environmental competencies. This research employs a rigorous
mixed-methods design to investigate the complex barriers to technology integration, combining
systematic classroom observations, in-depth interviews with 30 geography teachers, and
comprehensive surveys of 315 students across diverse schools and geographical contexts.
Analytical results identify three primary impediments: (1) substantial deficiencies in teacher
technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) specific to geospatial applications, (2)
critical infrastructure limitations disproportionately affecting rural schools, and (3) an exam-driven
curriculum framework that systematically disadvantages innovative teaching methodologies. While
a minority of technologically proficient instructors have successfully implemented Google Earth
to enhance spatial cognition and student engagement, widespread adoption remains constrained
by institutionalized resistance to pedagogical innovation and structural inequities in resource
distribution. These challenges manifest most acutely in regional and rural educational settings,
exacerbating existing disparities in technology-enhanced learning opportunities. The study's
findings necessitate a comprehensive reform agenda comprising: (a) differentiated teacher
professional development programs focused on geospatial technology integration, (b) strategic
infrastructure investments with explicit equity considerations, and (c) fundamental curricular
restructuring to privilege competency development over content memorization. Such
interventions would facilitate the meaningful incorporation of geospatial technologies into
geographical education, enabling authentic, place-based learning experiences that cultivate essential
spatial literacies while addressing systemic inequities in Sri Lanka's educational landscape. This
research contributes both empirical evidence and practical frameworks for leveraging digital technologies to transform geographical education in developing contexts, with particular relevance
for education systems undergoing similar technological transitions
Factor affecting online shopping intention among the customers in Ampara District
Full text linkThe study aims to investigate the factors affecting consumers’ online shopping
intentions in Sri Lanka. The study will consider the online shopping intention of
consumers with special reference to customers in the Ampara district. The
research is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Theory of
Planned Behavior (TPB) which are commonly used theories in the research field
of online shopping intention. Their search explores how the perceived usefulness,
perceived ease of use, attitude, subjective norms, and trust towards the behavior
affect the online shopping intention of consumers. In terms of research
methodology, this study follows the quantitative approach, and the necessary data
for the execution of the study were gathered through questionnaires distributed
to around 105 consumers in the Ampara district. Further, the study employed
regression analysis. The researchers found that perceived usefulness and
perceived ease of use have no significant impact on online shopping intention and
also attitude, subjective norms and trust have a significant influence with a
positive effect on the online shopping intention of young consumers in Sri Lanka.
Implications: The findings of this study have practical implications for online
retailers seeking to optimize their platforms and marketing strategies. By
addressing the identified factors, businesses can enhance perceived usefulness,
perceived ease of use, attitude, subject norms, tryst, online shopping intention,
and driving sales. Additionally, policymakers can utilize these insights to develop
regulations that foster a safer and more conducive online shopping environment
for consumers. Originality: This study contributes to existing literature by
offering a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted factors influencing
online shopping intention. It integrates insights from both qualitative and
quantitative methodologies, providing a holistic understanding of consumer
behavior in the online retail context
The role of government policies in reducing digital inequality in Sri Lanka's disadvantaged areas
Full text linkDigital divide persists in Sri Lanka, particularly among marginalized communities that are
unable to participate in the digital economy because of low internet penetration, poor
information and communication skills, and socio-economic status. The article critically
examines the roles of government policies in addressing digital disparity by exploring some of
the leading schemes, such as the e-Sri Lanka and the National Digital Economy Strategy 2030.
Qualitatively, policy analysis, government reports, and interview observations of the
stakeholders were conducted to determine the level at which the digital inclusion schemes are
operating. There is evidence to show that government efforts to augment digital infrastructure
and capacity building are adversely affected due to the unavailability of affordable internetenabled devices, local digital content, and poor public exposure to the prospect of online living.
The report suggests site-specific digital literacy education, enhancing internet facilities in rural
areas, and balancing policy intervention to fill the gap in the digital divide. Solutions include
supporting public-private partnerships, creating investments for ICT purchase, and getting
digital learning community projects implemented. These are some of the issues that need to
be addressed in an attempt to construct equal access to the virtual world and establish
sustainable economic and social development among the poor in Sri Lanka
Digital device usage and childhood cognitive development: among primary school students after the Covid pandemic- perception of the parents
Full text linkThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the learning environment for primary school
students, with increased reliance on digital devices for education and communication. This
research investigates the impact of digital device usage on childhood cognitive development,
specifically among primary school student’s post-pandemic, from the perspective of parents. The
study explores how prolonged screen time has affected cognitive skills such as attention, memory,
problem-solving, and creativity in children. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research
combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data from a diverse sample of
parents. The survey, designed to assess the amount of screen time, types of digital content used,
and parents’ perceptions of their children’s cognitive development, is complemented by in-depth
interviews to capture more nuanced views. The study also examines the role of educational tools
versus unstructured screen time, with an emphasis on parental awareness and content curation.
The findings suggest that while parents acknowledge the benefits of educational technology in
supporting learning, there are growing concerns about excessive screen time contributing to
attention deficits and delays in executive functions. The research highlights the importance of
balanced digital usage and emphasizes the need for parental guidance in curating appropriate
content to mitigate risks and maximize the cognitive benefits of digital tools for young learners.
These insights provide valuable recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers to
foster a healthier digital learning environment in the post-pandemic era
Reconceptualising the black swan theory in the age of AI: a case of digital divide and burgeoning barriers
Full text linkThe black swan theory, which describes unexpected events with major consequences, takes on
new significance in the age of artificial intelligence. Named after the discovery of black swans in
Australia, which challenged the belief that all swans were white, this theory highlights how
unpredictable occurrences can shake our understanding of reality. It examines how unexpected AI
advancements can create unforeseen gaps in technology access and usage. The study analyzes case
studies, current trends, and potential future scenarios to understand the implications of AI-driven
Black Swan events on social and economic inequality. A recent example is the internet ban in
Imphal, India, which had unforeseen economic impacts. This sudden shutdown caught businesses
and residents off guard, disrupting daily life and commerce. Online transactions came to a halt,
affecting everything from banking to shopping. Local businesses that rely on the internet for their
operations faced significant losses. The ban also hindered communication, making it difficult for
people to stay informed or reach out. This event shows how our increasing dependence on
technology can make us vulnerable to unexpected disruptions. The intersection of the Black Swan
theory and AI highlights the need for proactive measures to address the digital divide.
Policymakers, technologists, and educators must work together to ensure that AI advancements
benefit society as a whole, rather than exacerbating existing inequalities. To address these
challenges, policymakers and technologists must work together to create flexible and inclusive
strategies that can adapt to unexpected developments in AI
Impact on well water quality due to seawater intrusion and anthropogenic activities in Oluvil, Sri Lanka
No full textGroundwater wells are vital for meeting the daily water needs of rural and coastal areas, particularly in Oluvil
village, Sri Lanka. The extraction of groundwater from shallow aquifers, mainly through dug wells along the
east coastal sands, has raised concerns about challenges such as seawater intrusion and anthropogenic
activities that can impact water quality. This research addresses the gap in understanding well water quality
in Oluvil by conducting a comprehensive study encompassing physical, chemical, and biological parameters.
Utilizing a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study established fifteen sampling
stations at varying distances from the sea (<100m, 100 – 300m, 300 - 500m). A questionnaire survey was
conducted to gather demographic and area-related data. The findings revealed diverse water qualities
associated with the distance from the Oluvil Sea. Wells located at a 300 - 500m distance exhibited slightly
elevated levels in mean temperature (27.4⁰C), mean pH (7.35), mean electrical conductivity (0.45 ms/cm),
mean total dissolved solids (213.07 mg/L), mean hardness (197.67 mg/L) and mean alkalinity (196.33
mg/L). A higher salinity level (0.21 PSU) was recorded within the 300 - 500m distance compared to <100m
and 100 - 300m. E. coli and total coliform bacteria were recorded in most of the wells making those waters
unsuitable for human consumption. The well water in Oluvil is not suitable as a potable water source. Long
term use of saline well water for irrigation may cause salt deposition in agricultural lands. These results
emphasize the need for effective water management practices to ensure the well-being of public health,
agriculture, and the environment in the Oluvil region
Geospatial insights into ecological shifts and thermal landscapes in Lahore
Full text linkLahore, Pakistan's second-largest metropolitan city, has experienced rapid urbanization over the
past two decades, making it highly susceptible to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This study
investigates the ecological impacts of UHI in Lahore from 2000 to 2020 using multi-temporal
Landsat satellite imagery and geospatial analysis. The Radiative Transfer Method (RTM) was
applied to deliver Land Surface Temperature (LST), enabling the spatial and temporal mapping of
thermal patterns. Findings reveal a significant rise in LST correlating with the expansion of built
up areas and a substantial decline in vegetation cover. Urban zones exhibited degraded ecological
conditions and higher surface temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas. These results
highlight the growing thermal stress in metropolitan Lahore, emphasizing the urgent need for data
driven urban planning. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers to develop targeted
mitigation strategies aimed at reducing UHI effects and promoting sustainable urban development.
In addition, spatial metrics and NDVI analyses were employed to quantify landscape changes,
revealing fragmentation of green spaces and altered land use patterns. This underscores the
necessity of integrating green infrastructure, adaptive land use policies, and climate-responsive
planning into Lahore’s future urban framework
Impact of hypermedia-based wh-questions on interactive speaking skill: a study based on ‘higher national diploma in English course’
Full text linkThe application of hypermedia-based wh-questions learning; principally denotes to enable the
learning procedure through the control of visuals, images: practice of taking and processing
photographs, animation, sound and other multimedia information with the assistance of hypertext,
associated to nominated learning strategies displays a chief role in the enactment of the students.
This research was led to find the connection between the hypermedia-based wh-questions in the
HNDE syllabus with proper learning strategies and the performance in the interactive speaking
skill in HNDE course of Advanced Technological Institute – Sammanthurai of Sri Lanka Institute
of Advanced Technological Education as there were no any previous research studies done in this
area of the academic field. Ninety students from HNDE class – first year (group A) were engaged
as experimental group and ninety students from class - first year – (group B) were engaged as
controlled group. A pre-test was led for both the groups to find out the previous knowledge of
the students in the groups in order to compare them and the mean differences were found to be
negligible for both the groups from the pre-test. Later, the experimental group was used in the
classroom to pursue hypermedia-based wh-questions learning based on selected learning strategies
for six months with sixty hours learning while the controlled group was generally taught without
the use of hypermedia-based wh-questions learning. After six months a post-test was conducted
for both the groups. When the post-test was conducted the mean (-0.092) was slightly improved
for the group - B than the pre-test, and the mean (-2.872) was considerably improved for the group
- A in the post-test. Thus, it is found that there is a positive relationship between the hyper-media
based wh-questions learning using selected learning strategies and the performance in the
interactive speaking skill in English. The research findings imply that hyper-media based whquestions learning improves English interactive speaking skil
Colonial heritage as a driver of cultural tourism: a case study of Nuwara Eliya, Sri lanka
Full text linkNuwara Eliya, often referred to as “Little England,” is a distinguished colonial-era hill station in
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, renowned for its British-style architecture, tea plantations, and
temperate climate. This study critically examines the role of colonial heritage as a catalyst for
cultural tourism and for both local and national economic development in Nuwara Eliya. Despite
growing tourist arrivals, there is limited academic literature addressing the link between heritage
preservation and sustainable economic outcomes in this postcolonial context. This study adopted
a mixed-methods approach, combining primary data from structured field observations, visitor
tracking at selected heritage sites, and semi-structured interviews with local tourism stakeholders,
Secondary sources included records from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
(SLTDA), district tourism reports, and peer-reviewed literature. This research focuses on key
colonial assets, including Colonial Hotels and Residences (Grand Hotel, St. Andrew’s Hotel,
Queen’s Cottage), Clubs and Social Establishment (Hill Club, Golf Club), Religious Structures
(Holy Trinity Church), Administrative Buildings (Nuwara Eliya Post Office, Old Court Building),
Tea Heritage (Labukele Tea Factory, Pedro Estate), Transport and infrastructure (Nanu Oya
Railway Station) and Parks and Recreation (Victoria Park, Hakgala Botanical Garden). These sites
are identified as cultural tourism assets based on their architectural features, historical relevance,
and tourist engagement. In 2023, approximately 840,000 tourists (280,000 international and
560,000 domestic tourists) visited Nuwara Eliya. With nearly 48% motivated by heritage tourism,
as indicated by site entry records and interviews. The total economic contribution of heritagedriven tourism was estimated at LKR 4.5 billion, covering accommodation, transport, site fees,
and indirect spending. However, threats such as commercialization, underfunded conservation,
and loss of authenticity have been noted. This study advocates for integrated heritage management
strategies and sustainable tourism development models to preserve and leverage colonial assets.
The findings contribute robust empirical evidence to the discourse on cultural tourism and heritage
economics in postcolonial societies