Browsing by Author "Balasuriya, B.M.T.L."

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Social Awareness of Sinhala Cultural Practices; An Investigative Study Based on Sokari Folk Drama
(Department of Sinhala, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Balasuriya, B.M.T.L.; Bandara, B.M.C. Madhusankha
Sokari is the oldest folk drama in Sri Lanka, which portrays a story in a humorous way by imitating various characters in the society. Sokari folk drama is known as an independent local art form as well as a ritual popular among the villagers. The society's lack of proper understanding of these ritual concepts has an effect on the enjoyment of this folk drama. The main aim of the study is to investigate how the concept of rituals depicted in Sokari folk drama is understood by today's society. The sub-objectives of the study are to study the manner in which the rituals and beliefs of the culture are portrayed in Sokari folk drama and to investigate the use of folk drama to present the characteristics of the village society to a complex social context. The research question of the present study focuses on how the rural social belief concepts depicted in Sokari play are reflected in today's society. Exploratory research methodology has been used for the study. Haguranketha area of Kandy district and Anamaduwa area of Puttalam district have been chosen as the study area because folk art is widely popular in those areas. One hundred fifty people from each of the two areas have been involved in the research under stratified sampling. Structured questionnaire and 6 interviews were used as primary data sources. Books, newspapers, magazines and experimental studies were used as secondary data sources. With the main objectives of providing entertainment, and bringing about the fertility and prosperity needed for cultivation in agriculture, the Sokari village drama, which is staged on the threshing floor, is based on the folk norms of the Sinhala society. It is a highlight of the superstitious, theistic concept that comes from the villagers. Goddess Pattini and Kali are highlighted in this story while the social attitudes are recreated through the characters of Sokari, Guruhami, Paraya, Vedarala, and Sottana. Among the study results, it was found that the performance of Sokari drama is used to highlight the nature of village life, to ensure good fortune to the village and fertility of women and, in general, to seek God's blessings. Sokari drama is still performed to enhance the Sinhala village culture, and its performances, poems, and dialogues are presented with minor regional variations, and although the female and male character traits, weaknesses, and village social characteristics are played with humor, nowadays, tt can be concluded that there are positive and negative social attitudes depending on fandom.
A Sociological Study of the Barriers to the Popularization of Counseling in the Sri Lankan School System
(Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Balasuriya, B.M.T.L.
Out of the school system in Sri Lanka, counseling services are available in rural and urban areas. In order to solve student problems, school counselors and client students operate in three main areas: educational development, professional development and personal social development. Accordingly, there are barriers to popularize the psychocounseling process in the Sri Lankan school system. The main objective of the study is to analyze the barriers to popularizing the counseling process in the Sri Lankan school system. The sub-objectives here are to study how the obstacles/limitations to the counseling process affect the students psychologically and to analyze the awareness of the students about the counseling process. The two questions that the researcher was interested in were whether the students undervalue the counseling process and whether they face other problems in participating in the counseling process and making independent decisions. Analytical research methodology has been used for this purpose. Grounded theory has been used in data analysis. In Puttalam district, Pallama Nandimitra National School and Vendakaduwa Junior College were selected as the field of study. One hundred fifty students each from both schools were selected under random sampling. Open-ended questionnaires and interviews were used as primary data sources. Newspapers, magazines and research articles were used as secondary data source. In the counseling process, it can be identified that factors such as trust, protection of the ethical system, which should arise in connection with the counselors to the clients, are not fulfilled. Due to educational problems, romantic relationship problems, sexual problems, economic and social welfare problems, students who refer to counseling have problems related to the implementation of the correct counseling pattern. This reduces the interest in counseling services. According to the study results, it was revealed that uncertainty related to confidentiality, underestimation of counseling services and ignorance are the reasons for this. It can be concluded that the school counseling service is essential not only in the case of students' problems but also to make them feel at ease. In this regard, proper awareness should be created in the students and the counseling service should be implemented with up-to-date knowledge and protecting ethics.