Browsing by Author "Bandara, R."

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    Food packaging from recycled papers: chemical, physical, optical properties and heavy metal migration
    (Heliyon, 2022) Bandara, R.; Indunil, G.
    Paper recycling is a viable option for wastepaper management. This study assessed the suitability of recycled papers as a food packaging material. Permanence and durability of three different recycled papers; R1:150 GSM, R2:120 GSM, and R3:100 GSM with aging were evaluated using standard methods. Eventhough opacity increased with aging grammage, burst strength, tensile strength, pH, brightness, and whiteness decreased. Recycled papers failed water absorptiveness test even before aging. Presence of heavy metals in recycled papers were compared with food packaging standards and migration of heavy metals from the packaging to different food types was assessed. Presence of Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cd and Pb were below EC and EPA standards but only Pb and Cd exceeded the EU standard. Migration of Cu, Zn, Mn and Cr were within EPA, EU and EC standards except Pb and Cd with respect to EC standard. Highest migration is associated with foods contain more fatty acids; fast food, sausages and pizza.
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    Remediation of cadmium contaminated montane forest soils (Horton Plains): Will rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) nut shell and rice husk bio char be effective remediating agents?
    (4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) De Silva, J. S. R.; Yapa, P. I.; Bandara, R.; Seneviratne, M. A.
    Horton Plains, one of the two montane forests in Sri Lanka, which provides habitats to many endemic species of plants and animals, has been severely affected by forest dieback. Previous research has identified a direct link between soil pollution with Cadmium (Cd) (through atmospheric pollution) and the phenomenon of forest dieback. As a consequence, forest dieback is increasing proportionately to the soil pollution. As such, it is imperative to protect Horton Plains, and this study focuses on identifying a cost-effective remediation technique to neutralize soil Cd, and thereby reducing forest dieback. This experiment was conducted for a period of three months. Soil samples were collected from Horton Plains, mainly Thotupolakanda site, which shows more than 90% severity of forest die back. Three soil amendments were used in this research as; bio char prepared using (i) rubber nut shells, (ii) rice husks, and (iii) bio char occurring naturally in Horton Plains. Along with the control treatment (only soil), this experiment consisted of four treatments, of 5 replicates. Treatments were added to the soil samples and available Cd was extracted using standard methods in literature, and the Cd concentrations were analysed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Horton Plains forest soil used for the study showed the pH of 5.4 and the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) was 210 c moles kg -1 of soil. The soil was highly rich with organic matter and the soil organic matter (SOM) content has reached 13.4%. Immobilization of Cd added to the soil was observed and it was significant (p <0.03). However, the control (only soil) has also shown its ability to immobilize soil Cd. Thus, it appears that the presence of extraordinary level of SOM and active natural sorbents in SOM such as humic acid and fulvic acid have masked the effect of all the biochar treatments. The amount of Cd used for spiking the soil was 0.1 μg and the minute quantity may have been immobilized by the SOM. However, the study proved the possibility of neutralizing Cd toxicity in the soil by using natural sorbents. Other treatments did not show that much of Cd neutralizing
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    A study on anxiety and depression among military personnel injured in the war
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2001) Ariyaratne, R.; Arulrajah, S.; Ariyananda, D.; Ariyaratne, J.; Athanayake, S.; Azhar, M.; Bandara, A.; Bandara, R.; Williams, S.S.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of army personnel with symptoms of anxiety and depression following injuries on the battlefield and to identify associated factors. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHODS: We administered a pretested closed and open ended questionnaire and a validated Sinhala translation of the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventory to 128 injured soldiers at the Military Hospital in Colombo between 9th and 11th of December 1999. We excluded soldiers with head injuries or impaired consciousness and those blind or deaf. RESULTS: In terms of the Beck Depression Inventory 35.15% had scores for severe depression, 15,62% for moderate depression and 28.1% for mild depression. In terms of the Beck Anxiety Inventory 7.81% has scores for severe anxiety, 5.46% for moderate anxiety and 36.7% for mild anxiety. There was a significant association between severity of depression and anxiety (Chi square for linear trend =21.8, p < 0.001). We also found a significant association between severity of depression and thoughts of deserting the army (Chi square for linear trend = 10.674, pO.OOl and severity of depression and problems at work or in the family (Chi square for linear trend = 4.373. p < 0.05). Among those who scored for severe depression there was a suicidal risk in 42.33%. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the majority of injured soldiers had symptoms of depression and nearly half had symptoms of anxiety, There was a significant association between severity of depression and thoughts of deserting the army and problems at work or in the family. The suicidal risk among depressed patients was high.
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    Undergraduates’ Motivation in Learning English
    (English Language Teaching Unit, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayasingha, I.; Bandara, R.; Jayawardhana, R.; Wijayabandara, C.
    The paper will be based on an empirical research conducted at University of Kelaniya. This research examines the type and level of motivation in English language learning and the reasons for the lack of motivation in learning English. It is widely accepted that motivation is one of the variables that influences the rate and the success of learning the language. The population of this research comprises of 20 undergraduates who were selected randomly from each faculty. The research lasted for two weeks .Data has been collected via a questionnaire which consists of five point Likert scales and few multiple choice questions. The undergraduates were given an adequate period of time to solve the questionnaire. The study reveals that high anxiety towards the teachers, lack of the basic knowledge provided during their early stages of learning and humiliation on students affect for the lack of motivation in learning English. The results of the research indicate that the motivation in learning English in the faculty of Humanities is high when comparing with other faculties. This research points out steps which can be taken to enhance the motivation in learning English in undergraduates .For instance, lessons should be conducted in an interesting manner, teachers should be sensitive to students' language learning problems and should provide appropriate solutions. So, the research seems to be helpful in enhancing the motivation in learning English in undergraduates.
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