Browsing by Author "Dissanayake, S."

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An analysis on reading skills of first year Engineering undergraduates: Skimming, Scanning and Vocabulary
(International Conference on the Humanities (ICH 2018/2019), Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Dissanayake, S.
Teaching and learning English constitute a core part of the field of Humanities in Sri Lankan higher education as it encompasses both a utilitarian and humanitarian aspect. English education provides a bridge to its beneficiaries to a wide range of local and international opportunities in various fields. The present research was conducted with the objective of assessing and developing basic reading comprehension skills of first year Engineering Undergraduates following an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course at the Sri Lanka Institute of Technology (SLIIT), Malabe. The study was a result of the researcher‘s observation of low performance by these students in reading comprehension tests. Experts in the field of reading identify effective reading in English as a crucial skill in current academic and professional settings while also highlighting a lesser amount of reading research being conducted compared to studies in the other language skills of listening, speaking and writing. Hence, research on reading skills at tertiary level, such as the present study, is significant in empowering learners with a language tool having a lifelong value and in creating better teaching practices and learning opportunities for future students. Three essential reading skills, skimming, scanning and vocabulary were assessed in this study and three hypotheses were tested. The hypotheses were centered on a comparison of the participant group‘s performance in scanning and skimming, a comparison of their knowledge of nouns, verbs and adjectives and their overall knowledge of these three parts of speech. A reading comprehension test based on the three reading skills was prepared by the researcher and administered to the target group. Primary data was collected through this test. Secondary data was obtained from books, journal articles and theses related to reading skills assessment and development. The results of the data analysis showed significant differences between the participants‘ competency in skimming and scanning and between their knowledge of nouns and the other two parts of speech, verbs and adjectives. It was also revealed that the group‘s overall vocabulary knowledge was significantly low. Therefore, it was concluded that the target group was better in using scanning skills than skimming and that they were more familiar with nouns than with verbs and adjectives while they had a low overall vocabulary knowledge. Recommendations are accordingly given for improving these skills through employing effective instructional practices, increasing student motivation, creating opportunities for extensive reading and regular testing of the relevant reading skills
Analyzing the Impact of Behavioral Biases on Stock Investment Decision Making: Evidence from Sri Lanka Individual Investors at CSE
(Department of Accountancy, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2023) Dissanayake, S.; Perera, W.T.N.M.
The objective of this study is to analyze the impact & relative importance of several prominent behavioral finance variables covered by the behavioral financial literature (overconfidence, loss aversion, risk perception, and herding) on stock investment decision-making at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). This study's significance stems from the fact that local studies focusing on behavioral finance are rare, and thus the researchers believe that such research will raise awareness in this domain. A total of 303 active individual investors who actively traded on the Colombo Stock Exchange during the research period were included in the study. Following authorization of the questionnaire's reliability and validity, data were collected using a Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, factor analysis, correlation analysis, multiclonality test, and paired sample T-test using SPSS software. The findings revealed that behavioral finance observed variables have an impact on the Colombo Stock Exchange, as represented by four behavioral factors influencing individual investors' investment decisions: overconfidence, loss aversion, risk perception, and herding. According to the findings, the variables Risk perception and Loss aversion had the highest impact and relative significance on the individual investor's investment decision-making at CSE. The study made recommendations for CSE investors to use scientific bases when making stock investment decisions, as well as need further research on the impact of behavioral finance on the several types of risks and yields at CSE.
Assessment of pollution status of Crocodylus porosus and human-crocodile relationship in Bellanwila-Attidiya area
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Dissanayake, S.; Nawalage, S.K.; Kowshayini, P.; Panagoda, G.; de Silva, A.; Subanky, S.; Nuwan, D.; Weerasinghe, A.; Bellanthuduwa, A.; de Silva, S.
Challenges of School Based Assessment (SBA) faced by the English Teachers in Sri Lanka
(English Language Teaching Unit, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Dissanayake, S.
Educational evaluation is an indispensable part in the English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom. Assessment is the procedure where the teacher understands the level of achievement of students in order to rate, measure and decide the effectiveness of teaching and learning process and to divert students to achieve the required level along with feedback and meaningful remedial action. School Based Assessment (SBA) was commenced in 1998 in Sri Lanka and implemented at national level from grade six to nine under the educational reforms. According to new education reforms by the Department of Examinations, SBA was initiated for G.C.E. Ordinary level in 2001 and extended for Advanced level grades in 2003. Today, the implementation of SBA is apparent in all government schools in Sri Lanka for secondary level students under the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the Department of Examinations. SBA is an assessment carried out by students’ own teachers in schools with the aim of improving the quality of learning, teaching and assessment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges of SBA system, faced by the ESL teachers in Sri Lanka. The study focused on a sample of five ESL teachers in the Kurunegala Education Zone. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to gather qualitative data. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic content analysis. The findings of the study revealed the challenges and difficulties faced by the ESL teachers when dealing with the SBA system such as lack of time and excessive workload, etc. Furthermore, the discussion will be expanded to scrutinize its’ negative effects on students.
Frequent falls and gaze palsy in two patients
(Ceylon College of Physicians, 2000) Seneviratne, S; Ranawaka, U.; Gunasekera, S.; Senanayake, B.; Fernando, A.; Dissanayake, S.; Wijesekera, J.
The Importance of Stress Management in Buddhist Perspective
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Dissanayake, A.; Dissanayake, S.; Jayasinghe, N.
Stress has become a constant issue in the modern world. Most jobs involve heavy workloads and people are being pressurized to meet higher standards of living due to unlimited demands. All of this can lead to out of control stress levels and individuals are unsatisfied with the modern life style.Dr. Andrew Galizzek has stated that stress is the illness of 20th century caused by the industrial revolution. The industrial countries such as Japan derive stress as Karosi because many people die due to heavy workload and uncontrolled stress levels. Positive stress can help an individual to perform under pressure and motivate but constant negative stress which is in the emergency mode will exhaust an individual physically, mentally and socially. Buddhist soft skills are one of the best ways to manage stress and towards reaching a positive lifestyle. This paper will elaborate many Buddhist techniques which still has up to date validity even though the teachings were introduced by Lord Buddha before 2600 years in India. The significance of Buddhist techniques with compared to western psychological aspects is highlighted throughout the paper. The word stress derived from the Latin word “Strictus” and the Buddhist term āsava which denotes the meaning of defilements or klesa is the best suitable word for mental stress. Many suttas related to āsava such as Sabbāsava, Satipattāna, Vitakkasantāna, Anumāna, Ratavinitha, Bayabherava are reviewed in this paper. The 7 methods of managing stress such as by seeing, by restraining, by using, by enduring, by avoiding, by removing and by developing according to Sabbāsava sutta is highlighted in the second part of the paper. Furthermore, eradicating stress through achieving soft skills by practicing eight fold path, ānapanasathi in Satipattāna sutta, practicing four sublime status, Saptha Bojjanga, practicing loving kindness meditation, Mahādukkakhanda sutta will be elaborated in the paper. Buddhist stress management is discussed in this paper comparing it with western psychological inventions such as psychoneuroimmunology study in which researchers are interested in the study of psychological factors and physical changes. It is revealed that when a person is under stress the hypothalamus sends messages to endocrine glands. The studies have revealed that severe stress has caused the higher risk of heart diseases which occurs due to antagonistic hostility, chronic depression and continuous negative emotions. Soft skills which is associated with emotional intelligence quotient which includes selfawareness, self-management, self-motivation, empathy and social skills can be well developed through mindfulness meditation. Recent neurological research which reveals neuro plasticity; the brain changes after relaxation meditation fulfills the great qualities such as loving-kindness, wisdom and sympathetic joy. These Buddhist techniques can be used to manage stress without any discrimination.
Improving community vitality: spiritually informed entrepreneurial actions
(Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 2024) Dissanayake, S.; Pavlovich, K.; Kovács, G.
Abstract Purpose The purpose of this paper is to depict how entrepreneurs improve community vitality in the economic, social and environmental dimensions. The paper joins the conversation of business spirituality as the study participants were Sri Lankan Buddhist entrepreneurs from the emerging venture context (i.e. from enterprises which are less than 1–10 years old). The aim of the paper is to introduce spiritually informed entrepreneurial actions, thus contributing to a better understanding of entrepreneurial impact on communities. Design/methodology/approach The paper involves a qualitative, interpretivist research design. Data was collected by conducting 28 semi-structured interviews with 18 Sri Lankan Buddhist entrepreneurs. Research participants were selected from diverse business sectors. The research applied inductive thematic analysis for structuring and interpreting data. Findings For Sri Lankan Buddhist entrepreneurs, improving community vitality is an essential altruistic goal of their business agenda. During the operations of their ventures, this altruistic goal is translated into altruistic actions that improve the economic, social and environmental vitalities of communities. Research findings highlight that in the case of Sri Lankan Buddhist entrepreneurs, altruistic actions are informed by compassion, which is a fundamental value in the Buddhist religion. Drawing on the findings, an integrated model of community vitality, which describes the role of compassion and the mechanisms of entrepreneurial actions in a Buddhist setting was developed inductively. Originality/value Studying entrepreneurial actions to focus on the motivations behind improving community vitality is a new research topic. The paper provides valuable knowledge on business spirituality regarding the compassionate motivations of Buddhist entrepreneurs. The integrated model of community vitality, which describes the mechanisms of entrepreneurial actions to improve community vitality in a Buddhist setting could be an essential compass not only to entrepreneurs but also research scholars in the field of business spirituality.
සීගිරිය විනෝද උයනේ කුඩා ජල උද්‍යානයේ ගෘහ නිර්මාණය
(1992) Dissanayake, S.