Browsing by Author "Gamage, A."

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Building a Nation: Examining the evolution of „nation‟ in postcolonial African literature
(Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research Symposium (HUG 2019), Department of English, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Welageda, S.; Gamage, A.; Ranaweera, H.
The concept of the „nation‟ and „nation building‟ has been a salient part of Postcolonial African literature. Countering the predominant white mainstream narratives that distort the reality of the colonized, postcolonial African literature often strives to show the „real‟ essence of African culture and people. Research studies have been done before focusing on the concept of nation in postcolonial literature of Africa and postcolonial literature as a whole. However, the efforts in research studies to understand the growing changes in the idea of nation within postcolonial texts, especially with relation to modern multiculturalism, remain limited. Thus a need to explore literature that discusses the idea of nation within the context of the globalized world of the twenty first century was identified. The aim of this study is to identify the evolution of politics of nation and nation building in African literature using two African texts; the book Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe and the movie Black Panther (2018) directed by Ryan Coogler. The methodology of the research study includes a close literary analysis with a comparative reading of the two texts. Specifically, in the course of analyzing the texts, postcolonial critical theories, the concept on the Nation state by Franz Fanon and theories on hybridity by Homi K. Bhabha have been referred to. At the end of the research study, the changes in the attempts to conceptualize the idea of nation within postcolonial literature over time will be identified. Furthermore, it will explore the evolution of the concept of nation spanning from the immediate context of decolonization to the modern times. The study hopes to provide a new understanding on the idea of nation building and national identity in the contemporary world.
DAG: method for causal modelling in epidemiological research
(College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2017) Gamage, A.; Abeysena, C.
Evidence-based and epidemiological interpretation of the diagnosis of SARS-COV-2
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2021) Abeysena, C.; Gamage, A.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Diagnostic tests are never perfect; hence cannot definitely tell whether the disease is present or absent which leads to inaccurate decisions by healthcare workers. The key metrics in interpreting the accuracy are sensitivity and specificity and the test performance measures of positive-predictive-value(PPV) and negative-predictive-value (NPV). Positive and negative predictive values of diagnostic tests vary depending upon the pre-test probability. This paper aims to compile the evidence generated and facilitate the epidemiological interpretation of diagnostic laboratory testing available for COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We searched systematic reviews published, especially Cochrane reviews and evidence summaries. Diagnostic accuracy studies were searched when there were no published systematic reviews. PPV, NPV and its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the reported sensitivities and specificities and assumed pre-test probability levels. RESULTS: At a low pre-test probability level, PPV is 50%(95%CI: 28%-72%) when we assume 56% sensitivity of the antigen test. If the sensitivity is low, PPV will be low and vice versa; however, the NPV is 69.3% (95%CI: 67%-71%). Considering RT-PCR test PPV is 28.6%(95%CI: 13%-52% at a low pre-test probability level) when we assume 40% sensitivity. Assuming RT-PCR sensitivity is 95%, PPV is 47.4% (95%CI: 32%-63%), NPV is 62.3%(95%CI: 60.6% to 63.9%). Further, assuming that the sensitivity of the RT-PCR is 95%, NPV is 95.2%(95%CI: 93.1% to 96.7%). CONCLUSION: In low resource settings symptoms, signs, basic laboratory and other investigations can be used to screen COVID-19 patients and interpretation of the results of the antigen and RT-PCR test for better diagnosis.
Teachers’ Perspective on Language Learning through Virtual Learning Environment in Distance Education
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Gamage, A.; Wickramasinghe, W.W.M.H.W.U.I.
The last decade witnessed a significant growth in Information Technology and Communication and it has influenced the language learning in various ways. By the 21st century, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) reshaped the language learning process. (Hardisty & Windeatt: 1989). Therefore, it can be seen how the human computer interaction has become a prominent place in language learning process. Previous research findings show that the activities done in a CALL classroom reduce the stress and it motivates the students to participate attentively and actively in language learning (Hee- Jung) and online learning environment has a significant effect on the academic improvement. (Hewagamage: 2012) With the rapid development of technology, Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and Learning Management Systems (LMS) were used in order to overcome geographical challenges and it has become a phenomenal phase in language learning. Although there is substantial amount of research on various types of CALL with regard to improving four skills; reading, writing, listening and speaking in English as a Second Language, but much of the research is conducted considering a single skill at a time. Thus this research focuses on both writing and speaking skills which can be identified as productive skills. This paper tries to investigate how the usage of Virtual Learning Environment affects the academic performance of language learners in distance education. Thus this study explores the effect of VLE in improving distance learners’ writing and speaking skills in learning English language and whether teachers are satisfied with the academic performance of distance language learners. For this qualitative study, ten teachers will be interviewed from a government university which is situated in western province. This research mainly uses semi- structured interviews in order to collect data. The collected data is analyzed considering the teachers’ perspective on the academic performance of distant language learners who learn English language through Virtual Learning Environment. The results of this research bring out that VLE plays a major role in improving writing skills whereas that significant effect cannot be seen in improving speaking skills.