Browsing by Author "Gunasekara, I."

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An Analysis on Potentials of Developing Spiritual Tourism in Sri Lanka – with special reference to Buddhist Pilgrimage Activities
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Gunasekara, I.
Spiritual Tourism is one of the emerging forms of tourism that practice by most of the countries in the world. Each religion has unique activities; the devotees and scholars who are fond of practicing those, visits the religious sites. In this regard, the spiritual tourism has being increasing and most of the countries that have strong religious and spiritual backgrounds are promoting Spiritual Tourism. Sri Lanka as a most prominent destination for Buddhist Pilgrimage has the high potentiality for promoting Spiritual Tourism. This study attempts to analyze the potentials of developing Buddhism Based Spiritual Tourism in Sri Lanka. The study was based on data gathered by a field study. The objectives of this qualitative research were to analyze the current usage of Buddhist heritage in tourism, to find out the potentials of developing Spiritual Tourism in Sri Lanka based on Buddhism, to build up strategies for Spiritual Tourism Development in Sri Lanka. The significance of the study was to develop a form of tourism with the use of Buddhist pilgrimage potentials available in Sri Lanka.
Developing Museums under the Concept of Heritage Tourism: The Dutch National Museum as a Case Study
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Gunasekara, I.
Heritage Tourism is a business practice which attracts visitors to places that are based on historical aspects, culture and landscapes. This form of tourism displays several unique characteristics such as education, exhibition and conservation of heritage aspects. In addition, museums play a vital role in Heritage Tourism. Since a museum is a non-profit gaining, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and the environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment, it has potential to be promoted under the concept of Heritage Tourism. This study attempts to analyses the ability of developing the Dutch National Museum under the concept of Heritage Tourism. The study is based on collected data through a field research. The specific aim of the research was to propose strategies to develop the Dutch National Museum using the concept of Heritage Tourism. The objectives of the research were to identify the current situation of the Dutch National Museum, to identify its potential in being developed through a different concept, and to develop a strategic plan to develop it through this relatively novel concept. The significance of the research was to develop Heritage Tourism in Colombo, the merchant city of Sri Lanka.
How does the Tourism Industry of Sri Lanka Encourage the Elephant Commercialization?
(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Gunasekara, I.
Tourism is an industry where everything could be converted into a profit. There are numerous concepts and attractions which introduced ultimately, to meet various types of travel expectations. People travel for many intentions and stick to their interested areas. Culture, nature, humans, urbanization or westernization may be key areas of travel interests. There could be identified much attention to cultural tourism in Sri Lankan Tourism Industry. Elephant is a very attractive and unique creature in Sri Lankan culture and society. It has gained importance in cultural perspectives and also in natural perspectives. At present, elephants have become a functional attraction is Sri Lankan Tourism. This has encouraged the commercialization of these living beings similar to other tourism goods or services. Moreover, elephant based attractions and services industry has developed inside the country in an unethical manner. This became a questionable area in animal rights and cultural ethics. The means of elephant commercialization, ethical concerns in community towards this commercialization, the areas should be corrected to be ethically accepted, suggestions for sustainable use of elephants in tourism are the segments covered by this qualitative research attempt.
Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum and its contribution towards the tourism industry
(Culture, Globalization and the Developing World, 2nd ICSS, 2013) Gunasekara, I.
This study focuses on discussing the contribution of Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum to the tourism industry of Sri Lanka. Tourism is a widely spread industry which gains high economic benefits to a country. Sri Lanka, as a developing country has paid attention to this beneficial industry. Sri Lankan culture is one of the leading factors among tourist attractions. Museums are significant elements of cultural tourism because they provide cultural awareness for their visitors. In addition, many tourism authorities and tour operators use museums as an attractive way of entertainment. Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum is a significant component among Sri Lankan museums due to its collection. This unique collection is consisted of traditional folk culture, which has the ability to provide education on many areas of traditional local communities such as rituals, literature, folk drama and arts, mask industry, traditional handicrafts, folk sports, folk music, traditional fishing industry and much more. The problem of this research was to find the impact of Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum on tourism industry in Sri Lanka. The objectives of the research were identifying the different sources of tourist attractions, the impact of Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum on tourism industry and the potentials to develop it in cultural tourism in Sri Lanka.The research uses both primary and secondary data for the purpose. According to the gathered data it was found that inspite of many potentials it has the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum contributes very little to the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.
Potentials of Developing Religious Historical Museum in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Embuldeniya, P; Gunasekara, I.
There are various types of museums in the world and in Sri Lanka, among which religious museums are one popular and common variety. This research paper describes the potentials of developing a museum related to Religious history of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, its importance as an educational centre, as a religious synchronization centre and as a tourist attraction will also be described through this research. In this study, field research and library survey methods were used collect the data. Sri Lanka has a rich history ranging from Prehistoric period to contemporary period and directly connected with various religious activities. There are multi ethnic and multi religious people in Sri Lankan society. Sri Lankan culture varied with Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and some other religions. Throughout these aspects can be recognized that Sri Lanka has diverse of religions. There are some museums and galleries which exhibits the historical background of single religious place. But Sri Lanka still lacks a single institution which displays the complete religious history of Sri Lanka. Through this study can suggest that, a completely new religious historical museum covering the all religions and all aspects which can provide tourist attraction, knowledge, practical experiences and religious harmony. Considering the results of this research could conclude that, it is significant to have one place where the complete religious history can be experienced and reviewed through the religious harmonization of Sri Lanka.
A Proposal for Sustainable Community Development through a Culinary Trail
(In: Proceedings of the International Postgraduate Research Conference 2017 (IPRC – 2017), Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Gunasekara, I.
This research is focused on design a proposal to develop Sri Lankan community through sustainable tourism approach. Sustainability concept appeals to the development of Sri Lankan economy with the millennium development goals of United Nations. The culture is the prominent factors which can be developed as tourist attraction. In addition, Culinary is a part of the culture of any society. As it is consisted of food preparation techniques, methods, different ingredients, tastes and presenting styles it usually capture the attention of tourists. Since Sri Lanka has diverse sub cultures there is a high diversity of cuisine. The variation in Sri Lankan cuisines have been influenced by geographic and demographic diversity. Taking this factor into account the development of new tourism product which named Sri Lankan Culinary Trail has proposed by the research. This product is based on traditional cuisines and the service providers of this tourism segment are the local community whose benefit is focused on this research. This is an exploratory research which based on primary data collection method where a questionnaire survey carried out for market analysis. The respondents were local people who selected randomly based on Negombo coastal belt. The product will be a prototype implementation plan which can be developed up to national level.
The Significance of Currency as a Heritage Transmission Media: with reference to Sri Lankan Rupees
(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Embuldeniya, P.; Gunasekara, I.
Currency has significance of economical, archaeological, historical, natural and cultural aspects. The main objective of this research paper is to explicate the significance of the currency as a media which transmit the Sri Lankan heritage. The research is based on data collected through field research and library survey methods. Currency is generally defined as a system of money in common use, especially in a country. Sri Lanka has long and rich historical background on currency reign from ancient period. Punched coins, Swastika coins, Lakshmi coins, Ran kahawanuwa and its pieces, Medieval copper Massa coin, Sethu coins of Jaffna, Panama and Angutumassa / Hook coin are some of the local coins used in the ancient period. Apart from that, some of the foreign coins were used in Sri Lanka in the ancient time. Sri Lankan Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka at present. Coins and Banknotes were frequently introduced to Sri Lankan currency. Moreover, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has issued commemorative coins and banknotes on several occasions. Those coins and banknotes illustrated several aspects of Sri Lankan heritage such as traditional dance, traditional events, heritage sites, landscapes, industries, achievements, fauna and flora. Both cultural and natural aspects of heritage in Sri Lanka are transmitted through currency. Hence, there are several benefits in promoting this function as tourist attraction through museums, cultural events, culture based tours, nature based tours and heritage tours. Among these, currency museums are vital as an establishment of heritage. This research will propose cultural events as well as culture and nature based heritage tours focusing on the illustrated aspects of Sri Lankan coins and banknotes. Cultural and natural aspects of heritage in Sri Lanka, the significance of Sri Lankan currency, historical background of currency and heritage of Sri Lanka are also be discussed through this research
A Study on Impacts of Unplanned Tourism Development – with reference to Negombo Tourism Hub, Sri Lanka
(Department of Economics, University of Kelaniya, 2016) Gunasekara, I.
The specific aim of the research was to find out socio-cultural effects of unplanned tourism development to destinations. The study carried out at Negombo tourism hub. Negombo is one of the famous tourist destinations located in the Greater Colombo area, close proximity to Sri Lanka’s first international airport and has been a significant tourist attraction since the 1960s. Currently, Negombo is one of the best places for Beach tourism (Sun, Sea, and Sand), Night life, Water sports, Seafood and traditional fishing. Nonetheless, the government involvement was not sufficient in the early days of tourism development hence much of the development activities surrounding Negombo has been unplanned. This has been caused for many negative impacts as well. Much of these adverse impacts have affected the host community. This study was able to identify these adverse effects through primary and secondary data collecting methods.
Tourism industry and traditional fishing industry in down south coastal belt of Sri Lanka
(Culture, Globalization and the Developing World, 2nd ICSS, 2013) Gunasekara, I.
Tourism industry is a rapid growing industry in the world wide due to its high economic contribution. As a result, most of the countries enter into this remarkable industry as the economic benefits it gains contribute to the development of the country. This industry directly and indirectly affects the other industries in the host country in both positive and negative manner. This study attempts to find out such interrelationships between tourism industry and fishing industry in down south coastal belt of Sri Lanka. Down south coastal belt is one of the famous tourist areas in Sri Lanka due to the water based tourist products offered by the area tourist service providers. Host communities in down south costal belt are mainly fishing communities for centuries. The development of tourism industry impacts this community and their traditional occupation. The major aim of this study was to find out how the traditional fishing industry is being effected through the tourism industry. The objectives were to identify the nature of tourism industry, different typologies of tourist attraction, traditional fishing techniques used by the fishermen in down south costal belt and interrelationship between tourism and traditional fishing industry using both primary and secondary data collection methodologies.
Usage of Railway Trails in experiencing Sri Lankan culture: A sustainable tourism product development proposal for Sri Lanka
(The International Conference on Land Transportation, Locomotive Heritage and Road Culture - 2017, 2017) Gunasekara, I.
Sri Lanka as a developing nation focuses on economic development through tourism. In this regard numerous tourism products are introduced with various tourism concepts. Cultural tourism as a prominent example in Sri Lanka tourism, has a vast variety of products in catering to different clientele. When it comes to different forms of tourist activities and the tourist flow inside the country, different categories can be identified in usage of transportation. Considering this situation, this specific research attempts to develop railway cultural tour with different items of diverse culture in Sri Lanka. This product will be based on Sustainable Tourism concept and will focus on community development, cultural interaction, tourist satisfaction, tourism diversification which leads to national economic development. The specific research is based on qualitative research methodology where a randomly sampled questionnaire survey carried out for pilot investigation of tourist expectations and a library research and statistical information was taken into account as secondary information. An itinerary based on railway trail and the supporting facilities have been proposed as a cultural tourism product which is capable of catering numerous tourist expectations.