Browsing by Author "Ranaweera, R. A. A. S."

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    ANCIENT EDUCATION INSTITUTES IN THE KOTTE PERIOD: EVIDENCE FROM THE GIRA SANDESAYA
    (The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Rubasinghe, A. S.; Ranaweera, R. A. A. S.; Wimalasiri, S. P.
    Sri Lanka is a country rich in education and literary traditions. The education and literature of ancient Sri Lanka were at a high peak during the kingdoms of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala. However, during the later dynasties, especially after the Kurunegala period, education and literary activities were not significant due to political unrest, foreign invasion, and volatility in the economic, political, and administrative aspects of the country. However, Sri Lanka regained prosperity as a united nation after King Parakkramabahu VI came to power in the 15th century based in the city of Kotte. The royal patronage of King Parakkramabahu VI boosted the educational and literary activities during the period. Hence, the Kotte period was identified as a golden era of literary and educational activities in ancient Sri Lanka before the Western powers conquered the country. Due to notable scholarly monks and education institutes, the academic activities were at an outstanding level. The main objective of this study is to investigate the well-known education institutes available in the Kotte period based on Sandesa poetry. The present study is limited to Vijayaba Pirivena in Totagamuwa, and narration given in the Gira Sandesaya on the Vijayaba Pirivena is used as the primary source for the study. Gira Sandesaya narrated the academic activities, student life, and subjects taught at the Vijayaba Pirivena. The guidance of Totagamuwe Sri Rahula Thero, the prominent scholarly monk who lived in the Kotte period, and the royal patronage received from the great King Parakkramabhau VI lifted the Vijayaba Pirivena in a key position and considered as one of the leading education institutes in the Kotte period as well as in the education history of ancient Sri Lanka.
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    MITIGATING ELEPHANT MORTALITY FROM TRAIN COLLISIONS IN SRI LANKA: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS
    (The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Abeysinghe, S. B.; Ranaweera, R. A. A. S.
    Elephant motility due to train collisions is a major conservation issue in Sri Lanka, threatening the survival of the Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and disrupt the equilibrium of the ecosystem. The purpose of this lines. Some of the main causes are high train speed, the division of habitat, the absence of efficient underpass and overpass for train and wildlife respectively. Temporal analysis shows more collisions during the night and early morning when elephants are active by moving around. These collisions also have severe consequences on elephants; they alter their social relations and reduce their ability to reproduce, which is detrimental to the species’ survival in the long run. The measures suggested to prevent elephant-train collision are as follows: Speed limits in affected areas, construction of safe crossing points, increased awareness and involvement of the local communities. Also, future research in the behavioral and spatial dynamics of elephants is essential for enhancing the efficacy of the measures being proposed. It is important to conserve the Asian elephant to maintain rich ecosystems in Sri Lanka. The findings of this study should be used to support the conservation of wildlife and their habitats while also facilitating the needs of the people.