Browsing by Author "Ratnayake, R."

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Examination of private sector participation in urban development projects in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2008) Ratnayake, R.; Shanaka, K.S.
Risk factors for deliberate self-harm in young people in rural Sri Lanka: a prospective cohort study of 22,000 individuals
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2021) Fernando, K.; Jayamanna, S.; Weerasinghe, M.; Priyadarshana, C.; Ratnayake, R.; Pearson, M.; Gunnell, D.; Dawson, A.; Hawton, K.; Konradsen, F.; Eddleston, M.; Metcalfe, C.; Knipe, D.
Background: Over 90% of youth suicide deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Despite this relatively little is known about risk factors in this context. Aims: Investigate risk factors for deliberate self-harm (non-fatal) in young people in rural Sri Lanka. Methods: A prospective cohort study of 22,401 individuals aged 12-18 years with complete data on sex, student status, household asset score, household access to pesticides and household problematic alcohol use. Deliberate self-harm was measured prospectively by reviewing hospital records. Poisson regression estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for the association of risk factors with deliberate self-harm. Results: Females were at higher risk of deliberate self-harm compared to males (IRR 2.05; 95%CI 1.75 – 2.40). Lower asset scores (low compared to high: IRR 1.46, 95%CI 1.12 - 2.00) and having left education (IRR 1.61 95%CI 1.31 – 1.98) were associated with higher risks of deliberate self-harm, with evidence that the effect of not being in school was more pronounced in males (IRR 1.94; 95%CI 1.40 – 2.70) than females. There was no evidence of an association between household pesticide access and deliberate self-harm risk, but problematic household alcohol use was associated with increased risk (IRR 1.23; 95%CI 1.04 – 1.45), with evidence that this was more pronounced in females than males (IRR for females 1.42; 95%CI 1.17 – 1.72). There was no evidence of deliberate self-harm risk being higher at times of school exam stress. Conclusion: Indicators of lower socioeconomic status, not being in school, and problematic alcohol use in households, were associated with increased deliberate self-harm risk in young people.
Species identification and pollination biology of an economically important true halophyte, Salicornia brachiata Roxb.
(Aquatic Botany, 2024) Siridewa, K.; De Silva, W.; Ratnayake, R.; Wijesundara, S.; Perera, D.; Attanayake, R. N.
Members of the genus Salicornia have gained a global attraction due to their ability to thrive under high saline conditions and as potential candidates in saline agriculture. However, it has been a taxonomically challenging genus for decades since the members show plastic responses to extreme environmental conditions and due to incongruences between morphological and molecular identification methods. While only a handful of commercially grown Salicornia species are fully described, most of the species including S. brachiata, a native species in the Indian sub-continent, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka are poorly described. With the potentials in adapting S. brachiata in saline agriculture, the aim of this study was to establish a morphology and DNA barcodebased species delineation system and to study pollination biology for future crop improvement projects. Tentatively identified S. brachiata plant samples were collected from two populations in Sri Lanka and completely described. GenBank lacked authenticated barcode data for S. brachiata except for one chloroplast genome to which the matK sequence obtained in the present study matched with 100 % identity. For the first time, well defined sequences of three barcode regions, ITS, ETS and matK, of S. brachiata were made available for accurate species identification. Reproductive dynamics in different parts of the inflorescence was studied. A facultative xenogamous mating system was recorded for the first time in the genus and while the lower florets in the cladode showed a preference towards outcrossing, the upper florets displayed adaptations for selfing. Data could be effectively utilized in future Salicornia breeding programs.
Study of practice of good governance in local authority for urban development
(University of Kelaniya, 2008) Ratnayake, R.; Wickramarathne, P.V.A.