Browsing by Author "Suraweera, N."

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Empowering Youth Genaration through Skill Development Programme in Sri Lanka (Case Study of National Youth Corps Tanning Center in Sri Lanka)
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Suraweera, N.
Youth are very crucial component of any country. According to central bank report, approximately 26 percent of the Sri Lankan population comprise of youth. The Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advanced Level (A/L) examinations are very competitive and they are set with high standards. Each year, about 200,000 and 90,000 students leave the school system, out of which a large number of students become school drop outs, at the O/Level and A/Level examinations, respectively. Though the dropout rates are high, the provisions taken to cater this segment through initiatives such as vocational training, is a major challenge in Sri Lanka. The government of Sri Lanka has introduced many training programmers with the objective of reducing the number of dropouts. To enhance their personality with skill development, vocational training programmers have been implemented under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development. In the year 2002, the National Youth Corps Training Center (NYC), one of the largest government youth training institutions of that era, ushered a different orientation, by focusing on training discipline, personality development and job oriented vocational training. This paper examines the impact of skill development training programmes in empowering youth of Sri Lanka. It was found that the youth corpse center program influenced the youth in a positive way in empowering their personality, discipline and vocational training. The study was conducted through survey method. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 100 students representing 3 different youth corpse training centers in Sri Lanka.
Gillespie syndrome in a South Asian child: a case report with confirmation of a heterozygous mutation of the ITPR1 gene and review of the clinical and molecular features
(BioMed Central, 2018) de Silva, D.; Williamson, K.A.; Dayasiri, K.C.; Suraweera, N.; Quinters, V.; Abeysekara, H.; Wanigasinghe, J.; de Silva, D.; de Silva, H.
BACKGROUND: Gillespie syndrome is a rare, congenital, neurological disorder characterized by the association of partial bilateral aniridia, non-progressive cerebellar ataxia and intellectual disability. Homozygous and heterozygous pathogenic variants of the ITPR1 gene encoding an inositol 1, 4, 5- triphosphate- responsive calcium channel have been identified in 13 patients recently. There have been 22 cases reported in the literature by 2016, mostly from the western hemisphere with none reported from Sri Lanka. CASE PRESENTATION: A 10-year-old girl born to healthy non-consanguineous parents with delayed development is described. She started walking unaided by 9 years with a significantly unsteady gait and her speech was similarly delayed. Physical examination revealed multiple cerebellar signs. Slit lamp examination of eyes revealed bilateral partial aniridia. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain at the age of 10 years revealed cerebellar (mainly vermian) hypoplasia. Genetic testing confirmed the clinical suspicion and demonstrated a heterozygous pathogenic variant c.7786_7788delAAG p.(Lys2596del) in the ITPR1 gene. CONCLUSION: The report of this child with molecular confirmation of Gillespie syndrome highlights the need for careful evaluation of ophthalmological and neurological features in patients that enables correct clinical diagnosis. The availability of genetic testing enables more accurate counseling of the parents and patients regarding recurrence risks to other family members.
Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Student’s Attitude (Case Study of Postgraduate Students of University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka)
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Suraweera, N.
Today every individual has become education minded in changing the society and the world with the advancement of science, technology, education, culture and civilization. In this age of information, education plays a prominent role in everybody’s life. Everybody desires to acquire education and the emphasis on the best quality education is increasing day by day. In the age of revolution of Information Technology, it reconsiders and re-adapts to the changing environment of teaching and learning. New media technologies have revolutionized education and the learning process. It has made teaching easier and the teaching method, student centric. Information and communication technologies can be used to bridge the gap between students and teachers. Nowadays, many Sri Lankan universities are gradually using different types of information and communication technologies for teaching and learning process. As new technologies are growing in a rapid phase there is a digital divide between students, teachers and the university administration. In order to cope with the fast pace of students in understanding the technology, teachers will have to update different technologies fast in classroom teaching. This research mainly deals with present scenario of information and communication technologies which graduate students are using and how it impacts the attitude of the student. In this study, 57 questions were assembled based on the objectives and they were categorized in to four parts. First part (part A) containing socio-demographic economic profile of respondents. Second part (part B) dealt with the exposure to information and communication technologies. Third part (part C) dealt with the comparison and the forth part (part D) of the questionnaire was designed to measure the impact of information and communication technologies on students’ attitudes for their education purpose. Students in Universities extensively use information and communication technological tools for different academic purposes. From assignments to making notes, from alternate information to industrial content, their preference is new media. Gone are the days when students referred books in libraries for enriching themselves. In this era of e-generation with information and communication technologies tools and the phenomenal spread of information and communication technologies, going online has turned easy to clarify their doubts instantly and satisfy their learning instincts. It is encouraging an outreach learning concept and producing a positive and efficient set of students as confident individuals who are bound to be a better workforce in the future.
Impact of Media Convergence on Media Environment (With Special Reference to Sri Lankan Media)
(Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Suraweera, N.
Revolutionary changes and developments communication and technology have, in turn, facilitated changes in the media environment. Convergence is one of the main trends of these new technological revolutions. It brings together one or more things to support one single media channel. It is used to describe multiple processes that are changing audience habits worldwide. In the media context, convergence is the process by which existing technologies combine into new forms that bring together different types of media and applications. Convergence has given to media the ability to adopt new forms of publication never investigated before. Furthermore, media convergence is the combining of mass media outlets, for example print, radio, television as well as the internet along with transferable, connective technologies through various media platforms. Nevertheless, convergence media generally controls one medium or accomplishes some basic functions. The media massage can interact with a broad audience. For example, any type of newspaper can be included to audio and video text on their web publications. Convergence media can disseminate any type of news or other information within a few seconds. Broadcast stations also have the capacity to include text and video on their web publications. Audience have vast choices and can obtain news and other information on same media at the same time. On the other hand, the media organizations can reduce products and software cost and create multi skilled journalists. Media convergence has become a vital element of new millennium and all media industries have to get accustomed to this technological innovation. This paper studies the impact of media convergence on media environment with special reference to Sri Lankan media and also examines how it impacts audiences, massage journalists as well as organizations. Both primary and secondary data have been used in this study. Interviews, questionnaires and self-observation were used as primary data. And also secondary data to gather reviews of literature qualitatively. This study found convergence of technology has changed the whole media environment, at present journalists can used the internet, networking sites, digital cameras and new mobile phone technologies for news gathering around the world within one second. On the other hand, they not only use one way to disseminate their news and other information. Therefore, they have to maintain on line publication and used massage as a text, audio and video. Media convergence has created multi skilled journalists, they are not only trained to report news stories but also to report with the audios, photos and videos of the event using their mobile phones or devices. Audience are also not ready to take news and other information through one channel, therefore media is also providing exciting, interesting and thoughtful news stories through all channels on their web publication.
The impact of self-efficacy beliefs of employees on contextual issues of online learning: with reference to the banking sector in Sri Lanka
(Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, 2023) Rathnasekara, K.; Suraweera, N.; Yatigammana, K.
Purpose – The paper aims to clarify the relationship between perceived contextual issues and the self-efficacy beliefs of the employees with e-learning engagement for their competency development. It proposes a model for the banks to utilize their e-learning interventions more effectively by managing the identified contextual issues. Simultaneously, this study aims to expand the domain of self-efficacy beliefs and apply its principles to dilute the impact of the negative contextual issues which were not addressed through similar research. Design/methodology/approach – The paper focuses on an exploratory study using a deductive approach grounded on self-efficacy – one of the main dimensions of Bandura’s social cognitive theory. It adopted a mixed methodology, and primary data were collected through an online survey (792 responses analyzed through Statistical Package Social Science [SPSS]) and semi-structured interviews (20 respondents analyzed through thematic analysis). The population comprises employees of private commercial banks who have recently introduced e-learning. Findings – The paper provides empirical insights about the contextual issues influencing e-learning and how self-efficacy beliefs can be utilized to enhance the effective engagement of employees. Contextual issues related to technological, organizational, personal and time-intensive factors influence e-learning engagement. The strengthening of self-efficacy beliefs (learners’ enthusiasm and gaining) can be utilized to manage personal and time-intensive factors. However, technological and organizational factors cannot be managed through a similar approach as they did not report a significant relationship with self-efficacy. Originality/value – This paper fulfills an identified need to study how e-learning can be utilized as an effective competency development tool in the banking sector.
The Impact of Smartphone Usage on the Mainstream Media Consumption in Sri Lanka (With Special Reference to Nittambuwa Ranpokunagama Housing Scheme)
(19th Conference on Postgraduate Research, International Postgraduate Research Conference 2018, Faculty of Graduate Studies,University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Suraweera, N.
Modern communication technology has been able to exert s powerful influence on the physical and material aspects of human beings ignoring the things of religion, gender, cast, language, and nation. The Mobile phone can be identified as a one high point in those technology. At the beginning of the introduction of the mobile phone, it was used only to talk. But today it has become the easiest and fastest communication tool for bringing the whole world on own hands writhing one second. At any time of the day, it is possible to communicate with one another wherever and whenever. Specially, opportunity to connect with the world through the internet within one second. This communication revolution has had a direct impact on the mainstream media, both the print and electronic. Therefor this research aims to explore the impact of smartphone usage on the mainstream media consumption in Sri Lanka, with special reference to Nittambuwa Ranpokunagama housing scheme. Numerous data users were selected randomly from the Nittambuwa Ranpokunagama housing scheme for the purpose and the data was collected through the questioner and self-observation. This paper revealed that the Smart phones usage has become a major factor in getting away from the Sri Lankan mainstream media. This has changed the mainstream media consumption pattern and a new media consumption has emerged through the smart mobile phone
National Security and Human Rights
(University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, 2007) Gunasekara, S.N.; Pilapitiya, H.P.I.U.; Suraweera, N.; Ramanayake, A.R.N.D.; Shanaz, F.
Post Tsunami Activities: Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and their Impact on Sri Lankan society
(University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, 2007) Gunasekara, S.N.; Pilapitiya, H.P.I.U.; Suraweera, N.; Ramanayake, A.R.N.D.
Presentation of posterior tongue-tie in a young infant mimicking oral candidiasis: A diagnostic challenge
(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2024) Dayasiri, K.; Suraweera, N.; Joyce, J.; Uhlig, U.
No abstract available
Study of Using New Media for the Management of Institutional Public Relations Internally and Externally (With Special Reference to TelecomCompany)
(International Conference on Applied Social Statistics (ICASS) - 2019, Department of Social Statistics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Suraweera, N.; Dharmasiri, K.; Karunathilake, A. S. M. N.; Thathsarani, W.A.P.
The main link in the business sector is the customer. If there are no customers, that could jeopardize the well-being of a business. To prevent this from collapsing, more effective public relations methods must be adopted. Most of the businesses in the world use these public relations methods to promote their institutions. This is mainly a form of advertising. This enables the customer to get access to information without paying (Frolova, 2014). New media systems with low-cost are used in many organizations around the world. It was observed that public relations have now become an essential part of business communication (Diedrick, 2017). The new media, which are widely used in corporate and internal, were identified. For example, Website, Social media - (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin), e-mail, Computer, Land Phone/ Mobile Phone), etc. There is an active relationship between the customer and the organization of a business. The internal process of a business involves a variety of customers. It uses the Internet and global communication strategies to build a huge business presence. It seeks to build a revolution through the new media tools of the modernizing society. The use of new media has enabled businesses to create a dialogue with customers. It enables users to share products and services with clients. There is a greater emphasis on new media related public relations methods, rather than on doing so effectively. The new media features have positive features that can be used as a public relations method. New media has the ability to transfer information efficiently than traditional media. Communication tools, such as television, radio, and newspaper, enable faster communication with new media features.
A study on the application of online technologies by university lecturers: special reference to faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
(Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Somananda Thero, B.; Suraweera, N.
The twenty-first century, which has witnessed notable advances and developments in many disciplines, including higher education, is known as the era of the information economy. This era has been dominated by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which positively impacted the development and transition process in higher education worldwide. Thus, higher education has undergone a transformational journey from the traditional classroom model to a new online model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the online learning environment took over the monopoly of the traditional classroom as the university learning and teaching process took place entirely online. In this context, it is crucial to find out the nature of online technology for university teachers to make their teaching process effective. Therefore, the objective of this study was to find out the use of online technology by university lecturers for the effectiveness of their teaching process. The quantitative research method was used, while the survey method was used as the research strategy for the study. The total population of this study was the academic staff members of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Kelaniya. A study population was identified through the total population, and the study sample was selected using the stratified random sampling method from that study population. The primary data was collected through the questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS software. The study revealed that university lecturers used various online technologies effectively in their teaching process in the 21st century. However, online tools were used at a lower level while online teaching. Conducting productive training programs and workshops to uplift lectures' knowledge on online learning methods is recommended.
Suicide Reporting and media with special reference to News Papers
(University of Kelaniya, 2008) Suraweera, N.
Suicide is defined as the action of killing one self intentionally. In modem Sri lanka society, it is stated that the rate committing suicide within the last 30 years has risen by 32.5 %. Prevalence of factors both internal and external are identified as the causes for committing suicide. Once the factors are controlled and avoided , the rate of suicide also decrease. The responsibility of doing so lies on the hands of the whole society including the media, which contribute in making a considerable influence on the minds of people. The objective of the research is to find out weather the media reporting may influence in increasing the suicide rate in Sri Lanka. To this end primary and secondary data was collected to formulate a study composed with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Previously published news articles were mainly used as a method of secondary data collection. In conclusion although the responsibility of making suicide rate decrease lies upon the whole society, the media reporting significantly contribute in increasing the rate of suicide in the Sri Lanka .