Browsing by Author "Weerasinghe, I."

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Detection of dengue viruses in vector mosquitoes collected from localities with reported dengue cases in the Gampaha District, 2008-2009
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2010) Hapugoda, M.D.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Peris, I.; Warakagoda, S.; Perera, V.; Weerasinghe, I.
Dengue is an important mosquito-borne flaviviral infection in Sri Lanka. Aedes aegypti is considered as the predominant vector of dengue and Ae. albopictus is considered as a subsidiary vector of dengue in Sri Lanka. Detection of dengue virus in these two vector species is important for control activities. Objective of this study was to examine transmission of dengue viruses by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes in the field. Hundred dengue patients confirmed by both clinically and serologically were selected. Mosquito surveillance was conducted by visiting patient's premise within one week of notification of a case. A buffer zone covering 500 m radius in each confirmed patient's premise was surveyed. Larvae and adults were collected using standard larval surveillance techniques and a back-pack aspirator respectively. Adult and larvae were pooled (1-50 larvae/adult per pool). Single step single tube R -PCR assay followed by Semi-Nested-PCR agarose gel electrophoresis was performed. Ethical permission for this study was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Informed written consent was obtained from each patient for conducting mosquito surveillance at his/her premise. From 100 confirmed dengue case reported stations, 10% (10/100) and 60% (60/100) pools of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus larvae were collected respectively. Adult mosquito collection showed 8% (8/100) and 30% (30/100) of Ae. aegypti andAe.albopictus respectively. These results showed high density of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. Dengue 3 viral infection was detected in 1 and 7 pools of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus respectively. Transmission of dengue serotype 3 virus by Ae. albopictus and high density of this species in selected areas were observed. Although Ae. aegypti is still the main vector initiating outbreaks and transmitting the disease in city centers, the possibility of Ae. albopictus playing a major role in this region should not be ignored.Theseadultmosquitoes may acquire dengue viruses through horizontal or vertical transmission. Alargenumber of mosquito pools needed to test for confirmation.Acknowledgements: Financial assistance from the WHO/SEARO (WHO/SEARO SN1167)and technical assistance from the IAEA (IAEA TC SRL TC 5/042) are gratefullyacknowledged.
An Entomological study to plan intervention for prevention of dengue in Gampaha district, Sri Lanka
(Elsevier, 2008) Abeyewickreme, W.; Hapangama, H.A.D.C.; Weerasinghe, I.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Gunawardena, N.K.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.
BACKGROUND: Dengue is the most common and fastest spreading human arbo viral disease worldwide. Most control efforts are based not on insecticides but on suppression of vectors by reducing the number of larval breeding habitats. METHODS: Total of 2000 houses in the District of Gampaha in the Western Province which had the second highest transmission of dengue in 2006 was selected using grid sampling technique, based on disease incidences during 2003—2006. Mosquito surveillance was carried out from 0900 hrs to 1400 hrs during June-August, 2007. Larval and pupal surveillances were carried out indoors and outdoors using standard larval surveillance techniques. RESULTS: The House, Container and Breteau indices for Aedes larvae were 49.3%, 26.1% and 26.9% respectively. The common breeding places for Aedes species were discarded containers 27.1% (559/2064), unused bowls 16.2% (334/2064), plant axils 11.7% (242/2064), water storing barrels 11.4% (236/2064) and coconut shells 5.4%(111/2064). Most productive container types for larvae were tyres (44.3%), plant axils (37.6%), ceramic jars (36.6%), discarded containers (29.5%) and fish tanks (25.0%). Most productive container types for pupae were discarded containers (13.4%), fish tanks (10.4%), unused bowls (8.38%), ceramic jars (7.31%) and coconut shells (6.3%). Aedes albopictus (larvae-85.3%, pupae-80.4%) was the most predominant vector in the district. Earthen pots, plant axils, discarded containers and buckets were the main sources for Aedes albopictus while tyres, barrels, tanks and bowls were for Aedes aegypti. Further, mixed breeding was observed in water storage containers and tyres. CONCLUSION: Discarded small bowls/containers were the key containers with the highest pupal index. Natural breeding habitats such plant axils may also significantly contribute to pupal production. Therefore an integrated control effort to include community level awareness programmes, improved solid waste management for small containers and efforts to prevent breeding in plants is suggested for prevention of dengue in the district. © 2008 Elsevier Inc.
GUEST AWARENESS ON SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES IN ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS IN SRI LANKA: AN ANALYSIS OF BOOKING.COM REVIEWS
(The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2024) Weerasinghe, I.
Sustainable initiatives by eco-friendly hotels ensure the destinations’ environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability. The user-generated content (UGC) in online platforms interferes with electronic word of mouth and affects the intention of potential travellers to visit. Booking.com is one of the leading online booking platforms utilized by travellers for efficient reservations in travel and hospitality services. Despite the sustainability efforts practised by eco-friendly hotels, guests’ awareness and perspectives regarding such practices have not been considerably studied. The purpose of this study is to explore the guests’ realization of the sustainable approaches practised by eco-friendly hotels based on their online reviews on the Booking.com platform. The study was constructed as a qualitative research, where secondary data were gathered from reviews of Booking.com. The study is based on 3 ‘sustainability certified’ eco-friendly hotels which indicated the highest number of reviews on Booking.com. A total of 2468 online reviews were available for the selected 3 hotels, while 217 detailed reviews, published from January to July 2024, were considered in data analysis. Following the thematic analysis method, the data were analyzed employing the inductive thematic analysis technique, utilizing the ‘Taguette’ software tool. The study identified 07 themes based on the guests’ insights, including hospitality service and facilities, location and surroundings, negative experience, architectural design, nature-friendly activities, guests’ recommendations, and sustainable practices. The study further emphasizes that the guests’ realization and reflection on the sustainable approaches through online platforms are considerably at an extremely low level compared to their intention to share their lodging experience based on the hospitality service, available facilities and location. The study provides implications for hoteliers in the eco-friendly accommodation sector to be more attentive to improving guests’ realization of sustainable approaches and encouraging them to disseminate authentic experiences through online reviews.
The impact of the language medium shift on undergraduates specializing Social Science subjects in the University of Kelaniya
(Department of English, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Bandaranayake, S.; Weerasinghe, I.; Jayathilleke, S.; Gunesekara, H.; Thennakoon, T.; de Silva, A.N.
This research study discusses the impact of the change of language medium instruction from Sinhala to English medium in the case of pursuing special degree of courses offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences in the University of Kelaniya. It has been identified as one of the major long standing issues confronted by undergraduates who chose to specialize in Social Science subjects. This process of language medium shift in education is known as Content and Language Analysis (CLIL) which is a dual focused teaching approach aimed at acquiring subject knowledge as well as foreign language competence simultaneously. Several studies have been carried out in this fieldsuch as by Cenoz, Genesee and Gorter (2013),Georgiou (2012) and Evans and Morrisons (2011). Howeverdespite of such research, a gap had always existed in terms of research focusing on university education. A questionnaire and interview based survey was carried out to gather necessary information and perspectives from undergraduates specializing in International Studies, Economics and Sociology in which this shift was prevalent. The results of this research can be used to devise strategies for major improvements in this field.
The use of recombinant K39, KMP11, and crude antigen-based indirect ELISA as a serological diagnostic tool and a measure of exposure for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka
(Springer International, 2024) Karunathilake, C.; Alles, N.; Dewasurendra, R.; Weerasinghe, I.; Chandrasiri, N.; Piyasiri, S.B.; Samaranayake, N.; Silva, H.; Manamperi, N.; Karunaweera, N.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Sri Lanka is caused by Leishmania donovani, a parasite widely known to cause visceral leishmaniasis. Despite the fact that CL is not generally believed to elicit serological immune responses, recent studies show the presence of antibody responses against this atypical form of CL. This study assesses the potential of using recombinant K39 (rK39), KMP11, and crude parasite antigen-based indirect ELISAs as serological diagnostic tools and measures of exposure for CL in Sri Lanka. The study used serum samples from confirmed CL patients (n = 266) and apparently healthy individuals from endemic settings (n = 411). Serum samples from individuals residing in non-endemic areas were used as negative controls. In-house indirect ELISAs were optimized and validated for recombinant antigens. Previously validated crude parasite extract-based indirect ELISA was performed for comparison. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v26.0. The rK39 (sensitivity = 71.2%, specificity = 64%) and KMP11 (sensitivity = 79.2%, specificity = 71.4%) based indirect ELISA were shown to be less suitable for the diagnosis of CL, while crude parasite extract-based indirect ELISA (sensitivity = 82.4%, specificity = 85.7%) might be a better method of diagnosis. All 03 ELISAs seemed to be good methods as measures of exposure since correlations were observed between the seropositivity of all 03 ELISAs (rK39: p = 0.037, KMP11: p = 0.007, CrudeAg: p = 0.000) with provincial case incidences. The findings will be important in identifying the disease hotspots in order to design the control measures for CL induced by L. donovani in Sri Lanka.