Browsing by Author "Wickramasinghe, S."

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    Avifaunal responses to habitat fragmentation in three different forest fragments adjacent to Mihintale Sanctuary
    (Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Bopearachchi, D.; Wickramasinghe, S.
    Tropical forest fragmentation is considered as the main cause of extinction of tropical forest avifauna and the diversity of birds in fragmented areas are poorly understood. However, in Sri Lanka information on the effects of forest fragmentation on avifauna is scarce. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the avifaunal responses to habitat fragmentation in the three different fragments adjacent to Mihintale sanctuary. The current study was conducted in morning and evening for a period of six months from June to November 2015 and sampling was done in 40 hrs per month in each fragment. Point counts were used for data collection of birds in three different sized isolated forest fragments denoted as FA- fragmented area near Ayurveda, FK –fragmented area near Kaludiyapokuna and FP – fragmented area near Poson Mawatha. Arc GIS was used to measure areas of fragments. While, quadrate sampling method was used for sampling fragment vegetation. Total of 0.51 km2 covered during sampling. Altogether, 85 birds belonging to 37 families were recorded, including 74 breeding residents, 11 winter visitors, 3 endemic and 3 proposed endemic species. The area of three fragments were ranged from 1.1 to 3.4 ha. Species richness in FA was higher compared to the other two fragments in both seasons. Total number of species were significantly different dry-P=0.000, wet-P=0.001 among three fragments. Of the observed birds 18 (35.3%) species were common to all three fragments and five (9.8%), nine (17.7%) and two (3.9%) observed bird species were restricted to FA, FK and FP respectively. The species diversity in wet season was higher compared dry season in all three fragments. There was no significant difference in monthly variation of species diversity in FA and FK, but differed in FP. A total of 29 plant species belonging to 15 families were identified in three fragments. A higher tree and shrub density was recorded in FK. Vegetation was the major attribute positively related to species richness, abundance and diversity in fragments. Hence, protection and restoration of forest fragments may help to mitigate negative effects of fragments on bird functional groups.
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    Effectiveness of protected areas in preventing rubber expansion and deforestation in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China
    (Land Degradation & Development, 2018) Sarathchandra, C.; Dossa, G.G.; Ranjitkar, N.B.; Chen, H.; Deli, Z.; Ranjitkar, S.; De Silva, K.H.W.L.; Wickramasinghe, S.; Xu, J.; Harrison, R.D.
    Protected areas (PAs) are supposedly key refuges for the world's remaining biodiversity. Our study site, Xishuangbanna, harbors a high proportion of China's biodiversity but is threatened by rapid deforestation and expansion of monoculture rubber. We quantified the success of Xishuangbanna's PAs in preventing deforestation.Most previous analyses of PA effectiveness have insufficiently accounted for biases arising from PA location and establishment, because they overlooked the importance of site‐matching in accounting for landscape change.We used matching methods to minimize such biases in comparing land use conversion rates inside and outside‐PAs. By 2010, Xishuangbanna had 3,455.5 km2 (~18%) designated as PAs. However, rubber occupied 22% of its land area and was expanding at a rate of 153.4 km2/year. Between 1988 and 2010, conventional analysis showed a deforestation rate of 9.3 km2/year. However, matching analysis showed a significantly higher rate of deforestation, 10.7 km2/year, which resulted in the deforestation of ~11% of PA's land. We argue that PAs were less effective than had previously been thought. The situation worsened from 2002 to 2010, when the deforestation rate within PAs was actually higher than that of outside PAs, although this difference was not significant. The designated higher levels of protection in ‘core’ zones were also unsuccessful in preventing deforestation. At current rates, within the next 50 years, a further 16% of PAs would be deforested in Xishuangbanna. This could even be an underestimate, as without intervention, drivers of deforestation tend to accelerate. Therefore, reviewing and strengthening current PA management policies is essential.
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    Factors associated with urinary tract infections caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms in Sri Lanka
    (Elsevier, 2016) Fernando, S.; Luke, N.; Wickramasinghe, S.; Sebastiampillai, B.; Gunathilake, M.; Miththinda, N.; Silva, S.; Premaratna, R.
    BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by extendedspectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms are a major burden in clinical practice. Hospitalization in the past 3 months, antibiotic treatment in the past 3 months, age over 60 years, diabetes mellitus, Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, previous use of second or third-generation cephalosporins, quinolones or penicillins are known associations and risk factors for ESBL-UTI. METHODS & MATERIALS: A descriptive study was conducted over a period of 6 months from January - July 2015 recruiting patients with UTI caused by ESBL producing organisms, who were admitted to the Professorial Medical unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama Sri Lanka in order to identify risk factors and associations. Data were obtained using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire and from relevant medical records after obtaining informed written consent. RESULTS: 52 patients were recruited; males 30 (57.7%), mean (SD) age 64.1(.12.6)years. Of them, 46 (88.5%) had diabetes mellitus, 32 (61.5%) had hypertension and 10 (19.2%) had chronic liver disease as comorbidities.20 (38.5%) had ultrasonographic evidence of acute pyelonephritis. At presentation16 (30.8%)had biochemical and/or ultrasonographic evidence of chronic or acute on chronic kidney disease. History of constipation was observed in 18 (34.6%), hospitalization during the past 3 months was seen in 24(46.2%)and history of urinary catheterization in 16(30.8%). Features of obstructive uropathy such as hydronephrosis, hydroureter and prostatomegaly were seen in 4 (7.7%) patients each. Antibiotic treatment within the past 3 months was observed in 32(61.5%);penicillins in 18(34.6%), 3rd generation cephalosporins in 16(30.8%),quinolones in 14(26.9%) and 2nd generation cehalosporins in 12 (23.1%). 18 (34.6%) had received more than one antibiotic within the past 3 months. 8(15.4%)patients studied were on prophylactic antibiotics for recurrant UTIs. None of them had recent Klebsiella pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Similar to other studies,diabetes mellitus, recent antibiotic treatment, hospitalization and catheterization were observed in our patients with ESBL-UTI. The fact that only 53.8% patients had received antibiotics at community level and 38.5% patients had never received antibiotics prior to developing ESBLUTI suggest high prevalence of ESBL producing organisms at community level.
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    Factors associated with Urinary tract infections caused by extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms in Sri Lanka
    (Elsevier, 2016) Fernando, S.; Luke, N.; Wickramasinghe, S.; Sebastiampillai, B.; Gunathilake, M.; Miththinda, N.; Silva, S.; Premaratna, R.
    BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms are a major burden in clinical practice. Hospitalization in the past 3 months, antibiotic treatment in the past 3 months, age over 60 years, diabetes mellitus, Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, previous use of second or third-generation cephalosporins, quinolones or penicillins are known associations and risk factors for ESBL-UTI. METHODS & MATERIALS: A descriptive study was conducted over a period of 6 months from January - July 2015 recruiting patients with UTI caused by ESBL producing organisms, who were admitted to the Professorial Medical unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama Sri Lanka in order to identify risk factors and associations. Data were obtained using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire and from relevant medical records after obtaining informed written consent. RESULTS: 52 patients were recruited; males 30 (57.7%), mean (SD) age 64.1(.12.6)years. Of them, 46 (88.5%) had diabetes mellitus, 32 (61.5%) had hypertension and 10 (19.2%) had chronic liver disease as comorbidities.20 (38.5%) had ultrasonographic evidence of acute pyelonephritis. At presentation16 (30.8%)had biochemical and/or ultrasonographic evidence of chronic or acute on chronic kidney disease. History of constipation was observed in 18 (34.6%), hospitalization during the past 3 months was seen in 24(46.2%)and history of urinary catheterization in 16(30.8%). Features of obstructive uropathy such as hydronephrosis, hydroureter and prostatomegaly were seen in 4 (7.7%) patients each. Antibiotic treatment within the past 3 months was observed in 32(61.5%);penicillins in 18(34.6%), 3rd generation cephalosporins in 16(30.8%),quinolones in 14(26.9%) and 2nd generation cehalosporins in 12 (23.1%). 18 (34.6%) had received more than one antibiotic within the past 3 months. 8(15.4%)patients studied were on prophylactic antibiotics for recurrant UTIs. None of them had recent Klebsiella pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Similar to other studies,diabetes mellitus, recent antibiotic treatment, hospitalization and catheterization were observed in our patients with ESBL-UTI. The fact thatonly 53.8% patients had received antibiotics at community level and 38.5% patients had never received antibiotics prior to developing ESBL-UTIsuggest high prevalence of ESBL producing organisms at community level.
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    Ocular trematodiasis in children, Sri Lanka
    (National Center for Infectious Diseases, 2023) Mallawarachchi, C.H.; Dissanayake, M.M.; Hendavitharana, S.R.; Senanayake, S.; Gunathilaka, N.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Yahathugoda, T.C.; Wickramasinghe, S.; de Silva, N.R.
    Using histopathology and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 2 gene, we found >2 distinct trematode species that caused ocular trematode infections in children in Sri Lanka. Collaborations between clinicians and parasitologists and community awareness of water-related contamination hazards will promote diagnosis, control, and prevention of ocular trematode infections.
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    A preliminary survey of filarial parasites in dogs and cats in Sri Lanka
    (Public Library of Science, 2018) Mallawarachchi, C.H.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Wickramasinghe, S.; Premaratna, R.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Mallawarachchi, N.S.M.S.M.; de Silva, N.R.
    Human brugian filariasis has re-emerged in Sri Lanka after a quiescent period of four decades. This study investigated the prevalence of canine and feline filarial parasites in three localities with human sub-periodic brugian filariasis, in order to determine their potential reservoir status. All reachable dogs and cats, both stray and domestic, within a 350m radius of an index case of brugian filariasis in three locations (Madampe, Wattala and Weliweriya) were screened for microfilariae using Giemsa stained thick blood smears. A representative sample of canine and feline blood samples positive for Brugia spp. microfilariae by microscopy, from each of the three locations, were further analyzed by PCR with specific primers for internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA. A total of 250 dogs and 134 cats were screened. The overall microfilaraemia rates were high among both dogs (68.8%) and cats (47.8%). The prevalence of microfilaraemia was significantly higher among dogs than cats (p<0.05). Two filarial species were identified based on morphology of microfilariae: Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens (dogs, 54.4% and cats, 34.3%) and Brugia spp. (dogs, 51.6% and cats, 30.6%). PCR analysis of canine (n = 53) and feline (n = 24) samples elicited bands in the region of 615bp, which confirmed Brugia malayi infection. Co-infection with D.(N.) repens was detected by PCR with an additional band at 484bp, in 36 canine and 17 feline samples. Overall microfilaraemia rates of dogs (81.8%) and cats (75%) in Madampe (rural) were significantly higher than in urbanized Wattala (dogs, 62.4% and cats, 26.0%) (p<0.05). High rates of zoonotic filarial infections strongly implicate dogs and cats as potential reservoirs for human dirofilariasis and brugian filariasis in Sri Lanka.
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    The promotion of Sri Lankan English Morphology through Social Media
    (Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research Symposium (HUG 2019), Department of English Language Teaching, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Jayasinghe, N.; Jayatilaka, T.; Wickramasinghe, S.
    The purpose of this research is to establish that Sri Lankan English (SLE) is widely used on social media and in pop culture, which thereby results in the promotion and avocation of SLE Morphology among the general public. The widespread usage of the internet and social media leads to popular social media content being created in multiple languages. The internet and social media allow people to engage in creative language play, especially when expressing emotions and reactions through words. This research focuses on how this social media trend has to lead to Sinhala and English code-mixing when creating content, what aspects of SLE Morphology is prominent in such content, and how much content encourages and advocates the usage of SLE in both spoken and written content on public platforms. This study was conducted with a sample group of 50 Sri Lankan youth aged 18 to 25 years, living predominantly in Colombo. The research was based on popular social media content that is currently trending in Sri Lanka and was limited to the content of Sri Lankan origin. The sample group of 50 participants was given a questionnaire that tested their awareness of SLE and current social media trends as well as the impact such social media content has on their usage of SLE. Thereafter, four widely used social media platforms were identified, and popular text and video-based content shared on public forums were gathered over a period of two weeks. The model of morphological analysis adopted in this study is based on Senaratne‟s analysis of the morphology of Sinhalese and English code-mixing. This research showed that SLE content is popular on social media and that the youth of Sri Lanka employs SLE morphology when creating content for social media, thereby promoting SLE among the masses.