Browsing by Author "Wijesinghe, H."

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The Growing minilateralism and the future of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Wijesinghe, H.
Given its geopolitical significance, the Indian Ocean Region has become the center of attention in international politics. In fact, it is safe to say that this region is the Chessboard where the great battle for supremacy in world politics is being played. Both regional and extra-regional players are now showing great interest in the region and the competition is unprecedented. One major development in the region is the creation of small-scale military/strategic alliances. Today, there are several such initiatives including AUKUS and the Quad. This growing presence of such minilateral initiatives indeed makes a significant impact which is worth looking at. The main objective of this research is to examine the impact of such minitateral initiatives on the IOR. The study focuses on the AUKUS and the Quad as both have gained greater significance in the present geopolitical setup and at the same time, they have already made a significant impact on the power structure in the region. This is a qualitative research based on secondary data. Looking at the theoretical design of the study, it looks at these developments from the neorealist perspective. The study remains significant for a number of reasons. First and foremost, these minilateral initiatives have come to the forefront at a time when there are a number of regional initiatives such as IORA, BIMESTEC, and SAARC are present in the region. Even ASEAN has shown keen interest in the region. Secondly, looking at the purpose, one major objective behind the establishment of both AUKUS and QUAD is to deter the growing Chinese influence in the region. It is also important to note the role of extra-regional forces in the IOR. As far as the findings are concerned, first, it is important to underscore the main reasons behind establishing such initiatives. First and foremost, it is the geopolitical and geoeconomic significance. This century is termed the Asian Century where the region of Asia is set to lead international politics in the coming years. This region is home to a number of emerging economies including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran. Moreover, the external powers also attempt to make a significant presence in the region. The main reason behind the growing significance of the IOR has been to ensure uninterrupted trade via maritime trade routes. Taking the case of China, as a country highly dependent on international trade, it is vital for China to ensure uninterrupted trade. This growing geostrategic significance has paved the way for the creation of minitateral security setups such as AUKUS and QUAD. The research finds that these multilateral setups on one hand have a significant impact on the overall balance of power in the region while they also face some challenges of their own. On the other hand, such minilateral initiatives have a better chance of succeeding as they are smaller groupings in contrast to other regional setups. It also makes the region highly vulnerable as now countries are working collectively to attain their geostrategic interests. However, there is also a possibility that such initiatives could fail. Looking at these initiatives, it is important to understand that despite countries being willing to work together, their own national interests rest above the others. However, alliance building of this nature is to have a profound impact on the future of IOR.
The Growing Need for a SAARC-ASEAN Platform: South Asian Perspective
(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Wijesinghe, H.
Despite the fact that, today we are living in the Asian century, and the center of global economic gravity is shifting towards the Asia, not adequate effort has been made at all levels in understanding and discovering the possibilities and prospects of constructing a common platform on which SAARC and ASEAN as two regional setups can work collectively for realizing common objectives. As both the regions are on the track for attaining greater political stability and economic success, efficient and effective SAARC-ASEAN cooperation would provide an ideal multilateral mechanism for member states of both ASEAN and SAARC to pursue their political, economic and social gains and to attain a powerful position in the international arena. From a South Asian perspective, increasing ties with the ASEAN member states would be a golden opportunity for the South Asian countries to expand its regional scope and yield better results. Can these two regional setups, which are at different levels of regional integration join hands and be on a common platform? What are the main challenges to be overcome if such platform is to be created? And how South Asia would be benefitted through such a platform? These are the main questions which would be attempted to answer through the study. The study consists of two main objectives. First, the study attempts to analyze the prospects and challenges to be overcome in the context of creating a SAARC-ASEAN platform for greater political, economic, social and cultural cohesion. Secondly, the study shall look into how such a platform affects South Asia as a region. In order to gain the in depth knowledge required for the study, a comparative study of SAARC and ASEAN is done with interviews with individuals having a greater bearing on the foretold objectives. In order to attain the first of the foretold objectives, the study has made a SWOT analysis where it looks into strengths which could be strengthened further, weaknesses to be rectified, opportunities to be grabbed and work on and threats to be deterred in the context of strengthening SAARC-ASEAN relations. Basically, the study results reflect the fact, despite the inadequate enthusiasm shown and efforts made, there is a wealth of opportunities and space for creating a common platform what would mutually benefit both the groups and especially for SAARC it would also be a learning curve for strengthening relations among its member states.
Histopathology of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka.
(Hindawi Pub. Co., 2020) Wijesinghe, H.; Gunathilaka, N.; Semege, S.; Pathirana, N.; Manamperi, N.; de Silva, C.; Fernando, D.
ABSTRACT: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that is gaining importance in Sri Lanka and internationally. The clinical presentation, pathology, and method of parasite elimination in CL vary according to the species. Leishmania donovani is the causative organism for leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. This collaborative cross-sectional study describes the clinicopathological features of cutaneous leishmaniasis among personnel of the tri-forces serving in the North and East of the country. The histology of fifty cases of CL confirmed by at least two methods (slit skin smear, lesion aspirate, tissue impression, and histology) was reviewed. The parasitic load was assessed semiquantitatively. The histological features were correlated with the clinical presentation and organism load. The majority (89.8%; n = 44) presented with a single lesion mostly located in the upper limb (69.4%). The lesion types included papule (34.7%), nodule (32.7%), and an ulcer (30.6%). The evolution time of lesions averaged 31.55 weeks. Epidermal changes were observed in 49 of the biopsies and included hyperkeratosis (90.0%; n = 45), acanthosis (44.0%; n = 22), atrophy (34.0%; n = 17), and interface change (66%; n = 33). Dermal changes were seen in all cases and were characterized by a lymphohistioplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate of variable intensity with ill-formed granuloma in 19 cases (38%) and well-formed epithelioid granulomas in 22 cases (44%). Focal necrosis was present in 20% (n = 10). Leishmania amastigote forms were observed in 88% (n = 44). Transepidermal elimination (P = 0.025), granuloma (P = 0.027) formation, and type of lesion (P = 0.034) were significantly associated with the organism load. Granuloma formation was associated with a reduction in organism load, indicating that the macrophage activation played an important role in the control of the organism.
Intra-Regional Tourism as a Soft Power tool of Small States: Comparative Study of Sri Lanka and Cambodia
(International Conference on Applied Social Statistics (ICASS) - 2019, Department of Social Statistics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Wijesinghe, H.
It is beyond doubt that power is recognized as one of the central yet problematic concepts in international relations. As identified by Joseph Nye, power is like weather. Everyone depends on it and talks about it, but few understands it (2004, p.04). Power can be simply defined as the ability to achieve one’s purposes and goals. In his epic work, “Politics among Nations” Hans J Morgenthau proclaims that international politics like all politics is a struggle for power. Whatever the ultimate aim of international politics, power is always the immediate aim (Morgenthau, 1948, p.13). Nye (2004) distinguishes between two forms of power, namely soft power and hard power. According to him, hard power refers to the ability to use the carrots and sticks of economic and military might to make others follow your will (ibid). On the other hand, soft power is defined as the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payment, which includes culture, values and foreign policies. Soft power rests on the ability to set the political agenda in a way that shapes the preferences of others (ibid). According to Chang (2007), soft power is emerging and getting more influential in today’s global information space and it has less hard support. As far as small states are concerned, while there is so much literature available on small states, there is no consensus when it comes to defining small states. According to Chang (2007), small states suffer from a definitional problem in both theory and political practice. However, for the purpose of the study, a small state is defined as a state which can never act alone and make a significant impact on the international system, using its quantitative or tangible elements of power. This inability to influence and attract the international community through tangible elements of power has made small states rely more on soft power as a source of influencing the international community and attaining national interests. As one of the world’s largest economic sectors, travel and tourism creates jobs, drives exports, and generates prosperity across the world (WTTC, 2018). As far as Cambodia and Sri Lanka are concerned, both countries rely heavily on tourism industry. Looking at the numbers, over the years the number of tourists visiting both the countries have increased significantly. Against this backdrop, the main objective of this study is to examine the relevance of intra-regional tourism for small states like Cambodia and Sri Lanka. It compares the where these two countries stand in the context of promoting and attracting tourists from their own regions.
An investigation of WAP based applications in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2011) Wijesinghe, H.; Wickramarachchi, A.P.R.; Jayalal, S.
Mobile usage around the world, including Sri Lanka, has been growing rapidly. Statistics show that 428 million mobile devices were sold in the first quarter of 2011. In addition to voice based services, mobile service providers are offering services based on Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), mobile broadband, mobile television etc. WAP is one of the most commonly used data transfering technoloies. Email by mobile phones, e-commerce transactions, tracking stock markets, music downloads, and providing news headlines and sports scores are some of the examples of WAP based applications. A number of studies have shown that there is a high, positive influence of WAP based mobile commerce applications on business and society today. As Internet penetration rates are low is Sri Lanka, WAP could be a viable alternative to access e- commerce application. It should be noted that the majority of mobile phones support WAP. Previous studies have indicated that use of WAP based applications is very popular in many countries. A preliminary survey was conducted to determine usage of WAP based application by mobile phone users in selected areas of Sri Lanka. However, it was found that usage of such applications is very low. The initial findings of this research have shown that mobile users‟ poor knowledge of WAP technology, lack of awareness of the availabe WAP based applications, reluctance to use WAP because availability of Internet access through other ways, vary low bandwith on WAP when accessing the Internet, unavailability of high quality WAP based applications and small size of mobile phone screens as main reasons for poor WAP based application usage in Sri Lanka. Small customber base may discourage service providers in promoting and facilitiating use of such applications.Mobile usage around the world, including Sri Lanka, has been growing rapidly. Statistics show that 428 million mobile devices were sold in the first quarter of 2011. In addition to voice based services, mobile service providers are offering services based on Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), mobile broadband, mobile television etc. WAP is one of the most commonly used data transfering technoloies. Email by mobile phones, e-commerce transactions, tracking stock markets, music downloads, and providing news headlines and sports scores are some of the examples of WAP based applications. A number of studies have shown that there is a high, positive influence of WAP based mobile commerce applications on business and society today. As Internet penetration rates are low is Sri Lanka, WAP could be a viable alternative to access e- commerce application. It should be noted that the majority of mobile phones support WAP. Previous studies have indicated that use of WAP based applications is very popular in many countries. A preliminary survey was conducted to determine usage of WAP based application by mobile phone users in selected areas of Sri Lanka. However, it was found that usage of such applications is very low. The initial findings of this research have shown that mobile users‟ poor knowledge of WAP technology, lack of awareness of the availabe WAP based applications, reluctance to use WAP because availability of Internet access through other ways, vary low bandwith on WAP when accessing the Internet, unavailability of high quality WAP based applications and small size of mobile phone screens as main reasons for poor WAP based application usage in Sri Lanka. Small customber base may discourage service providers in promoting and facilitiating use of such applications.
Prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis infection and clinico-epidemiological patterns among military personnel in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts of the Northern Province, early war-torn areas in Sri Lanka.
(BioMed Central, 2020) Gunathilaka, N.; Semege, S.; Pathirana, N.; Manamperi, N.; Udayanga, L.; Wijesinghe, H.; Premaratne, P.; Fernando, D.
BACKGROUND: The 30-year-old armed conflict in Sri Lanka resulted in a general breakdown of civil administration in the Northern and Eastern provinces, leading to mobilisation of many armed forces personnel to assist with reconstruction and resettlement. This occupational group has been identified as a priority risk group for leishmaniasis. METHODS: Individuals enlisted at all military establishments in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts, Northern Province of Sri Lanka were included. Five thousand individuals were screened for skin lesions between September 2018 and August 2019. Persons with lesions suspected as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) were further investigated. Information on sociodemographic/other potential risk factors was obtained through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic visualization of parasitic stages from different samples obtained (skin scraping, lesion aspirate and tissue impression smears), histopathology and polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification. RESULTS: Among 5000 individuals screened, 74 individuals were suspected of having CL. Of these, 67.6% (n = 50) patients were confirmed for CL by microscopy. Around two third of both males (67.6%; n = 48) and females (66.6%; n = 2) were positive for Leishmania. The soldiers belonging to 26-35-year age group reported the highest susceptibility (83.3%; OR: 4.83, 95% CI: 3.49-6.20%). Of the sociodemographic factors, age, wearing short-sleeved upper body clothing as the uniform and non-use of insect repellents were identified as significant risk factors. Most of the CL patients had a single lesion (86.0%; n = 43) of an ulcerative type (34.0%; n = 17), mostly on their upper limb (67.9%; n = 34). Lesions were mostly 5-10 mm diameter (59.9%; n = 30) in size with poorly defined margins (72.0%; n = 36). Amongst the diagnostic techniques, microscopic examination of slit skin smear and tissue impression smear were able to discriminate the majority of patients (92.1%; n = 46) for CL. CONCLUSIONS: In order to highlight the true burden of leishmaniasis in the military personnel, cases of leishmaniasis from military institutes should be recognized as a different entity per say and be included in the national figures so as to depict the real magnitude of the disease burden amongst this high-risk group. KEYWORDS: Clinical; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Epidemiological; War-torn areas.
Proteome profiling of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions due to dermotropic Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka
(BioMed Central, 2024) Manamperi, N.H.; Edirisinghe, N.M.; Wijesinghe, H.; Pathiraja, L.; Pathirana, N.; Wanasinghe, V.S.; De Silva, C.G.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Karunaweera, N.D.
BACKGROUND Characterization of the host response in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) through proteome profiling has gained limited insights into leishmaniasis research compared to that of the parasite. The primary objective of this study was to comprehensively analyze the proteomic profile of the skin lesions tissues in patients with CL, by mass spectrometry, and subsequent validation of these findings through immunohistochemical methods.METHODS Eight lesion specimens from leishmaniasis-confirmed patients and eight control skin biopsies were processed for proteomic profiling by mass spectrometry. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lesion specimens from thirty patients and six control skin specimens were used for Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS software. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between the degree of staining for each marker and the clinical and pathological features.RESULTS Sixty-seven proteins exhibited significant differential expression between tissues of CL lesions and healthy controls (p < 0.01), representing numerous enriched biological processes within the lesion tissue, as evident by both the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Reactome databases. Among these, the integrated endoplasmic reticulum stress response (IERSR) emerges as a pathway characterized by the up-regulated proteins in CL tissues compared to healthy skin. Expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensors, inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1), protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) in lesion tissue was validated by immunohistochemistry.CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, proteomic profiling of skin lesions carried out as a discovery phase study revealed a multitude of probable immunological and pathological mechanisms operating in patients with CL in Sri Lanka, which needs to be further elaborated using more in-depth and targeted investigations. Further research exploring the intricate interplay between ER stress and CL pathophysiology may offer promising avenues for the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies in combating this disease.