ARS - 2006

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Achieving Millennium Development Goals and statistical barriers in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Yatigammana, M.R.K.N.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are now being a popular topic which gathered every nation towards a common set of goals. MDGs have been declared by UN as a benchmark and with a view to establish peace, security, development, human rights and fundamental freedom in every nation in the world by year 2015. Progress and the achievements of these goals by each country will be measured using around 26 indicators. This study examines the progress of Sri Lanaka towards achieving MDGs and to assess whether sufficient statistical data are collected by the responsible authorities to measure the achievements properly and promptly. To assess this, secondary data of various socio economic indicators were used, which also use by the UN to explain the progress and achievement of MDGs. Trend analysis was used as the statistical tool. It is envisaged that Sri Lanaka has a potential to achieve some of important MDGs by year 2015 if the trend continues as now. But most of the indicators are based on estimations and as a management point of view if a goal to be achieved there should be accurate indicators. Therefore the most controversial fact is that Sri Lankan institutions of health, education, local governments do not collect some essential data to have a better picture on whether Sri Lanaka will able to achieve MDGs as set by the UN by 2015. Moreover it is observed that there is no link between these institutions and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Department of Census and Statistics. Therefore it is observed that there is a critical gap between collected data and required data to measure the progress and achievement of MDGs It is recommended that statistical authorities of Sri Lanaka should focus their attention towards collecting of vital information such as infant mortality rate, HIV/AIDS related statistics, contraceptive related statistics, sanitary related statistics, statistics on donor and ODA etc, since it has been identified as a main drawback today.
Adopting e-commerce based technologies in SMEs of developing countries
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Wickramarachchi, R.; Pathirana, B.S.V.
Adopting e-commerce technologies would promise several benefits to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) such as, access to wider range of markets, greater potential for partnerships and low cost etc. Also the competition in the global market and advances in Information Technology have made SMEs, not adopting e-commerce based technologies vulnerable to e-enabled firms. The benefits of using e-commerce may differ from country to country due to cultural differences and other factors such as per-capita income, computer literacy etc. Ease of use, relative advantage gained by e-enabled firms over the others, compatibility, and demonstrability of the results are viewed in different perspectives by developed and developing countries. Level of socio economic development would decide on the extent to which the firms are influenced by and usage of e-commerce. The objective of this article is to present the factors that influence the decisions of adopting e-commerce for SMEs, and develop a model for developing countries. A literature review was conducted using 40 research papers and model was developed by identifying widely cited factors. This model suggests 3 main influencing factors, namely: characteristics of the e-commerce solution, characteristics of the organization and characteristics of the external environment. As this is part of an on going research at department of Industrial Management, University of Kelaniya, it is expected to modify and validate the model identified in the Sri Lankan context.
Anomalous Absorption of Deuteron Partial Waves by Nuclear Optical Potential
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Piyadasa, R.A.D.; Kawai, M.; Munasinghe, J.
M.Kawai and Y. Iseri (2), (3) found an interesting phenomenon in nuclear physics, motivated by the work of (1), in case of nucleon-nucleus elastic scattering. In the following this phenomenon is discussed in case of neutron (n)-nucleus (A) elastic scattering. In elastic scattering of neutron on (A), the elastic S – matrix element for a particular combination of j l E A cm , , , becomes very small (almost zero), and they called this phenomenon anomalous absorption of neutron partial waves by nuclear optical potential, where j is the total angular momentum, l is the angular momentum, cm E the centre of mass energy and A the mass of the nucleus. The striking feature of this phenomenon is systematic in various parameter ( f ,l, E , A) cm planes. Among them, systematic in ⎟⎠ ⎞ ⎜⎝ ⎛ 3 1 , A k l plane is actually remarkable, which consists of straight lines. All straight lines correspond to a definite node of wave functions associated with A k E l j cm , , , . It is quite interesting to examine whether this phenomenon occurs in case of composite projectiles such as d , He , etc. Now, it has been shown (4) that this phenomenon is universal. The main purpose of this paper is to report results of the case d − A after being rescrutinized by us. It is striking that the systematic in ⎟ ⎟ ⎠ ⎞ ⎜ ⎜ ⎝ ⎛ + + + 3 1 2 , ( 1) A k η η l l plane is remarkably clearer than the case of neutron. Here, k η + η 2 + l (l +1) , the closest approach is physically meaningful in case of the presence of the Coulomb potential.
Ants as Biological Indicators of Human Disturbance – evidence from Sinharaja forest and tea and rubber fields in Ratnapura district
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Dias, R.K.S.; Perera, K.A.M.
Ants are a major group of insects in the forests as well as in agricultural fields in Sri Lanka. If the presence or absence of some ant taxa in disturbed areas differs from that of a forest reserve was investigated by sampling worker ants from tea and rubber fields in Godakawela and the primary and secondary forest regions in Sinharaja forest in September and October, 2005, respectively. Heavy rains prevailed during the sampling on both occasions. Honey baiting (25), soil sifting (10), hand collection (10) and litter sifting (10) during day time and pitfall trapping (10) at night along a 100 m transect were carried out in the forest while all of those methods except litter sifting were carried out in the tea and rubber fields. Depth of litter, soil moisture content and temperature and air temperature were also recorded. Worker ants belonging to seven subfamilies, Aneuretinae, Amblyoponinae, Cerapachyinae or Leptanillinae, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae were recorded from the primary and secondary forest regions whereas five subfamilies, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae and Pseudomyrmicinae were observed in both tea and rubber fields. Worker ants of subfamily Amblyoponinae were recorded from rubber fields but they were not observed in the tea fields. Thirty two morphospecies of ants from the primary forest region and twenty seven morphospecies from the secondary forest region were observed during this study. Thirty and thirty four morphospecies of ants were recorded from tea and rubber fields, respectively. Although Species Richness values did not show significant difference (p>0.05) for the four types of ecosystems, it was evident that Anoplolepis gracilipes (Jerdon), Diacamma rugosum Mayr, Meranoplus bicolor (Smith F.), Odontomachus simillimus Smith F., Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius and Tetraponera rufonigra (Smith F.) could be considered as biological indicators of disturbance as they were restricted to tea and rubber fields. Also, Aneuretus simoni Emery, Technomyrmex bicolor Emery, Anochetus sp. and Leptogenys spp. were restricted to the two types of forest regions but further research would be carried out to confirm these observations.
Archaeological Heritage in Biyagama Division
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Gunawardhana, P.; Namalgamuwa, H.; Bandara, N.; Wijesuriya, D.; Saldin, M.; Mahoney, T.
Archaeological heritage of the Kelaniya region goes back to the Proto-historic times. The transitional phase from the Mesolithic culture of the Pre-historic period to the Protohistoric or Early Iron Age is revealed in the region. The Proto-historic period in Sri Lanka is believed to be in 1000 BC (Senaviratne, 1985). The black and red ware found from the Pilapitiya, draws our attention to the fact that the Kelani valley region has played a key role during this period. According to the chronicles, Kelaniya had been an organized city and remained a remarkable strategic point from the 3 rd century BC. As ancient Sri Lanka was strategically located on the trade routes between south –East Asia and west Asia, it is suggested that Kalyani or Kalyani pattanam might have functioned as a main sea port of the city where many traders lived and engaged in the international trade. However, due to the rapid development of the socio-economic sector in the country, it tended to change the cultural landscape and also the contemporary appearance of the buildings, monuments and sites. For the investigation of this region as an initial stage, we used the unsystematic survey method which has identified about one hundred thirty seven archaeological heritage sites (Gunawardhana, 2006). The aim of this paper is to discuss the archaeological heritage of Biyagama division and will finish addressing the concepts of archaeological heritage of this environment.
Association between changes of lumbar spine and age, physical activity and body mass index in a sample of Sri Lankan population: A descriptive study
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Karunanayake, A.L.; Pathmeswaran, A.
Introduction: Disc space narrowing, vertebral osteophytes, spondylolisthesis are features of degeneration of the spine and are recognized causes of low back pain and sciatica. However on some occasions they can be present in the spine without causing problems such as low back pain and sciatica. Objective: To describe the association between disc space narrowing, vertebral osteophytes and spondylolisthesis with body mass index (BMI), posture, physical exercise and age. Method: Descriptive cross sectional study was done with people who had antero posterior and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine ordered due to problems such as abdominal pain. These people had no problems of backache. Structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to assess their leisure time activities and other physical activities done at office and home. Their weight and heights were measured and BMI was calculated. Results were analysed using EPI6 statistical package. This study was done in North Colombo Teaching hospital Ragama. Results: Sample size 133. Age range 18-79yrs. Mean (SD) age 51.4 (16.3). There were 82 (62%) females. Age had a significant positive association with vertebral osteophytes (P<0.0001). Regular exercise had a significant positive association with spondylolisthesis (P=0.03). BMI had a significant positive association with vertebral osteophytes (P< 0.001). Posture did not have a significant association with disc space narrowing, vertebral osteophytes and spondylolisthesis. Conclusions: Ageing and high BMI are associated with vertebral osteophytes. Regular exercise is associated with spondylolisthesis.
Avoidance of errors as a strategy to create speech in the class room
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Suwandarathna, D.
A Comparative Study on Leadership and Collaborative Role of National Libraries, with Special reference to the National Library of Sri Lanka and the National Libraries of Europe
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Weerasinghe, M.K.
The library is a social institution as it is essentially responding to the total communication pattern of modern society. The renaissance and reformation in Europe witnessed the growth of various types of libraries such as public, special, academic and national. Among these types of libraries the national library is a unique institution not only in Europe but also in the countries all over the world. As knowledge has become most significant intangible assets to the present day world, dissemination of information to the society is the major responsibility of any type of libraries. Free access to information is a human right. According to United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and especially Article 19 :”Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”(UNO,1948). A clear indication about the duties and responsibilities of a library is providing right information to the right reader at the right time. Therefore, it is a major responsibility of a library to provide its service to all the members of their communities, regardless of age, race, nationality, religion, culture, political affiliation, physical or other disabilities, gender or sexual orientation, and any other status. Among the various types of libraries the national library has a major role to play to fulfil this requirement. To fulfil this role the national libraries/library of a particular country has to play two roles that of collaborative and leadership. In analysing these roles national libraries all over the world could be categorized into two that of libraries in developed and developing countries, while some national libraries in developed countries playing collaborative role, some national libraries in developing countries are playing the leadership role. However in some extend the most of national libraries are playing a mix role of leadership and collaboration. The purpose of the study was to examine the existing leadership and collaborative roles of the national libraries with special reference to the national libraries in Europe and Sri Lanka. The research is based on a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative method in nature. Data collection procedures are based on interviews, questionnaires and content analysis. Findings of the research is given below National Libraries of Europe are playing a significant role in the context of Library and Information Science based on collaborative model. National Library of Sri Lanka is playing a structured (conventional) role in the context of Library and Information Science based on leadership model.
Comparison of undergraduate student performance in Anatomy practical examination after studying prosected anatomy specimens and after doing anatomy dissections
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Karunanayake, A.L.; Salgado, L.S.S.; Pathmeswaran, A.
Introduction: In the subject of Anatomy, students are expected to identify parts of the human body and their relationships to each other. This could be studied by dissecting human cadavers by students themselves according to the manual or using the already dissected/ “prosected” specimens. Prosected anatomy specimens are prepared by the staff. Objective: To compare the performance in anatomy practical examination (OSPE) of students who had studied prosected specimens with the students who did dissections. Method: A batch of students was divided into two groups by using random numbers. One group was given prosected specimens (prosection group) to study the pelvic walls and pelvic organs. The other group was given cadavers to dissect (dissection group) and study the same areas. Two weeks time period was given to both groups. At the end of two weeks both groups had to face an OSPE. The OSPE involved identifying structures in prosected specimens. None of the students had access to these specimens prior to the OSPE. Results were analysed using EPI6 statistical package. Results: Prosection group had 80 students. Dissection group had 72 students. Age range was 20 -28 years. Mean ages for both groups were 21.6 years. There were 43 (55%) and 34 (47%) females in prosection and dissection groups respectively. In prosection group 30 (38%) passed the practical test. In dissection group 14 (19%) passed the practical test. There was a significant difference (based on X2 test, P= 0.02) in the performance of these two groups. Conclusion: Prosection group performed significantly better than the dissection group. It is probable that when prosected specimens are used time used for dissecting can be used to identify and study structures.
Convergence of multivariate isotonic regression
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Fernando, W.T.P.S.; Kulatunga, D.D.S.
Statistical inference in the presence of order restrictions is an important area of statistical analysis. Isotonic regression theory plays a key role in this field. Let K= {1,…,k} be a finite set on which a partial order « is defined. A real vector (θ1, …,θk) is said to be isotonic if μ, υ ∈ K, μ « υ imply θμ ≤ θυ. Given real numbers x , , xk 1 K and positive numbers k w , ,w 1 K , a vector ( ) k θ θ ) K ) , , 1 is said to be the univariate isotonic regression of k x , , x 1 K with weights k w , ,w 1 K if it is isotonic and minimizes ( ) ν ν ν ν x θ w kΣ= − 1 2 under the restriction that (θ1,…,θk) is isotonic. Isotonic regression is closely related to the maximum likelihood estimate of ordered parameters of univariate normal distribution and some other univariate distributions. Various algorithms are given in the literature for computing univariate isotonic regression. Multivariate generalization of the isotonic regression and multivariate extensions of related theorems are given and proved by Sasabuchi, Inutsuka and Kulatunga (1983, 1992). A p × k real matrix ( ) k θ θ ,...,θ 1 = is said to be isotonic with respect to the partial order « , if μ, υ ∈ K, μ « υ imply μ ν θ ≤θ , where μ ν θ ≤θ means all the elements of ν μ θ −θ are nonnegative . Given p-dimensional real vectors k x , , x 1 K and p × p positive-definite matrices k Λ , ,Λ 1 K , a p × k matrix ( ) k θ θ ) K ) , , 1 is said to be the multivariate, in fact p-variate, isotonic regression of k x , , x 1 K with weights 1 1 1 , , Λ − Λ − K k if it is isotonic and satisfies min ( ) ( ) ( ) 1 ( ), 1 1 ' 1 * ' θ ν ν ν ν ν ν ν ν ν ν ν ν θ θ θ θ ) ) − Λ − = − Λ − − = − = Σ x x Σ x x k k Where min * (.) θ to denotes the minimum for all θ isotonic with respect to the partial order. An algorithm for the computation of multivariate isotonic regression is given in Sasabuchi et al. (1983, 1992). This algorithm involves iterative computation of univariate isotonic regression. The convergence of this algorithm is also studied there and it has been observed that the convergence follows only under certain conditions. (Corollary 4.1 of Sasabuchi et al (1992).) However, the simulation study conducted in Sasabuchi, Miura and Oda (2003) under special cases, has shown that the condition given in Corollary 4.1 of Sasabuchi et al. (1992) is not necessary for the convergence of this algorithm. We have written a Fortran subroutine for the computation of multivariate isotonic regression and also noted that the algorithm converges in general. This motivates us to consider a proof for the convergence of this algorithm. In this study we give a proof for the convergence of this algorithm in the bivariate case.
Creating Innovative Culture in Sri Lanka through ICT; Learning from Sirasa Super Star
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Wickramasinghe, C.N.
Utilization ICT and Knowledge in economic applications are becoming the most important assets by outperforming traditional capital intensive, technology intensive or labor intensive comparative advantages of any country. The power of this transformation can be recognized in terms of its impact on knowledge sharing, dissemination and utilization in socio economic behaviors of any country. When the knowledge and knowledge outcomes are having major impact on all the human activities, then that economy can be identified as a Knowledge Society. This study was conducted to evaluate the nature, status and competence of Sri Lanka as a developing country to face this rising wave of Knowledge Society and potential to regain the economic development that has been there as better economy in South-East Asia. Study used a benchmarked indicator framework by developing both quantitative and qualitative indicators to evaluate the prerequisites to be a knowledge society and outcomes of a knowledge society. According to the literature review and comprehensive analysis more than thirty (30) indicators study found that In South-East Asian region Rep. of Korea is the best knowledge society while Singapore, Malaysia, and also India are showing great potential of be competitive global knowledge societies. Rather than having emerging enthusiasm on mobile technology and modern CDMA technology, Sri Lanka needs to show any specific urgency, adaptation or greater enthusiasm to be a knowledge society in terms of knowledge creation, dissemination and utilization of knowledge in economic activities. There are no identifiable solid interrelations between each pre-requisite and also between the outcomes in Sri Lanka. They were trying to develop as isolated sections. That was the reason why, social factors such as health and general education are at satisfactory level in Sri Lanka but economic performances far away from emerging Asia. By implementing recommended strategies of the study Sri Lanka is expected to make economic interlinks between every section of the country that would be compulsory to be a competitive global knowledge society.
Design and Implementation of a Web-Based Faculty Information System
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Kumara, K.H.; Munasinghe, L.; Jayasuriya, K.D.; Dias, N.G.J.; de Silva, C.H.; Kalingamudali, S.R.D.
Although Information Systems (IS) are valuable elements for organizations, the private and public sectors in Sri Lanka are reluctant to use IS for decision making, organizing and classifying data, processing transactions, and for many other activities. This is caused by the lack of computer literacy and conventional attitudes of the majority of the Sri Lankan community. Even in the higher education institutions in Sri Lanka, majority of both staff and students who are well aware of information technology, rely on conventional ways of handling information. One major reason for the above issue is lack of availability of application software well suited for their needs. On one hand, such types of software are rarely used by institutes because of their high cost; on the other hand, they are highly organization dependent. Hence steps have been taken to build a Faculty Information System (FIS) for the Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya. The FIS was developed in a network environment, with the active participation of all those involved by means of continuous dialogues with the aim of both promoting and demonstrating its benefits and by catering to the different needs arising from the faculty community. The FIS consists of three major subsystems, namely FIS Web Based Subsystem (FISW), FIS Intranet Sub System (FISI) and FIS Examination Sub System (FISE). FISW provides www access to FIS users at any time from anywhere. FISI enables the capability of access to FIS via the Faculty office local area network with security restrictions. FISE processes the examination data in a highly secured environment which is separated from both FISW and FISI. FISI and FISW eventually connect with FISE under security restrictions as required. It is clear that development of this type of tool has social, cultural and technological dimensions. What we planned is one thing, what happened in reality and how the stake holders respond to the tool is another. An evidence of the neediness of this type of tool to the faculty is the number of accesses, 41784, in two years. The above figure is not a complete measure of acceptance of FIS. To detect its defects and limitations, in addition it is necessary to take into account the number of pages requested by each registered user in the FIS. These statistics can be used to enhance the features of FIS.
Developing SMEs in Sri Lanka through horizontal business linkages: Nature of existing business linkages among SMEs in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Thrikawala, S.S.
In a developing country economic growth can be sustained by the expansion of private sector, as they are the engines of growth. Majority of Private sector in developing countries consists of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which consist of entrepreneurial skills and capable of quickly adapting to the market changes. Also lend a hand to reduce the unemployment and make a significant contribution to the GDP. As a consequence it is important to accelerate the growth of SME in order to gain sustainable development in this era. In Sri Lanka most of SMEs have not succeeded to gain the advantages of economies of scale because business units operate in isolation with the inadequate total assets and management skills. Due to this reason number of SMEs were shut down and others are also discouraged to launch new businesses. Thus, it is compelled to promote the horizontal business linkages and may potentially affect the SME development in order to carry out an effective participation of the SME for the development of country. The objective of this paper is to find the nature of the existing SMEs’ horizontal business linkages in Sri Lanka and make suggestions to improve them. The information was gathered through the questionnaires distributed among 50 SMEs. Through the data analysis it was discovered that the SMEs in Sri Lanka have poor horizontal business linkages and it is suggested to improve them to gain the competitive advantages.
Does the Colombo Stock Exchange Overreact?
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Pathirawasam, C.
The efficient markets hypothesis has been the central theme in finance for nearly 35 years. Fama (1970) defined an efficient financial market as one in which security prices fully reflect the available information. However behavioralists such as Daniel, Hirshleifer and Subrahmayam (1998) Barberies, shleifer and Visny (1998), argue that financial markets are not efficient due to two investor biases These are over reaction and under reaction. De Bondt and Thaler (1985) have written several papers in which they argue that investors over react New York Stock Exchange. Particularly they find that stocks that are the most extreme losers in the past 3 – 5 year period have abnormally high returns in the subsequent 3 – 5 year period and vice versa. Hence they argue that investors over react for the extremely good news and extremely bad news. Objective of this study is to test whether the long term overreaction hypothesis is predictive in the Colombo Stock Exchange. This study uses monthly return data of common stocks for Colombo Stock Exchange for the period between January 1993 to December 2005. De Bondt and Thaler define the over reaction hypothesis as (~ | ) 0 1 < Wt t− E u F and (~ | ) 0 1 > Lt t− E u F . The first term explains that residual returns of high returns portfolio formed conditional upon the information set at t-1 are negative and the second term explains that residual returns of low returns portfolio formed conditional upon the information set at t-1 are positive. In this study t period has been taken as 24 months and 36 months. The residuals are estimated as it jt mt U~ = R − R . There is no risk adjustment except for movement of the market as a whole and the adjustment is identical for all the stocks. For every stock j cumulative excess returns (CUj) are computed for the prior 36 months and formed in to 5 portfolios. The highest CU portfolio is named as the Winner and the lowest CU portfolio as Loser. Then, for both Winner and Loser next 36 months Cumulative Abnormal Returns (CAR) are computed. If a security’s return is missing more than 80% of the months with in a period that security is removed from the portfolio and the CARs in order to handle the thin trading problem. Findings of the study shows that past period losers are mostly generating positive returns in the subsequent 36 months and only 10 months show significant returns. However prior period winners reflect on average positive returns also in the next period and all of these returns are statistically significant after the 25th month. Therefore it can be concluded that there is no long term over reaction to new information at the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Downward Transitional Areas of Rapidly Changing Regions: The Development of Backwardness in the Rural Peripheries of the Gampaha District a case study
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Sakalasooriya, N.
Regional disparity of development has been the focus of many discussions on development issues in the developing world during the past four decades. The economic growth and modernization are skewed in favour of the metropolitan core area in the Western Province of SriLanka, due to numerous historical and geographical factors. The widening inequalities at local levels have caused disintegration of socio economic system even within fast changing areas like the Gampaha district of SriLanka. The present paper is an analysis of the prevailing spatial inequality of development in the District and an exploration into causes and consequences underdevelopment of peripheral rural areas. These ongoing socio-economic processes have generated internal inequalities of the development in the district. Within the district, DS Divisions of Mirigama, Attanagalla, Weke and Divulapaitiya, Which remain as relatively backward and stagnating, amidst the growing urban and industrial sector in the Western part of the area, will be the foci of the study. The weakening of the agricultural base in the district as a whole was experienced during the last few decades. However, the dependency on small farm sector in certain areas has been a major characteristic of the economy. The weak backward linkages and insufficient services and poor infrastructure facilities are attributable to the prevailing backwardness in these study areas, according to the survey. This study closely observed micro-level variations in the villages of Akaragama East, Radwadunnna Pahala, Ethaudakanda and Kirimatiyawatta, with special reference reference to spatial patterns of poverty, migration, land tenure, caste and employment structure that are related with the peripheral backwardness. Land use changes associated with industrialization and suburban growth and concentration of services into few centers are among key areas of the discussion. Validity of available theoretical and empirical knowledge in explaining ongoing spatial changes in the study areas are evaluated in the conclusion.
Effect of perceived risk and context on consumer inferencing about missing information
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Weerasiri, R.A.S.; Dissanayake, D.M.R.
Consumers adopt different strategies for evaluation of a brand when information regarding an attribute is not available. One of those inferencing strategies is consumers’ inference or ‘Construct’ the values for missing attributes and evaluate the brand. Past studies have shown that inferencing has significant effect on likelihood of purchase of a brand. However, determination of the proportion of consumers who adopt inferencing strategy has received less attention. Simmons and Lynch (1991) attempted this and found that inferencing occurred only in 13-19 percent of the cases. They measured incidence of inferencing by asking respondents to describe their thought process during the evaluation and identifying those who had mentioned the word infer in their description of the process. Since inferencing is a cognitive process, such elicitation of the process is likely to result in under reporting. There has been no other study to corroborate the above findings. The present study attempted to measure inferencing using indirect methods. The study also examined influence of consumers perception of risk associated with a choice and the composition of the set of brands available to the consumer at the time of evaluation on inferencing. Respondents were classified into those who inferred and those who did not, by comparing their overall evaluations of brands with overall evaluations of the same brands by respondents in control conditions. The composition of the set of brands presented to the respondents was manipulated varying the number of brands with complete and incomplete information. Different purposes of buying were used proxy for different levels of perceived risk. Data from 200 respondents in Gampaha district were analyzed using ANOVA. The major findings of this study are: i. Inferencing occurred in about one third of the cases, far more than previously reported. ii. It was found that respondents were not risk averse while making and inference. This is in contrast to the normal tendency of people to be risk averse. iii. The composition of the set of brands available to the respondent at the time of evaluation had influence on inferred value and probability of making an inference. As inferencing is a spontaneous cognitive process and influences consumer’s evaluation of brands, it is absolutely vital for marketers to understand the phenomena. The findings of the study would provide marketers a better understanding about inferencing. It has the potential to help them in formulating their communication strategy and in designing advertisements in a comparative format.
An Empirical Study on Day of the Week Effect; Evidence from Colombo Stock Exchange
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Fernando, P.N.D.; Pathirawasam, C.
Seasonalities in security market returns have been extensively documented. Among the different seasonal effects observed in stock markets, an interesting one is the seasonality across days of the week. Fields (1991) observed that the US stock market consistently experienced significant negative and positive returns on Mondays and Fridays respectively. This matter was further tested in 1980’s (French, 1980; Gibbons and Hess 1981, Lakonishok and Levi 1982). The capital markets of many other countries also experience the similar seasonality (Jaffe and Westerfield 1985, peiro 1994, Agarwal and Tando 1994). This day of the week effect is a sharp contrast to the efficient market hypothesis. This study examines the day of the week effect in the Colombo Stock Exchange using the All Share Price Index (ASPI) and the Milanka Price Index (MPI). The study covers the period from 1985 to 2004. We compute the returns of the above market indexes as daily price relatives and log returns are taken for the study. To estimate day of the week effect in return, we use the ordinary least square (OLS) equation. In the equation index returns are taken as the dependent variable and five dummy variables are inserted as independent variables from Monday to Friday. We estimate the day of the week effect for the total sample period and revealed that there is no any significant day of the week effect in the total period. Then we analyzed the day of the week effect in five year sub samples and results are similar to the total sample period except in the last sub sample that is from 2000 to 2004. In the last sub sample there is a statistically significant Friday effect and for other days, returns are not significant.
The establishment of National Sports Information Center in Sri Lanka: A feasibility study
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Suraweera, S.A.D.H.N.
People in all the fields of study need information for their studies as well as for day-today activities. Libraries and information centers are required to provide information snob people. Information center is an office or a section of a bibliographical center, research bureau or documentation center which provides information about books or on a subject with which the organization providing the facilities of the center gets concerned (Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science, 1990). From the beginning of human civilization man has been using sport as a means to exhibit his power and skill and also recreation. A sport is a discipline connected to numerous other spheres and it is not confined to play field alone. Various academic activities and research taking place in the field of sports have made it necessary to search for new information connected with sports. Sportsmen, trainers, administrators, media people, researchers and others connected with sports are constantly engaged in information searching. Therefore it is imperative to obtain information not only in print form but in electronic form as well. Theoretical aspects of sports have intensified this need. Absence of a formal institution to provide sports related information is a drawback to the development of sports in the country. Therefore the establishment of a National Sports Information Center is a timely need. With the help of librarians and people interested in sports a qualitative and a quantitative survey was done as a part of this research. Details related to information searching, source of information, expected information, existing library information services, bibliographic search tools available, and media coverage etc. were surveyed. Questionnaires were administered to gather data from selected sportsmen, coaches, sports officers, administrators, doctors and other interested people. Statistics from librarians representing different grades were obtained through interviews. The method adopted for data collection was non – probability convenience sampling method. Analysis of data revealed that sports related information available in the libraries was inadequate and that a large body of people expects current information in the field of sports. Survey also indicated the dearth of sport related literature in Sinhala medium and the need of an information center. The need for the collection of resources and the establishment to maintaining of a National Sports Information Center and the proposals to enhance the access to Sports information by Sri Lankans are among major suggestions of the study.
An Evaluation on Post Tsunami Psychological Counseling Process in Kalutara District
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Samaratunga, I.L.A.
The intention of this study is to evaluate post Tsunami Psychological Counseling Process in Kalutara District. Tsunami was the worst natural disaster in the history of Sri Lanka. Which caused more than 31000 deaths & 550000 houses were damaged. Central Bank of Sri Lanka has estimated the damage caused by the Tsunami hazard as US $01 billion. But it is very difficult to measure the impact of Psychological damages done by a natural disaster. Epidemiology of Natural Disasters is not a wide spread subject in Sri Lanka. In this context, the possibility of drawbacks in rehabilitation programmes is very high. This study focuses on implemented Psychological Counseling Process for Tsunami victims. These counseling processes were launched according to psychological responses to the disaster. But for an effective process we have to evaluate it periodically. Since this is a qualitative research, basically the researcher has used case study method. In addition to that functional method & comparative method also used. It has been used both primary & secondary data. Primary data was collected by using several data collecting techniques such as interviews & observation. Magazines, Books, Government & Non Government reports and some websites were the secondary data. Primary data were collected by a sample of 20 people. This research was able to find 03 types of disaster syndromes, i.e. emotional, avoidness and anxiety. These syndromes were categorized under Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). Even after a period of one year of the disaster many psychosomatic syndromes can be identified. On the other hand this study focused on organizational structure of psychological counseling providers. It also examined the theoretical approaches used by these organizations. Many drawbacks were identified in practical sessions. Interconnected psycho social programmes were conducted by various I/NGOs. This kind of interconnectivity was not identified in the government sector. Inspite of that psychological counseling process need reforms. Now, Tsunami victims are undergoing new psycho-social problems which did not appear previously.
Fabrication of an electrodeposited p-n junction photoelectrode for solar energy applications
(University of Kelaniya, 2006) Jayathilaka, K.M.D.C.; Siripala, W.; Jayanetti, J.K.D.S.
Solar energy is a promising alternative energy source that can be used to replace the environmentally hazardous and expensive fossil fuel. Among the various solar energy converting devices solar cells are very important because they can convert solar energy directly to electricity or to storable chemical energy. One of the biggest challenges in this aspect is to find a suitable low cost, stable and environmentally friendly semiconductor material that can be used in solar cell applications. Cuprous oxide is considered as an important material in this regard because it is low cost, non toxic, and abundance of the starting material copper. Semiconducting cuprous oxide has a direct band gap of 2 eV and is ideal for photocatalytic water splitting reaction leading to hydrogen fuel. It is also useful as a window material in some thin film PV solar cells. Electrodeposition technique for preparation of thin cuprous oxide films is very important because it is simple, low cost and can be used to control the conductivity type (n-type or p-type). In this study, fabrication of p-n junctions of cuprous oxide for the applications in solar energy converting devices is reported. It was observed that under specific controlled conditions simple electrodeposition technique can be used to fabricate p-n junctions of cuprous oxide thin films. Spectral response measurement of the photoelectrode in a photoelectrochemical cell revealed the existence of the p-n junction and this is the first evidence, to our knowledge, of the possibility of fabricating a cuprous oxide homojunction.