Annual Research Symposium (ARS)

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    3 Phase Thermodynamic Fat Oxidizer. High-potency, fat oxidizing complex, Body-shredding fat –loss technology, Improved Focus and Energy
    (Research Symposium 2009 - Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Jinadasa, WW Manoj Pushpakumara
    The Objective of this study is to find out the impact of media communication on psychiatric conditions and mental disorders. Case studies selected from Sri Lanka are the sample. Hypothesis is that, media can induce psychiatric conditions and mental disorders. The research problem of this study is to examine if media messages have the potential to create psychiatric disorders. Media effects can be influenced in two ways, first is media effects can be stimulated indirectly for the existing genetic mental disorders immediately while, the second is media effects can be directly influenced at human beings by creating psycho-social problems related to mental disorders. In Sri Lanka, there are several reported cases where, exposure to media has caused psychiatric conditions. But Medical theory argues differently. Mental disorders can be caused by DNA rather by social impact. But some illnesses have immerged due to high media exposure and powerful media impact upon vulnerable group. In this study, I have found that some patients, who had been severely addicted to media icons, images and personalities, are imitating and identifying with them. Today, such behavior patterns have become serious enough to warrant hospitalization and/or treatment.
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    A comparative study on modern French and Sri Lankan political discourse
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Ekanayake, E.M.V.R.S.
    Remarking its naissance on 1920s� discourse analysis has evolved today from its linguistic perspective to a variety of social sciences disciplines. Rather than being imprisoned to a mere textual analysis, discourse analysis reveals the socio-cultural and socio-psychological characteristics of the given communicative event i.e writing, conversation or speech. Modern scholars of critical discourse analysis (CDA) have disclosed that the language, culture and ideology are interrelated.
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    A comparison of errors in languages spoken by Sinhala- English bilinguals with Post-Stroke Aphasia
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2015, 2014) Dharmarathna, N.I.; Bakmeewewa, D.A.
    Bilinguals are defined as those who use two languages in daily communication. Aphasia as an acquired language disorder virtually affects all languages of the bilingual speaker, often in varying degrees. The Clinical picture of the bilingual aphasic is of great interest to researchers, as the bilingual population of the world continues to increase. As a multi- ethnic country, bilingualism continues to grow in Sri Lanka. The knowledge of multiple languages has led to the functional elaboration of all languages known especially in Sinhala-English bilinguals. Yet, there is a severe dearth on bilingual aphasic literature in the Sri Lankan Speech & Language Therapy context.
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    A family of solutions representing an accelerating Universe
    (Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2005-Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2005) Rahubedda, U.S.; de Silva, Nalin
    U.S. Rahubedda, Department of Physics, Nalin de Silva
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    A flight information system for Android
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) LDSK Nanayakkara; MC Wijegunasekara
    Android applications are very famous among mobile phone users. Different types of service ad features providing applications are introduced day by day. One of the key reasons for the rapid growth of Android applications is its Open Source technology. Vast varieties of categories of Android applications are available in the Internet for users such as Games, Entertainment, Educational, Cookery, Health-care, Social-communication, Aviation and many more.
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    A framework for measuring readiness of e-assessment for sliate
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) MVM Jayathilake; PHAB Shantha
    Assessment is the central to education practice. It is essential to develop systems for assessment which reflect the core educational goals, and which reward students for developing skills and attributes which will be of long-term benefit to them and to society.
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    A kinetic study on slow natural degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Bolgoda Lake waters and a technique for rapid destruction of them in the aquatic environment
    (Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2005-Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2005) Pathiratne, K.A.S.; de Silva, O.C.P.
    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are unique environmental contaminants that exhibit strong toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. They are generated through incomplete combustion of organic matter such as fossil fuels (petrol, diesel, and natural gasses, etc.), wood and many other organic compounds used in variety of industrial and domestic processes. Once formed, they are adsorbed on to particulate matter and deposited on ground and in water bodies through continuous atmospheric fallouts. During rainy seasons, PAHs deposited on ground surfaces are washed into water bodies through surface runoff. A recent study revealed that water and sediment in Bolgoda lake to contain PAHs above safe levels. Further, the levels observed during dry seasons were found to increase after heavy rains, followed by gradual degradation during dry periods. As a part of the present investigation, the kinetics of degradations of four selected PAHs; naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene and chrysene (2, 3, 4 and 5 member ring compounds) found in Bolgoda lake were carried out. Four different environmental matrices given below (a) to (d): (a) Bolgoda lake water exposed continuously to incandescent radiation of a 60 W tungsten lamp at room temperature. (b) Bolgoda lake water kept in dark at room temperature. (c) Deionized water with pH and electrical conductivity (EC) adjusted to those of Bolgoda lake water, exposed continuously to incandescent radiation of 60 W tungsten lamp at room temperature (d). Deionized water with pH and EC adjusted to those of Bolgoda lake water, kept in dark at room temperature. These four different media could represent unique environmental components found in Bolgoda lake that could be responsible for degradations of PAHS in the Bolgoda lake. The results indicate that pseudo first order rate constants corresponding to degradations of all four PAHs in the four different media at room temperature decrease in the order a > b > c > d. Also, in all four media the order of the pseudo first order rate constants for degradations of the four PAHs found to vary as chrysene > naphthalene > pyrene > phenanthrene. As the other part of the investigation, the suitability of a modified Fenton based oxidation process to enhance the rate of degradation of PAHs in aquatic environment was investigated. The effect of initial concentration of H2 O2 & Fe2+ ions, pH of the solution and the presence of triton X-100, a surfactant which could bring non polar PAHs and polar Fenton reagents in close proximity to facilitate degradation reaction were examined for 3,4 and 5 member ring compounds: phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene found in local aquatic environments. Pseudo first order rate constants for degradations of all three PAHs found to increase with increasing initial H2 O2 concentrations and initial Fe2+ concentration in aqueous media. High degradation rates were observed for concentration ratios, [H2 O2 ]:[Fe2+] in the range of ~50 to ~100. Decrease of pH of solutions, also increased the rates of degradation of all three PAHs. Presence of Triton X-100 at low levels, (1% v/v in the solution) found to increase the degradation rates of all three PAHs. Under all conditions studied, the pseudo first order rate constants for degradation of Benzo(a)pyrene were found to be the largest among the three PAHs .
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    A linguistic study on excluding formal education in second language from grades one and two;
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) KKR Wickramaratne
    Start age for formal education in second language varies throughout the world. Presently, In Sri Lanka, formal education in second language commences at grade three in government schools. Accordingly, this study aims at finding out whether starting formal English education from the first grade in Sri Lankan schools will make students more proficient in second language when they come to grade three while having no negative impact on their skills in mother tongue.
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    A low cost electro-deposition procedure for growth of n- type cds semiconductor material used in fabrication of cds/cdte thin film solar cells
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Chaturangi, R.A.; Kumarasinghe, K.D.M.S.P.K.; Pathiratne, K.A.S.; de Silva, D.S.M.
    CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells have exceeded the efficiencies of nearly 20% and 16% in laboratory and industrial scale devices respectively. Owing to the large band gap of 2.42 eV of CdS semiconductor, it is used as the window material in these devices. A low cost electro-deposition experimental procedure which utilizes electro-purified analytical grade chemicals and a method which does not produce wastes need to be discarded into the environment is described here. CdS thin films with thickness <100 nm was potentiostasticaly electro-deposited utilizing EG & G Princeton Applied Research Model 366 A bipotentiostat on fluorine doped tin oxide(FTO) conducting glasses which function as working electrodes in three electrode cells comprising of silver/silver chloride reference electrodes and graphite counter electrodes. Prior to use, conducting glasses were mechanically cleaned in a dust free environment. Electro-purified CdCl2 and Na2S2O3 were used as the Cd and S sources for depositing thin films of CdS on FTO glasses. Ranges of working electrode potentials, relative proportions of the two salts and the pH in the electroplating baths which could yield CdS thin films that showed satisfactory photovoltaic activities were estimated. Bath temperature and deposition time were kept at previously established values of 470C and 1 hour for all depositions. Also all CdS thin films were annealed at 400 0C for 10 minutes in air prior to estimation of their photovoltaic properties. It was found that, deposition potentials in the range of -1300 to �1500 mV with respect to silver/silver chloride electrode, concentration ratios of [Cd]/[S] = 10:1 to 15:1 having [Cd] concentrations in the range of 10 to 15 mmol dm-3 in solution and pH in the range of (1.2�1.4) in the plating bath could produce CdS thin films with optical band gaps lying in the range of (2.3 � 0.1) eV. X-ray diffraction studies showed that all CdS deposits were to consist of cubic lattice structure. Current- Voltage measurements indicated that, the thin films grown were of n-type in electrical conductivity. Photo-electrochemical cell experiments produced open circuit voltages and short circuit current densities in the ranges of -150 to -250 mV and 3.75 to 20 ?A cm-2 respectively indicating the level of photovoltaic activity that the deposits of CdS could demonstrate. Studies are in progress for further improvements of the electro-deposition procedure.
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    A Metric Represents a Sphere of Constant Density Comprising Electrically counterpoised Dust (ECD)
    (Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2005-Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2005) Wickramasuriya, S B P; Wimaladharma, N A S N
    The metric which represents a sphere of electrically counterpoised dust (ECD) with constant density π ρ 4 1 = is ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )  ( ) + Ω < < ∞      − +       + = = − + Ω ≤ ≤ dR R d a R R B A R B A dt ds R dR R d R a R dt ds 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 θ 0 θ where θ(R) is the Emden function satisfying the Emden equation with n=3, a is the coordinate radius, R is the radial coordinate , A and B are constants given by ( ) ( ) B a ( ) a A a a a θ θ θ = − = + 2 a is a constant whose value is restricted, 0 < a < b
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    A new bioactive curvularin macrolide from an endolichenic fungus, Curvularia trifolii, isolated from Usnea sp., in Sri Lanka
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Samanthi, K.A.U.; Wickramaarachchi, S.; Wijeratne, E.M.; Paranagama, P.A.
    The search for new bioactive natural products is still the main way of discovering new drug leads. Although fungi are well-known producers of secondary metabolites with new structurally diverse bioactive compounds, isolation of bioactive compounds from endolichenic fungi still remain underexplored as potential source of natural products. Endolichenic fungi are microorganisms living in the thalli of lichens that are analogous to the plant endophytic fungi inhabiting the intercellular spaces of the host. Curvularia trifolii was isolated from the lichen, Usnea sp., available in Hakgala botanical garden, Sri Lanka. Identification of the fungus was confirmed using morphological characters followed by the molecular identification (DNA sequencing). Invitro large scale cultures of C.trifolii were prepared in 60 large Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar medium and after 10 days secondary metabolites were extracted into ethyl acetate. The crude extract was tested using two types of bio assays, for the investigation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Antioxidant activity of the crude ethyl acetate extract was explored by carrying out DPPH free radical scavenging assay and Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using Human Red Blood Cell Membrane Stability (HRBC) assay. Since the crude extract showed high activity in both the assays, it was partitioned into hexane, chloroform (CHCl3) and 60% aq.MeOH and identified the bioactive fractions. The activity of CHCl3 fraction was confirmed and it was further fractionated using bioassay guided column chromatography (silica, sephadex) and preparative TLC to isolate pure compounds. One florescent active pure bioactive compound (C23H30O6) was isolated from the CHCl3 fraction and identified as using 1D, 2D NMR, MS, IR and UV spectral data. The structure of new compound was thus established as 5-methoxy-4,8,15-trimethyl-3,7-dioxo-1,3,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,15?-dodecahydrocyclododeca[de]isochromene-15-carboxylic acid and the bioassay results revealed that it is a new curvularin macrolide with IC50 values, 68.6�4.3 ?g/mL and 310�48.2 ?g/mL for DPPH antioxidant assay and anti-inflammatory assay respectively. Hence it is revealed that derivative isolated from C. trifolii can be developed as an important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drug.
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    A preliminary investigation on proteins produced by iron resistant and iron sensitive rice varieties
    (Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2005-Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2005) Attanayake, K.P.R.N.; Sirisena, D.M.
    K.P.R.N. Attanayake and D.M. Sirisena
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    A sales management system using cloud computing technology
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Wijethunga, I.A.; Dias, N.G.J.
    At present, cloud computing technology is used in many applications because of the rapid development in network technology and the cost of transmitting a terabyte of data over long distance has extremely reduced in the past decade. Cloud computing is a technique based on distributed computing resources in pay per usage strategy. A user can access cloud services as a utility service and able to use them almost instantly. These features make cloud computing so flexible with the fact that services are accessible anywhere at any time.
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    A software prototype for optical recognition of sinhala embossed braille
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) NMT De Silva; SR Liyanage
    The Braille system is a tactile format of written communication for sight-impaired people over theworld. It consists of cells of raised dots arranged in a grid. The presence or absence of raised dots canbe sensed by the blind people�s fingertips to give them the coding for the symbol.
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    A study on developing Muthurajawela marsh in sustainable tourism
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Indrachapa Gunasekara
    Muthurajawela marsh is a significant natural site which located near to a finest coastal area in Western Province of Sri Lanka. The area of Muthurajawela has a remarkable historical background which drawn through the period of Kotte Kingdom and Colonial era. This marsh land was instigated during the Colonial period due to the irrigation development. Nowadays it has become a significant site to experience nature. At present, Muthurajawela became an ecosystem which hosts diverse flora and fauna collection. It is a feeding ground for fishes, sanctuary for mangroves, shelters for variety of fauna such as mammals, reptiles and birds. Due to these diverse and attractive natural features in this site; there is a potential to promote it as a nature tourist attraction which located close proximity to Colombo the merchant city.
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    A Study on Recent Political Efforts to Solve the Ethnic Conflict of Sri Lanka
    (Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2005-Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2005) Bandara, H.G.D.S.V.
    The ethnic conflict has taken a special place among the challenges faced by Sri Lanka at present. Since independence, almost every government took various strategic steps to solve the ethnic conflict in this country. However none of these efforts were strong enough in solving the conflict. In this study special attention has been paid to political efforts, which were taken in recent times i.e. from 1983 to 1993, to solve the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. The base for this study is the transformation of the ethnic conflict into an internal war as a consequence of the internal incidents, which occurred in 1983. Also taken into consideration is the international community’s attention in this regard and the opportunities gained by India to act as a mediator in solving the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. Apart from these, factors such as an approach that is different from previous efforts in solving the ethnic conflict can be identified the change of political power of the country in 1994 has bee taken into consideration and special attention has been paid to the decade from 1983 to 1993. The aims of this study were to study the political efforts, which were taken from 1983 to 1993 to solve the ethic conflict and to examine the factors, which made those efforts unsuccessful. Also intended is to form a pre-assumption on the base on which a future solution should be built up. This study is primarily based on secondary sources. Attention was paid to various standpoints borne by various groups on the political efforts taken to solve the ethnic problem when analyzing the research question. There were various reasons behind the unsuccessful results of the political efforts taken from 1983 to 1993. A major reason for this was the shortcomings of India’s role as a mediator, in solving the ethnic conflict of Sri Lanka. Also responsible were the lack of commitment of the central government of Sri Lanka in solving this conflict and the fact that there was no stable and uniform idea regarding the solution within the government itself. Apart from these the lack of agreement among the Tamil groups regarding, which arose solutions and also the nonflexible manner of the Tamil groups, were also to had been blamed. Also responsible were the protests arisen from the Southern parts of the island regarding the solutions, the lack of awareness among the masses on the political solutions and the lack of transparency of the process of building up a solution. Not only these but also the fact that these solutions were not strong enough to solve the ethnic conflict and their various weaknesses were also responsible for the unsuccessful results of these political efforts.
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    A study on selected biometrics and central obesity indices among
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) Manuha, M.I.; Nageeb, B.M.; Iqbal, N.Z.; Paranagama, P.A.
    The study was to analyze the relationship between body mass index (BMI) of overweight/obesity adult women with central obesity indices such as waist circumference (WC), Hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with lipid profile such as total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Percentage of overall abnormal lipid levels and low haemoglobin level in overweight and obese were also analyzed. Female adults with overweight (BMI between 25 -30 Kg/m2 or obese (BMI over 30 Kg/m2) and the ages ranged between 18- 60 years were included in this study. The subject studied constituted a convenience sample of 121 representing different socio-economic status. Measurements; Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, pulse, lipid profile with TC, HDL, TG, LDL and Hb percentage were investigated. The results showed that 63.6% with high LDL-C, 59.1 % with high TC, 18.2 % with high TG and 43.2% with low HDL-C. Haemoglobin levels of the participants were 47.9% and it is below the range of cut off value given by WHO. Correlation between BMI and WC, HC, WHR was analyzed separately. According to the results obtained BMI showed a strong positive correlation with WC and HC, n (121) =0.8, p < 0.01 and n(121) = 0.838, p < 0.01 respectively. Analysis of correlation between WC with HC and WHR indicated strong positive correlation, n (121) =0.809, p < 0.01 and n (121) = 0.442 respectively. TC and LDL were strongly positively correlated, n (121) =0.895 p < 0.01, but the HDL was inversely associated with TG and LDL P = -0.072, P = -0.184 respectively. TG was inversely associated with LDL-C (P= - 0.072).Concurrently, the abnormally highest mean of WC 105.4 � 11.7cm and the highest mean of waist to hip ratio 0.97 �0.05 also found. In the present study the results revealed that more than half of overweight and obese adult women had abnormal lipid levels and nearly half of overweight and obese adult women had low hemoglobin concentration. The present study revealed a higher percentage of body fat across a range of waist circumference values. The mean waist circumference, hip circumference and waist to hip ratio were significantly higher than the cut off points reported by WHO (2008).
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    A study on the impact of the collection development of printed resources in public libraries for a pluralistic society
    (Book of Abstracts, Annual Research Symposium 2014, 2014) S Senavirathna
    The library is a live educational, cultural and communication media while it is also a common institute that promotes the mutual understanding, peace and cooperation.
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    Academic Imperialism: A Critical Interrogation
    (University of Kelaniya, 2012) Jayashantha, D.L.C.
    Both ‘tradition’ as well as ‘modernity’ have been differently phrased and discussed; predominantly in the realms of philosophy, anthropology, archeology, sciences, aesthetics, sociology, political, and cultural discourses. Marxists view globalization as a new phase of capitalism and conclude debates about the relationship between modern capitalism, imperialism and globalization dating back to Lenin. However, imperialism, later has assumed a soft and indirect approach of economic and ideological influence than that of the direct colonial rule. Place of bullets is now given to thoughts. Extensive capitalistic exploitation is masked by the decorations of postmodern social institutions, information society for example. Academic imperialism as an academic discourse, describes how the ‘institution’ of education is being abused by imperial powers to sustain the exploitation and escape from its certain death. It can also be defined as the newest addition to the list of disciplines that are discussed in postcolonial scholarship. The notion of academic imperialism, first attempts to denote the influences of imperialism on education, and secondly, how it is being used to perpetuate imperialism. This paper examines how the manifestation of academic imperialism, in largely postcolonial contexts, has depreciated non western doctrines, philosophies and use the conquest of intellectual sphere for the imperial project. It places the European enlightenment project at the center, which is considered to be the foundation for most of the modern western theories and so-called academic progression. This paper critically interrogates the progression of academic imperialism through western scholasticism, impact on academics, theoretical invasion, issues on anthropology, the notion of education industry, lack of reflexive and plural cognition, linguistic imperialism, and finally the destiny of academic research. Towards the conclusion, the paper stresses that academic imperialism should be critically examined and subversively resisted. It also emphasizes importance of subscribing critical postcolonial scholarship in order to get rid of this intellectual domination