Symposia & Conferences
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Item Causes of the rapid urbanization of the Nittambuwa town in Sri Lanka(Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2020) Wijesiri, H.P.S.Y.; Sakalasooriya, N.This research investigates the major causes of the rapid urbanization of Nittambuwa town which is located in the northwest periphery of Colombo Metropolitan. Urbanization has become a major development trend in developing countries. In Sri Lanka also with the metropolitan area development of the Colombo city, so many emerging towns show a rapid urbanization process during past decades. Nittambuwa town also situated within this Colombo metropolitan area and as an emerging town which shows a rapid urbanization process and so many political, social and economic factors have affected. This research uses a mixed-method and urban geographic approaches. The study area has defined 50 meters buffer zone of Colombo –Kandy highway in the Nittambuwa town area. It has been selected 30 shops and 50 dwellers for primary data collection under a simple random sampling method. Observations and other surveying techniques were used to collect data while other data gained from secondary data sources such as Urban Development Authority, Road Development Authority and National Physical Planning Department of Sri Lanka. MS Excel, GIS, and Remote Sensing techniques were used to analyze the data and charts, maps, and tables were used to present the data. This analysis revealed that the Nittambuwa town acts as the main interchanging center within the area. The number of commuters who pass the town has significantly been increased and transport services as well during the last decade, 2009-2019. Thought he Colombo – Kandy has widened and upgraded to reduce the severe traffic jam, it causes to increase the commuters to the city area. Connecting road development projects of the surrounding area of the city has affected the increase of the mobility of the crowd into the town. Construction of large scale textile shops and supermarkets also have become a major development trend within the town area. It is better to place an entertaining area for the people to be refreshed and proper parking yards for private vehicles. It is clear that the infrastructure development of the town area has effected to rapid urbanization in the Nittambuwa Town.Item Land issues of the second generation of the Mahaweli (H) system in Sri Lanka.(Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2020) Withanage, J J.; Sakalasooriya, N.The main objective of this research is to investigate the land issues in the Mahaweli agricultural settlements and to identify the causes of the land problem in the area. Mahaweli Multipurpose development program is the most comprehensive physical and human resource development program in Sri Lanka to date. But Mahaweli systems are densely populated as the natural growth of population and low outmigrations. In 1977, the total number of families settled in the Mahaweli H zone was 2393 and by 2012 it had increased to 28,211 families. Consequently, the lands of Mahaweli systems are noticeably stressed and the settlers of the second-generation in the Mahaweli systems are confronted with various forms of land problems and it has become a serious issue in Mahaweli development areas. The study was done under the mixed method political ecological approach of Geography. The 472 Galnawagama Division in the Mahaweli H system was selected as the study area which was the first to launch the pioneer settlement pattern under the Mahaweli settlement. Data were collected from the selected 40 families based on convenience sampling from the Galnawagama Grama Niladari Division. The questionnaires and interview methods were applied to collect the primary quantitative and qualitative data while other data gained from secondary data sources such as Mahaweli Development Authority, Ministry of Land Development, Mahaweli Divisional Management office and Divisional Secretariat Office in Galnewa. SPSS, MS Excel and GIS techniques were used to analyze the data maps, charts and tables were used to present the data. Numerical and descriptive analysis were used in the data analysis. The study reveals that the second-generation colonists in the Mahaweli system H are subject to state land conditions, Limited Land use difficulties to growing families, fragmentation of land, land ownership and unauthorized occupation are the dominant factors. It has been concluded that the problem which is already in the second generation will lead to a lower quality of life for the colonists and a direct impact on the third generation.Item Effectiveness of flood early warning methods; the case from Yabaroluwa North in Biyagama(Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2020) Rangana, M.P.T; Sakalasooriya, N.Flood is one of the major natural and human-induced disasters in Sri Lanka and the majority of people who live in low-lying areas in both Wet and Dry Climatic Zones of Sri Lanka are highly vulnerable for the flood. The risk of flood disasters would be significantly reduced by an effective early warning system. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of current early warning systems of Sri Lanka and to make recommendations to improve the current early warning systems. The study has selected the Kelani River basin as a study region and Yabaroluwa North village in Biyagama DSD has been selected to field study under the case study method. To achieve the objectives, the stratified sampling method was used and the sample was selected randomly. The quantitative data were collected by questionnaire and qualitative data were collected by focus group discussions and key informant discussions. Relevant articles, study reports, research findings, other published documents, and different databases were used for secondary data. Both Descriptive and analytical methods were used. The study reveals that the main weakness of the flood early warning methods is that the message does not receive to the grassroots and many warning systems are too common and not specified the message and the target areas. Still, the Disaster Management Center uses traditional ways to convey the message. The government’s regular and active intervention and assistance to promote new technological methods and about knowledge, warning given from the main three languages and warnings should warning go directly for vulnerable people.Item Adaptation strategies for flood victims on major river basins in Sri Lanka: The case from Megoda Kolonnawa GN Division of Kelani River basin(Department of Geography, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2020) Ranwella, K.B.I.S.; Sakalasooriya, N.Recently, it has been witnessed that flood is the burgeoning catastrophe in Sri Lanka when compared with all the other calamities recorded. Depending on the temporal and regional intensity and the broad spectrum of destruction, it has been recognized as one of the most predominant disasters in Sri Lanka. The awareness of victims who live in the endangered area and launching strategies for avoiding significant impacts are required to adapt to disasters. Accordingly, victimized proportions of the flood have vigorously adapted to vulnerable situations rather than leaving their homelands and disrupting their daily routines. This study becomes significant in providing theoretical and validated impulses beyond any limits, typically imposed by a culture of safe and exemplifies the essential elements to provide adaptive strategies to flood victims in “Megoda Kolonnawan GN division” practiced prior the incident, at the moment and after the incident. Kolonnawa was found to be the largest flood-affected DS Division in Sri Lanka. Out of 46 GN divisions of Kolonnawa DSD, “Megoda Kolonnawa – A” GND has been identified as the most vulnerable area to flood disasters. A sample of 3 % of the total population which is, 2347 households of the GND was selected for the study. The stratified sample method was used to select GN Division and the Simple Radom Sampling method was used to select 70 units of households from the GN Division. The study was carried out using primary and secondary data collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze the data. This study revealed the fact that “Identifying the strategies of adapting to the flood” is becoming the main approach from the villagers as well as the government and non-government offices. Maintaining initiate communication with each other to gather at a safe place where the government has approved in vulnerable situations is the most common strategy. Similarly, increasing the physical values of the buildings and coordination with the government engineers to get the appropriate building plans are the most common strategies recorded within the past few decades.Item Disaster Management Issues of Marginalized People in Flood Affected Areas in the City of Colombo and Its Surroundings: The Cases of Colombo and Gampaha Districts of Sri Lanka(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Sakalasooriya, N.This Study investigates the major issues of communities who have settled in flood prone areas in Colombo city and surrounding rural periphery in Gampaha District. Around 302,000 people in 22 districts in Sri Lanka have been affected due to the torrential rain and floods, according to the latest situation report from the Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka. The number of families affected is close to 75,000 with 104 deaths, 31 injured, 99 missing and damage to property totalling over 5,000. There are 210 safe locations housing over 6,000 individuals and 21,484 families. Key findings in an assessment by the Ministry of Disaster Management in the Colombo, and Gampaha districts said the May 2016 floods have caused the highest displacements widespread damage to productive assets, loss to livelihoods and agricultural and livestock production. This paper examines the gap between neediness of victims and disaster management process in 2016 flood disaster in Sri Lanka. to examining the issues to fulfil the neediness of victims in city and its periphery, 09 Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs), five from Gamapaha district and four from Colombo District, have been selected as study areas. The study clarifies the issues, which are being faced by the flood victims in the study areas and attempts to disclose the weaknesses of post disaster management process to recover their livelihood. Qualitative approach is applied and focused group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations are the main data collecting methods. The study has done in month of August, two months after the severe flood event occurred in 2016. Most of the families got affected are living in geographically vulnerable areas such as low-lying lands, filled land, and brick quarries where inundation is possible after heavy rain. No relationship is been observed between the development and the geographical features of the area. Seems there was no city planning or rural planning whatsoever. This needs to be taken into consideration in longer term town development planning. Canal systems, waste water systems, swage systems were seems to be irregular. Though there were many reports of community based disaster management systems, none of such systems were functioning during the floods. Survey participants clearly mentioned the gaps in disaster response mechanisms. They have observed the lack of coordination among respective organizations. As per the community improper functioning of waste management, sewage systems and management of water ways have found out to be the main reason for the increased impact. In most cases, especially in Kolonnawa DS division in Colombo this was a regular occurrence even before the flooding. People have not considered early warning from DMC seriously, although they are warned people were hesitant to evacuate because they didn’t have previous experiences of a disaster of such a magnitude. This also has raised the point of having the capacity among people to interpret early warnings given by the Government and media and to respond accordingly. Lesson learned was that not only early warning technology, their impacts and anticipated responses need to be assessed.Item Issues and Solutions for Municipal Waste Management in Sri Lanka(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kularatnte, M.G.; Amarasinghe, A.G.; Premarathna, W.M.A.G.H.; Premarathna, W.M.A.G.H.; Dharmasiri, L.M.; Chandrasena, U.A.; Sakalasooriya, N.; Waniganeththi, G.; Fernando, V.; Rathnasekara, S.; Wijesekara, S.; Senarathna, D.; Arunashantha, S.The waste disposed into the open environment from day today human activities, gradually has increased and created significant socio- economic, health and environmental issues. Ultimately it has become a burning political problem at present. Inefficiency in waste management strategies further aggravate the issues preventing national objective of the clear environment. The main objective of this paper is to discuss the factors that influence technical efficiency of waste management and ways and means to maximize that efficiency under Pilisaru Project funded by Central Environmental Authority in Sri Lanka, The data has collected from the sample size which is represented 22% of currently active compost plants by the stratified random sampling considering all forms of administrative local authorities (LAs). Though several Pilisaru projects have achieved a satisfactory level of expected results. The majority are inefficient due to some reasons. The projects mainly target to produce only organic compost and some biomass power generation but no other alternatives concerned. Segregation of waste for compost production is a prerequisite, however, waste segregation is an unsolvable issue due to the various reasons. Another issue is whether condition which is beyond the control of human effort of the natural process of composting. LA s mainly collects only solid waste and they do not collect liquid waste from the sources of waste generation. Basically, compost production in the Pilisaru compost plants is labour intensive. Therefore, it requires more man power for handling the compost production. Lack of land for the expansion of the compost plants and the ongoing process of composting is time consuming are other barriers. Finally, ongoing compost production system is not the eco-friendly. Compost users do not satisfy and trust with the quality of compost produced by the municipal solid waste and no proper market mechanism and distribution. Labourers and other employers are not satisfied with the benefits they get including salary. The efficient waste management system must ensure to produce all possible product other than organic compost. For this new technology should be introduced. Compost should be promoted among the small scale/ subsistence farmers at first and then in large scale agricultural areas with the proper certification procedure. Municipal waste is hidden treasure on the development of righteous agriculture in Sri Lanka with the application of proper scientific and technical method of waste treatment. Therefore, we recommend establishing "Waste Recycling Centres" with the environmentally recycling system (ERS) such a High Speed Indigenous Microbes Fermentation System (ERS).Item The Endemic Socio-Economic Issues of Widowed Female Headed Families in Rural Areas of Sri Lanka(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Mihirani, K.G.N.; Sakalasooriya, N.This paper explains the outcomes of the Udawalawa Multi-Purposes Development Programme (UMPDP) which has implemented in 1963. The UPMPDP has implemented under river valley development approach with o6 major objectives. This study clearly point out the progress of these objectives and the new trends in the programme area.The Udawalawa is the second multipurposes development project in Sri Lanka. The programme has covered the rehabilitation and upgrading of 62,803 ha. and 21873 ha. Has newly been irrigated. A total benefitted family of the programme is 63,522. The results of the study reveals that the industries which were implemented under the project were collapsed except Sevanagala Sugar factory and Thimbolketiya Timber mill. Hydropower generation is very successful because 2450 MW has produced by two hydro power plant in 2014. The programme has directly and indirectly generated new job opportunities in the area. By 2014, 258,388 hectares were distributed among poor farmers for agriculture. Even though, the project has planned to mitigate the frequent floods in the area, the settlers still suffer the problem. As a new trend tourism is becoming one of the major income source because of Udawalawa elephant orphanage and Udawalawa Wild Life Park. The study is based on primary and secondary data and information. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focused group discussions, field observations and key informant discussions. For collecting the primary data, Moraketiya Grama Niladari Division has selected and 50 families were interviewed. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyse techniques were applied.Item Socio-economic Impact of the Transformation Mechanical Technology in Paddy Cultivation of Sri Lanka(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Siriyalatha, D.K.P.; Sakalasooriya, N.This paper investigates the socio-economic impacts of mechanical technology transformation of paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of this transformation process and the new trends are also examined. In 1960s, first time of the history, machines has introduced under the green revolution for paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka. At present, the paddy farmers of Sri Lanka use many machines for paddy cultivation especially in major irrigation areas of Sri Lanka. The study is based on primary and secondary data and information. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focused group discussions, field observations and key informant discussions. Perakumpura Grama Niladari Division in Kawudulla Colony of Medirigiriya Divisional Secretariat Division in Polonnaruwa District was selected as the study area, and 50 farmers has been selected for sample survey. 05 focused group discussions were conducted to collect the qualitative data. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyse techniques were applied. The results of the study clearly shows that there no good change of professional paddy farmers but part time cultivators. Major advantage of these machines is high efficiency and it‟s save the time but it causes to create unemployability or underemploybilty in these rural areas. The major disadvantage of the transformation is collapsing the traditional cultural values of Hydraulic Civilization of Sri Lanka.Item Socio-economic Achievements and Stranded of Living Conditions of Lower Educated People in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Alpitiya, T.W.G.W.U.; Sakalasooriya, N.This paper examine the relationship between standard of living conditions and lower education of people. As per the education system of Sri Lanka, the primary education ends with General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level (GCE O/L) examination. The people who has failed the GCE O/L examination are considered as lower educated people in the study. This research reveals that there is close relationship between peoples‟ living standard and level of their education. The study is based on primary and secondary data and information. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, and key informant discussions. Four villages, Dombepola, Poonugala, Peelahena, Denawaka Waththa, of Kitulgala Education Zone in Kegalle District were selected as the study area, and 50 respondents has been selected for sample survey. The results of the study clearly shows that even though the lower educated people has satisfactory social conditions, their economic achievements is not satisfactory. Majority of them work for daily wages as labourers and others works in government and private sector with very low salaries. The majority of them settle in the government lands or their parents‟ land. Anyway they are not socially excluded. The major issue of the lower educated people is not having permanent livelihood.Item Progress of Post Disaster Management Process of Landslides in Sri Lanka: with Special Reference to Two Major Landslides in Budulla District(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Hennayaka, H.M.L.D.; Sakalasooriya, N.This paper investigates the progress of post disaster management process for the victims of landslides in Badulla District. According to the Disaster Management Policy of Sri Lanka, it is expected to recover the victims‟ life as soon as possible and adopt to normal life that they tasted at before the disaster. Thousands of victims of the landslides in Sri Lanka are disgusted by the slaw progress of recovery, and they are socially and economically excluded by this target less post disaster recovery process. On the 29th of October 2014, a major landslide occurred in Koslanda in the district of Badulla resulting in deaths and displacement of a plantation community. There were about 830 people who initially transferred to two evacuation centers in Koslanda Tamil School and Punagala Tamil School. Later they were moved to a safer location in Punagala. In the same year and the month, Rillpola landslide was occurred and 13 people died. There were 290 people in 60 families 290 who were evacuated to Weliwattha, and Katawaththa community centers. Meeriabedda-Koslanda landslide is occurred in Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat Division and Rilpola Landslide which is located in Haliela Divisional Secretariat Division in Badulla District has been selected for case studies which were occurred in two years ago. To find the answers for the research questions, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were applied. 40 families of the victims were selected as the sample and semi-structured questionnaire and semi structured focused group discussions and key informant discussions were conducted to collect the data and information. The results of the study has revealed that the victims of these two landslides are still in temporary camp sites and their present life is in more unsatisfactory condition than their previous life.