International Conference on Sri Lanka Studies (ICSLS)

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The ABC of Reciprocal Learning at the Post Graduate Level: The Co-learning Experience of Sri Lankans at one University in Australia
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Fitzsimmons, P.
This paper discusses the experience of one cohort of Sri Lankan academics as they undertook a masters programme in an education faculty at one Australian university. As part of World Bank project, several groups of Sri Lankan academics passed through the university where this project took place during the late 1990s. This paper focuses on the second group where the author of this paper took control over their initial research methods class and became the acting director of the programme. Using the reflective journaling processes involved in autoethnography (Ellis 1999), and the hermeneutic processes of interviews arising from van Manen’s (1990) ‘pedagogical thoughtfulness’ this paper details how this group of academics coped with what Green and Lee called (1999), the ‘intense engagement of study’ involved in the nexus of post-graduate research and study. Already possessing post-graduate degrees, the group undertook this programme with the high degree of focus that would appear to typify overseas students studying in first world countries (Zhao, Kuh and Carinin 2005). However, while initially appearing to have the collective traits of being novices in a realm of gurus (Brown and Atkins 1998), this cohort revealed that not possessing English as a first language or critical thinking were not the basic impediments that are often discussed in academic journals (Cadman 2000, Silverin 2001). This paper details the characteristics that allowed this cohort to negate these first world perceptions entirely and overcome what (Biggs 2001) calls ‘cultural colonialism’.
Abuse Potentials of the University Students
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Weliange, W.S.; Kularatne, M.G.
Lack of facilities for various extra-curricular activities for all the students in the university community is one of the major reasons for student unrest in Sri Lanka. According to the investigation carried out in 1988, 20% and 80% students involved in competitive and non-competitive extra-curricular activities respectively, before they enter the university. 75% and 23% students expect jobs in the government sector and private sector respectively, only 5% prefers self-employment. Sports and aesthetic activities are most important for the well-being of the body and the mind. Involvement in different kinds of extra-curricular activities and continuation of activities that they have been doing since their childhood would probably help students 1) learn more about various challenges; 2) meet different people from prospective job markets and interests; 3) for capacity building; 4) in imagining about future prospective jobs; 5) develop the self-confident in facing the private sector and involve in self-employment. Therefore, the university education system should be reformed in a productive way to produce better graduates who can face any challenging situation in the country. Therefore, university as a learning organization should improve various activities to develop active participation of students in developing their skills in addition to academic activities. Thus, ongoing research should be carried out encompassing extra- curricular activities of the students in order to enhance active participation in the university environment.
Agriculture Sector in Sri Lanka Fifty Years after Western Colonization: Impacts, Trends and Future Perspectives
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Mudalige, U.J.; Somarathne, M.
Until western colonial powers impacted on Sri Lanka about five hundred years ago, it was considered as a subsistence agriculture-based economy with paddy as the major agricultural crop. The structure of the agricultural sector has, however, been changed during the period of colonization (1510 – 1948) and afterwards, i.e. post-colonization (1948 to date) with the introduction of plantation crops and severe structural changes took place in other sectors relatively faster that contribute much to the overall production, employment, and trade etc. in the country. The purpose of this study was to examine empirically the impact of so-called changes occurred in the agricultural and other sectors under the western colonial powers, especially under the British rule (1815 – 1948), on the overall national development of the country in the post-colonization era. It used the hypotheses made by Myint (1977) to develop the empirical model for analysis, i.e., agriculture sector of a country can promote its economic development by five distinct ways: (1) increasing the supply of food available for domestic consumption (food security); (2) releasing its labour for industrial development; (3) enlarging the size of the domestic market for the industrial sector; (4) increasing the supply of domestic savings from agriculture, and (5) providing the foreign exchange earned by agricultural exports. Using the secondary data for the period covering 1970 to 2003, a multiple regression analysis was carried out with appropriate variables to express these phenomena. The results suggest that there exists a significant impact of these factors on overall economic development of the country, especially in the areas of household food security, labor mobility, capital formulation, and marketing and trade of agricultural products. The results suggest that although the relative contribution of agriculture sector to overall economic development has been reduced over time, it is imperative to taking into account these trends and impacts that take place in agricultural sector extensively in the processes of developing appropriate policies, as it is the most sensitive sector in terms of the political economy of the country.
Alternatives to Power Crisis: Economics of Two Dendropower Plants in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Chaturika, G.D.P.N.; Gunawardena, U.A.D.P.
Dendropower is a variety of thermal power generated using fuel wood as the raw material for producing thermal energy or electricity as the final output. Dendropower can be proposed as an option to the existing power crisis in Sri Lanka. However, proper economic analysis of dendropower plant has not yet been carried out hindering the replication of such projects. The present study evaluates the viability of two selected dendropower plants in Sri Lanka using Cost Benefit Analysis. Data collection was done by questionnaire surveys, personal communication and with the use of secondary data sources. A power plant with a capacity of 5kW was operated under the management of a Community Based Organization in an off grid area in Moneragala district (Case1) and a power plant with a capacity of 3.5kW operated was under a private ownership in a high yielding coconut estate which were selected as two study sites. Both power plants produce electricity by gasification and internal combustion engine technologies using in-situ grown Gliricidia sepium sticks. The major costs of both projects were initial costs of power plant installation, operational and maintenance costs. The major benefits of case 1 were crop protection from wild animals and electricity benefit and major benefits of case 2 were fertilizer substitution benefit from gliricidia leaves and electricity benefit. For the calculations, it was assumed that the net carbon dioxide emission was close to zero at both sites. According to the results, case 1 is viable with a NPV of Rs.- 1,195,777.42 and the case two is viable with a positive NPV of Rs. 1,063,459.94 at 10% discount rate for 20 year period of time. Both cases are viable from the economic point of view even with a 10% increase of total cost and a 10% reduction in total benefits. The study recommends that the dendropower plants are viable ventures from economic point of view where enough lands are available to grow sustainably grown fuel wood.
An Analysis of the Prevailing Statistics Education in Sri Lanka and Feasible Solutions to Uplift it
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Wickramasinghe, R.I.P.; Indralingm, M.
Teaching statistics has not been an easy task in comparison with other disciplines. This is the common complain made by most of the teachers at all levels who teach statistics in Sri Lanka. Though the situation is such, it seems that no concrete steps have been taken to change the acute situation. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to analyze the prevailing difficulties in statistics education in Sri Lanka and to find feasible solutions to improve the situation to a higher level. As the entire statistics education is a broad one, and the preliminary statistics education has a direct impact on other levels of statistics education, in this paper the attention is given to discuss the preliminary statistics education in Sri Lanka. The initial attempt is to discuss and analyze the ongoing statistics education system in Sri Lanka. Those colonial methods of teaching that does not improve the level of the statistics education are also identified. The next step is to identify some strategies that are affordable as well as feasible. The aim of these new strategies is to create active teaching and active learning participation which cannot be seen in the colonial statistics education system. Non-technological strategies and new technological strategies are discussed and suitable arrangements are made to alter those technological strategies to suit Sri Lankan education system. Among the new technological strategies, an attention is given to introduce web media, multimedia and other techniques such as computer animations in this teaching process. In addition to those solutions, it is also suggested to eliminate the language barrier which is a one of the main obstacle to improve the level of statistics education in Sri Lanka.
An Anthropological Analysis on the Present Face of Ancient Hydraulic Civilization in Sri Lanka: With Special Reference to the Socio Economic and Cultural Study on Kapirikgama Cascade of North Central Province
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Perera, S.; Jayatilleke, Y.D.; Jayasiri, J.
A special feature of the Sinhala civilization of ancient Sri Lanka was its irrigation network. The purpose of this system was to impound the water in a reservoir during the rainy season and release it through channels to the rice fields during the dry season. The lands thus brought under rice civilization covered the whole of the vast plains of Rajarata, the realm of the earliest rulers of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva that lasted from the latter half of the first millennium B. C. to the thirteenth century A.D. (Seneviratna 2002: 13). The present study of the ancient irrigation work is limited to the on going situation of the Kapirikgama cascade in North Central province of Sri Lanka. Present government (2004) has been paid its attention to the ancient Sri Lankan grandeur which has been lost from the captive of colonial rulers from 1505. This situation had become more worst under the British rulers (1796). However the Government (2004) has begun a massive irrigation project to reconstruct ten thousand damaged and devastated reservoirs which spread all over the country. Under this project we conduct a socio- economic and cultural research in Kaprikgama cascade during the month of March 2005. Kaprikgama cascade is consisting of three ‘gramaseva’ divisions which named Kaprikgama, Peenagama and Konakumbukwewa. There are more than twenty reservoirs available in the Kaprikgama cascade. Basically we collected two kinds of data named quantitative and qualitative. Through a questionnaire we gathered quantitative data. By using of interview method we able to collect ample of qualitative data. Thereby we explore various socio-economic and cultural aspects of the rural people in the area and also the culture and beliefs which pertaining to the reservoirs of the Kaprikgama cascade of North Central province in Sri Lanka.
Archaeology: The Three Savants in the Field of Sri Lankan Buddhist Monastic Architecture
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Gunawardhana, P.
The Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya was established in 1979. Serving the department were three Professors, namely Abhaya Ariyasinghe, Senake Bandaranayake and H.T Basnayake, serving at different times, whose contributions have received national and international acclaim. There is no doubt that we can class them as savants in the field of archaeology. Architectural remains of Buddhist monasteries, in terms of size and number, constitute the most significant branch of archaeology. The specialization area or the doctoral research of these Professors was Buddhist monasticism in Sri Lanka. This paper is intended to examine the approaches of these Professors in the field of Buddhist monastic architecture. It can be seen that there are two approaches to the study, the first is a historical approach and the second is a social approach. Abhaya Ariyasinghe and H. T. Basnayake attempted to recognize a considerable number of details pertaining to particulars of monastic units as mentioned in the ancient chronicles. The publication of all existing remains of Buddhist monasteries under architecture would be a valuable record in order to study the historical context of the subject. Therefore, it can be said that Ariyasinghe and Basnayake developed the forms and concepts in the context of the historical approach (Gunawardhana, 2003). However, the decade of 1970 marks a turning point when there were two significant lines of development in archaeology (Trigger, 1989). First, the critical analysis of literary sources and inscriptional evidence that constituted the initial framework. Secondly, the research components as initiated by other disciplines of theoretical studies and other analytical methods in examining the Buddhist monasteries. The scholar who has engaged himself in Buddhist monastic scholarship in systematically analyzing the various types of these institutions, the individual building units and the theoretical framework of the monasteries is Senake Bandaranayake, who developed the social approach.
ASEAN 5 founding nations and SAARC nations: A comparison
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Jayanthakumaran, K.
This paper intends to compare intra-ASEAN’s (of the 5 founding nations) exports and income with intra-SAARC’s (of the 7 founding nations) performance. Intra- ASEAN’s three different historical policy interventions are: the introduction of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 1977, the unilateral liberalization following the severe recession of the mid-1980s and the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) formation in 1992. Intra- SAARC’s three different historical policy interventions are: the adoption of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985, the introduction of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Preferential Trading Agreement (SAPTA) in 1995 and the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) formation in 2004. Findings indicate that the ASEAN-5 countries’ economies are moving together through time and emerged as a powerful integrated area as a consequence of all of the above three interventions, but not those of SAARC member countries.
Aspects of intercultural communication in Foreign Language Teaching in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Premawardhena, N.S.
Foreign language teaching in the present day strives to promote an intercultural approach to language teaching in order to create an awareness of the interplay between language and culture. It is noteworthy that there is a remarkable increase in the demand for learning foreign languages in Sri Lanka. Among the most sought after languages are Japanese, Hindi, French and German followed by Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Italian and Russian. Albeit the teaching methodology adopted by each language may vary, the aim of all learners is to acquire competency in the target language in the shortest possible time. This paper attempts to discuss the importance and effectiveness of integrating intercultural communication to foreign language teaching in Sri Lanka, examining the conditions, opportunities and limitations in an intercultural approach to teaching foreign languages. Further, this paper examines how one’s own cultural background influences language learning ability with examples drawn from Sinhala native speakers. Since the introduction of the communicative competence approach to foreign language teaching a few decades ago, the attention has shifted from imparting purely linguistic skills to the much broader field of teaching a language within its socio-cultural dimensions. The latest theories in this discipline emphasise the need to expose learners to all socio-linguistic variants of the target language virtually from the very first lesson. However, since by definition, foreign language teaching takes place outside the target-language speech community, learning confined to the classroom environment offer students less opportunities to practice the different linguistic registers with native speakers. The greater the geographic distance between the speech communities, the more difficult the task becomes. An understanding of one’s own language and culture is required to observe similarities and differences in the target language. Thus intercultural communication also helps learners to increase an awareness of their own culture. However, data collected from teachers and students of foreign languages in Sri Lanka, do not reflect a significant awareness among the teachers of the effectiveness of integrating intercultural communication in foreign language teaching. It is expected that an understanding of the intercultural barriers in language teaching would contribute to minimizing the learning difficulties of students of foreign languages in Sri Lanka.
Assessment of innovative business opportunities and models to serve aging population in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Pathiratna, L.P.S.M.; Dasanayake, S.
In year 2040, Sri Lanka will have a 36 per cent of old age dependants in their total population. However, these changes in age structure have some important implications and repercussions; which can either be favourable or unfavourable on the Sri Lankan economy and society. However, in Sri Lanka there are very limited research findings related to aging studies except those from population statistics. Therefore, it was felt necessary an in-depth investigation to identify the specific goods and services the aging population demands in the Sri Lankan context. A major assumption of the research was that the existing mechanisms were not sufficient to serve the growing proportion of the aging population in Sri Lanka without the active involvement of both the government and the private sector, through innovative business models. The survey method, with sufficient brainstorming discussions were practiced to acquire sufficient data to analyse the real needs, wants and demands of the aging population of the Greater Colombo area of Sri Lanka. Population was the Greater Colombo aging population. Sample size of the study was 100 respondents, entrepreneurs and service providers. Data analysis was completed by using SPSS package. Analytical findings of this research clearly indicate that in Sri Lanka there aren’t sufficient mechanisms to serve aging populations using innovative business models. Further, the involvement of the business sector is also limited to serve the aging population. This is due to high business risk and minimum government support to develop suitable infrastructure to serve the aging population. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that government policies be formulated to promote the private sector to serve the aging population of Sri Lanka using innovative business models. Moreover, it is recommended that to implement joint efforts by the government and the private sector to serve the aging population in Sri Lanka and this would lead to create win-win situation for both the business sector and the aging population of Sri Lanka.
Audience Acculturation as an Organizational Control Strategy: Transferability of Japanese Management Practices to Sri Lankan Workers: Case Study of Harness Lanka Ltd
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Rathnasiri, C.; Pallewatta, R.
This paper aims to examine the role of culture building process of an organization and its influence on the effectiveness in establishing desired organizational controls. It further highlights the function of organizational culture ’alien’ or ‘indigenous’ in effecting behavioural control in employees with a view to achieving common goals of the organization. The acculturation or ‘training on culture’ is significant as this phenomenon is studied in the context of Japanese management culture prevalent in the organization that supplies a high security component to a leading supplier, to Toyota Corporation Management controls refer to sum total of all formal and informal arrangements designed to monitor and direct current actions of organizational participants directed at achieving organizational objectives. Control mechanisms in organizations are instrumental in motivating, monitoring, measuring, the sanctions and actions of managers and employees (Macikntosh, 1994). They include formal apparent mechanisms and informal intangible mechanisms. Formal ones are management structure, operational controls, reward systems, budgeting, standard operating rules and procedures, strategic planning system, etc. Informal mechanisms are leadership and organization culture. The control techniques and procedures are outputs of leader’s control orientation and the specific organizational culture (Hopper and Mackintosh, 1993). This research in the form of a case study with grounded theory approach illustrates the culture building mechanisms and the control function of culture. The research site is a Board of Investment approved export-oriented Japanese investment managed by a Sri Lankan CEO whose culture blinding initiatives are phenomenal. It has been vividly illustrated as to how elements of trust, self – control and voluntary control of employees ensure superior performance. The product that is produced is unique as it requires extra effort of diligence and gilt-edged precision. While maintaining these requirements, the employees are able to achieve performance targets easily. The management structure is also unique - CEO and workers, no managers are found in the hierarchy. This facilitates the CEO’s direct involvement in building the culture that regulates behaviour of employees in the desired direction. It is also evident that transferability of Japanese management elements has been quite successful. In summary, the case provides a sound illustration about the importance of acculturation process and the instrumentality of organizational culture in effecting management controls.
Autoregressive Modelling Approach to Forecasting Paddy Yield
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Cooray, T.M.J.A.
This study was carried out to evaluate the alternative univariate time series modelling approaches for main agricultural output in Sri Lanka. For the purpose of the study total production of paddy were used. Those values were obtained from the Annual Bulletin, published by Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Box-Jenkins ARIMA methodology is used to assess Autoregressive model presented in this research. In order to compare how well implementations of the two techniques work, these methods were applied to forecast three values (last three) of each fitted model. Forecast errors were used to assess mean error (ME) and mean of the absolute percentage error (MAPE) from each data series. Those MAPE values are 11% and 6% corresponding to the ARIMA modelling and Auto Regression Approach respectively. It can be considered that autoregression method can play an important role of time series modelling; especially it is a useful method to assess an appropriate model if the original series do not show seasonality or no strong evidence for stationary.
Budgetary Participation and Managerial Performance of Functional Managers in Sri Lankan Manufacturing Companies: An Empirical Study
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Lalani, P.
Though participation in budgeting has been the most widely studied issue in management accounting research in the world, it seems that none of the research in Sri Lanka has attempted to look into this issue. Several studies have investigated the relationship between budgetary participation and managerial performance (Brownell & McInnes 1986, Brownell 1981, Milani 1975, Kenis 1979); however, the exact nature of the relationship remains unclear, as the results reported by previous studies have been inclusive and contradictory. Therefore, this study is an attempt to concentrate on behavioural aspects of budget setting in Sri Lanka. The study examines the functional manager’s participation in budget setting and its effect on their motivation and job relevant information, especially on their managerial performance. Conceptual framework and research hypotheses are developed from related findings in research in accounting and organizational behaviour. Expectations in the conceptual framework are explored and hypotheses are tested with data gathered from 43 managers in manufacturing firms. Structured questionnaire was the basic method of data collection supported by the follow up interviews with selected number of respondents. Data is analyzed by using univariate analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and path analysis. The empirical results prove some research hypotheses and do not accept the conceptual framework. The study reveals that there is no direct or indirect effect of budgetary participation on managerial performance. That shows inefficiency of budgetary participation of the functional managers in manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka. However, the study concludes that the budgetary participation directly related with participant’s motivation and with their job relevant information.
The Case of Sri Lankan Fisheries Sector: Case Study Based on Selected Rural Fishing Areas and the Institutions Involved in Fisheries Sector
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Perera, L.B.; Dasanayaka, S.W.S.B.
Sri Lankan fisheries sector contributed nearly 2.5 per cent to the country's national income which is a marginal increase by 0.6 compared to the GDP of negative 6.1% in 2003. Through out the Sri Lankan coastal line there are about 175,000 fishermen actively engaged in fishing industry, providing nutritious food, which comprises 57% of total animal protein (NARA 1998) consumed by the Sri Lankan. In the current context the fisheries sector is faced with a greater challenge for it has lost almost 80% of its material resources. Over 24,000 boats were destroyed and generally hundred of small businesses and entrepreneurs were badly affected through damage to property, premises, stocks, machinery as well as employees who were displaced, injured or perished. Apart from the tsunami catastrophe there are other burdensome issues such as technological gap, improper management in all types of activities, economic recession, political changes, cultural and attitude changes pertaining to the fisheries sector. It is clear that the fisheries sector is faced with new global challenges to uplift the livelihood of the devastated fishermen back to normalcy whilst increasing the level of its operations. Therefore, the research has been carried out to identify the appropriate technology and the key stakeholders of the fisheries sector to introduce a new framework with following objectives; Ascertain the history of technological development in Sri Lankan fisheries sector; develop a framework by integrating key stakeholders to eradicate poverty through technology in fisheries sector; identify future technology development directions in the fisheries with respect to ICT usage and find solutions to eradicate poverty through technology to improve the fisheries sector. The data collection was mainly based on interviews conducted in NARA, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the questionnaire based interviews were done in rural fishing villages in Hambantota district. The research work enabled the identification of prevailing technology gaps in the Sri Lankan fisheries sector in comparison to the local and global best practices. Further, an investigation has been carried out to identify integration of key stakeholders to have smooth resource flow. Based on identified reasons, several strategies in overcoming the poverty of rural fishermen and conceptualized framework have been suggested.
Challenges Faced by the Sri Lanka Army on Implementing International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Herath, I.H.M.N.N.
Ancient rulers respected the ‘laws of war’ ensuring protection, treatment and wellbeing of captured combatants and people. Soldiers fought wars while farmers sowing their paddy fields. During the 2nd century BC King Dutugamunu and King Elara decided to fight each other to decide the victory of war, preventing suffering of mankind. Even after the death of King Elara, King Dutugamunu had given due respect to King Elara. But due to the complicity of the present day operations and weapon system human rights and humanitarian law violations have increased. The last few years saw internationally significant progress towards an international system of justice available to prosecute the war crimes and human rights violations. United Nations imposed economical sanctions on countries, which violate human rights and international humanitarian law. The international community has also shown renewed willingness to deploy troops to stop crimes against humanity. Due to present ongoing conflict, human rights and humanitarian law violations by Sri Lankan Army was highlighted among international community. In the light of rapid globalisation, no country could withstand as single entity. In this context it is worthwhile to study and analyse how this problem could be overcome.
Changes in the Trade Policy Regime in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Tennakoon, U.A.
Sri Lanka has experienced a series of changes in its trade policy regime. The objective of this paper is to examine the changes of the Sri Lanka’s trade policy regime since the independence in 1948. At independence, Sri Lanka had relatively low import duties which were imposed mainly for revenue reasons and applied to a wide range of goods. However, from 1960 onwards, along with the inward-oriented development strategy based on the import substitution policy, both tariff and non-tariff barriers were extensively used to control imports for balance of payment reasons, as well as to protect domestic economic activities and industrial enterprises. These trade policies had adverse implications on overall economic growth of the country. The first break through towards trade liberalization in Sri Lanka began in 1977, when the country embarked on a series of economic reforms with the aim of switching from inward-oriented policies to outwardoriented policies. Trade policy reform was the key element of this policy package. Since then Sri Lanka’s external trade policy continued to focus on achieving a liberalized trade regime by rationalizing and simplifying the tariff structure, while progressively reducing quantitative restrictions. At the same time, measures were taken to liberalize the rigidities related to the exchange rate, finance and banking to provide the macroeconomic background for the success of trade liberalization.
Changes of Shoreline in Western Coast in Sri Lanka from 1935 to 2005
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Amarasinghe, A.G.
Changes in shoreline, vertically and horizontally relatively to mean sea level, are natural and continuous processes. Shoreline can change spatially and temporally altering the physical features of the coastal zone. This process can disturb the equilibrium of the coastal environment, which is recognized as delicate, sensitive and having highest biodiversity. On the other hand, shoreline change creates economic and social problems due to destruction of the land and properties of the shoreline. In order to monitor the changes of the coastal environment and economy, the rate of the shoreline change should be identified quantitatively. The prime objective of this study is to quantify the shoreline change in the South West coastal zone in Sri Lanka with the help of available large-scale maps and field data. Oldest large-scale maps that depict the shoreline is available at the Railway Department of Sri Lanka, which were drawn in 1933 for the purpose of making plan for the railway track. Map interpretation techniques, Geographical Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and basic statistical methods are to be employed in analyzing data and presenting the results.
Changing Consumer Preferences and Urban Buyer Behaviour: The Case of Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Vishvanathan, D.; Karunaratne, H.D.
According to the recent Consumer Finances and Socio-Economic Survey 2003/2004 conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the behavioural patterns of urban consumer have drastically changed during the past two decades. This study attempts to identify the reasons behind this phenomenon. By reviewing of literature and holding discussions with experts, it was identified that the changing consumer preferences are the product of interaction among consumer-related variables, product-related variables and motives of food demand. In order to obtain the necessary facts about emerging patterns of consumer preferences, data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The study analysed the changes in family consumption patterns in Sri Lanka and the socio-economic characteristics and income and expenditure patterns of urban shoppers. A strong relationship was identified between the two variables, emerging consumer preferences patterns and variables influencing product selection and place of shopping. There were a few prominent findings in this regard, namely (i) consumers shop at supermarkets because of the ability to get most of the weekly requirements by shopping done under one roof; (ii) most consumers consider quality, choice of goods and convenience of shopping over the traditional factors like price in making a purchase decision; and (iii) consumers who spend more on grocery items tend to use supermarkets. It was also revealed that the rapid growth of supermarkets also influences the emerging patterns of consumer preferences.
Characteristics of Undergraduates Who Frequently Consult University Medical Officers, and Workload Generated by them
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Jayatissa, J.
Health of undergraduates, both physical and mental, is an important prerequisite to academic and personal development. In Srilanka, National Universities provide primary medical care to all internal students free of charge. As expected, students with suffering from chronic ailments such as asthma, eczema (recurrent skin rashes) have to consult frequently. However, it has been observed that some students with minor self-limiting ailments, consult University Medical Officers (UMOs) very frequently. In a telephone survey of 10 university medical officers 8 stated that they find it difficult to cope with the workload; students who consult frequently add substantially to the workload, and they are a considerable source of stress to them. Aim of this prospective case control study is to assess the effect of frequent consultations on workload of UMOs, and to determine physical, psychological, sociodemographic and academic aspects of students who consult frequently (frequent consulters).Instruments used for data collection were a self-administered questionnaire for socio-demographic data, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) to assess psychological disturbance among the cases and controls, an encounter form to record findings of index consultations, and the students’ medical records. The top 10 % of consulters during the previous year were considered as frequent consulters (164 cases), and the others less frequent consulters (164 controls). At the first consultation (index consultation), during the study period of 6 months data was collected. Chi square was used to assess association between characteristics of frequent consulters and consultation frequency, and multiple logistic regressions was carried out to remove confounding effect of predictor variables. Significant associations with frequent consultation were being a first year student (OR=1.99); being away from home; cannabis use (OR=4.86); loss of love relationship (OR=3.38); being in employment while studying (OR=3.68); not practicing self care (OR= 3.59) having a chronic illness (OR=3.59); high score on the GHQ (OR=4.04). Frequent consulters contribute to 30% of UMOs, workload. Only 10% of frequent consulters suffered from chronic ailments which need frequent consultations. Apart from chronic diseases and psychological distress, there are other factors that account for frequent consultations unique to these young adults such as drug abuse, loss of love relationship.
A Clash of Cultures - A Comparative Analysis of Portuguese, Dutch and British Burgherdom in Sri Lanka and Australia
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Rabot, M.
The expansion and impact of Western colonization saw the dominance of Portugal in the East during the 16th century. Portuguese occupation and colonization of the maritime provinces of Sri Lanka in 1505, resulted in a ‘Clash Of Cultures’- European versus Asian in every sense of the political, social, religious, language, cultural and economic spectrum. However, Portugal’s policy of colonization resulted in miscegenation and produced ‘mixed breeds’ of races in their occupied colonies. Sri Lanka was no exception. Over time, the Dutch merchant investors from Holland attained sea bourne power domination and defeated the Portuguese in the East, taking over the monopoly of the spice trade. In the process, they re-defined Dutch colonial policy and identity, which saw the emergence of Ceylonese Dutch Burgherdom in Sri Lanka. When the Dutch capitulated to the British in 1796, it was an era that marked a watershed in Dutch Burgher ethnic identity and reconstruction of identity, which became largely British cultural identification by race. After1945, the immigration to Australia of Ceylonese Dutch-British Burghers who had formed a ‘colonial elite’ in Ceylon is largely a post-Second World War phenomenon. Almost all of this entire ethnic group removed themselves from Ceylonese society in just over two decades to settle in other Commonwealth countries, principally Australia, England and Canada. However, the major part of the ethnic community came to Australia, particularly to Victoria, and more specifically to Melbourne. This city location was the focal point, where between 50-60 % of Dutch Burgher migrants settled permanently. It is with this group that the paper is concerned. The paper will also address the experiences of an ex-colonial elite, now living in multi-cultural Australian society, without the patronage or protection of a colonial power. The question of a distinct identity and a changing ethnic identity will also be considered within the context of Anglo- Australian society. Some aspects of Ceylonese Dutch Burgherdom and contributions to Australian and also Sri Lankan society will be highlighted. Finally, the paper will analyse the Sri Lankan aspects of the Burghers left behind and their interpretation and re-construction of Burgher identity, after the ‘Diaspora’ to Australia post -1945.