Volume 06 - 2014

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The 3D software based virtual environments constructed as an art beyond from the technology
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Gayani, K.D.C.
Today the television advertising is not just a marketing factor but also makes itself as combination of techniques, art, as well as effective persuasion element in consumerism era. In this competitive market it is astonishing that the faces of television advertising rapidly moving to capture various experiences of promoting products and persuade the mind of the consumer with the newness of attraction. In the age of digital, advertising moves to “virtual environments” as a new figure. This approach of technology has more access to emerge a perception in consumers mind, through the eye. Though this 3D software based virtual environments are utilized as an effective high-detail generated tool for advertising in the world, the definition of 3D environments still use as traditional advertising ways as past in Sri Lanka. Therefore the topic, “do the 3D software based virtual environments construct as an art beyond from technology”, is one of the contemporary issues that should be redefined in Sri Lankan society and industry. The main objective covered here is how to use the 3D software techniques within an artistic approach to constructing virtual environment of the advertisement. Three categorized TV advertisement’s environments of Architectural based, Natural Environment based and Liquid based forms of 3D settings were used to analyse the successes of visual output. The analysis consisted with the scientific research methodologies of content analysis and interviews. The success of virtual environment depends on live and realistic nature of the output visual of advertisement. The main purpose reviewed via this article, is a How 3D software based virtual environments construct as art beyond from its‟ technology that can be added highly detailed eye-pleasing surround inside of the advertisement’s visual performance that real world can do. To fulfil that performance, the requirement of 3D virtual environment needs to come originally from the product and advertising concept with a sensible definition and recognition of product, technology and art.
Decency movement (Sovaniya Andolan): timeless movement from Odisha, India
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Dash, B.B.
Odisha is a coastal state in the eastern part of India. Several pioneering movements have hitherto spread over Odisha through the eras and Decency Movement is one of them, which began in Odisha in 1962. From the last five decades, the movement continues with the mission to bring a blissful reform, to set up global peace in the society and to establish a decent world. This study tries to know the genesis of the movement, its objectives and activities, the process of mass mobilization and its institutionalization, and its need of the hour and acceptance. History gives an account of the mission of the movement, the nobility of the mission, and its timelessness. After bereavement of Kumar Bhai, the founder-leader, the movement still continues. This qualitative study is based on the historiography method. Going through the old records of the movement and diaries of Kumar Bhai, it is found that the very essence of decency movement i.e. Atma-Suddhi Sangha (Self-Purification Society) has slowed down and Sovaniya Sikshyashram (School of Decency) has been geared up.
Democratic system and good governance in Indian perspective
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Sharma, Anupam
Modern democratic system is the most appropriate system from the point of view of good governance. With reference to western democracies, it may be opined that they are very near the models of good governance, but in developing countries like India they are still far from the goal of good governance. Indian democratic structure of governance, which is the largest democracy of the world, achieved good level during the last six and half decades. People have got the right to participate in governance directly as well as indirectly, To make this goal more practicable, what steps are required at the administration level so that objective of good governance can be achieved. The objective of the paper is to ascertain as to the extent in which decentralization process has been realized to achieve the goal of good governance. In this perspective the hypothetical question is whether an effective administrative system is necessary for maximum participation of the common people. good governance? -Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations can play effective role for the realization of good governance? The above hypothetical questions have been examined in the Indian context. Indian democracy has been running successfully for the last 65 years continuously in the multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-ethnic society. In this context it has been observed that if decentralization process would take place properly the goal of good governance could be achieved which would help in achieving a good quality of life of the citizens in the country. The results of the study will help to achieve the goal of good governance in other countries especially in Asian perspective.
The effectiveness of the communication in community development projects implemented by the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Priyadarshanie, P.K.D.
Non-governmental organizations are based on interested groups of citizens, aiming at providing social services or implementing social policy. The post-colonial socio-economic situation in Sri Lanka created a conducive environment for NGOs, which was accelerated by the political, and subsequent economic changes in 1970s. Presently NGOs contribute significantly to the community development sector in Sri Lanka. NGOs work to improve living standards through community participatory processes, and use communication in all aspects of the project cycle. The objective of this research is to study the evolution of NGOs in Sri Lanka, the role of local and International NGOs in community development and assess the effectiveness of communication in community development projects. Two prominent NGOs, Sarvodaya and World Vision Sri Lanka were studied through participatory observations and interviews. Documentary programs and audio-visual material were evaluated. NGOs use effective communication in their community development projects. Local NGOs pioneer in this regard to international NGOs, as they plan communication in a more people-centered manner. They use conventional and modern media effectively, but the negligibly use social media. Communication strategies need to match the local context planned according to the intervention and target group. Use of communication methodology extracted from the community itself, is high in relevance and effectiveness. From the planning phase onwards, a parallel communication plan needs to be developed. In each phase of the project, different communication strategies such as inter-personal and group communication, participatory development communication, new and mass media etc. can be adapted.
Emerging Approaches of Technology for Teaching People with Special Needs
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Nawaz, Ali
Modern technology has performed a vital role for teaching people with special needs. There has been a significant effect on the learning of people with special needs with the use of modern technology. The integration of ICT with teacher training programs has been fruitful for the comprehension of people with special needs. The research has been conducted on the emerging approaches of technology to conclude the significant effect on the concept learning of the people with special needs. The people with special needs include the individual requirements (as for education) of a person with a disadvantaged background or a mental, emotional, or physical disability or a high risk of developing one. The nature of research is descriptive. The mixed method approach is used in conducting the research. The relevant documents were being analyzed to meet the objectives of the study. The study will be important for the researchers and academicians. The study will be fruitful for the curriculum developers and policy makers also. The study will be significant for the teacher trainers. The study will also be beneficial for the persons involved in the managing of workshops and training programs for people with special needs.
The End of the Cold War and the Emergence of Supra-nationalism in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Yaya, B.H.; Mala, B.
ECOWAS is a sub-regional integration organization in Africa, whose main objective is the market integration of its fifteen member states. The organization has suffered criticisms as a result of the poor implementation of its economic programmes. Since the end of The Cold War, ECOWAS problems were aggravated by security problems and political instability due largely to power vacuum and broken nests of the powerful blocks. Hence, the authority of heads of state and government of the ECOWAS were constrained to take on the challenges, thereby extending the mandate of ECOWAS to tackle security issues. Consequently, the organization has been growing in power and influence within the sub-region, thereby acquiring some supranational posture. For instance, in December 2010, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government threatened to take measures including the use of legitimate force to remove the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo for refusing to concede defeat at the Presidential elections and hand over power to the internationally acclaimed winner, Alhassane Dramane Ouatarra. This paper examines the global dynamics that are propelling this trend and explains the factors responsible for supranational authority of ECOWAS. Using qualitative data and analysis, the paper argues that the adoption, codification and implementation of international norms and neo-liberal precepts on democracy, good governance and human rights by ECOWAS since the end of the Cold War have enabled it to establish its supranational authority in West Africa.
Globalization, Gender and Governance in Irrigation: An Inquiry in to Preclusion of Women’s Participation in Tamil Nadu
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Dasthagir, K.G.
Globalization of Irrigation Management Transfer has brought institutional reforms to enhance the role of water users in the governance of bureaucratic irrigation systems in more than 60 countries of the world. Nevertheless, these new irrigation institutions have not really redefined rights which would make it more gender inclusive to enhance women’s participation in user organizations for water resources management. In the backdrop of primacy accorded by Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and irrigation management literature on the participation of women-farmers in water user associations as a precondition for the efficacy and sustainability of irrigation systems , this paper endeavours to analyse the impact of institutional reforms on gender participation in the governance of Sathanur Irrigation System with the following objectives: To examine membership and representation of women-farmers in Water User Associations and to explicate the relationship between heterogeneity among women-farmers and their participation in Participatory Irrigation Management. Premised on the perspective of post-structuralism that women do not constitute a single homogenous category’, this paper analyses membership, participation and representation of rural women in Water User Associations. While secondary data were drawn from the WRO election reports and Water User Associations records, primary data were gathered by means of a sample survey of women-farmers of Villupuram district adopting proportionate random sampling design. The survey data were analyzed with the help of SPSS package applying Chi-Square test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Analysis of secondary data elucidates the existence of gender gap in membership of Water User Associations in Sathanur irrigation system. The primary data brought evidences about the existence of heterogeneity among women in agrarian social structure. This research has also brought to light the differences among women members of Water User Associations in relation to their participation in cultivation and Participatory Irrigation Management. Thus, this paper demonstrates that gender insensitive legal framework in the absence of gender mainstreaming in water sector, is more likely to reproduce gender discrimination and reinforce women exclusion in PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT.
Impact of Development Strategies in Response to Globalisation on the Onge Tribal Society, Little Andaman Island, India
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Roy, Saswati
Globalisation generates a social identity crisis amongst the community residing in remote pockets complacent with nature and who does not have any interest in intermingling with the outskirt world. The tendency of the planners in order to sustain their immediate benefitting policies abstain them from thinking at the grass root level. One amongst the development strategies was the rehabilitation programme that was under taken in this island by settling refugees from mainland India and surplus Nicobarese from Car Nicobar Island. The present author after a precise survey on the present island, compiling the primary with the secondary data and relating with the past literature, has come through several disappointing observations. Such a study was carried out within the undemanding Onge community, residing in the Little Andaman Island of the Andaman Archipelago, in order to extract the impact of globalisation within their periphery. Development strategies in the tag of globalisation are unknowingly portraying a label of monotony by ignoring the latent values within the Onge’s diversified livelihood. Thus, the main objective was firstly to outline the imposed developmental policies in the several sectors of the Onge’s livelihood in the name of globalisation. Secondly, it was to find out the impact of those developmental strategies on the Onge community as a whole. The Onge tribal community as adhered to the nature for ages together has attained a deep essence of understanding the natural dynamics of their surroundings to make hunting and gathering their means of sustenance. Inculcation of foreign policies as sought after by the planners as an apostle of development has been weakening their community philosophies from its root. The author would like to intimate her humane suggestion to the planning systems to think before leaping into the issues of this sensitive tribal community.
The Influence of Adult Attachment Styles on Marital Satisfaction among Married Couples
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Vithanage, R.D.H.
Previous studies indicate a strong relationship between adult attachment styles and marital satisfaction. It is revealed that individuals with secure attachment style are the most satisfied with their marriage compared to those having an ambivalent or avoidant attachment style while individuals with ambivalent attachment style are the least satisfied with their married life. This study aims at studying the influence of attachment style on marital satisfaction among married couples in Sri Lanka. Since this area has not been studied in relation to the Sri Lankan context, this study looks into identifying the dynamics among Sri Lankan married couples. Based on the notions from the previous studies, it is hypothesized that there will be a positive correlation between secure attachment style and marital satisfaction while ambivalent attachment style would result in less marital satisfaction. Two separate questionnaires are administered to identify the attachment style and level of marital satisfaction of 68 married couples (N = 136) who have been married at least for one year. Adult attachment style is identified through Experience in Close Relationships Scale and marital satisfaction is measured by Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. The correlation between adult attachment style and one‟s level of marital satisfaction is analyzed for its statistical significance. Results indicate a positive correlation between secure attachment style and marital satisfaction. As hypothesized, ambivalently attached individuals reported the least marital satisfaction with an insignificant difference to the results of the previous studies. The findings will be useful to family therapists and marital counsellors to understand the expectations of partners in a marriage.
Looking at rural poverty and aid effectiveness through gender: a case of rural Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Rodrigo, Chatura
Sri Lanka is a middle income country with a gross domestic production of about $ 50 billion. The human development index places Sri Lanka at the 97th position. Gender Inequality Index (GII) rank Sri Lanka at 74. The Gini index has reduced from 46 in 1995 to 40.3 in 2007; however, the economic inequalities are severe among rural areas. There is a significant discrepancy between the gender in terms of economic opportunities and economic status. The majority of Sri Lanka‟s workforce resides in rural areas and is engaged in agricultural activities. A significant share of the agricultural production is still used for self-sufficiency. Economic performance and poverty are not evenly spread across the nine provinces in Sri Lanka and serious regional disparities exist. Despite the many interventions by donor community and the government, there is a growing debate on the effectiveness of these aids on reducing the poverty of the rural Sri Lanka and the disparities among male and female headed households. This study looked at Uva and North Central provinces where the poverty rates are extremely high while donor interventions on poverty reduction are high as well. Results have suggested that while the short term livelihood interventions have been successful the long term interventions have not created significant impacts in reducing the poverty. There are disparities among the women headed households in receiving the livelihood supports both short and long term. While male headed households are more successful in utilizing long term livelihood support to come out of poverty, female headed households have failed to do so.
Migration of agricultural labourers and its impact on the farming sector
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Gundappa; Dsouza, A.A.
Human beings keep on struggling for their food, shelter and other basic requirements since ages. They have a natural tendency of acquiring personal growth. Migration has been a general activity of human lives. Considers migration as a permanent or semi-permanent change of residence with no restriction the distance involved in the movement Lee broadly (1966). “It is not population that process on productivity power. It is productivity that process on population”. Karl marks and Engels. Since ancient times, human beings are migrating from one region to another region and from one place to another place for one or the other reason. During ancient days, the migration was influenced mainly by the geographical factors like atmosphere, soil fertility, natural vegetation etc. Internal conflicts, conflicts between religion and local wars. Casual and unskilled workers who move about systematically from one region to another off earning their services on a temporary, usually, seasonal, basis. These migrations have intensified after industrial revolution. Rampant migration has resulted in making metropolitan cities. Most migrant labourers have no reemployment rights, are usually unorganized in unions and have little systematic access to job seeking. Middlemen, job brokers, labour contractors and crew leaders arise out of this fundamental disorganization of the labour market. The fact that the unorganized migrant workers is “HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW” makes the regulation of his working and living conditions difficult. The term migration refers to the people’s movement from their native place to a new place perhaps permanently, temporarily or seasonal migrants. The labour market for migrant workers in agricultural in notable disorderly, partly, because such workers employment relationship is temporary. Thus, if region is taken as the basis, it may be international and internal migration. This paper enlightenes that unorganized agriculture labour facing problems socially, culturally and economically in Bangalore city.
North Korea's National Security Strategy and Its Impact on Development
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Dissanayake, B.S.
National security is of paramount importance for North Korea due to the continuous hostilities between North and South Korea and the external threats posed by other nations. The military tension between North and South Korea has increased significantly with the launch of North Korea’s third nuclear test in February 2013. North Korea has attempted to justify and legitimize its nuclearization process as a self-defense mechanism which is essential for national security. Even though national security is defined at three different levels: individual, the state, and the international system, in North Korea, individual level gains priority over the others since the regime maintenance of the Kims is considered to be a critical factor in the nation’s survival. North Korean aspiration for reunification, considered to be achievable partially by reducing U.S. influence on the Korean Peninsula, and its commitment to perpetuating the Kim family regime has remained unchanged since the nation‟s founding in 1948. But, the strategies to achieve the same have evolved significantly and resulted in its nuclearization process posing a security challenge for the United States and its allies. The objective of the study was to identify and assess different types of risks caused by North Korea’s national security strategy which will have an impact on the development of North Korea. Secondary data was used to identify the various risks. These risks were assessed using a risk assessment matrix. It was revealed that certain strategic measures such as the high resource allocation for defense activities are extremely high risks posing an adverse threat to the economic growth of North Korea. Several other high, moderate and low risks were also identified. Based on the findings of the risk identification and assessment process, it is evident that North Korea’s national goal of building a “Strong and Prosperous State” has become a challenge.
An Overview on Education and Gender Inequalities in Yunnan and Manipur
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Aveivey, D.
The rapid economic growth in China and India during the last two decades is unparalleled in modern history. However, this economic dividend accruing from the high growth was not evenly distributed among the people. These marginalized sections in these parts remain disgruntled to threaten to disturb the social-political stability, thereby posing a challenge to the leadership in Beijing and New Delhi. Having seen the inequalities in both the countries, I’m convinced to study the Yunnan province of Southwestern part of China and Manipur from Northeastern part of India, taking China and India to map the broad contours in comparing education and gender inequalities between the two provinces. Education is expected to play a significant role in bringing classes and groups together and promotes an egalitarian society. The government of both the countries also made an attempt to encourage female literacy, which has a direct impact on several socio-economic indicators for development. But in spite of all these efforts, education remains a huge gap to a vast section of society particularly the marginalized and girl child. The rate of enrolment may be negligible at primary level but as it goes to higher level the disparities or gap becomes wider. The rate of enrolment may be high at some level but this does not confirm the quality of education and the rate of retention at the end of the academic year especially in rural and mountainous region of both the provinces. Therefore, the present paper is intended to study the inequalities which prevail in Southwestern China and the Northeastern part of India. Stratification in society is normal and inevitable, and it functions to maintain stability in a given society. But the gap should not be too wide as the provinces are facing today. Rather we must thrive to reduce inequalities which are built into the system over the years.
Perceived Distress in College: Problem in Adjustment in a Social and Cultural Context
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Nakandalage, H.A.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.J.M.; Madurapperuma, B.D.
This study examines the psychological distress associated with socio-cultural/economical influences among first-year students of the University of Colombo during the 2009/2010 academic year. A self-administered questionnaire was adopted with two distinctive sections: 1) the General Health Questionnaire version 30 (GHQ - 30) for determination of distress levels and 2) pilot and validated questionnaire for gathering socio-economic, education pressures, and physical stress. Information was gathered from 156 university students (68% male and 32% female) of four faculties. Of the students, 49% had distress. Students in the Law faculty showed the highest distress (53%) followed by Medical (48%) and Arts and Science (47%) faculties. Male students had a higher level of distress than female students.The most influential factors for psychological distress among first-year students were permanent residence, mode of residence during university education, and family income. Students who were having more interactions with their peers had lower distress levels. Furthermore, our results suggested that the first-year students of the University of Colombo were mainly suffering from adjustment problems to the new environment. Pre-orientation, guidance and counseling programs could be utilized as preventive measures to reduce the upsurge of psychological distress. Expansion of hostel facilities and financial assistance for needy students would be better rehabilitative measures to improve the psychological environment in universities.
Perceived practices and attitudes of the Sri Lankan preschool children pertaining to environmental protection
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Pathirana, B.D.D.
Perceptions of the environment that young children acquire in their early childhood function as a base for their holistic development. Studies convey that if children do not develop a sense of respect and caring for the environment during their early years, they are at risk of never developing such attitudes later in life. Therefore, educators, primary caregivers of children and environmental proponents should address and assess the frequency, nature, and quality of child-environment interactions during early childhood. However, research studies carried out to investigate children’s sense of environmental protection is almost nonexistent in the Sri Lankan context. The present study explores the preschool children’s perceived practices and attitudes pertaining to environment protection using a two point pictorial rating scale (12 statements, 6 pairs). Participants were 34 preschool children, 12 boys (M = 3.91; S.D = .539) and 21 girls (M = 4.19; S.D = .602), from Colombo. The research was conducted, adhering to the ethical standards of test administration for young children. After listening to their preschool teacher instruction the children were requested to put stickers against the appropriate picture which indicated their preference. Results conveyed that the majority of the children have said that they do not leave the water running when they brush their teeth (28, 82.4%), love animals (31, 91.2%), like to play outside (23, 67.6%), pick trash (32, 94.1%), like to plant things (31, 91.2), turn the lights off when they leave a room (28, 82.4%). When children’s perceived practices and attitudes of the environment was calculated the scores ranged between 9 to 12 (M = 11.088; S.D = 0.996), conveying that the majority of the children have positive attitudes and perceived practices pertaining to environmental protection.
Private sector prospect on the adequacy of art graduates employability in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Weerasekara, C.
Enhancing the Employability skills of Arts graduates is considered as a means of overcoming the problem of unemployment among the Sri Lankan university community. The majority of the products of the universities today are recorded as Arts graduates and the employability rate of them is considered low. As a rising sector and a main performer of the labor market, today, the private sector is playing its role vastly through its contribution to the labor market demands. In this scenario, the private sector prefers graduates who are committed to work, able with effective communication, having a smart personality and are well-employable. The study was aimed to examine the problem of the adequacy of state university, internal Arts graduates employability in order to fulfil private sector job requirements via private sector employers prospects, considering their satisfaction level for employability assets towards Arts graduates. This was conducted to identify the private sector prospect towards Arts graduates employability based on their knowledge and skills acquired by the degree program. The study was quantitative in nature and used descriptive statistics, cross – tabulation for the data analysis. The sample was selected from Colombo district private companies. A concise conclusion of findings of the study reveals that, even though the private sector shows a positive response towards Arts graduates‟ employability, it is not up to the standards expected by the private sector. Especially, the adequate level of Arts graduates language skills, computer skills, and leadership skills, planning skills, independency and relevancy of knowledge required by employers are inadequate. Consequently, this inadequacy of employability will lead to raise the unemployment rate among the Arts graduates in the premier part of the labor market, the private sector.
Reflection of ‘access’ in ICT4D evaluation: The case of Nenasala telecenter initiative in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Jayashantha, D.L.C.; Raman, U.
As the world moves towards information society, countries started to extend access to information and communication technologies to their populations. Telecenters have been seen as an important means of bridging the digital divide; providing access to appropriate information required for social and economic development. Hence development of rural information kiosks has become increasingly popular development initiative, increasing in number worldwide. In Sri Lanka, e-Sri Lanka strategy, acknowledged affordable access to ICTs will ensure more effective, citizen centered and business friendly government, empowerment of the rural poor, women and youth. It envisioned a „community-based open access workstations‟ program called Nenasala, to ensure availability of affordable basic communication services, access to social services, e-commerce and mobilization of local knowledge. Evaluation work in the development sector has evolved through a revolutionary path, as a practice as well as profession. The taxonomy of evaluation is multipronged, can be seen categorized based on different perspectives, criterions, inputs used, and perhaps the phase of intervention being evaluated. But there is as yet no widely accepted systematic evaluation procedure for telecenter programs. No shortage of evaluative frameworks for ICT for Development, but, none is completely satisfactory for measuring access to ICTs. Therefore alternative evaluative frameworks are increasingly required or existing evaluative criterions should be redefined to cater to the specific requirements of telecenter initiatives, for instance to measure the extent to which beneficiary groups are effectively and meaningfully engaged with ICTs. This paper gives a brief overview on evaluation of development aid, and then moves on to discuss what is missing in evaluating „ICTs for Development‟ initiatives. While introducing the „Nenasala‟ telecenter initiative in Sri Lanka, it reviews the magnitude of reflection of access in three consecutive evaluations commissioned to study the telecenter program.
Religious Associations and Development in India: A Study of the Ramakrishna Mission
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Dutta, Sumedha
India has had a relatively long tradition of religious associations providing autonomous spaces of power, social and civic activism, which dates back to the birth of Buddhism and Jainism, followed by the medieval Bhakti and Sufi movements, through the plethora of socio-religious associations that had cropped up during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, until the ones that have emerged in the post-colonial era. Notwithstanding the fact that the fundamentalist and divisive politics of certain religious associations has led to several gory riots and the very partition of the country, many of them have played a pivotal role in ensuring that development remains inclusive, although, their role continues to be undermined in academic writings. Again, with the onset of the „LPG era‟ in India by the 1990s, that saw a roll back of the state mechanism, and the phenomenon of development taking a „participatory‟ turn following the 74th Amendment Act of the Indian Constitution, the gaps which evolved in service delivery are increasingly being filled up by civil society associations. In this context, the proposed paper seeks to analyze the contribution of one of the most prominent religious philanthropic associations in India, the Ramakrishna Mission, in the field of development. Using the purposive and snow ball sampling techniques, the study interrogates the members of the Ramakrishna Mission, apart from the beneficiaries of some of its projects and a few state officials, to elucidate as to how a „traditional‟ association negotiates its existence within the paradigm of a „modern‟, bureaucratic and „secular‟ state. The study observes that through its emphasis on Practical Vedanta, the Ramakrishna Mission has made colossal contributions in the field of education, health, relief work, rural and tribal development. In the ultimate analysis, the proposed paper compels one to rethink the relationship which religious associations share with the nebulous concepts of „development‟ on the one hand, and „civil society‟ on the other.
A study on the customer orientation of the Sri Lankan Banking Sector
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Abarajithan, J.W.; Abarajithan, A.N.
Organizations are studying their existing and potential customers when developing marketing strategies or programmes in order to assure that customers are satisfied comparatively better than they would be satisfied by their competitors. Therefore marketers have to be oriented with their customers to create value in the form of beneficiates or product. Narver and Slater (1990) describe customer orientation as the “seller has to understand who its potential customers are at present as well as who they may be in the future, what they want now as well as what they may want in the future, and what they perceive now as well as what they may perceive in the future as relevant satisfiers of their wants”. Thus the purpose of the customer orientation is to provide a solid basis of intelligence pertaining to present and potential competitors for executive actions. Meanwhile competition seems to be increasing in a rapid rate in every business; therefore, there is a need to understand their customers fully. The tough competitive environment is prevalent in the Sri Lankan banking sector too, since many new banks are entering into Sri Lankan banking sector; but so far no research has been conducted in Sri Lanka to examine the customers orientation of the Sri Lankan banking sector. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to analyze the customer orientation of the Sri Lankan banking sector and the research was limited to the Sri Lankan banking sector which consists of 22 commercial banks and 13 specialized banks. The researcher adopted quantitative methodology and used structured questionnaires for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS v.13.0 and evaluated as low, moderate, and high level influence of research variables on customer orientation in Sri Lankan banking sector such as Commitment to customers, Creating customer value, and Response to customers’ needs. Results showed that Sri Lankan banks are highly customer-oriented. Hence it can be concluded that Sri Lankan banks have to apply strong customer relationship managerial practices to add value to their customers.
Variation of Terms of Trade in Small farming Sector: with Special Reference to Paddy and Vegetables Cultivation in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Henegedara, G.M.
Decline market prices of paddy and vegetables relative to prices of consumer food items and fertilizer inputs become a core factor of losing farm income of small farmers in Sri Lanka. Though the dropping farm income is a common problem in many agricultural countries, its impact is very crucial for a small country like Sri Lanka where nearly 30 percent of labour force is occupying in agricultural activities. Though all the successive governments in Sri Lanka have implemented various policies in this regard, still declining prices of food crops were greatly influenced to reduce farm income and subsequent it was affected for food security and public welfare of the country. Therefore, the main objective of the paper is to review factors influenced in changing TOT of small farming sector and assessing its impact on the economy. The paper was based on deductive method and used both primary and secondary sources of information. Price variations of farm products and consumer food items were measured by calculating parity ratios of respective commodities and accordingly it found that, values of Terms of trade (TOT)) of paddy and vegetable farming has been deteriorated continually in Sri Lanka, compared to imported food items and farm inputs. Thus farmers have to pay nearly 2 kilo of paddy for purchasing a one pound of bread in 2012 instead one kilo in 1984. Required paddy amount for receiving one kilo of sugar has fluctuated between 3.53 in 1999 and 3.57 in 2012. The required paddy amount for receiving one kilo of fertilizer has increased from 0.95 in 1984 to 1.65 in 2005. Similarly though farm gate prices of vegetables were also fluctuated throughout the year, the deterioration of TOT of vegetables farming is not significant as paddy farming since occasional price fluctuations were able to offset the price increases of consumer items and farm inputs. It shows that both demand and supply factors were influenced for deteriorating terms of trade of farm outputs. The demand factors were related to disposal income and substitute products while the supply factors were related with increase cost of production, matters related to crop planning, crop management and marketing. Finally it suggests some policy recommendations that required for protecting small producers in food crop sector.