UoK Repository

Hosted by UoK@ICTC

Communities in DSpace

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 15

Recent Submissions

Therapeutic values of traditional healing rituals of Sri Lanka
(2025) Dona, L. M. K.
Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia renowned for its centuries-old traditional healing rituals which promote both individual and community well-being. These practices can be broadly categorized into two types: small-scale indoor practices and large-scale outdoor practices. Rooted in oral traditions, they are deeply embedded in cultural beliefs, indigenous healing methods, and an ecological understanding of nature, all aimed at addressing both personal and communal needs. Due to modernization and urbanization, these rituals are now primarily practiced in remote areas and are rarely seen as a form of exhibition in urban settings across the island. However, their therapeutic value is increasingly recognized and respected by contemporary society. This paper is based on two decades of empirical research, employing qualitative methodologies to examine selected large-scale outdoor rituals. It explores the cultural elements, indigenous healing methods, and artistic expressions interwoven in these rituals, emphasizing their therapeutic significance through the lenses of community music therapy and medical ethnomusicology.
Fostering Inter-cultural Understanding through Translations: A Study of Japanese Literary Translations into Sinhala
(2025) Lokugamage, S.; de Silva, U. I.
Literary translations can directly cater to sustainable development by fostering intercultural understanding, tolerance, mutual respect and the cultural diversity of the speakers of both the source language and the target language. Intercultural understanding is a powerful means of promoting multiple SDGs like Quality Education (SDG4), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG16) and Partnership for the Goals (SDG17) by advocating collaboration, inclusion in diversity. Global partnerships could be strengthened through various ways and literature is an incomparably effective and sophisticated medium to cultivate such understanding. Translating vocabulary and concepts specific to a certain culture or ethnic group is never an easy task as it involves deep knowledge and understanding of the source language as well as techniques of expressing it in the target language. How to translate cultural aspects of the source language without disturbing the natural flow of the story is a key factor when it comes to fiction. Translatorship has been seen as an individuation of collective schemes related to personal history, the collective history of the source culture, the collective history of the target culture, and their intersections. Further, it is highlighted that Translatorship can be redefined in terms of habitus. In this study, a few translated fictions by different translators from Japanese into Sinhala were studied focusing on references to food, clothes, festivals, and religious aspects. The study utilized a content analysis method, and it was captured that each translator has used a different translation method when rendering cultural aspects. Some had added in-text solutions like additions and paraphrasing, whereas some had used out-of-text solutions, i.e., a glossary to give extra cultural knowledge, without disturbing the natural flow of the story. Some had used typological cultural terms. Subsequent to analysis, it was observed that the existence and the identity of the translator emanating from the translated work differ depending on the methods they have adopted to translate cultural aspects. As a common factor in all the translated works analysed, it could be said that translators appear to play an extremely vital social role as cultural ambassadors since the translators in the analysed works have paid extra attention to unique aspects of Japanese culture and how best those factors could be translated into Sinhala in a way the readers could grasp a better understanding of those unique cultural aspects. All in all, it could be said that literary translations could play a major role in fostering inter-cultural understanding that promotes sustainable development and therefore more attention and focus should be given to research on methodologies and techniques utilized in translating cultural aspects.
Musical Iconography in Sri Lankan Buddhist Art: A Reflection of Religious and Cultural Identity in the Anuradhapura Period
(Kusīnārā, 2025) Kumara, J. C. R.; Prasad, B. S.
This research investigates the role of music iconography as a critical source for understanding the music history of Sri Lanka during the Anuradhapura period. Music iconography, defined as visual representations or symbols related to music, provides valuable insights into the cultural and historical context. The study employs a three-tiered methodological approach: Description, Analysis, and Interpretation, focusing on the primary subject matter, conventionality, and symbolic meanings of visual representations of music. Through this framework, the research explores the evolution, independent characteristics, and indigenous elements of Sri Lankan music as depicted in visual art from the Anuradhapura period. Despite significant contributions from Western scholars to the field of music iconography in the West, Sri Lanka has seen limited formal research in this area. This study aims to bridge this gap, contributing to the global body of knowledge on music iconography while highlighting the distinctive features of Sri Lankan music. Additionally, the research examines the influence of Buddhism on Sri Lankan music during this period, identifying foreign elements and the underlying ideological shifts that shaped the evolution of the music. Ultimately, this study concludes that Sri Lankan music from the Anuradhapura period exhibits both indigenous characteristics and external influences, reflecting the societal needs and cultural exchanges of the time.
Trends and challenges of introducing Buddhism to the Northern European countries
(., 0000) Wimalagnana, N.
This paper explores the trends and challenges of introducing Buddhism to Northern European countries, specifically Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. While Buddhism has a long history of global expansion, its arrival in Northern Europe is comparatively recent and has been shaped by immigration, globalization, digital media, and the broader cultural context of secularization. The study highlights how Buddhism has developed in this region through the dual presence of ethnic Buddhist communities-largely composed of immigrants from Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Tibet and convert Buddhist groups that emphasize meditation, mindfulness, and secular adaptations of Buddhist teachings. The findings suggest that Buddhism's growth in Northern Europe has been significantly influenced by post-World War migration, countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s, and the increasing accessibility of Buddhist teachings through online platforms. National Buddhist organizations, such as the Swedish Buddhist Cooperation Council and the Norwegian Buddhist Federation, have played an important role in gaining institutional recognition, while digital platforms and virtual communities have expanded Buddhism's reach beyond traditional temples and monastic centers. At the same time, the hybridization of Buddhist practice with local traditions, environmental activism, and psychological frameworks reflects Buddhism's dynamic adaptability in this secular and pluralistic region. However, several challenges accompany this expansion. Cultural and linguistic barriers limit access to original texts, while differing social values such as the contrast between hierarchical monastic traditions and egalitarian Nordic norms create tension in adapting Buddhist practice. Northern Europe's high degree of secularization often leads to a perception of Buddhism primarily as a philosophy or therapeutic practice rather than a religious tradition, resulting in the selective adoption of meditation and mindfulness without corresponding ethical or doctrinal elements. Misconceptions and stereotypes, including the over-romanticization of Buddhism as an inherently peaceful or mystical tradition, further complicate its reception. Legal and institutional hurdles, such as difficulties in religious registration and zoning regulations, constrain the growth of Buddhist centers, while competition from secular mindfulness programs, New Age movements, and therapeutic alternatives challenge Buddhism's ability to sustain its traditional identity. The paper employs a qualitative research approach, combining document analysis, case studies of Buddhist organizations, and semi-structured interviews with practitioners and leaders. This methodology allows for a nuanced exploration of how Buddhism is negotiated in local contexts, highlighting both its appeal to secular audiences and the concerns of traditional communities regarding the dilution of authentic practice. The study concludes that Buddhism in Northern Europe represents a unique case of religious adaptation in the 21st century, characterized by pluralism, secular reinterpretation, and digital expansion. While challenges remain in terms of recognition, representation, and maintaining doctrinal integrity, Buddhism has nonetheless contributed to the evolving spiritual landscape of Northern Europe, particularly in fields such as healthcare, education, and environmental activism. The paper also identifies gaps in existing research, including the need for demographic studies, legal-policy analyses, and long-term assessments of the impact of secular mindfulness. These insights provide a foundation for understanding the role of Buddhism in shaping the religious diversity and cultural hybridity of contemporary Northern Europe.
A Comparative Analysis of Recovered and Commercial Carbon Black in Natural Rubber Composites: Influence of Particle Dispersion and Ash Content on Mechanical Properties
(Institute of Technology, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2025) Thilakasiri, M. V. S.; Perera, S. G. J.; Jeewandara, A.; Walpalage, S.
This study compares recovered carbon black (RCB) and commercial carbon black (CCB) as reinforcing fillers in natural rubber composites, focusing on how their physical and chemical properties affect mechanical performance. RCB, derived from pyrolyzed end-of-life tires, supports circular economy goals but shows inconsistent reinforcement compared to CCB. Experimental analyses-including FTIR, particle size and ash content characterization, rheometry, abrasion, and mechanical tests were conducted to explore these differences. While RCB and CCB have similar mean particle sizes, RCB exhibits a higher z-average diameter and polydispersity index, indicating more aggregation and poorer dispersion. RCB's significantly higher ash content reduces its reinforcing effectiveness. Mechanical testing showed that CCB-filled composites outperformed RCB filled composites in tensile strength, 300% modulus, and tear resistance, especially at higher loadings (20-25 phr). In contrast, RCB-filled composites matched or exceeded tensile strength at low loadings (5-10 phr) and showed greater elongation and resilience, suggesting higher elasticity but lower rigidity. At higher loadings, RCB performance declined due to filler-filler interactions and inert residues. Tear strength characteristics also worsened under these conditions. FTIR confirmed the presence of polar functional groups on both fillers, but RCB's structural limitations offset their potential reinforcing effect.