Browsing by Author "Hettiarachchi, C."

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Abstract on Global Knowledge Sharing for Implementing a Digital Manufacturing Lab (FabLab) for Rural Development in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Hettiarachchi, C.; Palapathwala, P.; Srinath, G.
Digital Manufacturing is changing the way the world has seen manufacturing by sharing designs and blueprints over the internet. It will be possible to digitally print 3 -dimensional objects locally from anywhere ―print almost anything‖. According to Anderson (2012) digital revolution in fabrication technology interpreted as the third industrial revolution. Started as project at MIT, the concepts of digital manufacturing is spreading all over the world in the form of Fabrication Laboratory (FabLaB). A group of Sri Lankan Social Scientists from Sri Lanka, Europe and United States has been conducting a project to explore the opportunities for digital manufacturing in post -conflict economic development in Sri Lanka & being a manufacturing based economy, digital fabrication technologies can be used small scale industries such as artificial limbs, prosthetics in cost effective manner .The group has been collaborating over the internet in setting up of a FabLaB for empowerment and economic development of a rural community in Sri Lanka. The objectives of the project are to share knowledge, enhance innovation and technology transfer in community development, to engage multi- stakeholders including Universities, the government, private sector, NGOs, community and other key players. This paper will discuss the objectives, process, progress and challenges in this project. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the use of Web technologies in conducting a global knowledge sharing project and also to discuss the power of digital manufacturing to empower rural community in developing country context. The paper will discuss the dimensions of project covering the planning process, implementation strategies, challenges faced and expected outcome.
A comparative study on the quality of postlarvae of black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, produced in some Sri Lankan shrimp hatcheries with different Management systems
(Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 2004) Hettiarachchi, M.; Hettiarachchi, C.
Stocking of high quality post larvae in grow-out systems is regarded as one of the key factors that influence the quality of shrimp at harvest. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether there are differences in the quality of post larvae produced in hatcheries with different management systems. A survey was carried out and shrimp hatcheries situated in the North Western Province, Sri Lanka were categorized into 3 major types as hatcheries with a high level of management, medium level of management and low level of management, considering the facilities available and production procedures adopted in them. A less expensive scoring system was developed to assess the quality of post larvae using external appearance to the naked eye, behavioural patterns, length variation, appearance under the microscope, gut to muscle ratio, gut fullness, survival under stress tests and occurrence of certain disease symptoms. Nine shrimp hatcheries, three from each level of management were then selected, five random samples each containing more than three hundred post larvae (Pl15 – Pl18) were obtained from each hatchery and the quality of post larvae was assessed using the scoring system developed. When mean total scores received from the scoring system were compared, it was found out that the quality of post larvae produced in the hatcheries with high and medium levels of management was significantly higher than that of post larvae produced in the hatcheries with low level of management (P<0.05) while there was no significant difference between the quality of post larvae produced in the hatcheries with high and medium levels of management (P>0.05).
Evaluation of Body Mass Index of Sri Lankan Undergraduates
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kodithuwakku, B.D.E.; Rizla, N.F.; Pieris, A.K.C.V.; Madusanka, P.N.; Amarawickrama, M.K.J.; Madhuranga, V.S.; Jayasinghe, J.A.K.I.; Abeygunawardene, R.A.B.; Hettiarachchi, C.
BACKGROUND: Both physical and mental health is very important for the university students for confirmation of higher academic performances. It is obvious that undergraduates can easily obtain a variety of foods and beverages for a lower price inside the university premises. One of the measurements to evaluate the physical health of a person is Body Mass Index (BMI). It depends on person’s height and weight. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this research is to compare the BMI values of undergraduates in different Sri Lankan universities. METHODS: The target group of this research were undergraduates of University of Colombo, University of Ruhuna and University of Peradeniya. By using proportional allocation, a sample of 700 undergraduates were selected using stratified random sampling method. BMI values were compared with respect to sex, university, place of accommodation, faculty and other important factors. It was found that about 90% of undergraduates have given responses correctly. RESULTS: The mean value of BMI of undergraduates of all three universities was 20.3 kg/m2. Maximum and minimum BMI values were 39.1 kg/m2 and 14.2kg/m2.Majority were in the normal range of BMI whereas, 26.19% were under-weight and 10.32%, over-weight. Maximum BMI values were observed among undergraduates who were residing in their own homes. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant differences in the minimum BMI values between undergraduates who were residing in their own homes, or hostels and boarding places.