Browsing by Author "Mihirani, P.M.N."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Appraising The Difficulties Faced by Factory Workers of Agro-Inputs Manufacturing Companies in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Weerakoon, W.R.W.M.A.P.; Mihirani, P.M.N.; Samaraweera, J.P.U.; Dharmawardhana, M.W.C.
This study assessed the status of workers at agro-inputs manufacturing factories in Sri Lanka, where the major objectives were to (1) assess the problems faced by workers at factories, and (2) assess the extent to which firms have identified and solved those problems. Data was collected from 180 workers of 10 companies during 2012 and 2015. Both qualitative and quantitative aspects were assessed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that factory workers were poorly paid where 78% of the women in factories were underpaid compared to men. Most employers haven’t yet identified the skills, knowledge and potential of workers. Over 85% of the workers experienced frequent job rotations without any foreseeable career path. Over 63% of the companies had not maintained proper training plans or employee records except the records on wages and simple workshops. Nearly 70% of the companies haven’t maintained occupational health and safety records of individuals. Although several standards were implemented, occupational safety, health training, and welfare weren’t among the top priorities. Although accidents were rare among women, occasional accidents among men indicate that the risks of calamities haven’t wholly curtailed. Cafeteria facilities, restrooms, sickrooms and sanitation were often below standards where first-aid or medical assistance weren’t readily available. Job insecurity, issues on family welfare such education and health of children were among the severe burdens that workers, especially women required support, but haven’t yet received. Participation in unions and raising complaints were limited among women due ignorance or lack of awareness. The study highlights the need of a national policy and a monitoring system to assure that basic needs of workers at factories are fulfilled with a cautious focus on health, nutrition, reverence, family welfare, work milieu, remuneration and career development with regard to both permanent and contract-based workers irrespective of the gender. Moreover, a mix of proper human resources functions is suggested with a robust involvement of the top level management where the burdening issues of workers are focused.
Dissemination of Indigenous Knowledge through Modern Agricultural Information Sources and Channels in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Mihirani, P.M.N.; Weerakoon, W.R.W.M.A.P.; Weerakoon, W.R.W.M.S.N.P.; Withana, N.R.P.; Dharmawardhana, M.W.C.; Samaraweera, J.P.U.
Information plays a critical role in agriculture where information sources and channels are important for decision making. Agriculture Extension Service (AES) of theDepartment of Agriculture, Sri Lanka facilitates farmer decision making by providing knowledge, relevant and reliable information so as to promote agricultural development. Regrettably, in a position which inapt use of modern expertise caused severe ecological and health issues, approaches allied to Indigenous Knowledge (IGK) receive great attention where there is a need of assessing the existing information dissemination system to promote IGK. Therefore, the study explores the AES,information channels (IC) and information sources (IS) to achieve the objectives of (1) assessing and classifying IC and IS, (2) assessing the current use and usefulness of IC and IS, (3) assessing factors that are vital to disseminate IGK via IS and IC, and (4) assessing and recommending possible methods to propagate IGK. Questionnaire-based interviews (n=500) were held with farmers in Ten DS-divisions in Anuradhapura District. The IC and IS were classified into four groups; Personal localite sources, Personal cosmopolite sources, Personal cosmopolite channels, and Impersonal cosmopolite channels, where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the analysis. Progressive farmers, Surrounding folks, extension officers, agro-input dealers, printed and digital media were found important to farmers, while library and scholarly resources whereas wireless technologies such as internet were underused. Despite of the preference, farmers’ use of IC and IS relied on clarity, simplicity, availability, cost-effectiveness whereas on certain socio-economic, cultural and psychological aspects. Constraints allied to assistance, infrastructure, understanding on IGK, resources, whereas complexity of methods, monetary limitations, negative perceptions were faced by both extension offices and farmers that demands well-planned collective programs, supplement of simple resources, computer literacy, assistance and IGK related training to both parties.