Browsing by Author "Perera, N.C.S."

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Prevalence of External and Middle Ear Pathologies among Students with Hearing Impairment in School Settings
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, 2014) Perera, N.C.S.; Chandrasekara, J.M.A.U.; Jayasena, B.N.
Hearing impairment is a major health problem in children. The incidence of external and middle ear diseases is greater for children with severe to profound hearing impairment. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of external and middle ear pathologies among students with hearing impairment in school settings. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in two selected schools for children with hearing impairment (6-9, 10-13 and 14-16 years). A total of 195 participants were selected using two stage stratified sampling method. Otoscopy and Tympanometry were performed. Intact tympanic membranes were found in 316 ears (81 %), which was high in the age group of 14 -16 years. 74 (19 %) reported non occluded ear cerumen, occluded ear cerumen, tympanic membrane perforation, bulging tympanic membrane, external ear infection, foreign bodies and discharge. Most common pathology was non occluded ear cerumen in 49 (12.6 %), and high in 10 -13 age group. Only 383 ears were examined by Tympanometry due to occluded ear cerumen, presence of foreign bodies and external ear infection in 7 ears. Type “A” tympanograms were found in 282 ears (74%) and those were normal middle ears. Remaining 101 ears (26%) were pathological middle ears. Type “As” (47 ears; 12%) and type “Ad” (23 ears; 12%) were the most frequent pathological tympanograms, which was high in the 14 -16 group. There is a noticeable prevalence of external and middle ear pathologies among students with hearing impairment. The study findings highlight importance of regular ear examinations and promoting hearing hygiene in children with hearing impairment.
Reported tobacco industry interference during COVID-19 pandemic in South Asia
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) Perera, N.C.S.; Horadagoda, N.; DineshKumar, P.; Perera, K.M.N.; Rajasuriya, M.
INTRODUCTION: Articles 13 and 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommend banning sponsorships and restricting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of the tobacco industry (TI). It is known that TI uses catastrophic situations to promote its image through CSR activities. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore TI activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Asia from March 2020 to February 2022. METHODS: A mixed methods design was used. Investigative research techniques were used to gather data. Media reports, websites, industry reports and social media posts during the pandemic were analysed using content analysis methods. RESULTS: A total of 132 incidents were identified and 122 directly involved 10 tobacco companies. The highest were reported in India (80), Bangladesh (27) and Sri Lanka (18). The majority of incidents (73) were related to ITC Limited India. Influencing media (41), promotion (31), CSR activities (donating money/medical equipment/food/ hygiene goods) (15), and partnering with governments (15) were the commonest incidents. Lobbying governments and officials, increasing accessibility to products, receiving awards, directors/ executive officers featuring in conferences, and sponsorships were other themes identified. These received wide positive media coverage. Media highlighted the drop in revenue and later recovery of sales. Online cigarette sales and home delivery services were initiated in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In Bhutan, the trade ban was lifted, and cigarettes were added to the essential goods list and sold in “state-owned duty-free” sales outlets. CONCLUSION: TI used the pandemic to promote its image via CSR activities, sponsorships and partnering with governments violating FCTC and national laws.
Tobacco industry promoting its image makes use of religious practices in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2019) Perera, N.C.S.; Lakmal, P.A.S.C.; Wijesuriya, H.; Fernando, A.I.B.; Dineshkumar, P.; Kandeepan, S.; Perera, K.M.N.; Rajasuriya, M.
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Seventy percent of Sri Lankans follow Buddhism, a philosophy that dissuades its followers from the use of psychoactive substances. The national tobacco control laws prohibit sponsorships promoting products and direct and indirect image promotion of tobacco products and its manufacturers. Recently, media reported of Buddhist religious practices that were supported by Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC), British American Tobacco subsidiary holding monopoly in manufacturing and selling cigarettes in Sri Lanka. We aimed to explore CTC's engagement in religious activities and their potential impact. METHODS: This study is based on Tobacco Unmasked posts developed using investigative research techniques (keys 4 informant interviews and content analysis of photographs, media reports, websites and industry reports). Thematic analysis was used to explore the type of activity, CTC investment, potential impact and intensity of media coverage. RESULTS: Gangarama Wesak celebration zone, the main Wesak festival zone in Colombo, was sponsored by CTC proxies for three years. CTC sponsored construction of two pilgrims-rests in two popular pilgrimage sites, each ceremoniously declared open by the President and the Secretary of Defence. The direct interference in policymaking was noticeable in the "Bodhi-Pooja" which is said to be organized to empower the tobacco-farmers against the government's plan to eliminate tobacco cultivation by 2020. All these activities received wide positive media coverage. At community level, CTC financially supported numerous religious activities and infrastructure development of temples and worship sites situated in tobacco cultivation areas. CONCLUSION: Tobacco industry successfully uses religious practices to promote its image among the public and the policy makers at national and grass-root levels.