Social Statistics
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Item Pandemic-led trade shocks & supply chain disruption: case studies of the readymade garments (RMG) sector in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh(Inderscience publishers, 2023) Marwah, Reena; Ramanayake, Sanika SulochaniAs a result of the pandemic, the global economy contracted by a staggering 4.3% in 2020, with the fallout on trade, supply chains and manufacturing sectors being particularly grave with cascading impacts on developing countries GDP, employment and livelihoods. This paper examines the global context of the pandemic on growth rates and trade, with focus on two South Asian developing economies of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, both being major suppliers of readymade garments (RMG) to western markets. The authors assess the supply chain disruptions in the RMG sector. The issue of raw materials and the decline in demand from western markets is also examined to understand the extent to which job losses and factory closures have been experienced. Several policy prescriptions include measures for surmounting bottlenecks of supplies of raw materials, the importance of government support as well as shorter and diversified supply chains.Item Farmer's challenges on willingness to join agri-tourism: special reference to nuwara eliya agro-ecological zone(Faculty of Management Studies, Rajarata University Sri Lanka, 2023) Sumanapala, S.D.A.; Gunarathna, K.M.L.M. Manjula; Kodithuwakku, D.S.Tourism is strategically important industry to Sri Lanka's economy, serving as the nation's third-largest export earner and contributing 10.3% to the total GDP (Central Bank of Sri Lanka CBSL, 2019). With positive global and national trends supporting the sector, the country has great potential with various opportunities to sustainably develop the Sri Lankan tourism industry through alternative tourism ventures, which remain relatively untapped (Perera, 2016). Among these alternative tourism concepts, Agri-tourism stands out as a promising development dimension (Mahaliyanaarachchi, 2015). It holds great potential in Sri Lanka and aligns with the government's focus on sustainable tourism strategies. In both industrial and developing countries, Agri-tourism has proven to contribute significantly to regional development and poverty alleviation (Akpinar et al., 2005; Malkanthi & Routry, 2011). Sri Lanka's current economic crisis, developing the tourism industry, especially Agri-tourism, becomes even more crucial as it requires minimal additional costs. This study aims to address challenges faced by the agriculture industry while offering solutions to existing issues in the tourism sector, all in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The study seeks to foster local development and create employment opportunities by promoting sustainable tourism growth through Agri-tourism. Thus, this research focuses on identifying the challenges related to developing Agri-tourism in Sri Lanka. In Agri-tourism, farmers play a crucial role in determining the success of agritourism ventures. On the supply side, farmers and agricultural firms provide the call experience and attractions that attract tourists. They offer visitors an opportunity to experience and learn about agricultural activities, rural lifestyles, and the natural environment. Accordingly, Agritourism development is primarily based on farmers' intentions and characteristics because they are the key factors determining Agri-tourism success. Therefore, farmers' challenges are necessary to understand before any Agri-tourism implementation because their readiness is the first significant step for Agri-tourism development. Although the motivational factors of current Agri-tourism practitioners have been somewhat studied in industrial countries, the investigation of farmers' challenges before starting Agri-tourism has not been conducted in developed or developing countries. As such, the primary objective of this study is to identify and comprehend the farmers' challenges concerning the development of Agri-tourism in Sri Lanka. To address this research goal and extract relevant insights, the following research objective is "To identify the farmers' challenges regarding their willingness to join Agri-tourism".Item Tourists’ expectations on willingness to visit Agri-Tourism destination (Special reference to Nuwara Eliya Agro-Ecological Zone)(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2023) Sumanapala, S.D.A.; Gunarathna, K.M.L.M.; Kodithuwakku, D.S.Agri-tourism combines agriculture and tourism, giving visitors the chance to participate in agricultural activities, connect with nature, learn about sustainable farming practices, and experience local cultures.It provides immersive experiences, generates economic opportunities, and contributes to the development of the agricultural and tourism sectors. To fully capitalize on the potential benefits of Agri-tourism, it is crucial to identify and understand the expectations of tourists. By recognizing what visitors seek in their Agri-tourism experiences, destinations can tailor their offerings to effectively meet these expectations. The study targets the Nuwara Eliya agroecological zone and employs a quantitative research approach that incorporates questionnaires as data collection methods. Through the implementation of stratified sampling methods, a total of 160 tourists have been selected as respondents. The study is based on the “Evolving Tourists Expectation Model” (ETEM), which aims to identify the changing expectations of tourists regarding their concerns about Environmental-friendly Sustainable Operation (ESO) in the tourism products and offerings they choose to purchase. The findings revealed that more than 76% of tourists expressed their willingness to visit destinations focused on Agri-tourism. Through the exploratory factor analysis, the study identified five factors that influenced tourists' decision-making: flexible pricing, entertainment options for tourists, opportunities for tourists to participate actively, availability of high-quality products, and the overall environmental condition. Further analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that among these factors, the basic environment, quality of products, and flexibility in pricing had a statistically significant impact on tourists' expectations and their willingness to engage in Agri-tourism activities. However, it was noted that tourists also emphasized the need for improvements in farm entertainment activities, including a wider variety of options, in order to enhance the overall environmental experience. Additionally, upgrading the quality of farm products and ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation facilities were identified as crucial factors for enhancing tourists' willingness to visit Agri- tourism destinations.Item Health Information Seeking Behaviour among Teenagers Sri Lanka(Auricle Global Society of Education and Research, 2023) Gunarathna, ManjulaIn the contemporary era characterized by technological advancements, teenagers are displaying a growing inclination towards acquiring access to health-related information, which is crucial for teenagers to make informed decisions on their overall health and well-being. The findings indicate that the Internet is the primary source of health information, followed by kin and acquaintances, mass media, and medical practitioners among teenagers in Sri Lanka. Gender is a significant factor, as males prefer utilizing mass media and the internet, whilst females tend to rely more on medical practitioners, kinship networks, and friends. Education has a significant impact on teenagers’ health information- seeking behaviour; low-education teenagers depend more on kin and acquaintances, while higher-education teenagers are more inclined to utilize the Internet. Moreover, highly physically active teenagers rely on kin and acquaintances, while less active tend to rely on the Internet. The findings of the multinomial regression analysis emphasize that teenagers mostly rely on the Internet and medical experts in Sri Lanka. Education, perceived severity of health conditions, and health efficacy have an impact on these behaviours. This study adds to the body of knowledge regarding the information-seeking behaviours of teenagers, offering significant insights that can inform the progress of customized health promotion strategies and culturally appropriate digital health communication.Item Online Freelancing Intention among Female Graduates(Auricle Global Society of Education and Research, 2023) Gunarathna, ManjulaGender-based unemployment disparities persist in Sri Lanka, even though women possess high levels of education. This study examines the intentions of female university graduates to engage in online freelancing, which provides flexible work opportunities and could potentially address this issue. The study presents a research methodology that is built upon the Technology Acceptance methodology. It examines characteristics such as perceived use, ease of use, perceived security, internet literacy, and degree type in relation to the intention to engage in online freelancing. Findings reveal that perceived usefulness, ease of use, perceived security, internet literacy, and the type of degree significantly influence the intention to engage in online freelancing. The direct influence of perceived usefulness and ease of use on intention shows the need of addressing the benefits and user-friendliness of online freelancing platforms. Perceived security plays a crucial role in building trust, particularly in transactions and data sharing. Respondents with moderate internet literacy and business-oriented degrees show higher positive intentions. The study concludes by providing recommendations for online freelancing platforms to enhance perceived usefulness, user-friendliness, and security and to cater to a diverse audience, including those with varying internet literacy and educational backgrounds. Collaboration with educational institutions is suggested to bridge the gap between education and online freelancing readiness. Regular assessment of user perceptions and continuous improvement are advised to adapt to evolving user needs and preferences. This research contributes to the understanding of the factors influencing the intention of female graduates to participate in the online freelancing market in Sri Lanka.Item Tourists’ expectations on willingness to visit Agri-Tourism destination (Special reference to Nuwara Eliya Agro-Ecological Zone)(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2023) Sumanapala, S.D.A.; Gunarathna, K.M.L.M.; Kodithuwakku, D.S.Agri-tourism combines agriculture and tourism, giving visitors the chance to participate in agricultural activities, connect with nature, learn about sustainable farming practices, and experience local cultures. It provides immersive experiences, generates economic opportunities, and contributes to the development of the agricultural and tourism sectors. To fully capitalize on the potential benefits of Agri-tourism, it is crucial to identify and understand the expectations of tourists. By recognizing what visitors seek in their Agri-tourism experiences, destinations can tailor their offerings to effectively meet these expectations. The study targets the Nuwara Eliya agroecological zone and employs a quantitative research approach that incorporates questionnaires as data collection methods. Through the implementation of stratified sampling methods, a total of 160 tourists have been selected as respondents. The study is based on the “Evolving Tourists Expectation Model” (ETEM), which aims to identify the changing expectations of tourists regarding their concerns about Environmental-friendly Sustainable Operation (ESO) in the tourism products and offerings they choose to purchase. The findings revealed that more than 76% of tourists expressed their willingness to visit destinations focused on Agri-tourism. Through the exploratory factor analysis, the study identified five factors that influenced tourists' decision-making: flexible pricing, entertainment options for tourists, opportunities for tourists to participate actively, availability of high-quality products, and the overall environmental condition. Further analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that among these factors, the basic environment, quality of products, and flexibility in pricing had a statistically significant impact on tourists' expectations and their willingness to engage in Agri-tourism activities. However, it was noted that tourists also emphasized the need for improvements in farm entertainment activities, including a wider variety of options, in order to enhance the overall environmental experience. Additionally, upgrading the quality of farm products and ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation facilities were identified as crucial factors for enhancing tourists' willingness to visit Agri- tourism destinations.Item Political Economy of Trade in BIMSTEC: A Contemporary Perspective(Millennial Asia, 2022) Marwah, R.; Ramanayake, S. S.; Yasmin, L.BIMSTEC has completed more than two decades of its existence, with 2022 marking the regional grouping’s 25th anniversary. In this article, we study the nature and evolution of BIMSTEC, as we discuss and analyse the nature of intra-regional trade, with a focus on BIMSTEC member countries’ trade with India and China. We also highlight the political challenges and hindrances to increasing intra-regional trade. The China factor and its expanding footprint among these countries is analysed. The article concludes with suggestions and unique pathways that BIMSTEC can emphasize in creating a common identity, that is, focusing on connectivity and improved logistics as well as establishing a BIMSTEC university for exchange of ideas and building trust. The article fills the existing gap in the literature by comparing India and China’s trade with BIMSTEC countries, emphasizing the creation of the soft power appeal of BIMSTEC to make it a more viable regional organization.Item The macroeconomics of gender equality(International Journal of Finance & Economics, 2020) Ghosh, T.; Ramanayake, S. S.This study investigates the association between gender gap and economic progress. Using a panel VAR study as well as a comprehensive gender gap index and its sub-indices from the World Economic Forum, the study confirms the existence of bidirectional Granger causality between gender gap and economic progress, for OECD countries and developing countries. On the one hand, economic progress encourages equity for both sexes. On the other hand, gender equity helps developing nations prosper and significantly improve their human capital, which, in turn, drives long-run economic progress. By contrast, closing the gender gap negatively affects OECD output. For the sample of developing countries, the aforementioned results are robust to sub-indices measured by gender gap in economic participation as well as opportunity, educational attainment, and political empowerment. We recommend that gender policies specifically aim at eliminating gaps in female education.Item The Development Trajectories of Thailand and Sri Lanka: A Comparative Analysis(Millennial Asia, 2019) Marwah, R.; Ramanayake, S. S.The raison d’être to compare the development trajectories of two Asian economies, viz. Thailand and Sri Lanka, stems from the fact that both countries are in the middle-income level. Hence, a comparative analysis of the development trajectories of the two countries during 2009–2019, both being neighbours with religious and cultural affinities, as well as members in Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), has been undertaken. The key objective is to decipher key policy lessons for Sri Lanka (which has been in the lower middle-income group) from Thailand’s development path (which has placed the latter in the upper middle-income group). This article also elucidates the key drivers of economic growth along with the challenges that the two countries must contend with, to attain higher growth levels. Economic drivers, such as tourism, foreign direct investment (FDI) policies and political stability are concomitant for their development.