International Symposium on ICT for Sustainable Development (ICTSD 2016)

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Agricultural drought assessment using MODIS satellite data in Kurunegala District
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Gamanayake, B.G.N.N.; Kadupitiya, H.K.; Weerasinghe, V.P.A.
Drought is a climatic anomaly characterized by long spell scarcity of water. Agricultural drought is usually defined by less availability of soil water to maintain crop and forage growth by the deficiency of normal precipitation over an identified period of time. Since drought is a creeping phenomenon which appears slowly and resulting web of impacts not only to agriculture but also for all other aspects, monitoring, forecasting, evaluating impact and proposing solutions to drought hit areas are challenging than other disasters. Distinct to point observations of ground data, remote sensing provides direct spatial information on vegetation stress that occur due to drought conditions. This facilitates the utilization of time series Vegetation Indices derived using time series satellite data for continuous monitoring of vegetation conditions and tracking drought occurrences. MOD13Q1 (250m, 16-day) satellite images, which contain NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), were used in this study and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) was calculated using ENVI 4.5 Remote Sensing software for agricultural drought monitoring in Kurunegala District during the year 2000-2015. Spatial variability of drought frequencies was evaluated and mapped using ILWIS 3.4 free software. Map accuracy was assessed using actual drought data available for Kurunegala district in the database of Disaster Management Center. According to the results, North and North-West parts of Kurunegala District were identified as severe agricultural drought prone areas. In order to enhance the accuracy, water mask was recommended.
Carbon sequestration in the sediments of a self-regenerating mangrove in Can Gio mangrove biosphere reserve, Ho Chi Minh City
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Hân, VũTrầnHoài; Sơn, PhạmThanh; Hương, Phạm Quỳnh
The surface sediments (0-15 cm) were collected from a self-regenerating mangrove in Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve to: 1/ assess the variation of the sedimentary Corg contents along with the regeneration (from 2008 to 2016) and 2/ assess the current potential of these sediments in carbon sequestration. The data was analyzed with STATGRAPHIC Centurion XVI as this is user-friendly software and a strong tool for statistical analysis in forestry. The Corg content tended to decrease with depth. Due to the presence of branches and trucks on the mangrove floor at the beginning of the self-regeneration, the average Corg content acquired in 2008 was higher than the other times of observation. The decomposition of these tough woody materials seemed to be facilitated by the exposure to heat. Moreover, the acidic pH and moderate salinity of the sediments probably ameliorated the activity of the sediment microbes in decomposing the organic matter, resulted in the lowest content of Corg in 2012. The Corg contents in the study area in 2014 and 2016 were comparable to other intact mangroves. The average amount of carbon sequestrated in the sediments in 2016 was 22.9 ton.m-2 and tended to increase with depth, probably related to the anoxic condition in the deep layers which might resulted from the deposition of fluvial sediments.
Comparative evaluation of three environmental flow calculation methods at Ketawala anicut of Aththanagalu Oya, Sri Lanka
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Udayanga, N.W.B.A.L.; Najim, M.M.M.
Calculation of Environmental Flows (EFs), which are required for the sustenance of aquatic ecosystems in their original pristine state, often emerge as a prominent challenge to the sustainable management of water resources due to their complicity and difficulty of estimation. Being a tropical country that is heavily depended on its agriculture based economy, Sri Lanka often face the challenge of EF estimation during diverse irrigational and drinking water extractions. Lack of technology and expertise, and limitations in the long-term data have directly contributed for the wide utilization of rapid EF estimation methods. Therefore, the current study intends to evaluate the performance of such three widely practiced EF estimation methods, namely Tennant, IUCN and CEA methods for the EF estimation at Ketawala irrigational scheme. The Hydrologic Engineering Centre - Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC-HMS) version 3.5 model was calibrated and validated for the Aththanagalu Oya catchment and the daily river flow values for the past thirty five years (1981-2015) were generated at the pre-weir of the Ketawala anicut. The flow duration curve at the pre-weir of the Ketawala anicut was constructed (via the Gumbel approach) using the above simulated flow regime and the EFs that are applicable for the anicut were estimated via Tennant, IUCN and CEA methods in accordance with the standard methodologies. The Tennant method recommended an EF regime of 4.08 m3/s to be maintained at the post weir of the Ketawala anicut, while IUCN and CEA methods recommended EFs of 11.11 and 11.91 m3/s, respectively. Yet, EFs recommended by all these methods mostly remained higher than the average monthly flows in the dry season while considerably lower than the average monthly flows in the wet season at Ketawala, limiting the practical applicability of the estimated EFs. Furthermore, all these methods remained subjective and less responsive to the variations in the hydrological regime, while neglecting other major ecological components (biota and physic-chemical factors etc.) in an aquatic ecosystem. Hence, regardless of their wide applicably for EF estimation in Sri Lanka, the Tennant, IUCN and CEA methods failed to yield practically and environmentally acceptable EFs for the Ketawala anicut.
Continues monitoring of environmental radioactivity in the area polluted by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident 2011 and disclosure of the data to public through the Internet
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Fuse, M.; Miura. S.; Ozawa, S.
The Internet has become a powerful communication media. In authors’ previous paper, it has been shown that the Internet can be a good risk communication tool in panic situations caused by natural disasters. The present paper deals with the role of the media in the recovering process from the disaster. It is five years since the earthquake of the magnitude 9.0 occurred at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean near the coast of Northern Japan. There occurred nuclear accidents triggered by the tsunami at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plants (FNPP). They experienced wide range of radioactive contaminations. Many people had to evacuate from the polluted lands. Even today, about 100,000 people in the Fukushima Prefecture cannot come back to their home lands. The National Institute of Technology, Fukushima College (NITFC) is located at 40km south of the FNPP. About 100 students (10% of total students) had their home lands in the risky 30km region from the FNPP. Some staffs and students of NITFC have been monitoring the radioactivity of their environment since just after the accident and they continued to open their data to public through the Internet. This paper discusses influence of giving different source data to the public beside the official governmental data regarding the radioactivity of the environment.
Deforestation of Veppal & Marichchukkaddi forest reserves in Sri Lanka
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Fernando, G.M.T.S.; Kodippilige, N.P.; Prakashnie, M.P.
The unprecedented increase of human population makes the pressure on native forests and it has been caused to increase of deforestation in worldwide. Global warming is a one of the critical impacts that arise due to deforestation and it affects on all organisms. Thus majority of the world community has been paid a significant attention to protect the green cover of the earth to mitigate the impacts of global warming.This research is focused on recently reported biggest deforestation incident in Sri Lanka that Veppal and Marichchukkaddi deforestation happens North-West direction from the Wilpattu National Park. Total land extent of these forests is 16,437.74 hectares(ha) and these are the reserved forests that conserve under the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC). This research studied the legality of this deforestation, extent of deforestation, present situation and its impacts to the environment. This was done by using change detection analysis from years 1963 to 2016 of the Veppal and Marichchukkaddi forest reserves. The topographic map data and satellite imageries were used to derive the deforestation of the study area, and recent changes and impacts were observed by a field visit. Analysis was done using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques such as spatial analysis, image classifications and statistical analysis. Relevant gazettes and other legal documents were referred as secondary data to verify the legal situation. The results show an illegal deforestation in the study area from the mid of the year 2010 to 2015. Secondary information shows the granted legal permission in 2013 to clear the land of 250m beside the Puttalam-Kondaichchi Road (B379) between 23–29 kilometer posts. According to the analysis, the total extent of this permitted zone is 248 ha. However, the beginning of the year 2011 deforested land extent was 245.35 ha (1.49% of total forest area). Then in 2013 this deforested extent expanded to 470.78 ha (2.86%) and in 2015 this extent was the 556.79 ha (3.38%). At the field survey, it was observed that DFC has made their new forest boundary with a large loss and such settlements that are located in the middle of the forest will be a big threat to the existing forest cover as well as wild habitats in the forest. Outputs of this research are very important for the general public to be aware of illegal deforestation in the country, as well as for policy makers to know about the inadequacy of available conservation activities.
Detection of some technical and environmental parameters of forest road network based on ZEB1 LiDAR data
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Arseniou, G.; Hahn, M.
Forest road networks constitute critical infrastructure mandated to comply with established ecological and technical standards according to the principle of Silviculture which is the practice for controlling the composition, health, growth and sustainability of forest ecosystems. Traditional, survey-based methods used in determining road network adherence to standards, safety, and maintenance needs, are time consuming and costly, with shortcomings accentuated in the presence of steep terrain and dense vegetation. The primary purpose of this study is to develop an innovative and precise method based on ZEB1 LiDAR data for technical assessment of forest roads and environmental impacts during construction or maintenance in terms of sustainability. Many studies focus on the detection of forest roads using airborne LiDAR data. These studies usually aim to extract and map forest roads. The innovative aspect of this study is that the mobile handheld laser scanner ZEB 1 is used for collecting LiDAR data. ZEB1 laser scanner has not yet been used for forest road mapping but mainly for collecting data in order to derive biometrical characteristics of the forests. The main methodology aspects include: data preparation, classification of the point cloud between terrain and non-terrain points using the Multiscale Curvature Classification Algorithm, DTM generation from the study area, detection of forest roads on the DTM, environmental and technical assessment of forest roads according to standards that have been set according to each road class, and accuracy assessment of the technical parameter results which are based on ZEB1 data. The technical road parameters that are evaluated include roadway width, traverse and lengthwise inclination, while the intensity parameters that cause problems to the ecosystem, are the road surface area with construction problems and ditches network. The accuracy assessment of the results based on ZEB1 data is performed by comparing them to results based on Leica TS 15 data regarding the same road parameters using t-tests. The proposed methodology based on ZEB1 data for both technical and environmental road assessment is found to be precise and reliable solution especially for short forest road networks. There is no significant statistical difference regarding the detected parameters between ZEB1 and Leica TS 15 results. The main advantages of the implemented methodology are the following: less time is needed to collect dense datasets from the study area, only one person is needed to do field measurements, and there is no need for GPS.
Emerging ICT applications for strengthening of fisheries information system; A Sri Lankan experience
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Wimalasena, H.D.; Dahanayaka, D.D.G.L.; Amaralal, K.H.M.L.
At present, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are used across the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Sri Lanka for resource assessment, capture or culture to processing and commercialization. Especially in fisheries sector, ICT is widely used in applications such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for navigation and location finding, mobile phones for trading, information exchange, and emergencies, Satellite Remote Sensing (RS) for fishery forecasting and culture site selection, and radio for communication with fishers. But usage of web-based information and networking resources of these sectors are still emerging in Sri Lanka. Efficient information sharing system among resource users and fishery managers are essential for the sustainable management of aquatic resources. To fulfill this requirement, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) had foreseen the setting up of a user friendly system and launched the ‘Fisheries Information Centre (FIC) on 07th May 2013, to provide timely and accurate information on fisheries related problems for all stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to discuss the present status of the FIC and its role on development of Sri Lankan fisheries sector with evolving ICT applications. At the initial phase, FIC provided mobile phone interface to connect with the centre for their information needs. It can facilitate dialogue among fisheries communities and with government planners, researchers, and technical experts in sharing information for improvement in the efficiency and profitability of the fisheries industry. Through this dialogue FIC is able to disseminate scientific and legislative information, professional experiences and good practices to the fisheries sector (fishing, aquaculture, fish processing and marketing). From the start, FIC was successfully engaged to solve more than 500 telephone queries, which were categorized under academic and research related services (37%); consumer and industry services (33%); fishermen welfare and disaster related services (8%); trade and investment related services (6%); general comments and communications (16%). Delivering extension services such as conducting workshops for fishers and fishery related stakeholders, policy makers and politicians is another goal of FIC. Further, fisheries related information such as weather conditions, natural disasters, market fish prices, fishery forecasting etc. is also disseminated through the FIC. As the internet is emerging as a tool with potential to contribute to the development of Fisheries in developing countries like Sri Lanka, FIC focused on Setting up of a Web Portal for efficient information sharing between local and foreign stakeholders in near future.
Feelings of healthcare staff towards ICT in the western region of Sri Lanka
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Dileep, A.H.; Wijayanayake, W.M.J.I.
Information and communication technology (ICT) has in general become a worldwide tool in various contexts, including healthcare sector. Healthcare staff are change agents in healthcare sector. They are key drivers who play a crucial role in ICT integration in healthcare. The aim of this study is to examine feelings of healthcare staff towards ICT in western region of Sri Lanka. A sample of 100 healthcare staff was assessed for their feelings towards ICT using a Likert type questionnaire (Strongly Disagree (SD), disagree (D), Neutral (N), Agree (A), Strongly Agree (SA)). There were 60 female (60%) and 40 were male (40%) participants. Their average number of years of computer use was 8.73 years (SD=5.722). There were large amount of negative responses (SD - 52%, D - 45%) for reverse scoring questions. The percentage of positive responses for positive scoring questions were SA – 27%, A – 34% and N – 6%. Therefore, healthcare staff in the western region of Sri Lanka have positive feelings towards ICT. They have good feeling to work with computerized environment. This study clearly depict that feelings of healthcare staff towards ICT are not reverse strengthening for integration of ICT to the State hospitals in western region of Sri Lanka.
A Framework for the implementation of Electronic Customer Relationship Management Information System (e-CRM) in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Sri Lanka
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Pathiratne, S.; Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.
iterature has denoted that Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) can play a key role in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as an implement to efficaciously engender and maintain relationships with company’s clienteles. E-CRM is being espoused by corporations for the reason that it increments customer adhesion and customer retaining by amending customer gratification. This study proposes a framework for the implementation of Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) information systems in Sri Lanka. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were utilized. Primary data were accumulated from Small and Medium Enterprises located in 20 districts of Sri Lanka. A self-administered questionnaire was the main data amassment implement. Descriptive statistics were habituated to analyze data and refine the requisites for implementation of e-CRM information systems. The findings designate that for prosperous implementation of e-CRM information systems, there should be utilizer sensitization, training and infrastructure. There is withal desideratum for strategic level support and an e-CRM strategy to guide utilization. The most paramount features of e-CRM information systems were identified as the ability to ascertain customer privacy, presence of a Frequently Asked Questions implement, and high speed. The proposed framework was developed predicated on Thong (1999) Technology Organizational Environmental Management (TOEM), with refined requisites from primary data. The developed framework was validated utilizing a case study. The validation results from the case study to a more immensely colossal extent were in acquiescent with survey findings. On average 9 out of 12 respondents indicated Yes on all the items in table 10. In other words, they denoted that the framework was compatible, re-utilizable, simple to utilize, clear and reliable. Only 2 respondents indicated No. Similarly, 8 respondents in the case study indicated Yes on all items in table 11, denoting that the framework components were well expounded, interactive, facile to understand and use, interdependent on each other, used simple language and additionally that the steps in the framework were logically arranged. The framework presented in this study has highlighted key e-CRM features and factors pertinent and applicable to Sri Lankan SMEs. The framework was validated and the validation results denoted that the framework was applicable in e-CRM and meets design requisites. If well implemented, the framework can avail organizations ameliorate on their e-CRM implementation.
Homogeneity-driven technology independence in HL7 paradigms
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Sabar, M.I.; Jayaweera, P.M.; Edirisuriya, E.A.T.A.
Semantic Interoperability (SI) is key in all Information Technology based healthcare information exchange amongst participating enterprises. It is the regulated, meaningful exchange and access to valued healthcare information. Coined International Interoperability herein, SI is the principle goal of this study. The predominant exponent of SI is Health Level Seven (HL7) v3, a global healthcare standard in operation today. It was determined that infusing simplicity and uniformity in the labyrinths of the HL7 sub-processes would derive optimal analytic and design interoperability. Even allied activities such as domain requirements cross-checking, stakeholder consensus, and audit, will be significantly enhanced by this process. The HL7 v3 development process consisting of Messages, Clinical Document Architecture (CDA), and Services, is presently modelled using the Extended Markup Language (XML) which actually introduces wordiness, non-uniformity, and ambiguity into the HL7 specifications development paradigm. Introduced in 1996, it is best used for formatting documents, making them human and machine readable, and also web-ready. Its primary purpose and focus is data presentation and reporting, less modelling complex ontological and information architectures. Our proposed solution remodels all such artifacts using the newly devised Unified Data Atom (UDA+) vocabulary creating overarching homogeneity across all three HL7 paradigmic landscapes. It has also been proved in this study that the transformation from XML to HL7 vocabulary is equivalent and complete, meaning that the transformation is syntactically equivalent, semantically precise, and complete. Working towards directly inducing inter-paradigmic (ie., Messages, Documents, and Services), Reference Information Model (RIM), or HL7 Ontology related efficiencies and enhancements generates meagre returns, since these top-level interfaces have been researched and any benefits already accrued and utilized. Further, the use of multiple ontological and informational-structure related modelling technologies such as Web Ontology Language (OWL), and XML actually subvert interoperability and communication processes in the HL7 specifications development paradigm. This paper however focused on excavating and capitalizing on the abounding interoperability potential afforded by core paradigm-related specification development sub-processes. UDA+-modelled artifacts accrue inclusive benefits of simplicity, brevity, and versatility over the previous XML representation. True sub-process interoperability during design and development is achieved, promoting high-calibre, internationally-interoperable and inclusively-efficient system development. Principally significant is that analysis and design interoperability amongst all stakeholders also derived, actualizing overarching, ubiquitous exchange.
ICT based learning environment and achievement of students in Chemistry among G.C.E Advance Level students in Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Pathiratne, S.; Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.
Utilization of ICT is acknowledged as a cognition implement for pupils and has acknowledged how pupils who are confident and proficient in ICT can bring with them opportunities for elongating their cognition as they utilize their ICT in other subjects in the school curriculum. The expeditious growing accessibility and capability of emerging technologies have fashioned brobdingnagian opportunities of scheming, developing and instigating innovative edifying methods in the classroom. The ecumenical technological scenario has paved the way to incipient pedagogies in edifying-cognition process fixating on technology predicated learning environment and its impact on student achievement. The present experimental study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of technology based learning environment on student achievement in chemistry. A pre-test post-test equivalent group design was used to compare the accomplishment of the two clusters. A Pre-test and post-test comprising 50 pieces each from Chemistry textbook were developed and administered. The amassed data were statistically analyzed. The results showed that there was a consequential distinction between the mean scores of Experimental group and the Control group. The performance of Experimental group was better on post-test scores that indicted that edifying through technology predicated learning environment enhanced the achievement level of the students. When compared with the results in post-test, it is pellucid that the students performed better when edified in technology predicated learning environment and it avails students develop the faculties of cognizance, comprehension and application as the items of achievement tests were predicated on these quantifications. On the basis of the results, it was recommended that teaching and learning through information and communication technologies may be adopted to enhance the Chemistry learning competence of the schoolchildren. Technology based learning environment might be stimulated and provided to heighten the achievement level of the students in chemistry subject. Through the use of technology interest may be developed in the students who are slow learners.
ICT for knowledge construction for undergraduate students in Sri Lankan universities
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Vasanthapriyan, S.; Thuseethan, S.
Interest on how undergraduate students organize and coordinate their work such as assignments, group studies, etc. in collaborative groups through research on ICT supported collaborative learning has increased in recent years. These innovative collaborative platforms encourage students to share ideas, experiences and thought with the others. Our study aimed to explore science faculty students from three universities about the use of web 2.0 for their collaborative learning activities. We collected sample size of 529 student’s opinions which is composed of 189, 175 and 165 from each university. Most of the undergraduate students ( 96.5%) are aware of Web 2.0 and almost using it in their daily life too. Further, 2.9% of the students from the sample do not know about the term Web 2.0 but they are also using it for such collaborative activities. Comparing to the first year students’ (over all 13.01%), special degree students from third (over all 35%) and fourth year (over all 45%) are using this environment for student learning. These results suggest that most of the students are using Web 2.0 tools for their collaborative activities. They mainly use ICT based collaborative environment for chatting and discussion, content creation, file sharing, enjoyment and entertainment of four categories to construct knowledge, share knowledge and improve their learning performances. They mainly face less technological infra structure support from universities (over all 91.29%) which costs students to purchase themselves data offers (76.45% of students from all three universities regularly buy 10GB or more per month) from mobile providers to use within their university residence facilities and in common rooms inside the university premises. These discovered hidden problems and obstacles should be seriously taken into consideration by the university administration to improve the collaborative study environment among students to keep students busy with their learning activities
ICT for Sustainable Development
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Wijeyarathne, P.G.
Socio-economic developments will not be sustainable without proper monitoring and controlling. Such development will lead to economic losses and waste of natural resources. Monitoring and controlling requires accurate information on time. Collection of timely information, processing them and distributing among various organizations are essential. Therefore Information and Communication technology (ICT) has a significant role to play in sustainable development. However, the limitation to access to information or “digital divide” is one of the problems to be solved. Collecting required information for decision making should be highly efficient. Data should be collected from people at grass root level and information should reach them quickly too. Data collection through government organizations only will not be sufficient enough. Crowd sourcing is emerging as a promising data collection method. However, accuracy of data collected through crowd sourcing will be a problem. According to the statistics provided by the Telephone Regulatory Commission (TRC) Sri Lanka, there were 718,168 fixed Internet subscribers in Sri Lanka while Mobile Broadband subscribers reached 3,484,079 by March 2016. It is nearly 5 times than the Fixed Internet subscribers. Therefore, mobile computing should be used to reach people in remote areas where fixed communication lines are not available. Internet of Things (IOT) is becoming popular as “the infrastructure of the information society”. IOT allows devices to communicate each other. According to International Telecommunications Union, IOT is a network of physical devices, vehicles and buildings embedded with electronics, software, sensors and actuators that allows them to collect and exchange data. These sensor networks can be used for monitoring and controlling purposes as well as for data collection. Complexity of these technologies should be removed before using them in real world applications where non technical people are engaged in. These technologies help us to collect massive amounts of data within a short period of time. Analyzing and mining these data is essential for decision making where conventional techniques may fail. Big data analysis is an emerging area of study where these issues are addressed. Accordingly, ICT with other necessary analytical tools is becoming a catalyst for sustainable development.
Identification of varying standard of student based on Moodle Pattern Identification Business Intelligence Tool
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Jayakody, J.R.K.C.; Allagalla, W.H.P.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) takes place as an interaction in the internet environment, with different methods for retrieving class content, materials, subject related information, resources and student teacher interactions. Since the interaction details of the LMS such as Moodle is stored in its database as log files, those logs can be used to analyze and understand the weak and good students. Discussions, Forums, Assignments, wikis and the course are the main categories of the logs which are resided in the logs. This research was done to develop a Business intelligence (BI) tool to identify the able students and less able students log patterns with Moodle which is immensely helpful to identify the less able students very early and find remedies to improve their educational standard. Moodle dataset of MSc Business Management students of University of Moratuwa was used for the research. Store procedures were written in java to extract the xml format data to store the log details to mysql server. BI capabilities such as organizational memory, information integration, insight creation and visualization were covered. Sql server 2012 was used as the main database to develop the data warehouse . Dimensions were created to generate the necessary cubes. Apart from that sql server integration services were used to enhance the Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) process. Data cubes were analyzed with Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) queries. finally dashboards were built using power BI too. Power Pivot graph and the power table were used to present interactive details to the end users. Number of patterns was realized to identify the less able students. Based on assignment submission, number of time a user used the system, number of times pages and resources were accessed, new patterns were identified and presented to the users to get the decision which is immensely helpful to the academics and the students.
Importance of ICT in building landslide resilient community: Contemporary status and future needs
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Vasanthakumary, S.; Nianthi, K.W.G.R.
Information and communication technology have now become an essential tool to build the community resilience towards landslide hazard. To face the landslide hazard with minimal impacts, community people should have better access to information and communication system. However, lack of accessibility of information and the inefficient communication system was found as important challenges in making the community resilience. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to assess the accessibility of communication facilities and information during the pre and post disaster phases of landslide hazard. This study was conducted in 8 Grama Niladari Divisions which are considered as a landslide prone areas of the Rattota Divisional Secretariat Division of Matale District. Questionnaire survey and interviews were accommodated to collect the necessary data and information. A sample of 270 households was selected based on the stratified random sampling method for the questionnaire survey. Since the study area consists of both estate and rural community, diverse patterns were identified. The study reveals that poor communication facilities in the study area have caused a number of problems to community people as well as officials during the emergency situation. Landslide relevant information and early warning messages were not reaching the entire community due to the inefficient communication system. In terms of mode of communication, telephone and direct instructions were found important methods with effective progress. Subsequently, both television and radio play quite an important role. It was found that only 2% of the respondents have the accessibility of internet facility. Though social media can play a crucial role in spreading out the information, it plays an unimportant in the study area as usage of social media was found to be low in the order. Apart from this “Word of mouth” was identified as a well-known method and it worked well in the past during an emergency situation to share the information with adjoining community people. It was found that, in terms of contact with the relevant officials, 53% of households possess the contact number of Grama Niladari for reporting purposes while only about 2% had the contact number of National Building Research Organization which is considered as most relevant institution in the landslide risk reduction process. Even though, institutional interventions seem to be quite good with a gradual increase of involvements, availability of information was found low in the order and still exists as a major challenge in making the better accessibility of information. Similarly, community people had a lack of knowledge of existing network associated with the landslide risk management in the study area. Therefore, this study suggests that better communication system and access to the right information should be ensured to the entire community to achieve better progress in the landslide risk reduction and making the landslide resilient community.
Improve safety for pedestrians using smartphones while walking: Sri Lankan context
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Vasanthapriyan, S.; Thuseethan, S.; Dantanarayana, G.
The prosperity of smartphones greatly improved the convenience of our everyday life and also increased our dependence on them. Further, free Wi-Fi and lot of data offers have been given to public in Sri Lanka such that increasing number of population are using their smartphones even on the street while walking on the roads. Thus, increasing number of pedestrian got injured or killed during texting/talking while-walking. The phenomenon that pedestrians use smartphones while walking has posed great threat to transportation safety as well. In this paper, we discuss the design of smartphone graphical user interface in safety-critical environments systematically. A preliminary questionnaire based study was conducted to collect smartphone users’ opinions/attitudes towards using smartphones while walking. Some safety-critical details were also collected. A novel Walking Mode was introduced and one possible framework was proposed to improve safety for pedestrians using smartphones while walking. Our framework consists of three modules and could provide insights for smartphone designers as well as guide application designers to design safety- based context-aware GUI. Keywords: Walking mode; context-aware graphical user interface; real-time scene parsing system; safety-based indicator.
Improving the available network infrastructure to implement the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) concept for the University of Vocational Technology
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Pathirana, H.P.A.I.
The Bring Your Own Device is a concept of consumerization to allow network users to be connected with network using their own personal devices to accomplish the regular tasks. This concept is very useful for the academic institutes, as majority of students are not able to be accommodated into the computer labs at the same time. The available network of University of Vocational Technology has limitations to support the BYOD concept due to the available network design.The staff has no flexible way of accessing the network, and the students are limited to use available wired network at the library and computer labs as per the VLAN based network design. To implement BYOD concept, the available network infrastructure should be improved. The primary data were collected in two forms. Firstly, the random 100 users of the network, representing staff, students and guests, experiences of using network collected through the questionnaire. Then, the available network was analysed using tools to collect quantitative data such as signal strength of distributed wireless network and bandwidth usage of wired network. The secondary data, security mechanisms, network topologies, and service distribution, were collected by evaluating the overall network designs to address the weaknesses to support for BYOD environment. The network implementation introduces into four different parts. One is for the student, second one is for the staff, third one is for the students and staff and the fourth one is for the demilitarize zone. It is required to implement access control list (ACL) based control for the users to access the wired network using their own device instead of available VLAN based wired network. The current wireless network access authentication mechanism is WEP which is not strong enough. The BYOD encourages users to access the wireless network from their mobile device. Introducing the WPA2 is recommended to authenticate users for the wireless network for such environment. Further, the seamless IP addresses assignment is required through the DHCP server in the authorization process. The additional rules are required to deploy at the firewall to address foreseeable risks introduce from personal devices. In a university, BYOD is increasingly becoming popular since it facilitates flexible way to work. Itintroduces environment to work independently from time and location. Further, it increases the productivity asuser hasitsown comfort zone to work. More importantly, it is required to implement user policies in addition to mature network to avoid risks.
Indorsing constructivist use of ICT among teacher trainees using a programing language
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Amarathunga, P.A.B.H.; Pathiratne, S.
In the frame of a training course for future edifiers, an ICT-enhanced project, predicated on a Logo learning environment and inspired from a constructivist inculcation philosophy, was undertaken aiming at familiarizing students with the utilization of computer as an implement that can trigger constructivist learning and availing them to adopt an exploratory and constructivist edifying practice. The training practice used in the training course fixated on the trainees’ self-activity and vigorous commitment in lab experimental activities. The mundane feature of the training activities was not the programming language but a constructivist essence of exploit and learning. Through such a process, it was expected that Teacher Trainees would gain individual experiences of investigative and constructivist erudition and would be able to inspire into their future students the same edifying spirit. Trainees were asked to give ordinant dictations to their turtle to draw customary polygons and a circle utilizing kineticism commands. They were emboldened, afore they give injunctive authorizations to the Logo turtle to draw a geometrical figure, to analyses the quandary and to cerebrate about the injunctive authorizations. Very often student work resulted in unexpected erroneous figures on the screen. So students had the opportunity to agnize their errors and to endeavor again. This process was reiterated an abundance of times until students reached the expected result. They were enheartened to endeavor several solutions and keep endeavoring until they prosper, to work with self-action and autonomy and determinately to be queried about the edifying value of those activities. The evaluation of the project was based on  Teacher Trainees´ achievement on the tasks as it was documented.  A 5-point Likert scale quantifying the degree to which students concurred or dissented with verbal expressions regarding the interest and the edifying usefulness of the cognition experience they had working on the tasks.  Answers and explications on open questions given in the form asking them to detect and mention any positive edifying issues they had discovered in that technique and to cerebrate of and report kindred methods for edifying their school subjects  Two case-studies: two edifier-students were enheartened to implement the same activities in their college lecture with their pupils and record consequences and understandings. The evaluation results denoted a positive impact on the students in terms of familiarization with the essence of the projected methodology and of understanding the prospective of ICT for constructivist erudition. The evidence emanating from the two course members, who used and assessed the methodology in a school class, provided inspiriting denotements that the students developed proficient of smearing the methodology they had learnt in authentic classroom settings.
An investigation on image processing techniques for substrate classification based on dominant grain size on RGB images from UAV
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Shafi, M.
Water management, especially considering the ecological health and function of rivers are receiving considerable attention due to their economic and social impacts. The study of ecological and abiotic processes is the main focus of the field of ecohydraulics, which investigates the river dynamics especially focusing on the changes in river habitats, where the river bed substrate composition is a major abiotic input parameter. The classification of bed substrates is commonly based on the dominant grain size, and is important in a wide variety of contexts; biodiversity and ecological integrity, provision of information for flood defense and flood hazard management, maintenance of stream navigation and sediment transportation, and studies on ecosystem services. This thesis applies remote sensing technology and advanced image processing techniques for the study of river habitats. The texture parameters are examined using image processing techniques to determine the dominant grain classes of substrate, providing a new method to classify and map the river bed, considering the different regions of submerged, dry exposed and vegetated regions. The study was conducted using high-resolution RGB orthomosaic with 1 cm/px resolution, acquired via a UAV and compared with ground truth mapping data using the dominant substrate to classify each spatial region. The image cover was classified via application and examination of a variety of pixel-based image classification methods. The highest classification accuracy for pixel based analysis was achieved using the thresholding and masking algorithm which achieved an overall 97% correct classification. For measurement of substrate classes, object-based image classification was applied, where the texture parameter was applied by using different gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) in all directions. The classification accuracy for segmentation-based-classification obtained, was found to be lower, at 61%.
Learning tool on data structures and algorithms using Android
(Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2016) Sajeetha, T.
Android is now the most used mobile operating system in the world. Learning by means of mobile phones is becoming a new approach towards education, and it is unique in its own way and offers learning opportunities anywhere and anytime. An effort is made to enhance the learning opportunity and attractive learning method. The learning tool for Data structure and Algorithm, DS Teacher, is designed to help the learners to get a clear picture about this subject area. This DS Teacher includes Data structures (eg: stack, queue, etc..) with animated examples, Algorithms and C++ program code. This tool helps the students to learn in an effective way. A study was undertaken to investigate the impact of such an environment enabled by android platform on the learning process among second year undergraduates of Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Questionnaire was given to seventy-five students to check the effectiveness of the system. Excel pie chart is used to analyze the effectiveness. Findings showed that the respondents were very receptive to the interactivity, accessibility, and convenience of the system. Overall, the mobile learning system DS Teacher can be utilized as an inexpensive tool but complements undergraduates’ learning process.