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    Information Needs of the Rural Farmers in Kurunegala District in Sri Lanka.
    (Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Kumara, A.G.R.P.; Suraweera, S.A.D.H.N.
    Information is considered as a fundamental resource for the human and their education and other activities including agriculture. However, presently in Sri Lanka there is an ongoing problem with farmers’ up-to-date knowledge on agriculture which affects badly on their agricultural products. Hence, his study aimed to investigate the information needs especially agricultural information needs of the rural farmers in Sri Lanka. This study employed qualitative research methodology and used survey method as a research method. Cluster sampling method has been used to select a study sample which included 100 farmers who lives in Walpothwewa, Dambukele, Weerapokuna, Puwakgahakadawala, Galgoda and Kiniyama in Bingiriya secretariat division in Kurunegala district. Primary date for this study were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. How farmers use different sources of information to fulfill their information needs are also observed by the researcher. This study found that farmers require various types of agricultural information. They are information about varieties of new seeds, pesticide management, livestock management, diseases, and fertility of soil. This study further identified that the rural farmers used some of the common sources of agricultural information such as television, Radio, Newspaper, Leaflet, Agricultural exhibitions and mobile apps to fulfill their information needs. Based on the study findings, it is confirmed that there is a huge demand for updated agricultural information for the rural agricultural community in Sri Lanka. However, due to the lack of relationships between farmers and agricultural officers, farmers not satisfied with getting information via agricultural officers and other relevant authorities. This study recommended that government should take necessary step to improve farmers’ information seeking behavior by conducting workshop, lectures, and active agricultural societies. This study further suggested that elect efficient and talent officials and thereby develop good relationship with farmers to provide relevant information when necessary. Moreover, electronic media can also play a vital role for fulfilling agricultural information needs rural farmers in Sri Lanka.
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    A study based on the Use of Indigenous knowledge in Mirigama Divisional Secretarial Division in Gampaha District
    (Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayawardana, M.C.N.; Wimalawansha, B.G.U.N.; Sewwandi, H.K.I.
    Indigenous Knowledge is the knowledge that refers to the matured long-standing traditions and practices of certain regional, indigenous, or local communities. It is the knowledge which includes assumptions and beliefs. “Indigenous Knowledge is the knowledge developed around the specific conditions of the environment indigenous to a particular geographic area. Indigenous knowledge is cost effective, readily available, socially desirable and economically affordable” (Singh and Misri, 2006) The main objectives of this research is to find out the Indigenous Knowledge systems in Mirigama Divisional Secretarial Division, Study about Usage of past and present status of Indigenous Knowledge and preserve Indigenous Knowledge for future generation. The methodology of the research is the servey methed because of it’s a Qualitative research. The data for the study was gathered from Mirigama Divisional Secretarial Division in Gampaha District and five Gramasewaka Divisions has choosen as a sample for the study. The study is descriptive and participatory in nature. Direct participation, Observation, interviews and focus group discussions were used to obtain information. Further secondary sources such as books, Journals and electronic resources were also used. In this research can be identified main traditional systems namely agriculture, cane industry, Clay industry and traditional medicine ways. People who are in this area still use indigenous knowledge for their works and also livelihood. But in the present this knowledge is destroying. Since the indigenous knowledge used by this community has to be recorded and preserved for future generation use.
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    Indigenous knowledge Applied in Paddy Cultivation in Kurunagagala District: Study Based on Maspotha Divisional Secretarial Division
    (Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayathilake, T.M.A.N.
    It seems that more attention today has been given for the concept and the application of indigenous knowledge. The indigenous knowledge field that is confined to particular community or folk or area which fulfils the very needs such community or communities by way from their living environment, utilization of their own way of native systems or requirements. The main objective of this paper is to study the indigenous knowledge available and use in a particular area. The other objective was to identify different types of indigenous knowledge system and practice in paddy cultivation. Population of the study was total Gramaniladhari divisions in Kurunagala district and four Gramaniladhari division used a sample selecting Maspotha Divisional Secretarial Division. Primary data collected using interviews with rural communities who cultivate paddy. The main sources of income in the area was the traditional knowledge in farming rice, however it is used at a minimal level. They used Kem method, chanting, worship, certain customs. The main hindrance was the application modern farming methods and they were very hectic owing to the preset day living system hence they pay lesser attention use indigenous knowledge.
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    A study on Local Knowledge practice in the district of Nuwara Eliya : Kothmale Divisional Secretariat
    (Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Piyarathana Thero, Legumdeniye
    From the inception of the human civilization, people have been using a system of knowledge originated from the day today society. The society accepts the concept of knowledge as an important thing and it is of several types. The knowledge mingled with a particular place which passes from a generation to another is defined as the local knowledge. The traditional knowledge system in Sri Lanka is also very important. The local knowledge in Sri Lanka spreading widely throughout the country has organized places wise. The local knowledge tradition in the district of Nuwara Eliya has created with the geography in the area, social and environmental nature. This study is based on local knowledge tradition identify the local knowledge and thereby. The purpose of this study is to protect the future generation by using the local knowledge collected through Kothmale Divisional Secretariat. There are 96 divisions in the Kothmale divisional secretariat and only 5 out of them have been selected for this study. Data has been collected from 50 persons via interviews and association observation. Agriculture practiced from the ancient past, indigenous medical systems and traditional industries can be still seen in the area. But the little usage of the local knowledge can be seen in this area today. It was able to be proved in this study that the young generation is deviating from the use of local knowledge while the adult generation is still applying the local knowledge. There is a wide spread knowledge in this area which is typical of this area itself. So It is suggested in this study that this local or the indigenous knowledge has to be collected and introduced to the present and the coming generations via generations and written form in order to conserve that.
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    The Profits of Doom: Agriculture, Construction, Water and Land Use in Jaffna Peninsula
    (University of Kelaniya, 2005) Nesiah, D.; Rajasooriyar, L.D.; Jayasingam, T.
    The fresh water problem in Jaffna has engaged the attention of scholars and community leaders for over a century, and specific remedies, including the progressive desalination of the lagoons, have been explored for over half a century. Various investigations have been carried out and corrective measures tried out from time to time, but these have been neither comprehensive no sustained. Jaffna has long been noted for its distinctive system of intensive, lift irrigated cultivation, particularly of tobacco and certain subsidiary food crops; and Jaffna farmers for their capacity to extract maximum profits from their mini-plots through high yields and rotational cropping, for their willingness to experiment with new crops and novel techniques, and for their quick response to change (and impending changes) in the market. Overall, agriculture in Jaffna had been profitable till the outbreak of the civil war in the mid 80s. But Jaffna has no rivers or lakes, and water for irrigation and domestic use is extracted from wells or from rain. Over extraction led to increased salinity compounded by extensive mining of limestone for the cement industry or directly in to construction, and over use of agro-chemicals to serious contamination of well water. Almost everywhere, well water was gradually turning saline and polluted. There are 20,000 open wells, and 30,000 households are supplied pipe borne water by the municipal authorities. The demand for such supply exceeds the availability. The pollution problem is even more serious. The peculiar nature of the Miocene limestone aquifer in much of the peninsula is such that the bulk of the agro-chemical used percolates in to it and much of it, in due course, is directly or indirectly consumed by humans. Thus the short term profits based on over use of water and agro-chemicals were leading Jaffna inexorably to doom when the civil war intervened. With the suspension of the civil war, the re-opening the A9 high way, the mine clearing, the gradual return of the displaced, the progressive resumption of agriculture and possible reconstruction of the cement factory, the specter of renewed deterioration in the quantity and quality of fresh water may again hover over the peninsula. The paper explores the available data in the light of recent developments and new research, identifies and analyses various policy