Symposia & Conferences

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Green library initiatives in India: Anna Centenary Library - a case study
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Elavazhagan, K.; Kohila, G.T.
This paper gives an overview of development of Anna Centenary library as model green library in India. Currently, it is the only green library in India and Asia’s First LEED Gold Rated Library Building. It was started with a vision “to be an internationally recognized urban Library known for excellence in learning, innovative research, and community engagement that contributes to the economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life in the Chennai region and beyond”. Besides Anna Centenary Library, other significant Green Library Initiatives in India are: a) PermaKarpo Library, Ladakh in Indian Himalayas. b) National Library of India, Kolkata. c) NIT Library, Silchar. Apart from this, Green initiatives and measures have been taken up by Madras University, Calcutta University, Delhi University and Mumbai University Library System. Anna centenary library building was constructed as a state of art library building by state government. The building has been developed in 8 acres land with world class facilities with approximate built up area of 3.8 lakhs sft. It shows the commitments of the state government towards protecting the environment for future generation. The library building complex consists of Library building (G+8) and an auditorium (G+1) to accommodate 1200 persons. To improve the thermal comfort of the occupants, the building has been provided with adequate air conditioning. The project achieved the prestigious LEED Gold rating given by Indian Green Building Council under New Construction rating. This is a unique achievement for the Tamil Nadu State Government and happens to be the first library building in the Asian region to get this coveted rating. This building would consume 30% less energy and 20% less potable water consumption without affecting the indoor condition and occupants comfort. In a nut shell, the additional investment made to obtain the Gold rating would get paid back in just 2.5 years period through operational energy efficiency. This demonstrates green makes economic sense.
Climate Change Research in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Nianthi, K.W.G.R.
Climate is a dynamic component of the environment, which has a direct and an indirect influence on man and his activities. Most commonly, climate is known as the long-term average weather condition prevailing over an area. Climate is dynamic in many respects; for example, it varies in time and space, and changes occur over sufficiently long period of time. This paper summarises past and present research of the climatic changes of Sri Lanka. A few climates related scientists have started descriptive level studies since late 18th century. A number of studies have been carried out on the climate change in Sri Lanka since later part of the last century. Statistical analyses have been started in the 1950s. After this period the scope and the depth of climate change studies have increased. Climate change in Sri Lanka is mainly characterised by the temporal and spatial variations of temperature as well as rainfall conditions. In general, all the climate change studies reveal that the annual average surface air temperature has been rising in all parts of Sri Lanka. The positive temperature trends are noticeable during the Northeast Monsoon and the First Inter-Monsoon period. On the contrary, rainfall has been decreasing in most of the stations during recent period. Precipitation in the Southwest Monsoon decreased in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka since the last century. Some of the studies have found that the negative anomalies of rainfall are evident on the western slopes of the Central Highlands in Sri Lanka. All annual temperature series in Sri Lanka is correlated with the global temperature anomalies and the agreement during the last decades is very striking. As far as the rainfall is concerned the observations of a decreasing trend in Sri Lanka corresponds to the global trends. Future predictions on climate change will be briefly focused in this paper.
Sustainable Development in Sri Lanka – An Outsider’s View
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Govinnage, S.
Sustainable development focuses on the importance of meeting the needs of current and future generations through the integration of environmental protection, social advancement and economic prosperity. In the implementation of sustainable development strategies the communities, people and their values are considered to be of vital importance. “A Sustainable community would be secure, healthy and equitable, with a clear sense of place,” (Environment Protection Authority, 2002). After more than 130 years of colonial rule, Sri Lanka gained independence from the British in 1948. Today, the country is at crossroads following a brutal civil war which ravaged the country since 1983. Despite all the internal constraints and challenges facing economic prosperity, “Sri Lanka reaffirms the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 which emphasize the need to eradicate poverty and reduce disparities in living standards to achieve sustainable development…” (United Nations, 1997). The paper will question the extent to which Sri Lanka’s sustainable development strategy assists in developing a society which is secure, healthy and equitable, with a clear 'sense of place'. In this regard the paper will examine key issues which either link or separate Sri Lanka’s sustainable development programme from its national disaster management programme. Its objective is to highlight the need for developing an alternate, sustainable development strategy which will meet the needs of current and future generations, through the integration of environmental protection, social advancement and economic prosperity.

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