Theses and Dissertations
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Item වකුගඩු රෝග ව්යාප්තිය ග්රාමීය සමාජ ව්යුහයට සිදු කරන බලපෑම පිළිබඳ සමාජවිද්යාත්මක විශ්ලේෂණයක්(2024) Munasinghe, P.S.The main objective of this research was to conduct a sociological analysis of the impact on the rural social structure by the spread of the kidney disease within the Vavuniya South, Welioya, Medawachchiya, Medirigiriya and Wilgamuwa Divisional Secretariat divisions in Sri Lanka’s Northern and North-Central Provinces. The research also focused on the impacts caused on the rural economy, children’s education, security, the family unit and social relations. This research is a mix of both, the quantitative and qualitative methods. A questionnaire was used to obtain the quantitative data while key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FDGs) were used for the qualitative data. While the SPSS software was used for the data analysis, Atlas ti was used through thematic analysis for the qualitative data analysis. While 77% of the patients were those engaged in the agricultural sector and labourers, the impact on their economies is higher, since they are unable engage in their daily activities. The children were school dropouts due to the inability to obtain the finances, equipment and materials for their educational activities, and due to the lack of proper security they were evidently attracted towards romantic affairs, under-aged marriages, illegal and anti-social activities. Despite there being family disputes prevalent among around 10% of the patients, the majority were found to be caring to the patients. Though the provision of potable water through Reverse Osmosis (RO) machines has caused a considerable decrease in the spread of the disease, there is no proper regulation of these machines. It can be stated that while quality advisory services, livelihood development, encouraging children towards vocational education etc. are suitable, a more productive conclusion could be reached if all the high-risk Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the island are included in these, without it being limited only to these five Divisional Secretariat Divisions.Item Surface modified graphene-based nanocomposite for selective molecular sieving and adsorption of aqueous ions(2024) Perera, W. P. R. T.Even if, granular media filtration demonstrates efficacy in diminishing water turbidity, its constrained surface functionalities and inherent physical attributes limit its capacity to efficiently adsorptive removal of contaminants from aqueous environments. Concurrently, graphene oxide (GO), employed across various adsorptive removal endeavors targeting toxic metals and molecules, presents challenges in recovery following dispersion within aqueous matrices. Addressing this shortfall, we have engineered a GO/sand composite (M-GO/S) via coating GO on purified sand without using a binding agent to optimize contaminant removal efficacy in aqueous systems. This innovation not only reduces water turbidity but also enhances the mechanical integrity of GO and activates the sand's surface. When graphene oxide (GO) is applied to the surface of sand, it perturbates the local hydrogen-bonded structure of the sand, exposing the Si-OH sites for chemisorption. M-GO/S achieves fluoride removal efficiency exceeding 70% at a pH of approximately 6.30, as per the Hill adsorption model. In tests using simulated water samples, the M-GO/S composite significantly reduced solution turbidity by 87%, lowering it from 0.08 to 0.01 NTU. These findings suggest that M-GO/S is an effective material for simultaneously reducing both fluoride levels and turbidity in water. M-GO/S outperformed commercial coal powdered activated carbon by removing 75% of calcium ions from simulated hard water (pH 8), indicating superior efficacy. The detection of (-O-Ca-O-) chemical bonds on the nanocomposite's surface post-calcium ion equilibration reveals chemical interactions. This highlights the M-GO/S nanocomposite as a promising option for hard water treatment. The M-GO/S nanocomposite effectively adsorbed toxic metals such as Pb (52 mg/g), Cr (37 mg/g), Cd (40 mg/g), and Ni (21 mg/g) and silanol groups acting as active sites for ion exchange. Graphene oxide's adsorption mechanism is driven by its oxygen-rich functional groups (hydroxyl, epoxide, and carboxyl), which boost its affinity for metal ions via complexation, electrostatic attraction, and cation exchange. The M-GO/S composite, leveraging the synergistic surface properties of sand and GO, effectively removes not just cations and anions but also cationic and anionic molecules. Its notable adsorption capacity for substances like Methylene Blue (259.5 mg/g) and MCPA (47.3 mg/g) indicates that this composite may serve as a promising material for molecular sieving. Developing a chemical-free synthesis method for GO is essential for the large-scale production of M-GO/S, aimed at extensive water purification applications.Item රූපවාහිනි ටෙලිනාට්ය ප්රවර්ධනය සඳහා යුටියුබ් මාධ්ය භාවිතය(2024) Gangewatta, C.J.YouTube media works as promotional media, convergence media, flexible media, instant and user-friendly media. The main research problem of this study was to find the feasibility of using YouTube media as a promotional tool for teledramas. A mixed method research approach was used for the research. There, mixed research approaches were used for data collection, data analysis and presentation of results under both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Research results under the mixed approach were integrated to compare the interrelated valid results, and both qualitative and quantitative data approaches were given a similar approach in data analysis. Under the judgment sampling method, this study was conducted specifically on the Deweni Inima, Paradige, Manikkavata and Sakarma dramas, which were the best and most popular teledramas of the years 2021 and 2022 and also used YouTube media as promotional media. 120 respondents were selected who watched both Television and YouTube media. The main objective of this research was to study the feasibility of using YouTube media as a promotional tool for television dramas. Teaser and Trailer, Behind the Scenes, Fan generated content, Live streams and premieres, Sharing Option, Subscriber Interaction, Analytics and Engagement Metrics were identified as new trends in using YouTube media as a promotional tool for television dramas. Also, it was realized through the study that the strategies and approaches used by the Teledrama producers and promotion officers in using YouTube media as a promotional medium use all kinds of new trends based on their possibilities, and through that a successful promotional process is maintained. Accordingly, it is clear that the potential of this promotion is high due to the fact that the YouTube medium is a convergent medium, a flexible medium, an immediate and user - friendly medium as well as an attractive medium.Item නියඟ උපද්රවය සඳහා මහවැලි සංවර්ධන ප්රදේශවල වී ගොවීන්ගේ අනුවර්තනය: මහවැලි සී කලාපයේ රොටලවෙල ඒකකය ඇසුරින්(2024) Malgahawela, M.S.D.Drought is a hazard that has received national and international attention. Drought has caused many social, economic and environmental impacts in Sri Lanka. This has a greater impact on farmers who make a living from agriculture, especially in the dry zone. The impact of drought is also seen on the farmers in the Mahaweli development areas, where most of the rice cultivation area in the country belongs. In spite of providing water under heavy irrigation, the Yala season has to be subjected to the constraints of drought. The main objective of this study is to examine whether rice farmers in Mahaweli Development Areas have adapted to drought hazards. The sub-objectives are to identify the strategies adopted for such adaptation, to examine the success and failure of those strategies, as well as to determine how drought affects the quality of life of the people in the study area. For this purpose, Rotalawela unit belonging to Girandurukotte division of Mahaweli C zone was selected as the study area. This unit includes three domains of village services. The sample was selected using the stratified random method, and 120 sample units were selected in the stratified method both in terms of villages and generations. Questionnaires, interviews, telephone discussions and case studies were used for data collection. Both statistical and descriptive methods were used in data analysis. The study confirmed that rice farmers in Mahaweli development areas are drought-adapted. For that, they need to clean and maintain canals properly, guard water system, re-use surplus water after use from the cultivated land, start the basic land preparation before irrigation with rain, change the cropping season calendar and cultivate short-duration seeds. Successful techniques of doing and bethma method, seed sowing and traditional cultivation techniques have also been used. Thus, in addition to rice cultivation, the study confirmed that the effect of drought on the people's life is also there. Thus, it can be concluded that rice farmers in Mahaweli development areas are adapting to drought and most of the tactics used for that are successful.Item Impact of brand tribalism on behavioral intention of community members: mediating role of brand trust in sri lankan electrical building materials sector(2024) Pathirana, L. P. Dinesh SurangaThe concept of brand tribalism has been studied across a variety of product categories and industries, and brand tribalism models have been vigorously debated for their empirical validity. It is observed that claims for further research into the validity of behavioral intention are continually made. According to recently published empirical investigations, the connection between the concepts of brand tribalism and behavioral intention has, however, received less attention. Brand trust, on the other hand, continues to be a recognized idea that research has shown to be a component of brand tribalism that mediates the influence of behavioral intention. In this situation, a moderating variable is really the member's involvement. Additionally, this study concentrated on the branding of industrial products, with the Sri Lankan electrical building materials industry being the research specialization. In support of this, it is observed that industrial product branding is an area where significant managerial challenges are attributed in terms of the results of brand relationships verses the investments made in brand building by Sri Lankan businesses. Even from the standpoint of the consumer market, the trust element is a key influence in industrial product brands. Convenience sampling was used to gather data, and although the construction industry has many brand tribes, only seven brand tribes were ultimately selected after taking into account over 1000 members of their respective tribes and those who have been exclusive members for more than a year. According to the findings, the study recommended managerial changes to foster brand tribalism inside the electrical building materials sector brands' buying context in Sri Lanka's consumer market.Item Impact of brand value co-creation on brand performance in sri lankan life insurance industry; mediating role of brand perception and moderating effect of service climate(2024) Ekanayake, Asanka ShameeraThis article provides an extensive analysis of the relationship between brand performance, service environment, brand equity co-creation and brand awareness about the life insurance industry in Sri Lanka. This study uses a rigorous methodological approach and carefully examines a selected sample of 313 sales employees using stratified random sampling. Process macros were used for mediation and moderation analyses, descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS, and structural equation modelling was performed using SmartPLS. Contrary to established hypotheses, our study shows that brand awareness acts as a mediator and clarifies the complex and indirect nature of the relationship between brand value co-creation and brand performance. The lack of a direct correlation between brand performance and brand awareness is surprising. However, it is necessary to recognise the need to mitigate the unintended consequences of the service environment. Despite the unexpected negative beta, the service environment acts as a catalyst and strengthens the relationship between brand value co-creation and brand performance. Given the substantial empirical evidence, we strongly encourage experts to recognise the important role of brand awareness as a mediating variable. This highlights that promoting positive brand perception among consumers is of paramount importance. Additionally, organisations are encouraged to improve and expand their service environment. Despite the apparent contradiction, this is an important means of enhancing the positive impact of brand value co-creation on performance. Additionally, this study integrates critical map analysis and multigroup analysis, thereby enhancing construct research. The results of this analysis reveal the underlying structure and show no differences across service environments. This unique perspective provides a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics that exist in the Sri Lankan life insurance industry. This study represents a significant addition to established theoretical frameworks of brand management based on local context. While the results of this study provide insight into current dynamics, more research is needed to understand the complexities impacting the service environment fully. In addition, it would be desirable for future research efforts to conduct intensive investigations into specific aspects of brand awareness that mediate the relationship between brand value co-creation and brand performance in complex ways.Item Influencing factors of e-banking adoption in sri lanka: examining the moderating role of technology self-efficacy(2024) Nayanajith, D A GayanAlongside technological advancements, one of the extensively studied areas of technological transformation is retail financial services, which includes e-banking. E-banking enables customers to engage in a wide range of financial services through official bank websites and mobile banking applications. Correspondingly, the present study was executed as relational research within the purview of deductive methodology, with the intention of determining the relationship between perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived customer innovation (INNO), and perceived trust of e-services (PTES) on the adoption of e-banking (AEB). Moreover, the study analyzed whether there is an effect by the selected moderator, technology self-efficacy (TSE). In the current research, self-completed online Google Form questionnaires were distributed via email and social media among e-banking customers of six systemically important banks. These customers come from a wide range of backgrounds, aimed at minimizing the potential bias of non-probability sampling, with the convenience sample technique being followed. The minimum sample size, as per Cochran's formula, was determined to be 384. The questionnaires utilized a 7-point Likert scale. Additionally, several modifications were made to the questionnaires following the pilot study. Finally, 463 responses were used for data analysis, which involved both descriptive and structural equation modeling methods using IBM SPSS and AMOS software packages. The analysis revealed that the majority of e-banking customers commonly use "SMS alerts" as their most preferred and important product, as indicated by descriptive statistics. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis unveiled that user innovation is formed by two factors, as indicated in the pattern matrix, which is a novel finding of this study. Subsequently, hypothesis testing indicated that all three main direct effects (PEOU, INNO, PTES towards AEB) are significant. However, the moderating effect of TSE is significant only in the relationship between INNO and AEB in the current research context, as per the interaction effect size. Consequently, an alternative path model was presented, aligning with findings of the hypotheses tested on direct and indirect relationships. In conclusion, this study presented implications and recommendations, along with suggestions.Item Audit expectation-performance gap of the public sector auditors in sri lanka(2023) Deepal, Aluthgama GurugeThe Audit Expectation Gap (AEG) issues are steadily expanding around the globe, irrespective of the particular sector involved. There is a dearth of empirical studies on the audit expectation-performance gap (AEPG) pertaining to the duties of public sector auditors in local and global contexts at present. Hence, to bridge this gap, this study attempted to investigate the AEPG of the public sector auditors in Sri Lanka in relation to the financial audit. The development of the conceptual framework of the present study was derived from Porter’s (1993) and its updates. The sample was selected from the government auditors, auditees, academics, and members of the general public. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data for the study. Mean value analysis and qualified minority technique were employed to determine the duties, while the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to test the hypotheses as the main statistical analysis. All the hypotheses were supported showing the existence of AEPG of public sector auditors in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the gaps existed pertaining to the auditor’s duties, standard of performance of existing duties and expected duties of public sector auditors. The study revealed the presence of AEPG within “auditor-associated groups” as well. It was further found that 28 and 11 duties were determined as reasonably expected duties and unreasonably expected duties respectively, whereas six duties were determined as neither existing nor expecting. Subsequently, Porter’s (1993) AEPG model was redefined through the lens of public sector auditors’ duties in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the deficient performance gap was 20% whereas the deficient standard gap and the reasonableness gap were 41% and 39%, respectively. Finally, achieving the primary objective of this study, it is concluded that there is an audit expectation-performance gap of the public sector auditors in Sri Lanka. This study makes several theoretical contributions to the existing auditing literature and offers valuable insights for decision-makers and policymakers involved in public sector auditing. Several limitations were identified, and a substantial amount of future research was suggested at the end.Item Characterization and phytochemical evaluation of selected underutilized fruit plants and establishment of suitable propagation systems(2023) Somasiri, R.P.I.V.Syzyzgium caryopyllatum (S:Dan), Microcos paniculata (S:Kohukirilla), Antidesma ghaesembilla (S:Bu embilla), Antidesma alexiteria (S:Karawala kebella), Baccaurea motleyana (S:Gaduguda), Cynometra cauliflora (S:Namnam), Phoenix pusilla (E:Ceylon date palm), Psidium guineense (S:Ambul Pera), Ziziphus oenoplia (S:Hin Eraminiya) and Elaeocarpus angustifolius (S:Nil veralu) are 10 fruit species found in Sri Lanka which are considered as underutilized. Lack of information on nutritional properties of the fruits, and scarcity of the fruits in the market could be the reasons for the underutilization of these fruit species. Revealing the phytochemicals, antioxidant properties and nutrients of these fruits will be beneficial for better utilization and commercialization of these fruits in future. Furthermore, establishment of propagation systems suitable for mass propagation is important to bring these underutilized fruit species back into cultivation. The 10 fruit plants were selected based on a discussion held with agriculture officers in Veyangoda, Gampaha. They were first authenticated using both morphological characters and nrITS, trnH-psbA and matK regions since accurate authentication of species is essential for reporting new substances or even known substances of the species. The presence of phytochemicals; polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and saponins in methanol, water and acetone extracts of the fruits was tested qualitatively. Then the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity of the fruit extracts was measured using Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) by DPPH assay, ABTS assay and FRAP assay. The vitamin C, fat, protein, carbohydrate, moisture and ash contents of the fruits were also analysed. The total phenolic contents, flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of the fruit extracts were different depending upon the type of the solvent used for extraction. The most efficient solvent for the extraction of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidants from the selected fruits was 60% acetone. The highest total phenolic content, flavonoid content and ascorbic acid content were recorded from P. pussilla and S. caryophyllatum. Propagation of the fruit plants was studied by means of stem cuttings and seeds. Hardwood, semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings were planted in three soil media commonly used by farmers; topsoil + sand (1:1), topsoil + sand + compost (1:1:1) and topsoil + sand + coir dust (1:1:1) and treated with the plant growth hormone auxin. Only two fruit plant species could be successfully propagated by stem cuttings. Topsoil: sand (1:1) is the most suitable medium for softwoods of A. alexiteria that can be propagated without adding auxin. Semi-hardwood cuttings are the best cutting type and topsoil: sand (1:1) with auxin is the best potting medium for S. caryophyllatum. Seeds of S. caryopyllatum, A. alexiteria, B. motleyana, C. cauliflora and P. pusilla could be successfully germinated under in vitro and in vivo conditions. This research provides a better understanding of 10 underutilized fruit species with promising characters growing in the Gampaha district, which increases awareness to enhance their commercial value and promote their utilization with better biodiversity conservation strategies. Promoting farming of these underexploited fruit crops in home gardens will remove them from the critically endangered state and increase the income of farmers.Item Association of deha prakṛti (body constitution) with dhātu sāratā (tissue excellence) and expression of selected inflammatory markers in patients with chronic kidney disease (ckd) - western province, sri lanka(2023) Weerasekara, SahaniChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has become a considerable disease burden worldwide, even in Sri Lanka. Although the concepts of Deha prakṛti (body constitution), Dhātu sāratā (tissue excellence) and Vyādhikṣamatva (immunity) are multifaceted with high clinical significance in the prevention and management of CKD, the importance of integrated Āyurveda and Western medical approach in the prevention and management of CKD has not been studied previously. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of Deha prakṛti with Dhātu sāratā status and Vyādhikṣamatva by assessing the levels of selected inflammatory markers, i.e., Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C - Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin - Six (IL - 6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor – alpha (TNF - α) in the patients with CKD - Western Province, Sri Lanka. The study included 113 diagnosed CKD patients and 122 healthy individuals. Standardized and validated questionnaires were used to assess Deha prakṛti and Dhātu sāratā status of each subject. ESR and CRP levels were determined using Westergren and Slide agglutination methods, respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokines; IL – 6 and TNF – α levels were quantitatively determined by indirect sandwich Enzyme - Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Pitta pradhāna (dominant) prakṛti types were more prevalent (41.6%) among CKD patients and the types of Deha prakṛti were significantly associated with the disease stages (p-value < 0.05). Further, Deha prakṛti types were significantly associated with Sāra status (the level of tissue excellence) of each Dhātu (tissue) and Sattva (mental status) and the levels of ESR and IL – 6 (p-value < 0.05). In healthy individuals, the types of Deha prakṛti were significantly associated with all Dhātu sāratā status except Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood) dhātu and Sattva. p-value was less than 0.05 for Medas (fat tissues), Asthi (bone tissues), Majjā (bone marrow) and Śukra (reproductive tissues – sperms and ova) in relation to the above. The Rakta dhātu sāratā and Sattva sāratā of healthy individuals were at their maximum regardless of Deha prakṛti types. Moreover, significant associations could be determined between Deha prakṛti types and the levels of ESR and IL – 6 (p-value < 0.05) in healthy individuals too. Furthermore, it was also found that both Dhātu sāratā status including Sattva and the levels of selected inflammatory markers in CKD patients depend on the disease stages (p-value < 0.05).