Journal of Social Sciences

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The 3D software based virtual environments constructed as an art beyond from the technology
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Gayani, K.D.C.
Today the television advertising is not just a marketing factor but also makes itself as combination of techniques, art, as well as effective persuasion element in consumerism era. In this competitive market it is astonishing that the faces of television advertising rapidly moving to capture various experiences of promoting products and persuade the mind of the consumer with the newness of attraction. In the age of digital, advertising moves to “virtual environments” as a new figure. This approach of technology has more access to emerge a perception in consumers mind, through the eye. Though this 3D software based virtual environments are utilized as an effective high-detail generated tool for advertising in the world, the definition of 3D environments still use as traditional advertising ways as past in Sri Lanka. Therefore the topic, “do the 3D software based virtual environments construct as an art beyond from technology”, is one of the contemporary issues that should be redefined in Sri Lankan society and industry. The main objective covered here is how to use the 3D software techniques within an artistic approach to constructing virtual environment of the advertisement. Three categorized TV advertisement’s environments of Architectural based, Natural Environment based and Liquid based forms of 3D settings were used to analyse the successes of visual output. The analysis consisted with the scientific research methodologies of content analysis and interviews. The success of virtual environment depends on live and realistic nature of the output visual of advertisement. The main purpose reviewed via this article, is a How 3D software based virtual environments construct as art beyond from its‟ technology that can be added highly detailed eye-pleasing surround inside of the advertisement’s visual performance that real world can do. To fulfil that performance, the requirement of 3D virtual environment needs to come originally from the product and advertising concept with a sensible definition and recognition of product, technology and art.
Acceptance and Rejection in Buddhist Monasticism; Spatial Organization in Nalanda Monasteries in Bihar
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2013) Dhammananda Thero, Galkande
When we reconstruct the history of relationships and hierarchies among people and groups the study of spatial organization provides much information. The „space‟ is a production that narrates the nature of relationships, hierarchies, organizational structures, rejection and acceptance of certain people and groups who live or interact with that particular space. Perhaps the story narrated by the spatial studies differs considerably from the story narrated by the literature. Such relationships, hierarchies and organizational structures that maintained in monasteries are reconstructed mainly considering the literary sources which have their own limitations and biases. Therefore, there is a vacuum in studies of the spatial organization of Buddhist monasteries. In this paper the spatial organization of Nalanda monasteries of Bihar (4th century to 13th century) is analyzed. Objectives of this paper are to explore and reconstruct the above mentioned different relationships, hierarchies and organizational structures that have been maintained among inmates and between lay and clergy of Nalanda, a Buddhist monastery that represents a mature level of the development of the idea of “monastery”. In exploring this, archaeological and architectural remains of ritual and residential spaces will be analyzed in detail horizontally and vertically. The way of the ritual and residential spaces are organized, their orientations, centrality and different levels of restrictive methods adopted through spatial organization will be analyzed here. Several levels of hierarchies among monks and between lay and clergy are seen. While attempting to keep lay people away from the spaces of the monks the effort is seen to welcome them with certain restrictions and limitations.
Changing patterns of food consumption with special reference to Egg, Fish and Meat in India
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2013) Lloyd, Chrispin C.; Ananthan, P.S.; Jackson, Paul M.; Sandee, P.
An analysis of food consumption patterns and how they are likely to shift as a result of several factors is important to address the food security-related policy issues of any country. Real GDP growth which is outstripping population growth is making the average Indian per capita income to rise but this is accompanied by a fall in the per capita consumption of staple food. This decline indicates improvement in the welfare, as laid down by Engel‟s hypothesis. The objectives of the study are to (1) analyse the pattern of food consumption (egg, fish, meat) among rural and urban sectors in 15 major states of India to reveal the trend and changes taking place in recent years. (2) To find out the impact of increasing average Indian Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) over the cultural preferences of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items. The study was based on secondary data from National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO)‟s household consumer expenditure surveys (CES). The four quinquennial surveys (50th, 55th, 61st and 66th rounds corresponding to 1993 to 2010) were made use of for mapping the consumer expenditure on meat, egg and fish products in different states of India while the earlier 27th round survey data was used as a benchmark to map changes over the years. Based on Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE), 15 major states were classified into 3 groups namely High, Medium and Low MPCE States, and then comparison of their expenditure for egg, fish, meat for the past 20 years were made. Analysis was done using Microsoft Office Excel ver. 2007. The study clearly indicated two important points related to Indian food consumption pattern over the decades. One, the proportion of expenditure for food items in total monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) is declining gradually, whereas the share of expenditure for non-food items is vice-versa in both, rural as well as urban sector of all Indian states. Between 1972-73 and 2004-05, the share of food in total consumer expenditure has fallen from 73% to 55% in rural areas and from 64% to 42% in urban areas (NSSO, 2010). Two, decline in the expenditure towards food consumption is falling because of shift in consumption away from cereals to high calorie commodities such as meat, milk, fish etc, in other words from low value to high value commodities. Even though, there are several reasons claimed to be behind such a scenario, the impact of Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization (LPG) reforms caused the major change, which led Indians to spend more lifestyle spends rather than regular spends. Changing income/MPCE levels as well as changes in taste/choices seems to impact the basket of food consumption (egg, fish, and meat). However, the deep rooted cultural preferences especially for non-vegetarian food still hold sway in rural areas in North Indian States of Haryana and Rajasthan though urban consumption trends are fast changing here as well. Further field-level studies are required to validate some of these inferences.
A clash of cultures: European colonization and Ceylonese and Dutch Burgherdom in Sri Lanka and Australia, incorporating the complexities of ethnic identities, re-construction and change
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Rabot, M.
Community Symbols in State Institutions: Presence and Implications
(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Ashraf, M.A.
This paper investigates the presence of community symbols in the state institutions in India. It introduces the idea of symbolic interaction in these state institutions and the exclusionary practice through those symbols, on the grounds of community identities such as religion, caste and ethnicity, is a major focus of this study. Drawing correlations with the ideas of many sociologists and anthropologists like Althusser, Foucault, Emile Durkheim and Mary Douglas who have elaborated the affiliation of identity and symbols and also the social importance of community symbols for unity and seclusion among society from critical sociological perspective. It has been observed that, there is strong nexus of government and the dominant community in the state institutions, and the interdependency of their existence, as the political creates the space through social and religious instruments which communicate through the symbols and on the other hand social gets the power from political, for sustenance and growth. It is also found that social issue of ‘exclusion’ makes the power relation visible in the democratic-secular state institutions and the tool of exclusion is based on community symbols. So the discussion is about the duality of ideology and the practice in state institutions resultant, how it is visible form of discrimination and exclusion.
A comparative study on Mahayana Sutra of the World Father (lokapitru) and the Christian Gospels’ Universal Father
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2013) Bhikkhu-Dhammakiththi
The concept of a “universal father” is mainly associated with religions that are faith-based and believe in a creator God. Creation and existence is believed by the followers to be at the pleasure of this God. Gospels clearly show that the Jesus, the son of God, from time to time addressed a powerful creator in heaven, who is God, the Father. Jesus called upon the grace of this God on behalf of his followers. The son of God or Jesus is the intermediary or link between the believers and God, the Father. Both in the Holy Bible and in Holy Quran this all-powerful creator God is considered the father of all human beings. Therefore, it is clear that the concept of a „universal father‟ is directly associated with religions based on a creator God. The same concept is also met within the context of Brahman and ātman in Indian religious philosophies as well. The creation of the universe is by the Mahā Brahma. Brahma alone is the creator while other beings have only a seed of him in the form of „Paramātman (supreme self).” However, nowhere in fundamental Buddhist writing is there a reference to the concepts of a creator God, an everlasting soul or a „universal father.‟ It values the independence and individuality of the being. Accordingly the beginning of a „bhava‟ and its conclusion occurs according to the deeds of the being itself explained under cause and effect theory. But, in later writings in the Mahayana school there are some references to the Buddha as a creator and even as a universal father. Yet, these references are still different from the „universal father, concept seen in the Holy Bible. With the development of Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, the role of a „universal father‟ was given to some Bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas appear to be regarded even as „savior‟ gods in a manner similar to the Savior (Jesus) in Christianity. Although this is not seen everywhere in Mahayana Buddhism here we intend to compare the „universal father‟ concept in some suttanta‟s in Mahayana Buddhism with the same as it is described in the Holy Bible. The idea of the ' universal father' becomes exaggerate with an increased sacredness.
Comparison and review of Environmental Management Systems among the government institutions in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Gunawardhana, L.M.A.P.; Jayawickrama, K.G.G.K.
The organizations in the world have been suffering from various types of environmental problems in the recent past due to their activities, products and services. Environmental Management System (EMS) is a comprehensive tool to assess and ensure the mitigation of environmental issues. EMS is a part of the overall management system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing, and maintaining the environmental policies. EMS follows Stewart and Deming‟s quality management approach. EMS ensures positive environmental impacts, improves product quality, competitiveness and production process, reduce expenses, liabilities, insurance premiums, and waste management cost and enhance market responsiveness. The objective of this research is to compare the performance of EMS among the government institutions in Sri Lanka. Ten Divisional Secretariat offices in Kurunegala district in the North Western Province in Sri Lanka have been selected for the purpose. Interviews of key informants were the main source of primary data under six EMS criteria, namely, commitment and environmental policy, planning, implementation, measurements and evaluation, audit and review. SPSS and MS Excel were used for data analysis. There was a considerable variation among the institutions. The researcher found that the success level of the implementation of EMS is positively correlated with leadership qualities. Generally, the implementation of EMS in government institutions is weak and performance rank order illustrated that the major weaknesses were lack of awareness of the EMS among the employees, poor auditing, lack of EMS training, and lack of condign attitudes. EMS should be launched to improve the EMS training in order to minimize negative environmental impacts and to provide effective service to the public.
Corporate social responsibility and financial performance in the Sri Lankan context
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Thilakerathne, P.M.C.
The corporate social responsibility of Sri Lankan universities
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Tilakasiri, K.K.; Glynn, J.; McCarthy, G.
A Critical Reading of Environmental Kuznets Curve: CO2 Emissions in a Developing Country
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Tutulmaz, Onur
Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) proposes a non-monotonic relationship between the environment and economic level. It also tries to define another important reduced relationship along with economic development. Therefore it has become an attraction for empirical studies giving reference for almost all the areas of the subject of the relationship between economy and environment. An important empirical area of the hypothesis is between CO2 emission which is a global emission and GDP per capita being the representative of economic development. The present and near future situations of the environmental pressure are evaluated by taking the CO2 emission as a representative of environmental pressure. Being directly connected to energy, CO2 emissions are generally evaluated differently than other emissions. Our study critically analyzes main confusions in the literature in terms of the interpretation of the EKC applications on developing countries using primarily example of estimates for Turkey‟s CO2 emissions. As for reduced form EKC time series analyses for Turkey, there are a few statistically robust analyses; and a main diversion cause from minor econometric analysis try to be clarified here. As to the physical emission values, it is not difficult to predict a short term rise for the carbon dioxide emission level. Particularly, Turkey, as a developing country with lower values is very likely to show further environmental pressure increase in terms of carbon dioxide emission in the short-term. On the other hand, we analyze the main point need to be cleared for a developing country EKC is evaluation of longrun attractor, referring to the cointegration concept Engle and Granger (1991) introduced, which hints the shape of long run relationship. Therefore, we attempt to unite the mathematics of the theory, use analytic investigation and the inferences of the econometric estimations to respond to critiques raised.
Decency movement (Sovaniya Andolan): timeless movement from Odisha, India
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Dash, B.B.
Odisha is a coastal state in the eastern part of India. Several pioneering movements have hitherto spread over Odisha through the eras and Decency Movement is one of them, which began in Odisha in 1962. From the last five decades, the movement continues with the mission to bring a blissful reform, to set up global peace in the society and to establish a decent world. This study tries to know the genesis of the movement, its objectives and activities, the process of mass mobilization and its institutionalization, and its need of the hour and acceptance. History gives an account of the mission of the movement, the nobility of the mission, and its timelessness. After bereavement of Kumar Bhai, the founder-leader, the movement still continues. This qualitative study is based on the historiography method. Going through the old records of the movement and diaries of Kumar Bhai, it is found that the very essence of decency movement i.e. Atma-Suddhi Sangha (Self-Purification Society) has slowed down and Sovaniya Sikshyashram (School of Decency) has been geared up.
Democratic system and good governance in Indian perspective
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Sharma, Anupam
Modern democratic system is the most appropriate system from the point of view of good governance. With reference to western democracies, it may be opined that they are very near the models of good governance, but in developing countries like India they are still far from the goal of good governance. Indian democratic structure of governance, which is the largest democracy of the world, achieved good level during the last six and half decades. People have got the right to participate in governance directly as well as indirectly, To make this goal more practicable, what steps are required at the administration level so that objective of good governance can be achieved. The objective of the paper is to ascertain as to the extent in which decentralization process has been realized to achieve the goal of good governance. In this perspective the hypothetical question is whether an effective administrative system is necessary for maximum participation of the common people. good governance? -Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations can play effective role for the realization of good governance? The above hypothetical questions have been examined in the Indian context. Indian democracy has been running successfully for the last 65 years continuously in the multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-ethnic society. In this context it has been observed that if decentralization process would take place properly the goal of good governance could be achieved which would help in achieving a good quality of life of the citizens in the country. The results of the study will help to achieve the goal of good governance in other countries especially in Asian perspective.
Determinants of income diversification of flue cured tobacco barn owners in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Jayamanna, G.G.M.D.T.; Dharmadasa, R.A.P.I.S.; Abeysekara, N.N.R.; Ekanayake, E.M.J.B.
Except tobacco farming, tobacco barn owners move to different income sources such as other crop cultivation and non-Agricultural activities due to clear differences in the living status. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the determinants of flue cured barn owner’s income diversification and share of income sources to total household income at Galewela, Polonnaruwa and Mahiyanganaya in Sri Lanka. The study drew a sample of 302 flue cured barn owners through random sampling technique from the three different regions and the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Herfindhal diversification index and Censored Tobit regression. The results indicate that the level of income diversification among the flue cured tobacco barn owners in Sri Lanka depicted by the inverse of Herfindhal index is 3.02. According to Herfindhal index, the highest income diversification is observed in Mahiyangana area while the lowest income diversification is observed in Galewela area. The age of the barn owner, experience in tobacco cultivation, land ownership of the barn owner, total land availability (leased and tenure), capital goods ownership (tractors), tobacco specific resource endowment (number of barns), and distance to the nearest town were the major determinants of income shares from different sources of activities.
Development of E-learning community in Asia Pacific countries
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Dasanayake, G.; Vaise, P.; Minato, A.; Warnajith, N.; Wijayanayake, J.; Ozawa, S.
Dimensions of Rural Poverty in Sri Lanka: An attempt to identify the crucial aspects of well-being of rural poor
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Semasinghe, W.M.
Though, identification of the dimensions of poverty of a specific setting is crucial for poverty analysis and designing targeted poverty reducing programs, there is no consensus among researchers, policymakers etc. on the dimensions of poverty. In fact, the criteria for selecting dimensions used in the literature remain controversial. In the Sri Lankan context, though, poverty has been greatly discussed recently as in many other developing countries, most of the analysis focused solely on the identification of incidence and trends of poverty based on uni-dimensional approach. It is hard to find the methodical attempts which made to identify the aspects of well-being and poverty. The main objective of this paper was to identify the dimensions of rural poverty. Qizilbash‟s „core poor‟ framework was applied in this analysis. Findings revealed that food, clean drinking water, agricultural lands, clothes, education and knowledge, health care, housing, income (money), and sanitation are the crucial aspects of well-being of rural people.
Duty Towards Environmental Protection: Companies’ Role Under the Companies Act No 07 Of 2007
(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Wijerathna, Y.P.; Edirisinghe, A.A.
The Brundtland Commission's report defined sustainable development as “development which meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. In this context, it is problematic whether companies conduct their corporate activities in line with doctrine of sustainable development. The proposed study expects to find out whether the Companies Act No 07 of 2007 imposes any duty towards environmental protection on Sri Lankan Companies. The study will evaluate the scope and the extent of these duties (if there are any) and whether the statutory duties imposed are adequate to protect environment. Overall approach to this study is qualitative. Further, relevant statutory provisions are analysed using the critical analysis method and the comparative analysis method. Critical analysis method was employed to analyze the relevant statutory provisions and the comparative analysis method is employed to examine similarities and differences between the Companies Acts of Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. Qualitative data for the research was gathered through primary sources and secondary sources. Primary sources include the relevant statutes i.e. Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 of Sri Lanka and the Companies Act of 2006 of the United Kingdom and case law and the secondary sources include books with critical analysis, journals, theses and electronic resources. The basic limitation of this method is that it does not satisfactorily focus on the actual implementation of the existing legal framework. It is submitted that Companies Act No 07 of 2007 does not expressly impose a duty on Sri Lankan companies towards environmental protection. Hence the existing statutory provisions are inadequate and the Companies Act should be amended to include express provisions to guarantee environmental protection.
Dwellers: An Indigenous Perspective
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2013) Megha, Singh; Pallavi, Bhatnagar
The ancient texts of yogic philosophy, such as the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali‘s Yoga Sutras have addressed multiple factors in health. Health in Ayurveda is a holistic approach which aims at harmony between the body, mind and the soul. Mystics and yogis view suffering as an opportunity to evolve in higher states of consciousness. Cultural and religious teachings often influence beliefs about the origins and nature of mental illness and health beliefs. In addition, there are certain beliefs that are pertinent only to Indian culture. Thus, the present paper makes an attempt to explore the construing of health and mental health beliefs in slum dwellers using an indigenous perspective. Qualitative research methods in the form of observation and in-depth interview were carried on 105 male and 102 female slum dwellers with the age group 21-45 years of Vinayakpuram area, Lucknow, India and the results were content analyzed for the same. The results revealed that awareness of slum dwellers regarding health and mental health related concepts is poor. Females have even lesser knowledge about the concepts in comparison to their male counterparts. The results also discovered that these people are living in a state of impoverishment and a state of denial where life is a day to day struggle and the only thing that keeps them going is their belief system. Thus, the need of the hour is to find the echo of their strength in the cultural ethos which would serve as a base for addressing the issue of creating and restoring well being for the masses. The preventive intervention taking two levels- one at community level and other at public health level would also be discussed in the indigenous perspective.
Effectiveness of Service Delivery Systems of Local Government Authorities to Enhance the Business Growth Potentials of Regional Businesses
(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Dissanayake, D.M.R.; Norsanina, A.H.
The local government administrative mechanism of Sri Lanka has been set to decentralize the power to respond for the regional service demands of stakeholders including business entities. The growth potential of Sri Lanka could be noticed in both macro and micro scaled enterprises whereas regional business ventures are a critical factor in the national growth phenomenon. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has been recognized as a middle-ranged country in doing business in the global ranking which has referred the existence of set of institutions, policies and factor as the determinants of productivity (The Global Competitiveness Index 2014–2015). Therefore, the local government authorities which include divisional secretariat offices, municipal councils and even other institutions related to provincial councils are strategically important mechanisms to assist regional investors to enhance their business productivity and growth potentials. Accordingly, this concept paper reveals how the service quality-related improvements could enhance the productivity of local authorities as an alternative mechanism to motivate regional investors to broaden business growth opportunities. Accordingly, this paper has followed theoretical models and explanations to conceptualize the integrated content to explain how the level of service quality excellence in the service delivery systems of local government authorities could influence perceived service quality referred to respective business clients/investors. It has proposed the research propositions for the future studies by specially refereeing how the gaps exists amongst business clients or investors towards service quality mechanisms of local government authorities that could influence their perceived service satisfaction to penetrate business growth potentials. Further, it has reviewed the moderating mechanisms that influence the perceived service quality amongst business clients/investors whom served by local government authorities. Finally, paper postulates the strategic directions and policy-related inputs to enhance the strategic service delivery systems for the local government authorities in Sri Lanka aiming to assist regional business developments and growth potentials.
The effectiveness of the communication in community development projects implemented by the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Priyadarshanie, P.K.D.
Non-governmental organizations are based on interested groups of citizens, aiming at providing social services or implementing social policy. The post-colonial socio-economic situation in Sri Lanka created a conducive environment for NGOs, which was accelerated by the political, and subsequent economic changes in 1970s. Presently NGOs contribute significantly to the community development sector in Sri Lanka. NGOs work to improve living standards through community participatory processes, and use communication in all aspects of the project cycle. The objective of this research is to study the evolution of NGOs in Sri Lanka, the role of local and International NGOs in community development and assess the effectiveness of communication in community development projects. Two prominent NGOs, Sarvodaya and World Vision Sri Lanka were studied through participatory observations and interviews. Documentary programs and audio-visual material were evaluated. NGOs use effective communication in their community development projects. Local NGOs pioneer in this regard to international NGOs, as they plan communication in a more people-centered manner. They use conventional and modern media effectively, but the negligibly use social media. Communication strategies need to match the local context planned according to the intervention and target group. Use of communication methodology extracted from the community itself, is high in relevance and effectiveness. From the planning phase onwards, a parallel communication plan needs to be developed. In each phase of the project, different communication strategies such as inter-personal and group communication, participatory development communication, new and mass media etc. can be adapted.
The efforts made by the rulers of Dambadeniya to safeguard and protect the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha
(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Sudharmawathie, J.M.