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A GLIMPSE OF MINDFULNESS: A DESK-BASED COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BUDDHIST ORIGINS AND MODERN APPLICATIONS
(The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Nandācāra, R.
Background: Mindfulness has radically transformed from its classical Buddhist foundations to its widespread adaptation in contemporary therapeutic practices. Originating in early Buddhist teachings, mindfulness (sati) is portrayed not merely as present-moment awareness but as an integral component of the ethical and liberating path toward Nibbana. However, contemporary mindfulness-based interventions often emphasize symptom reduction, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being, abstracting them from their original ethical and soteriological contexts. Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to present a comparative review exploring the historical development, philosophical frameworks, and evolving applications of mindfulness. Methods: This study employs a qualitative method, drawing extensively on secondary sources, including Buddhist and contemporary psychological literature. A critical comparative analysis is conducted to examine the theoretical foundations, ethical frameworks, and practical implementations of mindfulness across classical Buddhist and modern therapeutic contexts. The analysis is interpretive and thematic, focusing on philosophical coherence, contextual adaptation, and socio-cultural implications. Results: The study demonstrates significant divergences between traditional Buddhist mindfulness and contemporary mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). While Buddhist mindfulness is ethically grounded and oriented toward liberation (Nibbana), modern MBIs often prioritize psychological benefits, stripped of ethical context. However, mindfulness shows proven therapeutic value, but its secularization and commercialization risk conceptual distortion and potential harm, especially when applied without ethical or clinical safeguards. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for a more integrative approach to mindfulness that respects its ethical and philosophical foundations while adapting to contemporary therapeutic applications. It calls for more precise distinctions between Buddhist, spiritualized, and clinical mindfulness to ensure responsible practice and meaningful application.
COMMUNICATION SPECIFICITIES IN REGIONAL DIALECTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE DIALECTS OF NUWARAKALAVIYA AND RUHUNA
(The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Abeysinghe, D.
Language is the primary tool of communication. In addition to language, humans use signs and symbols for communication; however, language remains the main means by which subtle sensations, feelings and information are conveyed in human life. The aim of this study is to examine the importance of regional dialects in communication. The research problem focuses on identifying the specific communicative features present in regional dialects. In this study, the words used in the dialects of Nuwarakalaviya and Ruhuna were analyzed based on five main criteria: Terms used to indicate kinship, Words related to animals found in henna farming/agriculture, Vocabulary associated with nature, Terminology related to food culture and Similarities found in applications used for interpersonal communication. Words used to express kinship can be extensively observed within Sinhala culture. In terms of kinship, the dialects of Nuwarakalaviya and Ruhuna reveal both words that are similar in meaning but differ in usage, as well as words that differ in both meaning and usage. Beyond the general terms used to describe animals in henna farming/agriculture, the terminology found in the Nuwarakalaviya and Ruhuna dialects reflects a strong sense of regional identity. While terms related to nature tend to share similar meanings in common usage, they more closely align with the usage found in Nuwarakalaviya. It can be concluded that there is a strong semantic and lexical resemblance between commonly used food-related terms and those found in the Ruhuna dialect.
THE TRANSFORMATION THAT OCCURS AFTER THE LITERARY ELEMENTS OF POETRY AND SONGS ARE USED IN THE APPLIED SENSE IN ELECTRONIC MEDIA OF CINEMA. (BASED ON EXAMPLES FROM SRI LANKAN CINEMA)
(The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Karunanayake, K. P. I. S.; Peramuna, S.
The independent qualities of the film medium make it unique among other traditional media. It exerts an influence on its audience that no other medium can do because its communication style is ahead of all other media. It is no secret that elements of other arts such as drama, music, literature, dance, and painting have greatly contributed to the expansion of film's characteristics and its development as an art medium. Accordingly, the objectives of this research are to analyze the transformation that occurs when the literary elements of poetry and song are used in an applied sense in the electronic medium of cinema, using examples from Sri Lankan cinema. The primary sources used were the book 'Lester James Peiris and Sinhala Cinema' and the books 'Image Conception and Song Visualization', while several newspaper articles and blog sites were used as secondary sources. This study, which is a qualitative research, utilized both empirical and qualitative scientific methods. The problem of this research was to study the transformation that took place in Sri Lankan cinema after the literary genres of poetry and song were used in a pragmatic sense in the electronic media called cinema. There is a 'perfect union' between Sinhala film and song. The Sinhala film dynasty begins with the film 'Kadawunu Poronduwa' released in 1947. Since then, the art form called song has been used in films as an indispensable practical use. Although some early works gave priority to the sound, they did not pay much attention to the support it provided for the film's action. Therefore, the film song served not only to create interest in some works, but also to disrupt it. However, the creative work of successful directors and creators who emerged later created a harmonious blend between film songs and screenplay. This successful harmony allowed the audience to intensely grasp the moments and events of the work, to build an accurate image of the character traits of the characters who tell the story, and to provide a strong basis for later memory reflection on the work. Accordingly, the conclusion of this research conducted was that after the literary elements of poetry and song were used in a pragmatic sense in the electronic medium of cinema, a positive transformational change occurred in Sri Lankan cinema.
THE LANDSCAPE OF ACADEMIC WRITING RESEARCH IN SRI LANKAN HIGHER EDUCATION
(The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Dineshika, H. K. P.
Academic writing in English is significant in Sri Lanka's higher education landscape, particularly with the widespread adoption of English Medium Instruction across many universities. As English is both a second language and a medium of academic discourse, students are often expected to engage in complex writing tasks such as essays, reports, and research papers despite varying levels of language proficiency. This desk research investigates the gaps in academic writing (AW) among undergraduates in Sri Lankan higher education by analysing four accessible, full-paper scholarly articles. This desk research study aimed to identify the existing gaps and suggest evidence-based approaches for enhancing academic writing among undergraduates in Sri Lanka. The content analysis was utilised to analyse the selected articles. The present study identifies several key challenges, including students' limited English proficiency, a lack of explicit instruction in effective writing strategies, curriculum deficiencies, insufficient teacher training in AW pedagogy, and a prevalent misunderstanding of academic literacy among stakeholders in English Medium Degree Programmes. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that while explicit strategy instruction shows potential, systemic issues such as inadequate curriculum design, teacher preparedness, and a limited understanding of academic literacy hinder the development of proficient AW skills. Based on these findings, the paper proposes several evidence-based recommendations. These include integrating systematic writing strategy instruction, leveraging online resources, providing targeted grammar and vocabulary support, adopting process-based writing approaches, utilising authentic academic texts, fostering a shared understanding of academic literacy, establishing clear English proficiency benchmarks, investing in continuous professional development for lecturers, and promoting collaboration between language and subject instructors. Addressing these gaps and implementing the suggested approaches are crucial for enhancing undergraduates' AW skills and ensuring their academic success in Sri Lankan universities.
A STUDY ON COGNITION THROUGH LOCAL HEALING RITUALS
(The Library, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Tanwaththa, T. G. A. M. I.
The aim of this research is to study the cognition seen In the healing rituals of the three traditions of sri lankan dance traditions namely Kandyan, lowland and Sabaragamuwa. There are many cognitive feachers are contained in healing rituals . such as the kohombaKankari healing ritual, the Ratayakuma healing ritual, the PahanMadu healing ritual and the Bali Healing Ritual. Therefore, it can be said that the beliefs and expressions of emotion in these healing rituals have also influenced social behaviour In a cognitive way later on. Accordingly, does cognition occur through local healing rituals? What are the situations in which cognition occurs healing rituals? The research questions of this research are: In the research, which is being studied under the qualitative research methodology, interviews were conducted with Manthosha Bandara Tennakoon and Dr. waidyawathi Rajapaksa. Deta collection for this research was carried out by browsing the internet, watching archived videos and using library sources to consult academic books. There are many facts that prove that the perception of the local people has been nourished through the beliefs of ancient people, healing ritual emerged based on various rituals to achieve peace and prosperity. Therefore, healing ritual was the only remedy for the influence of gods, goddesses and demons as a medical system and to seek peace and prosperity. Accordingly, there are many cognitive moments that occur through the elements of light, prose, poetry, dialogue and music found in these healing rituals. This varies according to conclude through this research about the nature of cognition that occurs through audiovisual moments by identifying local healing ritual.