Browsing by Author "Dharmasena, T"

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Open Access
Analysis and improvement of a construction permit approval process: A teaching case for developing business process development capabilities, targeting developing nations
(ACIS, 2014) Weerasinghe, K; Bandara, W; Dharmasena, T; Kuruppubandara, M; Nawinna, D. P
With the increasing competitiveness in global markets, many developing nations are striving to constantly improve their services in search for the next competitive edge. As a result, the demand and need for Business Process Management (BPM) in these regions is seeing a rapid rise. Yet there exists a lack of professional expertise and knowledge to cater to that need. Therefore, the development of well-structured BPM training/ education programs has become an urgent requirement for these industries. Furthermore, the lack of textbooks or other self-educating material, that go beyond the basics of BPM, further ratifies the need for case based teaching and related cases that enable the next generation of professionals in these countries. Teaching cases create an authentic learning environment where complexities and challenges of the ‘real world’ can be presented in a narrative, enabling students to evolve crucial skills such as problem analysis, problem solving, creativity within constraints as well as the application of appropriate tools (BPMN) and techniques (including best practices and benchmarking) within richer and real scenarios. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive teaching case demonstrating the means to tackle any developing nation’s legacy government process undermined by inefficiency and ineffectiveness. The paper also includes thorough teaching notes The article is presented in three main parts: (i) Introduction - that provides a brief background setting the context of this paper, (ii) The Teaching Case, and (iii) Teaching notes.
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Autonomous cloud robotic system for smart agriculture
(IEEE, 2019-07-03) Dharmasena, T; De Silva, R; Abhayasingha, N; Abeygunawardhana, P. W. K
Agriculture sector occupies 25.9% of the world employment. The demand for food production is rapidly increasing with the increase of world population. Developing the existing agricultural infrastructure by incorporating modern technologies will help to match this increasing demand. This paper proposes a automated system to optimally control the climate and irrigation in a greenhouse by monitoring temperature, soil moisture, humidity and pH through a cloud connected mobile robot which can detect the unhealthy plants using image processing. A fuzzy controller will control the heating and cooling system, irrigation system and humidifiers installed in the greenhouse based on the sensor readings. The mobile robot navigates through a predefined map of the greenhouse and collect soil samples to perform measurements while onboard sensors will collect the ambient climate data. A camera mounted on the mobile robot will capture the plant and detect unhealthy crops based on the colour and the texture of the leaves.
Open Access
The cost of aging: Economic growth perspectives for Europe
(PLOS ONE, 2023-06-23) Jayawardhana, T; Jayathilaka, R; Nimnadi, T; Anuththara, S; Karadanaarachchi, R; Galappathth, K; Dharmasena, T
This study explores the causal relationship between the economy and the elderly population in 15 European countries. The economy was measured by the Per Capita Gross Domestic Product growth rate, while the population aged above 65 as a percentage of the total was considered the elderly population. The data were obtained from a time series dataset published by the World Bank for six decades from 1961 to 2021. The Granger causality test was employed in the study to analyse the impact between the economy and the elderly population. An alternate approach, wavelet coherence, was used to demonstrate the changes to the relationship between the two variables in Europe over the 60 years. The findings from the Granger causality test indicate a unidirectional Granger causality from the economy to the elderly population for Luxembourg, Austria, Denmark, Spain, and Sweden, while vice versa for Greece and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, for Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Turkey, Granger causality does not exist between the said variables. Moreover, wavelet coherence analysis depicts that for Europe, the elderly population negatively affected the economic growth in the 1960s, and vice versa in the 1980s.
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Design and implementation of an autonomous indoor surveillance robot based on raspberry pi
(IEEE, 2019-12-05) Dharmasena, T; Abeygunawardhana, P. K. W
In recent years robotics has influenced many fields including the security and surveillance domain. Due to convenience and flexibility more and more security robots tend to be deployed in place of humans for routine activities such as area sweeps. While there are many kinds of research have been done regarding this concern, many of the solutions cost more due to their implementation complexity while low-cost implementations are only capable of doing simple activities such as following given local coordinates. This paper describes an autonomous surveillance robot that is being developed while keeping the development costs as low as possible and is capable of performing routine patrols autonomously in indoor environments and detect anomalies around it such as temperature fluctuations, unauthorized personals and report them back to a central computer. This robot can be controlled remotely by security personals to facilitate manual inspections. Due to the development architecture of the robot, more software-based features can be added easily.
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Digital Preservation and Noise Reduction using Machine Learning
(IEEE, 2021-12-09) Aravinda, K. P; Sandeepa, K. G. H; Sedara, V. V; Chamodya, A. K. Y. L; Dharmasena, T; Abeygunawardhana, P. K. W
This paper proposes a digital preservation solution for Sinhala audios to conserve those as documents with noise reduction. The solution has implemented multiple noise reduction techniques as a pre-processing step to remove unwanted internal and external noises. A two-step, two-way noise reduction process is applied to produce clean audios based on Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) and adaptive filter-based techniques. This approach implements two separate noise reduction models for internal and external noises. After that, the speech recognition decoder recognizes the speech and converts it to a Unicode document by acoustic, language, and pronunciation models using extracted audio features from the denoised audio. Further, noise reduction models are decoupled from the preservation solution and exposed as a sub solution for multilingualism noise reduction, supporting English and Sinhala audios.
Open Access
Driving Towards A ‘Low Carbon’ Economy Through Green Intrepreneurship In The Corporate Sector Of Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA), 2020-06) Dharmasena, T; Jayathilaka, R; Premerathna, H
The ideologies and functionalities of green intrapreneurship in Sri Lanka, and contribution of such practices on corporate sustainability efforts are explored in the study by reviewing public limited companies. The set hypotheses are tested primarily through structural equation modeling, and the sustainability report score model is used to identify and measure the level of sustainability of the selected companies. The model fit is verified by the results, and in the process validated the hypotheses. The suggested model is proven through statistical parameters, and the results indicated a strong relationship between green culture and corporate sustainability. The overall consciousness on sustainability among public limited companies is lower moderate, and there is an identifiable gap between the understanding of top management about the concept of green intrapreneurship and the commitment for such practices within the organisations. This paper will contribute key knowledge base in the use of green intrapreneurship as a sustainable tool for the top management who are the decision makers in the public as well as corporate entities in Sri Lanka, and caters to the growing interest in a ‘low carbon’ economy.
Open Access
Economic and trade determinants of carbon emissions in the American region
(Elsevier, 2025-06) Methmini, D; Dharmapriya, N; Edirisinghe, S; Gunawardena, V; Jayathilaka, R; Wickramaarachchi, C; Dharmasena, T
Balancing economic growth with sustainability has been a significant challenge over the past decades, largely due to the environmental damage caused by carbon emissions. This study investigates the relationship between energy consumption, gross domestic product (GDP), and trade openness and their impact on carbon emissions in 28 countries in the American region from 2000 to 2022. Using a multiple linear regression model for country-level analysis, the findings reveal diverse trends across the region. For instance, countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Guatemala demonstrate a strong link between economic growth and increased carbon emissions. In contrast, developed nations such as the United States and Canada show signs of decoupling GDP growth from emissions, supporting the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis, which suggests that higher income levels lead to reduced environmental degradation. The study highlights the importance of tailored, country-specific strategies to reduce emissions while promoting sustainable economic growth. A thorough understanding of the complex relationships between gross domestic product, energy consumption, trade openness, and carbon emissions will enable policymakers to devise strategies that balance ecological sustainability with socio-economic objectives.
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Exploring the growth direction: the impact of exchange rate and purchasing managers index on economic growth in Sri Lanka
(Springer, 2022-07-22) Jayathilaka, R; Rathnayake, R; Jayathilake, B; Dharmasena, T; Bodinayake, D; Kathriarachchi, D
Numerous studies have been conducted, globally and locally, on the impact of the exchange rate on economic growth. In the local context, only a handful of research have investigated this area of study to determine the extent to which the Purchasing Managers’ Index infuence economic growth with the exchange rate, with limited research have been performed in Sri Lanka. This study explores the impact of exchange rate and Purchasing Managers’ Index on economic growth. Consequently, adopting an applied research methodology, the present study was based on secondary data published quarterly by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reports and the Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2021. The Vector autoregression model and Granger Causality Wald test were performed in this study. The empirical fndings highlighted that economic growth and Purchasing Managers’ Index have a signifcant negative impact on the economic growth, while the exchange rate had a signifcant positive impact on the economic growth. Furthermore, the exchange rate and the Purchasing Managers’ Index did not help to predict the exchange rate. The implications of the study demonstrate the relevance of the exchange rate and manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index as indicators of changes in overall economic growth activities at the macro level. The fndings will assist the Sri Lankan Government, policymakers, and foreign investors for efective decision making.
Open Access
Exploring the growth direction: the impact of exchange rate and purchasing managers index on economic growth in Sri Lanka
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2022-06-26) Jayathilaka, R; Rathnayake, R; Jayathilake, B; Dharmasena, T; Bodinayake, D; Kathriarachchi, D
Numerous studies have been conducted, globally and locally, on the impact of the exchange rate on economic growth. In the local context, only a handful of research have investigated this area of study to determine the extent to which the Purchasing Managers’ Index infuence economic growth with the exchange rate, with limited research have been performed in Sri Lanka. This study explores the impact of exchange rate and Purchasing Managers’ Index on economic growth. Consequently, adopting an applied research methodology, the present study was based on secondary data published quarterly by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reports and the Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2021. The Vector autoregression model and Granger Causality Wald test were performed in this study. The empirical fndings highlighted that economic growth and Purchasing Managers’ Index have a signifcant negative impact on the economic growth, while the exchange rate had a signifcant positive impact on the economic growth. Furthermore, the exchange rate and the Purchasing Managers’ Index did not help to predict the exchange rate. The implications of the study demonstrate the relevance of the exchange rate and manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index as indicators of changes in overall economic growth activities at the macro level. The fndings will assist the Sri Lankan Government, policymakers, and foreign investors for efective decision making.
Open Access
Forecasting weekly dengue incidence in Sri Lanka: Modified Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average modeling approach
(PLoS ONE, 2024-03-08) Karasinghe, N; Peiris, S; Jayathilaka, R; Dharmasena, T
Dengue poses a significant and multifaceted public health challenge in Sri Lanka, encompassing both preventive and curative aspects. Accurate dengue incidence forecasting is pivotal for effective surveillance and disease control. To address this, we developed an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model tailored for predicting weekly dengue cases in the Colombo district. The modeling process drew on comprehensive weekly dengue fever data from the Weekly Epidemiological Reports (WER), spanning January 2015 to August 2020. Following rigorous model selection, the ARIMA (2,1,0) model, augmented with an autoregressive component (AR) of order 16, emerged as the best-fitted model. It underwent initial calibration and fine-tuning using data from January 2015 to August 2020, and was validated against independent 2000 data. Selection criteria included parameter significance, the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion (SBIC). Importantly, the residuals of the ARIMA model conformed to the assumptions of randomness, constant variance, and normality affirming its suitability. The forecasts closely matched observed dengue incidence, offering a valuable tool for public health decision-makers. However, an increased percentage error was noted in late 2020, likely attributed to factors including potential underreporting due to COVID-19-related disruptions amid rising dengue cases. This research contributes to the critical task of managing dengue outbreaks and underscores the dynamic challenges posed by external influences on disease surveillance.
Embargo
Image Enhancement Algorithm for Remote Surveillance Using Low Cost Cameras in Unevenly Illuminated Environments
(IEEE, 2021-12-07) Dharmasena, T; Abeygunawardhana, P. K. W
The surveillance domain is becoming increasingly popular due to the demand for security and safety. In terms of the data being used, the cameras linked to them play an essential role. However, in poorly lit environments, the acquired image may appear to be underexposed when the camera adjusts itself to the light available in the scene, resulting in a loss of visual information in poorly lit regions. This could result in poor functionality in image based processing, as well as a negative impact on remote surveillance monitoring activities. This study offers a novel algorithm for improving the illumination of scenes that are unevenly lit using a selective pixels processing method to enhance the illumination of the environment. Rather than processing grayscale versions of red,green and blue channels to enhance the image, this approach uses value (v) channel of an HSV image.
Open Access
The impact of online reviews on inbound travellers’ decision making
(Springer Nature, 2020-01-29) Jayathilaka, R; Dharmasena, T; Rezahi, N; Haththotuwegama, S
This paper explores the hotel experience of inbound travellers to five-star boutique hotels of Sri Lanka and ascertains how hotels have satisfied their customers’ expectations through assessment of the positive and negative reviews. A qualitative research method of content analysis incorporating quantitative elements is engaged for this study. Data comes from a survey conducted by the TripAdvisor website. This study reveals that all dimensions of service quality played an equally important role from the perspective of customers. However, consumers are not satisfied due to the presence of perceived quality gaps. It was revealed that to maximise customer satisfaction, boutique hotels need to refer to online reviews to obtain authentic information from their guests. Sri Lanka is making strong efforts to support its tourism industry which got affected by the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, therefore the findings of this paper will undoubtedly be useful for the trade.
Open Access
The nexus between information and consumer confusion: Information provider vs information recipient
(2020-03-31) Dharmasena, T; Jayathilaka, R
Purpose – The purpose of this study is aimed at analysing the contributors of consumer confusion from theperspectiveofbothinformationprovidersandrecipients. Design/methodology/approach – Using Sri Lanka as a case study, this study demonstrates views of consumer confusion in terms of information and its contributors in light of the framework adopted by Lu andGursoy(2015). Findings – The results ascertain that too much, too similar and too ambiguous information from information providers’ perspective have a significant impact on consumer confusion in the context of the inbound tourist industryin Sri Lanka. Most importantly, it is evident that the information recipients’ knowledge and behaviour attributes, namely, internet experience, learning orientation, tolerance for ambiguity, price consciousness and requirement for cognition have no significant impact on consumer confusion. Furthermore, the quality andquantityofinformationprovidedarecrucialfortheminimisationoravoidanceofconsumerconfusion. Practical implications – The practical implications drawn from this study could influence all stakeholders of the inbound online tourism trade including managers, advertising executives and marketingexpertsinprovidinggoodqualityinformationtopromotetourism. Originality/value – The contribution of this research is related to the analysis from a theoretical and an empiricalperspectiveofboththeinformationproviders’ anddecision-makingofrecipients.
Open Access
Novel Sprinter Assistive Smart Agent for Continuous Performance Improvement
(IEEE, 2021-04-06) Subhashana, H; Bandara, C; Bandara, I; Devindi, A; Kuruwitaarachchi, N; Dharmasena, T
In the field of Sports, sprinting is the term used for introducing running over a short distance in a limited time. To date, a method to identify whether sprinters are getting enough speed during the accelerated period is not available so far. This paper proposes a smart agent to recognize the technical precision and performance of a sprinter using wireless hardware devices and a software solution. Smart shoe, track sensor, arm motion detection bracelet are the devices used to collect data from a sprinter. After required data collecting is complete the based web application provides feedback to the sprinter to improve sprinting techniques. This modern technology based system reduces human errors and workload of a trainer and would be highly beneficial for the sports community including coaches and sprinters as it could be accessed through mobile phones. The results of the study show the visualization of sprinter data effectively and an analysis on the obtained data regarding the performance.
Open Access
Towards a greener future: examining carbon emission dynamics in Asia amid gross domestic product, energy consumption, and trade openness
(Springer Nature, 2024-02-10) Dharmapriya, N; Edirisinghe, S; Gunawardena, V; Methmini, D; Jayathilaka, R; Dharmasena, T; Wickramaarachchi, C; Rathnayake, N
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of gross domestic product, energy consumption, and trade openness on carbon emission in Asia. Among the 48 countries in Asia, 42 were included in the analysis, spanning a period of 20 years. Given that Asia is the predominant contributor, accounting for 53% of global emissions as of 2019, a comprehensive examination at both continental and individual country levels becomes imperative. Such an approach aligns with local, regional, and global development agendas, contributing directly and indirectly to climate change mitigation. The analytical techniques employed in this study encompassed panel regression and multiple linear regression, illuminating the specifc contributions of each country to the study variables and their impact on carbon emissions. The fndings suggest that gross domestic product (13 out of 42 countries), energy consumption (21 out of 42 countries), and trade openness (eight out of 42 countries) have a highly signifcant impact (p<0.01) on carbon emissions in Asia. Energy consumption plays a vital role in increasing carbon emissions in Asia, driven by rising populations, urbanisation, and oil and gas production. Policymakers can take several actions such as adopting a carbon pricing system, using sustainable transportation, renewable energy development,and international cooperation within Asia to reach the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
Open Access
The usage of cash deposit machines: An empirical analysis of identifying determinant factors
(2020) Jayathilaka, R; Pathiratne, H; Jayanath, C; Perera, H; Wickremasinghe, S; Dharmasena, T
Banks in Sri Lanka have launched a new generation of machines facilitating cash deposits that are credited instantly to accounts. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that influence the customers’ level of cash deposit machines (CDMs) usage. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used to accomplish the purpose of the research. The study used primary data in the form of a structured questionnaire covering the variables of TAM. Correlational analysis was used to demonstrate the constructed hypotheses among the variables, and multiple linear regression was used to measure the impact of customer attitude towards the usage of CDM. Results from the analysis indicated that reliability, perceived ease of use, perceived risk and perceived usefulness were significant factors, whereas the security factor was considered less significant concerning the use of CDMs. The contribution of this research is related to the analysis from a theoretical and empirical perspective of the customer attitude towards the usage of CDM. The practical implications drawn from this study will be useful to bank managers, marketing experts and advertising executives in providing good quality services promoting CDM, whilst developing grievance settlement to build trust among customers, enabling extensive usage.