Browsing by Author "Dunuwila, V. R"

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Open Access
CHALLENGES & PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS ENGAGED IN SELFEMPLOYED VENTURES
(y Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists (SLFUE) Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021-01-21) Dunuwila, V. R; Suraweera, T; Jayathilaka, R; Thelijjagoda, S
People with disabilities experience numerous barriers with regard to securing employment, thus, they are more likely to work for low wages, informally and precariously. Besides, some of them are entitled for a disability benefit which is often inadequate to cover their daily expenses (Global Disability Summit, 2018). Economic empowerment can be defined as a way of ensuring income security for people with disabilities to achieve income security, advance economically, enrich themselves through empowerment and autonomy to make economic decisions within and outside the home (Global Disability Summit, 2018). Self-employment is perceived as a viable option for empowering disabled individuals that facilitates achieving a balance between disability status and work life (Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Adams, et al., 2019). Pagán (2009) indicated the presence of a strong relationship between disability status and self-employment; thus, selfemployment rates were higher among people with disabilities compared to those who report no limitation in daily activities (Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Adams, et al., 2019). The Global Disability Summit (2018) indicates that obstacles to economic empowerment experienced by people with disabilities can vary depending on the nature of an individual’s impairment, their gender, socioeconomic status and the context in which they live. Adams, et al., (2019) further indicate that the decision to enter into self-employment for most disabled individuals were influenced by the ‘push’ factors such as lack of alternative employment opportunities, rather than the ‘pull’ factors such as passion or interest in a particular field, or the desire to work for themselves (Kitching, 2014; Adams, et al., 2019). Past research reveals that the disabled self-employed face significant problems in sustaining the business due to reasons such as consumer discrimination, inadequate training, poor access to information, absence of appropriate business support and challenges in accessing finance (Adams, et al., 2019; Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Vaziri, Schreiber, Wieching, & Wulf, 2014)
Open Access
Effects of Seven Domains of Personal Well-being on Quality of Life of Persons with Visual Impairment and Blindness in Sri Lanka
(researchgate.net, 2021-08) Dunuwila, V. R; Jayathilaka, R; Attale, D; De Seram, H; Sudusinghe, D; Abeyrathna, I; Suraweera, T; Thelijjagoda, S
The quality of life (QoL) of people with disabilities is of interest to social researchers in most parts of the World. However, this is an area somewhat overlooked by society in general. It is obvious that the lifestyle of a person with visual disabilities may differ significantly compared to those who see the World with their own eyes. Additionally, persons with visual disabilities are known to experience specific challenges, unlike people who are sighted. Hence, the main objective of this study is to examine the extent to which the seven domains of the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), namely, the standard of living, achievements in life, community connectedness, close relationships, health, safety, and future security, impact the QoL of people with visual impairment and blindness. The sample of 64 participants, 34 blind and 30 visually impaired individuals, were obtained via purposive sampling from one among 25 districts, Hambanthota, in Southern Sri Lanka. Data collection was carried out through a tailored questionnaire, employed as a telephone survey, and through face-to-face interviews. The relationship between the seven domains of PWI and QoL was analyzed through standard statistical methods using SPSS. Further, demographic factors such as age and gender were also examined in the analysis. Results show that the majority of persons with visual impairment and blindness, in particular those in the age group 40-59, are satisfied with the seven domains of PWI. However, the PWI domain of ‘future of security is of significant concern to this community. The results also assert that the ‘community connectedness’ and ‘achievements in life’ are two areas that need to be looked into by the policymakers for sustained QoL among persons with visual impairment and blindness. Authors acknowledge contribution of the World Bank assisted AHEAD Research project of SLIIT Business School for support extended in relation to data collection and guidance.
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Enhanced algorithmic implementation to assist real-time indoor map generation for vision impaired individuals
(IEEE, 2018-08-08) Jayakody, A; Murray, I; Hermann, J; Lokuliyana, S; Dunuwila, V. R
The complexity of indoor environments has made navigation difficult for vision impaired individuals as well as individuals with clear vision. Although handheld mobility devices have been developed to assist the vision impaired in navigation, they are incapable of capturing parameters such as distance, angle and direction. This paper presents an appraised framework; the Accessible Building Information Model (AccessBIM), which could be used for generating an indoor map in real-time with the classification of real world objects and their locations. The AccessBIM database is equipped with two optimization algorithms; a database optimization algorithm that reduces the time of query execution through indexing, query re-writing, schema redesigning and a memory optimization algorithm known as “Memcache”. Five scenarios were tested using a simulator to determine the accuracy of the map that is generated. The use of the two algorithms ensured that the real-time map generated through the data collected from the simulation environment was similar to the actual floor plan. Hence, it can be concluded that the AccessBIM framework has the potential to play an integral role in assistive technologies related to localization and mapping, thus significantly improving the quality of life for individuals with vision impairment.
Open Access
Factors affecting the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka with special reference to covid-19
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2021) Madhusanka, A. K. P; Jayasuriya, N. U; Ravishanka, M. K. U; Pothupitiya, S. N; Weerarathna, R. S; Dunuwila, V. R
To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections universities and higher educational institutes in Sri Lanka had to suspend all on campus activities and had to tranfer into online learning. This resulted in a swift change in undergraduates’ life style and they had to face many new challenges in their academics which created severe mental pressure. Therefore, the objective of the research is ‘to assess the factors influencing the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka’. The study looks into this mental pressure in terms of the stress levels of undergraduates which is considered to be the dependent variable whereas their online learning experience and university workload are the independent variables. The study takes a quantitative research approach as its primary data is collected through an online questionnaire created from Google Forms and answered by 384 undergraduates. The questionnaire provided data on the online experience and university workload variables and it included the DASS-21 scale (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) which measured the stress level of the undergraduates. Descriptive statistics was conducted on the data through the Microsoft Excel. Based on the data analysis, it was found that the stress levels of undergraduates were; 3% normal, 20% mild, 36% moderate, 21% severe and 20% extremely severe. Therefore, it could be said that 41% of undergraduates faced high stress levels that were beyond what is regular and it negatively affected to the way how they could face challenges and carry out their day to day lives. It should be noted that undergraduates appeared to have much higher stress levels as a result of the pandemic.
Open Access
Factors affecting the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka with special reference to covid-19
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2021-12-03) Madhusanka, A. K. P; Jayasuriya, N. U; Ravishanka, M. K. U; Pothupitiya, S. N; Weerarathna, R. S; Dunuwila, V. R
To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections universities and higher educational institutes in Sri Lanka had to suspend all on campus activities and had to tranfer into online learning. This resulted in a swift change in undergraduates’ life style and they had to face many new challenges in their academics which created severe mental pressure. Therefore, the objective of the research is ‘to assess the factors influencing the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka’. The study looks into this mental pressure in terms of the stress levels of undergraduates which is considered to be the dependent variable whereas their online learning experience and university workload are the independent variables. The study takes a quantitative research approach as its primary data is collected through an online questionnaire created from Google Forms and answered by 384 undergraduates. The questionnaire provided data on the online experience and university workload variables and it included the DASS-21 scale (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) which measured the stress level of the undergraduates. Descriptive statistics was conducted on the data through the Microsoft Excel. Based on the data analysis, it was found that the stress levels of undergraduates were; 3% normal, 20% mild, 36% moderate, 21% severe and 20% extremely severe. Therefore, it could be said that 41% of undergraduates faced high stress levels that were beyond what is regular and it negatively affected to the way how they could face challenges and carry out their day to day lives. It should be noted that undergraduates appeared to have much higher stress levels as a result of the pandemic.
Open Access
Formulation of a National Framework for the Digital Transformation of Sri Lanka’s Public Bus Transport System
(University of Moratuwa, 2019) Dunuwila, V. R; Jayakody, A; Weerawardhana, R. T; Pabasara, W. A. S; Ketipearachchi, U. S; Sunas, H. M
formation of Sri Lanka’s public bus transport system would result in the delivery of a quality transportation experience to passengers while minimizing traffic congestion in Colombo as the availability of a high-quality bus transport service would encourage citizens to use public transport more often instead of their own private vehicles. 32 The proposed research contrasts with other researches as it facilitates the development of a Digitized National framework that would be applicable to the entire bus transport system of the country. Furthermore, it would be beneficial if the passengers are provided with an integrated up-to-date solution where information such as the location of the bus, arrival time, bus fare, duration and journey distance is available in real-time. Besides, the study is also significant as this area has not been much focused academically in the Sri Lankan context. The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, National Transport Commission (NTC), Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners Association will be the main organizations benefitted by this research in addition to passengers travelling in and out of Colombo.
Embargo
Tempcache: A Database Optimization Algorithm for Real-Time Data Handling in Indoor Spatial Environments
(IEEE, 2018-08-08) Jayakody, A; Murray, I; Hermann, J; Lokuliyana, S; Dunuwila, V. R
The unstable arrangement of modern indoor environments has made navigation within buildings a difficult task. Hence, this paper introduces the AccessBIM framework, which is an efficient real-time indoor navigation system that facilitates in generating a real-time indoor map by crowdsourcing spatial data through the sensors available in mobile devices of navigators. The framework is equipped with a database optimization algorithm known as “Tempcache” which reduces the time and cost of searching data by examining the AccessBIM database for previously navigated paths, thus enabling faster data retrieval through efficient query processing. A simulation of a virtual environment similar to an actual indoor environment was used to test the algorithm. The significance of the algorithm was validated by comparing the total map generation time before and after the algorithm was applied for which the results demonstrated a reduction in map generation time with the use of the algorithm. The framework is also capable of capturing localization information with the support of i-Beacons which is then stored in a cloud server.