Browsing by Author "Lokeshwara, A. A"

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Open Access
Conceptual Study on Socio-Economic Impact of the Decline in Firm Performances of Hotels in Sri Lanka
(Macrothink Institute, 2020-12-03) Nagendrakumar, N; Lokeshwara, A. A; Jayasuriya, K. R. G. T; Ravisara, K. R. G. T; Weerawickrama, M. J; Madushan, M. G. D
The study aims to determine the socio-economic impact of the decline in firm performances of hotels in Sri Lanka. Evidence from previous research found that 91% of the hotels listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) were in the distress zone and this study aims to fill the prevailing knowledge gap by determining the socio-economic impact of this decline. The study will be conducted using a sample of 33 hotels listed under the consumer services sector of the CSE, by considering the firm performance as the independent variable while the dependent variable is the socio-economic impact. The firm size was considered as the moderating variable. Indicators such as Return on Equity (ROE), Return on Assets (ROA) and occupancy rate derived from annual reports and other publications was used to measure firm performance while several indicators derived from statistical reports published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Central Bank will be used to measure socio-economic impact. The research will be conducted during a period of 10 years from 2009 to 2019. Findings from the research will contribute to the existing literature on the assessment of socio-economic impacts and are beneficial to a variety of stakeholders such as hotel managers, government, tourist development authorities and upcoming researchers.
Embargo
Conquerors of poverty – a case study of Colombo slum dwellers
(Emerald Publishing, 2025-02-07) Nanayakkara Wasam Mudage, K; Weerasinghe, N; Madusanka, M; Saliya, C.A; Lokeshwara, A. A; Jayatissa, C. D
Purpose: While extensive research has explored poverty in various dimensions, there remains a notable dearth of studies focusing on success stories of slum dwellers overcoming adversity. This research seeks to address this gap by investigating the strategies employed by individuals to transcend poverty. Moreover, it evaluates the practicality and effectiveness of existing theories in real-world contexts through careful interpretation. Design/methodology/approach: Data were gathered from two distinct cases through comprehensive, in-depth interviews. These narratives were subjected to scrutiny employing the Description Analysis Interpretation method. Subsequent interpretation and theoretical exploration were guided by Bourdieu’s class theory. The overarching goal was to shed light on the remarkable journeys of specific slum residents who surpassed the constraints of poverty. This endeavor not only highlighted the practical efficacy of these theories but also underscored their relevance in illuminating real-world scenarios through interpretation. Findings: The findings underscore the capacity of slum dwellers to rise above poverty, thereby emphasizing the practical utility of specific theories aimed at poverty alleviation in elucidating their experiences. Notably, social capital, a cornerstone of Bourdieu’s class theory, emerges as equally pivotal as economic capital in shaping individuals' trajectories. Research limitations/implications: The study’s scope is confined to narratives within the Colombo slums, offering a platform for future researchers to extend their investigations beyond this context. By employing alternative methodologies and exploring diverse geographical regions, scholars can broaden their understanding of poverty alleviation strategies and their applicability across varied socioeconomic landscapes. This calls for wider research for comprehensive exploration and comprehension of poverty dynamics beyond singular locales. Practical implications: The study provides invaluable insights for policymakers, governmental bodies and nongovernmental organizations, urging them to reconsider and reformulate policies, educational strategies and community development programs tailored to the needs of slum dwellers and their children. These insights offer a pathway toward more effective interventions aimed at fostering sustainable upliftment within these marginalized communities. Originality/value: This research fills a critical gap in poverty literature by exploring success stories of slum dwellers overcoming adversity, an area often overlooked. It uniquely investigates the strategies these individuals employ to transcend poverty, offering fresh insights into the practical application of poverty alleviation theories. Utilizing Bourdieu’s class theory, the study highlights the importance of both social and economic capital in these success narratives. By focusing on real-life experiences, it underscores the relevance and utility of these theories in real-world contexts, enriching the theoretical discourse and providing valuable perspectives for policymakers and practitioners.Poverty
Open Access
Factors Influencing the Private Cost of Higher Education; the Case of Sri Lanka
(researchgate.net, 2019-03) Gobinath, S; Tharshan, K; Dheerasekara, W. R. H; Gunawardena, M.M.D de S; Jayakody, S. G; Lokeshwara, A. A
The research aims to identify and analyze the cost elements that impact the private cost of university education in Sri Lanka. It focused on determining the private cost of the Bachelor’s degree programs and also the cost elements affecting the total private cost and their significance. Twenty one cost categories were identified through a pilot study and analyzed in order to assess their impact on the private cost and their variability based on field of study, gender, programme duration, and the socio-economic group of undergraduates. The population comprised of students enrolled in private higher education institutes offering Bachelor’s degree programs in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted during the 2016/2017 academic year and the sample contained 419 respondents drawn utilizing the purposive and stratified random sampling procedures. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square test for independent sample statistics at 0.05 level of significance. It was found that majority of cost categories (15) had significantly varied between fields of study undertaken while minority of cost categories (10) varied significantly between students’ gender. The study revealed that the identified factors influenced the private cost of university education in the Sri Lankan context.
Embargo
Obstacles and Challenges for People with Visual Impairment and Blindness in Seeking Financial Services from the Banking Sector
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences,SLIIT, 2021-09-25) Suraweera, T; Wickramarachchi, C; Ranasinghe, R. A. B. N; Jayarathna, I. G. N. H; De Silva, W. P. P; Lokeshwara, A. A
In Sri Lanka, it is observed that the persons with visual impairment and blindness are experiencing several difficulties and challenges when it comes to using banking services. This paper explores the obstacles and challenges encountered by this group of customers based on qualitative approach using semi-structured questionnaire. Ten customers representing the visually impaired and blind community and seven officials representing a range of commercial banks were the interview respondents. Thematic analysis was used to obtain corresponding results. The key findings of this study shows that this community experiences various obstacles when accessing the banking services due to the banks’ reluctance and inadequate training in providing the service with accurate information. Through this outcome, it manifests a clear insight on the key factors which affect the level of financial inclusion of persons with visual impairment and blindness. This research is an eye-opener for policymakers within and outside the banking sector to make improvements in financial inclusion concerning this vulnerable community that would help enhance their social and economic empowerment.