Browsing by Author "Weerasekara, K"

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Open Access
Does social media information credibility influence social commerce purchase intention of skincare products? Evidence from Facebook
(Public Library of Science, 2025-10-22) Ranjith, P; Nisansala, S; Jayasingha, N; Weerasekara, K; Wisenthige, K; Dayapathirana, N
Social commerce is transforming consumer purchasing behaviours by blending social media interactivity with e-commerce functionalities, and most purchases today are evidently facilitated through social media platforms with ease. Recognising the importance of credibility in skin-related purchases, this study aims to examine how social media information credibility factors, specifically source credibility and electronic word of mouth (e WOM) credibility, influence consumers’ purchase intentions for skincare products on Facebook, considering the mediating roles of trust in online communities and perceived privacy risk. Primary data were collected through a structured survey from 384 skincare purchasers who made their purchases via Facebook, and the model was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). Further, the results reveal that source credibility, e WOM credibility, and trust in online communities positively influence social commerce purchase intention (SCPI), while perceived risk has a negative effect. Trust in online communities also reduces perceived risk and mediates the relationship between information credibility and purchase intention. Hence, these findings highlight the pivotal roles of trust and risk perceptions in shaping online consumer behaviour in the social commerce space, especially within the skincare market. The study emphasises the need for businesses to leverage credible information sources and build trustworthy online communities to enhance consumer confidence and engagement. Moreover, it contributes to the growing literature on social commerce by offering insights from an emerging market context, Sri Lanka, and suggests future research into broader dimensions of credibility and cultural comparisons to deepen the understanding of social commerce.
Open Access
Structural Behavior of Two Major Concrete Dams in Sri Lanka Under Earthquake Loads
(SLIIT, 2022-02-11) Chandrasena, A; Weerasekara, K; Somaratna, N
Dams are built for a variety of purposes including hydropower generation, irrigation, water supply, and flood mitigation. Concrete and earth dams are common types of dams in Sri Lanka. Concrete dams can be categorized as Gravity dams and Arch dams. Gravity dams are most common in Sri Lanka. Dams can also pose safety hazards. Failure of a dam can cause serious damages to both people and property downstream. One of the major threats to dams is earthquakes. They can have significant impacts on the stresses within the dams. In extreme cases this can cause even failures of dams. These possibilities can be investigated using finite element analysis. In this study Rantambe and Moragahakanda concrete gravity dams were selected for 2-D finite element analysis under the action of suitable earthquakes. For each case linear time history analysis was performed using SAP2000 software. The stresses were examined for potential failures. Important considerations in this process were selection of dams, selection of suitable earthquake records, and identification of an appropriate failure criterion. The selection of earthquake records was based on proximity and geological conditions. Koyna earthquake was used to develop suitable earthquake loadings. Peak ground acceleration was varied from 0.05g to 0.15g. Westergaard method was used to assign hydrodynamic loads. Coulomb-Mohr criterion was employed to investigate potential failures in concrete. Stresses in dam models during the earthquakes was scrutinized for potential failures. Significant stress increases were observed in some areas of the dams. These critical areas and corresponding values of earthquake parameters were identified. It was concluded that the dams were unlikely to suffer material failures under earthquake loads even with a peak ground acceleration of 0.1g (which is the value recommended for use for critical structures in the areas concerned).