Browsing by Author "Weligodapola, M"

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    PublicationOpen Access
    Factors influencing migration intention of undergraduates in Sri Lanka: ‘About more than employment
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2026-01-26) Marawila, R; Weerarathna, R; Rathnayake, N; Guruge, R; Wehella, B; Udugahapattuwa, T; Weligodapola, M
    The objective of this study is to examine the factors influencing Sri Lankan undergraduates' intention to migrate. Persistent economic, social, and political challenges have driven many youngsters and professionals to leave their Country of Origin (COO). The economic collapse triggered by COVID-19 further intensified this trend, leading to a sharp increase in outward migration. Recently, a growing number of Sri Lankan undergraduates and skilled professionals have expressed a strong desire to relocate abroad, often immediately after completing secondary education. For this study, a sample of 385 undergraduates from state and non-state universities across Sri Lanka was analysed. Given the national concerns of brain drain and shortages of trained and skilled workers, the study specifically focused on understanding undergraduates' aspirations to migrate. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to identify and test the variables influencing migration intentions within the Sri Lankan context. The findings provide a holistic picture of the drivers of undergraduate migration. These carry important implications not only for students but also for policymakers and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), by informing policies and strategies that could encourage young people to realise their potential within Sri Lanka rather than abroad.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Maritime ports and operational barriers: tracing research trajectories through bibliometric mapping
    (Cogent OA, 2025-12-20) Herath, R; Weligodapola, M; Attygalle,O; Bandara, J; Yahampath, M
    Maritime ports are critical nodes in facilitating global trade, yet they encounterpersistent challenges that sizably affect their operational performance and efficiency.this study is identified as a systematic review using bibliometric analysis to provide anoverview of research developments and trends in operational challenges withinmaritime ports from 2010 to early 2025. this study utilises the prisMa framework,obtaining 96 peer-reviewed journal articles from 60 sources obtained from the scopusdatabase. Data analysis was conducted using tools such as r-studio, Bibliometrix,vOsviewer and nvivo. Our analysis identified the most productive and influentialjournals, institutions, and regions, highlighting the key contributions to the field. thisstudy emphasised articles with the highest citation count, which can serve as referencepoints based on current trends. we also employed co-occurrence techniques andthematic maps to identify trending topics and concepts within the domain. thematiccoding of the literature was conducted to identify the major challenges affecting ports.this analysis provides a noteworthy trajectory of the growth in literature concerningasian nations, most prominently china, india and singapore, which emerged as leaderswithin this domain. it further shows that previous studies have emphasised emergingthemes like digitalisation, congestion, berth allocation, and port risks, which reinforcethe major operational barriers faced by ports globally.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Psychological capital and personality traits in balancing work–life: a developing country perspective
    (nature.com, 2025-10-06) Pushpika, A; Jayathilaka, R; Weligodapola, M
    Achieving career aspirations while managing personal responsibilities is a global challenge for women, especially in Asian countries. Despite extensive research on work–life balance, many aspects remain unexplored. This study examines the influence of psychological capital and personality traits on work–life balance, identified as an area needing further investigation. Using a blended approach, the study integrates quantitative data from online surveys of Sri Lankan government and private bank employees and qualitative insights from online interviews. The ordered Probit regression model revealed that self-efficacy, optimism, and resilience significantly impact work–life balance, while hope does not. Among personality traits, neuroticism and conscientiousness are most influential. Thematic analysis found resilience to have the greatest impact, with personality effects varying by individual preference. Methodological triangulation was used to avoid research bias. Coping strategies for promoting work–life balance are discussed. This study is valuable for female bankers seeking work–life balance and offers insights for banking sector personnel and policymakers to develop effective strategies, contributing to the sector’s performance and economic growth.