Browsing by Author "Wijesinghe, T"

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Open Access
Appropriateness of Commercial Mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution Method for Subcontractor Disputes in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, 2023-03-25) Hettiarachchi, D.D; Wijesinghe, T; Perera, B.K.C
Disputes in relation to construction sub-contractors are undeniable and quite diversified in common dispute arena with the legal concerns arising out of Doctrine of Privity of Contracts. Continuation of these disputes can adversely affect the cost, quality, and time metrics in a construction project. The merits of commercial mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method, in this regards Sri Lankan construction industry were less explored. Thus, the aim of this research is to determine the appropriateness of commercial mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method for subcontractor disputes. To achieve this aim, a mixed research approach was adopted. Qualitative data was collected through semi structured expert interviews. Then through a questionnaire survey, quantitative data has been gathered. While qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis, quantitative data were analyzed through relative importance index and descriptive analysis based on central tendency dispersion. Initially, both common attributes of commercial mediation and subcontractor disputes in construction industry were listed out. Then, the inter-relationship between two factors were observed. According to the findings, bespoke and incomplete contracts, subcontractor unawareness and lack of knowledge about contract details, liability and responsibility issues, failure to respond in time, interface issues and lack of coordination were identified as the most significant attributes of subcontractor disputes. Further, it was proven that except the attribute ‘having freedom to accept or reject the solution’, all the other attributes of commercial mediation were applicable in resolving subcontractor disputes. Hence, the commercial mediation was determined as an appropriate alternative dispute resolution method in resolving subcontractor disputes in construction projects. All the limitations and necessary recommendations for further studies are presented at the end of the study.
Open Access
Assessment of an ESL Course Module Design Based on Its Representation of the Target Learner Needs: An Experiential Study Conducted at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
(Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Wijesinghe, T
ESL course modules developed with discipline-specific technical language contents are considered a compulsory component in all the undergraduate degree programmes in the state universities of Sri Lanka. These modules scaffold the English-medium instruction, enabling the undergraduates to improve their English language skills, which are necessary in following their selected degree programs. The reasons for considering it necessary to maintain an advanced competency level in English in university education are mainly the disparities in the education system in the country, which cause the students’ demotivation and a lack of interest in studying English. Consequently, the perceived effectiveness of the ESL course modules offered to the undergraduates has also been much debated on their capability of presenting the language according to their specific English language needs. The study, therefore, explores the issue, utilizing a qualitative re-evaluation methodology, in which 30volunteer participants have provided in-depth analyses of their learning experiences. Prior to the main study, a comprehensive Needs Analysis was conducted to identify the specific language requirements of the participants, and the data collection included their writings on specific language needs, interviews as well as structured questionnaire surveys conducted for 15 weeks. The collected data were analysed using qualitative content analysis, and it was understood that the offered course module is generallyeffective in addressing their basic language needs only. However, the study emphasised the need for more and more engaging and integrated language support, under which the students are grouped according to their language proficiency levels.
Open Access
The Impact of Labour Motivation on Project Performance with an Insight into the Sri Lankan Construction Industry
(Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, 2023-03-25) Lakshan, H.G.S; Wijesinghe, T; Perera, B.K.C
Construction labour is a vital resource in the construction industry as they mostly reshape the raw materials into skyscrapers and other living enclosures. In Sri Lanka, the construction industry has been constantly exposed to many uncertainties and challenges. Being a developing country that lead to many socio-economic issues and constant changes in the living standards caused demotivational impacts on the Sri Lankan labour force. Thus, optimizing labour productivity through labour motivation is a significant challenge due to the various category and type of labours. This study aims to identify and evaluate different labour motivational factors in improving the building construction project performances. In accomplishing the aim, the mixed method approach was used and 5 number of interviews, 39 questionnaire responses were taken into the analysis. After the analysis there were 14 most significant labour motivation factors which applicable for Sri Lankan building construction industry. Cost centers for those were collected from the expert interviews and their cost on motivation factors were analyzed the data collected from the questionnaire. After the analysis financial and time cost centers have been identifies as the major cost centers that have been incurred when implementing labour motivational factors. Moreover, checked the association between labour motivational factors and project performance in terms of time saving, cost saving and quality improvement. As a result, they were associated with them. A framework was developed to aid in the selection of best motivational factors in optimizing project performance. As the last part of this study, the motivational recommendations were made to increase the labour productivity. Furthermore, these findings will be useful in optimizing building project performance.
Open Access
REGIONAL RELEVANCY OF THE CIDA PRICE INDICES UNDER THE RESTRICTIONS URGED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
(SLIIT, 2022-02-11) Nissanka, H. D. N. M; Wijesinghe, T
CIDA price fluctuation formula and price indices provide considerable relief to the estimators in mitigating the risk due to the fluctuation of the price of construction inputs during project execution. But there is a huge outcry that the CIDA indices does not appropriately reflect the actual fluctuation of market prices especially during the period of pandemic. The aim of this research was to identify the appropriateness of CIDA indices in ascertaining the price fluctuation of construction material prices across the regions especially under the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The study was limited to analysis the regional behavior of material prices based on the significant materials. Market price of construction materials was collected from suppliers, constructors, and construction professionals who are currently involved in construction projects. The market prices were collected from nine provinces of the country for eight different types of significant materials during the period of pandemic. Collected data were first observed for its behavior within and across the provinces to check the appropriateness to be represented by country wide common indices. This was done through the analysis of variance and through the checking of null hypothesis i.e., “always there is no difference in means between the provincial prices of a given material”. Thereafter the fluctuation of provincial prices of given inputs were compared to the variation of respective CIDA indices with the corresponding time to check the parallelism and correlation. In this research, it has been concluded that, there is a requirement for establishing regional monthly indices for construction inputs.