SLIIT International Conference on Advancements in Sciences and Humanities [SICASH] 2023

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Open Access
In vitro Regeneration of Gypsophila Paniculata L. Through Nodal Segments
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Kaliyadasa, P.E; Maheepala, G. H. N.
Gypsophila (Gypsophila paniculata L.), commonly known as baby’s breath, is a very popular ornamental plant in the floriculture industry. Gypsophilas are often grown as ornamental plants in many European gardens. They are valuable as a cut flower in floristry to add as a filler to flower bouquets. A protocol for the regeneration of Gypsophila paniculata L. using nodal explants grown in the field was established. The induction of multiple shoots was best obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg L-1 BAP and 0.5 mg L-1 NAA. After 8 weeks of initial culture, multiple shoots were regenerated from the explants and transferred to the rooting medium with different concentrations of IBA and NAA. The highest number of roots was obtained from the MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 IBA and 0.5 mg L-1 NAA within 6 weeks. Rooted plantlets were hardened and established in pots with 89% highest survival rate.
Open Access
Approach or Avoid? A Quantitative Study on the Dualistic Nature of Social Media Envy in Undergraduates in a Non-state University in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Perera, R; Abeysinghe, N; Galappaththi, K
Envy is a complex emotion studied recently, especially with the impact of social media. This study explored the dualistic nature of social media envy in Sri Lankan undergraduates from a nonstate university. Using a quantitative design, data from 155 participants were collected via Google Forms and analysed with Spearman’s Rank test. Results indicated statistically significant positive moderate relationships between social media usage and both benign envy and malicious envy. However, social media only accounted for 20% of benign envy and 8.8% of malicious envy, suggesting it’s only one of many contributors. Furthermore, the association between social media usage and benign envy was stronger than that with malicious envy, implying social media envy may be less severe than perceived in Sri Lanka. The study acknowledges limitations, such as sample size and focus on one university. Future research should address these limitations and explore the dualistic nature of social media envy in different populations and contexts. Overall, the study emphasises the need to understand the complexity of envy and how social media can amplify or alleviate it. Findings have implications for social media usage, regulation, and interventions promoting emotional well-being.
Open Access
Liability of the Air Carrier for the Death and Injury of a Passenger
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Balasuriya, B.M.A.H.H.
International Civil Aviation Law is one of the most important legal orders in the contemporary International Law. Since passengers are the most important component in aviation processes, it is important to ensure the protection of passengers during the aviation process. An international legal framework for air carrier liability for passengers is governed by the Warsaw Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules relating to International Carriage by Air in 1929 and also Montreal Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules relating to International Carriage by Air in 1999. Even though these conventions are available, there are some lacunas related to ensuring the protection of the passengers covered by dozens of Case Laws. As Montreal Convention in 1999 replaced the Warsaw convention in 1929, it is paramount to ascertain the existing legal phenomena regarding the liability for death and injury of passengers, enriched by case laws. The focus of this study is a doctrinal research based on International Conventions, Case Laws, Law Reports and Law Journals in an international context. Based on the International Conventions and Case Laws, this paper will analyse the existing legal regime related to air carriers’ liability over death and injury of passengers in the field of International Civil Aviation.
Open Access
Parents’ Agreements to Actions That Can Be Taken by the School for the Intervention of Parents Towards the Teaching-Learning Process of Adolescent Students in the School
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Manewa, R.M.E.S.; Jayarathna, R.N.H.M.S
Parents have a special place for the people who teach students. Support given by the parents is a must for a successful teaching- learning process. Both the school and parents are highly important for students who are getting ready to face the General Certificate of Education (Ordinal Level) exam step by step. Teachers, students, parents and all the others involve in the field of education will find this study is important. As the objectives of this study, identifying the agreements of parents to actions taken by the school to intervene parents in to Teaching-Learning process, identification of agreements which are approved by majority of parents and managing and ranking those agreements can be mentioned. A Survey has been used for this study and the sample includes 60 students who are studying in grade 10 and 11 classes of the only 1AB school of Mawathagama Educational Division and Sixty parents either mother or father of 15 boys and 15 girls of both 10A and 11A. Purposive sampling has been used to select the parents. Questionnaires were used and preparation of questionnaires and data analysis were done based on actions that can be used to get parents’ support to school introduce by Allen, Epstein and others. Quantitative and qualitative data has been analyzed. Majority of the parents have agreed to hold programs and functions toassess parents that assist the school. Minority of parents have which parents for different school functions in which they can assist in health activities of family. Generally it can be concluded that parents show less interest to spend lot of time in the school for intervention inside the school premises.
Open Access
Unveiling the Unspoken: A Content Analysis of ‘School Girl’ Sri Lankan Online Pornography
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Perera, P. Y. O.; Pieris, W. G. A. D.
Technological advancements in Sri Lanka have normalized and popularized the use of pornography, particularly with a focus on schoolgirl-related content. Unfortunately, the potential negative consequences associated with this content category have been largely disregarded. This study aims to examine the portrayal of Sri Lankan schoolgirls in Sri Lankan pornographic videos, focusing on behaviours, scenarios, and power dynamics. It analyses the representation of agency, autonomy, and consent, emphasizing gender equality. This sheds light on the objectification and sexualisation of schoolgirls in pornographic videos, emphasizing concerns about protection against harmful societal stereotypes. Employing a content analysis approach, the study purposively selects videos from three popular adult websites based on recent uploads and explicit references to schoolgirls. A comprehensive coding system is developed to analyse descriptive characteristics, sexual behaviours, scenarios, agency, autonomy, consent, and power dynamics, ensuring intercoder reliability through rigorous familiarization and systematic analysis. The analysis of 111 Sri Lankan schoolgirl pornographic videos reveals significant findings. The portrayal of performers wearing school uniforms (48.5%) raises concerns about the objectification of schoolgirls. Dominant themes include romantic scenarios (79.2%), with prevalent sexual behaviours involving vaginal intercourse (65.7%) and non-penetrative activities (63.9%) and promoting less safe sexual practices. Power dynamics vary between equal (77.4%) and unequal (22.5%) relationships. Results suggest that Sri Lankan pornography perpetuates stereotypes portraying schoolgirls as sexually assertive individuals. Further research is needed to understand the motivations behind the demand for this genre and its societal impact, enabling efforts to combat harmful stereotypes.
Open Access
The Use of the Literary Present Tense in Literary Analyses Written by Undergraduates of English Literature in Sri Lanka: An Error Analysis
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Dissanayake, A.K
In literary analyses, the literary present tense is used to discuss certain events that take place in literary works. In other words, in literary analyses, writers sometimes use the present tense in reference to works of literature written in the past. Literature students for whom English is a second language can find it daunting to grasp the concept of using the simple present to discuss past events. Apart from this confusion, undergraduate students of English literature can face difficulty in distinguishing between the creative and academic writing styles, especially as they are exposed to both styles of writing and are expected to write academically about creative writing. Against this backdrop, this study analyzed errors related to the use of present tense that occurred in academic writing samples of 21 undergraduate students studying English literature at a Sri Lankan nonstate higher education institute. The causes of these errors too were determined. The error analysis was conducted according to the five steps suggested by S. Pit Corder (1967). A total of 32 present tense-related errors were identified. Of them, 12 were instances of when the literary present tense was not used where necessary. The remaining 20 errors were examples of students’ usage of the simple present tense instead of the simple past. These two types of errors indicate that the students lack knowledge and/ or practice in determining when (and when not) to use the literary present tense in their literary analyses. Furthermore, a reporting sentence which could be written in either the simple present or simple past tense was identified; such reporting sentences can be construed as increasing the difficulty that students would face in the selection of tenses. Therefore, it can be concluded that literature undergraduates should be introduced to the concept of the literary present tense, which is not a term that is frequently discussed in books written about the pedagogy of academic writing, according to the researcher’s knowledge.
Open Access
A Study on Depression of University Students due to Academic Stress in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Fazly, A; Kulaweera, M.T
Academic stress and depression in students are complex and with multifaceted issues. Stress is an inevitable part of academic life that negatively impacts students’ mental health, including depression. This study investigates depression among university students due to academic stress, identifies risk factors, examines barriers to mental health treatment access, and suggests recommendations for educators and mental health experts. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from university students in the Colombo district. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis tests were employed to evaluate the relationship between academic stress and depression. A total of 83 respondents participated in this questionnaire, out of which 55.4% were female and 44.6% were male respectively. Students’ mental health negatively affects academic performance at 71.1%, with 63.9% having no access to mental health professionals at university. Uncertainty in mental health services is reported by 43.4%, while 42.2% know where to seek help for depression. According to the study, there is a significant relationship between academic stress and depression, as well as between depression and gender. Regularly, more than 40% of respondents’ report experiencing difficulty concentrating, anxiety, disappointment, sleepiness, and anger. University students’ mental health and well-being require attention from mental health experts and professionals. demic stress; Student depression; Risk factors;eatment access; Coping echniques
Open Access
Law Goes Blue: A Phase towards a Sustainable Marine Life
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Samaradiwakara, S
The blue economy concept gained significant momentum in Rio +20, where nations undertook the promise to embark on sustainable blue growth. The overexploitation of ocean resources has brought in a sustainable development crisis, and in response to tackling its challenges has emerged the concept of the Blue Economy, which encompasses the two competing discourses - exploiting the marine resources and ocean sustainability. Blue economy, therefore, offers a fresh approach to conserving the oceans while extracting its benefits equitably and sustainably. In an age where the emphasis is on the green economy, the blue economy tries to bolster it rather than replace it. Sri Lanka, due to its geographical location in the Indian Ocean, is blessed with maritime areas seven times larger than the land area, and it provides one of the frontiers for economic development. Fishing, sea transportation, tourism, seabed mining and minerals are the activities that have immense potential in providing sustainable livelihood. Findings of the existing literature on this topic show that they are not comprehensive nor give sufficient attention to the legislative framework of Sri Lanka in harnessing the emerging concept so as to attain sustainable development. Hence, there is a gap in the existing literature as no study has discussed the legislative and policy framework and the challenges in giving effect to the blue economy. Research Problem includes despite the fact that there are catena of environmental legislation enacted in the idea of protecting and preserving the nature and its riches to which extent the legislations could be utilized to promote the blue economy concept? The purpose of this research paper is to examine the existing legal framework that bolsters the emerging concept of the blue economy and the challenges in protecting the marine ecosystem in the Sri Lankan context. This paper, employing a doctrinal legal research methodology, examines the importance of the blue economy concept to the island as a whole and the legislative initiatives that have been taken by the government to honour the concept of the blue economy while preserving and protecting the marine ecology. To this end, the paper analyses the relevant national legislations and the International Conventions which constitute as primary sources and to a lesser extent the scholarly articles on the concept as secondary sources. The paper concludes that the existing domestic legal framework could be utilized successfully to implement the concept and highlights the fact that the decision-makers and the judiciary should be willing and committed to recognizing the concept and, at the same, time prioritizing the conservation of the marine ecosystem.
Open Access
Perceived Stress as a Predictor of Sleep Quality in Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Jayasena, M; Abeysinghe, N
Research spanning several years has explored the topic of perceived stress among university students. Globally, investigations consistently highlight that undergraduates encounter escalated levels of perceived stress during their academic journey, often attributed to the intricate interplay between their physical, social, and emotional well-being. The transition to an unfamiliar lifestyle, coupled with the demands of academia and evolving familial dynamics, contributes substantially to heightened stress levels. Sleep disruptions and compromised sleep quality emerge as prevalent issues for a considerable number of undergraduates. Recent studies conducted in Sri Lanka underscore a noteworthy upswing in perceived stress among local undergraduates within the last decade. This study undertakes an exploration into the intricate connection between perceived stress and sleep quality within the context of a nonstate Sri Lankan university. Employing quantitative research methods, data was gathered from a cohort of 125 participants, (83 female, 39 male,3 LGBTQ) from the Humanities and Sciences faculty. The perceived stress scale, K10 and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index were used to collect the data. According to the results, participant’s gender has no influence on perceived stress levels, but does affect sleep quality in undergraduates (U = 103.0, p = .033), with males reporting lower sleep quality than females. This finding highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce stress and improve sleep quality among undergraduates.
Open Access
The Most Influencing Factors for Cigarette Smoking Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Lakshmi, N.; Dasanayake, C. D. K.; De Silva, B. S. S.
Cigarette smoking is a major public health problem in the world, and smoking leads to diseases and disabilities and harms nearly every organ of the body. All forms of cigarettes are harmful, and there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco. Nicotine is one of the toxic chemicals found in tobacco and can cause carcinomas. A significant number of students experimented for the first time with cigarette smoking in adolescence. Cigarette smoking during adolescence causes significant health problems, such as an increase in the number and severity of respiratory illnesses, decreased physical fitness, and potential effects on lung growth and function. The participants who smoked had poor academic performance, drank alcohol, were sexually active, and were more likely to smoke with other adolescents. This study aims to identify the most influencing factors for cigarette smoking among adolescents. This systematic review included literature from 2017 to 2022 through databases such as PUBMED, CINHAL, and MEDLINE. The review includes six studies that revealed the influencing personal, environmental, and community factors for cigarette smoking among adolescents through multivariate logistic regression and path analyses in several countries. The probability of smoking was found to be higher among adolescents with male gender, high body mass index, social anxiety, high grades, sufficient pocket money, and positive attitudes toward smoking. Peer smoking, secondhand smoking (SHS) exposure, smoker parents, free cigarettes from tobacco companies, the indigenous population, and parenting patterns were found as influencing factors to combat the threat of cigarette smoking among adolescents. To combat the threat of cigarette smoking among adolescents, gender- and culture-sensitive prevention programs are required.
Open Access
Perceived Competencies and Performance: A Study on Grade 11 Teachers at Government National Schools in the Welimada Education Zone
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Priyanga, A.M.L.
Employee competencies and individual’s competencies represent the capability the individual brings to the job situation. This study is undertaken to understand how competencies of teachers will affect their job performance. It is important to understand the factors that affect teaching performance in order understand how to improve productivity and effectiveness in the teaching process. The study thus focuses on understanding the perception of teachers across different variables related to teacher competencies, performance and factors affecting them. The main objectives are to identify the current level of competencies of teachers, to understand the effect of demographic factors on JP and to understand the relationship between the level of competencies and JP. In order to address the set objectives, the research looks at competencies from the perspective of knowledge, skills and attitudes. JP was gauged through TP and OCB. The study assesses the effect of seven demographic factors and thirty specific competencies related to teaching on job performance. Sample sizes of 135 teachers of Grade 11 were selected from a study population of teachers from National schools in Welimada Education Zone. The perceived competency factors by Malhotra and Das (2009), TP scale by William & Anderson (1991), OCB scale by William & Anderson (1991) and Demographic variables scale by Borman and Motowidlo (1997) were the measures of the study. Findings from the study reveals that three dimensions of the perceived competencies; Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of the teachers are very high and the relationship between perceived competencies and JP are positively correlated, to an increase in the level of perceived competencies adapted by individuals supporting influence performance as a group in organization. The study also reveals that the demographic variables education qualification and job tenure affect job performance, while gender, age and marital status do not affect job performance. Implications from the study for theoretical, managerial decision making and as well as recommendations for future research are discussed.
Open Access
Prevalence of Stress and Associated Factors among Field Midwives in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 Pandemic
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Pathirana, J. M. P; Edirisinghe, N. P; Amarasekara, T.D.
The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on people’s physical and mental health. Globally, the stress faced by healthcare workers during COVID-19 has been investigated. The aim of the study was to describe the level of perceived stress, and associated factors, among field midwives (FMs). A descriptive crosssectional study of FMs in selected Medical Officer of Health (MOH) regions in the Matara district was carried out. FMs were among the subjects, while those on maternity leave and without at least six months of professional experience were not included. Data were collected using validated Perceived Stress Scale-10, and a pretested socio-demographic questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, and a Chi-square test. The study participants had a mean age of 41.43±12.01. Results indicated that 27.6% of the FMs experienced low stress, 51% experienced moderate stress, and 21.4% reported high perceived stress levels. The presence of any chronic diseases (95% CI, 0.077-0.966, OR=0.274, p=0.034) and economic status (95% CI, 1.079- 1.261, OR=6.374, p=0.011) showed statistically significant associations with perceived stress. In conclusion, the majority of FMs were moderately 74 (51%) stressed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Open Access
Disease Identification and Mapping using CNN in Paddy Fields
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Sandeepanie, W.D.N; Rathnayake, S; Gunasinghe, A
Rice, a globally vital staple crop, sustains over half of the world’s caloric needs while supporting the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and landless laborers. The escalating global population has led to an increased demand for rice production. Sri Lanka, renowned for its premium rice quality, has a rich history of paddy cultivation. However, a substantial portion of the country’s 708,000 hectares of paddy land remains underutilized due to water scarcity and unstable terrain. The objective of this project is to enhance paddy crop quality during the critical vegetative phase by employing machine learning and web development for early disease identification. The vegetative phase significantly influences overall yield, resistance to pests and diseases, nutrient assimilation, and environmental sustainability in agriculture. This project primarily focuses on early disease identification during this phase and presents the findings through a user-friendly map interface. Early identification of paddy diseases is vital for effective crop management and high yields. These diseases, caused by various pathogens, can severely impede plant growth and productivity if not promptly detected and treated. Identifying them early enables farmers and experts to take timely, targeted actions such as applying suitable fungicides or implementing cultural practices to control their spread and minimize crop damage. A logical map, displaying disease spread percentages, will gauge the impact of infections on paddy plants. The reliability of this mapping process hinges on model accuracy, which was rigorously validated using multiple metrics to ensure its effectiveness.
Open Access
Translation and Validation of the ‘Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism’ on a Sinhala-Speaking Population of 3- to 12-year-olds in Colombo and Gampaha Districts
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Pathiraja, G.A.P.S.S.O; Ponnamperuma, L
There is a significant need for appropriate culturally sensitive, standardized screening tools in many countries including Sri Lanka for the accurate identification of ASD which leads to specific interventions and good prognosis. The study’s aim was to investigate psychometric properties by translating and validating the Indian Scale for the Identification of Autism on a Sinhala-speaking population of 3 to 12-year-olds in Colombo and Gampaha districts to increase the efficiency and quick screening of autism in routine clinics. The methodology included the systematic forward and backward translation, Delphi process and data collection from clinical and non-clinical samples from Sinhala speaking parents of 3- to 12-year-olds in Colombo and Gampaha districts. The study had a good internal consistency reliability measured through Cronbach’s alpha of .927. There was high sensitivity and specificity measures whereby a cutoff score of 68 was ensured through the Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve. Overall, the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism is suitable to be used in routine clinics in Colombo and Gampaha districts.
Open Access
Overreaching Ambition, the Harbinger of Tragedy: Observing the English Literary Periods
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Jayasinghe, M.K
Ambition, innocently defined as ‘something one ardently desires to achieve,’ by the Oxford Learners Dictionary, harbors a paradoxical trait - its capacity for peril when taken to excess. This enigma finds early expression in the myth of Icarus, whose disregard for moderation led to his tragic demise. Across the annals of English literature, from the Renaissance to the Modern era, this theme of ambition’s double-edged sword echoes prominently. Works like Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragedy of Dr. Faustus, the Shakespearean tragedies both Macbeth and Julius Caeser straddling the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, Mary Shelley’s Romantic masterpiece Frankenstein, Emily Bronte’s enduring classic Wuthering Heights from the Victorian era, and Arthur Miller’s Modern American drama Death of a Salesman all serve as vivid canvases depicting the havoc wrought by unchecked ambition. This paper examines the motivations and consequences of unrestrained ambition, highlighting the importance of moderation in pursuing one’s goals. Applying a qualitative methodology rooted in textual analysis, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of overreaching ambition on literary characters and its reflection on society.
Open Access
Exploring Subject-Verb Agreement Challenges in the Writing of ESL Learners: An Action Research Study in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Abeywickrama, D.D.; Amaraweera, S
This study is an action research that is conducted to improve the quality of the writings of students in an international school in the Kalutara district. The students make errors related to subject-verb agreement which is an essential component in mastering the English language. They are not mistakes, instead they are errors because the students are not in a state of understanding them on their own. Further, the students are unaware of the grammar rules. Errors occur due to lack of awareness of these specific grammar rules. However, English as a second language (ESL) learners struggle immensely in mastering subjectverb agreement. This study mainly centers around three error types such as the subject is a list of two or more nouns, the subject is an indefinite pronoun, and the subject agrees with the nearest noun in paired conjunctions. The sample consists of twenty-six students from a grade 08 class of an international school in the Western province of Sri Lanka. A pretest was used to collect data. The main objective of this research is to upgrade the writing skills of grade 8 students, in terms of grammatical accuracy. The use of scaffolding exercises enables the students to understand the grammatical rules clearly and makes them apply the rules correctly. Action research itself is a research design that assists to solve the problems related to the field of education. The problem was identified at first and the intervention was carried out accordingly. Finally, the results were obtained. The difference in mean values of the pre-test and the posttest proves the significant improvements in the writings of the students. Therefore, ESL learners require the necessary guidance and instructions through creative approaches to language learning which creates a learner-friendly environment to become competent writers of English.
Open Access
Sri Lanka, its Laws and its Women: Feminist Jurisprudence Views Law as a Subversive Site for Women
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Rathnayake, K
Patriarchal laws of a country subject women to various degrees of oppression owing to socially constructed institutions. Sri Lankan women continue to struggle with socio-economic, political, and cultural issues that marginalise them, as different social structures, classes, castes, customs, religions and societal behaviours influence, control and suppress them. In this background, the Sri Lankan judicial thinking is dominated by the sameness approach to equality that ensures ‘gender neutral’ laws. And feminists argue that this ‘neutrality’, is simply a male-standard. In this explanatory investigation, this paper questions this ‘male-standard’ and ‘asks the woman question’ to provide insight to the question; Does Sri Lankan Law serve as a Subversive Site for Women? Through this inquiry, it deduces that, taking a difference approach to achieve substantive equality by understanding positionalities and intersectionalities of women in patriarchal societies shall inhibit the contribution of a country’s laws to create a subversive site for its women.
Open Access
Forecasting of Constant GDP per capita of Sri Lanka using ARIMA model
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Wijesinghe, W.R.A.N.M; Umayangi, K.A.S,; De Silva, H.D.K; Mundigalage, S.D.M; Peiris, T. S. G
GDP per capita is a global measurement for assessing the economic prosperity of nations. Constant (Real) GDP per capita eliminates the effects of inflation which allows for a more accurate comparison of GDP per capita over time. However, no statistical models have been developed to predict annual constant GDP per capita (CGDPC) in Sri Lanka. In this study, ARIMA (1,1,0) model was developed using past data from 1961 to 2018 to forecast CGDPC. The best-fitted model was identified based on three possible models using sample ACF and sample PACF of the stationary series and comparing statistics such as AIC, BIC, maximum log-likelihood, and volatility. The residuals of the fitted model were white noise. The training dataset has percentage errors ranging from -6.50% to 3.80%. The model was validated for observed data in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The percentage error for the three points were -3.49, -6.10, and 1.49 respectively. The forecasted values for 2022, 2023, and 2024 obtained were 4506.728, 4653.895, and 4810.505 respectively showing that Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow due to the increase in CGDPC. The GDP per capita growth rates of 2.99%, 3.27%, and 3.37% for the next 3 years also confirm this. The results obtained from this study can be effectively used for better planning. However, it is recommended to improve the model further to reduce the percentage of errors using the ARIMAX approach.
Open Access
Development of a Herbal Wine Using Cassia auriculata and Woodfordia fruticosa
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Sathsarani, A.M. A. D.; Mathangadeera, R.W.; Ranaweera, K.K.D.S.
Wine is a popular alcoholic beverage that has been adored by people around the world for thousands of years. Herbal wine is a type of wine that is infused with medicinal herbs which enhances its flavor and adds to its health benefits. Herbal wine provides numerous health benefits, including a decrease in ovarian cancer, improved bone and skeleton strength, destruction of tumor cells, prevention of heart attacks by maintaining slender coronary arteries, and improved lung function. Herbs have potent anti-bacterial, antimutagenic, and anti-microbial capabilities. This research aims to produce a wine based on herbal ingredients that are important to the human body. The main raw materials used in this study, which consisted of three rounds and a total of thirteen samples, were Cassia auriculata and Woodfordia fruticosa as herbals. The organoleptic properties were evaluated using sensory tests, and the findings were observed while the alcohol content was checked using an ebulliometer. The third sample of the third round passed both tests. This sample was the most promising in terms of the alcohol percentage, which contained a 4%-5% alcohol level, and a sensory test, which was used to check the highest organoleptic characteristics. The major goal of this study was to produce herbal wine utilizing Cassia auriculata and Woodfordia fruticosa. Determining the best combination of Cassia auriculata and Woodfordia fruticosa for wine formulation, as well as the impact of sugar concentration on the synthesis of alcohol activity, were the main objectives.
Open Access
Fungal Meningitis in an Allegedly Immunocompetent Patient in Sri Lanka: A Case Report
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Wijesundara, G. H. L; Yuharaj, R.; Wijedasa, H. S.
Fungi are a significant source of microorganisms, which cause disability and death. They act as opportunistic pathogens in the immunocompromised host. Though it is rare among immunocompetent patients, a 44-year-old allegedly immunocompetent woman developed a sudden onset of headache which was holocranial but radiated to the occipital and neck region gradually and ended up with altered agitated behavior and presented to the Emergency Treatment Unit of National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed the diagnosis of probable Cryptococcal meningitis. Despite free health care system for every citizen of the country with the current economic burden, the management of prevailing treatment became complicated. Administering IV Conventional amphotericin B instead of the ideal treatment of IV Lymphosomal Amphotericin B showed numerous side effects and toxicity systemically in general and specifically on the genitourinary tract of the patient. At the same time, it opened access to a debatable question on assessing the value of disease-centered care and holistic approaching methods especially for the health care professionals. Meanwhile, this study discusses the assessment and implementation of nursing care considering the complications of drug toxicity and adverse effects combined with psychologically negative behavior due to pronged hospitalization for more than 35 days. This case study reveals the impact of nurses’ knowledge and understanding in providing care for the management of rare diseases like fungal meningitis. To provide comprehensive care nurses and the health care team must work together with updated knowledge and hands-on skills for a better patient outcome.