Research Publications Authored by SLIIT Staff
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/4195
This collection includes all SLIIT staff publications presented at external conferences and published in external journals. The materials are organized by faculty to facilitate easy retrieval.
Browse
6 results
Search Results
Publication Open Access Life expectancy economic growth and resilience in resource constrained economies in the context of COVID-19 and the sustainable development goals(Springer Nature, 2025-11-12) Samadhini, D; Lakshan, P; Nirmani, P; Dulmin, L; Jayathilaka, RThis study contributes to the sustainable development discourse by examining the interplay between health (life expectancy) and economic growth (EG), which is central to Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By investigating the dynamic relationship between Life Expectancy (LE) and EG, measured by LE rates and Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (PGDP), in 51 low and lower-middle-income countries from 1990 to 2023, with a particular focus on the disruptive impact of COVID-19. Employing Wavelet Coherence analysis, Granger Causality, and Johansen Cointegration tests, this study reveals critical relationships and identifies both short and long-term equilibrium linkages within health and economic systems. By explicitly situating the findings within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the study highlights how improvements in population health (SDG 3) and economic resilience (SDG 8) can be mutually reinforcing. It further provides evidence to guide policy interventions and sustainable development strategies. Further results indicate that, while the pandemic weakened short-term causalities, long-term cointegration remains intact, underscoring the need for integrated strategies that simultaneously strengthen health systems and promote inclusive EG. These insights provide critical guidelines for policymakers in resource-constrained contexts seeking to progress toward the SDGs and enhance resilience against future economic shocks. The findings provide insight into how health-system strengthening, and sustainable economic policies can jointly advance progress toward the SDGs.Publication Open Access Restoring life expectancy in low‑income countries: the combined impact of COVID‑19, health expenditure, GDP, and child mortality(PubMed, 2025-03-06) Karunarathne, M; Buddhika, P; Priyamantha, A; Mayogya, P; Jayathilaka, R; Dayapathirana, NBackground: Life expectancy is a vital indicator of a country's health and progress. Low-income countries face uncertainty regarding the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by health expenditure levels, concerns over rising child mortality rates, and decreasing per capita income. These factors challenge life expectancy and demand urgent attention. This study aims to identify patterns, challenges, and opportunities to improve life expectancy in these countries through better health policies and resource allocation.Publication Open Access Factors influencing the timely completion of construction projects in Sri Lanka(Public Library of Science, 2022-12-15) Abeysinghe, N; Jayathilaka, RTimely completion is a crucial factor for the success of a construction project, especially in the Sri Lankan context. This study aims to identify the most influential factors that affect the timely completion of construction projects in Sri Lanka. Thirty-nine factors were identified through a comprehensive literature review and experts’ opinions. A questionnaire incorporating the 39 project delay factors was distributed among 163 Civil Engineers, and responses were obtained. Random sampling method was adopted to select the sample. The Relative Importance Index (RII) analysed and ranked the project delay factors. The top ranked significant project delay factors were identified as shortage of skilled subcontractors/suppliers, shortage of labourers (Skilled, semi-skilled, unskilled), financial difficulties of contractors, delay in delivering materials to the site, and Covid-19 pandemic situation. According to the main three respondent types, i.e., clients/owners, contractors and consultants, the contractor related factors was the key group among others that delay a construction project. The scientific value of the study includes assisting the Sri Lankan construction industry to identify the factors affecting the timely completion of construction projects, and developing mitigation methods and strategies. Also, the stakeholders could duly schedule the construction work by identifying areas that need more attention. The contribution of this study would assist stakeholders to adopt a proactive approach by identifying mistakes on their part and minimising potential issues that lead to construction project delays in Sri Lanka. FiguresPublication Open Access Does Working from Home Affect Work-Life Balance? A Look into the Factors that Affect Work-Life Balance(General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University,Management, Social Sciences & Humanities, 2021-12-20) Rathnaweera, D; Jayathilaka, RThe COVID-19 pandemic has triggered major social, political, and economic ramifications around the world. Amidst social mobility measures imposed to combat the spread of the virus, this pandemic was a major challenge for people in meeting their daily needs and demands of employers. These transformed work habits, moving from physical to a virtual setting, which had mixed effects on employees' lives. The objective of this research was to determine which factors affect the most regrading work-life during the working from the home period. A research gap exists as a result of the lack of studies on this subject in the Sri Lankan context. This study collected data from 270 respondents who were working from home through an online self-developed questionnaire. A factor analysis model was used for data analysis. Both the working and non-working environment factors were identified as having substantial effects during the working from the home period. The unique outcomes associated with working environment factors (Working days during working from home and working time), non-working environment factors (Gender and number of children), and work-life balance factors (Depression and distress and future psychological problems), make it explicit that employers need to concentrate on providing proper prerequisites to maximize the productivity during work from home period to improve employees’ quality of life. Employers need to pay particular attention to female workers with children, skilled workers, and others who can adapt to virtual platforms. It is recommended that employers should revamp their attendance policies and produce family-friendly flexible schedules and policies. Further, conducting training programs, providing facilities to enhance employee engagement, and build strong and transparent communication channels by supporting a healthy work environment with various activities are also recommended.Publication Open Access Does Working from Home Affect Work-Life Balance? A Look into the Factors that Affect Work-Life Balance(KDU IRC 2021, 2021) Rathnaweera, D; Jayathilaka, RThe COVID-19 pandemic has triggered major social, political, and economic ramifications around the world. Amidst social mobility measures imposed to combat the spread of the virus, this pandemic was a major challenge for people in meeting their daily needs and demands of employers. These transformed work habits, moving from physical to a virtual setting, which had mixed effects on employees' lives. The objective of this research was to determine which factors affect the most regrading work-life during the working from the home period. A research gap exists as a result of the lack of studies on this subject in the Sri Lankan context. This study collected data from 270 respondents who were working from home through an online self-developed questionnaire. A factor analysis model was used for data analysis. Both the working and non-working environment factors were identified as having substantial effects during the working from the home period. The unique outcomes associated with working environment factors (Working days during working from home and working time), non-working environment factors (Gender and number of children), and work-life balance factors (Depression and distress and future psychological problems), make it explicit that employers need to concentrate on providing proper prerequisites to maximize the productivity during work from home period to improve employees’ quality of life. Employers need to pay particular attention to female workers with children, skilled workers, and others who can adapt to virtual platforms. It is recommended that employers should revamp their attendance policies and produce family-friendly flexible schedules and policies. Further, conducting training programs, providing facilities to enhance employee engagement, and build strong and transparent communication channels by supporting a healthy work environment with various activities are also recommendedPublication Open Access A nightmare in a ‘darker’ world: persons with blindness under the Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 shutdown(Taylor & Francis Group, 2021-05-28) Suraweera, T; Jayathilaka, R; Thelijjagoda, SThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all wakes of lives in many countries including Sri Lanka, an island nation in the South Asian region. Among severely hit community groups due to COVID-19 have been the persons with visual impairment and blindness, who represent the majority of disabled people. Taking into consideration that the persons with disabilities generally fall into poverty-stricken cluster of the population and Sri Lanka has been passing turbulent times even prior to COVID-19, this paper argues that the people with visual impairment and blindness have been pushed from bad to worse, due to the shocks of COVID-19 strike.