Research Publications
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Publication Embargo Accessibility and usability of virtual learning platforms: Lived experiences of visually impaired undergraduates in Sri Lanka(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-03-12) Rajapakshe, W; Wickramaarachchi, C; Alwis, M.K. S.S; Amarasinghe, A.A. M.L; Jayasekara, P.N; Jayasekara, P.TThis study explores the accessibility and usability of virtual learning platforms of visually impaired undergraduate students in Sri Lanka, focusing on their lived experiences, use of assistive technologies, and institutional support mechanisms. As online learning becomes increasingly prevalent, accessibility and inclusive challenges persist, particularly in developing countries with limited infrastructure and institutional support. Despite the availability of assistive technologies, visually impaired learners frequently encounter barriers, including poorly designed platforms, limited usability of screen readers, and inadequate institutional guidance. Addressing a critical research gap, this study investigates how visually impaired undergraduates experience and navigates virtual learning environments to identify accessibility barriers, enabling practices, and context-specific strategies for inclusive digital learning. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen visually impaired university students across Sri Lanka. Thematic analysis revealed five core themes: barriers and challenges to effective virtual learning, preferred virtual platforms, accessibility features and tools, facilitators of learning success, and strategies to optimise the learning environment. These findings illuminate how systemic inequalities, infrastructural limitations, and institutional neglect collectively constrain the digital learning experience for visually impaired students, while also highlighting enabling practices that foster access and inclusion. The study's originality lies in foregrounding student-led insights in a developing country context and integrating practical, context-specific recommendations for platform developers, educators, and policymakers. By centering the voices of visually impaired learners, this research contributes unique and actionable knowledge to the field of inclusive digital education.Publication Open Access Enhancing Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) performance: Analyzing the role of human resource practices in Sri Lanka’s telecommunication industry through Lewin’s change management model(Public Library of Science, 2025-01-10) Pubodhya S.H.N.; Rajapakshe, WThis study explores the integration of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education in Sri Lanka, utilizing the Health Belief Model (HBM) to predict the perceived quality of SRH education among non-state undergraduate students. In many Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, cultural resistance and skepticism often challenge SRH education initiatives. The research is based on a questionnaire survey, examining factors influencing the perceived quality of SRH education, such as cultural norms, embarrassment, attitudes, awareness, and institutional support. In recent years, the Sri Lankan telecom industry has experienced significant expansion and transformation, leading to a notable increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This study investigates the impact of human resource practices on M&A performance, utilizing Lewin’s Change Management Model as a framework. The research is based on a questionnaire survey, examining factors influencing the performance of M&A in Sri Lanka Telecom industry, such as communication (Unfreeze), training (Change), leadership (Refreeze), and performance (M&A outcomes). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) reveals that communication significantly influences training (β = 0.800), while training has a strong effect on leadership (β = 1.062), both directly and indirectly via communication (β = 0.850). Additionally, performance is positively impacted by training (β = 0.819) and leadership (β = 0.459), with communication exerting a substantial indirect influence on performance (β = 0.655). These results underscore the necessity for an integrated approach that enhances organizational performance and adaptability in an evolving business landscape. To optimize M&A outcomes, organizations are encouraged to prioritize leadership development, invest in comprehensive training programs, and align communication strategies effectively. This research contributes valuable insights into the management of change within the telecom sector, promoting sustainable growth and success in future M&A endeavours.Publication Open Access Critical risk factors influencing the management of disruptions in construction projects: Insights from recent challenges in Sri Lanka(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-01) Rajapakshe, WThe construction industry has a significantly contribute to the economy of Sri Lanka. However, in recent years, its overall share of the national output has declined, primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, and ongoing economic challenges. Many construction firms halted projects and laid off employees, highlighting the critical need for effective risk management during crises to predict and mitigate risks. This study explores emerging risk factors in Sri Lanka's construction sector post-crisis. Using a three-phase linear decision-making model, the research combines a literature review, a survey of 290 construction professionals, and structural equation modelling (SEM) to identify major risk factors across four phases of risk management. Key risks out of 23 include general factors like health and safety issues, material costs, regulations, political interference, corruption, and labor shortages, while phase-specific risks involve delays, budget overruns, payment delays, and cancellations. The study revises the risk registers to improve risk management strategies. While the findings are context-specific to Sri Lanka, they may offer indicative insights for other developing countries facing similar crisis-driven disruptions. The practical implications extend to multinational and local companies, supported by data from 22 countries, offering a comprehensive framework for addressing construction industry challenges in volatile environments. The novelty of this study lies in its use of theoretical triangulation to align Classical Risk Management theory with real-world operational risk factors, revealing critical overlaps, behavioral influences, and contextual gaps in traditional frameworks.Publication Open Access Aggressive strategies of the COVID-19 pandemic on the apparel industry of Sri Lanka using structural equation modeling(PLoS ONE, 2023-06-21) Rajapakshe, W; Karunaratna, D. S. M.; Ariyaratne, W. H. G.; Lakshani Madushika, H. A.; Perera, G. S. K.; Shamila, PDuring the COVID-19 crisis, the apparel industry faced many challenges. Aggressive cost-cutting strategies became a top priority, and in turn, these influenced stressors and adversely affected business sustainability. This study examines the impact of aggressive strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic on business sustainability in the apparel industry of Sri Lanka. Further, it investigates whether the relationship between aggressive cost-cutting strategies and business sustainability was mediated by employee stress, considering aggressive cost reduction strategies and workplace environmental changes. This was a cross-sectional study with data collected from 384 employees in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to analyze the direct and indirect effects of aggressive cost reduction strategies and workplace environmental changes on sustainability with mediating effects of stress. Aggressive cost reduction strategies (Beta = 1.317, p = 0.000) and environmental changes (Beta = 0.251, p = 0.000) led to an increase in employee stress but did not affect business sustainability. Thus, employee stress (Beta = -0.028, p = 0.594) was not a mediator in the relationship between aggressive cost-cutting strategies and business sustainability; business sustainability was not a dependent variable. The findings proved that managing workplace stress, particularly improving stressful working environments and aggressive cost reduction strategies, can enhance employee satisfaction. Thus, managing employee stress could be beneficial for policymakers to focus on the area(s) required to retain competent employees. Moreover, aggressive strategies are unsuitable to apply during crisis to enhance business sustainability. The findings provide additional knowledge to the existing literature, enabling employees and employers to predict causes of stress and serve as a significant knowledge base for further studies.Publication Open Access Analysis on Current and Future Training Needs in Health Sector of Sri Lanka(SRAC - Romanian Society for Quality, 2022-08) Rajapakshe, W; Weerarathna, R. S; Pathirana, G.Y; Malage, M. HSri Lanka holds a unique position in South Asia as one of the developing nations to provide universal health. Government spending on welfare mainly involves compromising or constraining a country's development budget. It requires sound management strategies to utilize limited resources, including the human resource of the health sector. Training and development of health professionals can be identified as a critical component in strengthening the quality of health services. Fewer studies exist on Training Needs Analysis (TNA) on health professionals in Sri Lanka, and this study assessed the Training Needs of Sri Lanka's healthcare professionals. This is a cross-sectional study collecting data from 240 health sector professionals in Sri Lanka. The Hennessey Hicks Training Need questionnaire was used to obtain data. Data from the source was analysed through the oneway ANOVA to compare the training needs of various professional groups, and the Word Cloud Online tool was applied to analyse the open-ended questions. The study identifies published research evaluation, communicates with patients, identifies viable research, introduces new ideas, prioritizing works, assessing patients' needs, using technology, undertaking health promotion activities, collecting research information, and undertaking administrative duties as current training needs. While computer literacy training, training on new medical equipment, awareness programs on workplace stress-reducing, training on quality assurance certifications like ISO, programs on effectively communicating with patients, management training, and language training were identified as future training needs of professionals in the health sector. The study concluded that, continuous training programs as the preferred approach to access the performance gap. It also demonstrates that this awareness of information regarding the training needs is beneficial for the health sector policymakers, managers, employees, and the community. Having a better understanding of their job roles, performance needs, and involvement in the decision-making process is likely to motivate healthcare sector employees to improve service quality. These benefits will be reflected in positive outcomes on service quality, improving the overall healthcare system in the country.Publication Open Access Analysis on Future Training Needs in Health Sector of Sri Lanka(SRAC - Romanian Society for Quality, 2022-08) Weerarathna, R; Rajapakshe, W; Pathirana, G. Y; Malage, M. HSri Lanka holds a unique position in South Asia as one of the developing nations to provide universal health. Government spending on welfare mainly involves compromising or constraining a country's development budget. It requires sound management strategies to utilize limited resources, including the human resource of the health sector. Training and development of health professionals can be identified as a critical component in strengthening the quality of health services. Fewer studies exist on Training Needs Analysis (TNA) on health professionals in Sri Lanka, and this study assessed the Training Needs of Sri Lanka's healthcare professionals. This is a cross-sectional study collecting data from 240 health sector professionals in Sri Lanka. The Hennessey Hicks Training Need questionnaire was used to obtain data. Data from the source was analysed through the one-way ANOVA to compare the training needs of various professional groups, and the Word Cloud Online tool was applied to analyse the open-ended questions. The study identifies published research evaluation, communicates with patients, identifies viable research, introduces new ideas, prioritizing works, assessing patients' needs, using technology, undertaking health promotion activities, collecting research information, and undertaking administrative duties as current training needs. While computer literacy training, training on new medical equipment, awareness programs on workplace stress-reducing, training on quality assurance certifications like ISO, programs on effectively communicating with patients, management training, and language training were identified as future training needs of professionals in the health sector. The study concluded that, continuous training programs as the preferred approach to access the performance gap. It also demonstrates that this awareness of information regarding the training needs is beneficial for the health sector policymakers, managers, employees, and the community. Having a better understanding of their job roles, performance needs, and involvement in the decision-making process is likely to motivate healthcare sector employees to improve service quality. These benefits will be reflected in positive outcomes on service quality, improving the overall healthcare system in the country.Publication Open Access The Role of Micro Finance Institutions on the Development of Micro Enterprises (MEs) in Sri Lanka(South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics, 2021-01-13) Rajapakshe, WAim: The study investigates the impact of microfinance practices on the growth of microenterprises (MEs) concerning the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It has been discovered that the growth of microbusinesses is dependent on gender, age, education level and nature of the industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: Multinomial Logistic Regression models was applied in this study. Multinomial logistic regression is frequently used for the analysis of categorical response data with continuous or categorical explanatory variables. Parameter estimates are usually obtained through direct maximum likelihood estimation. Two models were used to test the hypothesis concerning the three practices, micro-credit, training and advisory services. Primary data were obtained from 200 registered microenterprises (ME) owners in the Central Province through convenience sampling methods. Data collection was conducted using a self-structured questionnaire. Results and Conclusion: According to the results, microfinance practices have a significant relationship with the development of MEs, while Microcredit and advisory services have a significant impact on the development of MEs. Training programmes have not significantly impacted on the development of MEs. The research concludes that microfinance as a whole educates and helps to develop micro financed micro-scale enterprise businesses and positively impact those families in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Research limitations/implications: Data were limited to select only one province in Sri Lanka out of nine using a self-structured questionnaire. Also considering the response rate and sample size, there are limitations to generalize the findings. This research was restricted to three variables micro-credit; Training and Advisory services impact of other factors that can influence the growth of MEs did not fall under the scope of this study. Originality and Value: The impact of microfinance practices on MEs growth in Central Province in Sri Lanka is an under-researched area of study. The findings of this study can act as a guideline in the future for decision-makers to identify factors that influence more on MEs development.Publication Open Access Awareness Level of Workers to Labour Laws in Sri Lanka(2019-01-24) Rajapakshe, WThis study focuses on assessing the apparel sector employees’ level of awareness on labour laws who are working in the Free Trade Zones in Sri Lanka. The research was based on seven Labour Acts in Sri Lanka; Employees Provident Fund Act No.15 of 1958, Employees Trust Fund Act No.46 of 1980, Payment of Gratuity Act No. 12 of 1983, Industrial Dispute Act No.27 of 1966, Maternity Benefits Ordinance No.32 of 1939, Factories Ordinance No.45 of 1942, and Wages Board Ordinance No.27 of 1941. Data collection done through a worker questionnaire and out of 200 sample 158 were respondent. The garment factories were selected by the convenient sampling method and respondents were selected through simple random sampling method. Data analysis done through descriptive statistics and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results show that gender and level of experience has not make a significance different among particular group of employees. However, education and age has a significant impact on the awareness of employees on labour laws. Moreover, the Factories Ordinance showed the rate of the most wakefulness while the Maternity Benefits Ordinance showed the least awareness.Publication Open Access Driving Organizational Change In The Midst Of The Crisis: How Does It Affect Employee Performance?(2021-01) Rajapakshe, WThe purpose of the study is to investigate how organizational change during a crisis influence employee performance, with special references to a virtual work setting and working from home. Primary data obtained from 295 employees from three commercial banks in Sri Lanka were selected through Stratified Simple Random Sampling. Descriptive statistics, linear regression analysis and multiple regression analysis are used for data analysis. The linear regression results explore that measures/variables such as changes in a communication system; leadership; Technology and Tolerance to change have a significant negative effect on employee performance, while the multiple regression analysis shows, only the changes in communication and leadership affect employees' performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were limited to selected employees in three private commercial banks in Colombo, Sri Lanka using a self-structured questionnaire. The findings of this research rely on primary data collected from the grass root level. Also considering the response rate and sample size, there are limitations to generalize the findings. This research was restricted to four variables Changes in the communication system; Changes in leadership style; Technology advancement and Tolerance to change; impact of other factors that can influence employees' performance during the pandemic period did not fall under the scope of this study/were not covered. The impact of organizational change on employees' performance during COVID-19 is an under-researched area of study. Findings of this study can act as a guideline in future for managers to handle organizational change with lesser employee resistance to successfully manage where companies are forced to implement sudden changes.Publication Open Access Factors Affecting Human Resources Management Policy Implementation in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka(Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, 2017-12) Rajapakshe, WPolicy implementation in SMEs related to Human Resource Management in Sri Lanka is often ignored because the issues are indirect and hidden. The main objective of this paper to review and understand theories and models related to the policy implementation and develop conceptual framework describing the factors affecting successful policy implementation in SMEs in Sri Lanka. Literature related to policy implementation as well as policy implementation models were analyzed and illustrated a conceptual framework. This framework directs attention to eight major variables that affect implementation of public policy. The three intervening variables showed that without implementing agency capacity, negotiation ability, and sector awareness, policy implementation might be weakened. Further, this conceptual model offers a blueprint for the successful policy implementation to solve the HRM issues in the SMEs in Sri Lanka.