SLIIT International Conference on Advancements in Science and Humanities [SICASH]
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SLIIT International Conference on Advancements in Science and Humanities is organized by the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences of the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), the annual research multi-conference of the faculty.
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Publication Open Access Beneath the Sentence: A Deep Dive into Post-Homicidal Mentality and Coping Strategies on Sri Lanka’s Death Row Inmates(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Madanayake, C; Perera, H; Samarakoon, C; Athapaththu, T; Attanayaka, A; Weeramanthrie, Y; Sandupama, T; Selvaratnam, N.D; Ponnamperuma, LThis study explores the post-homicidal mentality and coping strategies of individuals convicted of homicide and sentenced to capital punishment in Sri Lanka, a context marked by stressful conditions of incarceration and cultural stigma. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth interviews were conducted with six male inmates at Welikada Prison to understand how they perceive and manage their acts (i.e., homicide) and extended detention under the threat of the death penalty. The results showed a variety of signs of psychological distress after a homicide, such as guilt, anxiety, disorientation, and emotional numbness. In order to deal with guilt, control intrusive memories, and adapt to prison life, participants used coping strategies, particularly religious surrender, creative engagement, and moral reframing. According to these findings, death row inmates face significant psychological difficulties, and the correctional system in Sri Lanka urgently needs culturally competent mental health services and rehabilitative frameworks. The study contributes to the limited qualitative literature on the inner experiences of death row prisoners, offering insights for policy development and clinical practices aimed at supporting psychological adaptation in highly punitive environments.Publication Open Access Mindscapes of the Gamer: A Phenomenological Study of Internet Gaming Disorder among Sri Lankan Adolescents(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Rupasinghe, S; Ponnamperuma, LInternet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has emerged as a significant mental health concern among adolescents, undermining psychological well-being, academic performance, and interpersonal relationships. In Sri Lanka, stringent cultural values, such as strict familial hierarchies and high expectations for academic excellence, and intense educational pressures, shape gaming experiences. This study examined adolescentgamers’ lived experiences through in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven participants recruited via snowball sampling from online gaming communities. Participants were active gamers who reported significant daily-life disruptions. Interviews (30–40 minutes) were transcribed verbatim and analysed iteratively to ensure thematic credibility. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis guided thematic exploration. Four superordinate themes emerged: Mindscapes of the Gamer; Connected Yet Fragmented; When Escape Becomes the Only Escape; and The Real Cost of Virtual Victories. This paper focuses on the Mindscapes of the Gamer theme, comprising two subthemes, Escaping Real-Life Stress and Gaming’s Effects on Thoughts and Actions, to illustrate gaming’s dual role as a refuge and a cognitive intruder. Participants described gaming as providing immediate emotional relief from academic and familial stress, yet their accounts revealed lingering mental preoccupations that disrupted concentration, decision-making, academic engagement, and self-care. Excessive gaming was also associated with academic neglect anddeterioration in self-care practices, compounding its adverse effects on mental health. Some adolescents reported enhanced self-worth and social validation, reflecting literature on digital belonging. These findings uncover a paradox in which brief relief may lead to enduring cognitive and emotional challenges. The paper underscores the need for culturally tailored interventions combining emotion-regulation training with strategies to interrupt gaming-related rumination. Focusing solely on Mindscapes of theGamer delivers in-depth psychological insights and actionable guidance for fostering resilience among adolescents in pressured environments.Publication Open Access Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Coping in End-Stage Renal Failure: A Wilgamuwa, Sri Lanka IPA Study(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Nanayakkara, S. A; Kumarage, A. T; Jayaweera, S; Mendis, D; Kodithuwakku, V; Jayasooriya, D; Sansani, T; Ponnamperuma, LEnd-stage renal failure (ESRF) profoundly disrupts patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This paper presents a concentrated analysis of these responses, drawn from an initial study conducted in 2024 that consisted of three-themes recruiting the ESFR patients living in Wilgamuwa Divisional Secretariat, Mathale. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of semi-structured interviews with five purposively sampled ESRF patients, identified several key themes. Analysis demonstrated how severefatigue and treatment side effects impede daily life and undermine work identity. It also revealed how guilt and fear of burdening family exacerbate emotional distress. And thirdly the study found that reframing illness in spiritual lens can foster acceptance and resilience among the participants. These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally sensitive palliative interventions in rural Sri Lanka, combining symptom management, family-centred psychosocial support, and spiritual counselling, to address the multifaceted challenges of ESRF.Publication Open Access Exploring the Psychological Impact of Socially Prescribed Perfectionism among Sri Lankan Adolescents: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Ekanayake, R; Ponnamperuma, LSocially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) is defined as the belief that others demand perfection from them. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to SPP due to their heightened sensitivity to external evaluations. Existing literature has consistently identified SPP as the most harmful form of perfectionism. However, there is a notable lack of research focusing specifically on SPP, both globally and in Sri Lanka. This studyaimed to explore the lived experiences of Sri Lankan adolescents with SPP by focusing on how they make sense of external expectations and the resulting psychological impact. The sample included seven adolescents aged 17 to 19 who self-identified as perfectionists experiencing unrealistic expectations from others. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling via a social media post. Data was collected through semi-structured online interviews, each lasting between 30 and 50 minutes. The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The superordinate theme, ‘the price of never feeling enough’, and its three subthemes illustrated the psychological impact of SPP, highlighting participants’ experiences of self-doubt, strained relationships, and identity loss. This study supports global literature by identifying SPP as predominantly maladaptive, with only limited adaptive aspects. Sri Lankan adolescents appear to experience intense psychological pressure, largely driven by unrealistic expectations from significant adult figures.Publication Open Access The Psychological Impact of Perceived Gender-Based Discrimination against Female Police Officers of Sri Lanka(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Areluwagoda, A.G.G.U.K.; Ponnamperuma, LGender-based discrimination (GBD) challenges female police officers globally, yet its psychological impact, especially in Sri Lanka, has not been thoroughly researched. This study explored perceived GBD's lived experiences and psychological consequences for Sri Lankan female officers, informed by socialist feminism and Schein's organizational culture model. The primary objective was to understand GBD's psychological impact on female officers' self-identity and job satisfaction. A purposeful sample of six female police officers with 5+ years of service, perceiving GBD, was recruited from regional stations. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore subjective meaning-making. Analysis revealed prevalent experiences of perceived incompetence, devaluation, and blocked career progression, attributed to deeply embedded patriarchal attitudes. These led to significant emotional distress, including numbness, pain, embarrassment, disappointment, hopelessness, and exhaustion, as well as lower self-esteem and work identity conflict. Findings highlight how embedded patriarchy and societal gender norms have a significant negative impact on female officers'psychological well-being. Discrimination causes substantial emotional distress and challenges to identity and job satisfaction, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions against systemic gender bias in law enforcement.Publication Open Access Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on Sri Lankan Female Audiences Regarding Psychological Impact of Korean Dramas(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Handapangoda, C.A; Ponnamperuma, LKorean Dramas (K-Dramas) have emerged as a prominent form of entertainment, with various storylines featured in nearly all productions. However, exposure to these narratives can cultivate unrealistic expectations, potentially inducing emotional distress when viewers’ anticipations are unmet. This study aimed to explore the psychological experiences of Sri Lankan female viewers, focusing on the emotionalresponses elicited by general K-Drama consumption. A purposive sample of ten females aged 20-25, with at least six months of K-Drama viewing experience, participated in individual interviews lasting 20-40 minutes. Informed consent was obtained, and interviews were audio-recorded and followed by a debriefing. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis facilitated an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of the participants. Findings indicate that viewers engage with K-Dramas for excitement, appealing genres, and emotional processes such as catharsis. Participants also reflected on cultural differences in gender roles and romantic norms between South Korea and Sri Lanka. Overall, the study shows that K-Dramas influence emotional regulation, and personal aspirations, while highlighting the importance of critically engaging with media, knowing its psychological benefits and potential drawbacksPublication Open Access Token Economies and Behavioural Change: An Evaluati on of Their Eff ecti veness on Male Children in Sri Lankan Child Development Centers(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Ponnamperuma, L; Godamunne, P; Hegoda Arachchi, RChildren residing in Sri Lankan Child Development Centers oft en confront a multi tude of emoti onal and behavioural challenges, due to traumati c experiences such as abuse, neglect, and loss and the socioeconomic problems such as poverty. These diffi culti es are exacerbated by the insti tuti onalized environment, leading to heightened vulnerability and an increased risk of developing long-term mental health issues. This study investi gated the impact of a token economy interventi on (star-chart) on conduct problems, emoti onal diffi culti es, and prosocial behaviours among male children residing in two Sri Lankan Child Development Centers. Employing a repeated measures design, 27 children aged 6-14 years were assessed using the Sinhala version of the Strengths and Diffi culti es Questi onnaire (SDQ) before and aft er one-month token economy implementati on. Results demonstrated the effi cacy of the token economy system in reducing behavioural issues and fostering prosocial behaviours. The fi ndings underscore the potenti al of this interventi on within childcare setti ngs and advocate for longitudinal research to evaluate long-term eff ects.Publication Open Access Stressful Symphony: Exploring the Role of Work Stress on the Employee Commitment and Job Performance of Sri Lankan IT Professionals(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Upadya Chathumini, J.K.D.; Ponnamperuma, LWork-related stress is a natural part of life and is connected to employment. While stress can be negative, it can also be beneficial, as employees need some stress to stay content, inspired, engaged, and productive. IT professionals face higher levels of workplace stress, although it affects all industries. The research aims to explore the role of work stress in determining employees’ commitment and job performance among IT professionals in Sri Lankan private sectors. This quantitative study follows a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The final sample consisted of 328 private sector IT professionals aged between 20- 45. Data was collected through structured questionnaires such as the Work Stress Screener (WOSS-13), TCM employee commitment survey, and the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire to measure work stress, employee commitment (EC), and job performance (JP), respectively. Multiple regression analysis indicates that eustress positively predicts JP (β= .33, p < .001) and EC (β= .24, p < .001), while distress negatively predicts EC (β= -.25, p < .001), but no prediction on JP (β= -.06, p > .001). The Pearson correlation analysis shows that there is a weak positive relationship between EC and JP, which was also statistically significant r (326) = .15, p = .006 p < .05). These findings imply that employees who had high levels of eustress tended to feel more committed and perform better in their organizations. Also, it suggests that high EC increases a worker’s productivity, which benefits the company and organization as well as the individual personally.Publication Open Access Construction and Validation of Academic Stress Scale for 18-35-year-old Sri Lankan University Students(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2023-11-01) Ponnamperuma, L; Hettiarachchi, A; Jayakodi, P; Abeysinghe, NThis article describes the development and initial validation of a new instrument to measure the academic stress of university students in Sri Lanka. A 16-item scale was developed by reviewing the literature and conducting interviews. Surveys were conducted with 726 Sri Lankan undergraduate students, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to analyse the data. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Oblimin rotation produced a two-component model of the Academic Stress Scale: (1) Stress due to lack of sufficient knowledge and (2) stress due to interpersonal relationships, which together explains 59% of the total item variance. The ASS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring academic stress. A CFA suggested that the proposed factor model fits moderately well. Therefore, for researchers who have a particular interest in academic stress among Sri Lankan students, the ASS promises to be a helpful tool.Publication 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, LThere 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.