4th Annual Research Conference of SLIIT CITY UNI
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Publication Open Access Enhancing Pronunciation Proficiency via Listening Practice for Specific information with the help of ELSA Speak: Evidence from Foundation-Level Students at SLIIT City Uni, Sri Lanka(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Thennakoon, P; Marasinghe, A; Sadithma, M; Gunaratne, N; Mendis, R; Nilaweera, IThis study investigates the impact of English Listening skills for specific information (ELSSI) on English pronunciation (EP) among 40 Foundation semester 2 students at SLIIT City Uni. A mixed approach of questionnaires and experimental tests as research instruments, along with the AI tool, ELSA Speak, was applied to this group. Participants received structured, listening-based practice over the past few days by employing the ELSA Speak AI application. The Data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Thematic analysis. Therefore, the results show a statistically significant improvement, based on the means of the inclusive posttests (83.49) being higher than the pretests (77.20), highlighting the effectiveness of targeted listening activities in enhancing pronunciation. The increase in the mean score was discovered after the listening treatments by the researchers. An increase in student scores was observed following the treatment. Positive feedback of the sample demonstrated the above-mentioned points. These results lead to the suggestion that ELSSI can help with the development of oral proficiency, while mobile-assisted language learning tools (ELSA Speak) play a crucial role when focusing on the improvement of oral proficiency, further offering valuable insights for educators and language enthusiasts around the world.Publication Open Access Emily Brontë’s ‘Sense of Place’ as Portrayed in Her Literary Works(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Ponnamperuma, P‘Sense of Place’ is a theory that defines the emotional attachment individuals develop with specific locations, encompassing both positive and negative feelings. It can be directly applied to the analysis of the Victorian writer Emily Brontë’s portrayals of her house in Yorkshire moors where she grew up. It is reported that she loved her house, and it provided her with a constant back drop for her imaginative thinking and creative writing. It is assumed that the landscape seen through its windows and the sounds heard while being inside it frequently inspired most of the locational portrayals in her poetry and fiction. In consideration of Emily Brontë’s romantic attachment to her home, the present study intends to explore her own sense of place as portrayed in her works. Accordingly, it pursues the research questions, “How is Emily Brontë’s sense of place portrayed in her works, ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Remembrance’ and ‘Fall, leaves, fall?’ The methodology involves a thematic analysis of her biography by Edward Chitham, ‘A Life of Emily Brontë’ under the three themes, ‘Emily Brontë’s sensitivity towards nature and the environment,’ ‘Emily Brontë’s emotional intensity,’ and ‘her imaginary encounters with recurring patterns of the orphans and abandoned characters.’ The findings of the present study foreground that Emily Brontë’s was heavily influenced by her romantic perception of the beauty of nature and her identification of the therapeutic power of nature as portrayed through her characters. According to her, nature tends to improve the quality of relationships among humans while showing the ways in which their deterioration starts due to the imbalance of their emotions including the sense of being abandoned.Publication Open Access Investigating the Role of Self-Talk Practice in Developing Spontaneous Speaking Confidence Among Foundation Students at a Private University in Sri Lanka(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Wahalawatte, D.A.; Tharuka, P.V.Y.; Pannilavithana, M.Y.; Baghavan, A. A; Bhagya, K. M. H.; Nilaweera, W.R.I.U.Successful spontaneous conversation is an essential skill for an ESL learner. Spontaneous conversations become difficult as they involve instant thinking and processing. This study investigates whether self-talk would be an efficient strategy to improve the confidence level in spontaneous conversations in ESL learners. The study was done among a group of students from SLIIT City Uni, semester 1 February intake batch. A Mixed method was used in a pre-test/post-test design for data collection, namely pretest and post-test. A self-talk intervention was implemented over a period of seven days between these interview sessions. The findings indicated a significant improvement in ESL Learners’ confidence levels during spontaneous conversations following the implementation of the self-talk strategy. In this study, the qualitative analysis complemented the quantitative findings, and several important recommendations were proposed based on the integrated results.Publication Open Access An Investigation of Morphological Processes in Sri Lankan English; A Study Based on Selected YouTube Comment Sections(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Ranthunga, S; Godage, SBritish rule left a lasting impact on Sri Lanka with the introduction of English language. In addition, English was considered as the official language of the country under the British government. After gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka evolved into a multi-ethnic country which subsequently affected its vernacular languages, which are Sinhala and Tamil. English language in Sri Lankan context emerged as Sri Lankan English (SLE), a new variety representing diverse cultural and social factors of the country. SLE has undergone numerous word formation processes and developed into one of the most major varieties of the English language. In the present day, the frequent use of social media platforms like YouTube comment section has become a dynamic site for the morphological processes in SLE. The content creators utilize new SLE words to facilitate audience engagement. This research aims to investigate the productive and frequently used morphological processes of SLE in selected YouTube comment sections. The study was designed as a qualitative content analysis. A sample of thirty words was selected employing judgmental approach where researcher’s knowledge on SLE morphology was utilized to select YouTube channels. According to the findings, compounding accommodates the largest number of entries in SLE vocabulary found in the You Tube comment section of the selected channels. Borrowing stands as the second-largest entry. Clippings and affixation respectively accommodate fewer entries. Thus, compounding and borrowing can be identified as the most productive and frequently used morphological processes in You Tube comment section in Sri Lanka. Moreover, most of the compounding and borrowings are influenced by the Sinhala language, revealing its significant influence on morphological processes in Sri Lankan English. In conclusion, it is evident that further research on the SLE morphological processes is essential to codify the modern trends in SLE vocabulary due to the influence of digital platforms like YouTube.Publication Open Access Perceptions of Third-Year TESL Undergraduates on Kahoot as a Gamified Learning Tool in Sri Lanka(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Wijayarathna, TThe rapid and increased technology integration becomes an important position, especially in the language learning context. Kahoot, as a gamification tool, is implemented in English Language learning classrooms. The application of this gamified element is examined in various educational contexts and becomes widespread in higher education due to its significance. Nevertheless, only few studies regarding students’ perceptions towards the use of Kahoot among teaching English as a Second Language undergraduates were reported. Therefore, this present study investigates third-year TESL undergraduates’ perceptions towards utilising Kahoot in enhancing their English Language skills within their semesters. This research project examines how a focus group of five third-year undergraduates, currently studying at the department of English Language Teaching, University of Kelaniya, has perceived Kahoot as a gamified tool to enhance their learning. Semi-structured interviewing was used as the data collection instrument, where five interviews were conducted in total, with each interview lasting approximately thirty minutes. The collected data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The findings of the study provide evidence for the presence of a number of unique perceptions among the interviewed participants. They emphasized that the implementation of Kahoot becomes more effective for their learning, while they overcome a few challenges with the use of Kahoot as a gamified tool. Furthermore, suggestions are discussed for the effective implementation of Kahoot. This study has already reiterated the need to explore this research area further because the studies are very limited. There should be further studies for ESL (English as a Second Language) development. In conclusion, the research has the potential to promote social change by emphasizing the importance of using Kahoot as a gamified element in pedagogy in Sri Lankan universities.Publication Open Access Design & Implementation of Smart Waste Collection System with Optimized Route Planning(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Josheph, A L; Rajaguru, N MWith the growth of the global population, the challenge of waste management has become more complex. Effective waste management is no longer just a necessity but a critical concern for public health, urban sanitation, and ecological sustainability. Identifying the filled public waste bins in cities and collecting them effectively is one of the essential initial tasks of waste management, to address it more effectively and cost-efficiently the "Smart waste collection system with optimized route planning" is designed. The prototype system utilizes microcontrollers, a Photo- Voltaic power supply unit, ultrasonic sensors, and a wireless module to detect and communicate bin status in a multi-hop wireless network cluster. Each bin is equipped with an Ultrasonic sensor to measure the garbage level and the data is transmitted through neighboring bins to a central control unit using the ISM-based wireless communication multi-hop network, enabling remote monitoring. When bins are detected as filled, their locations are processed to determine the shortest and most efficient route for the collection of garbage using the Google Maps Directions API. The system was tested successfully using a prototype with three waste bins equipped with sensing units, and setting the location on the maps through a cloud-based web visualization built using basic HTML, Python, and Javascript, the system performed accurate fill-level detection and real-time route planning for garbage collection. This solution offers a cost-effective and scalable approach to smart urban waste management by reducing manual monitoring and optimizing collection routes with traffic awareness.Publication Open Access Smart Sorting and Grading Fruits based on Image Processing Techniques(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Ahamed, A J S; Benorith, LThis paper presents the design and implementation of an automated apple sorting system that integrates machine vision techniques with embedded control for real-time classification and sorting of apples. The system employs a Raspberry Pi 4 as the primary processing unit, using a YOLOv11 model for fruit detection and classification, while an Arduino Nano manages weight measurement via a load cell. Real-time images of apples on a conveyor belt are captured, processed, and classified into four categories: Good Red, Good Green, Bad Red, and Bad Green. Sorting mechanisms, including servos and actuate based on classification results, with an integrated LCD and cloudbased Google Sheets providing monitoring and logging. The system demonstrates high classification accuracy and reliable sorting performance, offering a cost-effective solution for small to mid-scale agricultural applicationsPublication Open Access AI-Based Smart Traffic Management System for Emergency Vehicles(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Amarasinghe, D P S V; Benorith, LModern cities' main traffic congestion problem delays emergency vehicles like ambulances and firetrucks and police cars where every second counts. Fixed signal traditional traffic systems lack real-time adaptability, hence delays and risks are raised. This paper suggests an AI-driven smart traffic management system to priorities emergency vehicles and enhance general traffic flow by means of Raspberry Pi, YOLOv8, and OpenCV. Strategically positioned cameras provide video to a Raspberry Pi, which detects emergency vehicles by using OpenCV and YOLOv8. Dynamic control of traffic lights on detection helps to clear the path, so reducing response times and improving safety. The technology also maximizes road use and helps to ease traffic. For cities with limited infrastructure, using reasonably priced, open-source tools are scalable and ideal.Publication Open Access Computer Vision Controlled Humanoid Robotic Arm(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Firdouse, M S; Benorith, LThis paper presents the design and implementation of a low-cost, vision-based gesture-controlled humanoid robotic arm that mimics human hand and wrist movements in real time. The system uses a USB webcam and MediaPipe for hand landmark detection, OpenCV for image processing, and a Raspberry Pi 4 to compute landmark vectors and control servo motors via a PCA9685 driver. Calibration modes were introduced for each joint to ensure accurate servo mapping. The solution supports full gesture-based manipulation of a five-fingered robotic hand, including wrist orientation, with minimal latency and no physical contact. The system provides a more intuitive and natural method for robotic arm control compared to traditional input devices and has potential applications in prosthetics, automation, and human-robot interaction.Publication Open Access The Impact of Social Media Marketing on Generation Z’s Purchasing Behavior in the Fashion Retail Industry(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Christy, RThis research paper explores how Social media advertising is a strong force of Generation Z consumers in the fashion retail industry. The study explores the influence of advertising, user-generated content, and AI-based recommendations on consumer purchase decisions. Based on secondary research studies, it identifies the key drivers of brand consideration and conversion. The study understands that top fashion brands like Zara and Shein effectively support micro influencers, interactive content, and one-toone marketing, while traditional brands like Gap miss the consumer target. This study highlights the importance of originality, personal experiences, and sustainability messaging to engage Gen Z consumers. The results to brands are to extend micro-influencer partnerships, adopt AI driven content personalization, and step up interactive marketing. This study also provides practical outcomes to policymakers and industry stakeholders who wish to maximize digital marketing effectiveness and consumer interaction.