Institutional Repository

U n i v e r s i t y of P e r a d e n i y a

The Institutional Repository of the University of Peradeniya is the University's digital gateway to scholarly knowledge and research excellence. Established as the next phase of the Digital Library initiative launched by the University Library in 2011, it preserves, showcases, and provides open access to the intellectual output of the University community.

Through a rich collection of research articles, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, and other scholarly works, the repository enhances the visibility, accessibility, and long-term preservation of knowledge, extending the global reach and impact of the University of Peradeniya’s academic and research contributions.

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Recent Submissions

Copyright law and enjoyment of the right to information: a study of justifiability and reasonability of Sri Lankan law on copyright law
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Abeyratne, G.D.R.U.U.; De Silva, T.; Jayawickrama, J.M.A.
This study was on justifiability and reasonability of the copyright law of Sri Lanka in the context of globalization of economic activities and business. The rationale of the study was based on the observation that manual labour had been increasingly replaced by mental labour in which productivity is dependent on the availability of information. It is generally observed that copyright law has become a hurdle in nurturing mental labour. Further, there is a dearth of studies which examine copyright law from a critical normative perspective. In the above context, the present study provides a normative and comparative discussion and analysis of different frameworks of copyright law from a critical perspective. The study found two pieces of law which have been framed after Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) model. Further, it is found that law enactment in the field of copyright law had been carried out without proper consultation with the public and assessment of its developmental needs. The study found WIPO model was more beneficial to countries like Sri Lanka and it included provisions enabling translation and reuse within a shorter period of time. However, the TRIP model had done away with those developing country-friendly pieces of copyright law provisions making access to knowledge and information and their reproduction a daunting task for those eying the development of mental labour as required by the present global market.
Ambedkar: Double struggle against outside and inside
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Pushpakumara, M.D.S.
Ambedkar was involved in two struggles simultaneously: the struggle against British colonialism and Indian caste oppression. In other words, on the one hand, he fought against British colonialism to liberate Indians from British colonial hegemony; on the other hand, he fought against the oppressing caste structure in India to liberate untouchables from Hindu caste hegemony. Therefore, he had to struggle against the leadership of the Indian independence struggle to realize the objectives of the second struggle. His idea was that to emancipate the people of oppressed castes, there should be a double struggle by breaking both the colonial regime and the Congress Party as well. As Arundhati Roy insists in The Doctor and the Saint: Cast, Race, and Annihilation of Cast, the Debate Between B.R. Ambedkar and M.K. Gandhi, there is no single sentence for the annihilation of caste in the Collected Works of Gandhi. As a part of the struggle for the annihilation of caste oppression, he struggled to remove the expressions in Vedic texts that defended caste discrimination. After the failure of that struggle, he himself converted to Buddhism and proceeded to convert some 500,000 of his supporters to Buddhism, and he wrote Buddha and his Dhamma. However, he was unable to trace the caste elements in the practice of Buddhism. The objective of this study is to understand, firstly, the contradictions between Gandhi and Ambedkar in their struggles against British colonialism and caste oppression, and secondly, Ambedkar’s own contradictions in giving prominence to Buddhism over Marxism as the solution to the Dalit question. The ideas and arguments in Ambedkar’s books, biographies, and critiques formulated by scholars like Trevor Ling, Arundhathi Roy, and Ranjith Guha have been used to explore the dialectical development of contradictions between Gandhi and Ambedkar and between Buddhism and Marxism that Ambedkar addressed.
A philosophical analysis on the aesthetic foundation of the Sri Lankan mask tradition with reference to Aristotle’s mimesis
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) De Silva, M.W.A.C.
The Greek version of Aristotle's Poetics discusses poetry, other art forms, and the idea of "mimesis," which is Greek for "imitation," as they relate to his aesthetics. His definition of aesthetics included mimetic art forms including poetry, music, theatre, and painting. Masks, a type of mimetic art, are a cover for genuine personalities and a depiction of many ceremonial behaviors. The dramatic exorcism act known as "Sanni Masks" is a part of the Tovil rituals in Sri Lanka and represents the illnesses of eighteen demons. The research problem of this study is, how can we understand the Sanni Masks’ aesthetics and philosophical background in relation to Aristotle’s concept of mimesis. The research paper describes that the concept of mimesis and its relevance to the Sanni performances in Sri Lankan Sanni ritual practices. The main objective of the study is to identify the philosophical and aesthetic approach to the Sanni masks and to explore the Sanni masks in standard aesthetic theory of mimesis. The Ritual Drama of the Sanni Demons (1969), Folk Drama of the Ceylon (1952), Ceremonial Dances of the Sinhalese, Masks (1994), Aristotle’s Theory of Poetry and Fine Art (1951), Aristotle’s Art of Poetry (1940), Masks and Masks System of Sri Lanka (1978) have been used as the literature. These data were gathered as part of a qualitative study utilizing the textual analysis approach, and contextual analysis was used as secondary sources to draw a conclusion. In conclusion, Sri Lankan Sanni Masks comprise imitation dramatic acts that aim to heal people by curing the eighteen diseases caused by demons. These Sanni Mask performances entertain the general public while conveying the Buddhist philosophy behind Sinhalese ceremonies and psychological underpinning of Sri Lanka.
Resilience and responses: exploring the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on economic, mental health, and cultural realms among Sri Lankans across three pandemic waves
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Dedunupitiya, W.; Samarakoon, E.B.S.; Pinnawala, M.; Ekanayake, J.; Yatigammana, S.; Godaliyadda, R.; Herath, V.; Ekanayake, P.; Dharmarathne, S.; Tilakaratna, G.
The global aftermath of COVID-19 has significantly transformed socio- economic structures, especially in disadvantaged Sri Lankan communities. This study investigates how the pandemic's effects on economic conditions and cultural engagements can influence individuals' mental well-being. The research involved an extensive household survey across all nine provinces, using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 3020 households were sampled using a multi-stage clustering method, and data were collected during three pandemic waves. The collected data underwent descriptive statistical analysis, presenting results as proportions of the total population. Findings revealedthatover all three waves,more than 60% of households fellinto the low-income category. Employment routines changed for over 50% of participants during each wave, often involving reduced work hours or permanent layoffs. Additionally, more than 70% of respondents experienceddecreased or halted monthly income throughout the pandemic, citing reasonslike reduced salaries and fewer working hours. During all 3 waves, 70% experienced income reduction and, 53% among them reported increased loneliness, 59% felt greater emptiness, and 55% experienced decreased socialconnectedness. 61% of the population reduced social gatherings during all waves,resulting in elevated loneliness (51%), decreased social connectedness (52.7%), and increased emptiness (53.5%). Similarly, 77%, reduced participation in cultural festivities and 50% among them rise in loneliness and a 56.3% increase in emptiness, coupled with reduced social connectedness by 52%. 80% of respondents reduced spiritual practices,leading to increased loneliness by 52.3%, heightened emptiness by 57.2%, and a decline in social connectedness by over 50%. The study highlights theinterplay between economic stability, cultural involvement, and mental health. Reduced income and limited cultural interactions contributed toheightened loneliness, emptiness, and reduced social connectedness. This research holds broader relevance for similar contexts and crisis survey methodologies, emphasizing how the pandemic's impact permeated economic, cultural, and mental aspects. Recognizing these connections aids societies in navigating challenges and bolstering resilience in adversity.
Building social cohesion: Contribution of intermarriages (A social anthropological study on the village in Munneswaram)
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Weerakon, W.M. U.
This study intends to explore Sinhala-Tamil intermarriages and social cohesion. Accordingly, the study intended to study how caste, religious integration, and social relationships affected the formation of social cohesion in the area. The data was obtained through semi-structured interviews, key informants, and observations, and the data was analyzed using the narrative analysis method. The sample that was selected via purposive sampling method comprised 30 intermarried families living in the 568, GS Division in Munneswaram. Emile Durkheim's theory of social integration is critical in addressing this field of knowledge. The study revealed that the civil war, unemployment, dowry, landlessness, marginalization, and social exclusion paved the path to inter-ethnic marriages. However, inter-ethnic marriages constituted a serious threat to the existing tradition. In addition, because of inter-marriages, there were close social ties between Tamil and Sinhala neighbors and relatives. In terms of the religious component, these marriages had created religious coherence between the two ethnic groups, opening the way to creating peace inside the family institution, and religious solidarity between the Hindus and the Buddhists flourished in Munneswaram. The distinctive aspect of these marriages was the production of children who were multiculturally socialized, as they had to study and adapt to two religions in the family institution. The children in these families are promoted as children with multi-religious outlooks through practices that abstracted from the philosophical basis such as religious activities, rituals, and ceremonials.