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

Global uncertainty and economic wellbeing: investigating the role of institutional quality
(Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2025-09-11) Ungureanu , Camelia; Ungureanu , Andrei – Silviu
Introduction It is well known that today’s society is facing a series of challenges that possess considerable implications for both individual and collective well- being. In recent years, humanity has encountered several circumstances, such as geopolitical tensions, climatic challenges, economic and pandemic crises, which have influenced and persisted in influencing and maintaining widespread stress and uncertainty. The negative effects of perceived uncertainty on development and macroeconomic performances have been a subject of interest, as the papers Liu and Gao (2022) and Palmen (2022) highlight, focusing on different states or different country groupings. However, few studies have examined the moderating effect of institutional quality in the uncertainty-growth relationship at the state level. Thus, the novelty of the research lies in examining how public institutions may buffer economies against uncertainty, a topic rarely addressed for emerging economies.
Entrepreneurship awareness and gender disparities among undergraduates in Sri Lanka: bridging the intention-action gap
(Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2025-09-11) Dimbulgasthenna, A.I.M.; Dorabawila, S.S.K.B.M.
Introduction Entrepreneurship is a key driver of economic growth, particularly in developing economies like Sri Lanka, where limited job opportunities and high youth unemployment persist (ILO, 2020). University undergraduates, with their education and creativity, represent a promising group for entrepreneurial activity. Yet, despite high awareness, the transition from intention to action remains weak due to financial, educational, and socio-cultural barriers. Gender disparities exacerbate this challenge, as women face restrictive norms, limited support, and unequal opportunities, resulting in lower participation despite strong entrepreneurial intentions (Perera & Jayasinghe, 2017; de Mel, McKenzie, & Woodruff, 2009). The University Grants Commission’s (2018) Tracer Study further highlights graduate underemployment, underscoring the need for entrepreneurship as an alternative pathway (Jayawardena, 2019). This study explores entrepreneurship awareness and aspirations among Sri Lankan undergraduates, with emphasis on gender disparities and barriers. The findings aim to inform inclusive policies that strengthen higher education’s role in fostering entrepreneurship.
The determinants of GDP, literacy rate and life expectancy on PWE in Sri Lanka : analysis from 2000-2022
(Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2025-09-11) Hapuarachchige, Dinujaya; Lakshitha, Chanuka; Wijemanna, Sachinthani; Ekanayak, Mineth; Yapa, Shanta R.; Dayapathirana, Nirmani
Introduction One of the largest environmental problems of the twenty first century is plastic waste. The management of plastic waste has become more complex due to the world’s rapid growth in plastic production and consumption. The worldwide export of plastic waste is an important problem. Plastic’s low cost and various uses have made it the most vital materials in a wide range of industries. Plastic manufacturing and usage have been steadily increasing since 1950. Between 1950 and 2015 it has reached about 7800 million tons (Mt). In 1950 the globe produced 2 Mt of plastic annually by 2015, that amount had increased to 381 Mt. Estimates show plastic production is rapidly increasing and may reach 34000 Mt by 2050 (Salhofer et al., 2021). Sri Lanka produces around 1.59 Mt of plastic waste each year. Out of that, 33% is collected and a paltry 3% of that is recycled, resulting in serious environmental issues. The country was ranked number five in the world by the amount of plastic waste that gets into the ocean in 2017 (Rizkiya, 2024). The greater the GDP, the greater is the demand for consumer products. The OECD estimates that in the absence of major policy interventions, plastic waste can reach three times its current levels by 2060, fueled by population and economic growth (Sonke et al., 2025). In Sri Lanka, economic development has caused plastic onsumption to grow. In the absencs of waste management infrastructure increase mismanaged waste. While there are no direct correlations between plastic waste and life expectancy, environmental pollution caused by plastic can have serious implications for public health. Plastics have been detected in drinking water sources and food chains around the world, raising concerns about long-term health effects and causing environmental degradation, which indirectly affects public well-being and longevity (Ragusa et al., 2021). Education plays a crucial role in shaping sustainable waste management behaviors. Higher literacy rates are strongly associated with increased environmental awareness and responsible waste disposal practices. Globally, educational initiatives aimed at promoting environmental stewardship such as school-based environmental Programmes help instill knowledge from an early age. However, turning awareness into action remains a challenge (Dalu et al., 2020).
The pivotal role of entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka's economic development : an analysis of sectoral dynamics and government policy impact
(Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2025-09-11) Aslam, Fahim
Introduction Sri Lanka's economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the post- 2022 crisis period, achieving a robust 5.0% GDP growth rate in 2024, significantly exceeding World Bank projections of 4.4%. This economic recovery trajectory has been fundamentally driven by entrepreneurial activities across key sectors, positioning entrepreneurship as a critical catalyst for sustainable development. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024/2025 report reveals that while 49% of potential entrepreneurs globally cite fear of failure as a primary barrier, an increase from 44% in 2019, developing economies like Sri Lanka present unique entrepreneurial dynamics that warrant comprehensive investigation (Bosma et al., 2024). The entrepreneurial landscape in Sri Lanka exhibits distinct sectoral concentrations, with traditional industries such as tourism and apparel maintaining dominance, while emerging technology sectors remain significantly underdeveloped. With unemployment rates stabilising at 4.4% and labour force participation at 47.4% in 2024, understanding the mechanisms through which entrepreneurship contributes to economic development becomes crucial for policymakers seeking sustainable growth strategies (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2024). This research addresses the critical knowledge gap regarding the specific roles different entrepreneurial sectors play in Sri Lanka's economic development and the extent to which government policies have facilitated or hindered entrepreneurial growth.
A comparative analysis of rice industry productivity and export strategies : evidence from Sri Lanka and Thailand from 2003 - 2023
(Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2025-09-11) Gunawardhana, T.P.U.M.
Introduction Rice is more than a staple food crop in Asia. It is deeply embedded in economic structures, food security systems, and export potential, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. Thailand and Sri Lanka, though geographically close and culturally influenced by rice cultivation, have followed diverging trajectories in terms of productivity growth and international competitiveness in the rice industry. Thailand has consistently ranked among the top global rice exporters, contributing approximately 12% to the world rice trade in 2022 (FAO, 2023). In contrast, Sri Lanka, despite favourable agroecological conditions and a rich agricultural tradition, has remained a net importer of rice in several recent years (CBSL, 2023). This divergence raises critical questions regarding the structural, policy, and technological differences shaping rice productivity and export strategies in these two countries. In Thailand, the rice sector has been strengthened by large-scale mechanisation, effective irrigation systems, and market-oriented reforms introduced in the 1990s and expanded under Thailand’s Agricultural Development Plan (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, 2022). These reforms emphasised export competitiveness, infrastructure development, and farmer training programmes. By contrast, Sri Lanka’s rice industry has focused mainly on domestic food security, supported by heavy subsidies for inputs such as fertilizer and water, as reflected in the “Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu” initiative. However, a lack of systematic export strategy and weak integration with global market has limited Sri Lanka's ability to capitalize on potential surplus production (Edirisinghe et al., 2020). Moreover, comparative productivity between the two countries reflects a significant disparity. In 2022, Thailand recorded an average rice yield of 3.0 metric tons per hectare, while Sri Lanka achieved 4.3 metric tons per hectare (FAOSTAT, 2023). Despite Sri Lanka’s higher yields, Thailand has outperformed in total factor productivity due to technological efficiency, superior logistics, and post-harvest management systems (World Bank, 2022). This paradox of higher yields, lower export performance in Sri Lanka indicates that productivity alone does not ensure trade competitiveness, highlighting the need for a multi-dimensional analysis of industry performance. The importance of this study is underscored by the economic crises faced by Sri Lanka in recent years, where agriculture and export diversification have emerged as key pillars in the recovery discourse (IMF, 2023). Understanding the successful elements of Thailand’s rice export strategies could offer critical insights for Sri Lanka to realign its agricultural policy toward both food security and global trade integration. Further, this research filled the gap in comparative literature that systematically evaluates production and trade metrics, institutional frameworks, and technological adoption in rice sectors across these two countries. Further, this study conducted a comparative analysis based on quantitative methods, investigated not only the level of productivity and export performance but also the institutional and technological foundations of sectoral outcomes, and found evidence-based policymaking contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable agricultural development and trade resilience in developing country contexts.