iPURSE 2023

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/33

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Post-war urban development in Jaffna Municipal Council Area
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Lavanya, J.
The city of Jaffna is the main administrative and commercial centre of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The recent urban development in Jaffna city is often regarded as a reflection of the end of the civil war. Due to the three decades of war, the infrastructure was severely damaged. After the official end of the civil war in 2009, social and economic infrastructure needed to be reconstructed and developed in the war-affected areas of Sri Lanka since they had been grievously affected by the 30 years of civil war. Therefore, the Sri Lankan government had paid great attention to fulfilling this task in the Northern Province with the help of foreign governments and institutions. Many of the projects were connected to the overall national development program as well. The immediate areas of focus included roads, agriculture and irrigation, power and energy, and livelihood support in the region. This study was mainly based on a qualitative methodology consisting of field discussions. Under that, both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected through field discussions with the public and the Urban Development Authority Director. Jaffna city is linked to the capital and other parts of Sri Lanka by the narrow roads of A-9 and A-32, a single railway line called the North Line, sea routs that are based at KKS port, and air lines that function based in Palaly domestic airport. The opening of the Kandy-Jaffna Road (A9-Road) had a significant impact on the availability of materials and development activities. After the reopening of the A9 Road, lots of development took place in the Jaffna Municipal Council area, such as education, healthcare, commercial and other transportations like railways.
Infrared image-based condition assessment of lightning surge arresters
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Paranawithana, N.N.K.; Illesinghe, R.S.; Dhanapala, H.M.K.P.; Wijesinghe, W.B.S.; Fernando, M.A.R.M.; Abeygunasekara, W.L.
Lightning surge arresters are key components for protection and reliability of power systems. During service, surge arresters are aged by deteriorating their properties. It is important to monitor conditions periodically in order to avoid failures and damages in the power apparatus. A surge arrester consisting of arrester material (ZnO) housed by insulation (silicone rubber/porcelain) is usually exposed to electro-environmental stresses. Therefore, the condition of internal arrester material cannot be assessed directly. However, with aging, leakage current inside the arrester increases resulting increasing in temperature. This study proposes an online based condition monitoring method for surge arresters by statistical analysis and thermal image processing of infrared images captured from energized 33 kV lightning surge arresters which are used in distribution network of Sri Lanka and validation by FEM based modeling. Samples of (20) 33 kV silicon rubber insulated ZnO surge arresters with service years from 0-20 years were selected for the study from Peradeniya area having high keraunic level in Sri Lanka. Recommended Thermal imager is used for capturing. Temperature profiles and statistical information (central tendency, box plot, violin plot) of the arresters were obtained by thermal image processing methods. The results of the above observations were compared with the built model from COMSOL Multiphysics software. COMSOL model is validated to obtain any defects within surge arrester. Different kind of surface defects were observed from the visual scrutiny and captured images. Relationships between age, defects and analyzed parameters including the effect of sun irradiation for measurements is determined. As the result, physical properties of surge arrester that will affect the temperature variations were identified under different conditions.
The importance of implication of right to culture in right to environment: an avenue leading to environmental sustainability
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Fathima Rasha, H.R.
Culture encompasses social behaviours, values, knowledge, laws, customs, capabilities, and attitudes in human societies. Environment can be defined as the set of conditions that surrounds us at a given point of time and place. Environment constitutes interacting systems of physical, biological and cultural elements. Although the definition of the environment contains a cultural element, in everyday understanding, environment is referred to as the biological environment that surrounds us. Referring to the same by ‘right to environment’ in this paper, the author aspires to affirm the nexus that exists between right to natural environment and culture. This linkage can be categorized in three ways according to Jon Hawkes. Firstly, the culture shall be considered to be created by the environment. Culture is built based on where and in which conditions humans live. For instance, in island countries, fishing is a significant way of livelihood and culture where ocean forms a part of the people’s everyday life. Secondly, culture shall be considered a part of our environment. The environment we live in is just more than trees, rivers and valleys but includes memories from the past, attitudes, ancestral stories and much more that make us all humans. The third connection is where culture affects the environment. The environmental destructions are cultural challenges as much as they are environmental, social and economic; through which we land upon the idea of sustainability. No amount of laws work effectively to safeguard the environment, unless there is a culture that engages all its citizens being guardians of nature. Therefore, destruction of the environment is necessarily a violation of right to culture. Thereby, the author argues, the incorporation of environmental rights into the regime of right to culture leads a path towards sustainability, since an anthropocentric and inherent cultural sense in humans can enhance environmental protection.
Present and future of the Northern Muslim and Tamil returnees in post- war Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Wijesinghe, H.; Jayasuriya, D.; Janith, V.; Yapa, K.; Jayathilake, N.
The main objective of this study is to examine the status of the livelihood of the returnees who were once forcefully evicted from their ancestral homes in the Northern Province. This research is predominantly a qualitative study based on both primary and secondary data. The data collection consists of two stages. In the first stage, a thorough review of the literature is done in order to understand the background of the research problem. In the second stage, data is collected from IDP returnees through a purposive sampling technique. Semi-Structured interviews and focused group discussions have been conducted to collect data. To accommodate different aspects of the lives of the IDP returnees, data is collected from samples. One sample consists of Muslim returnees living in the Moor Street North (J/87) GN division in the Jaffna province while the other sample consists of the Tamil returnees living in Myliddythurai North (J/251). The questions are aimed at exploring the main reasons for their decision to return to their ancestral homes and exploring the challenges they face as IDP returnees. As far as the findings are concerned, both Muslim and Tamil returnees continue to face challenges in terms of finding equal opportunities as IDP returnees. However, while the Muslim returnees have a positive opinion of their return to their ancestral hometowns, people in Myliddythurai hold a negative perspective. For instance, most of the respondents mentioned that they often or frequently face discrimination or challenges in finding work as a returnee. Furthermore, they do not believe that the country has made significant progress in promoting the quality of life of the returnees.
Compressive strength estimation of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) for retrofitting of reinforced concrete elements
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Wijesundara, R.S.S.A.; Bandara, N.M.S.H.; Wijesundara, K.K.
Over the years, concrete structures have played a pivotal role in shaping urban landscapes. However, one critical concern in recent times is that most concrete structures may undergo premature deterioration as a combined effect of significantly increased live loads and aggressive environmental conditions. As the traditional and primal method of demolishing and rebuilding structures is detrimental to the environment and a massively expensive process, the introduction and implementation of innovative and cost-effective methods are required to extend the service life of reinforced concrete structures. Ultra-high Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) has been identified as one of the most promising retrofitting materials due to its remarkable mechanical properties, low permeability, and durability. Selecting the optimum mix design is a pivotal factor in conducting effective retrofitting of concrete structures. Given the inherent complexity of UHPFRC due to the involvement of numerous constituents, comprehending the influence of each parameter on the compressive strength of the material is essential. Therefore, in this research, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the key influential parameters of the compressive strength of UHPFRC. A database comprising 200 datasets from previous experiments was developed and the Random Forest Regression technique was selected as a suitable machine learning approach to predict the compressive strength of different UHPFRC mixes. Performance evaluation was carried out using three statistical parameters: determination coefficient (R2), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). R2, MSE, and MAE for the model were calculated as 97.90, 7.13, and 0.866, respectively. The results of the sensitivity analysis highlighted that the water-to-binder ratio was the most influencing parameter to the compressive strength of UHPFRC. Superplasticizers, supplementary cementitious materials, cement, and fiber volume also showed high feature importance values while fiber type, fillers, and aspect ratio were found to have comparatively lower influence on compressive strength.
A call for strengthening environmental laws to re-envision a circular economy in the coastal built environment of Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Rathnayake, S.
Sri Lanka, with a coastline of 1620 km, is home to numerous natural resources and important habitats across its coastal belt. It has achieved significant development and urbanisation in the recent past, especially due to the outward focused trade policies of the country. One outcome of such developments is the emergence of a circular economy in these areas, which is crucial in protecting the coastal environment while achieving sustainable economic growth. In light of that, the present study critically analyses the existing Sri Lankan legal frameworks and policies on environmental protection, interrogating their strength to address rampant environmental concerns in the coastal environment such as climate change and sea-bed pollution. It also intends to analyse the role such laws could play in assisting the process of transitioning into circular economic policies in the production and consumption sectors of the Sri Lankan coastal built environment. After conducting 3 semi-structured interviews with academics/researchers in the fields of environmental law and circular economy, and reviewing the related legal and policy frameworks, independent reports, case laws and news bulletins, the researcher has found that the policies surrounding the coastal environment remain legally unenforceable which can be resolved by merging them with the environmental law jurisdiction of Sri Lanka. However, it argues, interalia, the absence of constitutional guarantees for a clean and healthy environment, procedural drawbacks, delays of adjudication, disequilibrium of the functions of judiciary and executive may either prevent or hinder the outcomes of such a merger. Further study suggests that new avenues of adjudication should be promoted through judicial activism. Furthermore, advocating public participation in safeguarding the coastal environment through public interest litigation demands attention, while incorporating international legal standards to the domestic system. Therefore, the study concludes that a robust legal framework on environmental law will assist in the process of transitioning to a circular economy ecosystem in the coastal environment of Sri Lanka.
Community-centric design of flood evacuation route suggestion engine for Rathnapura District, Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Dassanayake, S.M.; Cooray, M.S.S.; Bandara, A.A.N.S.; Perera, A.A.H.; Lankeshwarie, A.B.D.; Gunawardana, A.
Hydrometeorological hazards have claimed many lives and destroyed assets and livelihoods in Sri Lanka. Amid such disasters, the lack of situational awareness exacerbates the damage inflicted. Civilian evacuation, coordination of rescue operations and medical services, planning supply chains, and ameliorating the living standards of evacuees require situational awareness to effectively minimize further damages to society. This study develops a conceptual framework that can be deployed as a web application that suggests the shortest route avoiding flood-prone roads, with simplified versions for general users and full functionality to create situational awareness. The district of Rathnapura was selected based on several factors such as the socio-economic conditions of urbanization and the population density, and the mode of flood occurrence frequency in Sri Lanka during the period of 2009-2018. Data was sourced from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka which included soil profiles, land use/land cover, slope, and rainfall. These were used as parameters for flood susceptibility analysis along with topographic data. Historic flood data records from DMC were also used in identifying inundation patterns of past floods through SAR-enabled satellite imagery. Finally, the Dijkstra’s algorithm was used to suggest the optimum route from point A to B, factoring in areas prone to flooding. OpenStreetMap API was used as the base for this engine, with emergency evacuation centres in Rathnapura. This was developed as a web application, which is currently deployed on a local server with improvements underway to better serve the public and authorities. As a Decision Support System, it will help civilians to evacuate to the nearest shelter circumventing roads inaccessible due to flooding, and help authorities coordinate their operations in rescuing stranded civilians using multiple transportation modes.
An analysis of the Greek-Egyptian Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 2022 – a reminiscence of ancient bilateral relations and the imperatives of modern cooperation
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Perera, C.T.S.S.
Greece and Egypt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Fields of Aeronautics and Maritime Search & Rescue in November 2022, at Cairo. The aim of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to establish a collaborative framework between authorities in Egypt and Greece. The agreement further delves into implementing finance policies and mechanisms to develop technical cooperation between both countries. The significance lies in the continuation of bilateral agreements signed specifically between Greece and Egypt exclusive from the other countries in the Mediterranean basin. The terms in the agreement stress on the diversity of foreign relations between Greece and Egypt in the political, economic, security, and military fields while recalling the ancient ties between the two countries that go back to the ancient prehistoric ages of the Minoan periods and how they developed to extended foreign relations during the 5th century BCE of Greece. Thereby, the research mainly follows an analytical approach under the qualitative methodology and use a historical method to collect data to examine the development of ancient ties between Greece and Egypt using available historical literary and archaeological evidence. The Mediterranean basin consists of many countries that have developed foreign affairs on different levels throughout the years. The bilateral relations between Greece and Egypt stand out from other Mediterranean countries, as throughout history they have remained loyal to each other due to mutually beneficial factors, irrespective of the cultural development of both countries. The history of Greece and Egypt reveals many instances where they have extended their relations in times of need. This research delves into the implications of the memorandum on the diplomatic ties of the two nations, its effects on the security dynamics in the Mediterranean region, and any broader regional or international consequences resulting from this MoU.
Developing 3D modeling for a virtual patient simulator for skill training in dental patient assessment
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Rishard, M.I.; Shalha, A.M.F.; Weerasinghe, S.P.D.D.S.; Chandrasiri, N. R.; Leuke Bandara, D.; Jayasinghe, U.; Jayarathna, T.; Ragel, R.G.
Patient assessment is an essential basic skill that needs to be developed by a dental student. With the issues faced during the pandemic, the trend is to develop more innovative, learner- centered approaches to provide such skills. Traditional dental training, rooted in hands-on patient experience and physical models, has limitations such as limited exposure to diverse dental issues and potential real-world consequences from mistakes. In contrast, our 3D virtual patient simulator offers diverse clinical scenarios and safety from real-world mistakes. Although virtual simulation is a possible option, 3D modeling to simulate different clinical presentations is challenging as well as could be costly. The goal of this project is to propose an affordable, and realistic approach in developing a 3D virtual patient simulator with the use of Unity game engine and Blender. The Unity game engine was used to add interactivity, and Blender was used for exact 3D modeling. A comprehensive 3D dental clinic model was developed which allows students to switch from an extraoral to an intraoral perspective, simulating real-world dental examination. Furthermore, to enhance the authenticity, various dental instruments were incorporated thoroughly designed in Blender to replicate their real-world counterparts. The application is also equipped with different investigations including radiographs corresponding to different clinical cases. In the next phase, the system will be designed to work with haptic technology, transitioning the simulator to a Virtual Reality (VR) environment enabling students to gain tangible feedback. Evaluation metrics have been integrated to grade students based on their interaction within the application. Preliminary results show that the 3D modeling used offer an affordable, and realistic approach to develop a virtual patient simulator which could facilitate in bridging the gaps in current dental training methods, with the potential of providing a cost-effective and realistic training platform. The introduction of such technologies in the dental education sector could revolutionize the learning experience and better equipped students for real-world practices.
Lessons from the Roman architect vitruvius to overcome urban development failures in Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Edirisinghe, V.; Ekanayake, A.
At present 56% of the world population is living in urban settings and the number is expected to double by 2050. In Sri Lanka, postwar development has brought rapid transformation. A main focus of scholarship on recent urban development is the negative impact of accelerated development due to ignorance, lack of reason, foresight, scale in planning, political interference and erratic decision-making. These have resulted in environmental, economic and public health problems in cities such as Hambantota, Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Negombo in spite of the presence of ancient and modern wisdom, both Sri Lankan and western. De Architectura, the work by the Roman architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (1st century BCE-1 st Century ACE) is a practical guide to architecture and the architect from the principle (ratio) of firmitas (durability), utilitas (usefulness), and venustas (beauty). Scholarship acknowledges the practical usefulness of Vitruvius’ work to civil engineering today. The objective of this study is to use the urban development project in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, as a case study to highlight the contemporary value of Vitruvius’ wisdom. Through a close reading of the relevant sections of De Architectura, the study reinforces the applicability of Vitruvius’s wisdom to the Hambantota Urban Development Project (2005-2030). It reveals that useful, beautiful,sustainable structures and cities are necessary for private and public use, that they are self- sufficient and sustainable because the architect is guided by reason, knowledge, and training to follow the fundamental principles of architecture based on theory and practice. The study concludes that the wisdom of Vitruvius may have prevented the initial failures of the ongoing Hambantota Urban Development Project traceable to lack of knowledge, and ignorant, illogical planning and design. Therefore, the study recommends Vitruvius as an invaluable guide to political, social and economic success in current and future urban development undertakings.
Analyzing the changes of shoreline morphology: cases in Western Coast of Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Chithra, S.; Hewawasam, T.; Ratnayake, N.P.
The shoreline has emerged as a highly critical linear feature, due to its morphological shifts. Therefore, continues monitoring the changes of shoreline is a subject of great concern in recent years. Coastal erosion in western coast of Sri Lanka has endured as a long-standing issue. This research aimed to examine the shifts in shoreline positions and their impact on shoreline dynamics between 2012/13 and 2021. The study involved a comparative analysis of NEM and SWM in 2012/13 and 2021, focusing specifically on the Kapungoda and Mount Lavinia areas, known for their wider beaches and minimal engineering interventions. The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) tool in ArcGIS was employed to calculate the net shoreline movement (NSM) and end point rate (EPR) using WorldView-2 satellite images with a resolution of 70 cm. Both cases reveal positive NSM and EPR accretion in both periods. Kapungoda exhibits NEM averages of NSM 11.16 m and 1.4 m/yr EPR and SWM averages of 7.4 m NSM and 0.93 m/yr EPR. The maximum positive shoreline changes (MPSC) during NEM and maximum negative shoreline changes (MNSC) during SWM, positioned southerly and northerly of the breakwater respectively, in Kapungoda. The Mount Lavinia beach indicates NEM averages of NSM 11.08 m and 1.24 m/yr EPR and SWM averages of 5.52 m NSM and 0.61 m/yr EPR. Further, a substantial increase in erosion and accretion is apparent during SWM in 2021. Particularly MPSC in 2013 and 2021in both seasons and MNSC in NEM can be observed in north and MNSC in SWM have found in south of the headland. However, it is possible that the break water constructed in Kapungoda and beach nourishment, taken place in Mount Lavinia, might be influenced significantly on such pattern of shoreline changes. Finally, despite the positive NSM along with average EPR accretion in both locations, significant level of accretion could be identified in Kapungoda. While, Mount Lavinia has some potential for erosion in some places. Therefore continues shoreline monitoring is imperative to identify real trend of shoreline changes in these locations.
Determination of unreachable cracks on concrete structures and plasters utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Wijesooriya, M.A.; Chathuranga, M.; Balasooriya, B.M.T.S.; Vandebona, R.
Concrete structures and plasters are exposed to the formation of cracks over time. If they are not properly treated, the existence, safety, and durability of the concrete structures will be affected. However, conventional techniques like crack meters, joint meters, visual inspection, etc. are not appropriate since they take a long time, and lots of effort, and can be risky when used to find cracks in locations that are difficult to access. To circumvent the limitations of manual methods and visual examination, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology has recently been deployed to crack evaluation. This paper presents a complete method for identifying the locations of cracks and their length, width, and permutability in an unreachable place of concrete structures and plasters using a Three- dimensional (3D) model. The primary data was gathered by field observations conducted in the front part of a single building with three walls. Grid coordinates for the Ground Control Points (GCP) were measured by classic methods (Total Station and Levelling). For inspections of cracks, UAVs offer a low-cost, open-source, and customizable technique. The Mavic 2 enterprise dual was utilized for data collection. To generate a 3D model, all the images were processed through Pix4D Mapper software. Furthermore, evaluation of the findings, grid coordinates, manual tape measurements, and pixel inspector were used. In this study, many cracks were detected and from them, a serious crack was identified with 87 cm length and 5 cm width which needed immediate action. The depth of some two cracks was obtained by closely inspecting the 3D model. The findings and evaluations indicated that the presented methodology facilitates the precise identification of cracks accurately even in an unreachable place.
A multi-scale risk assessment of social vulnerability to flood hazard based on the lower catchment area of the Aththanagalla river basin, Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Anuruddhika, M.K.
Flood is the most frequent and destructive disaster in Sri Lanka. Most of the people’s lives and property are affected by the flood drastically and have seen significant growth of vulnerability in recent decades. The social vulnerability of the flood is vital however most responsible institutions consider the physical impact of them. Therefore investigating the social vulnerability to flood hazards is significant to realize the root causes of social vulnerability and achieve efficient preparedness, response, and recovery. The study's primary aim is to create a Multi-Facet Social Vulnerability Index to assess social vulnerability to flood inundation. The assessment is based on selected 6 local administrative units in the Gampaha District and covered 56 flood-affected households through a survey. The different vulnerability indexes on 5 main components including social-demographic, physical, financial, health, and social connectedness relate to social capital factors and considered 34 variables under the key components. Furthermore, the study applied the AHP weight method to compare the survey data highlighting the preciousness of this assessment. The results demonstrate households in rural areas are significantly vulnerable to inundation among financial vulnerability critically impacts their livelihood. Moreover, all administrative units have the same effect on the physical vulnerability index. Social connectedness related to social capital is crucial in all HHs of urban areas. The study combined vulnerability maps to imply the index results that are significant to efficient and speedy recovery. The study is worth reducing the impact of the flood on people and their property furthermore building up the sustainable city and society of future Sri Lanka.
Correlation between literature and experimental findings - a comparative analysis of mechanical properties in bamboo
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Madhushan, S.A.S.; Buddika, H.A.D.S.; Bandara, N.M.S.H.; Abeysuriya, N.
This study gives a detailed comparative investigation of bamboo's mechanical properties, analyzing the relationship between information acquired from the literature and experimental data. Bamboo, known for its ecological sustainability and mechanical adaptability, has acquired widespread acceptance in a variety of technical applications. The goal of this research is to analyze the coherence of existing literature data and contribute to a better understanding of the mechanical behavior of bamboo. A detailed literature review addresses the tensile strength, compressive strength, shear strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity of bamboo. The study goes on to examine at how characteristics like species, age, and moisture content affect bamboo's mechanical performance, identifying potential causes of variation under different situations. Empirical tests involve carefully testing dendrocalamus giganteus bamboo samples, which is found from Peradeniya university premises, using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for compressive, shear, and flexural tests. Moisture content is measured for each specimen, ensuring precise findings. Statistical analysis connects experimental results to literature data, revealing similarities and differences in diverse contexts. Analyzing the test results average density 796.67[576- 1 100] kgm-3, compressive strength 49.875[29.33-108.2] MPa, flexural strength 60.01[40.05-99.74] MPa, and shear strength 9.53[7.39-29.12] MPa were calculated and compared with the literature (Literature results are shown inside the brackets). The findings of the study shed light on the veracity of current literature data on bamboo's mechanical properties and improve understanding of bamboo's mechanical behavior. This study supports in making informed decisions about using bamboo in engineering applications, while also supporting sustainable and ecologically sensitive practices. The combination of scientific findings and empirical assessments leads to a full understanding of bamboo's mechanical properties, providing useful insights for future research and application.
Kandy city centre as a public space
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Agalawatte, C.Y.
Kandy City Centre (KCC) is a modern commercial complex in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is the only shopping complex in Kandy and an important public space in the city. This study discusses the significance of studying Kandy City Centre as a public space. This study develops around the two research questions: How Kandy City Centre has been developed as a situated space and lived space and how Kandy City Centre challenges the Kandyan landscape. A public space is a space that is open to and accessible to the public. A situated space is a space that is experienced and understood in a particular way by the people who use it. A lived space is a space that is shaped by the everyday practices of the people who use it. The conceptual framework is based on two approaches from study of Geographies of public space (2020): public space as assemblage and public space between inclusion and exclusion. Primary data was collected through interviews and observations of people who visited the Kandy City Centre. Secondary data was collected from research articles, web contents, books, and newspapers. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. In addition, Carl Sauer's morphological approach to landscape studies and James Duncan's "landscape as a text" concept were important in studying how KCC challenges the Kandyan landscape. Easily accessible location and assemblage of services were causes to KCC developed as lived and situated space. In addition, the KCC building exterior reflects Kandyan architecture, but the interior is modern. According to the findings, studying Kandy City Centre as a public space can provide valuable insights into the ways in which public spaces can be developed to be more inclusive and accessible to all.
Experimental investigation on porous concrete for sustainable drainage systems
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Neluwala, N.G.P.B.; Dammika, A. J.; Rathnayake, R.M.L.D.; Niwunhella, D.R.T.; Kalpadeep, D.N.S.
Urban flooding caused by unpredictable high-intensity rainstorm events due to insufficient drainage infrastructure has become a major problem nowadays. Urbanization and climate changes in urban cities have made drainage systems overflow, which results in urban floods. Introducing a sustainable urban drainage system is an effective solution to control urban floods. Furthermore, it will control downstream flooding and it will reduce the deterioration of river water quality. Porous concrete drainages can be a good alternative in urban areas as they can infiltrate excess runoff into the soil. In many countries, construction debris has become a severe environmental issue. So, it is an environmentally friendly approach to reuse or recycle construction wastes for the manufacturing of porous concrete. Porous concrete has already been used to create pavements, parking lots, cover slabs etc. However, limited studies have been conducted in investigating different mix designs for porous concrete and permeabilities. This study investigated the material and hydraulic properties of porous concrete with recycled aggregate based on eight mix designs. The first four mix designs involve variations in the weight of coarse aggregates with a size range of 12.5 - 25 mm without fine aggregate. The remaining three mix designs incorporate different ratios of fine aggregates at 10%, 20%, and 30%. The eighth mix design is constructed using recycled construction waste materials. When the coarse aggregate percentages changed from 15% to 75%, infiltration rates increased from 339.3 cm/hr to 1138 cm/hr per/hr and the seven-day compressive strength varied from 14.3 MPa to 12.1 MPa. When fine aggregates were introduced from 10% to 30%, the compressive strength increased from 16.5 MPa to 18.21 MPa and the infiltration rates decreased from 1524 cm/hr to 812.8 cm/hr. Test with construction waste yielded 16.28 MPa strength and 3550 cm/hr infiltration after 28 days showing its potential to be used in urban areas.
Analysis of land use change in Trincomalee using NDVI and NDBI from 2013 to 2023
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Rashadha, R.; Rathnayake, R.M.N.T.S.; Wijesinghe, B.S.K.; Kumari, H.K.C.A.
Land use changes have a profound impact on both natural ecosystems and human settlements. As the world undergoes rapid urbanization and shifts in land management practices, monitoring and analysing these changes is vital. This study focuses on Trincomalee, a region in Sri Lanka that has experienced notable land use transformations due to various historical, geographical, and socio-economic factors. Remote sensing and GIS technology are effective tools for analysing changes in land use and cover at a spatial and temporal scale. To comprehensively analyse these changes, the study utilizes the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Building Index (NDBI) from 2013 to 2023. The results reveal a significant expansion of built-up areas, totalling 324.11 km2 (12%) by 2023, and a major change in forest cover area, with a degradation of 459.2 km2 (17%) and an increase of 428.54 km2 (16 %) in grasslands. These changes have occurred in specific regions that have undergone substantial transformations. The study's findings have significant implications for urban planning, conservation, and sustainable land management. By understanding how these changes affect the environment, policymakers and stakeholders can address the challenges that come with urbanization while protecting essential ecosystems. The study's comprehensive methodology, which uses satellite imagery and NDVI and NDBI analysis, provides a strong foundation for future research aimed at addressing similar land use trends and their impacts.
Fabrication of natural dye-sensitized solar cells using barbados cherry fruit and purple shamrock leaves
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Wickramasinghe, W.M.G.H.P.; Gunawardhana, U.W.N.H.; Wickramasinghe, G.C.; Sooriyagoda, S.H.R.T.
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have received a significant attraction due to their simple structure and low manufacturing cost. Generally, ruthenium-based compounds are used as the effective sensitizers in DSSCs due to their higher absorption and efficient metal-to- ligand charge transfer. However, ruthenium-based compounds are relatively expensive and rare. In recent years, natural dyes have gained attention due to non-toxicity, low cost, environmental friendliness, and availability. In this work, DSSCs were fabricated using natural dyes extracted from Barbados cherry fruit (Malpighia emarginata), and purple shamrock leaves (Oxalis triangularis). These extracted dyes were characterized by UV– VIS absorption spectra and FTIR spectroscopy. The photovoltaic parameters of the DSSC using Barbados cherry dye recorded with a power conversion efficiency of 0.936% along with an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 429 mV, a short circuit current density (JSC) of 4.258 mA cm-2 and a fill factor of 0.512. DSSC using purple shamrock leaves recorded as 372 mV of Voc, 1.624 mA cm-2 of JSC and a fill factor of 0.561 with a power conversion efficiency of 0.339%. A DSSC formed with a Ruthenium-based dye under the same conditions obtained 588 mV of Voc, 20.120 mA cm-2 of JSC and 0.352 fill factor along with 4.162% power conversion efficiency. This research highlights the potential of natural dyes as viable alternatives to ruthenium-based dyes in DSSCs.
A pathway for industry 4.0 implementation in a lean environment: with special reference to the Sri Lankan apparel sector
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Bandara, A.M.A.S.M.; Nasra, M.R.F.
The foundation of the fourth industrial revolution (I4.0) was built on several technological pillars that were established over the years. The adoption of these technologies by organizations is expected for them to benefit from I4.0. However, manufacturing organizations that have improved their operations through lean management philosophies need a clear roadmap to embrace the I4.0 technologies without disrupting the current business practices. In addition, to the extent we know, only a few studies in the literature empirically investigate how I4.0 can be implemented in a lean environment in a developing economy. Hence, the objective of this study is to devise a much-needed roadmap for implementing I4.0 technologies in a Lean environment. To achieve that, we conducted focused group interviews with ten respondents from four Sri Lankan apparel industries that have implemented I4.0 technologies in a lean environment. The collected data was analyzed through thematic analysis, allowing the identification of different themes. Our findings suggest that such a roadmap involves four steps: (1) setting a lean base, (2) strategic management, (3) human resource development, and (4) getting external support. We also found that higher implementation costs and resistance of the people are the major challenges in implementing I4.0 technologies in a Lean environment. Our recommendation for the organizations that have mastered Lean is to start their I4.0 journey by introducing a few technologies such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, Automation, and Industrial Robotics. Since the implementation of I4.0 technologies in a lean environment is a relatively recent phenomenon, our study provides a better understanding of how lean manufacturing can support the implementation of I4.0 technologies, allowing companies undergoing I4.0 technology implementation to better manage their change process and prioritize their efforts and narrow their attention more objectively to the proper mix of technologies while moving towards the lean manufacturing.
A comparative assessment of soil properties in Pinus caribaea plantation and semi-natural montane eco-system of tropical Sri Lanka
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Ranasinghe, R.N.R.; Hewawasam, A.L.T.
Inappropriate forestry practices have been identified as a foremost reason that prevents the soil from performing its services to society and ecosystems at a maximum. Certain species established under forestry practices cause severe soil degradation in natural ecosystems, particularly in tropical countries. Hence, this study was aimed at investigating the changes in soil properties caused by forest plantations with exotic species; Pinus caribaea in the tropical highlands of Sri Lanka, referring to the semi-natural forest ecosystems. Representative soil samples were collected randomly from established transects; 12 from Pinus caribaea plantations and 12 from semi-natural forests along the northwest altitudinal gradient in the Hantana Mountain range, at 15cm - 30 cm death. Two vegetation types have been grown on the same soil type, Red Yellow Podzolic, and the transacts were selected at the same altitude. Soil properties were analyzed by laboratory testing of collected samples. Compared to Pinus caribaea plantation, the mean soil organic matter content was comparatively greater in semi-natural forests, which was 8.11 % and 11.78 % respectively. Mean soil gravimetric moisture content was slightly higher in semi-natural forests (15.65%) compared to Pinus caribaea plantation (12.49%). There was no significant difference in mean soil porosity in each land-use type. It was 30.51% in Pinus caribaea plantation and 33.85% in semi-natural forests. Higher soil acidity was observed in Pinus caribaea plantation (mean pH-5.67) than in semi-natural forest (mean pH-6.29). Mean electrical conductivity of soil under two vegetation types did not show a significant difference. It was 13.68 (μS/cm) in Pinus caribaea plantation, and 15.36 (μS/cm) in semi- natural forests. This study reveals that organic matter content, pH and moisture retention in soil are comparatively different between Pinus caribaea plantations and semi-natural forests, which highlights the impact that species selection for reforestation programs could have on ecosystem services of a forest.

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