LIFESPAN OF RUBBER CULTIVATION CAN BE SHORTENED FOR HIGH RETURNS: A FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT ON SIMULATED CONDITIONS IN SRI LANKA

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. S. MUNASINGHE ◽  
V. H. L. RODRIGO
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Tree Stand ◽  
Technical Feasibility ◽  
Financial Assessment ◽  
Financial Feasibility ◽  
Financial Benefits

SUMMARYRubber is usually cultivated for lifespan of 30 years based on the technical feasibility of managing tapping panels. For obtaining early financial benefits, there is a demand for shorter lifespan with intensified tapping. With no research conducted on this line, the present study was focussed to investigate the financial feasibility of shortening the lifespan of rubber trees through lifecycle analyses with three principal scenarios of intensified harvesting, i.e.IntensifiedHarvesting throughout theTotal harvestingPeriod to obtain a part or full amount of yield lost due to shortening the lifespan (IHTP),IntensifiedHarvesting only during last 6 Years (IH6Y) andIntensifiedHarvesting at last¼of harvestingPeriod (IH¼P). In IHTP, intensified tapping to achieve 10–15% of yield loss due to shortening the lifespan was found to be effective to reduce the lifespan even up to 21 years. Market price of rubber and tree stand per hectare were found to be the critical factors determining the best lifespan particularly in IHTP. The best lifespan under IH6Y and IH¼P scenarios was in the range of 19–22 years. Agronomic, environmental and social implications in shortening lifespan of rubber are discussed.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing on E-Banking Practices: Evidence from Sri Lanka

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anusiga Gunaratnam ◽  
Konalingam Kajenthiran ◽  
Umanakenan Ratnam ◽  
Achchuthan Sivapalan
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Total Variance ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Unique Model

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influencing factors of e-banking practices in Sri Lanka. A questionnaire with seven-point Likert scale is applied to 388 usable responses. The study was exploratory in nature and employed factor analysis to identify the important factors of e-banking practices. Results indicate that mainly four factors are significant with respect to the e-banking practices. Privacy & convenience, content & website layout, speed of delivery, and accessibility are the critical factors influencing the e-banking practices. In addition, factors extracted from the analysis accounted for 53.704% of the total variance. This study expected to provide a unique model in the realm of e-banking.

Assessment of Yield Loss in Green Gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) Cultivation and Estimation of Weed-Free Period for Eco-Friendly Weed Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Pubudu Kumara ◽  
Kandiah Pakeerathan ◽  
Liyanage P. P. Deepani
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Vigna Radiata ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Green Gram ◽  
Pests And Diseases

Green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) is one of the most economically important grain legumes of the traditional farming systems of Sri Lanka because it is a cheap source of protein and animal feed, and sustains soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Weeds are one of the major problems in green gram cultivation, reducing the yield through competition, interference with harvest and harboring pests and diseases. Controlling of weeds by applying herbicides would definitely cause unexpected damage to human health and the abundant biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Therefore, an investigation was planned to evaluate the yield loss due to weeds and to determine the optimum weed free period to minimize the yield losses. Two experiments were performed. The first experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different weed functional groups on the yield of green gram. In the second experiment, weeds were continuously hand weeded and areas kept weed free. In the third, weeds were allowed to compete with green gram until 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 weeks after cultivation. All the treatments were conducted in randomized complete block design with three replicates. The data collected on types of weed, number of pods and pod weight at 3–6 weeks after planting (WAP) were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 statistical package, and DMRT was performed to determine the best treatment combination. The results from the first experiment showed that average yield loss due to total weed populations was 54.77%. Yield loss due to grasses alone was 46.56%, far worse than broad leaves (16.49%) and sedges (18.01%) at p < 0.05. Crop stand count at 3–4 WAP was not significantly different among treatments. However, biomass weight of 50 plants, number of pods in 50 plants and grain weight of 10 plants were found to be significantly different after 3–4 WAP in weed free conditions at p < 0.05%. When the weed free period increased, the yield was increased until 3 WAP; thereafter, not significant yield increment was observed. In contrast, yield steeply declined in plots that had weeds until 3 WAP. According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the critical weed free period from the planting of green gram is 3 WAP. Maintaining a weed free period for 3–4 weeks is recommended to minimize the yield loss of green gram at minimal weed management cost.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON EXPRESSWAY CONSTRUCTION IN SRI LANKA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.L.P.U. Karunathilaka ◽  
◽  
K.A.K. Devapriya ◽  
V.G. Shanika ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Feasibility Studies ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Rock Blasting ◽  
Environmental Implications ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Expressway Construction

Expressway construction projects are one of the crucial infrastructure projects for a country. Hence, assessment of environmental and social implications prior to initiation of the expressway construction project is vital. Thus, the research aims to analyse effect of social and environmental factors on expressway construction in Sri Lanka. Initially a comprehensive literature review was done to discuss on expressway construction in Sri Lanka and environmental and social implications of expressway construction in global context. The study followed a qualitative approach. Hence, four expert interviews were carried out to explore more on the same context limiting to Sri Lanka. Experts were selected from only on-going expressway project in Sri Lanka, central expressway project. Moreover, collected data were analysed through manual content analysis. The study findings highlighted viaduct construction, land acquisition and rock blasting as the major activities relating to environmental implications of the expressway construction projects. Thus, rational, logical, scientific, and technical selection of the routes is the most effective and efficient mean in minimizing adverse impacts. Hence planning of these activities should be done with due care by authorities only after proper feasibility studies. Further, major factors affecting social implications of the expressway construction have been identified as settlement, livelihood, public infrastructure and health and safety. Hence, resettlement action plans need to be updated to comply with the identified requirements through environmental and social factors.

scholarly journals Critical factors influencing online consumer preference towards cash on delivery method in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-80
Author(s):  
Navodika Karunarathna
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Consumer Preference ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Delivery Method ◽  
Payment Methods ◽  
Foreign Products ◽  
Factors Influencing

With the rapid technological advancements, E-commerce deliveries in Sri Lanka have been flourishing tremendously. However, payments have still been identified as one of the main obstacles to the developments of the E-commerce sector. The Cash on Delivery (COD) method has played a significant role in driving the growth of the E-commerce industry and accounts for more than 60% of all E-commerce transactions in Sri Lanka. Although COD is so important, many companies still waver with its processes as it has become a notoriously problematic area in terms of on-time and successful deliveries. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the critical factors influencing online customers' preference of cash on the delivery method to provide insights into the management of E-commerce and logistics industries on the usage of appropriate payment methods for E-commerce transactions. This empirical study is based on the primary data obtained through a survey conducted among Sri Lankan online customers. The data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modelling technique. Consequently, 'Sri Lankan origin of the online seller,' 'Selling specialized products by the online seller,' 'Availability of wide choice of payment methods,' 'Offering a wide assortment of foreign products by the online seller,' 'Lack of trust on online payments' has been identified as the critical factors influencing Sri Lankan online customers' preference of cash on delivery method.

Critical factors affecting the performance of large construction projects in developing countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-556
Author(s):  
Djoen San Santoso ◽  
Polwatta Gallage Madusha Piumal Gallage
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the factors affecting the performance of large construction projects in Sri Lanka. The causes, impacts and mitigations in association with the critical factors are explored and discussed. Design/methodology/approach The research focuses on the evaluation and perspectives of clients and contractors of large projects in Sri Lanka. Combined quantitative and qualitative methods were applied in this research. Initially, a questionnaire survey was conducted with clients and contractors involved in large projects to evaluate the factors affecting the performance of projects and to identify the ten most critical factors. Interviews with the clients and contractors of three large projects were conducted to examine the causes and impacts of the critical factors and the approaches used to mitigate them. Findings Significant differences in the factors were observed for more than 40 per cent of the total factors under study, the contractors assigning more weight to most of the factors than the clients. The study identified nine internal factors and one external factor as the critical factors. Of these, seven were related to the contractors, which suggested that the contractors have greater roles in defining performance. Lack of management and technical skills of the parties involved, human capacity, lack of understanding and knowledge of the local context, changes in government policies and political interference were identified as significant causes of the critical factors. Originality/value The study analysed the factors affecting the performance of large projects in Sri Lanka, which, at the time of research, had just ended a 26-year-long civil war and was pushing the construction of large projects to be competitive. The challenges faced in this effort were explored as lessons learnt that might improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure development in Sri Lanka. The combined quantitative and qualitative methods applied in this study are expected to provide new insights in the project performance research, especially the interviews of the critical factors to gain an understanding on how the factors occurred and manifested themselves in real projects. The findings are, however, expected to be applicable to other developing countries that are currently aggressively developing their large infrastructure.

An Investigation of the Critical Factors for Evaluating the Public Value of e-Government

2015 ◽  
pp. 1130-1150
Author(s):  
Kanishka Karunasena ◽  
Hepu Deng ◽  
Kushanthi Sajeewani Harasgama
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Public Value ◽  
The Public ◽  
User Orientation

This chapter aims to investigate the critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government in Sri Lanka. A comprehensive review of the relevant literature on the scope of e-government, the sources of public value creation, and the kinds of public value is conducted for developing the theoretical framework of the study. Using the qualitative data collected from Sri Lanka, a thematic analysis is performed for identifying the critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government. The analysis reveals that the quality of public information online, functionalities of electronic services, provision of information and services through e-enabled counters, user orientation of public service delivery, improving organisational efficiency, openness and responsiveness, enhancing trust, ensuring confidentiality of citizens' information, achieving social equity, and environmental sustainability are critical for evaluating the public value of e-government.

scholarly journals Using Informal Institutions to Address Resettlement Issues – The Case of Ghana Dams Dialogue

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Richard Twum Barimah Koranteng ◽  
Guoqing Shi
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Informal Institutions ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Critical Issues

The study set off to address resettlement issues through the effective utilization of informal institutions, vis-à-vis the Ghana Dams Dialogue, but specifically sourced information from respondents inhabiting both Kpong and VRA resettlement townships (KAVRTs) in Ghana. Among other objectives, the study investigated the key economic and social implications of resettlement schemes on displaced individuals, in addition to the critical factors affecting informal institutions in addressing resettlement issues in Ghana. Per the study’s execution, the researcher adopted both qualitative and quantitative method of research as well as convenience sampling technique to select respondents at the institution for their views on the study. A questionnaire was adopted as the main survey instrument while 5-Point Likert scale which was later transform into the Relative Importance Index (RII) was employed to facilitate the analysis of data obtained from the field. Findings of the study indicated the 6 key economic and social implications of resettlement schemes on displaced individuals’ determinants at KAVRTs as high morbidity/mortality rates, loss of economic power, compromising and destroying of farming systems, livelihood deficits and marginalization, psychological and socio-cultural stress as well as disorganization and framework of indigenous markets dissimilar from the erstwhile format. Furthermore, with respect to the critical factors affecting informal institutions in addressing resettlement issues at KAVRTs, 6 notable constructs were also intimated by the respondents’, namely: in effective planning regimes, restrictive implications of livelihood restoration programs, procedural delays associated with compensation, lack of transparency in land allocation/farming techniques and partiality, inadequate compensation and rehabilitation assistance in addition to questionable housing policy. Having noted the critical factors informal institutions face in addressing resettlement issues at KAVRTs, the study recommended it strictly adheres to the promotion of interactions among stakeholders on compensation issues, swift maturation of GDD policy levels, GDD strengthening of its engagement with relevant agencies, effective participation, upholding of citizenship rights, identification and evaluation of asset contribution, provision of social amenities, active NGO participation, promotion of shared cultural values, vis-a-vis livelihood support programs (LSP) among others captured in the study to manage the critical issues raised.

Sea cucumber fishing pattern and the socio-economic characteristics of fisher communities in Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganeshan Nishanthan ◽  
Ajith Kumara ◽  
Pahan Prasada ◽  
Chamari Dissanayake
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Sea Cucumber ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Breath Hold ◽  
North East ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Management Measures

Sea cucumber fishing pattern and the social and economic characteristics of sea cucumber fisher communities in the north, north-west and north-east regions of Sri Lanka were assessed using the data collected from November 2015 to January 2017. A total of 9 sea cucumber species is landed in these areas using three fishing methods; diving (SCUBA and breath-hold), gleaning and surrounding nets. SCUBA diving is the dominant fishing method and SCUBA divers do both day and night fishing reporting the highest catch rates (CPUE ± SD in numbers/person/day) than the other fishers (p < 0.05; ANOVA). Gleaning is entirely carried out by fisherwomen in the northern region whereas 28 surrounding nets are used targeting low-value Stichopus naso. CPUE found to be varied with respect to species, region and fishing method (p < 0.05; ANOVA). Bohadschia vitiensis made the highest percentage contribution (61.3%) to the total sea cucumber landings during the study period. Among all fishers, SCUBA divers reported the highest average net monthly income. Men play a dominant role in sea cucumber fishing (98%), processing (99%) and marketing (100%). Fishermen in the age range of 25–67 yr, having only primary education mainly involved in the sea cucumber industry. The sea cucumber value chain consists of fishers (∼2000), middlemen (12), processors (16) and exporters (7). A significant increase in overall price development from fishers to the exporters was reported for all 9 species (p < 0.05; ANOVA). Fishers received a proportionally higher share of the end-market price mainly for low-value Bohadschia spp. Although fishers receive disproportionately low returns compared to other value chain players, 47.8% of fishers showed high satisfaction towards the prices they received from buyers. However, 83.6% of fishers are not satisfied with existing management measures. Apart from strengthening the existing management measures, this information is important to update the regional and global sea cucumber statistics.

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