Conceptual Framework for On-site Digital Interpretation Developments in Cultural Heritage Sites

On-site heritage interpretation plays a vital role in cultural heritage sites in conveying the significance and multiple heritage values to the visitors. In an era where the world is transforming with innovative digital applications, the heritage sites are also being integrated with digital interpretation techniques to deliver a better interpretation and new dimensional experience to the visitors. Though multiple digital solutions are available, not all the techniques are appropriate, applicable and feasible to every site. Besides, neither proper worldwide principles nor framework has been exerted for these digital heritage interpretation developments. Therefore, this study is focused on building a generic conceptual framework to select the most appropriate digital interpretation technique(s) that fit the context of the heritage site, giving special reference to the six Cultural World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The relevant qualitative and quantitative data were gathered via in-depth interviews, field observation, literature survey and a visitor survey questionnaire. The main themes and sub-themes derived through the thematic analysis were adopted as the theoretical framework for the research to analyze the collected data of the six Cultural World Heritage Sites and the selected digital techniques. Based on the results, the study recommends appropriate digital techniques for each Cultural World Heritage Sites of the country. Further as aimed, the study presents a conceptual framework for on-site digital interpretation developments for cultural heritage sites by categorizing the 24 criteria derived for data analysis under five phases namely ‘Prepare’, ‘Assess’, ‘Design’, ‘Implement’ and ‘Sustain’.

A Comparative Study on Post-Harvest Losses Associated with Upcountry Vegetable before and During COVID -19 Pandemic Situation: A Case of The Welimada Divisional Secretariat Area

Vegetables are essential food items that provide daily nutritional requirements to maintain healthy life for human beings. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain continuous production and supply. The unexpected Covid-19 plague disrupted the production, sale and distribution of vegetables so that producers, traders as well as consumers happened to face unexpected problems. Accordingly, a study was conducted with the main objective to investigate the post harvesting losses associated with upcountry vegetable before and under COVID-19 pandemic situation comparatively. To achieve the main objectives a field survey was carried out by collecting primary data from 16 traders from the Economic Center and 50 farmers from 05 Grama Niladhari Divisions of Welimada divisional secretariat area using stratified sampling technique. Additional information was collected by using interviews with farmers and traders and secondary data. Data was analyzed using quantitative, qualitative methods and paired T tests were performed to confirm the difference between the variables associated with before and during the COVID-19 pandemic statistically. Results reviled that, there was a significant difference (p <0.05) in post-harvest losses coursed at farm, transport and wholesale lelves in marketing of vegetables before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors affected to increase post-harvest losses and there are the harvesting was delayed, number of barriers were faced during transportation, the economic center has been closed for several days, vegetable prices have fallen and wholesales have declined. It can be concluded that the post-harvest damage to upcountry vegetable has been affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

A Comparative Study on Socio-Economic Impact of COVID- 19 Pandemic on Fisheries Industry in Tangalle Divisional Secretariat Division

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has provided the basis for creating a highly problematic environment in every sector of the world today has also had a significant impact on the fisheries industry which is one of the world’s leading economic activities. The main objective of this study was to examine the socio-economic impacts on fisheries industry before and during COVID-19 pandemic situation with special reference to Tangalle Divisional Secretariat Division. The study was based on the four Grama Niladhari Divisions of Kudawella North, Central, South and West associated with the Kudawella Fisheries Harbor. Primary data was collected from a field survey using a semi structured questionnaire from 74 fishing families representing the 75% of the population under stratified random sampling. Paired T test was carried out to test the variables comparatively before and after COVID-19 pandemic to confirm the result statistically. In addition, simple statistical methods were used for the quantitative assessment. Results revealed that the epidemic situation had a significant socio-economic impact on the fishing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic situation such as declining income, growth of indebtedness, disruption of children’s education, mental distress and social stigma. Suggestions were identified to mitigate the impacts. In this context, it was concluded that the COVID-19 epidemic has primarily affected the fisheries industry and as a result, created many socio-economic problems for the fisheries community.

Evolution of the Kandyan Vina of Sri Lanka with Special Reference to the Contemporary Usage

The string instrument, the Kandyan vina (Uḍaraṭa Vīṇā), once portrayed in the book by John Davy as “Venah”, shares close resemblance with the Coconut shell fiddle instruments in India, in terms of their inherent form, structure, cultural peculiarities and playing posture. Such similarities serve to confirm that the prototypic musical instrument – the Kandyan vina, originated from the Coconut shell fiddle instruments of India. According to sources, the prototype instrument of the Kandyan vina arrived with the gypsy groups who migrated to Sri Lanka from Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu during the Kandy period of 1600-1750 AD. Since then, until 1980-1990 AD, the prototype instrument was developed by the influence of the Western musical instruments and musical intelligence, available material, creative methods inherent in the aristocratic, villagers, beggars, Veddas, and gypsy communities. Therefore, the rise of the Kandyan vina is proven to have originated within Sri Lanka as a unique native string instrument. Research objectives of this study are: firstly, to re-introduce a native string instrument according to its true historic trails; secondly, a modern Kandyan vina is constructed using the modified knowledge discovered through exploring the ancient Kandyan vina instruments; and thirdly, to assimilate knowledge of a musical instrument based on its historical literature and archaeological data from an Archaeomusicological perspective. With this in mind, Frescoes/murals, artefacts, legal documents and primary books were used as the primary sources, while journal articles and secondary books were used as secondary sources.

An Assessment of Water Budget of Ibadan, Nigeria

The influence of climatic conditions of precipitation and evapotranspiration exercise great control on soil water budget. This is fundamental to crop production and hydrological processes. This study assessed the temporal variability of soil moisture condition of Ibadan, Nigeria using the water budget approach. Specifically the study analyzed the climatic variables of monthly rainfall and means monthly air temperature, computed the mean monthly evapotranspiration values, plots the water budget graph, and discussed the implications of the observed seasonal trend in water budget condition on agricultural activities and hydrological processes. Monthly rainfall and mean monthly air temperature data used were collected from the archives of the Nigeria meteorological agency for the period 2008-2020. Monthly potential evapotranspiration data used in the study was estimated from the mean monthly air temperature data. The monthly rainfall data and the monthly evapotranspiration data were used to plot the water budget graph. Results revealed temporal variability in soil moisture condition. Water deficit condition was observed between November and April while water surplus condition was observed between May and October. The highest water surplus condition was observed in September (111.9mm) while the highest deficit condition (-125.64mm) was observed in December. The month of October recorded the lowest water surplus condition (41.30mm) while the month of April recorded the lowest water deficit condition (-10.10mm). The implications of the observed seasonal variation in soil moisture status on agricultural activities and hydrological processes were discussed.

Practices Followed to Manage Plastic Waste including Shopping Bags and Lunch Sheets in Sri Lanka: A Preliminary Study in Western Province

Although plastics have made the workings of our lives easier, it has created many different environmental and social problems due to poor management practices. The problem of plastic waste has been exacerbated due to various regulations that have been introduced from time to time for the sustainable management of plastic waste. However, those are not properly implemented. The main objective of this study is to examine the best practices in Sri Lanka for the management of plastic waste, including shopping bags and lunch sheets (PBLS). Further, the study illustrated the prevailing and possible alternatives for polythene products in Sri Lanka and weaknesses in the identification of alternatives. The study was conducted in the Western Province covering three districts: Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara. Data collection was conducted through different structured questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews and a major workshop from a sample of 1314 respondents. Results revealed that 59% of households in the survey confirm that they were discouraged from switching to alternatives as a result of freely available low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags in the market. Also, 67% of the households and 74% of the supermarkets pointed out that, the current polythene bag usage was higher prior to the ban, due to the poor strength and quality of the bag. Further, the study reveals that ‘Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)’ has the potential to influence material management systems and prevent pollution and has been successfully tested in many countries around the world.

Use of Poetry in the English as a Second Language Classroom: A Study of Second Year Undergraduates in Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

This study focuses on the effectiveness of the use of literature among English as a Second Language (ESL) students. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether poetry has an impact on language teaching and learning in undergraduates in the English as a second language (ESL) classroom. This study focuses on poetry as a motivation factor and as a productive method to practice language in the ESL classroom. The target population was randomly selected from the second-year students who offer Center for English Language Learning (CELL) as their core subject for their degree program. The students were chosen at random from the sample, with 20 individuals divided into two groups. After the class, the first group was tested using non-literature content, and their scores were recorded. The second group received the identical instruction as the first, with the same test results. As a result, after learning the lesson through a poem, the second group was tested again, and their scores were recorded. They were also given a questionnaire to gauge their degree of satisfaction. The effectiveness of using poetry in learning and teaching was examined by comparing the independent variables. When the effectiveness of the employment of poetry in second language learning students is measured, the outcome-oriented examination shows no difference. There seem certain positive and negative effects.

Chronology of the Occupation Pattern Distribution: A Case Study At The Mun River Valley Prehistoric Settlement Site, Northeast Thailand

Chronological framework can be used to identify the distribution of occupation patterns. This study was based on fourteen radiocarbon samples from the eight excavation pits at Ban Non Wat and Nong Hua Raet archaeological sites. The chronology of the cultural layers was developed using AMS radiocarbon dating to supplement existing data, specifically to examine the dating of the end of the Iron Age occupation. The objective of this study was to continue testing the premise that the end of the Iron Age on the Mun river floodplain in Northeast Thailand that is better defined as either a singular more or less contemporaneous de-population event characterized by widespread abandonment of settlements or a gradual transition from dispersing a rural settlement to more concentrated urban style of settlement. The results support the existing chronological framework of the study area and suggest that the end of the Iron Age in the Mun River valley is better defined as a gradual transition from dispersed rural settlements to a more concentrated urban style settlement. Occupation commenced at the center of the mound of Ban Non Wat during the Neolithic period, and gradually spread radially to the margin by the Iron Age. Occupation at the neighboring site of Nong Hua Raet commenced during the Iron Age period, parallel to that at Ban Non Wat.

Prepositional Phrases in English as Phases of the Weak Kind

A phase is an instance of derivation or “spell out’’ of a chunk or whole of a sentence construction. It is standardly assumed that only complementizer phrases and little v(erb) phrases are phases, and tense and verb phrases are not phases. Other categories such as determiner phrases and applicative phrases have been tested positive for phases. However, no claim is made about the status of prepositional phrases as phases. This paper investigated whether prepositional phrases in English can have the status of a phase as defined in phase theory. It was hypothesised that prepositional phrases are phases of the ‘weak’ kind. To determine the phase status of prepositional phrases, the method of standard phase diagnostics tests such as computational complexity, phonological independence, semantic independence, and case checking, and theta completeness were used. It was found out that computational complexity is not a valid test to test prepositional phrases for phasehood. While prepositional phrases bear very strong evidence to be labelled phases with respect to phonological independence, PPs fail to be phases in the case of semantic independence, and case checking and theta completeness. Given these findings, it was concluded that prepositional phrases in English are phases of the ‘weak’ kind. A sample of sentence constructions in English selected by the author and borrowed from the existing literature were used for the tests to draw conclusions. The study is expected to help better understand and analyze the cognitive processes involved in the acquisition and production of the English language specifically and any language in general.

Identifying the Gender Differences in Response to Graduate Unemployment: Evidence from Sri Lanka

Employment opportunities are available for graduates from certain disciplines, while for a considerable proportion of the graduates, finding employment has become a problem. Therefore, enhancing the employability of graduates is a challenge faced by the university system of Sri Lanka. This research contains the findings based on economic, social and geographical attributes for gender difference in response to graduate unemployment. A questionnaire was distributed among the graduates of selected two faculties of General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, Ratmalana. The study aimed to identify the impact of gender on graduate unemployment, causes for the gender differences, and the impact of geographical, social and economic factors in response to each gender. Primary data was collected through the questionnaire. Chi square test was used to determine the individual impact of independent variables towards the dependent variable, and binary logistic regression has been used to determine the collective impact of independent variables towards the dependent variable. The findings suggest that age, father’s education, satisfaction with higher education/ training, job preference, job satisfaction and impact of gender on finding a job (as per the thoughts) have a significant relationship with employability status of the male graduates. Furthermore, academic qualifications, monthly income of families, satisfaction with higher education and the training, job satisfaction and impact of gender of the female graduates (as per their experiences) have a significant relationship with employability status of the female graduates.