An investigation and analysis of online public access catalogues (Opacs) among the academic staff: a case study of south eastern university of Sri Lanka

This study investigates the utilization, user satisfaction, and challenges associated with Online Public Access Catalogues (OPACs) among the academic staff of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL). The research commenced with a review of relevant primary sources to establish a solid theoretical foundation. The study population comprised 230 academic staff members across six faculties and the university library. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) sample size determination table, a representative random sample of 144 respondents was selected from the academic staff. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, online surveys, and direct observations, and subsequently analyzed using SPSS Version 30. The findings reveal that the OPAC system at SEUSL remains underdeveloped and underutilized, with many users unaware of its full range of functionalities. Academic staff reported dissatisfaction, particularly during the early implementation stages, citing limited features and low user engagement as key concerns. The study underscores the need for ongoing staff training, technical enhancements, and the integration of native language search capabilities to improve the usability and accessibility of the system. The research offers valuable insights for policymakers and library administrators, advocating the development of more user-friendly and intuitive OPAC interfaces tailored to the search behaviors and needs of skilled academic users. The proposed recommendations aim to enhance information retrieval efficiency and ensure the long-term success of digital library services at SEUS

Sri Lanka’s global reputation as the “Island of Gems”

Sri Lanka, often referred to as the “Island of Gems”, has carved out a unique identity in the global gem industry, boasting a rich history that dates back over 2,000 years. Renowned for producing some of the world’s finest sapphires and a wide range of semi-precious stones, the island’s gemstone legacy is deeply intertwined with its cultural heritage, trade history, and tourism appeal. From ancient maritime trade routes to royal courts of Europe and Asia, Sri Lankan gems have long been sought after for their exceptional clarity, color, and craftsmanship. This Abstract examines the factors contributing to Sri Lanka’s global gem reputation, focusing on the geological abundance in regions such as Ratnapura apparently named as “The City of Gems” as well as the traditional mining techniques, skilled lapidary craftsmanship, and the government's regulatory frameworks that support the industry. It further explores the role of the gem industry in shaping tourism, with gem tourism emerging as a significant niche that attracts both collectors and casual travelers. Gem museums, mining site tours, gem exhibitions, and certified gem markets have become integral components of the tourist experience, offering insights into both the natural formation and cultural significance of gemstones in Sri Lanka. The paper also discusses how Sri Lanka leverages its gem heritage for nation branding and economic development, while addressing contemporary challenges such as illegal mining, environmental degradation, and the need for ethical sourcing practices. With increasing global demand for ethically sourced and sustainable gemstones, Sri Lanka is presented with both opportunities and responsibilities in maintaining its reputation. In conclusion, the Abstract emphasizes the importance of preserving Sri Lanka’s gem heritage not just as a matter of national pride, but as a sustainable pillar of its tourism and export economy. By integrating heritage conservation, responsible tourism, and international market strategies, Sri Lanka can continue to shine as a global leader in the gem industry

Palaiyakkaras in Tamil Nadu politics

The Palaiyakkara system is a political, economic and social system introduced in Tamil Nadu during the rule of the Nayaka kings. The word Palaiyam refers to land ownership and Palaiyakkara refers to the people who headed the Palaiyams. This Palaiyakkara system is similar to the feudal system seen in Europe during the Middle Ages. The Nayaka Empire was divided into 72 Palayams and Palayamkars were selected and appointed for each Palayam. They were given complete responsibility and authority to manage the Palayams. The Palayakkars were the ones who supported the Nayaka regime in Madurai. Their main duties were to pay tribute to the empire, administer justice in their camps, and maintain the forces of the rulers. While the Palaiyakars had acquired administrative powers for themselves, they also appointed some officials with the aim of facilitating their administrative activities. The Palaiyakars protected the state from foreign invasions and rendered various services to the ruler and the people. Even after the expansion of the Nayaka rule, the Palaiyakars were the ones who posed a great challenge to the early administrative activities of the British in the southern states. Due to this, the British, intending to bring them under their control from time to time, attempted to collect a large amount of tribute after 1792 by raiding the territories of the Palaiyakars. The study is based on historical methodology and descriptive method and uses primary and secondary sources (books, articles, and journals) to collect data as needed. The objectives of the study are to highlight the influence of the Palaiyakars in Tamil Nadu politics and to identify how their activities posed a challenge to the British during their rule. Although the Palaiyakkara system was created by the Nayaks for their own protection, in later times, they were seen as a group in Tamil Nadu that created problems for their rule and created fear for the British. People like Pulidevan, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, and Oomaithurai were also Palaiyakkaras who fought against the British

Contemporary issues and shoorah

As a result of several factors that put Muslims at a late stage on the ladder of material progress in science and technology, which led many to accuse Islam of being the reason for the backwardness of Muslims and that it has become incompatible with the current era, with its reactionary and backwardness, it calls for dictatorship, and not giving non-Muslims as well. Women have their rights, especially political ones, and the ruling system sanctifies the ruler, just as the system was in Europe before the industrial revolution. It is a religious state. These are some of the concepts that are raised. In this paper, the researchers tried to clarify the truth of these concepts and Islam’s relationship to them by clarifying the position of Islam, which is based on the principle of consultation. Which contradicts the idea of the religious state, as well as drawing a quick comparison about democracy and shoorah, and the position of Islamic jurisprudence on the rights of women and non-Muslims to exercise their right to exercise shoorah within society and countries

Bridging the chasm: strategic pathways to elevate educational access and stem the tide of student dropout

This qualitative study explores strategies to reduce dropout rates from the Certificate Level course at the Koggala Regional Hotel School, part of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management. Drawing from the perspectives of course directors, semi-structured interviews were conducted with diverse stakeholders, including former students who left the program, current students, parents, academic and non-academic staff, and experienced hoteliers from various establishments. Key strategies emerged in three primary areas: academic achievement, student integration, and financial support, reflecting the insights and experiences of students and institutional staff alike. Departing students particularly underscored the importance of supportive, close relationships with lecturers, along with individualized counseling and mentoring programs that foster both academic and personal growth. Personalized support programs, such as student loan options, academic assistance, remedial sessions, and supplementary learning opportunities, were identified as vital in alleviating the financial and academic challenges that often lead to student withdrawal. The study further highlighted the role of innovative, interactive teaching methods, alongside technology integration, as essential in engaging students actively and creating a dynamic learning environment. Such approaches not only capture students' interest but also align educational experiences with the evolving demands of the hospitality industry. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for a holistic approach to student retention that integrates academic, financial, and socio-emotional support, fostering a nurturing educational environment. This research advocates for a multi-dimensional strategy that addresses the complexities of student dropout, suggesting that incorporating feedback from course and curriculum developers is crucial in shaping effective institutional policies. The study’s outcomes serve as a valuable foundation for future research and policymaking, aimed at enhancing student resilience, boosting success rates, and supporting students on their academic and professional journeys

GEO informatics application for sustainable micro-level wastewater management for Urban areas

Globally, the counties are moving toward measures for sustainable development to develop sustainable cities in their territories. However, there are many challenges to such development. It signifies that all the countries are working on constructing sustainable cities, but the various challenges affect the city development's long-term viability. Among these, waste disposal is a serious issue that can devastate a sustainable city. Thus, Water that has changed due to harmful compounds like chemical and biological properties is referred to as wastewater. Wastewater is categorized into three types based on its origin: home waste, industrial waste, and rainfall waste. Therefore, Sri Lanka is a country with excellent water resources. Based on that, this study focused on the Moratuwa MC area in Colombo district, the western province of Sri Lanka. However, water consumption is high in this area, as are water treatment and sewage discharge. The main objective of the study is to identify sustainable micro-level planning for effective wastewater management in this area. The sub-objectives are to identify the sources of wastewater and hotspots contaminated by wastewater in the study area and propose reuse strategies for wastewater treatment. Primary and secondary data were collected for the study. The primary data were collected through Digitizing, direct observation, questionnaires, interviews, and discussion. On the other hand, the secondary data were obtained through books, previous research publications, magazines, website data, municipal council, urban development authority, data from water supply drainage board, etc. The data was gathered and evaluated using geospatial tools such as ArcGIS 10.3, JOSM, OSM, Google Earth Pro, HOT Tasking Manager, etc. Finally, the analysis reveals that only 19 of the 42 GNDs in the study area have a Centralized Treatment Plant (CTP) located as WWM treatment plants. Geographic information tools were primarily utilized to study to discover more GNDs in Moratuwa MC's sustainable WWM initiatives. Plans for integrating a gravity-based sewer network and constructing Decentralized Treatment Plants (DTP) were also recommended

The human and artificial creativity - a comparative study

The progress of human history today is a result of the development of reason and science. This development is happening very quickly, making the seemingly impossible, possible. Artificial intelligence (AI) stands as a significant achievement in this trajectory. AI can be defined as amethod of designing computer programs and inputting them into a computer, through which a machine is made to think and act. In this advanced technological era, the development of AI has gone through many stages and is moving on a new path. This growth has inevitably created some ethical challenges. AI helps machines perform human tasks without human assistance and is increasingly influencing all fields such as education, business, medicine, entertainment, agriculture, transportation and spirituality. While AI is bringing about remarkable changes in various sectors, there is a fear that it might weaken or surpass human creativity. It is this creative ability that distinguishes humans from other beings. Many criticisms are being raised that AI has taken control of even that. Although its new creations are accurate and immense, the question arises whether they exceed the boundaries of traditional or human creativity. This situation, which has impacted creators, needs to be examined. Therefore, this study is a comparative analysis that critically examines the definitions of human and artificial creativity and the similarities and differences between them. It attempts to clarify the distinction between machine-generated artificial creativity and human creativity, their strengths and weaknesses, and the relevance of the aforementioned fear

Nutritional status of female students in primary grades in plantation communities and its impact on their learning development (a sociological study based on type 1c schools in the Yatiyantota urban area)

Plantation communities in Sri Lanka are considered socio-economically and educationally disadvantaged. Particularly, female students living in these communities face numerous barriers to engaging in education. Education is a powerful tool that lays the foundation for social advancement, especially for girls. Providing education to female students shapes the basis for improving their quality of life and for enabling them to play a meaningful role in society. Malnutrition of girls in primary grades in yatiyantota 1C schools is a challenge to achieve excelling in education even the importance of education is well aware. The poor nutritional status observed among primary-grade female students in these communities has a significant impact on their educational outcomes and is recognized as a major social issue in Sri Lanka. This study sociologically investigates the nutritional status of primary-grade female students in four villages within the Yatiyantota urban area and examines its impact on their learning development. The study explores the current nutritional conditions of these students, the contributing factors to undernutrition, and proposes recommendations to improve their nutritional status. The sample for this study was selected based on convenience sampling. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, involving the observation of 40 students, questionnaires given to 20 primary-grade teachers and 20 parents, and interviews with four school principals. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using Excel, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis and interpreted accordingly. According to the findings of the study, the nutritional status of primary-grade female students in plantation communities is adversely affected by factors such as low household income, poverty, poor dietary habits, lack of nutritional awareness, low parental education levels, and large family size. These factors have contributed to setbacks in the academic achievement levels of the students. The conclusions and recommendations of the study highlight that by drawing attention from educationists, the negative impacts of poor nutrition on the learning development of these students can be mitigated

Trends and challenges of tea cultivation - a study focused on the Welipenna

Export agriculture is one of the most important economic sectors in the world. Crops of different kinds are grown in different nations. Tea is a vital crop that generates foreign cash in Sri Lanka. Tea is successfully grown for export, especially in areas like Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya, Gampaha, and Ratnapura. The purpose of this study is to determine the patterns and difficulties associated with tea growing in Welipenna, Mathugama Divisional Secretariat Division, the study region in the Kalutara District. Primary data, including direct observations, questionnaires, and interviews, as well as secondary data, including reports, websites, and journals, were used to gather information for this purpose. The collected data were analyzed using software such as MS Excel and Arc GIS 10.8, and conclusions were drawn. The study found that the research area has a suitable climate and topography for tea cultivation. However, challenges identified include the decline of agricultural land due to population growth and infrastructure development, as well as a decrease in production trends due to disease outbreaks and climate change. Finally, the study proposes recommendations to effectively address the challenges faced by tea cultivation in the research area

Taxation policy in countries following the arrival of us president trump in 2025: focus on Sri Lanka

The shift in United States tax policy, particularly following the assumption of office by President Donald Trump in 2025, has generated significant global economic repercussions, with developing nations like Sri Lanka experiencing tangible impacts. This paper addresses the problem of how unilateral changes in US taxation—especially tariffs and modifications to international tax agreements—affect foreign economies by disrupting trade flows, altering investment patterns, and influencing domestic fiscal policies. The central objective of this study is to examine the implications of post-2025 US tax reforms on Sri Lanka’s economy, focusing on areas such as trade competitiveness, foreign direct investment, and remittance dynamics. Key research questions include: How do US tax reforms reshape trade and investment relations with Sri Lanka? What mechanisms transmit these global fiscal changes to local economic outcomes? And how is Sri Lanka adjusting its taxation framework in response to emerging international standards? By utilizing both quantitative data analysis and qualitative insights, the study explores the challenges Sri Lanka faces in mitigating adverse effects on local businesses and economic growth, while also identifying potential opportunities for aligning national policy with evolving global norms. The findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of international economic interdependencies and provide evidence-based recommendations for strategic policy responses that could enhance Sri Lanka’s resilience and adaptability in the context of a shifting global fiscal landscape shaped by the post- Trump era of US tax policy