URBAN RECREATIONAL WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT

A waterfront development is a worldwide well-established phenomenon, and Sri Lanka has recently been involved in waterfront development projects, notably recreational waterfront development projects. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the sustainability of urban recreational waterfront development projects in the Colombo metropolitan area. The qualitative research methodology is used, and primary data is gathered through observations and interviews. The structured interviews were conducted using the judgmental sampling technique with nine experts involved in Urban Recreational Water front Development projects in Sri Lanka. The content analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data. The study presented six environmental aspects, three economic aspects, and seven social features that contribute to the long-term viability of urban recreational waterfront development projects in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the study addresses a vacuum in the literature by outlining the social, economic, and environmental factors specific to urban recreational waterfront development projects in Sri Lanka for which there are no prior evidences. Keywords: Urban Recreation, Waterfront Developmen

The role of Social Capital in Education Literature: A Critical Synthesis

This critical synthesis incorporates both theoretical and empirical literature on social capital. A primary role of social capital is to enable a child to gain access to human, cultural, and economic capital, as well as to school resources and support. The focus of the review is on educational literature that studies social capital and educational equity. After outlining the approach, next, the study undertakes a critical review of the literature by first examining emphatical literature, trends in conceptualization, theoretical base, method and then assessing empirical support for claims that social capital is positively linked to education equity. Finally, discuss gaps in the conceptualization, measurement, and analysis of social cultural, economic and human capital in educational literature. Keywords: educational equity, literature reviews, social, economic, cultural and human capita

A Preliminary Study on the Distribution Pattern, Feeding Behavior and Invasiveness of the Exotic Fish, Chitala ornata (Clown Knife Fish) in the Sub Water Ways of Attanagalu Oya

Increasing threat from the introduced invasive species has been identified as one of the major risk factors for the extinction of freshwater fishes. There are number of identified freshwater alien species which have become invasive within Sri Lankan natural waters. However, there is a dearth of information regarding many of these alien invasive species. Therefore, this research project focused on elucidation of distribution pattern, food and feeding habitats and invasiveness of Chitala ornata, an alien invasive freshwater fish species in potentially new site of infestation in the Attanagalu oya and its tributaries over a period of three months as a preliminary study. Key objectives of the study were, to find out the present distribution of C. ornata in Attanagalu Oya and its tributaries, to evaluate the food and feeding habits of C. ornata through gut analysis and to find out the presence of other invasive/introduced species in the area. Over the study peroid, 50 individuals of C. ornata ranging from 21cm to >80cm were collected using hook and line fishing gear and captured fish were deep-frozen immediately after capturing to avoid the deterioration of the food items within the fish gut. Fish gut analyses have been carried out under laboratory conditions. Morphological measures, frequency of occurrence and Index of fullness were calculated. The results indicated that C. ornata has established in the Attanagalu oya basin in areas such as Ekala and Kotugoda. Gut content analysis indicated that C. ornata feeds on significant number of native fish species. Five major prey fish species, consisting 58 Hirikanaya (Labeo dussumeri), 35 Rathu waral katu kuriya (Puntius kelumi), 23 Iri ankutta (Mystuss vittatus), 13 Walapoththa (Ompok bimaculatus) and 16 Illeya (Megalops cyprinoides) were found to make up the diet of 28 adults and 05 juveniles of C. ornata. The average Index of fullness was 378.19. Frequencies of occurrence are 0.606, 0.485, 0.424, 0.121 and 0.242 respectively for L.dussumeri, P. kelumi, M. vittatus, O. bimaculatus and M. cyprinoides. Out of these five species P. kelumi is listed as an endangered endemic species. Other than fishes, one shrimp species, molluscs and fish eggs were also recorded as their food items. Further, other exotic species such as Tank cleaner (Pterygoplichthys spp.) and giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy) were also recorded in the Attanagalu oya. It was concluded that immediate steps should be taken to manage this potentially harmful Alien invasive species in the Attanagalu Oya basin.Keywords: Invasive, Exotic, Fresh water, Chitala, Attanagalu oy

Sustainable Housing for Middle-Income Society in Sri Lanka

Housing is a fundamental human necessity and affects how society interacts with the environment. In the modern era, housing expansions all over the world have significantly increased the number of economic, social, and environmental issues. Making housing constructions in places that are quickly urbanizing more sustainable is a top objective for government agencies, business experts, and research organizations. Managing economic, environmental, and social sustainability factors is referred to as sustainable housing. Major natural resources used in the construction of housing include land, energy, water, and building materials. Minor natural resources used in the process include waste production and air and water pollution. In the community's fight for affordable housing, educated middle-income inhabitants are predicted to be the most susceptible group given expected living standards and monthly income-generating levels. The goals are to explain how the framework for evaluating laws was developed and proven to be valid in order to achieve sustainability in middle-income housing. In order to offer the essential background for developing an interim assessment framework for affordable and sustainable middle-income housing, the research begins by analyzing the current local assessment frameworks and regulations. To evaluate the interim assessment framework, a semi-structured questionnaire survey of business professionals and other stakeholders will serve as the foundation for the secondary study. This intermediate evaluation framework will receive the necessary fine-tuning and industry feedback through discussion and opinions. The interim framework must be transformed into a robust and progressive regulatory structure that enables future success in SH for the majority of middle-class citizens in the nation. The results will next be evaluated in light of Sri Lanka's existing regulatory framework for sustainable middle-income housing. © 2022 The Authors. Published by Department of Estate Management and Valuation, University of Sri Jayewardenepura   Keywords: Sustainable Housing, Middle-income Society, Housing Crisi

A case series of spotted fever rickettsiosis with neurological manifestations in Sri Lanka

SummaryBackgroundSpotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial infections are increasingly detected in Sri Lanka. We describe 17 patients with SFG who developed neurological manifestations.MethodsThe cases were studied prospectively from 2008 at the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya. An immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) was used to confirm the diagnosis.ResultsAll had an IFA IgG titer ranging from 1/64 to 1/4096 and a positive IFA IgM titer against Rickettsia conorii antigen; in 10 (59%) cases the IgG titers were ≥1/256 (definitive cases). The median age of the patients was 62 years (range 26–82 years); 10 were male and seven female. The median duration of fever was 12 days (range 4–35 days). Neurological manifestations on admission were drowsiness or confusion in 14 (82%) and a semi-comatose state in three (18%). Rigidity of the limbs occurred in 14 (82%), bradykinesia and resting tremors in 12 (71%), which persisted after defervescence, neck stiffness in seven (42%), weakness of the limbs in five (29%), deafness in two (12%), and stupor in three (18%). Electroencephalograms in three (18%) showed generalized slow waves. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed a cellular reaction, predominantly lymphocytes, in three cases. Two patients died (fatality rate 12%).ConclusionWe have documented for the first time the neurological features of SFG rickettsioses in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. These were predominantly extrapyramidal features in patients of older age

THE ROLE OF ELEPHANT (Elephas maxim us) AS A SEED DISPERSAL AGENT

The Sri Lankan elephant can be classified as a generalist herbivore as it feeds on alarge number of plant species. Although, leaves and bark makeup bulk of theplant matter consumed by elephants, fruits are also eaten by elephants whenavailable. Therefore, they may be playa role in seed dispersal of such plantspecies. Aim of this investigation was to ascertain the role of elephants as a seeddispersal agent.This investigation was conducted from January 1998 to December 1999 in theNorth Western region of Sri Lanka. A total of 500 dung samples were collectedfrom different areas within the region. Dung boli were separated by hand andseeds present were identified by comparing with a reference seed collection. Thenumber of seeds present were also recorded. Part of the seeds were removed fromdung and their germination potential was determined while the remaining seedswere left in the dung. These dung piles were monitored and the number of seedsgerminated were recorded.Analysis of dung revealed 36 species of wild plants and 17 species of cultivatedplants. Of the Wild plants most commonly found plant species were Mimosapudica, Panicum maximum and Tamarindus indica. Among the cultivatedvarieties, Eleusine coracana, cucurbita maxima, Cucumis melo and Oryza sativawere commonest species observed. The seeds found in the dung boli germinatedwell after removal. However, when left in dung the germination potential wasvery low. This indicates that elephants do not playa key role in seed dispersal ofwild plants.

BREEDING BIRDS AT KUMANA VILLU OF YALA EAST NATIONAL PARK: STATUS AFTER 22 YEARS

Kumana villu is one of the oldest known breeding sites for many waterbirdspecies that breeds colonially. The canopy of mangrove trees located insidethe villu provides nesting facilities for the large water birds such as Paintedstorks, Spoonbills, Black headed Ibises, egrets, cormorants and globallythreatened Spot billed Pelicans. A detailed study of this breeding colony wasdone in 1983 By Kotagama. After 22 years, the breeding bird survey wasreinitiated in July 2005.First, a roosting count was done to estimate the population size of breedingbirds in the Kumana villu. The counts were conducted from 3 pre-identifiedlocations between 1700 to 1900h in the 2nd week of July. Three mangrovevegetation patches of 5000m2 were chosen for a detailed nest count. In eachpatch, the number of trees used for nesting was recorded. Then for each tree,number of nests, the species to whom the nests belonged, the height of eachnest and the current status of nesting were recorded.Many species of birds use this villu for roosting while Painted Storks showedthe highest population density (728). Among other water birds, spot billedpelicans (422), spoonbills (57), cormorants (187), egrets (184), Black headedIbises (74) and darters (41) are the most common taxa. In 1983,228 paintedstorks, 565 pelicans, 125 ibises and 609 egrets were recorded. Five flightpaths of birds that come to roost were identified in 1983. However, only 3flight paths were observed during this survey.A total of 293 nests were recorded that belonged to five species namelypurple herons, little cormorants, painted storks, spot billed pelicans andspoonbills. Most common nesting species in this period was painted stork and97.6% of their nests were still active. In May 1983, total of 701 nestsbelonged to seven species were recorded and most nests were of paintedstorks (529). In 1983, nests of four additional species, grey herons, ibises,egrets and night herons were recorded while purple herons and cormorantswere not recorded to be nesting.The mangrove vegetation has changed from a diverse habitat to a singlespecies (S. caseolaris) stand during last 22 years. Reduction of mangrovearea was also observed. Further, invasion of the common weed species Typhaangustifolia is another major change that has taken place during this period.Isolated mangrove trees and trees that are located beyond the perimeter of thevillu are not selected by birds for nesting. Low density of vegetation insidethe villu is a limiting factor for breeding birds. Most remaining trees in thevillu are not in good condition and therefore a replanting programme isrecommended to ensure continuous breeding of this colony.

Current distribution and abundance of slender lorises (Loris tardigradus and L. Iydekkerianus) in Sri Lanka

Two species of slender lorises are currently recognized in Sri Lanka. They are Sri Lanka red slenderloris (Loris tardigradusj and Grey slender loris (L. lydekkerianus i, with four currently recognizedsub-species; viz. Western red slender loris (L. t. tardigradus), Montane slender loris (L. t.nycticeboidesi, Northern grey slender loris (L. 1.nordicusi, and Highland slender loris (L. 1.grandis).The objective of this survey was to map the distribution and estimate the abundance of lorises in SriLanka. The study was initiated in 2002 and continues to date. Thus far forty-five sites across all ofthe ecological zones have been surveyed covering approximately 400 krn-. In six of these sites, loriseswere not recorded. Of the other 39 sites, 223 sightings of slender loris (L. t. tardigradus (n = 86), L.t. nycticeboides (n = 3), L. 1. nordicus (n = 122), and L. l. grandis (n = 12). Abundance estimates, 'base on sightings of animals krn', were: L. t. tardigradus (0.5-8), L. t. nycticeboides (0.03), L. I.nordicus (0.7-13). and L. 1. grandis (0.3-4) were recorded. The abundance of lorises varied indifferent habitat types with the highest abundance oflorises occurring in the dry zone monsoon forests.The least abundance of lorises was recorded in the cloud forest

Urban Coastal Ecosystem Services and Value of Cultural Landscape: An Assessment of View Value to the Indigenous Fishing Community

Benefits from an ecosystem to support sustainable human well-being-commonly referred to as ‘ecosystem services’-are basically categorized into four major groups such as “Provisioning”, “Regulating”, “Cultural” and “Supporting”. In environmental valuation studies, these have often been taken as a bundle of services and the individual value of certain attributes such as Cultural services, which accounts for non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems, were largely overlooked. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of cultural landscape of an urban coastal ecosystem, which is made out of two categories (i.e. urban systems and coastal systems) specified under the ‘ten system classification of millennium ecosystem assessment’. Negombo lagoon was selected as the study site, and the view of the site was justified to explain the cultural landscape of lagoon in concern. Admitting those inherent difficulties associated with defining the cultural landscape, this was slender down into few values, namely: aesthetic, social relations, sense of place, and cultural heritage values. The lagoon area is geographically segregated into areas known as “Thotupola” where the fisherman used to launch their fishing boats. Choice Method was applied to assess the community preferences for lagoon view to which the ‘attributes’ and ‘levels’ identified through the pilot survey were used. There were number of lagoon front properties as lagoon provides many other amenities. Therefore view was classified into three levels as “full view” (unobstructed lagoon view), “partial view” (some obstruction by buildings and trees) and “no view” (fully obstructed or no view can be seen). Face-to-face interviews supported by a structured questionnaire were carried out with 300 respondents representing 15 ‘Thotupola’ areas to collect data. The level “no view” was omitted as the dummy variable; “full” and “partial” view were combined to value the cultural landscape. The outcome of analysis shows that the Marginal willingness-to-pay (MWTP) for cultural landscape is Rs. 309.50. Further, the lagoon view had significant impact on implicit price of overall ecosystem services in terms of both ‘full’ (Rs. 161.50) and ‘partial’ (Rs. 148.50) view. The overall implicit price for the ecosystem services is derived as Rs. 1062.75. Cultural landscape account solely 30 percent from whole ecosystem value that cannot readily provide a substitute to the indigenous people in community. Therefore in formulating conservation policies and exploiting land development activities the policy makers must account the fact and importance of cultural landscape of an ecosystem to the indigenous people in community.Keywords: Choice Methods, Cultural landscape, Negombo lagoon, Urban ecosystem services, Value of vie

Short term effects on liver and renal functions following chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients in oncology clinic, university hospital Kotelawala Defence University in Sri Lanka

Background: Breast cancer tops the global cancer incidence rates, having the highest rate of death among women. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of standard chemotherapy treatment dose adjusted for the Sri Lankan population, on hepatic and kidney function of breast cancer patients. Methods: The study conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective analysis of 75 breast cancer patients who received doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel chemotherapy regimen with normal liver and renal function at baseline at UHKDU oncology clinic. The study population had a mean age and BMI of 54.04±11.33 years and 26.7±3.89, respectively. Prior to starting the 16-cycle chemotherapy treatment, mean serum SGOT, SGPT, Creatinine, and eGFR values were 27.57 U/l, 31.32 U/l, 0.71 mg/dl, and 99.07 ml/minute/1.73 m2 respectively. Results: During the treatment, there was a statistically significant increase in the mean values of SGOT and SGPT (p<0.05), whereas there was no significant variation in the mean values of creatinine and eGFR (p>0.05) compared to the baseline results. The study identified a significant positive correlation in SGOT (r=0.793) and SGPT (r=0.872) values, while there was a noteworthy negative correlation (r=-0.757) between eGFR and chemotherapy cycle. Furthermore, there was a positive significant correlation between serum creatinine levels and chemotherapy cycle (r=0.579). Conclusions: The dosed adjusted chemotherapy regimen had a significant impact on hepatic function but had no statistically significant impact on renal function among the study population. Further research is recommended to evaluate the long-term effects of standard chemotherapy treatment on liver and kidney functions