Significance of Blooms Taxonomy in Tartary Education A Case Study in the Maritime Industry

The maritime education is a modern, highly technical, professional discipline. The shipping industry requires a workforce with a great deal of skill, knowledge and expertise. Modern ships are equipped with very sophisticated toots, but having great tools is not productive unless the employees know the best way to use them. Unlike in most job tasks ashore, seafarers need high level of competence to ensure safe, secure and clean shipping industry. This paper discuss about the significance of Blooms Taxonomy in the maritime education and training. The action words of the revised taxonomy considers the cognitive processes to enhance the effectiveness of teaching and training methods. The verbs used in this taxonomy refers to the intended cognitive process that the trainer expects as the result of the educational activities

Impact of Vehicular Traffic on Vertebrate Fauna in Horton Plains and Yala National Parks of Sri Lanka: Some Implications for Conservation and Management

Abstract: Impacts of roadkills are extensively documented in developed nations. Only a handful of studies on road mortality has emerged from developing nations where tourism and rural development have led to an expansion of transportation networks. To fill such gaps, we conducted a survey to document roadkills in and around two tourism-heavy national parks of Sri Lanka and identified factors that contribute to road mortality. Based on a questionnaire, we interviewed 68 local villagers, 56 local and 59 foreign visitors, and 57 safari drivers to document their opportunistic observations on roadkills, their awareness about roadkills, and to understand potential causes of roadkills. We found 47 roadkilled vertebrate species at both parks; among these, 19 are threatened and 20 are endemic. Our research revealed that herpetofauna were killed the most. We concluded that increased visitation, high-speed driving, lack of awareness, and poor law enforcement as the likely causes of roadkills at both parks. As mitigatory actions, we proposed posting speed limits, increasing awareness of the tourists and safari drivers, limiting vehicle access to the parks, seasonal or night-time access restrictions, and strict enforcement of the speed limits inside national parks

Shaping the Education to Meet the Global Demands: Industrial Inclusiveness in University Curriculum

The world entered to knowledge-based economy which is based on the production and use of information. Today computer technology, language proficiency and logistics play a major role. University Curriculum connects the secondary level education and the industry. Therefore, industry inclusiveness is essential in transforming children to an industry worker or an entrepreneur. This paper is derived from an opinion survey, desk research, and a case study. Reports of international institutions were studied extensively in the literatures survey. The respondents of the survey consisted key personnel in the government and private sector covering a cross section of the stakeholders in education and business world. The report analyses are then evaluated and discussed though a case study in Sri Lanka. The practices and procedures in the contemporary education system in the country is systematically explained in this section. The report presents its key recommendation under seven areas as policy recommendations. It includes innovative concepts such as, vertical integration between schools, universities, and industry; extended academic disciplines at tertiary level; changes in the university; review to selection criteria of state universities; new academic disciplines in the school curriculum; technical and vocational education; focus on children with different skills etc

Assessment of Impacts Caused by Granite Quarries on Vegetation: A Case Study in the Kalutara District

Granite quarrying has become a major business enterprise from which huge economic benefits are gained while neglecting the damage on the environment. In this study we investigated the effect of small and large scale granite quarries (n=2 each) on neighboring individual plants and their communities. We compared foliar anatomy and stomata conductance of Macaranga peltata(MP) and Melastomamalabathricum(MM) sampled (n=6) from the edge and ~700 m away from the quarries. Floristic details of the vegetation were enumerated using three 200 m transects at each site in which three plots (10x10 m2) were set at the edge, 100 m and 200 m away from the quarry. Each plot had three 1x1 m2 sub-plots to determine the herbaceous cover, soil physical properties and seed bank. Ecological dominance of species was determined using the Important Value Index (IVI) and the floral diversity was assessed using standard biodiversity indices. Statistics (t-test) using SPSS (16.0) was applied where appropriate. Wind-blown granite dust was a major problem which affected the foliar anatomy and physiological performance. Stomatal conductance (MP-113.17 & 131.75 mmol.m-2.s-1 and MM- 149.00 & 144.75 mmol.m-2.s-1 in large and small quarries respectively) was lower compared to unaffected leaves (MP-419.67 and MM-432.40 mmol.m-2.s-1). Stomatal size was small in affected leaves (MP-62.87 & 62.81 μm2 and MM-47.87 & 47.05 μm2 in large and small quarries respectively, compared to MP-115.37 and MM-74.27 μm2) but had an increased stomatal density (MP-1502.78, 1419.44 stomata/mm2 and MM-3113.89, 3244.44 stomata/mm2 in large and small quarries respectively, compared to MP-846.67 and MM-875.56 stomata/mm2).IVI indicatedTremaorientalisand Macarangapeltatadominate in the neighbourhood. Diversity indices increased at a distance from the quarry (Shannon Weiner diversity index - 0.601, 0.733, 1.298 in large quarries and 0.655, 1.127, 1.687 in small quarries for edge, 100 m and 200 m respectively) indicating the limited species richness in the immediate neighbourhood. Establishment of invasive alien species Clidemiahirta, Panicum maximum, Dilleniasuffruticosaand Alstoniamacrophyllaat quarry edge also reflected the negative impacts of disturbances to the site. Soil seed banks of weeds exhibited the highest density at the edge and decreased towards the outside. Quarry edge had high soil temperature, low moisture content, low conductivity and acidic pH. Impacts to the vegetation were similar irrespective of the category of granite quarries (small or large) as quarrying activity highly influenced the stomatal functions, and affect establishment of natural plant communities while adding weeds and invasive alien species.Keywords: Quarrying activity, Impacts, Plants, Communit

Do Supply Chain Management Practices Contribute Firm Competitiveness? A Study based on Medium Scale Entrepreneurial Firms in Sri Lanka

It is evident that supply chain management (SCM) practices are widely practiced by large scale and established business organizations as benchmark. Not only the large firms but also the small and medium scale businesses are required to follow these practices to achieve the growth. Further, present business environment is very competitive and organizations should face this as a challenge. This study is undertaken to empirically investigate the impact of supply chain management on competitiveness. Sample consists of 327 production managers of medium scale entrepreneurial firms (manufacturing sector) in Colombo district. The analyzed data supports the hypotheses revealing that higher the level of involvement in SCM practices higher the competitiveness. Further, it is found that except level of information quality and lean practices, other practices of SCM (Strategic partnership with suppliers, customer relationship, level of information sharing and internal supply chain process are significant factors that affect firm competitiveness.</p

Development of a Mechanism That Leads to a Psychological Paradigm Shift in Students’ Demand and Enrolment for Various Academic Disciplines in the Tertiary Education in Sri Lanka: Qualitative Analysis

Creating a psychological paradigm shift in students’ demand and enrolment for various academic disciplines in the tertiary education in Sri Lanka is important since it is vital for not only for students but also for other stakeholders explicitly employers, community, and government as this paradigm shift provides creative and adoptable graduate. However, those who enter to government universities after a very competitive selection process in Sri Lanka are compelled to be unemployed mainly due to mismatch of employers’ perspectives in the modern world against the skills and competence they developed in the tertiary education. It is therefore timely, to develop a mechanism that leads to a psychological paradigm shift in students’ demand and enrolment for various academic disciplines in the tertiary education in Sri Lanka. Objectives of the study are to explore the student demand side aspects for various academic disciplines and to explore the student supply side expectations for various academic disciplines in Sri Lanka. This qualitative study applied purposeful sampling technique and employers, executives and academics in state and non-state higher education institutes participated in the study and data collection techniques were interviews and other secondary documents. Study revealed that new graduates have issues with the practical skills, attitude problems and soft skills.&nbsp; Many employers, neither possess a mechanism to match graduates’ skills and background to their job and responsibilities nor participation in curriculum revision in institutes. Consequently, a few employers involve with curriculum revision, and this might lead to mismatch of curriculum with demands of existing labour market demands. Only some parents have a clear understanding of their child about selecting the best pathway that suits their strengths and weaknesses. Study concluded that for the improvement of the tertiary education, students’ needs to gain and focus more on practical aspects of education, purposeful learning experience and experiential learning. Moreover, not only knowledge but also attitudes and skills of the graduates should be developed

Impacts of Woody Invader Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff.) Martelli on Physio-chemical Properties of Soil and, Below and Above Ground Flora

Dillenia suffruticosa (Griffith) Martelli, that spreads fast in low-lying areas in wet zone of Sri Lanka is currently listed as a nationally important Invasive Alien Species that deserves attention in ecological studies. Thus, impact of this woody invader on physical, chemical properties of soil and below and above ground flora was investigated. Five sampling sites were identified along a distance of 46km from Avissawella to Ratnapura. At each site, two adjacent plots [1m x10m each for D. suffruticosa present (D+) and absent (D-)] were outlined. Physical and chemical soil parameters, microbial biomass and number of bacterial colonies in soil were determined using standard procedures and compared between D+ and D- by ANOVA using SPSS. Rate of decomposition of D. suffruticosa leaves was also determined using the litter bag technique at 35% and 50% moisture levels. Above ground plant species richness in sample stands was compared using Jaccard and Sorenson diversity indices.  Decomposition of D. suffruticosa leaves was slow, but occurred at a more or less similar rate irrespective of moisture content of soil. Particle size distribution in D+ soil showed a much higher percentage of large soil particles.  Higher % porosity in D+ sites was a clear indication that the soil was aerated.  The pH was significantly lower for D+ than D- thus developing acidic soils whereas conductivity has been significantly high making soil further stressed. The significant drop in Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) in D+ soil was a remarkable finding to be concerned with as it correlated with fertility of soil. Significantly higher values of phosphates reported in D+ soil support the idea that plant invaders are capable to increase phosphates in soil. Higher biomass values recorded for D+ sites together with higher number of bacterial colonies could be related to the unexpectedly recorded higher Organic Carbon. Both  the  Jaccard  and  Sorenson   indices indicated  that  D+ and  D- sites  were dissimilar with respect to  above ground  plant  species  richness.  Thus, changes in above ground vegetation and soil properties due to the invasion were identified and further studies are needed for determining the degree of soil deterioration due to the invasive behavior of D. suffruticosa.

Developing an economic, environmental and agronomic case for the increased use of organic amendments in South Asia

Aggressive fertilizer subsidies throughout South Asia have led to a rapid increase in the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers such as urea at the farm level. While this has been successful in increasing yields, significant yield gaps remain between potential and actual farm yields, while unbalanced or over application of fertilizers potentially damages soil and environmental health. This project examined organic amendment (OA) application in India and Sri Lanka on productivity, soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions. In India, poultry, farm-yard manure and vermi-compost were applied to a paddy rice crop, and the potential benefits followed through to a post-rice chickpea crop. In Sri Lanka, we tested the optimal combination of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer rates when using municipal-waste compost in a multi-year maize-soybean rotation. Results at both trial sites saw an increase in crop yields under OA application; in particular chickpea yields from farm-yard manure and after repeated application of municipal-waste compost. However, all OA treatments increased emissions of the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide and methane due to additional nitrogen or carbon availability. Furthermore, the low nutrient content and relatively high cost of the OA’s, particularly the composts, made them uneconomical as nutrient sources compared to conventional fertilizers

Spatial and Temporal Changes of the Greenery of Colombo City

Plans for landscaping of the City of Colombo are now in place and it is of timely important tostudy the spatial distribution of the vegetation cover and its pattern of change occurredthrough the past to identify the priority areas for restoring and revitalizing the greenery. Thisstudy was therefore focused on mapping the vegetation cover in 47 Wards of the ColomboCity for the years of 1956, 1982, 2001 and 2010 using aerial photographs and IKONOSsatellite maps. The present work was also involved the evaluation of the percentage extents ofvegetation cover and its rates of change in each Ward.According to the resultant maps, a gradual decline of green cover percentage was depicted forthe study period. The green cover of the study area was 35.7%, 32.2%, 31.5% and 22.2% in1956, 1982, 2001 and 2010 respectively. In 2010, the highest green cover (49.65%) wasreported from Narahenpita Ward and only three other Wards (Kirulapona, CinnamonGardens, and Thimbirigasyaya) showed the green cover above 30%. Ten Wards(Kochchikade North, Kochchikade South, Grandpass North, Masangasweediya,Panchikawatte, Fort, Gintupitiya, New Bazar, Maligakanda, Aluthkade East) had green coverless than 10% in 2010.The per capita green cover in 13 Wards did not comply with the World Health OrganizationStandard for urban green spaces. Expansion of built-up areas and road network can beidentified as the major reasons for the gradual reduction of green cover in the City ofColombo.The study also highlights the necessity of a well-planned strategy for upgrading the greencover in the study area. Planting of trees and grasses in public and private lands, increasingpublic awareness on economic value of green spaces as well as implementation of aparticipatory tree maintenance programme would be mandatory for the sustainability of thecity’s greenery.