The Labour and Human Rights issues in Sri Lankan global supplier companies of UK multinationals: The influencing factors

This thesis focuses on analysing the labour and human rights (L&HR) issues in Sri Lankan supplier companies of UK multinationals (MNCs) and the influencing factors that shape such issues. It specifically examines the influences of global value chain (GVC) governance structures, institutional forces and legitimacy seeking intentions of MNCs on L&HR issues in garment, rubber and tea sectors. The thesis is based on three theoretical domains; Global value chain framework, Institutional theory and Legitimacy theory. It uses a qualitative research methodology discharged through three stages. First, mapping of GVCs with investigatory methods, second, a case study analysis of L&HR issues based on interviews and third, an analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports by MNCs using content analysis. Data were analysed in an evaluative manner to arrive at the findings. The findings showed that the three sectors have different GVC governance structures which influence the sector-specific L&HR issues differently. The common L&HR issues were low wages, forced labour, job insecurities and violation of freedom of association. They were found to be influenced by different levels of institutional fields in political, legal, regulatory, socio-cultural and religious aspects. CSR reporting by MNCs was found to be focussing on positive aspects (legitimising) while lacking information on fundamental L&HR issues leaving a gap between the reporting and reality. The findings reinforce and supple the concepts of the three theoretical domains. The contributions include evaluating the influence of GVC governance structures on L&HR issues, analysing L&HR issues particularly in plantation sectors in Sri Lanka and identifying the gap between CSR reporting and reality. Influences of paternalism, religious humanitarianism and religious fatalism on L&HR issues were identified too. The influential factors and their interactions are complex where GVC governance structures, institutional influences in UK and SL and legitimacy seeking behaviour of MNCs all affect workers on the ground level. The most influential factors, however, are specifically connected to local social, cultural and religious norms which seems to override the voluntary governance mechanisms of MNCs and any local laws or regulations. The thesis calls for future research and policy implications that would enable holistic and integrated approaches (at both national and transnational levels) to alleviate the L&HR issues

Enhancing engine oil performance using nanoparticles and bio-lubricants as additives

Contributions to the growing environmental concerns by internal combustion engines (ICEs) is the impetus of this research. Therefore, the tribological behavior of lubricants formulated with nano/mineral, nano/bio, and bio/mineral combinations were investigated for the improvements to ICE performance by reducing friction, wear, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Mineral-based multigrade engine oil (15W40) was chosen as the reference oil to govern the research. Coconut oil (CCO) was chosen with 15W40 as bio and mineral-base stocks respectively for sample formulations. Graphene (G), Al2O3, TiO2, Al2O3/G, TiO2/G and TiO2/reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) were utilized as nano-additives to blend with both mineral and bio-based formulations. Identity of the selected nanomaterials were confirmed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman analyses. Identified substandard of CCO were improved and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), pour point, titration, viscometry, simultaneous thermal analysis (STA), rheometric and FT-IR analyses. Factors influencing the dispersion stability of nano/mineral and nano/bio formulations were investigated, and optical absorbance and stability observation tests were used to optimize the performance, with the results presented and discussed. Friction tests were performed using a linear reciprocating tribometer in 3 Phases to analyze the effect of formulated lubricants at elevated temperatures using piston ring and cylinder liner segments of an ICE as test specimens. Wear scars of test specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and 3D non-contact optical profilometry to investigate morphologies, elemental deposition, and surface texture of wear surfaces respectively. Specific fuel consumption and exhaust emissions were tested using a dynamometer test-rig and an exhaust analyzer. Industrial generator was utilized for used engine oil sample analysis

A comparison of guidelines on septic tanks and soakage systems in Sri Lanka

Excreta related waste is a major cause of surface and groundwater pollution in Sri Lanka. The fact that decentralized onsite disposal is the dominant form of disposal for human excreta related waste makes it an even difficult problem to handle. Therefore well laid out national standards and guidelines on the construction and design of onsite disposal systems are essentially required to ensure safety of water resources in Sri Lanka with the growing population and urbanization. Many attempts have been made by different government authorities to fulfill this requirement at different times. The objective of this paper is to critically and comparatively analyze the contents and level of information given in different key guidelines, codes of practice and regulations related to onsite disposal of human excreta related wastes and suggest methods to integrate and effectively disseminate this information

Local Object Scrambling in Sinhala: Evidence for A-bar Movement

This paper provides an analysis of local object scrambling that generates the Object (O), Subject (S), and Verb (V) word order in Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan isolate spoken in Sri Lanka. Even though it has been generally assumed in limited generative literature on Sinhala that its OSV word order is derived through constituent scrambling, no prior study has systematically investigated the nature of the operation responsible for its derivation. This study reveals that local object scrambling (OSV) in Sinhala results from the syntactic merge, and it is uniformly an A-bar movement operation. The evidence comes from binding, reconstruction and parasitic gaps, the diagnostics standard in generative syntactic literature on scrambling. The analysis has implications for a generative theory on scrambling, a phenomenon that has remained a problem for the Minimalist Syntactic approach.                                        KEYWORDS: scrambling, Sinhala, OSV word order, A-bar movemen

South Asia and societal challenges : a regional perspective

This paper is a summary of the South Asian region’s status and interests concerning the seven thematic societal challenges identified under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing; Food security, sustainable agricultures, marine and maritime research and the bio-based economy; Clean and efficient energy; Smart, green and integrated transport; Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials; A changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies; and, Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of the country and its citizens. This paper considers the position of seven countries in South Asia: Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Maldives; Nepal; Pakistan; and, Sri Lanka1. It also identifies national and regional priorities for the seven themes under consideration. This paper is an output of the CASCADE project (Collaborative Action towards Societal Challenges through Awareness, Development, and Education) that aims to provide the foundation for a future International Cooperation Network programme targeting South Asian Countries, which will promote bi-regional coordination of Science & Technology cooperation. The EU recognise a need to strengthen internationalisation through strategic policy action. The need for linkages with Asian countries has been highlighted given the region’s rapidly growing research and innovation capacities and the urgency to address global challenges. The project coincides with the launch of Horizon 2020, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe’s global competitiveness. Running from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of just over €80 billion, the EU’s new programme for research and innovation is part of the drive to tackle global societal challenges, and create new growth and jobs. International cooperation in research and innovation is an essential element for meeting the objectives of Europe 2020. Recognising the global nature of producing and using knowledge, Horizon 2020 builds on the success of international cooperation in previous framework programmes and is fully open to participation from third countries

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS ON SRI LANKA'S EXPORT PERFORMANCE: GRAVITY MODEL

Export is an important indicator used to assess the economic state of a nation. Sri Lanka has started a few trade policy reforms aimed at supporting the export industry. Sri Lanka's contribution to global exports is still a very small percentage, nonetheless. It was important to determine how bilateral trade agreements affected export flows between Sri Lanka and its trading partners given the importance of exports in the economy. Thus, using the gravity model of trade, this research investigates the determinants influencing Sri Lanka's exports. The panel dataset used ranged from 2012 to 2021. The results suggest that Sri Lanka’s GDP and Sri Lanka’s trading partner’s GDP had a positive and statistically significant effect on Sri Lanka’s export performance. The geographical distance between the two countries and Sri Lanka’s GDP per capita had a negative and statistically significant effect on export performance in Sri Lanka. The study further showed that Sri Lanka's export performance significantly improved once trade agreements were formed. These findings have significance for the creation of trade policies to make sure Sri Lanka's export potential is utilized to boost economic growth

Self-determination, national liberation movements and the use of force

The concept of self-determination has with time incrementally evolved from a political principle to an enforceable right at law. The right to self-determination is today considered to be one of the essential principles of contemporary international law. The rapid dissolution of colonialism has not diminished the significance of this right and therefore peoples continue and will continue to make demands to attain self- determination. The need for clarification of the content of the right to self-determination stems essentially from the desire to maintain the, sometimes conflicting, UN principles of peace and justice. Evidently, there is an absence of a coherent set of rules relating to the interaction of the right to self-determination with other international norms. With the global 'War on Terror' being afforded continuous attention, it is imperative that liberation fighters and liberation conflicts are readily distinguishable from terrorists and terrorism. The legitimate cause of the peoples does not automatically legitimate the means and methods utilised. Therefore, there is a need to examine, in particular, the jus ad bellum and the jus in bello applicable when peoples actively pursue their right to self-determination. The purpose of this paper is to observe the interaction between the right to self- determination and other named international law norms. To that end this thesis will examine the use of force and the laws of war provisions that apply in national liberation conflicts. The thesis includes a discussion of the content and scope of the right to self- determination in international law. The recognition of national liberation movements and the consequences of such recognition will also been examined