Browsing by Author "Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D."
Now showing 1 - 11 of 11
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Compliance to international Food Safety Regulations: In Tea Small Holding Sector with Special Reference to Kandy District Sri Lanka(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2010) Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.; Gunathilaka, R.P.D.; Kithsiri, K.H.S.K.Tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water. Although Sri Lanka has been producing and exporting tea for over 125 years, sufficient attention has not been paid to marketing aspects of tea. The percentage of value addition has to be gradually increased to augment the profit. Assurance of quality is a form of quality insurance which guarantees production quality and safety standards to consumers. The subject of food safety has at present caused a great concern, from recent past Japan and European Union have stipulated the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) for various pesticides in tea. Therefore, efforts have to be made to avoid all possible ways of build-up of residues in made tea. The study was aimed to assess the current situation of pesticide application in tea small holding sector with respect to international food safety regulations of tea —MRL and to identify the causes for non adoption of recommended practices on MRL. A questionnaire based survey was carried out to collect the data from random sample of 45 tea small holders in Kandy district. The level of adoption of MRL and the relationship between the level of adoption and other explanatory variables were determined. Result revealed that the adoption of recommended practices on MRL of tea small holders was significantly varied with the farming experience, education level of tea small holder, awareness on MRL and use of hired labour for tea farming. The most important constraints perceived by tea small holders are lack of information on MRL and lack of labour. Key words: International Food Safety Regulations, Maximum Residue Level, Adoption, Recommended practices on MRLItem Compliance to International Food Safety Regulations: in the Tea Industry of Sri Lanka(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2010) Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.Tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water. Although Sri Lanka has been producing and exporting tea for over 125 years, sufficient attention has not been paid to marketing aspects of tea. In addition to conventional tea production, the percentage of value addition has to be gradually increased to cater the changing global consumer requirements. Assurance of quality is a form of value addition to tea, which guarantees production quality and safety standards to consumers. The subject of food safety has at present caused a great concern, from recent past Japan and European Union have stipulated the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) for various pesticides which are used in tea fields. Therefore our concerted efforts have to be made to avoid all possible ways of build-up of residues in made tea. The study was aimed to assess the current situation of tea industry (in the field level) with respect to international food safety regulations of tea — MRL and to identify the barriers that inhibit the adoption of recommended practices on MRL. A questionnaire based survey was carried out to collect the data from random sample of 45 tea small holders and 15 tea estates in Kandy district. Descriptive statistical analyze method was used to determine the status of adoption of MRL while Multiple Linear Regression was used to find out the relationship between the level of adoption and other explanatory variables. Result revealed that the adoption of recommended practices on MRL of tea small holders was significantly determined by the farming experience, education level of tea small holder, awareness on MRL and use of hired labour for tea farming. Further it was revealed that awareness on MRL, working experience of the estate manager and company ownership largely contributes to the process of adoption to the MRL by tea estates. The most important constraints perceived by both tea small holders and estate sector are lack of information on MRL and lack of labour. Key Words — International Food Safety Regulations, Maximum Residue Level, Adoption, Recommended practices on MRLItem Constraints for Promotion of Tea Tourism in Sri Lanka(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2012) Koththagoda, K.C.; Gunathilakaand, R.P.D.; Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.Tea tourism is novel concept to the Sri Lanka, which is operating at infancy stage far below than it real capacity. Tea tourism is the most significant industrial diversification opportunity for this both product and service industries to insure the sustainable development of the Sri Lanka economy. But stakeholders, specially Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) do not give much interest on this divestment strategy. Tea plantation sector in Sri Lanka at present struggles to earn profit and sustainability of the sector with managing high cost of production and other unique problems of the sector, while increasing land efficiency and labour productivity. Although industry has given attention for value addition to final product and marketing process, but it may not address the problem faced by tea plantation sector. Because the revenue from value additions generally accrue to the value adding party, is often a third party and it is not to the producer. Under this situation tea tourism is significant diversification option for plantation sector. This study has been conducted to identify the constraints behind tea tourism promotion in Sri Lanka. Primary and secondary data were collected from the relevant parties and 21 RPCs were taken as the sample. Data were analyzed by using Descriptive statistic model, Results were emphasized poor financial position, lack of product variation, lack of infrastructure facility and lack security and minimum standard to be provided in tourism as major constraints. Other than that inherent attitudinal condition has been severely affected to undermine this diversification strategy. The outcome of this investigation clearly has been stressed out the necessity of government intervention and national policy for such type of industrial diversification to make sure the industrial sustainability and ultimately to achieve the sustainable development in Sri Lanka through economic growth.Item Effect of Storage Conditions on Viscoelastic Properties of Crepe Rubber(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Jayasinghe, A.C.C.; Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.; Ratnayake, U. N.Latex crepe rubber is one of main raw natural rubber types produced in Sri Lanka. Rubber is a viscoelastic material, which consists of both viscous and elastic properties. Viscoelastic properties of raw rubber influence the processability of a rubber compound. Even though Sri Lanka is the leading manufacturer of latex crepe rubber, converting crepe rubber into products is carried out in other countries and as a result, manufactured crepe rubber should be kept under storage conditions prior to processing. The objectives of this study were to study the effect of storage conditions on the viscoelastic properties of raw crepe rubber, viscoelastic properties of compounded crepe rubber and the effect of the non-rubber content on viscoeastic properties of crepe rubber. Methodology Two factor factorial design was employed as the statistical design of the study. Three different grades of crepe rubber such as Fractionated Bleached (FB), Un-Fractionated Un-Bleached (UFUB), Yellow Fraction (YF) crepe rubber samples were obtained, same batch from crepe rubber factory at Dartonfield, Agalawatta. These crepe rubber were stored at different temperatures such as 2 C, 22 C, 30 C and 40 C. Samples were drawn in every two weeks interval up to six weeks. Crepe rubber samples were analyzed for viscoelastic behaviour by analyzing Mooney viscosity and stress relaxation. Plasticity Retention Index (PRI) and un-aged plasticity (P0) of crepe rubber were also measured to study the thermo-oxidative respect to different storage temperature and time. Three different grades of crepe rubbers were compounded by adding Calcium Carbonate as the filler and Mooney viscosity and stress relaxation were measured at the initial stage and at the end of the sixth week, under different storage temperatures. SAS statistical software was used for the analysis of the data and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was used for mean comparison. Results and Discussion Mooney Viscosity is a measurement of flow behavior of raw rubber. Higher Mooney viscosity implies a higher resistance to flow and also provides indirect measurement of molecular weight of raw rubber as un-aged plasticity. By considering the three grades of crepe rubber, an increment of Mooney viscosity and un- aged plasticity was observed with the increase of the storage temperature and storage time (Figure 1 and 2). This phenomenon is named as the storage hardening. The phenomenon of storage hardening in solid natural rubber (NR) is presumed to occur by means of reactions between some non-rubber components and abnormal groups in rubber molecule. The main non-rubber constituents in natural rubber composed of proteins and lipids (Yunyongwattanakorn et al., 2003). Carbonyl groups present in the rubber molecule are responsible for cross linking on storage of dry rubber. The highest increase of the Mooney viscosity was exhibited by Yellow Fraction crepe rubber. That might be the highest non- rubber content in that crepe. High amount of non-rubbers cause to create large number of C storage temperature in each storage time. This could be due to low humidity storage condition in the oven of which crepe rubber samples were stored. Significant increase can be seen in the storage and phospholipids at the chain-ends of rubber molecules may interact with water under ambient condition, thus the water may disturb the formation of branching points by hydrogen bonding (Jitladda et al.,2012).Item Factors Affecting Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) of Potato Cultivation in Badulla District(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Senanayake, S.S.; Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.Potato has been one of an economically attractive crop grown in the hill country of Sri Lanka. Although, a crop with high income generation capability, potato yield has been gradually declining and cost of cultivation has been increasing during last decades (Kamalinie et al. 2008). From the selection of the seed tubers up to the post-harvest practices farmers follow inappropriate practices that cause both the economic losses and adverse effects to the environment. Also hill country shows the highest amount of soil erosion, about 58% of the potato-cultivated land found to be prone to severe soil erosion (Abeygunasekara, 2004). Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability of on farm processes and result in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products (Rathnayake and Dharmadasa, 2011). Therefore adoption of GAP by potato farmers will be a sound solution to soil erosion problem in hill country and it will help to improve the productivity of potato industry in Sri Lanka. The GAP concept can be associated with critical production decision factors and recommendations for potato-based systems in developing countries (Lutaladio et al. 2009). There are no studies that help to identify the level of adoption of GAPs by potato farmers and the influence of socio-economic factors on farmers’ decision on those levels. Therefore this study aimed to determine the socio-economic factors that influence the level of adoption of GAP by potato farmers. Methodology The study was conducted in four major potato growing Divisional Secretariats Divisions in Badulla District. A total of 100 farmers from four Divisional Secretariats were selected using stratified sampling technique. They were interviewed with a pre tested questionnaire. The level of adoption (LADOPT) was derived to have values ranging from 0 to 100% depending on number of practices adopted by each farmer.Item Factors Affecting on Adoption to Factory Automation in Low Country Tea Manufacturing Process(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Abeynayake, M.M.; Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.The legacy of Sri Lankan tea industry shows that Sri Lanka is one of the oldest tea producing countries in the world. The tea produced in this country is popularly known as “Ceylon Tea” and ranks among the best available teas in the international trade. Over the years, the word Ceylon has become synonymous with quality tea. Sri Lanka’s tea cultivators and manufacturers are the custodians of the traditional, orthodox method of black tea producers. This method is still agreed by most experts to produce the best black tea. Even with the technological improvements introduced to the tea industry over the last thirty or forty years, the orthodox method is relatively slow and labour-intensive method. In tea industry worker productivity plays an important role (Mohamed and Zoysa, 2006). Arising the worker shortage and Lower efficiency of workers in recent time Sri Lanka tea industry has faced several problems. Labour availability in the tea industry has declined by 50 % from the 1980s. Other than, the wage rate has catapulted from Rs 290/- five-years back to Rs 620/- as at 2013 which is an increase of 114%. But the net sales prices from the auctions reveal that in 2008 the average was at Rs 310/- per kg and today the prices are at around 400/- which reflects only a 29% increase. Therefore cost of production has increased significantly. Automation of tea processing, is a best solution to minimize over-dependence on workers and improve efficiency of the stages in manufacturing process. Automated tea processing systems able to convert the tea processing industry with state of the art material moving conveyor systems and other automation facilities. This has successfully improved the quality and quantity of the tea output from the tea production process. Even though it gains more benefits to the industry only a few have modernized to a notable degree (Kodithuwakku and Priyanath, 2007). But there are no studies that help to identify the current situation of adoption of factory automations in Sri Lankan tea industry. Therefore this study aimed to determine the factors that influence the adoption to factory automation in tea manufacturing.Item Factors Affecting on the Average Price Variation of Black Tea in Uva Region(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Megodawickrama, P.L.; Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.; Dassanayake, D.Tea manufacturers produce different grades which fetch different prices at the auction. The average price received by the factory depends on the percentage of the different grades produced by the factory. A variation of the average prices of teas in Uva region has been occurring over past years and the price of the same grade also varies with time due to both controllable and non-controllable factors. It is important to analyze the fluctuation of the average prices that occurs due to the grades mix within the year. Production of the different factories varies in terms of total tea quantity, types of tea grades, percentage of tea produced from each grade .The average price of the same factory fluctuates with the time and the production in same factory also vary referring to the above factors with the time. Therefore this research was conducted to analyze the impact of the grades mix on average price of the graded tea and to make recommendations. Methodology The study was conducted separately for Uva High elevation and Uva Medium elevation. Secondary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire from twenty factories for each two elevations which were selected using random sampling technique. The relationship of average price with six independent variables such as total quantity, main grade percentage, number of main grades, number of off grades, season and elevation average was analyzed. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regressions using the following empirical model in the study.Item Impact of Broker - Producer Interaction on Tea Producer's Satisfaction in Price Realization(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2012) Dasanayaka, R.M.S.N.; Gunathilaka, R.P.D.; Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.Sri Lankan Tea industry is one of oldest and economically important industry in the country. Teas that produced within the country are primarily marketed through Colombo tea auction and then exported to other countries either in bulk or value added form. Auction takes place among five important stake holders namely Auction Organizers, Manufacturers, Brokers!, Buyers and Warehouse keepers (Hazarika, 2011). Manufacturers do not have any active role in this system and give the authority of selling their tea to concern broker. Brokers receive 1% brokerage from producer for this service (Kumekawa, 2011). Brokers and producers interact in various ways to get a better price realization at the auction because higher prices realized by tea will increase the revenue of both parties. But producer's satisfaction on the price they get may vary depending on their perceptions on price to be realized. The term satisfaction is defined according to the level they achieve their targets in terms of prices in this research. If the target is reached or exceeded, producer is satisfied. On the contrary, it is the dissatisfaction (Patterson et a/., 1997 and Peter & Olson, 1996). The study was aimed to assess the impact of broker producer interaction in producer's satisfaction in price realization and to identify constrains faced by producers in adoption of broker's manufacturing advices. Further the study focused to give suggestions for effective interaction between broker and producer.Item Impact of Financial Literacy on Investment Behaviour (With Special Reference to Real Estate Industry)(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2017) Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.Investment plays a critical role to develop the nations and economies. Today with the globalization, many investment options have created for investors. Investors' success depends on their investment behaviour. Financial literacy is a modern concept and financial literacy is becoming an essential factor in investment behaviour. Yet, the investment in Sri Lanka still remains at low level compared to the developed and developing nations. So this study endeavored to identify the impact of financial literacy on investment behaviour in real estate industry in Sri Lanka. The study was based on three objectives. First, to identify the most affecting factor to investment behaviour in Real estate industry, second, to ascertain the relationship between financial literacy and investment behaviour, finally, to investigate the impact of financial literacy on investment behaviour in Real estate industry. Financial knowledge, financial attitudes and financial behaviour were considered in measuring the financial literacy. Questionnaires were distributed to 100 real estate investors by convenience sampling technique to collect data. Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to analyse data. The results revealed that real estate investors were almost agreed with the existing situation of all the functionality dimensions and it further indicated that there is a positive relationship between financial and investment behaviour and there is a significant positive impact of financial literacy on investment behaviour in real estate industry. Additionally the study found financial knowledge is the most affecting factor on investment behaviour. Hence the researcher recommends investors require adequate level of financial knowledge to achieve optimal outcomes. Future researchers can study in the impact of inflation rates, tax policy on investment behaviour and ways to mitigate against sudden losses due to inflation fluctuation and taxes. And they can focus on different factors affect to the investment behavior; social factors, economic factors, psychological factors.Item A Study on Factors Affecting Adoption of Maximum Residue Level in Tea Estate Sector with Special Reference to Kandy District(Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka, 2011) Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.; Gunathilaka, R.P.D.; Kithsiri, K.H.S.K.Note: See the PDF Version With the globalization of food and beverage industry, international organizations and food importing countries from every part of the world are concerned more about the food safety and have imposed very stringent regulations aiming a higher level of food safety. In recent past, Japan & EU have stipulated the Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) for various pesticides including some of which are used in tea fields. Conversely, it may not only the Japan and EU but in future all other tea importing countries would impose such stringent safety laws and regulations for our tea (Premathilaka, 2007). Sri Lankan tea could expect a bright future only if it can comply with international standards at both field and factory levels. Our rigorous efforts have to be made to avoid all possible ways of build-up of residues. In this context, it is very important to follow all TRI recommendations on pesticides to ensure that Sri Lanka still produces the "cleanest tea in the world" (Premathilaka, 2007). Therefore, adoption of MRL by the tea estate sector is imperative to open more of the world markets for Sri Lankan tea and gives a much needed competitive edge. This study was conducted to assess the factors affecting for adoption to of tea by the tea estate sector.Item Technical Efficiency of Cattle Farming in Moneragala Veterinary Region: A Stochastic Frontier Approach(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Thiwyadharsan, R.; Rathnayaka, R.M.S.D.; Samaraweera, A.M.“Farming System is a complex inter-related matrix of soil, plants, animals, implements, power, labour, capital and other inputs controlled in parts by farming families and influenced to varying degrees by political, economic, institutional and social forces that operate at many levels” (Mahapatra, 1992). Dairy sector is the most important of all livestock sub sectors primarily because of the influence it can make on the rural economy. Dairy sector is predominantly based on small holders keeping 2-5 cows. In the dry zone the herds tend to be large, though the animals are mostly of the indigenous types with poor milk yields. However, the production of milk in Sri Lanka has still not yet met the national demand. Increasing the efficiency in production assumes greater significance in attaining potential output at the farm level. There are comparatively less research on ‘technical efficiency’ of dairy farming in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the important socio economic determinants of milk production and thereby to find out the technical efficiency of milk production in Moneragala veterinary region. Methodology The Moneragala Veterinary region was selected for this study. The Veterinary regions were arranged in descending order of livestock population. The Moneragala Veterinary region, which has maximum number of livestock population in the district, was selected for the study. A multi stage random sampling technique was used for the selection of the sample/respondent. The study covered 10 villages of Moneragala veterinary region to form the sample of 80 respondents. The data collection was carried out by using the structured questionnaire. This questionnaire was subjected to the pre testing by the survey of ten samples. Empirical model and variables Stochastic Frontier production models (Cobb-Douglas production & inefficiency function) were employed to identify the contributory factors for milk production and the technical efficiency of farmers using dependent variable and independent variables. . Data were coded and analyzed by using the Statistical Package of STATA 11.0 and Minitab 15 software package.