Browsing by Author "Sampath, J.K.H."

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    Analyzing Seasonal Variation of Water Quality Parameters of Kelani River
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Ranathissa, N.P.K.; Sampath, J.K.H.; Attanayake, A.N.B.; Amarakoon, H.A.K.
    Raw water quality of a surface water body directly affects the purification process and the final water quality of drinking water. When considering Sri Lanka, the Kelani River plays a vital role in fulfilling people's water necessities, as it provides water for more than 80% of the population of the capital city, Colombo. The current study focuses on the Kelani River in order to identify the models of variation of raw water quality parameters and to investigate patterns and trends of parameter variation. The main objective was to forecast the variation of water quality parameters with special reference to the Kelani River. The water quality was analyzed with different parameters including pH, Turbidity, Electrical Conductivity, Total Colifortn and Escherichia coli, and data gathered for five years (2012 - 2017) at five different intakes. Analysis was carried out by R studio software. Time Series techniques were used to perform the tests, and all decisions were made under p-value of 0.05. ARIMA and SARIMA models were used to identify the best fitting model for the variation of quality parameters with time. Results were forecasted for a 6 month time period using the above fitted models. Based on obtained results, the seasonality of the water quality parameters changed from one intake to another. When analyzing the pH, Ambathale and Biyagama showed seasonality while other three intakes showed non seasonality. Electrical Conductivity had a seasonal variation at Biyagama and Pugoda intakes, while Escherichia colishowed seasonality for Ambathale intake only. Frequent long-term monitoring of physicochemical parameters of surface water resources is vital for the better management of water resources as well as aquatic habitats and the environment. Based on the results of this study, a better prior understanding about the behavior of raw water quality parameters can be obtained, and this prior understanding can be used to manage the water purification process and final water quality.
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    The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Performance of Administrative Officers of State Universities in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Perera, U.D.; Sampath, J.K.H.; Pushpakumari, M.D.
    Healthy work-life balance is crucial in modern dynamic organizational setting to ensure productive work force. Previous studies have examined various factors influencing on work-life balance and its relationship with job performance on diverse occupations. However, findings of existing studies cannot be directly applied to the Sri Lankan context due to cultural and behavioral differences of people compared to Western countries. State university sector is now rapidly changing with several collaborations emerges with continuous establishment and growth of local and international private universities. Thus, the main aim of this study is to investigate the impact of work-life balance on job performance of administrative officers of state universities in Sri Lanka. The specific objectives of this study are to examine the relationship between work-life balance and job performance and to identify the significant family and work-related factors affecting job performance of administrative officers in state universities in Sri Lanka. The study considered 286 administrative officers representing all fifteen state universities in Sri Lanka and data was collected through self-administrated questionnaire. Based on the statistical results, hypothesis defined were tested to meet aforesaid objectives. It was found that, there is a positive relationship between work-life balance and job performance of administrative officers of State Universities in Sri Lanka. Further it was revealed that, relationship with partner/parents, colleague support, relationship with peers and flexible hours arrangement are significant factors which influence on job performance of administrative officers. The findings of this research study will be beneficial for senior management of state university system and policy makers for higher education sector to enhance work-life balance of administrative officers to have more productive and committed work force within state university system of Sri Lanka.
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    Investigation of Disease Incidence and Management Practices to Build a Database to Fill the Knowledge Gap of Ornamental Fish Farmers in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Dinushika, M.P.G.; Dias, P.C.B.; Sampath, J.K.H.; De Silva, D.P.N.
    The freshwater ornamental fish industry is one of the economically important, home entertainment industry in the world. During the last few decades, the ornamental fish industry in Sri Lanka has become one of the highest potential exporters in the global market. However, fish diseases are one of the major constraints to the failure of the ornamental industry. To avoid economic losses and to prevent disease outbreaks proper identification and diagnosis of fish diseases are crucial. Hence, this study was aimed to evaluate the present status of farmer’s knowledge of fish disease; management measures to avoid disease outbreaks and prevalence of fish diseases with seasonal and regional variation in the freshwater ornamental fish industry. Sixty farmers cultivating various ornamental fish were selected using stratified and simple random sampling techniques from the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) website. Data were collected using a telephone-interviewed method through a pretested questionnaire survey. Collected data were analyzed using the descriptive statistical methods in SPSS. . Major disease incidence caused by parasites (33.57%), followed by bacterial (23.57%), fungal (16.43%), viral (5%), and non- infectious diseases (21.43%). The most frequently observed disease was white spot disease (11.4%), followed by Columnaris (10.8%), Dactylogyrus sp. (9.5%), and fin rot (8.9%). The prevalence of fish diseases varied with season. The average prevalence of fish diseases was highest in the southwest monsoon period (49%). Common treatment methods that farmers used to treat the diseases were isolation (20.9%), water exchange (19.9%), adding salt (15.7%), methylene blue (13.6%), copper sulphate (11.5%), and antibiotics (7.1%). However, most of the farmers were able to identify diseases by using behavioral changes (40.5%) and symptoms (37.3%) although they were incapable of recognizing the disease-causing agents. Preventive and prophylactic measures were practiced by 91% of the farmers, the majority of them tend to find solutions through online sources, and some of them get advice from either colleagues or veterinarians. Furthermore, insufficient materials or lacks of awareness regarding fish diseases prevent farmers from gaining new reference knowledge. Thus, the results obtained from this study can be used to fill the knowledge gap by developing an awareness tool that enhances their knowledge on fish health management. Keywords: Ornamental fish; Fish Disease; Seasonal variation; Awareness tool
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    Modeling and Forecasting on Foreign Exchange Rates
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Sampath, J.K.H.; Abeysundara, S.P.
    Foreign currency exchange is a rapidly growing trade around the world, known as FOREX. Despite the high risk involved in FOREX trading, the fact remains that the traders are always fascinated by FOREX market. This research was carried out to understand the behavior of currency exchange rates, to identify adequate models for exchange rates and to forecast exchange rates for a future time period. The dataset was considered as four sections which were EUR/USD, USD/CHF, GBP/USD and USD/JPY from 1999 to 2015. According to the literature, there is a low accuracy of the forecast using fitted models for daily exchange rates. To overcome the problem, monthly average of daily exchange rates were considered for the analysis. Time series analysis was used to identify models and Akaike Information Criteria was used to identify the best fitting models. Unit Root Test recognized the existence of the stationary while Ljung-Box Test and Box-Pierce Test recognized adequacy of fitted models. Existences of ARCH effects were tested and ARCH models were fitted with relevant orders. Ljung-Box Test was used to check the adequacy of ARCH models. Decisions were made under p--value of 0.05 throughout the study. The formats of the fitted models for log-transformed EUR/USD, USD/CHF, GBP/USD and USD/JPY were ARIMA (1,1,0) with ARCH (1), ARIMA (0,1,0), ARIMA (3,1,2) with ARCH (1) and ARIMA (2,2,1) respectively. Forecasting was done using adequate models for a time period of six months. According to the results, the actual values are within the forecasted 95% confidence interval. For a short time period, obtained methods can be used, but forecasting for a long time may lead to an aberration. In conclusion, the developed models and the calculated confidence limits can be successfully used to buy currency without losses.
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    Thermal Ecology of an Endemic Sri Lankan Kangaroo Lizard (Otocryptis wiegmanni) tinder Wild and Captive Conditions
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Lakkana, P.H.T.; Thilakarathne, K.G.D.D.; Sampath, J.K.H.; Meegaskumbura, M.
    Thermal ecology of Sri Lankan endemic agamid lizard species is poorly known, but vital for their conservation. This study examined the thermal ecology of Otocryptis wiegmanni both under wild and captive conditions. External body temperature (Tb), corresponding environmental temperature (Te), sex and behaviour of 121 lizards were recorded. In captivity Tb and Te were recorded at one hour time intervals within 24 hours for 10 days. For the wild condition, Tb and Te were randomly collected both in day and night time. In the wild, Tb was significantly lower than Te (p > 0.05) and mean difference was -1.59 °C. There is a positive correlation between Tb and Te (r = 0.816, p < 0.05). The best fit regression line is Tb = 5.86 + 0.695Te (R2 = 66.6%). Regression coefficient (0.695) is significant (p < 0.05). Although in captivity, Tb was significantly lower than Te (p > 0.05) and mean difference was 0.91 °C. Tb and Te shows strong positive correlation (r = 0.914, p < 0.05). Best fit regression line is Tb = 1.95 + 0.886Te (R2= 83.6%). Regression coefficient (0.886) is significant (p < 0.05). Moreover in both wild and captive conditions, Tb of males and females were not significantly different. Regression coefficients of both wild and captivity differ from the theoretical value of zero required for thermoregulation verify that O. wiegmanni is a thermoconformii)) species. The Tb for this population ranged between 20 - 26.5 °C. We never observed O. wiegmanni showing obvious basking behaviour, may be a reason for having a lower Tb than Te. Activities such as territorial and courtship display, mating, egg laying, and feeding occurred during daytime while they are dormant at night and mostly perch above ground. Moreover, O. wiegmanni is adept at tracking environmental temperature by selecting appropriate thermal microhabitats to maintain their body temperature within the optimal level. This study provides a basis and emphasizes the necessity of in-depth thermal ecological studies on Sri Lankan agamids.