http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10745 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:28:12 GMT 2026-04-23T11:28:12Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10792 The Impact of Anthropogenic Intervention on the Walauwewaththa Wathurana Fresh Water Swamp Forest in Sri Lanka Siriwardana, S.H.S.M.; Sangasumana, P. Swamp forests are considered as the late succession stage of a freshwater marsh ecosystem and it is the rarest wetland type in Sri Lanka, rich in biodiversity thus providing a number of ecosystem services. The Walauwewatta Wathurana has been identified as the most dynamic fresh water ecosystem in Sri Lanka. These rare forest ecosystems have been subjected to degradation over the past decades due to various reasons especially anthropogenic activities. A study was conducted to explore the magnitude of these impacts caused by anthropogenic activities. A household survey was conducted using a structured questioner and Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) and discussions were made to gather information from the people living close by the swamp. Data analysis based on both quantitative and qualitative techniques. It was revealed that, a large number of activities carried out in the surrounding area of the forest by the neighboring communities directly or indirectly were related to their livelihoods as well as for their daily household needs. The richness of the species and the abundance have decreased over the past two decades due to the unsustainable fishing activities, contamination of agro-chemicals as well as chemical effluents of rubber based industries, sand mining, bamboo and rattan industries located around the forest area. Therefore the Wathurana fresh water swamp forest has been subjected to degradation due to anthropogenic activities. Conservation strategies should be implemented to strengthen the sustainability of the ecosystem services provided by this freshwater swamp forest. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10792 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10787 Perceptions and Attitudes among Venders towards Non-human Primates in Mihintale Wildlife Sanctuary in Sri Lanka Kumara, H. W. R.; Nahallage, C. A. D.; Huffman, M. A. A number of studies have revealed that age, gender, ethnicity, level of education, political attitude, landholding size, period of residency and religion all influence attitudes towards wildlife. Attitudes also exhibit regional differences. However, religious beliefs of Sri Lankans and cultural practices play an important role when deciding the perceptions and attitudes toward primates. An important feature of this country is the presence of monkeys at Buddhist temples and archeological sites. Social and environmental conditions are deeply and inextricably linked, an important component of conservation, and the management of human-wildlife conflict, is therefore the examination of people‟s behaviour and perceptions regarding wildlife and the factors that influence these perceptions. This study was carried out in Mihintale wildlife Sanctuary in Anuradhapura district. To understand the nature of human attitude towards primates at the Mihintale wildlife sanctuary, the mixed methods approach was used for data collection. Interviews were conducted from April 2016 to September 2016. Direct interviews were conducted opportunistically with 57 venders in Sinhalese language to learn about macaques and langurs and their interactions with humans. The relationship with the venders and primates is complicated and filled with ambiguity. Venders are happy to see primates and other mammals in the wild, however, primates are not welcome near their business places. High population numbers and the inability to control monkeys are major concerns for venders. The nature of attitude onward each primate species depended on the level of interaction between humans and primate species. The attitude was negative toward the gray langurs and toque macaques, due to stealing of displayed toys, food items and the damage cause to the roofs of small shops, threatening venders and pilgrims when taking food by force. However, no negative attitude towards purple-faced leaf langurs. This study is important for conservation and for understanding the human perspective and attitude towards primates, when entwined with scientific evidence, offers a holistic understanding to one of the major problems in Sri Lanka, the human primate conflict. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10787 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10780 Microwave Assisted One-Pot Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extracts from Vigna Unguiculate: Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities Kandiah, M.; Perera, B. R. Oxidative stress is caused by the increased levels of free radicals in the body which leads to various diseases. Antioxidants are known to reduce the risk of diseases caused by oxidative stress as they have the ability to donate electrons to these harmful free radicals. In addition to the natural antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables, synthetic antioxidants are also available. With the emergence of nanotechnology, the applications possessed by nanoparticles are limitless. One such application is in nanomedicine where nanoparticles are incorporated to study biological systems. The properties of the nanoparticles depend on the type of metal used and the method of synthesis. The use of plants for the production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is key point of interest as it is rapid, eco-friendly, non-pathogenic and economical. Furthermore, this “Green synthesis” requires a single step for the biosynthesis of the nanoparticles as the silver ions are reduced and stabilized from the biomolecules present in the plant extract. In this study, cowpea leaf extracts were used for the on-pot green synthesis of silver nanoparticles to determine its antioxidant properties using phytochemical assays; Total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant activity (TAC), and free radical scavenging assays; Ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP), ABTS and DPPH. The antibacterial activities were assessed by well diffusion method using gram positive (Staphylococus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10780 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10778 Determinants of Customer Satisfaction in Freight Forwarding Companies in Sri Lanka Jayarathna, D. G. N. D.; Dias, A. A. C. N.; Madhushani, P. W. G. Despite bringing enormous profit to the company as well as the development of the country, freight forwarding is still considered as a developing field in Sri Lanka. Freight forwarders usually work with agents, forwarders, small or medium size manufacturers, therefore, having a close customer relationship is a vital role which could sustain the freight forwarding industry competitive. This study investigates the determinants of customer satisfaction in freight forwarding companies in Sri Lanka. Primary data was collected by means of an online questionnaire from freight forwarders in the Western province of Sri Lanka and overall 258 valid questionnaires were used for the analysis. Besides, an auxiliary analysis was carried out using 19 potential influential factors which derived eight factors to determine the overall customer satisfaction which titled as reliability, responsiveness, communication and documentation accuracy, assurance, empathy, branding, technology, efficiency and trust. Hence in a situation where the growth rate for the logistics industry is drastically increasing, this thesis is important for further improvement of customer relationship in freight forwarding companies in Sri Lanka. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10778 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z