ISAE-2025 http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20131 2026-04-07T22:38:45Z 2026-04-07T22:38:45Z Senadheera, U.E. Chanuka, N.N. Jayasanka, J. Hewawasam, C. Amila, B. Weerasekara, N. A. http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20444 2025-11-25T06:59:54Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Baseline assessment of fuel consumption and thermal efficiency of conventional biomass cookstoves: A case study Senadheera, U.E.; Chanuka, N.N.; Jayasanka, J.; Hewawasam, C.; Amila, B.; Weerasekara, N. A. Conventional biomass cookstoves are the predominantly utilised household cooking method in rural Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, the in-use performance is under-quantified. This study adopted a baseline experimental approach combined with field surveys to produce the first initial integrated efficiency and fuel demand baseline for Maskeliya, Nuwara Eliya District. Fifty households were enrolled in 5-day Kitchen Performance Tests (KPT) to measure the amount of wood utilized during cooking, while 25 households were in Water Boiling Tests (WBT) under controlled cold-and hot-start conditions. A systematic survey was conducted to analyse socio economic determinants of stove choice. The average wood demand was 2.56 kg cap⁻¹ day⁻¹, which was equivalent to 0.93 T cap⁻¹ yr⁻¹, with an inter-household coefficient of variation of 0.35. Cold-start thermal efficiency varied from 6.69 % to 10.79 %, while hot-start efficiency varied from 9.33% to 13.71%. The baseline overall efficiency of conventional stoves was 10.62 %. In cold- and hot-start conditions, the average boiling times were 20.3 min and 17.4 min, respectively. Households served a mean of 5.1 persons per meal across 772 recorded cooking events, indicating substantial aggregated fuel pressure on local wood supply. Affordability, cultural orientation and limited resources were identified as the main barriers to improve stove adaption. Replacing conventional stoves with high-efficiency alternatives can mitigate CO2 emissions. These findings provide a platform for targeted clean-cooking approaches, tracking future impacts, and for informing evidence-based policy design and programming at the regional scale throughout rural Sri Lanka.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Amith Bandara, K.M. Peiris, T. N. Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K. Madushan, R.G.R. http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20443 2025-11-25T06:46:26Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

An assessment of the solar power plants and their impact on the vegetation in the Poonakary region of Sri Lanka Amith Bandara, K.M.; Peiris, T. N.; Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K.; Madushan, R.G.R. This study aims to assess the impact of a solar power plant on the vegetation in the Poonakary region of Sri Lanka. Data collection primarily relied on a field survey and field observations. A total of 22 transects were used for the study, each measuring 100 m in length and 5 m in width. The extent of the study area is approximately 606.21 ha. Vegetation types, species names, genera, and family details were recorded using a structured data table. Field observations were carried out to assess the potential impact on vegetation in the area. The study was conducted from February 2024 to February 2025. A total of 239 flora species, including 5 endemic species, 24 nationally threatened and 23 near threatened (NT) species, were observed during the field ecological study within the study area. Among the five endemic flora species, one species (Dendrophthoe ligulatus) was listed as nationally Vulnerable (VU) and another (Ampelocissus pheoenicantha) was listed as nationally Near Threatened (NT) according to the national red list 2020 of Sri Lanka. Of the 24 nationally threatened flora species, 7 are listed as nationally Endangered (EN) and 17 species (including 1 endemic) are listed as nationally Vulnerable (VU) species. A few invasive alien flora species were also observed, including Salvinia adnata, Typha angustifolia, Opuntia dillenii, and Lantana camara. The construction of the proposed solar park is expected to cause significant ecological damage by directly impacting diverse and sensitive ecosystems. This includes the destruction of critical vegetation types such as mangroves, salt marshes and seasonally flooded grasslands, which serve as essential habitats for a variety of endemic and migratory species. One of the most immediate threats arises from the clearing of land and vegetation during the construction phase, which will lead to the loss of large habitat areas that support vital ecological functions. These plant communities play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, water purification, and natural flood control. In addition to habitat loss, there is a risk of invasive plant species spreading during construction activities, which can outcompete native vegetation, degrade habitat quality and further threaten biodiversity. The project is proposed in an area recognized for its unique ecological characteristics. While similar species may exist in nearby locations, the remaining natural habitat is extremely limited. Therefore, it cannot be assured that the damage caused can be fully reversed or offset by the surrounding areas. This uncertainty is heightened by the lack of a proper environmental assessment, making it impossible to fully understand or mitigate the long-term impacts of the development. Given these factors, the potential ecological consequences of the solar park cannot be overlooked.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Bandara, E.G.K.Y.C. Kuragodage, A.U. Madushan, R.G.R. Subhanu, M.H.R. Silva, J.P.A. Deepananda, K.H.M.A. http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20431 2025-11-24T10:21:13Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria associated with larval stages of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Bandara, E.G.K.Y.C.; Kuragodage, A.U.; Madushan, R.G.R.; Subhanu, M.H.R.; Silva, J.P.A.; Deepananda, K.H.M.A. The evolved antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria associated with various life stages of Macrobrachium rosenbergii may lead to disease outbreaks, resulting in reduced yield. The present study determines the antibiotic sensitivity of all larvae (11 larval stages) and post-larvae of M. rosenbergii qualitatively against commonly used antibiotics. All samples were collected from the Freshwater Prawn Breeding Centre, Kahandamodara, Sri Lanka. Individuals of each sample (n=150) were homogenised and inoculated onto nutrient agar plates using the spread plate technique. After overnight incubation at ambient temperature, individual colonies were selected and transferred into nutrient broth cultures. Kirby-Bauer antibiotic sensitivity test (ABST) was then carried out to investigate the antibiotic resistance of bacteria against ten antibiotics; Amikacin-30µg (AK30), Cefixime-5µg (CFM5), Cephalothin-30µg (KF30), Chloramphenico-30µg (C30), Erythromycin-15µg (E15), Kanamycin-30µg (K30), Metronidazole-25µg (MTZ5), Streptomycin-10µg (S10), Sulfamethoxazole-25µg (RL25), and Tetracycline-30µg (TE30). Bacteria from all samples were 100% resistant to MTZ5. Except for three larval stages, the other eight larval and post-larval (75%) stages were sensitive to TE30, making it the most efficient antibiotic. Other tested antibiotics exhibited varying degrees of efficacy, with TE30 leading the group, followed by C30, AK30, and S10. Of the bacteria from all larvae and post-larvae samples, 83.3%, 75%, 66.7%, 50%, and 33.3% were resistant to CFM5, KF30, RL25, E15, and K30 respectively, whilst bacteria from the rest of the samples showed intermediate resistance. The present study concludes that administering MTZ5, CFM5, KF30, RL25, E15, and K30 as treatments for diseases is ineffective, as none of the bacteria in any larval stage or post-larvae were sensitive. Four of the ten tested antibiotics, (TE30, C30, AK30, and S10) were efficient against the bacteria associated with different larval stages and post-larvae.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Jayasinghe, W.A. L.P. Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K. Awanthi, M.G.G. http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20430 2025-11-24T10:03:30Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Exploring the potential for community-based tourism in Panduwasnuwara, Sri Lanka: A preliminary assessment Jayasinghe, W.A. L.P.; Chandrasekara, C.M.K.N.K.; Awanthi, M.G.G. Community-Based Tourism (CBT) offers a sustainable development pathway by empowering local communities to manage tourism activities that generate income, create employment, conserve the environment, and promote cultural exchange. This study investigates the potential for CBT to enhance sustainable livelihoods in the Panduwasnuwara divisional secretariat division, a valuable heritage site in Sri Lanka that hasn’t been fully explored for CBT. The research employed remote sensing and GPS-based field s analysis to identify distribution pattern of main resources, including land cover and tank system. Traditional livelihoods and cultural practices were documented through field observations and informal interviews with 75 households selected using random sampling. A SWOT analysis further evaluated the viability of CBT initiatives in the region. Results show that panduwasnuwara’s natural beauty, heritage, and hospitality offer strong CBT potential, despite gaps in transport and facilities. Unexplored history and eco-tourism present development opportunities, though climate variability and local resistance pose challenges. Coconut plantations (55%) and paddy cultivation (18%) dominate the land use, with 9% comprising irrigation tanks and surface water bodies critical to agriculture based on GPS survey. The region features dispersed cultural, religious, industrial, and natural tourism attractions. Despite the uneven distribution of tourism infrastructure, the study identifies strong potential for CBT development, supported by the presence of a wide range of traditional industries as a percentage wise pottery (36%), handicraft (21%), handloom weaving (14%), traditional cuisine (13%), wood carving and temple artistry (12.5%) and others (3.5%). The study concludes that community engagement, supported by targeted development strategies such as the formation of community-based cooperatives, microfinance support for local entrepreneurs, and low-cost technology training is essential for realizing a sustainable CBT model, especially considering the limitations in funding and technological access.

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