http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/7345 2026-04-06T16:12:55Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20782 Renewable Energy Transition in Sri Lanka: Status, Potential, Policy Environment and Future Directions. Keembiyahetti, N.; Katukurunda, S.; Kumara, P.H.T.; Ranatunga, E.M.; Ranathunga, N.N.; Udayakantha, K.K.S. This study investigates the advancement of renewable energy in Sri Lanka with four primary objectives to assess the current status of renewable energy, to evaluate its potential economic and environmental benefits, to review the institutional and policy framework governing the sector, and to propose policy recommendations for the development of the renewable energy sector. The research addresses key questions regarding the present status and future potential of renewable energy in meeting the power demand of the country, the motivations and obstacles within existing government policies, the net benefits to producers, users, and the nation, constraints in public perception, and the policy interventions required to support a sustainable energy future. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative financial analysis with qualitative thematic inquiry. The quantitative component focused on rooftop solar, analyzing a subsample of 113 net-account projects using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Payback Period. Results show that IRR values ranging from 3% to 40%, with most projects, clustering between 6% and 20% and an average IRR of 19.7%. When the time value of money was ignored, simple payback periods ranged from 1 to 13 years, averaging below 10 years, aligning superficially with vendor claims of rapid payback. However, discounted analysis at 9% extended payback periods to 1–29 years, with many small projects (<5 kW) unable to recover costs within 10 years. At an 11% discount rate, 28 projects required a tariff above LKR 37 (the highest CEB rate), 43 required more than LKR 27, and 53 required over LKR 22, while the remainder remained viable at lower tariffs, some of the projects sustainable at LKR 15.50. To secure a minimum IRR of 7%, an average purchase price of about LKR 21.50 per unit is required. The analysis also highlighted project heterogeneity and irrational investment behavior. Differences in installation cost, loan conditions, self-consumption patterns, and contracted tariffs mean that blanket statements about solar economics are misleading. In some cases, oversized systems, high-interest financing, or mismatched system sizing explained poor financial outcomes despite favorable technical potential. The qualitative component explored social acceptance of large-scale and community-based renewable projects. The analysis of Thambapavani wind project revealed widespread dissatisfaction among local residents, citing lack of prior consultation, limited local employment, environmental and livelihood impacts (particularly on fishing and agriculture), and perceptions of misinformation or poor communication from project authorities. These findings show that technically robust and well-financed projects may still suffer from legitimacy deficits without meaningful participation, transparent benefit-sharing and sustained community engagement. Assessment of Mini-hydropower projects at three sites in Badulla District namely, Loggal Oya (1.0–1.5 MW), Ambagaha Oya (1.0–1.5 MW), and Komukan Oya (400–500 kW), surfaced concerns about ecological impacts on endemic fish species and riverine ecosystems during low-flow periods, negative impacts on tourism and recreation (especially at Komukan Oya waterfalls), and potential conflicts with irrigation demand (particularly at Ambagaha Oya). While communities acknowledged the low-carbon benefits of mini-hydro, they emphasized that ecological and livelihood risks must be addressed before acceptance can be secured. In addition to project-level insights, systemic challenges were identified in Sri Lanka’s generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, along with gaps in coordination, financing, and regulatory enforcement within the institutional framework. Taken together, the findings highlight that renewable energy development in Sri Lanka is both financially feasible and socially desirable under certain conditions, but its success depends on sound tariff and financing policies, rigorous environmental safeguards, and inclusive community participation. The study leads to data-driven policy recommendations for government, project developers, and funding institutions aimed at ensuring renewable energy development that is technically viable, financially attractive, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable. 2025-11-28T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20551 The Gratiaen price & its Contribution to the Evolution of the Sri Lankan Women's Novel in English. Harischandra, N. The purpose of this research was to assess the evolution of the genre of the Sri Lankan Women's Novel in English during the past twenty-five years, by tracing the development of the women's novels that have won the Gratiaen Prize up to date, namely, Punyakante Wijenaikes' Amulet (1994), Prashani Rambukwelle's Mythil's Secret (2009), Madhubhashini Disanayake Ratnayake's There is Something I Have to Tell You (2011), and Charulatha Abeysekara Thewarathanthri's Stories (2016). 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/18459 The Role of planned townships for regional Development (a case study of Thambuttegama township. Withanage, W.K.N.C. Over the past few decades, the role of small towns as service centers in regional development was a controversial subject of debate, whether they perform key functions required for regional development, both in developed and developing environs. These centers are at the lower order of urban hierarchy, and they have been planned purposefully in many countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, through "UFRD Approach" to gear development of their backward rural areas. Small towns are seen as centers of innovation & modernization that trickle down to rural neighborhoods. Thus, most effective and rational spatial and location planning strategy is essential to promote small centers within well-articulated, integrated and balanced urban hierarchy. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the role of Tambuththegama Township for developing surrounding areas, demarcated as the sphere of influence, and also assess the existing spatial and functional structure of the township. Through Mahaweli Development Programme, Township become the growth foci in NCP while attracting more central functions and also consumers from rural neighborhoods. The primary data on commercial and non-governmental functions of township were collected in the field and secondary data and other related information were gathered from official statistics, other published materials, unpublished reports and internal records etc. After pre coding, editing and coding collected Data was tabulated in order to analyze applying appropriate statistical techniques. The GIS based analytical tools such as overly, buffering and network analysis were applied to visualize the findings revealed through this study. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/18458 A Rethinking to Integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Natural Resources Management of Sri Lanka. Withanage, W.K.N.C.; Gunathilaka, M.D.K.L.; Mishra, P.K. Indigenous knowledge (IK) is the special information that is restricted to a specific culture or civilization. It is sometimes referred 10 as traditional science, folk knowledge, local knowledge, and people's knowledge. It establishes a connec­tion between each person's survival and the entirety of nature and the components that make up life. Indigenous knowledge incorporates all aspects of life-spiritu­aljty, history, cultural practices, social interactions, language, and healing. It presents real-world examples of how com.munjties interact with the environment and offers workable solutions to people's issues. Inrugenous peoples make sigruficanl contribu­tions to the management of sustainable resources. Recent studies demonstrate bow natural resource managers might enhance their conservation strategies by consid­ering the requirements and viewpoints of indigenous people. Indigenous knowl­edge and natural resource management create many environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits for all. Indigenous people can contribute to the preservation of natural resources by safeguarrung historic structures, mjnimizing environmental degradation, and malting handicrafts that will draw tourists and sustainably improve the local economy. Sri Lanka is one of the countries that possess indigenous people whose history dates back to the fifth century BC. However, Sri Lankan local knowl­edge is limited only to very few parts of the country as in dry zone, and in parts of smal.1 groups have been identified the applicability of local knowledge 10 sustafoable 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z