http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/5 Consists with Postgraduate Masters Theses and Dissertations produced by the Faculty members of the University of Ruhuna. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:42:21 GMT 2026-04-07T20:42:21Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19602 An analysis of factors impacting volunteer retention in Sri Lanka's non-profit organizations. Premarathna, W.K.S. This research study investigated the factors affecting volunteer retention in non-profit organisations in Sri Lanka. Volunteer retention is essential for non-profit organisations (NPOs), yet it must be explored in Sri Lanka. This study focused on career advancement support, follower competence, supervisor characteristics, and interpersonal characteristics of volunteer retention. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 425 volunteers through an online questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. The results show that all four factors positively influence volunteer retention. Providing career advancement support, skill development, and clear paths for progression significantly enhance Volunteer retention. Follower competence, including self-management and impact on the organisation, plays a crucial role. Positive supervisor relationships marked by communication, recognition, and support encourage volunteers to stay. Interpersonal characteristics such as trust and collaboration further contribute to retention. This study contributes to understanding volunteer retention in Sri Lankan non-profit organisations, offering practical insights for developing strategies to foster long-term commitment. Organisations can improve volunteer retention and sustainability by implementing practices focusing on career growth, enhancing competence, and promoting a supportive environment. Future research should explore additional variables for a deeper understanding of volunteer motivations. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/19602 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/13813 Studies on the Viability of Introduction of a Gillnet Fishery for Minor Cyprinids in Reservoirs Sirisena, H.K.G. The exotic Oreochromis mossambi cus (Peters) accounts -for about 80“/. of the inland fish production in Sri Lanka at present. The bulk of the production comes from the capture fishery in reservoirs and is mainly based on the monospecific gill net fishery. The indigenous species represented in the commercial catches are mostly limited to Barbus sarana, and in certain reservoirs Labeo dussumieri also occur in catches. However, apart from these species there is a large population of minor cyprinids in perennial reservoirs,which remain untapped at present. The indigenous minor cyprinids could be broadly categorised into two groups depending on the catchability by gill nets of 15mm range and 30mm range respectively. These minor cyprinids essentially inhabit the deeper areas of the water bodies as the adult population of 0. mossa.mbi cus. The minor cyprinid fauna, differed marginally from reservoir to reservoir. The main species of minor cyprinids that were present are B .sarana, B .dorsali s ■«* B. chola, B. f i 1 amentosus , Ambl ypharynaodon mel ett i nus and Rasbo’-a dan i coni ous. Thus with the use of the two categories of gill nets viz. 15mm and 30mm range, the minor cyprinids could be harvested without any detrimental effect on the Q.mossambi cus fishery. The possibility of introduction of a small meshed gill net fishery for minor cyprinids is based on detailed analysis of catch curves of each minor cyprinid species. Commercial trials show that an production o-f 705 kg ha-1 yt— 1 o-f minor cyprinic be obtained. This indicates the possibility o-f intr a viable subsidiary fishery based on minor c\ without effecting the excisting fishery. The pre3 indications are that the minor cyprinids also considerable economic potential in that it could ser food fish and also as a raw material for the f: industry. i v a v e r a. g e i s c q u 1 d ■oducing / p r i n i d s . i minary has a - v e a s a i. sh meal 1 . Fri, 01 Jul 1988 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/13813 1988-07-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/13781 Evaluation of two Legumes in Artificial diets for Oreochromis Niloticus (l.) young Keebiyahetty, C.N. Two legume seeds Vigna catianq and F’haseolus munqo were tested for the possibility of using as a partial replacement of fishmeal in practical diets for young Oreochromis niloticus (L.) diets. 20 diets were evaluated * in this study each for 70 days using a closed recirculating system. Control diets were prepared using fishmeal as the main protein supplement of 20% (C4), 2 5'/. (C3) and 28% (C2 and Cl) protein levels.The highest protein level was further evaluated at 14% and 22% lipid levels. Control diets were served as reference to evaluate the test diets, which had fishmeal substitution levels of 25% (VI, V3, F'l and F’2 ) and 50% (V2 and V4) in 28% protein diets, 33% (V5, and F'3) 66% (V6 and F'4) in 25% protein diets and 20% (V7 and F'5, 60% (V8 and F’6 ) and 100% (V9 and F’7) in 20% protein diets.All the diets were tested with 2-3 g size fish while 28% protein diets were also evaluated for fish of 4-5 g size. All fish were fed ad_ 1 ibiturn twice a day except 22% lipid diets which were also tested for a feeding frequency of thrice a day. Daily variability of food consumption showed a rythmic pattern. Absolute consumption gradually increased with fish growth. % ADG decreased as the plant inclusion level increased. Poor performance were observed for SGR, FCR and PER as the substitution level of fishmeal increased except at 20% substitution of F .munqo. IX C2 gave the best %ADG, SGR and F'2 produced the best FCR of 1.81. PER tends to increase as the protein level in the diet goes down. Best NPU was recorded for P5 diet. Digestibility was estimated using Cr203 and crude fibre. Crude fibre estimation was higher than the Cr203 estimations. As the dietary protein level decreases the dry matter digestibility tends to increase. However, protein digestibility increased with increasing plant inclusion level in the diets. Carcass composition indicated that the initial moisture content was reduced, significantly, in all the diets at the end of the trial while protein and lipid contents increased. As the dietary protein level decreased carcass lipid increased from 8.84% to 11.19%. Economic evaluation revealed that diet V9 is the best from an economical stand point but poor in the growth performance. Fish maintained on F'6 and F'7 diets were the costliest to produce 1 Kg of fish. Thu, 01 Sep 1988 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/13781 1988-09-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/13773 Some limnological and Hydrobiological Aspects of Three Coastal Water Bodies in Southern Sri Lanka Amarasinghe,P.B. A comparative study on some limnological and hydrobi ol ogi cal aspects o-f three southern coastal water bodies- Rekawa, Kalametiya and Lunama were carried out from March 1984 to June 1985. The three lagoons at Rekawa, Kalametiya and Lunama differed in geomorphology, hydrography, hydrology, and in physicochemical parameters. The main parameters dealt with were morphometry, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen content, light transparency, suspended matter, organic content and BOD of bottom sediments, pH, alkalinity, soluble reactive phosphate concentration, chlorophyll 'a' concentration, primary productivity and zooplankton abundance; in both time and space. The hydrographical regime of Rekawa lagoon was seasonal and closely followed the monsoon cycle but changed however from September 1984 due to an irrigation scheme. The Kalametiya lagoon is comparable to a running water body. The Lunama lagoon remains almost stagnant. Seasonal variation of temperature in all three lagoons closely followed changes in air temperature; salinity variations were closely related to the monsoon rain patterns. In all the three lagoons the major factor controlling dissolved oxygen was temperature.In Rekawa the factors controlling transparency, suspended matter, organic content of bottom sediments was wind, while in Kalametiya it was rainfall. The pH and alkalinity were closely related to the salinity variations, and soluble reactive phosphate was available at sufficiently high levels throughout the year. i i i Overall production rates and its seasonal -fluctuation was much higher at Rekawa than Kalametiya and J Lunama. Annual gross primary production in Rekawa, Kal amet i ya and Lunama were nn'7cr 7 / vJ c» : .y C h a - 1yr ~ 1 , 2175 kg C ha- 1yr * and 1890 k g C h a~1yr~1 respect i vel y ■ The net :gross production r at i o s , and the assi mil at i on rati os were calculated and correlation analyses were performed to evaluate how the physicochemical parameters and hydrobio.logical ’ factors are related to the productivity changes in the three lagoons. Seasonal abundance of zooplankton was not associated with the salinity regime, but it was significant1y correlated with biovolume of phytoplankton, as well as chlorophyll "a" and primary productivity, suggesting food was more important than salinity. Interrel ationships between different parameters within and between lagoons were evaluated. Sun, 01 May 1988 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/13773 1988-05-01T00:00:00Z