23rd Academic Session - 2026

Impact of Sleep Patterns on Attention Focus during Lectures: A Perception-Based Study of Undergraduate Students.

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Impact of Sleep Patterns on Attention Focus during Lectures: A Perception-Based Study of Undergraduate Students. Garusingarachchi, S.N.; Arachchige, J.J.G. Sleep quality and regularity are critical for maintaining attention, learning capacity, and academic success. However, inadequate and irregular sleep remains a prevalent concern among university students. This study examines the relationship between sleep patterns and attention focus during lectures among Sri Lankan undergraduates, addressing a gap in regional empirical research on student wellbeing and learning performance. Data were collected from 161 respondents representing both state and private universities through a structured questionnaire based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and related validated scales. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including Pearson correlation and regression analysis, were employed to assess associations between sleep duration, quality, and perceived attentiveness. Findings revealed that nearly half of the participants (49%) slept fewer than six hours per night, below the recommended 7–9 hours, while 54% self-rated their sleep as “good.” However, regression results indicated no significant relationship between total sleep duration and attention (R2 = .001, p = .632). These results suggest that sleep quality and consistency exert a greater influence on cognitive focus than sleep quantity alone. Environmental and behavioral factors such as irregular routines, digital device use, and late-night study sessions also emerged as potential contributors to poor attentiveness. The study underscores the importance of promoting sleep hygiene awareness, stress management programs, and flexible academic scheduling in higher education institutions. By integrating behavioral health interventions into university support systems, educators can enhance students’ cognitive alertness, emotional well-being, and academic engagement. These findings contribute to the growing global understanding of how lifestyle factors impact learning outcomes, particularly within the South Asian higher education context.

The Impact of Social Media on SMEs Growth in Rathnapura District.

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Impact of Social Media on SMEs Growth in Rathnapura District. Wijesinghe, D.D.S.M.; Hemali, M.A.D.; Deepika, D.M.R. This study examines the impact of social media on the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Rathnapura District that operate in the manufacturing, retail, service, and other sectors. Accordingly, this research focuses on three key dimensions: mindful adoption, community building, and absorptive capacity. Adopting a deductive, quantitative research approach with a crosssectional survey design, this study employed snowball sampling to identify 110 SMEs actively using social media for business activities in Rathnapura District. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire to ensure consistent responses. Social media measurement used five-point Likert-scale questions, and the target population comprised small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the Rathnapura District. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using SPSS to test four hypotheses examining the relationships between social media and SMEs’ growth. The regression model accounted for 85.26% of the variance in SMEs’ growth (R² = 0.8526, F = 204.482, p < 0.000), indicating a significant relationship between social media and SME growth. Three dimensions significantly predicted growth: Mindful Adoption (β = 0.368, p = 0.000), Community Building (β = 0.262, p = 0.003), and Absorption Capacity (β = 0.326, p = 0.000). Notably, this research emphasizes that the data and dimensions provide valuable empirical evidence of the critical role of social media in influencing the development and success of SMEs in this region. Moreover, this research confirms that effective use of social media can significantly improve the growth prospects of small and mediumsized businesses in Rathnapura. It is also essential for SMEs to increase their competitiveness in the digital economy by strategically engaging with customers, investing in targeted advertising, and maintaining high-quality content. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into how SMEs can effectively use social media to accelerate growth, enhance customer engagement, and improve business performance. The study also offers practical implications for policymakers and business owners in developing strategies to maximize the benefits of social media use.

Impact of Perceived Risk on Online Food Purchase Intention: Evidence from Food Ordering App Users in Sri Lanka.

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Impact of Perceived Risk on Online Food Purchase Intention: Evidence from Food Ordering App Users in Sri Lanka. Poththawela, D.D.T.R.; Madhavi, W.W.I.; Kumara, P.A.P. S. With the change in consumer behavior, consumers in Sri Lanka have started to use food ordering apps more than before. This is because these apps make buying food easy and convenient. However, consumers’ intention to use these food ordering apps has often been affected by different types of perceived risks, including product risk, financial risk, psychological risk, and social risk. Therefore, this study examines how perceived risks affect online purchase intention when using food ordering apps. A quantitative method with a descriptive research design was employed, focusing on consumers who use food ordering apps in Sri Lanka. Perceived risk in food ordering apps was conceptualized based on key risk dimensions: financial risk, product risk, social risk, and psychological risk. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 120 consumers who use food ordering apps, using a convenience sampling method. Cronbach’s alpha was used to ensure reliability, and multiple regression analysis was used to test the study hypotheses. The results revealed that only social risk (β = -0.14, p = 0.02) has a significant negative impact on online purchase intention. Financial risk (β = -0.16, p = 0.05) was marginally insignificant, while product risk (β = 0.09, p = 0.29) and psychological risk (β = -0.03, p = 0.64) showed no significant impact. Overall, only social risk significantly impacts users’ intention to use food-ordering apps. This highlights the importance of social understanding and its risk in influencing consumers. Businesses should try to reduce social concerns by improving their brand image using positive feedback and social proof, as our findings indicate that social risk significantly influences online purchase intention. App developers can increase user trust by being transparent and adding features that make the app more reliable. Future research could explore diverse demographic groups and additional perceived risks that may impact the use of food ordering apps.

The Impact of Digital Financial Literacy on Performance of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Matara District, Sri Lanka.

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Impact of Digital Financial Literacy on Performance of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Matara District, Sri Lanka. Deepika, D.M.R.; Kumarasiri, P.K.N.R. Digital financial literacy comprises the knowledge, attitudes, and skills required to use digital technologies safely and effectively for financial tasks. This study examines the impact of digital financial literacy on entrepreneurial performance among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Matara District, Sri Lanka. As digital transformation reshapes the entrepreneurial landscape, understanding how digital financial competencies influence business performance becomes critical for developing economies undergoing rapid technological change. The study adopted a deductive, quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional survey design. Snowball sampling was used because there was no comprehensive list of SMEs that use digital financial tools. Primary data were collected from 114 SMEs through a structured questionnaire adapted from validated instruments with contextual modifications for Sri Lanka. All questions were constructed as five-point Likert-scale items. The results of the multiple regression model indicate that 59.7% of the variance in entrepreneurial performance (R2 = 0.597, F = 32.026, p < 0.000) is predicted by digital financial literacy. Among the five dimensions of digital financial literacy, four dimensions significantly predicted performance, including Digital Financial Risk Control (β = 0.285, p = 0.000), Awareness of Digital Financial Risk (β = 0.289, p = 0.005), Financial Knowledge (β = 0.193, p = 0.031), and Digital Knowledge (β = 0.171, p = 0.044). Notably, Knowledge of Digital Financial Services (β = 0.001, p = 0.986) did not show a significant effect, suggesting that mere awareness of available tools is insufficient without reliable infrastructure, user-friendly platforms, and supportive regulatory environments. Results emphasize the need for comprehensive digital financial literacy programs that focus on risk management and practical application rather than basic awareness. Policymakers, financial institutions, and educational institutions should prioritize interventions that bridge the gap between knowledge and effective implementation. This study contributes to the literature on digital financial literacy in developing economic contexts, providing empirical evidence from a regional district perspective and identifying critical competencies for SME success in digitalized markets.