http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1645 2026-04-21T04:03:35Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1654 Title Page 2021-01-11T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1653 Editorial Note Aslam, M.S.M 2021-01-11T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1652 Is South Asian Free Trade Area Desirable? Evidence from Dynamic Gravity Models Peiris, T.U.I This study investigates the desirability of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), considering its potential in generating trade creation and trade diversion effects by controlling the trade persistence, which is often ignored by the previous studies. In this regard, dynamic gravity models on South Asian imports, exports, and total trade are used over the period from 2003 to 2013. Results of the two-step system GMM estimator confirmed the desirability of SAFTA with the presence of significant intra-bloc and extra-bloc trade expansions. Further, SAFTA depicted a significant anticipation effect as trade expansions were significant even one year prior to its implementation, and they continued to be significant until 2009. Further, this study empirically confirms the potential of SAFTA in mitigating the region’s political tension, especially when implementing the trade strategy. Thus, it is recommended to bring SAFTA to its full potential by further reducing tariffs and removing sensitive lists. 2021-01-11T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1651 Strategic Outcomes of and Future Outlook for Data-based Disaster Management: A Case Study in Sri Lanka Rathnayake, Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Wasantha The preparation and implementation of Disaster Management Plans and the National Emergency Plans are enabled by data collection, data storing and data sharing. The required data can be specified as environment- and disaster-related data relevant to the Sendai Framework and Rio Conventions. A case study was carried out in the district of Badulla, which has recorded the highest number of disaster events in Sri Lanka, in order to explore the gaps in data and information management, with the ultimate objective of ensuring a disaster-minimised district. The study revealed that there are shortcomings in data collection, data storage and data sharing, which are important for fulfilling the requirements of four pillars of disaster management, i.e., mitigation–minimising the effects of disaster, preparedness–planning on how to respond, response–efforts to minimise hazards created by a disaster; and recovery–returning the community to norma 2021-01-11T00:00:00Z