http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/18 2026-03-07T08:04:27Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/5280 Front Materials AJPS 2026-01-26T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/5279 Conflict as a Determinant of Cognitive Social Capital of Multi-Ethnic Communities in the Post-Conflict Sri Lanka Sivayesunesan, S.; Priyanath, H.M.S.; Ramasamy, R. Ethnic conflict is mostly depicted as detrimental, deteriorating mutual understanding, leading to deep-rooted divisions among the members of multi-ethnic communities. Meanwhile, scholars highlighted its potential to promote Cognitive Social Capital (CSC). Therefore, the study attempts to test empirically the effect of conflicts on CSC of multi-ethnic communities in the post-conflict Sri Lanka using a mixed method. Quantitative data was collected from 400 participants through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Simultaneously, qualitative data was gathered using six (6) in-depth interviews and thematic analysis was used to analyze those data. The quantitative results disclosed that emotional, cognitive and cultural dimensions of conflict substantially affect the increase of CSC. On the other hand, there was a considerable negative effect of behavioral conflict on CSC, while no such influence was shown by structural conflict on CSC. Qualitative results highlight that conflict improves mutual understanding, multicultural learning, cultural integrity. Further, conflict plays key role as a driver for democratic engagement and societal transformation by gaining experience of social history. Thus, the study empirically confirmed that the conflicts increase the CSC among the multi-ethnic communities in the post-conflict in Sri Lanka. 2026-01-26T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/5278 Sensitivity of Water and Hygiene among Women in Slum Communities of Sri Lanka Rifka, F. M. T.; Gunasekara, S. Access to safe and adequate water, sanitation and hygine (WASH) is a fundamental human right, critical to health and well-being. Despite Sri Lanka’s abundant water resources, marginalized urban slum communities in Colombo continue to experience severe deficiencies in WASH services, disproportionately affecting women due to gendered social roles and intersecting vulnerabilities. This study investigates the challenges faced by women in 18 slums across the six Colombo wards, examining their access to water and sanitation facilities, health implications and coping strategies. This desk review was undertaken by using a comprehensive review of secondary data, policy documents and scholarly literature, the analysis applies the Human Rights Framework, Feminist Political Ecology and Intersectionality theory to understand the systemic and socio-cultural factors shaping WASH inequities. Findings reveal that inadequate infrastructure, fragmented governance, socio-legal marginalization and patriarchal norms compound women’s struggles, leading to compromised health, dignity and agency. The study highlights women’s resilience through community initiatives but underscores the urgent need for gender-responsive, inclusive policies that guarantee WASH rights and integrate women’s voices in urban planning. The paper concludes with policy recommendations aimed at securing legal tenure, expanding infrastructure, institutionalizing women’s participation and mainstreaming the menstrual hygiene management in national sanitation strategies. This research contributes to the discourse on urban environmental justice and gender equity in developing countries, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing WASH disparities in the rapidly urbanizing contexts. 2026-01-26T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/5277 The Evolution of Constitutional Provisions for Human Rights in Sri Lanka: Rhetoric Vs. Reality Gunasekera, A. S. A.; Rajapakshe, R. D. P. S. This article examines the guarantees of human rights in the constitution of Sri Lanka and the enduring gap between law and practice. Tracing developments from the Soulbury Constitution of 1947 to the present, the study finds that successive constitutions have added provisions on human rights but these protections are weak in enforcement. Through a qualitative approach involving constitutional analysis and legal commentary, the research identifies key constitutional milestones and examines whether they are effective. Findings indicate that despite judicial intervention, political influence, ethno-nationalist pressures, and institutionally weak countries have hindered enforcement. By way of comparison, global practices such as India's public interest litigation and South Africa's constitutionalism of socio-economic rights highlight robust enforcement processes. The article concludes that Sri Lanka's implementation deficit can be filled with judicial independence, constitutional reform, and institutional strengthening in order to align de jure guarantees with de facto realities. 2026-01-26T00:00:00Z