http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3283 Books authored and published by the Faculty or a member of the Faculty Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:29:49 GMT 2026-04-15T17:29:49Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3442 Protective function of natural coastal ecosystems against the impact of tsunami: A case study from Medilla to Godawaya in South-eastern Sri Lanka EKANAYAKE, SARATH P.; PERERA, M. SANDUN J; BAMBARADENIYA, CHANNA N. B.; RODRIGO, ROSHAN K.; SAMARAWICKRAMA, V. A. M PRADEEP K.; ASELA, M. D. CHANDANA Tsunami-related environmental impact on the coastal ecosystem from Medilla to Godawaya (27 km) in south-eastern of Sri Lanka were documented through a rapid assessment methodology, with the objective of gathering scientific evidence on more interior landscapes. The methodology. Included the study of qualitative ecological parameters and quantitative analysis of structural damage to trees and modification of ground features in sites just behind the narrow strip of land facing the sea. Once the beach front features were correlated with above damage scores, it was observed that mature and intact sand dunes have functioned as an effective barrier against the tsunami wawes, thereby protecting inland ecosystem and human settlements. Intact and broad stands of mangrove and Pandarus vegetation have also served as a frontline defence by absorbing the wave energy of Tsunami. Coastal wetlands, including mangrove swamps, salt marshes. Broad estuaries and lagoons also have diffused the destructive power of sea- water and sediments brought in by the tsunami waves, thereby protecting managed landscapes such as paddy fields and settlements. In additions, it was noted that coral reefs, rocky beaches and sandstone reefs have reduced the energy of incoming waves. Moreover, it was observed that tsunami waves have penetrated inland with a greater force in areas where natural sand dunes have been exploited and /or converted into managed landscape such as Coconut plantations and home gardens. Areas, where nearby coral reefs have mined or destroyed by previous bottom set netting. Were also considerably damaged by tsunami waves. Hence, the presence of healthy natural ecosystem components in coastal belt assist in minimizing tsunami impacts considerably. Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3442 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3412 The effect of relaxation and concentration on the performance of archers in Sri Lanka Army Wickramanayake, W.M.W.A.B.; Perera, S.J.; Hapuarachchi, H.A.C.S.; Wickramasinghe, H.R. Archery is a mental sport, requiring high levels of attention and physical/mental relaxation. Nevertheless, our initial questionnaire survey established the fact that the status of knowledge on relaxation and concentration techniques was minimal among the study population. Present study was hence conducted to find the effect of relaxation and concentration on the performance of archers in Sri Lanka Army archery pool, using a “Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design”. An eight-week relaxation and concentration training was provided as the treatment for the experimental group consisting seven male and five female archers while the control group consisted two males and two females. Eight techniques were used in the training: breath-control and progressive relaxation for somatic relaxation; meditation for cognitive relaxation; over learn skill, imagery, non-judgmental thinking, self-talk and eye control for concentration. Pulse was assessed to find the effectiveness of relaxation. Pulse rates between the pretest and posttest showed a significant difference soon before shooting (p=0.071) as well as soon after shooting (p=0.005), indicating an increased relaxation. But when the experimental and control groups were compared at the posttest, before and after shooting the difference between pulse rates was not significant (p=0.833 and 0.651), indicating the treatment has not been responsible for increased relaxation. Although, there was no significant difference, when experimental and control group performances were compared at the posttest (p=0.1815), there was a significant difference between the performance of experimental group archers between the pretest and posttest (p=0.033). Therefore, although the relaxation has not found to be effective during this trial (compared to a small control group), it could be argued that the concentration techniques might have affected the improved performance in the experimental group. To receive more conclusive results a similar but more intense study is recommended with an extended treatment period and with larger sample sizes for both experimental and control groups, following this preliminary but pioneering study in Sri Lanka. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3412 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3411 Sustainable of extraction of non-timber forest products (NTFP) in Dipterocarp-dominant lowland rain forests – a case study in southwestern lowland rain forest in Sri Lanka Ekanayake, Sarath; Angammana, Dithya; Fernando, Suranjan; Samarawickrama, Pradeep; Perera, Naalin; Perera, Sandun A study was carried out in Sri Lankan southwestern lowland tropical rain forests to obtain background information to support decision-making in sustainable extraction of NTFP. The research sites were located in the Dipterocarp-dominant forests within Kanneliya and Sinharaja protected areas, where 36 plots of 10mx10m were surveyed with the objectives of documenting NTFP site data, high-priority species, abundance, pattern of distribution, seasonality, available harvestable quantities, manpower requirements for harvesting, activity timing, cost associated with operations and cash incomes. Field data were gathered in collaboration with the local communities and hence, the results are heavily based on community perception, observation and inference. The results showed that the most important NTFP species (19) are Enicosanthus accuminata, Ochlandra stridula, Garcinia quaesita, Dipterocarpus glandulosus, Doona venulosa, Hopea discolor, Hopea jucunda, Shorea congestiflora , Shorea sp., Cinnamomum multiflora, Cinnamomum verum , Coscinium feneatratum, Calamus digitatus, Calamus ovoides, Calamus pseudotenuis , Calamus radiatus, Calamus thwaitesii, Caryota urens and Pandanus ceylanicus. Density of priority NTFP species, which are harvestable individuals, ranged from 11 per ha to 242 per ha. On average cash income from NTFP, harvested in conservative manner, was Rs.7132 (USD 72) per ha per year with an input of manpower worth Rs.2000.00 (USD 21) per ha per year in 2004. January and December were identified as the peak NTFP harvesting months. For ecological and economic sustainability of the NTFP extractions in those forests, more action oriented research are required to shed light on the biological safe limits of NTFP extraction, low impact harvesting techniques, best harvesting time for different species, domestication of NTFP species and marketing of NTFP Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3411 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3395 A rapid assessment of post-tsunami environmental dynamics in relation to coastal zone rehabilitation and development activities in the Hambantota district of southern Sri Lanka Bambaradeniya, Channa; Perera, Sandun; Samarawickrema, Pradeep Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/3395 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z