Browsing by Author "Weerasinghe, A"

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Construction of a multilingual place name database for Sri Lanka
(1999) Weerasinghe, A; Dias, G
Although the national languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, due to the fact that most of the computer systems operate in English, almost all the databases in Sri Lanka have been implemented in English. This paper discusses the necessity for such computer systems to have the ability to capture the input in any of the three languages Sinhala, Tamil or English and to output them in the user-preferred language. This paper mainly focuses on the possibility of converting names of areas (which includes cities, towns and villages) between Sinhala and English. It also examines the different conventions adopted by the people, in using names of areas in these two languages. This paper also discusses the suitability of a phonetic representation for names of areas, based on an analysis of the areas in Post Code Directory of Sri Lanka.
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CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTILINGUAL PLACE NAME DATABASE FOR SRI LANKA
Weerasinghe, A; Dias, G
Although the national languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, due to the fact that most of the computer systems operate in English, almost all the databases in Sri Lanka have been implemented in English. This paper discusses the necessity for such computer systems to have the ability to capture the input in any of the three languages Sinhala, Tamil or English and to output them in the user-preferred language.
item: Conference-Abstract
Fashion as a resistance method for the Afro-Sri Lanka community
(Department of Integrated Design, Faculty of Architecture, University of Moratuwa., 2024) Perera, S; Weerasinghe, A; Samarawickrama, S
This research investigates Afro Sri Lankan fashion as a dynamic medium of resistance and cultural identity. Through an ethnographic approach, the study delves into the Afro Sri Lankan community’s unique fashion practices, focusing on six participants residing in Sirambiadiya, Puttalam. Drawing from primary data collected through in-depth interviews and participant observations, the research contextualizes Afro Sri Lankan fashion within its historical roots in slavery and colonialism, examining how the community has preserved its cultural traditions and adapted them to contemporary contexts. Secondary data from literature on Afro Sri Lankan history, cultural diversity, and cross-cultural perspectives on fashion persistence further inform the analysis. The findings reveal that Afro Sri Lankan fashion, deeply intertwined with African, Portuguese, and Sri Lankan influences, serves as a vital expression of cultural identity. The community employs vibrant colors, intricate fabrics, and stylistic adaptations that reflect their diasporic heritage and social resilience. Traditional attires like sarongs and blouses, as well as performance outfits for Manja dances, are central to their sartorial expressions. Fashion acts as a tool for preserving cultural practices, transmitting ancestral knowledge, and resisting cultural assimilation. The community's engagement with African-inspired designs, such as large hoop earrings and head wraps, reflects an ongoing diasporic connection while emphasizing their distinctiveness within the Sri Lankan cultural fabric. The research identifies key determinants influencing Afro Sri Lankan fashion, including cultural values, group discussions, economic challenges, and diasporic connections. Vibrant color palettes and cotton fabrics are predominant preferences, often constrained by limited purchasing power and access to high-quality materials. Creative interpretations of attire demonstrate the community’s adaptability and resourcefulness, ensuring that cultural heritage remains relevant in modern contexts. Challenges such as limited resource availability, cultural suppression, and economic hardships highlight the vulnerabilities faced by the community, further underscoring the significance of their fashion practices as acts of resistance and identity assertion. The study sheds light on the critical role of oral traditions and cultural inheritance in sustaining Afro Sri Lankan identity through fashion. Generational storytelling and community-driven initiatives, such as proposed cultural preservation projects, are pivotal in combating cultural erosion. The Afro Sri Lankan community’s fashion practices not only reflect their resilience but also serve as a counter-narrative to historical marginalization, providing a platform for self-expression and cultural reclamation. The research contributes to the broader understanding of fashion as a sociocultural tool for marginalized communities to assert their identity and resist cultural erasure. By documenting Afro Sri Lankan fashion practices, this study emphasizes the need for preserving cultural diversity within Sri Lanka while offering insights for designers, policymakers, and cultural practitioners. Future research could extend to other Afro diasporic communities, exploring shared narratives of resistance and identity through fashion.
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THE LOOPHOLES OF EVACUATION PROCESS IN THE SRI LANKAN HEALTHCARE SECTOR
(2016-09-06) Ramachandra, T; Weerasinghe, A
Healthcare facilities are traditionally seen as places of sanctuary and safety by the general public. The fire hazard is one of the challenges faced by any healthcare organization. Therefore, in order to save lives and reduce injuries, well-designed evacuation process is significant. Thus, this research investigates the loopholes of the evacuation process in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector which, would be helped to improve the evacuation process in hospital buildings in Sri Lanka near future. The research study was initiated with a comprehensive literature review and subsequently adopted a qualitative research approach to investigate the research phenomena. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fire safety professionals to investigate the requirements and parameters of the evacuation process and the loopholes of fire evacuation process in Sri Lankan healthcare sector. The collected data was analysed through content analysis by manual. The research findings revealed that the fire safety door, evacuation assembly point, compartmentation, fire detection and alarm system and closings of high risk rooms’ doors are engaged with some loopholes which need to be improved. Loopholes contributing to evacuation process are; inadequate space in assembly points, lack of inspection by fire wardens etc. The research therefore suggests that regular maintenance, involvement of space planner from the initial construction stage, conducting training programs to staffs including managerial level, would help to improve the existing evacuation process in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector.
item: Conference-Full-text
The loopholes of evacuation process in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2016-07) Ramachandra, T; Weerasinghe, A; Sandanayake, YG; Karunasena, GI; Ramachandra, T
Healthcare facilities are traditionally seen as places of sanctuary and safety by the general public. The fire hazard is one of the challenges faced by any healthcare organization. Therefore, in order to save lives and reduce injuries, well-designed evacuation process is significant. Thus, this research investigates the loopholes of the evacuation process in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector which, would be helped to improve the evacuation process in hospital buildings in Sri Lanka near future. The research study was initiated with a comprehensive literature review and subsequently adopted a qualitative research approach to investigate the research phenomena. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fire safety professionals to investigate the requirements and parameters of the evacuation process and the loopholes of fire evacuation process in Sri Lankan healthcare sector. The collected data was analysed through content analysis by manual. The research findings revealed that the fire safety door, evacuation assembly point, compartmentation, fire detection and alarm system and closings of high risk rooms’ doors are engaged with some loopholes which need to be improved. Loopholes contributing to evacuation process are; inadequate space in assembly points, lack of inspection by fire wardens etc. The research therefore suggests that regular maintenance, involvement of space planner from the initial construction stage, conducting training programs to staffs including managerial level, would help to improve the existing evacuation process in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector.