2012 - (Vol. 04, Issue 01)
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/18675
2024-03-29T06:21:21ZThe Key Factors Affecting The Competency In Value Addition To Gem And Jewellery In Sri Lanka
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/18820
The Key Factors Affecting The Competency In Value Addition To Gem And Jewellery In Sri Lanka
Samarasekara, KKGIC; De Silva, TKNP; Dharmaratne, PGR
Gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka plays a vital role contributing immensely to foreign exchange earning to the country’s economy. The industrial value chain begins with gem mining and ends with retailing of jewellery while, several stages are included amid. It is imperative to be discerned that every stage involves trading, resulting export of a larger amount of semi-finished products without adding the premium value which creates lack of competitiveness. Statistical data illustrates a clear disparity in terms of revenue generated through the gem exports as opposed to jewellery exports. Thus, the discrepancy between country’s resource capacity and its level of fabrication has inspired to conduct this research work. The main objective of this study is to explore the key factors which cause the low competency in value addition of gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka. The required data was collected through an extensive literature survey and several face-to-face, in-depth interviews with experts in the gem and jewellery industry. The results of the data analysis concluded that there are six major constraints affecting the low production and exporting of gem set jewellery in Sri Lanka, namely; lack of innovation, lack of technology, lack of market, lack of competent man power, lack of financial resources and lack of integration and long term plans as the main findings of this study.
2013-03-01T00:00:00ZIdentification of Traditional Surface Decoration Techniques in Earthenware Products of Sri Lanka
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/18819
Identification of Traditional Surface Decoration Techniques in Earthenware Products of Sri Lanka
Ranasinghe, WMND; De Silva, N
useful material in the past. Clay was identified as a material to produce culinary utensils and objects. When fired, clay gets hard enough to make durable objects and it adds a value to the product. At the beginning, designs were in primary stage and the only purpose was to fulfil the requirements and functional value, but later on people considered about the aesthetical pleasing value. People came up with decorative effects to enhance the beauty and functionality of the product. Outer appearance or surface decoration gives more value and the first impression about the product. According to the above considerations surface appearance could be identified as an important aspect of a ceramic product. At the beginning, different decorative methods were used to enhance their ideas throughout the ceramic body. They were decorated with social stories and creative designs; it was an explanation media for the society. Pottery is a horizon of the cultural empire and solid item which explains the past. Decoration is the aspect that makes a piece of art more than the utilitarian communicating to the user and contributing to the total appearance. Evolution and variety of decoration methods in Sri Lanka cannot be omitted because it has a great history than contemporary situation. Pinching, Engobing, Engraving, Stamping, Springing, Painting could be identified as traditional decoration methods. They add an aesthetical appearance and a value, giving a meaning and a life to a ceramic product. Studying the surface decoration methods of ceramic ware is a vast area. This research focuses only on the identification of various traditional decorative techniques in low temperature earthenware products in Sri Lanka. Present products have less design qualities compared to traditional clay objects. Even though the consumer expects a design value, the manufacturer pays a less consideration on the aesthetical value of the product; it is a main problem in the current clay ware industry. Because of that people try to use other alternative products to fulfil their needs. But if it has a good design quality they would like to use earthenware products for their day to day needs. The information and data collected using the following methods will be analyzed under several key sections of the research. Primary data will be collected from the primary source by using structured questionnaires and field visit. The questionnaires will be given to people live in urban areas (Colombo & Kandy). The questionnaires mainly focus on the surface decoration methods in present clay vessels. Secondary data will be collected from the previous and existing earthenware vessels, from the books, research journals, research articles, archaeological excavations etc. This research will be an investigation to identify traditional decorative techniques in earthenware products and it will be helpful to re design earthenware clay vessels with aesthetical pleasing and reestablish the creative tradition in the earthenware industry in Sri Lanka.
2013-03-01T00:00:00ZEvolution of Female Costume in Sinhala Tradition
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/18818
Evolution of Female Costume in Sinhala Tradition
Pathirana, H
According to the Oxford English dictionary the meaning of costume denotes ‘the distinctive style of coiffure, jewellery, and apparel of a period, country, class or a group’. Costumes are considered as things that are laid on the human body for beauty, aesthetics and function. Body shape or figure is believed to be the cumulative result of a woman’s skeletal structure and distribution of muscle on the body. The female figure in many cultures has been worshipped as the symbol of fertility and prosperity. The female form is considered as more attractive than its male counterpart. In general female figures are narrower at the waist than at the bust and hip area, and accentuated with long hair that falls along the back. This study intends to identify deeper meanings in costumes that were practiced in local traditions, by mapping out the visible connections between costumes/dress and the social, material, and philosophical aspects of female dress. The research problem is the examination of the principles that have evolved in the history of Sinhalese female costume. In the world of costume design today, it is important to always look back to tradition, for creative inspiration in design. This has been the main objective of the research paper. A wide range of costumes, from the royalty to the commoners can be identified in the Sinhalese culture. This wide range of costumes has evolved to make the female figure a focal point for design and creativity. The traditions of costumes have been subjected to external changes from outside influences. The concepts behind dress design that have evolved from local traditions need to be brought in to focus. For instance, the ancient temple paintings of Sri Lanka depict the life style of a bygone era and in these paintings we come across stories illustrated with people at different events in their various costume and ornament. As such, it is possible to derive the social significance, philosophy of life, customs and beliefs, and design aesthetics of the era from these paintings. Much of the information has been collected by visiting ancient temples in Kandyan region and Southern coastal areas. Line drawings were then prepared from the scanned photographs. The dresses of the royals, variations of the costumes of the commoner, Kandyan villagers costume, costume according to Robert Knox, the occupations related to costumes, costumes of the dancers, costume and its western and Indian influences are some of the sections that will be discussed in this study.
2013-03-01T00:00:00ZUse of Mathematical Modelling for Planning Municipal Solid Waste Collection
http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/18817
Use of Mathematical Modelling for Planning Municipal Solid Waste Collection
Warusavitharana, EJ; Ranasinghe, TKGP
When people hear the term “Solid waste management” they immediately think of recycling. But it is not the aspect that requires the greatest expenditure, or has the greatest impact on the urban environment and public health. It is the “collection” of municipal solid waste that has a significant impact on both municipal expenditure and public health. The decisions pertaining to solid waste collection and transportation are basically based on the perception and experience of drivers and other minor staff working at the municipalities. The optimum utilization of available resources within the municipalities for day to day collection of waste is essential as it makes the biggest demand on the Municipal budget. Therefore the main objective of this research is to develop a mathematical model as a tool for decision making in municipal solid waste collection. This research has utilized two mathematical models known as “Network Analysis” and “Transportation problem method” to achieve the aforementioned objective. The case study of this research is based on the proposed project of implementing three Integrated Resource Recovery Centres (IRRC) in the Matale Municipal Council (MC) to manage the solid waste by means of producing compost and recycling. By applying the two mathematical models, the research has shown the possibility of reducing the daily solid waste collection cost within the Matale MC Area.
2013-03-01T00:00:00Z