RESCON 2020 Proceedings
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POSTGRADUATE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA SRI LANKA PGIS RESEARCH CONGRESS 2020 PROCEEDINGS 26th - 28th November 2020 Copyright © 2020 by Postgraduate Institute of Science All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, and transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher. ISBN 978-955-8787-10-6 Published by Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS) University of Peradeniya Peradeniya 20400 SRI LANKA Printed by Sanduni Offset Printers (Pvt) Ltd, 1/4, Sarasavi Uyana Goodshed Road, Sarasavi Uyana, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka Printed in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Director, Postgraduate Institute of Science ....................................... v Message from the Congress Chairperson ..................................................................... vii Message from the Editor-in-Chief .................................................................................ix Message from the Chief Guest .......................................................................................xi Editorial Board ............................................................................................................ xiii Academic Coordinators of the Virtual Technical Sessions .........................................xiv A Brief Biography of the Keynote Speaker .................................................................. xv List of Abstracts ......................................................................................................... xvii Abstracts Theme I Earth and Environmental Sciences ............................................................... 1 Theme II ICT, Mathematics and Statistics .................................................................. 55 Theme III Life Sciences ............................................................................................ 117 Theme IV Physical Sciences ..................................................................................... 181 Theme V Science Education ..................................................................................... 221 PGIS Research Congress Organizing Committee ....................................................... 233 Author Index ............................................................................................................... 237 Sponsors ...................................................................................................................... 244 iii iv PGIS Research Congress 2020 Message from the Director, Postgraduate Institute of Science The Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya, which was established in the year 1996, is a National Institute dedicated for Postgraduate Teaching and Research in many scientific and related disciplines. The vision of our Institute is to be a leader in sciences in the region and the world, and in fact, we have been leading in research, teaching and collaborative projects. The PGIS has made an admirable progress during the past two decades under eleven Boards of Study, catering to several thousands of postgraduate students drawn from almost all universities of Sri Lanka and many other universities abroad. The teaching staff of the PGIS comprises of distinguished academics and renowned researchers of Sri Lankan universities and other institutes. Their dedicated services have enabled the production of nationally and internationally recognized scientists through various postgraduate programmes, which have been specifically designed for advancing new knowledge and innovation in both theory and practices of sciences. The PGIS organizes and conducts many national and international symposia as well as numerous workshops and short courses. The annual research congress (RESCON) is such a main event of the PGIS which provides a platform for postgraduate research students and senior scientists to highlight their findings, interact and exchange ideas with leading Sri Lankan and foreign scientists. This is indeed a unique forum provided by the PGIS for its postgraduate research students to expand their scientific knowledge to face challenges in scientific careers. The Organizing Committees of RESCON-2020 have worked hard to produce a high-quality conference, and a pleasing and enjoyable social event. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Organizing Committees, and reviewers who reviewed conference submissions and provided feedback to authors. Over 550 reviewers participated in the review process, working efficiently to meet a very tight conference organization schedule. I have no doubt that the participants will have fruitful discussions and interaction for furthering research in the emerging areas of science although the technical sessions will be held electronically due to the prevailing pandemic situation. Professor H.M.T.G.A. Pitawala Director/Postgraduate Institute of Science v vi PGIS Research Congress 2020 Message from the Congress Chairman The Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya, has organized its 7th Annual Research Congress, RESCON 2020, from 26th to 28th November 2020. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is a great honour and privilege for me to welcome you all to the RESCON 2020. This is a multi- disciplinary congress that provides academics, research scientists, and postgraduate students an excellent opportunity to present their innovative research, scholarly contributions, share new ideas with stimulating discussions on future research trends and exchange information on cutting-edge new technologies. We are honoured to have Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, Chairman, University Grants Commission, as the Chief Guest, and Prof. S.H.P.P. Karunaratne, Senior Professor of Zoology as the keynote speaker. While regretting that the COVID pandemic has prevented our planned congress at PGIS, we are excited about the opportunity presented to us to hold the first ever virtual PGIS RESCON. Holding the virtual congress will be a great opportunity for PGIS to explore ‘New Frontiers in Early Intervention’ as well as using digital and social media during the pandemic to reach a wider audience all across Sri Lanka than previously planned. It is very pleasing to note that 230 research papers, the highest number ever received for a PGIS RESCON, will be presented on five key-themes: Earth and Environmental Science, ICT, Mathematics and Statistics, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Science Education, at 29 virtual technical sessions using four video conferencing rooms over two complete days. RESCON 2020 has brought together a rich diversity of researchers from almost all the state universities, non-state universities, research institutions and industries to share ideas and new perspectives in a wide range of topics. Behind the success of the congress lie the collective and untiring efforts of Prof. H.M.T.G.A. Pitawala, Director/PGIS, Dr. Ashwini Amarasinghe, and Dr. Prasanga Manthilake Co-Secretaries/RESCON 2020, Prof. L.R.K. Perera/Editor-in- Chief, Prof Namal Priyantha/Editor, all Conveners and members of sub-committees and their valuable advices and luminous suggestions. Contributions the reviewers made by thorough and timely reviewing of the papers were very valuable to improve the research presentations, and postgraduate students worked closely with us in planning and organizing the congress. The organizing committee appreciates the honorary service provided by the Session Chairs for all 29 Sessions. Mr. Dilan Chathuranga contributed tremendously since the receipt of applications through CMT system until completion of the proceedings volume. Finally, my deepest appreciation goes to the authors who submitted their outstanding research papers to the RESCON 2020. The Congress would not have materialized without financial support from the University Grant Commission and all the other generous sponsors. I wish that the congress will be highly stimulating, enlightening, and enjoyable to all participants, who will join us through the virtual classroom mode. Prof. G.W.A. Rohan Fernando, Chairman/PGIS RESCON 2020 viii PGIS Research Congress 2020 Message from the Editor-in-Chief It is a pleasure and a privilege to be the Editor-in-Chief of the PGIS Research Congress 2020 and the largest volume of proceedings of the RESOCN PGIS has ever produced during its history. This would not have been possible without the enthusiasm shown by the researchers from all most all state and non-governmental higher educational research institutions around the island who contributed 281 submissions on five thematic areas. Dedication of the Editorial Committee and the efforts of more than 170 reviewers who peer reviewed the submissions, and the Editor, the theme coordinators and many colleagues that tirelessly went through the reviewers’ comments to select 213 submissions for oral presentations and 17 for poster presentations are behind the success story of this proceedings volume. A majority of the authors are postgraduate students and their supervisors affiliated to the PGIS. I am really grateful to the Editor, the Theme Coordinators, the reviewers and all colleagues for their dedication and hard work that stimulated the authors to present the science contained in this volume informative and thought provoking. I also take this opportunity to thank the authors for their positive