Annual Research Symposium 2015

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Annual Research Symposium 2015 UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO ANNUAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM 2015 University of Colombo, Sri Lanka Annual Research Symposium 2015 PROCEEDINGS 26th to 30th October, 2015 Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, University of Colombo, October, 2015 Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2015 The material in this publication has been supplied by the authors through the Faculty Representatives, as the final approved document. Neither the University of Colombo nor the Editorial Committee is responsible for any material produced in this publication. Copyright © University of Colombo, Sri Lanka October, 2015. ISSN 2386-1916 2 Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, University of Colombo, October, 2015 OUR MOTTO Wisdom Enlightens OUR VISION A Centre of Excellence in a Knowledge Society OUR MISSION To be a benchmark setter in disseminating, creating, and applying multi- disciplinary knowledge in the global presence, producing human talents of high quality, while upholding national values. 3 Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, University of Colombo, October, 2015 Organising Committee Symposium Committee Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sampath Seneviratne, Chairperson Dr. Ranjan Hettiarachchi, Rector, Sri Palee Campus Prof. Athula Ranasinghe, Dean, Faculty of Arts Prof. W. Chandradasa, Dean, Faculty of Education Prof. Sunil Chandrasiri, Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies Ms. Indira Nanayakkara, Dean, Faculty of Law Dr. R. Senathirajah, Dean, Faculty of Management and Finance. Prof. Jennifer Perera, Dean, Faculty of Medicine Prof. K.R.R. Mahanama, Dean, Faculty of Science Mr. K.A.S. Edward, Registrar Mr. S.M.S.S. Nagahapitiya, Acting Bursar Mr. T. Prabaharan, Deputy Registrar Mr. Damitha Ratnayake, Acting AR, Academic & Publications Editorial Committee Dr. R.D. Guneratne, Chair. Prof. Neloufer de Mel, Faculty of Arts Prof. Marie Perera, Faculty of Education Dr. Kokila Konasinghe, Faculty of Graduate Studies Dr. Sudheera Ranwala, Faculty of Graduate Studies Ms. Naazima Kamardeen, Faculty of Law Ms. U.K.M.I. Udunuwara, Faculty of Management and Finance Dr. Dilshani Dissanayake, Faculty of Medicine Dr. Gayani Galhena, Faculty of Science Dr. Dharmakeerthi Sri Ranjan, Sri Palee Campus Information and Publicity Committee Dr. Hiran Jayaweera, Chair Mr. Sajith Peiris Prof. D.U.J. Sonnadara Ms. Kumudu Seneviratne Dr. Aashani Tilakaratne Ms. Samanthi Millawithanarachchi Food and Refreshments Committee Dr. NirmalieWijayagunawardana, Chair Ms. Jeevani Herath Prof. Deepika Fernando Dr. Kumudika Boyagoda Inauguration Committee Dr. Nirmali Pallewatte, Chair Dr. Mayuri Wijesinghe Ms. Upadie Liyanage Dr. Jivendra Wickramasinghe Prof. J.A.S.K. Jayakody Mr. M.A.M. Hakeem Dr. Sudarshani Wasalathanthri Dr. Lakshman Wedikkarage Dr. Tudor Weerasinghe Mr. W.A.S. Dishanka Dr. Chandana Aluthge Mr. Rajistha Seneviratne Dr. Dilrukshi Abeysinghe Dr. Sarath Widanagama Dr. Shrinika Weerakoon Ms. Sajeewani Somaratne Dr. Dilushan Jayasundara Ms. Kalpana Manatunga 4 Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, University of Colombo, October, 2015 CONTENTS Message from the Vice-Chancellor 6 Message from the Chairman, Symposium Committee 7 Address by the Keynote Speaker 8 Message from the Dean, Faculty of Arts 9 FACULTY SESSIONS Faculty of Education 11 Message from the Dean, Faculty of Education 12 List of Abstracts 13 Faculty of Graduate Studies 27 Message from the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies 28 List of Abstracts 29 Faculty of Law 37 Message from the Dean, Faculty of Law 38 List of Abstracts 39 Faculty of Management and Finance 57 Message from the Dean, Faculty of Management and Finance 58 List of Abstracts 59 Faculty of Medicine 63 Message from the Dean, Faculty of Medicine 64 List of Abstracts 66 Faculty of Science 103 Message from the Dean, Faculty of Science 104 List of Abstracts 105 Sri Palee Campus 143 Message from the Rector 144 List of Abstracts 145 5 Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, University of Colombo, October, 2015 Message from the Vice-Chancellor It is indeed a pleasure to issue this brief message on the occasion of the Annual Research Symposium - 2015 of the University of Colombo. Knowledge creation and dissemination of new knowledge have become key words in the present day context of University education. The word “education” can have many meanings, but it has become something which is taught or learned by referring to available knowledge. The role played by higher educational institutions vastly differ from the traditional mode of delivering education, since seats of higher learning are the places where new knowledge is created in various disciplines. In other words we call them research & development. There cannot be any new knowledge without empirical research derived through critical inquiry. In spite of many developments in Research & Development, I am of the view that we Sri Lankans have not reached the heights that we are capable of scaling, up to this date. Therefore, the Universities should promote research and encourage more innovations that would leave a lasting impression in our society. Symposia of this nature make way for our teachers and students to transform their innovative ideas into scholarly work. It also helps the University to organize a gathering of similar minded scholars to meet each other and present their work, indulge in discussions and get necessary feedback. The Annual Research Symposium of the University of Colombo has now become a regular feature in the University calendar and the interest shown by our academics and students in this year's research symposium has shown us that they are keen on venturing ahead in their chosen areas of research. I would like to extend my best wishes to the organizers of the symposium, including its chairman Dr. Sampath Senevirathne, the presenters and the participants. I wish the Annual Research Symposium 2015 of the University of Colombo all success. Professor Lakshman Dissanayake Vice Chancellor 6 Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, University of Colombo, October, 2015 Message from the Chairman, Symposium Committee On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I warmly welcome and embrace the research community and the invited delegates for the inauguration session and the technical sessions of the Annual Research Symposium of the University of Colombo, 2015. This is the premier and flagship gathering of one of the finest and longest traditions of academic interactions in the country, spanning across eight broad disciplines representing education, fine arts, humanities, law, management, medicine and sciences. Annual research symposium provides a platform to exchange ideas, discover novel opportunities and partnerships, reacquaint with colleagues across faculties, and broaden the knowledge. This year the symposium is held from 25th to 30th October at the University of Colombo. In order to provide an inclusive platform for diverse research ideas, the organizing committee this year decided not to have an overall theme for the symposium. To represent the diversity within its community of freethinkers, each faculty, however came up with their own theme, which enhanced the colour and character of the symposium. About 120 abstracts represent this year’s symposium. All these abstracts underwent double-blinded peer review under the careful supervision of the editorial committee. I am pleased to have His Excellency Mr. Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka as our Chief Guest and Professor Anthony Anghie, Professor of Law at the University of Utah, as the keynote speaker for this year’s symposium. I am sure that their vast experience at both regional and global levels will enrich our understanding of global governance and networking. I wish the very best and success to all the authors, especially the postgraduate students of this year’s research symposium, who, with their tireless research work of today, will lead the society of tomorrow. The real challenge and responsibility upon us is now to bring this knowledge to where it matters – to the policymakers and general public at large. Dr. Sampath S. Seneviratne Conference Chair – Annual Research Symposium 2015 University of Colombo 7 Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium, University of Colombo, October, 2015 Address by Keynote Speaker Sovereignty and the challenges of global governance: A sketch of three regimes Tony Anghie S.J. Quinney School of Law, University of Utah It is a commonplace to say we are living in a `globalized world’. Our sense of identity, of who we are, has been transformed by the perception that we inhabit not only a national but global space. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Education web-site, for instance, speaks of training students to be `competent citizens’ while achieving excellence in `global society’. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Higher Education proclaims as its goals the ambition to make Sri Lanka a regional knowledge hub. If the space of the `global’ has assumed this immense significance, the question then arises. What are the rules that govern this space-the rules of `global governance’? Who makes these rules? What are the politics of rule making? If politics in the national sphere provides us with a model of how rule-makers can be held to be representative or accountable, what are the politics which apply in the realm of `global governance’? Classically, states create rules-international law-to govern the globe. The intensification of globalization however, has complicated this framework. New actors have emerged, wielding immense power
Recommended publications
  • Discourses of Ethno-Nationalism and Religious Fundamentalism
    DISCOURSES OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM AND RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM SRI LANKAN DISCOURSES OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM AND RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM By MYRA SIVALOGANATHAN, B.A. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts McMaster University © Copyright by Myra Sivaloganathan, June 2017 M.A. Thesis – Myra Sivaloganathan; McMaster University – Religious Studies. McMaster University MASTER OF ARTS (2017) Hamilton, Ontario (Religious Studies) TITLE: Sri Lankan Discourses of Ethno-Nationalism and Religious Fundamentalism AUTHOR: Myra Sivaloganathan, B.A. (McGill University) SUPERVISOR: Dr. Mark Rowe NUMBER OF PAGES: v, 91 ii M.A. Thesis – Myra Sivaloganathan; McMaster University – Religious Studies. Abstract In this thesis, I argue that discourses of victimhood, victory, and xenophobia underpin both Sinhalese and Tamil nationalist and religious fundamentalist movements. Ethnic discourse has allowed citizens to affirm collective ideals in the face of disparate experiences, reclaim power and autonomy in contexts of fundamental instability, but has also deepened ethnic divides in the post-war era. In the first chapter, I argue that mutually exclusive narratives of victimhood lie at the root of ethnic solitudes, and provide barriers to mechanisms of transitional justice and memorialization. The second chapter includes an analysis of the politicization of mythic figures and events from the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahāvaṃsa in nationalist discourses of victory, supremacy, and legacy. Finally, in the third chapter, I explore the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) rhetoric and symbolism, and contend that a xenophobic discourse of terrorism has been imposed and transferred from Tamil to Muslim minorities. Ultimately, these discourses prevent Sri Lankans from embracing a multi-ethnic and multi- religious nationality, and hinder efforts at transitional justice.
    [Show full text]
  • Strategic Plan 2017-2020 Election Commission of Sri Lanka 2017-2020
    STRATEGIC PLAN STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2020 ELECTION COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA 2017-2020 Department of Government Printing STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2020 Election Commission of Sri Lanka Participatory Strategic Plan (PSP) of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka for 2017-2020 “Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives... The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will, shall be expressed in periodic ndenineeetinieniendeend shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.” Article 21, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 Participatory Strategic Plan (PSP) Election Commission of Sri Lanka 2017-2020 I Foreword By the Chairman and the Members of the Commission Mahinda Deshapriya N. J. Abeysekere, PC Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole Chairman Member Member The Soulbury Commission was appointed in 1944 by the British Government in response to strong inteeneeinetefittetetenteineentte population in the governance of the Island, to make recommendations for constitutional reform. The Soulbury Commission recommended, interalia, legislation to provide for the registration of voters and for the conduct of Parliamentary elections, and the Ceylon (Parliamentary Election) Order of the Council, 1946 was enacted on 26th September 1946. The Local Authorities Elections Ordinance was introduced in 1946 to provide for the conduct of elections to Local bodies. The Department of Parliamentary Elections functioned under a Commissioner to register voters and to conduct Parliamentary elections and the Department of Local Government Elections functioned under a Commissioner to conduct Local Government elections. The “Department of Elections” was established on 01st of October 1955 amalgamating the Department of Parliamentary Elections and the Department of Local Government Elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Corporate Plan 2011-2015 TABLE of CONTENTS
    Corporate Plan University of Colombo Sri Lanka 2011-2015 Page | 1 Corporate Plan 2011-2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword.................................................................................. 03 Introduction …………………………………………………….. 04 Vision and Mission statements………………………………….. 05 Our values………………………………………………………..... 06 Historical perspective…………………………………………...... 07 The University today……………………………………………… 09 Operational definition…………………………………………...... 17 Our Corporate Structure…………………………………………. 19 SWOT analysis and thrust areas……………………………...... 26 Our Goals………………………………………………………….. 36 Goals, Objectives & Strategies………………………………...... 37 Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Activities, with budget……. 43 Activities with performance indicators and target date ……….. 75 Financial plan……………………………………………………… 117 Page | 2 FOREWORD Corporate Plan 2011-2015 The first ever Corporate Plan for the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka was prepared for the period 2001-2005 under the leadership of Professor Savitri Goonesekere, the then Vice- Chancellor of the University under the guidance of Mr S A C M Zuhyle, the then Director/ Planning of the University Grants Commission. The Goals and Objectives envisaged in the Corporate Plan could not be fully achieved due to the financial and other constraints faced during the period. The second Corporate Plan for the period 2006-2010 was prepared with the participation of Senior Academic Administrators, Senior Academics and the Senior Administrative and Financial Officers under the guidance of the Management Frontiers (Pvt) Ltd., a firm of consultants. This Plan together with its activities and implementation plan was constantly reviewed based on the activities undertaken. This constant review had led to the revision of the Corporate Plan. From the time I took over the Office of the Vice-Chancellor in January 2008, the Rector, Deans, Directors, Heads of Academic Departments and Senior Administrative and Financial Officers periodically met and evaluated the Goals, Objectives and targets achieved.
    [Show full text]
  • Reforming Sri Lankan Presidentialism: Provenance, Problems and Prospects Volume 2
    Reforming Sri Lankan Presidentialism: Provenance, Problems and Prospects Edited by Asanga Welikala Volume 2 18 Failure of Quasi-Gaullist Presidentialism in Sri Lanka Suri Ratnapala Constitutional Choices Sri Lanka’s Constitution combines a presidential system selectively borrowed from the Gaullist Constitution of France with a system of proportional representation in Parliament. The scheme of proportional representation replaced the ‘first past the post’ elections of the independence constitution and of the first republican constitution of 1972. It is strongly favoured by minority parties and several minor parties that owe their very existence to proportional representation. The elective executive presidency, at least initially, enjoyed substantial minority support as the president is directly elected by a national electorate, making it hard for a candidate to win without minority support. (Sri Lanka’s ethnic minorities constitute about 25 per cent of the population.) However, there is a growing national consensus that the quasi-Gaullist experiment has failed. All major political parties have called for its replacement while in opposition although in government, they are invariably seduced to silence by the fruits of office. Assuming that there is political will and ability to change the system, what alternative model should the nation embrace? Constitutions of nations in the modern era tend fall into four categories. 1.! Various forms of authoritarian government. These include absolute monarchies (emirates and sultanates of the Islamic world), personal dictatorships, oligarchies, theocracies (Iran) and single party rule (remaining real or nominal communist states). 2.! Parliamentary government based on the Westminster system with a largely ceremonial constitutional monarch or president. Most Western European countries, India, Japan, Israel and many former British colonies have this model with local variations.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender, Lineage, and Localization in Sri Lanka's
    GLOBAL NETWORKS, LOCAL ASPIRATIONS: GENDER, LINEAGE, AND LOCALIZATION IN SRI LANKA’S BHIKKHUNĪ ORDINATION DISPUTE by TYLER A. LEHRER B.A., California State University, Sacramento, 2013 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Religious Studies 2016 This thesis entitled: Global Networks, Local Aspirations: Gender, Lineage, and Localization in Sri Lanka’s Bhikkhunī Ordination Dispute written by Tyler A. Lehrer has been approved for the Department of Religious Studies ________________________________________________________ Dr. Holly Gayley, Committee Chair Assistant Professor, Religious Studies ________________________________________________________ Dr. Deborah Whitehead Associate Professor, Religious Studies ________________________________________________________ Dr. Carla Jones Associate Professor, Anthropology Date _____________________ The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in religious studies. IRB protocol #: 15-0563 iii Lehrer, Tyler A. (M.A., Religious Studies) Global Networks, Local Aspirations: Gender, Lineage, and Localization in Sri Lanka’s Bhikkhunī Ordination Dispute Thesis directed by Assistant Professor Dr. Holly Gayley This thesis investigates many of the figures and events that have made full ordinations of Buddhist nuns (bhikkhunīs) both possible and contested
    [Show full text]
  • Democratic Accountability in South Asia
    Democratic Accountability in Local Governance: Experiences from South Asia Democratic Accountability in Local Governance Institutions Experiences from South Asia PRIA Global Partnership 42 Tughlakabad Institutional Area New Delhi – 110062 www.pria.org PRIA Global Partnership Democratic Accountability in Local Governance: Experiences from South Asia Copyright©PRIA, 2011 Readers are welcome to reproduce, free of charge, materials published in this document. We request clear acknowledgement of PRIA Global Partnership (PGP). PRIA Global Partnership i Democratic Accountability in Local Governance: Experiences from South Asia As the countries in South Asia embark upon decentralisation and strengthening of local governance institutions, it is imperative that the accountability mechanisms for these institutions are established, made functional and institutionalised. However, there have been a general dissatisfaction and disappointments with the institutional accountability mechanisms, as they could hardly ensure downward accountability of the local governance institutions to the citizens at large and to the poor and the marginalised in particular. Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and various citizen associations, in the last decade, have come forward not only to demand accountability from these institutions but also innovated a variety of mechanism to hold the elected local governments accountable within the framework of participatory democracy. Such approaches, mechanisms and tools fall under the broad rubric of social accountability. In many South Asian countries, the use of such social accountability mechanisms by the citizens are changing the nature of relationship between the state and the citizen, thereby fostering a new way of looking at citizenship. The current study was undertaken with a view to analyse such experiences from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka so that the lessons could be shared with a range of practitioners and policy makers.
    [Show full text]
  • Aéd Øãbì >Tµ \Âï¹[ Åïì¡Ï^ ~Wý >Twì ¸«ßeçª Y« Ka Kzâz\V?
    www.tamilarangam.net je;JjtpatH: jkpo; jfty; eLtk; ö£¨µÁ› 2010 uªÌ uPÁÀ |kÁzvß ©õuõ¢u öÁαk CuÌ16 LÚjÕdL[m 2 ö\´ÂøÚ ö\´Áõß ö\¯À•øÓ AÆÂøÚ EÒÍÔÁõß EÒÍ® öPõÍÀ. (SÓÒ 677) ÄJïÝ J¸ ö\¯ø»a ö\´¯ {øÚ¨£Áß AuøÚa ö\´ÁuØPõÚ ÁÈ•øÓPøͲ®, Auß >ïk_ EÒ ~m£[PøͲ® AÁØøÓ AÔ¢u 7 vÓø©\õ¼PÎh® ÷PmhÔ¢x öPõÒÍÀ Öçð©A ÷Ásk®. One who undertakes a task should find out from ßöˆ îIö˜ eî£ù The Peoples and Cultures the experts, the method and the intricate knowledge needed to carry out the task. ÞùÜNŠ¹ˆ F†ìˆ¬î of Prehistoric Sri Lanka 4 THE MEGALITHIC CULTURE 13 GÁˆ¶õ¶ ò£˜? 15 OF ANCIENT SRI LANKA AéD ØÃBì >tµ \Âï¹[ åïì¡ï^ ~wÝ >twì ¸«ßEçª y« ka kzÂz\V? fye;J nfhz;L xd;wpizf;fg;gl;l Xu; mzpahf rkfhy murpay; R+oYf;F mika nraw;glj; jPu;khdk; nra;Js;sdh;. cyfj;jkpou; Nguitapd;; Ntiyj; jpl;lq;fshf rpwPyq;fhTf;nfjpuhf nghUsh jhuj; jilia cUthf;FtJ> rpwPyq;fhTf; nfjpuhd tupr;rYiffis epWj;jf;Nfhup murpay; kl;lq;fspy; mOj;jq;fisf; nfhLg;gJ> jhafj;jpy; Nghupdhy; ghjpf;fg;gl;l kf;fSf;Fk;> cWg;Gf;fis ,oe;NjhUf;Fk; cjTjy;> ngw;Nwhu;> cwtpdu;fsplk; ,Ue;J gpupf;fg; gl;l Foe;ijfSf;F cjTjy;> jLj;J itf;fg; gl;bUg;NghUf;F cjTjy;> ehl;by; cs;s kdpjNea mikg;Gf;fSld; xd;wp ize;J nraw;jpl;lq;fis cUthf;Fjy; Mfpait Kd;itf;fg;gl;Ls;sd. Nkw;F ehLfspy; jkpo; Njrpag; Nghuhl;lj;jpw;F kWtbtk; nfhLf;fTk;> jkpo; kf;fspd; chpikfis ntd;nwLf;fTk; Kd; öuõhºa] 6® £UP®..
    [Show full text]
  • Rebuilding Public Trust O
    Rebuilding Public Trust , Rebuilding Public Trust O An Assessment of the Media Industry and Profession :-/ in Sri Lanka This report, produced by a participatory research Rebuil ing process that took over a year, provides a comprehensive assessment of the environment for media sector’s development in Sri Lanka. It is based on UNESCO’s Media Development Indicator (MDI) framework, which looks at the diferent factors which should contribute to media development, including the legal framework, :-) economic conditions, human resource development, O the technological environment and safety, as well as the , ublic Trust actual state of media development in the country. “This Assessment comes at a very timely point for Sri Lanka, given that the country now appears to be embarking on a programme of reform and renewal in the media sector, as evidenced by the recent constitutional and Profession in Sri Lanka Assessment of the Media Industry An An Assessment of the Media Industry and Profession in Sri Lanka amendments to provide for a constitutional guarantee for the right to information. It represents an invaluable tool to help those engaged in media reform to identify priorities and key directions.” - Toby Mendel, Executive Director, Centre for Law and Democracy (Canada) Secretariat for Media Reforms Published by May 2016 Secretariat for Media Reforms, Sri Lanka Supported by International Media Support (IMS), Denmark www.mediasupport.org Key topics: Mass Media, Journalism, Media Regulation, Media Policy Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, Media
    [Show full text]
  • SRI LANKA Presidential Election
    i SRI LANKA Presidential Election 16 November 2019 Contents Letter of Transmittal ........................................................................ iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ............................................... vi Recommendations ..................................................................... vii Chapter 1 ....................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 1 Activities .................................................................................. 2 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................... 3 POLITICAL BACKGROUND .................................................................... 3 2015 Presidential Election ............................................................. 3 19th Amendment to the Constitution ................................................ 3 2015 Parliamentary Election ........................................................... 4 Key developments in the lead up to the 2019 Presidential Election ............. 4 2019 Presidential Election ............................................................. 5 Chapter 3 ....................................................................................... 7 ELECTORAL FRAMEWORK AND ELECTION ADMINISTRATION .......................... 7 Background ............................................................................... 7 The Legal Framework, Regional and
    [Show full text]
  • UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UCLA UCLA Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Intra-Ethnic Electoral Violence in War-Torn, Divided Societies: The Case of Sri Lanka Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/81f4c1v7 Author Shah, Seema Kiran Publication Date 2012 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles Intra-Ethnic Electoral Violence in War-Torn, Divided Societies: The Case of Sri Lanka A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science by Seema Kiran Shah 2012 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Intra-Ethnic Electoral Violence in War-Torn, Divided Societies: The Case of Sri Lanka by Seema Kiran Shah Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science University of California, Los Angeles, 2012 Professor Edmond Keller, Chair What form does electoral violence take in war-torn divided societies, and what explains the variation in this type of violence? Using statistical and historical analyses, this study examines patterns of election-related violence in the war-torn, ethnically divided context of Sri Lanka. This study shows that electoral violence in Sri Lanka is more often the result of inter- party and intra-ethnic competition than it is the result of inter-ethnic rivalries. Since most Sri Lankan districts are ethnically homogeneous and because the Sinhalese constitute the vast majority of the population, most electoral competition occurs between rival Sinhalese parties. Specifically, this dissertation demonstrates the significance of inter-party competition within one ethnic group by showing that there was generally more violence in areas where the vote differences between the top two contenders were smallest, even when both were from the same ethnic group.
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Lanka Parliamentary Elections 2 April 2004
    SRI LANKA PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 2 April 2004 EUROPEAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION FINAL REPORT Table of Contents Executive Summary___________________________________________________ 1 Recommendations____________________________________________________ 3 Legal Issues_____________________________________________________________ 3 Election Administration Issues _____________________________________________ 4 Political Parties Issues ____________________________________________________ 5 Media Issues ____________________________________________________________ 5 Domestic Observers ______________________________________________________ 5 Women’s participation ___________________________________________________ 5 1. Acknowledgments___________________________________________________ 6 2. Objectives of the Final Report_________________________________________ 6 3. Legal Framework___________________________________________________ 7 3.1 The shape of the Institutions ____________________________________________ 7 3.2 The 17th Amendment to the Constitution _________________________________ 7 3.3 The Commissioner of Elections__________________________________________ 7 3.4 The National Police Commission ________________________________________ 8 3.5 The Parliamentary Elections Act ________________________________________ 8 3.6 Electoral System______________________________________________________ 8 4. Pre-Election Phase__________________________________________________ 9 4.1 Political Background __________________________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • The Reality of the Electoral System of Local Authorities in Sri Lanka
    Proceedings of 12th International Research Conference 2019, KDU Local Democracy: The Reality of the Electoral System of Local Authorities in Sri Lanka Selvaraj Puwanitha1 1 Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo # Corresponding author; < [email protected]> Abstract— This study critiques the reality of the overall Introduction. In: Larry Diamond and Marc F.Plattner (eds.) nature, content and scope of the Local Authorities DEMOCRACY: A Reader.Baltimore: the Johns Hopkins university Elections (Amendment) Act no 22 of 2012 and the press, p.XIV). The system followed in electing the representatives and the influence of citizens in the subsequent amendments thereto, in light of the concept of decision-making process in between such elections is the local-level democracy. The quality of democracy at the yardstick to measure the standard of democracy. initiative level depends not only on the strength and the Especially, the quality of democracy at the initiative level coherence of the parties, and the party system but also on depends not only on the strength and the coherence of the the quality of the elections themselves. Therefore, this parties, and the party system but also on the quality of the article aims to analyse the extent to which the provisions elections themselves. (Larry Diamond and Marc of the Act and the system of election complies with the F.Plattner(2009), Introduction. In: Larry Diamond and Marc requirements of democracy. This research is conducted as F.Plattner (eds.) DEMOCRACY: A Reader. Baltimore: the Johns a literature review based on secondary sources using an Hopkins university press, p.XIV).
    [Show full text]