http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7002 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:48:29 GMT 2026-04-19T17:48:29Z http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7469 AN INVESTIGATION OF SRI LANKAN BUDDHIST EDUCATION FROM AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE AS A MEANS OF INVESTMENT Kashyapa, Ven. Polonnaruwe; Shivangi, A.K.M. In today’s competitive global economy, knowledge has become a primary factor in national income, with many countries leveraging disciplines such as sociology and humanities as strategic investments. Theravada Buddhism, as an extensive knowledge system in Sri Lanka, holds significant potential as a resource for international investment. This study examines Sri Lankan Buddhist education from an economic perspective and assesses its viability as an investment. The core issue is whether Buddhist higher education institutions in Sri Lanka are sufficiently developed to attract an international audience. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combined qualitative and quantitative data collected from semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with 10 international Buddhist scholars. The collected information was analyzed using thematic and statistical methods. This study evaluates dimensions such as Buddhist education, foreign exchange, income generation, and international collaborations. The findings reveal a decline in enrolment from both local and international students in Sri Lankan Buddhist graduate programs, primarily due to inadequate English-language resources, limited practical application, and insufficient instructional quality. Addressing these challenges requires scholarships and income opportunities for students, strategic international collaboration, and effective marketing strategies. These reforms could position Buddhist education as a substantial contributor to Sri Lanka’s economy while enhancing the nation’s cultural and intellectual standing globally. In conclusion, with targeted improvements in academic rigor, interdisciplinary studies, and infrastructure, Sri Lankan Buddhist institutions can meet the rising global demand for knowledge systems that address ethical, psychological, and environmental challenges, establishing themselves as premier centers of learning worldwide. Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7469 2024-11-28T00:00:00Z http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7468 eCOOPROCESSING: AN INTEGRATED SOCIAL ECOSYSTEM APPROACH FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT Abeyratna, S.R. Inclusive and Sustainable Businesses (ISBs) are considered crucial for achieving social development and environmental sustainability in Sri Lanka’s current path to economic revival. According to the recently published National Strategy, ISBs are defined as “purpose driven enterprises that use commercially viable models to generate positive social and environmental impact.” Sustainable Business Model Innovation (SBMI) is a growing area of research that informs the fundamental processes that start-ups and transitioning organizations can embed in their management systems to become ISBs. This paper presents a case study of SBMI within a start-up in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector using an autoethnographic action research methodology. The experiences and iterative decision making process adopted by the author, who is the CEO of Green Life Generation (Pvt) Ltd.—a grassroots ISB and SME—are presented. Since 2017, the company has engaged in research and development activities aimed at creating sustainable solutions to support the transition to a regenerative and circular economy. This study demonstrates the development of ‘eCOOProcessing,’ a novel, integrated, community-based waste management model resulting from the company’s SBMI process. The model is built on the premise that the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) is fundamental to addressing the root causes of the current polycrisis. This study shows that while ISBs have high impact potential, they face challenges due to the price theory of value, where price, determined by market supply and demand conditions, continues to dictate value. Thus, real value to society and the environment cannot be effectively translated into viable, competitive, and sustainable prices. This makes ISBs exclusive in terms of price and unsustainable in terms of financing. This contradiction, at a critical point in the path to resolving a planetary-level existential crisis, is problematic as it disincentivizes the business shift and weakens the business case needed to create a just and green transition. Given the lack of market-based solutions, regulatory tools such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can provide alternative financing mechanisms for ISBs in the SME sector. Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7468 2024-11-28T00:00:00Z http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7467 AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC DISPARITY ON THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN SRI LANKA: A CASE STUDY OF TWO RURAL AND SUBURBAN SCHOOLS IN KANDY DISTRICT Kashyapa, Ven. Polonnaruwe; Shivangi, A.K.M. Education is a fundamental factor in a country's development and a well-structured educational system can significantly support national progress. In Sri Lanka, economic disparities between rural and urban areas have led to unequal access to quality education and resources, posing a major challenge that requires immediate intervention. This study provides actionable recommendations for reforming Sri Lanka’s education system to mitigate the effects of economic inequality. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research combines quantitative and qualitative interviews involving 20 teachers and 20 parents and interviews with school administrators and education experts. Secondary data sources included government reports, academic literature, and school performance records. Thematic and statistical analyses revealed significant gaps in educational access and quality between urban and rural schools. Schools in low-income areas often lack essential resources, qualified teachers, and adequate facilities, which leads to lower academic achievement and higher dropout rates. Additionally, dependence on private tutoring exacerbates these inequalities, as many rural families cannot afford extra instruction. Interviews with educators and policymakers further highlighted issues such as limited funding, an outdated curriculum, and a competitive educational environment that hampers collaboration. These factors perpetuate a cycle of disadvantages for students from low-income backgrounds. This study underscores the urgent need for substantial educational reform in Sri Lanka. Equitable funding, enhanced teacher training, curriculum updates aligned with job-market needs, and a more collaborative educational environment are recommended to create an inclusive system that supports all students. Addressing these disparities is not merely an educational policy matter; it is essential to foster social equity and drive economic advancement in Sri Lanka. Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7467 2024-11-28T00:00:00Z http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7466 FACTORS INFLUENCING BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION TOWARD GIG ECONOMY EMPLOYMENT AMONG WOMEN IN SRI LANKA Tharuka, P.S.M.V.; Karunarathane, H.K.G.M.N. Sri Lanka's labor force is experiencing a dramatic transformation with technological advancements and the rise of the Gig economy. The labor sector comprises people with different demographics, among which "gender" is a unique factor that shapes job opportunities. Compared to men, women encounter obstacles that impede their ability to engage in economic activities. The global emergence of the Gig economy and its recent adoption in Sri Lanka have begun to dismantle many barriers, offering new opportunities for women's participation. Despite this revolution, unresolved questions remain about how behavioral intention factors influence women's involvement in the Gig economy in Sri Lanka. In response to this problem, this study aims to investigate the factors affecting behavioral intention for Gig economy employment among women in Sri Lanka. A conceptual framework was developed based on established research to explore how attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, hedonic motivation, and trust influence women's behavioral intention to engage in employment in the Gig economy. The study collected data through an online structured questionnaire from a sample of 384 women actively engaged in the Gig platform using a snowball sampling technique in which initial participants referred to others, ensuring a focused sample of women participating in the Gig economy. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, and the researcher tested five hypotheses using Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analyses, which showed a significant positive impact of attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, hedonic motivation, and trust on the behavioral intention toward employing the Gig economy among women in Sri Lanka. This research represents a limited but significant exploration of women's engagement in the Gig economy in Sri Lanka, underscoring the critical role of behavioral factors influencing this involvement. Addressing these factors enables policymakers and stakeholders to create a supportive environment that enhances women's economic participation, drives overall growth, and positions Sri Lanka to maximize the potential of the Gig economy. Future research could expand these findings by examining additional factors and exploring underrepresented contexts to validate and extend these results. Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7466 2024-11-28T00:00:00Z