http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/119 Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:17:53 GMT 2026-10-21T09:17:53Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13181 Title: Women’s entrepreneurship as a driver of the synergistic cycle of SDGs: Insights from Sri Lanka Authors: Dilogini, S.; Shivany, S. Abstract: This chapter explores the linkages between inclusive women’s entrepreneurship (WE) in SriLanka and three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (good health and well-being),SDG 5 (gender equality), and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). This research aims toexplore how WE activities can contribute to inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic growth andthe synergistic effects between these SDGs. Using a qualitative case study of women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (WMSMEs)in Sri Lanka, the chapter reveals significant links between inclusive WE and the three SDGs. Theexperiences and contributions of these entrepreneurs are analyzed, with transcripts coded toidentify themes. Findings provide insights into the challenges, achievements, and interconnectedimpacts of WE on health and well-being, gender equality, and socioeconomic growth in SriLanka. The study reveals significant links between inclusive WE and the three SDGs. Womenentrepreneurs often prioritize health and well-being in their business practices, promotinghealthy workforces and communities, which aligns with SDG 3. They challenge traditionalgender roles, promote gender equality, provide employment opportunities, and advocate forsupportive policies, thereby promoting SDG 5. Women-led businesses make a significantcontribution to SDG 8 by creating jobs, fostering innovation, and increasing productivity. Thestudy identifies a synergistic cycle in which improvements in one SDG led to improvements inothers. Through nurturing inclusive WE, the chapter underscores the critical role of womenentrepreneurs in contributing to a diversified and resilient economy that promotes sustainableand inclusive growth. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13181 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13180 Title: Inclusive entrepreneurship to improve the economic status of SGBV survivors in safe homes:A case study of the northern province of Sri Lanka Authors: Shivany, S.; Dilogini, S.; Kumarasinghe, N. Abstract: The recent financial crisis in Sri Lanka has highlighted a wide range of sexual and gender-basedviolence (SGBV) within families and society. SGBV has far-reaching consequences, as the numberof women and girls who are SGBV survivors has increased, and new safe homes for women andgirls have been established and maintained by government and nongovernment organizations.For SGBV survivors to end the cycle of violence and establish a more just and secure environmentfor healing, improving their economic status is essential. This includes meeting the fundamentalrequirements for housing, food, and health care, as well as some initiatives to improve theireconomic status through job training, education, and the encouragement of feasible businessstart-ups. Inclusive entrepreneurship reflects the inclusion of underrepresented groups inentrepreneurship to assist them in overcoming economic and social challenges. Consequently,there is a need for an SGBV survivor-centric, action-based strategy to help survivors improvetheir economic status, overcome obstacles, and achieve financial stability and independence. The study presented in this chapter explores an inclusive entrepreneurship model for improvingthe economic status of SGBV survivors. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions wereused to gather qualitative data on respondents’ views on engaging in entrepreneurship toimprove their economic status and administrators’ views regarding the components of theproposed inclusive model. Findings are directly relevant to sustainable development goal (SDG) 8(Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The chapter offers anoperative, survivor-centered, inclusive entrepreneurship model that can be utilized bygovernment and nongovernment organizations to facilitate safe homes and improve theeconomic status of SGBV survivors in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13180 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13170 Title: The Impact of Digital Finance on SMEs’ Growth and Sustainable Practices Authors: Mithila, G.; Lingesiya, K.; Sherin, V. Abstract: Digital finance is increasingly used by small and medium enterprises to manage payments, banking transactions, business records, and routine financial activities. This study examines how mobile application services, internet banking services, service efficiency, and digital adoption rate are associated with SME growth and sustainable practices in the Colombo District of Sri Lanka. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 registered SMEs, while 163 complete responses were used for regression analysis after data screening. The findings show that mobile application services are the strongest predictor of both SME growth and sustainable practices, followed by internet banking services and service efficiency. However, digital adoption rate is not statistically significant once these functional and efficiency-related dimensions are included. The results suggest that SME outcomes are associated more strongly with the quality, usefulness, and routine integration of digital finance than with adoption frequency alone. The study contributes to SME digital finance literature by showing that digital finance can be understood as an operational capability that supports growth and sustainability through transaction speed, record discipline, financial control, and traceability. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13170 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13114 Title: Predicting Financial Distress among Listed Hotels in Post-War Sri Lanka Authors: Mithila, G.; Kengatharan, L. Abstract: This study examines the financial indicators associated with financial distress among listed hotel companies in Sri Lanka and develops a model for predicting distress in a post-war tourism context. The analysis uses 21 hotel companies over the period 2013–2022. Financial distress is measured as a binary variable that takes the value of one when a company reports negative operating earnings, negative operating cash flow, or both, and zero otherwise. Profitability, liquidity, activity, leverage, market-based and firm-specific indicators are examined using logistic regression with company-clustered standard errors. The revised model is statistically significant and demonstrates satisfactory predictive performance, with an overall classification accuracy of 83.50 per cent and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.913. The findings show that return on assets has a significant negative association with the probability of financial distress, indicating that hotels generating stronger earnings from their asset base are less likely to experience financial difficulty. In contrast, working capital to total assets has a significant positive association with distress probability, suggesting that a higher level of net current assets does not necessarily indicate financial strength when those resources are inefficiently employed or concentrated in less liquid operating assets. The remaining profitability, liquidity, activity, leverage, market and firm-specific variables are not statistically significant. The findings highlight the importance of asset profitability and effective working capital management in assessing financial vulnerability within the hotel sector. The model assists managers, investors, lenders and policymakers in identifying financially vulnerable hotel companies and taking timely corrective action. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13114 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z