http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/5669 2026-04-07T01:06:46Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/3689 The needs and Preferences of Graduate Teachers in Relation to their Professional Development The aim of this study was to explore the professional development needs and preferences of Graduate teachers. This study was conducted in Jaffna District. Target population of this study consisted of Graduate teachers completed their Post Graduate Diploma in Education in 2012/2013 academic year either at Open University of SriLanka or at University of Jaffna. Sample consisted 30 student teachers from each institution. Survey research design was used for this study, in which data were collected through a self developed survey questionnaire to teachers and analysed in percentages. A total of 51 student teachers responded for the survey. The findings indicated that 16 areas of professional development such as command of subject matter knowledge, use of modern t echnology, production of teaching materials etc were perceived as very urgent needs by the teachers. The results further showed that some of these needs such as skills to use modern technology, skills to manage student discipline and behaviour problems, skills in conflict resolution were not satisfied by the professional development programmes for Graduate teachers. Institutions involved in teachers’ professional development can also use the findings of this study to improve the quality of their programmes. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/3688 Tamil Brahmi Inscription Belonging to 2200 years ago, Discovered by German Archaeological Team in Southern Sri Lanka. Pushparatnam, P. As a general rule, interpretations, Brahmi potsherds, copper plates, seals and coins, among others, provide reliable information to trace the beginning, development and evolution of a language of a region or country. The Brahmi inscriptions play an important part in tracing the history of Sri Lankan languages. These Brahmi inscriptions which belong to the 3rd century B.C. to the 4th century A.D., tell about the message relevant to Buddhism. Scholars like Professor Paranavithana who studied the above inscriptions comment that they are evidences to show that the ancestors of the Sinhala race and their culture came from the North India and the Prakrit language is the forerunner of the old Sinhala language. Scholars like Professor Karunaratna who studied the above inscriptions, considering the unique Tamil letters, names and words, are of the opinion that the Brahmi letters and writing which were introduced from South India were in use in Sri Lanka, before the introduction of Brahmi letters to Sri Lanka with the advent of Buddhism from North India [1]. Recent Archaeological studies in South Sri Lanka and Northern Sri Lanka and the evidences of Brahmi inscriptions and Brahmi potsherds, coins, seals and copper plates provide adequate evidences to show that the use of Tamil language was prevalent in Sri Lanka, since the 3rd century B.C. These evidences show the antiquity of the Tamil language. Among these evidences, the discovery of the Brahmi inscribed pottery at Tisamarahama in the Hambantota District in Southern Sri Lanka by the German Archaeological team need special mention. This inscription which belongs to the 2nd century B.C. was written in the Tamil language with Tamil scripts. However, there are differences of opinion among scholars about the reading and interpretation of the above inscription. The objective of this research is too re-read and scrutinizes the above inscription to derive a profound interpretation of it. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/3687 Social Impact of tourism: A Case study of Hikkaduwa Divisional Secretariat Division Ranasinghe, R.A.W. Tourism is one of the major foreign income sources in Sri Lanka. The social impact of tourism varies. Whatever the shortcoming of it, the development of tourism has been regarded as a panacea for the economic malaise of Sri Lanka. Using robust data the study explore the changes influenced by development of tourism in terms of sociocultural life in Hikkaduwa resort. The qualitative method meant to analyze and interpret data is given priority in the study. It has found that, tourism brings some positive as well as negative benefits to the island. The environment degradation, archaeological ruins, illegal businesses, black money frauds thefts drugs trafficking, prostitution, HIV threat, gambling, and rising crime rate are identified social cost of international tourism. The ‘child sex’ is one of the major issues raised by tourism in Sri Lanka. The younger generation believes that they can have valuable things or secure a chance to go abroad etc. After the boom the beach fronts were being rapidly bought up for tourist establishments, after which they were surrounded by walls to block the locals’ access to these areas, which had since become private property. Tourism has direct impact on the price level and the consumption behavior of the host population. Tourism has provided a variety of employment in different capacities in restaurants, guest houses, shops and the transport sectors; some are involved in their own mini businesses, related to tourism. The international tourism has a significant impact on the socio-cultural structure of the host country. Some educated middle class personnel, who are involved in the tourism industry in various capacities such as managers and others, view that even though they are not happy with the worst aspect of European culture, they accept tourism as by and large what the country needs to earn foreign exchange. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/3686 Northern Political Development and India: A Study on India-Sri Lanka Relationship Ganeshalingam, K.T. In the history of Independent Sri Lanka there has been a conflicting relationship between India and Sri Lanka. Initially Sri Lanka maintained relationship with western countries, such as Britain and US and distanced itself from India. At present it has established relationship with China and has conflicting relationship with India. During the Sri Lankan President’s visit a number of agreements were reached and contracts signed, relating to Northern reconstruction activities specially railways, and cooperation in various sectors of the economy with India. Concessionary credit lines were extended by India for some projects. There will be infrastructure improvements for Sri Lanka, while Indian companies will benefit from the contracts. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z