Digitalization of Public Service Delivery: A Case of Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka

Adaptation of digital technologies leads public sector organizations to innovate and tap their potentials. The Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka (IEDSL) has commenced digitalization of its functions during the last decade. It is one of most efficient “one-stop” service centers that cater the requirements of 2,500 citizens on a daily basis. Therefore, this paper intends to explore the adoption of digitalization in the Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka and to identify the lesson learnt from digitalization process at IEDSL. This is a qualitative study which employs the case study approach. The study uses both the primary and secondary data sources. Primary data are collected through the in-depth interviews with five senior officials involved in digitalization process at IEDSL and secondary data sources are annual performance reports, other publications and the website of the organization. The IEDSL has digitalized the entire cycle of passport issuing process. This initiation enabled the IEDSL to provide efficient service delivery by reducing public waiting time and transaction cost for the public, maintaining an equal access to the service, and making information freely available. Also, it enabled inter-link between the Immigration and Emigration Department and the Airport Authority. This paper highlighted on the lessons learnt from digitalization experience of IEDSL as robust leadership, promote employee engagement, perceive continuous development through collaborations, improving the services through introducing value added services

An Assessment of the Social Science Research Environment of the Sri Lankan State University System

Higher education institutions play a vital role in society in varied capacities, and one major contribution amongst it all is conducting research as a part of knowledge creation and dissemination. Social Science Research thereby provides valuable input for policy makers, decision makers and the public, in order to encourage the well-being of the society. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of conducting social science researches to address social issues and improve quality of life. However, the number of research conducted in this discipline in Sri Lanka is not adequate when compared to that of other countries in the region. Hence, this study aims to explore the present status and challenges that hinder the number of social science research conducted by academics in State Universities in Sri Lanka. The study conducted a detailed literature review that was followed by in-depth interviews with 50 academics representing five state universities in Sri Lanka. The universities were selected based on the availability of Social Sciences and Humanities Faculties/Departments. The data were then analysed qualitatively based on the Grounded Theory Method to achievestudy objectives. The study revealed three main categories that limit the number of social science researches conducted in State Universities in Sri Lanka. They are; organizational factors, individual factors, and policy related factors. In addition, collaboration with other universities/ faculties, publication opportunities, research awards, and research allowance were identified as aspects in support of social science research in Sri Lanka. The study findings significantly helps in policy making, to identify the present status as well as factors that can contribute to enhance the level of social science related research among academics of State Universities in Sri Lanka.KeywordsResearch Environment, Social Sciences Research, State Universitie

Postgraduate Institute of English

Learning is an active and dynamic process in which individuals can perceive a variety of information and strategic modes of processing. Learning strategies are made as procedures undertaken by the learners in order to make their language learning as effective as possible. Lexical knowledge/Vocabulary has been considered as a primary factor throughout the educational research. The Objective of this research is to show the appropriate vocabulary strategy to enhance the autonomous learning. The traditional methods of learning vocabulary such as word building strategies, activities to find word definitions, studying vocabulary in context and the usage of marginal glosses were discussed. But there was a strong indication from the findings that students are now resort to computer facilities as well as referring newspapers, reciting poems, listening to songs, watching films etc to improve their vocabulary store. It moves a step further from the synthetic teaching to contextualized learning of vocabulary. It has the potential to engrain the vocabulary in the long term memory of learners. It is based on a large corpus of empirical evidence. Literature was reviewed regarding appropriate strategies and theories related to vocabulary teaching strategies according to the criticism of several authors. The study is based on the theories as they clearly stamp to promote the vocabulary development through context in second language learning. So the concept of learning vocabulary should be carried onto a productive level rather than as a receptive skill for a sustainable future of English in Sri Lanka

Einfluss der Schärfparameter auf die Schleifscheibentopographie*/Influence of the sharpening parameters on the grinding wheel topography

Einen wesentlichen Bestandteil der Schleiftechnik ist der Konditionierprozess zur Herstellung der Schleifscheibenform und -schnittigkeit. Durch das Schärfen wird die Bindung zurückgesetzt und der notwendige Schleifkornüberstand und Spanraum geschaffen. Ein CNC-gesteuerter Schärfprozess kann zur prozesssicheren und ressourceneffizienten Einstellung der gewünschten Schleifbelagstopographie genutzt werden. Umfangreiche Schärfuntersuchungen sollen hierbei Aufschluss über die Wirkzusammenhänge zwischen Schärfeinstellgrößen und Schärfergebnis geben. &amp;nbsp; An essential part of grinding technology is the conditioning process for the generation of the grinding wheel shape and of a sharp topography. Through the sharpening process the required cutting grains are exposed from the bond and sufficient chip space is ensured by putting back the bonding. A CNC-controlled sharpening process can lead to an improvement in process reliability and the economic efficiency. Extensive experimental investigations were carried out to determine the relationship between the sharpening parameters and the sharpening result. </p

Success factors behind women-led enterprises: The case of ‘Hela Bojun Hala’ food outlet

As a nation that prioritises gender-inclusiveness, Sri Lankan government authorities introduced a series of programmes. Of those, ‘Hela Bojun Hala’, women-led authentic local food outlets, are notable womenempowerment projects. However, the alarming rate of failed women entrepreneurs in developing countries calls for redesigning a successful model for venture creation. Hence, this paper identifies the factors that contributed to the success of women entrepreneurs at ‘Hela Bojun Hala’. This qualitative research uses a case study approach. Convenience sampling is used to select 20 women entrepreneurs in an outlet. Thematic analysis is used to analyse the data. The study found that there was a set of push factors which empower women entrepreneurs. Utilization of inherent capacity of women, prioritizing the need for economic empowerment, enhancement of skills through training and development, innovative produce, and the exercise of risk taking made this innovative approach a success.Keywords: Women entrepreneurs, women-led enterprises, success factors, food outlet, Sri Lank