Abstract: Education is the most influencing single factor to bring about human development and change to any society. In Sri Lanka, a package of comprehensive education reforms was first introduced in 1945 with the distinguished leadership of Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara. In general, subsequent governments which were elected since independence in 1948 supported and contributed further expansion of education reforms bringing about many desirable outcomes. However, Sri Lanka has not been able to generate sustainable economic growth and employment based on human capital. There were many instances where we failed in policy implementation rather than policy formulation. Education system has been badly affected by the political interference since mid-1970s and at times tried to handle day today administration as well. We have not been able to foster skills and vocational education in par with the general education, which has been highly exam oriented. Much attention needs to be given to learning outcomes to be achieved as skills for the learner who in turn can face the challenges in real life situations. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: Despite a plethora of published research on risk management of development projects in developing countries, limited attention has been paid to risk management of grass-root level development projects. This study aims to investigate the relationship of self-motivation and readiness of village organization leaders on risk management in a community- driven development (CDD) projects (i.e., grass-root level) in Sri Lanka. Data were collected from 104 village organization leaders from two districts in Sri Lanka through a survey questionnaire. Empirical results indicate both self-motivation and the readiness of village organization leaders have a relationship with project risk management. These findings are of importance to policy makers, implementers, and recipients for enhancing the sustainability of future CDD projects in Sri Lanka and other developing countries. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: Solid waste management is a tedious process in developing countries. Unscientific disposal of solid wastes leads to severe environmental disasters and health problems. The states which have a burden over the environment and public health are considering environment-friendly and cost-effective mechanisms for solid waste management. The solid waste management issues have already become very severe in cities and towns as the disposal facilities are geared to a large amount of waste generated. The explored mechanisms include vermicomposting and organic waste digestion by the larvae of black soldier fly. As the composition of decayed matter varies due to physicochemical and biological components, the physicochemical and biological parameters in decomposing solid waste are important. A vast number of studies were already carried out recently on solid waste management in the western region. Hence, the present study is focused on exploring fluctuations of temperature and Stratiomyidae larval density of composting in a tropical climate. The research was carried out in 2 stages. In the first stage, a preliminary study was conducted to find out whether the addition of garden waste to composting kitchen waste has affected the dipteran larvae that colonize the compost. The preliminary study showed that with the addition of garden leaves into the unit the abundance and the diversity of fly larvae go down drastically. Therefore, in the second stage, the proper study was carried out without adding any garden wastes and using kitchen waste only. It is concluded that the increase in temperature leads to microbial activity while fly larval activity indirectly enhances microbial activity which promotes composting. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: This paper seeks to bring the on-going discourse on the Behavioral Public Administration (BPA), a sub-field of public administration to the focus of the research community. The emphasis of the BPA is on the micro-perspective of individual behavior and attitudes and associated psychological processes within or between individuals which employs insights from behavioral sciences to study on individuals and groups in public administration settings. Leading scholars who contribute to this argument reveal that many theories in public administration rest on micro-foundations of individual attitudes and behavior but are seldom tested empirically. A study was carried out exploring the research publications of the scholars in the higher academic system in the disciplines of public administration, business management and human resources and to explore the extent to which cross fertilization between public administration and other fields of study had occurred basically using psychological theories and methods and vice versa. In this study public domains were used to collect data and content analytic method was used for data analysis. The findings show a lack of cross-fertilization between the disciplines of public administration and psychology related organizational/business management fields, concentration of research methods within own fields, a general lack of research publications in the system, a lack of research in the newly emerging public administration areas, such as transparency, accountability, citizen perspectives on development, public intervention on poverty alleviation etc. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: Public Financial Reporting Quality is key to analyses and decision making in a public sector organization having macroeconomic effect. It has effective contribution to the public trust leading by accountability and transparency over the effective and efficient utilization of public money. The situation leads the requirement of identifying the key determinants of the public financial reporting quality. The study develops its conceptual framework based on the previous findings and construct hypothesizes. The study applies in depth investigation of theoretical findings concentrating four key determinants; Accounting Information Systems, Internal Controls, Proffessional Accountants Behaviour and Accounting Standard Setting, to test the hypothesis. The analysis found that the said determinants have positive direct influence on public financial reporting quality Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: This study was conducted to explore the predictions by training inputs (training characteristics, training design, and work environment) to training outcomes (retention, learning, and training transfer) in the context of second language training in Sri Lanka while considering the moderation effect of Public Service Motivation (PSM). The sample size of the study was 294 government officials who have followed the “Basic Tamil Language” course, which was conducted by the Department of Official Languages in Sri Lanka. Data was collected from two batches by using Five- Point Likert scale self-reported questionnaires in different time series. For the analysis purpose, two batches were integrated (PLS-SEM) run by SMART PLS version 3.2.7 for hypothesis testing. The main findings of the study were all the training inputs positively predicted the training transfer only but not for the other training outcomes such as learning and retention. Moreover, it could not observe any significant results on the moderation effect of PSM on the relation between training inputs and training outcomes. However, this study confirmed the results of literature in the field of training transfer especially Baldwin and Ford model (1988), bridging it with the concept of transfer of training to the motivational behavior in the public sector. The study of Baldwin and Ford (1988) suggested that to conduct an integrated study examining the effect of all three training inputs on training transfer. So, this study attempted to fill that gap by conducting an integrated study. The findings of this study will be helpful for government organizations to enhance the training transfer process in terms of providing bilingual service to the public. Furthermore, the current results highlight useful recommendations for policies of human resources development of the government organizations. Published on 2021-12-30 00:00:00
Abstract: Local governments are closer to the people especially in the context of democratic governance than other units of governments. ‘Determinants of government expenditure’ is therefore a recurring theme both in government and scientific discourse. This study intends to develop and test a comprehensive and systematic model on the allocation of government expenditures in urban councils in Sri Lanka to identify the key determinants of local government expenditure decisions. Therefore, the study considers three major perspectives, socio-economic, political and governmental and justifies the relevancy of models of expenditure determinant research. This is a research. The first premise is that local government expenditure varies on the mixture of socio-economic, political and governmental factors. More socio-economic variables in the model indicate a demand driven aspect in local government resource allocation. Local government’s tax effort is a significant fact together with financial transfers from the central government in expenditure decision-making. As policy implications participatory budgeting system and strengthening of the local revenue base are proposed. Sri Lanka Journal of Development Administration, Vol. 5, pp. 93-108, 2015 Published on 2015-07-22 00:00:00
Abstract: This paper discusses the impact of development programmes on the lives of women with regard to two major development programmes already implemented. i.e Mahaweli, and IPZ. It further deliberates how development programmes have integrated women into development thrust. The impact on access to resources, technology, literacy, visibility, and triple roles was the focus of the study. The paper concludes that economic development has a differential impact upon the lives of women and that it has not contributed in reducing inequalities. The findings are applicable in the exercise of designing of future endeavours towards empowering women. Sri Lanka Journal of Development Administration, Vol. 5, pp. 109-124, 2015 Published on 2015-07-22 00:00:00
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