University of Colombo e-Repository

UCER (University of Colombo Electronic Repository) is a collection of scientific research publications by researchers at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This e-Repository serves to manage, preserve and make available the academic works of the faculty, postgraduate students, and research groups. The collection includes faculty publications, master's and doctoral theses abstracts. This repository is updated regularly, and new works are added to collections on a continuous basis

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Authors are responsible for obtaining copyright permission from the publisher and submitting the signed declaration to ir@lib.cmb.ac.lk.

Recent Submissions

Birth Control Pill Trials in Sri Lanka: The History and Politics of Women’s Reproductive Health (1950–1980)
(Oxford University Press, 2020) Thoradeniya, Darshi
This paper draws on the history of the birth control pill in Sri Lanka to illustrate how the broader global discourse of population control was played out in the Sri Lankan national context. Utilising a cross reading of research reports and correspondence between local and international family planning pioneers such as Gregory Pincus, Clarence Gamble, John Rock and Siva Chinnatamby, I show how Sri Lanka became a laboratory for global pill trials. This prompted a discussion on contraception that revolved around morality and ethnicity resulting in the pill being labelled vanda pethi (sterility pills) by the 1960s. Vanda pethi became Mithuri (female friend) through the IPPF funded programme on social marketing of contraceptives in 1974. Analysing this programme I show how the women’s bodies of Sri Lanka became the ground on which ethnic politics at the local level, and liberal market forces at the global level, were played out through the introduction of the pill.
A Critical History of Women's Health in Modern Sri Lanka
(Orient Blackswan Private Limited, 2024) Thoradeniya, Darshi
Cognitive functions, electroencephalography, visual evoked potentials and peripheral nerve conduction in long-term meditators: A cross-sectional comparative study
(University of Colombo, 2021) Vithanage, K.K.; Dissanayake, D.W.N.; Chang, T.
Introduction: Long term meditation is known to produce changes in nervous system which may be beneficial for overall health. A comprehensive study on central and peripheral neurophysiological parameters in long term meditators (LTM) hasn’t been reported before in one cohort. We compared electroencephalography (EEG), visual evoked potentials (VEP), measures of cognitive functions and peripheral nerve conduction (NCS) of LTM with meditation naïve controls (MNC). Methods: Fifteen experienced healthy LTM (n=15; regular practice of >3 years) were selected using a validated intake-interview. Fifteen matched MNC (n=15) were recruited from community. All had Montreal cognitive assessment score of >26/30. Validated Sinhala-version of repeatable battery for assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) was used to assess cognition. Using 10-20 system, EEG was recorded with one-minute eyes-closed state followed by 19 minutes of meditation among LTM. In MNC, total of 20 minutes EEG recording was in an eyes-closed relaxed state. EEG wave frequencies in both groups were analyzed from six regions. Latencies for N75, P100, N145 were measured on VEP (Nicolet system). Median and tibial nerve conduction velocities and amplitude were recorded for peripheral NCS. Results: Mean scores of every cognitive domain was higher among LTM (mean age 39.78; SD=9.27 years) than MNC (mean age 40.44; SD=8.39 years): immediate memory, LTM=46.87±SD, MNC=36.2±SD (p=0.004); visuospatial, LTM=37.6±SD, MNC=24.93±SD (p=0.000); language, LTM=39.2±SD, MNC=35.93±SD (p=0.440); attention, LTM=69.33±SD, MNC=61.93±SD (p=0.185); delayed memory, LTM=55.33±SD, MNC=44.73±SD (p=0.000). In EEG, LTM had higher alpha activity (47.27%) at rest in right temporal region compared to MNC (39.2%) (p=0.028). During meditation LTM had higher alpha activity in all regions (p<0.05). N75 latencies were reduced among LTM compared to MNC (p=0.02) with no difference in P100 and N145 latencies. NCS showed higher tibial nerve conduction velocity among LTM than MNC (p=0.016). Conclusion: Long-term meditation enhances cognitive functions and produces measurable changes in EEG frequencies, VEP and NCS. Further studies to assess therapeutic benefits of meditation are recommended.
Immediate, post-intervention and short term follow up effects of a supervised muscle strengthening exercise intervention on grip strength in cerebral palsy patients: A randomized controlled trial
(University of Colombo, 2021) Sedar, S.F.I.O.; Ranasinghe, D.C.
Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) causes compromised hand function. The effects of hand strengthening exercises on grip strength in CP patients are not widely studied in in Sri Lanka. Follow-up is important to see the persistent effects after the cessation of exercise treatment. Objectives: To determine the effects of a supervised strengthening exercise program on immediate, 4- weeks post-intervention and follow-up on grip strength compared to standard care in CP patients Methods: 40 CP patients (aged 11- 22 years) were randomly allocated into an intervention group (IN) and a control group (CN). The IN followed a supervised handgrip strength exercise routine for 30 minutes, two times per week for 8 weeks, while both IN and CN followed standard physiotherapy care thought the trial period. hang grip strength was measured and data of Pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 4-week follow-up were compared between groups. Results: Mean age of the sample 16.8 (±5.3) years, male: female 22:18. The baseline mean grip strength of the IN was: right hand (RH) 13.3 (±5.3) kg, left hand (LH) 12.3 (±5.7) kg. CN group: RH 12.3 (±6.1) kg, LH 12.9 (±5.2) kg. Post-intervention mean grip strength of the IN: RH 14.9 (±5.4) kg, LH 14.9 (±5.5) kg, CN: RH 12.6 (±5.3) kg, LH 13.2 (±5.7) kg. The absolute change in mean difference is statistically significant.CN: RH 0.3kg, LH 0.4kg and IN: RH 1.6 kg, LH 2.6 kg, (P= 0.041). Post-intervention 4-week follow-up, mean grip strength: IN: RH 12.1 (±3.3) kg, LH 12.2 (±3.6) kg. CN: RH 12.2 (±5.6) kg, LH 12.1 (±4.3) kg. grip strength reduces bellow baseline. Conclusion: This supervised exercise program was capable of improving the grip strength of the CP patients. Discontinuation of the program indicates a reduction of grip strength to the baseline. A longer duration of the intervention and a larger sample size would provide more statistically significant results.
Dopamine, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate concentrations among long- term meditators
(University of Colombo, 2021) Thambyrajah, J.C.; Dilanthi, H.W.; Handunnetti, S.M.; Dissanayake, W.D.N.
Introduction: Meditation is known to reduce stress and anxiety. The balance between inhibitory gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and excitatory glutamate is the key in controlling the overall level of excitation that leads to stress and anxiety. Dopamine contributes to executive function and motivation. The effect of Buddhist meditation on these three neurotransmitters have not been collectively studied in one cohort. The objective of this study was to assess the dopamine, GABA, and glutamate concentrations in experienced meditators and to compare them in an age, gender and education level matched non-meditating group. Methods: This is a cross sectional, case-controlled study and ethical clearance was obtained from the ERC, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. Dopamine, GABA and glutamate concentrations in the blood of long-term, healthy, experienced meditators (n=18), recruited from Buddhist meditation centers using a validated interview, and age, gender, BMI and educational level matched healthy control subjects (n=18) who had never practiced meditation, were determined using commercially available ELISA kits. Dopamine, GABA and glutamate concentrations of the meditators and controls were compared using Mann-Whitney U test and Independent Samples t-test. Results: The mean age of the meditator group was 42.77 ± 9.51 and the control group was 42.54 ± 10.43 years and 67% were males. The mean duration of the meditation practice was 6.46 ± 2.89 years. In the meditator group, the dopamine (136.1 ± 22.13 pg/ml) (Mean ± SEM), and GABA concentrations (71.4 ± 3.18 ng/ml) were significantly higher and glutamate concentration (6.3 ± 0.64 μg/ml) was significantly lower compared to the control group who had a dopamine level of 86.2 ± 17.15 pg/ml (p=0.022), GABA level of 61.9 ± 1.90 ng/ml (p=0.015) and glutamate level of 7.6 ± 0.56 μg/ml (p=0.031). Conclusion: The effects of Buddhist meditation on these neurotransmitters may have potential benefits in decreasing anxiety and improving executive functions in individuals. Further studies on meditation and neurotransmitters responsible for anxiety are recommended.