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

Ratifying Rights, Reforming Workplaces: ILO Convention No. 190 and the Future of Workplace Harassment Law in Sri Lanka
(Lex Lumen Research Journal, 2026) Thilakarathna, K.A.A.N.
Sri Lanka’s ratification of the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) represents a significant advancement in the recognition of the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment. However, ratification alone does not ensure effective protection unless supported by comprehensive domestic implementation. This paper critically examines the extent to which Sri Lanka’s existing legal framework incorporates the principles and obligations embodied in Convention No. 190. It analyses constitutional protections, criminal law provisions, labour legislation, domestic violence law, and recent judicial developments, including key Supreme Court decisions recognising workplace sexual harassment and employer obligations. The paper argues that, despite important judicial progress, Sri Lanka’s current legal regime remains fragmented, reactive, and insufficiently aligned with the Convention’s broader preventive and remedial framework. Significant gaps persist in relation to statutory definitions, employer prevention duties, protection of informal workers, anti-retaliation safeguards, accessible complaint mechanisms, and the employment-related consequences of domestic violence. The paper therefore proposes the enactment of a comprehensive Workplace Anti-Harassment and Violence Act, supported by amendments to existing labour and domestic violence legislation, specialist enforcement mechanisms, and victim-centred support services. It concludes that Sri Lanka’s international commitment under Convention No. 190 can be meaningfully realised only through enforceable domestic law capable of protecting all workers across formal and informal sectors.
A rare case of acute onset vasculitis in pregnancy
(Sri Lanka college of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, 2020) Kaluarachchi, A.; Nallaperuma, O.L.; Rishard, M.R.M.; Ranaweera, A.K.P.; Akarawita, J.; De Silva, M.; Dissanayake, K.
Vasculitis in pregnancy is a rare condition. When a patient presents, it is usually a pregnant woman with a previous diagnosis of vasculitis. We present a case of vasculitis presenting for the first time during pregnancy with a remarkable recovery following the delivery. A 32 year old, previously healthy primi gravida presented at a gestation of 28 weeks and four days with a history of fever for three days. She developed a vasculitic type rash over both lower limbs. Investigations revealed urinary sediments, proteinuria, haematuria, and pulmonary consolidation, suggesting skin, renal and pulmonary involvement. Patient did not improve despite adequate treatment with antibiotics and antiviral treatment. Not only the investigations done to identify a possible aetiology leading to a secondary vasculitis but also the tests done to classify a primary vasculitis, became negative. Skin biopsy suggested leucocytoclastic small vessel vasculitis. Patient symptomatically improved with methylprednisolone pulse therapy and plasmapheresis. Termination of pregnancy was considered with a view of commencing cytotoxic therapy to prevent permanent pulmonary and renal injury. On day 18th of the illness, live baby was delivered by Caesarean section at a gestation of 31 weeks. Patient improved dramatically following the delivery. Patient became completely asymptomatic over few days, proteinuria and pulmonary fibrosis reversed in about one months’ time with steroids.
The Role of Woman as Depicted in Ayurveda Classics
(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Molligoda, S.P.; Jayawardana, K.B.; Dammarathana, Iduragare
The character of woman is defined in different aspects in pursue of various background. By means of picturesque paintings, sculptures and statues, the great virtuosos examine the true nature of woman when the poets elegantly eulogize the beauty of woman whereas extremists rigorously criticize. Although, Females who play diverse roles for the well-being of the entire society haven't been given the adequate priority by religions. The contribution for the betterment of the world is unavoidable impact whereas it unable to justify the position given even in the present society. The role of a woman has advanced significantly through aesthetic and medical fields. In the medical point of view, Ayurveda has shown that motherhood of the female is laid in her physical structure. Substantial research haven't been done on the concept of the role of woman on the basis of Ayurveda literature in addition to few endeavours. In Ayurveda medical point of view, it is to be discussed that the nature of the female character.
The Concept of Health in Sanskrit Medical Literature and its Utility to Modern World
(Department of Sanskrit, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Silva, P.A.S.N.; Molligoda, S.P.; Jayawardhana, K.B.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine, which stresses principally on prevention of body ailments rather than simply relieving pathological problems or symptoms. A literature survey was carried out to collect data about the concept of health emphasized in ayurvedic medical text in Sanskrit such as Caraka samhitha, Shusruta samhitha, ECT. Aiming to disseminate knowledge about ayurvedic health concept in different aspects. The main aims of Ayurveda is to protect health and prolong life and to eliminate diseases and dysfunctions of the body. The concept of health in Ayurveda is divided mainly to two components, individual health and public health. Hitha and ahitha ayu is life of person related to social health or social well being and sukha and dukha ayu is relevant to individual health.
Analytical study on the "sarira" in Ayurveda and siksäsamuccaya
(Department of Sanskrit, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Molligoda, S.P.; Jayawardana, K.B.
In Ayurveda medical science the term "sarira" has been explained in different context. Eg.'sariraracanä, 'sarirakriyä, gharbhasarira, etc. Ayurveda texts define the composition of human body as 'sariraracana" This is similar to the Term: anatomy which western medicine uses for the same idea, namely 'sariraracanä. Anatomy is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. It includes the appearance and position of the various parts, the materials from which they are composed, their locations and their relationships with other parts. According tociknäsamuccayabody is not a single entity but a composite of several different parts. lt is the house of thousads of impurities and mental concepts (saikalpa), and urine, saliva, mucus, faecal matter, phlegm etc. are items stored in it.