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

Factors affecting willingness for live and deceased organ donation in a Sri Lankan urban community
(University of Colombo, 2025) Chandrakumar, A.; Atapattu, N.S.B.O.C.; Bandara, K.G.I.Y.; Bandara, K.S.M.T.D.G.; Wijayaratne, D.R.
Understanding the factors that influence the willingness to donate organs is important to increase the availability of organs for transplantation. This study assessed the willingness of Sri Lankans to donate organs and explored the factors associated with that decision. 144 adults from the Dehiwala Medical Officer of Health area, selected using random area sampling, took part in this community-based cross-sectional study. An interviewer-administered questionnaire, adapted from validated tools and refined with expert input, was used to collect data on sociodemographic factors, knowledge, attitudes, and existing practices concerning live and deceased organ donation. Twenty selected questions were scored independently by experts, and a score of 70% or more was age was 46 years and 47% were male. The highest level of education for most participants was GCE A/L. A majority (52.78%) demonstrated good knowledge. The percentage of participants who expressed willingness to engage in deceased donation (DD) was substantially higher (81.1%) compared with live donation (LD) (30.8%). As high as 94.7% of the respondents with good knowledge expressed willingness for DD compared to 51.5% for LD (p=0.003). Willingness for LD showed a positive association (p<0.05) with prior awareness of organ donation and family approval. Willingness for LD was not significantly influenced by ethnicity. There was a strong association between Islam and unwillingness to donate after death (p < 0.001). Having donated blood or organs previously, having a chronic disease, or having a family member with a chronic disease was not significantly associated with (97.7%) a for DD. A majority of participants expressed favourable attitudes toward deceased organ donation. The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive, targeted awareness programmes to enhance organ donation practices in Sri Lanka.
High prevalence of the PDE8B rs4704397 (G>A) risk allele in a cohort of normal and overweight/obese Sri Lankan young women
(University of Colombo, 2025) Pussella, D.; Rabindrakumar, M.S.K.; Branavan, U.
The "A" allele of the phosphodiesterase 8B (PDE8B) rs4704397(G>A) polymorphism is proposed to increase the risk of subclinical hypothyroidism, a known risk factor for infertility and obesity. While only one study has examined the role of A allele in childhood obesity, its association with adult obesity remains unclear. Hence, we aimed to examine the prevalence of PDE8B rs4704397(G>A) polymorphism among normal and overweight/obese Sri Lankan females. A case-control study was conducted at NSBM Green University on 30 healthy young females, including 14 with normal BMI (18.5 22.9 kg/m2). The rs4704397(G>A) polymorphism was genotyped using PCR-RFLP method. Associations between BMI groups and polymorphisms were analyzed using the chi-square test. The study was approved by the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo (EC-23-140). The mean BMI was 20.9 kg/m2 for normal-weight and 26.2 kg/m2 for overweight/obese, with a mean age of 23 years (SD=1.931). Among the 14 normal-weights, seven (50%) carried the AA genotype and the 50% carried the AG genotype. None had the GG genotype. In 16 overweight/obese group, all three genotypes were present: AA (n=4;25%), AG (n=9;56%), and GG (n=3;19%). All normal-weight participants carried at least one A (risk) allele, compared to 13 (81%) in overweight/obese. The frequency was higher in the normal-weight (75%) than in the overweight/obese (53%), with an overall allele distribution of 63% A and 37% G. No association was observed between BMI and rs4704397(G>A) polymorphism (p=0.139). The findings indicate that carrying the risk allele may not be directly associated with BMI, possibly due to unmeasured factors such as fat distribution. The presence of the risk allele in normal-weight females suggests a potential future risk for thyroid dysfunction and infertility. This study is a preliminary investigation of the PDE8B gene in Sri Lanka with a small, single-center sample. Larger studies across diverse populations are needed to gain more comprehensive insights.
Integrating AI to medical education: Readiness, knowledge and expectations of pre-clinical academics of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
(University of Colombo, 2025) Dharmarathne, N.; Siribaddana, P.; Hewapathirana, R.
Artificial intelligence (AI) transforms medical education with personalized, evidence-based, and innovative approaches. The pre-clinical education of MBBS, whilst the most theory-intensive, represents the transition from teacher-led to self-directed learning, where AI integration can smoothen the transition. Successful AI integration in medical education requires not only technical feasibility but also the knowledge and positive mindsets of academics and students. This study aimed to assess the readiness, knowledge, perceptions, and expectations of pre-clinical academic staff on AI tools in medical education at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo (FOM, UOC). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with an online self-administered questionnaire for academic staff members of the Basic Sciences Stream (Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology Departments) at FOM, UOC. The questionnaire inquired about the demographics, ICT proficiency, knowledge, perceptions, readiness, and expectations on AI tools in medical education. The response rate was 48.2%, and 57.1% were males. Mean age was 42.9 years. with 50% professors and 43% having _ >20 years of experience. ICT proficiency was moderate (mean 3.43/5), with association being significant with male gender (p=0.045) but not with age (p=0.24). Despite 86% being aware of AI use in medical education, only 28.6% had used AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini in teaching. Interest was high (71.4% rated "very interested"), while confidence was moderate (mean 2.64/5) in adopting AI. Improved teaching efficiency (100%) and learning outcomes (85.7%) were the main expectations of adopting AI. They recognized ethical and equity challenges, with 75%saying experts must supervise AI. Over 75% expected AI will revolutionize medical education and requested institutional support, including workshops (100%) and technical assistance (92.8%). Pre-clinical academic staff at FOM, UOC exhibit strong enthusiasm for AI integration but limited hands-on experience and moderate confidence, highlighting the need for targeted training, institutional policies, and technical support to achieve effective implementation.
Exploring indications and findings: A two-year experience in paediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
(University of Colombo, 2025) Hathagoda, W.; Jayapathum, A.; Rajindrajith, S.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) plays a vital role in managing peadiatric gastrointestinal conditions. However, local data on diagnostic and therapeutic yields remain limited. This study aimed to assess the clinical indications, findings, and therapeutic interventions in peadiatric UGIE at the leading tertiary children’s hospital in Sri Lanka. A descriptive study was carried out at the Gastroenterology unit of Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo, from 2023 to 2025. Data were collected retrospectively from the hospital database and analysed using SPSS version 27. A total of 405 UGIE procedures were performed on 292 children (56.8% male and 43.2% female), with a mean age of 7.54 years (SD = 4.38). The majority (96.8%) were elective procedures, with the primary indication for endoscopy being the assessment of prehepatic portal hypertension (39.0%), followed by surveillance endoscopy for peadiatric inflammatory bowel disease (16.4%). Other indications included biliary atresia (9.2%) and Wilson’s disease (5.8%). Esophageal varices were detected in 60% of procedures, while portal hypertensive gastropathy and fundal varices were observed in 10.6% and 7.4%, respectively. Among children with esophageal varices, Grade III varices were the most common (31.4%), with 47.4% affected across three or more columns. The overall diagnostic and therapeutic yields of the procedure were 67.2% and 82%, respectively. Band ligation was the main approach (78.3%), followed by sclerotherapy (2.9%) and glue injection (0.8%). No major procedural complications were reported. Pediatric upper GI endoscopy can be safely and effectively performed across a wide age range and should be introduced early when necessary. It provides a high diagnostic and therapeutic yield in children with portal hypertension and chronic gastrointestinal disorders
Association of upper limb lymphedema with handgrip strength, balance, and gait mobility in women following mastectomy: A cross-sectional study at the National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka
(University of Colombo, 2025) Wijesinghe, K.D.; Jayawardane, D.G.S.K.L.
Upper limb lymphedema (ULL) is a common post-mastectomy complication, characterized by swelling, pain, and discomfort in the arm, which subsequently diminishes patients' quality of life. This condition is attributed to the blockage or disruption of lymphatic vessels due to breast cancer treatments, resulting in fluid accumulation in the affected arm. This study aimed to assess ULL, handgrip strength, balance, and gait mobility among post-mastectomy women with ULL and to explore the associations between ULL and these functional outcomes. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, recruiting 64 women aged 18-60 with unilateral ULL within one year post-mastectomy, from the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama. ULL was assessed using the inter-limb volume (ILV) ratio derived from circumferential measurements. Handgrip strength and gait mobility were evaluated using a handheld dynamometer and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, respectively. Balance was measured with the Single Leg Stand Test (SLST) and Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FABS). Correlations Participants exhibited a mean ILV ratio of 29.55±13.28%. The mean handgrip strength was 7.42±5.00 kgf (affected side) and 10.05±4.24 kgf (unaffected side). Mean SLST times were 19.06±15.38 seconds (eyes-open) and 4.90±2.08 seconds (eyes-closed) with a mean FABS score of 32.05±5.28. The mean TUG test time was 15.79±3.81 seconds. No significant correlation was observed between ILV ratio and handgrip strength (affected side: rs=-0.039; unaffected side: rs=-0.218; p>0.05). However, ILV ratio correlated negatively with SLST (eyes-open: rs=-0.394, p=0.001; eyes-closed: rs=0.296, p=0.018) and FABS scores (rs=-0.285, p=0.023), and positively with TUG (rs=0.305, p=0.014). ULL is not significantly associated with handgrip strength. However, it showed a significant negative impact on the balance and gait mobility of post-mastectomy women. Thus, rehabilitation should address both lymphedema reduction and improving the balance and mobility to improve functional capacity in these individuals.