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

Y.P.J. Warnakulasuriya v. Chandana Suriyabandara, director general, department of wildlife conservation and others CA/WRIT/120/2022 (pandu karanda tree case)
(Centre for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP), Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, 2022) Liyanage, I.
This review analyses the Court of Appeal decision in Y.P.J. Warnakulasuriyav. Chandana Suriyabandara, Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation and Others. The case revolved around the decision to uproot and relocate the ‘pandu karanda’ tree (Crudia zeylanica) to facilitate the construction of the Central Expressway between Kadawatha and Mirigama, while preserving the established right of way for the relevant portion of the expressway. Delivering its decision on 30th March 2022, the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka held that there is no substantial basis for judicial review. The Court’s decision rests on the argument that the Petitioner has failed to successfully substantiate the claims made in the petition. In order to assess this legal pronouncement, this review adopts a black-letter method of research. The review concludes by arguing that the judgement effectively illustrates how judicial review can serve as a mechanism for evaluating decisions taken by administrative bodies that impact the environment and its resources. While the Court did not extensively invoke environmental principles in its decision, it did reference the principle of sustainable development and directive principles of state policy to emphasise the Court’s recognition of the need to balance environmental considerations with development initiatives.
Watte Gedara Wijebanda v. conservator general of forests and others SC(FR) application no.118/2004[2009] 1 SRI LR 337
(Centre for Environmental Law and Policy (CELP), Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, 2022) Liyanage, I.
This review analyses the Supreme Court decision in Watte Gedara Wijebanda v. Conservator General of Forest and others filed against therefusal of a permit to mine a quarry of silica quartz deposit at Kiriwalhena,an environmentally sensitive area in the Grama Sevaka Division of Polaththawa. Delivering its judgement on 7th September 2005, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka held that the authorities vested with powers to issuepermits and licenses have acted arbitrarily, negligently, and in collusiongranted a mining license to the 6th Respondent which infringed the Petitioner’s right to equality. The Court further ordered the 6th Respondent to bear charges of restoring the damaged environment. The review employed the desk research approach in analysing the selected judicial pronouncement. The case has made a commendable contribution to the environmental scholarship in Sri Lanka through progressive recognition, interpretation, and application of specific environmental principles alongwith the Constitutional standards. Thus, it is reasonable to argue that thecase has continued the approach adopted in the landmark Bulankulama v.Secretary, Ministry of Industrial Development case with the overarching objective of recognising environmental protection as a fundamental duty of everyone.
Lactic Acidosis in a Man with Diabetes: Is Metformin the Culprit?
(Journal of Diabetes & Metabolism, 2018) Dissanayake, H.A.; Wijewickrama, E.S.; Katulanda, Prasad
Background: Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious adverse effect of metformin, particularly when used in high doses in patient with other risk factors. We report a case of metformin associated lactic acidosis that improved with hemodialysis. Case presentation: Seventy-year-old male with diabetes and stage IV chronic kidney disease presented with vomiting and was found to have lactic acidosis with lactate of 8 mmol/L while being on metformin 1 g thrice daily. He was successfully managed with haemodialysis and supportive care. Conclusion: This case illustrates the importance of judicious drug prescription in patients with multiple comorbidities; need to consider metformin induced lactic acidosis in appropriate settings and importance of active management with haemodialysis. Recommendations on prevention and options for treatment are also be discussed.
Awareness of physiotherapy as a treatment for urinary incontinence among mothers with pregnancy-urinary incontinence at two main women's hospitals in Colombo District
(University of Colombo, 2025) Malithi, S.A.L.; Warawita, H.W.D.
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition occurring in pregnancy. Despite the global recognition of physiotherapy in managing pregnancy-related urinary incontinence (PRUI), there is a paucity of context-specific evidence regarding its effectiveness in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to determine awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward physiotherapy for pregnancy-related UI among women with PRUI at two main maternity hospitals in Colombo District. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 pregnant women in 3rd trimester diagnosed with PRUI at Castle Street Hospital for Women (Teaching) and De Soysa Hospital for Women, Colombo. Data were collected through interviewer-administrated questionnaires, including a sociodemographic and UI diagnosis questionnaire, a self-developed questionnaire to determine awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward physiotherapy for PRUI. Descriptive statistics and interferential analysis were performed using the SPSS software. Among the 100 participants, majority were between 25 and 35 years old and 58% were housewives while 53%, 39%, and 8% had mild, moderate, and severe UI, respectively. The severity of UI was significantly associated with role limitation, physical limitation, emotional well-being, personal relationships, and quality of sleep (p<0.05). Among them, only 24% had heard of physiotherapy, just 14% were aware of pelvic floor muscle exercises as a treatment option, and only 6% had gone for physiotherapy, indicating a concerning lack of awareness. No significant association was found between awareness and sociodemographic factors including age, number of pregnancies, occupation, educational level, and the area of living (p< 0.05). However, 88% of participants showed a willingness to attend physiotherapy if they were referred by a doctor. The study reveals that pregnant mothers have low awareness and knowledge about physiotherapy. However, when informed, they have a positive attitude towards physiotherapy and are willing to attend when referred to physiotherapy, suggesting the need for improved awareness and knowledge.
Evaluation of the accuracy and precision of glucometers currently used in Sri Lanka
(Elsevier, 2019) Liyanage, J.H.; Dissanayake, H.A.; Gamage, K.K.K.; Keerthisena, G.S.P.; Ihalagama, I.R.H.S.; Weeratunga, P.N.; Wijesundara, W.A.; Wijetunga, W.M.U.A.; Subasinghe, S.; Tilakaratne, T.A.D.; Katulanda, G.W.; Katulanda, P.
Aims: Life threatening macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes can be minimized by effective glycaemic control. Self monitoring of blood glucose with glucometers is recognized as a cost effective strategy to improve glycaemic control. However accuracy and precision of glucometers will determine the effectiveness of this strategy. We aimed to evaluate accuracy and precision of commonly used glucometers in Sri Lanka. Materials and methods: An observational study was conducted in a tertiary care setting including patients with diabetes and healthy volunteers. Eight commonly used glucometers were used. Blood glucose was measured in 50 participants (16 healthy volunteers, 34 patients with diabetes) in finger prick capillary blood using glucometers and venous blood using standard laboratory methods, and were compared to determine accuracy. Repeated measurements from same glucometer with a single finger prick were made and compared to determine precision. Results: Only one glucometer showed insignificant difference to venous plasma glucose values. Only one glucometer met ADA recommended bias of <5%. None of the glucometers fell within the ISO recommendations for accuracy. Conclusion: Majority of commonly used glucometers in Sri Lanka do not meet the ADA recommendations and ISO standards for accuracy and precision. However their variations are unlikely to make significant adverse impact on patient management.