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

Prognostic factors associated with bladder tumours
(College of Pathologists of Sri Lanka, 2014) Abeygunasekara, P.H.; Perera, N.R.; Goonawardene, S.A.S.; De Silva, M.V.C.
Introduction: Transurethrally resected bladder tumours are at risk of recurrence and progression to invasive cancer. Objectives: To assess factors which predict recurrence and progression in bladder tumours. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 192 patients with bladder tumours treated at a urology unit in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka with a mean follow up of 63.7 months (SD ± 18.8, range 37-99 months). Follow up details were obtained from clinic records. Factors which were analyzed as possible predictors of tumour recurrence and progression included the tumour growth pattern, mitotic count, necrosis, lamina propria invasion, muscularis propria invasion, lympho-vascular invasion, focal pleomorphic areas, squamous differentiation, glandular differentiation, adjacent carcinoma in-situ and the tumour grade. Cox univariate and multivariate analysis was done together with a Kaplan Meier survival analysis. Results and Conclusion: In the univariate analysis the tumour stage (p=0.042) and lamina propria invasion (p=0.031) were the only significant predictors of tumour recurrence. In multivariate analysis the most significant independent factor associated with tumour recurrence was lamina propria invasion (p=0.02), In Kaplan Meier survival analysis there was a significant difference in recurrence free survival (RFS) between the low grade urothelial carcinoma and the invasive group within the WHO/ISUP classification (log rank 4.78, p=0.0287). Only six cases progressed in stage or grade during the follow up period.
The clinico-pathological features of lupus nephritis and the significance of ISN/RPS-2003 Class IV lesions
(College of Pathologists of Sri Lanka, 2014) Perera, N.R.; Mathivathani, U.
Background: The ISN/RPS-2003 classification of lupus nephritis should emphasize clinically relevant lesions and encourage uniformity and reproducibility in histopathological reporting. Objective: To describe the clinico-pathological features of lupus nephritis and discuss the significance of the ISN/RPS-2003 class IV-G and IV-S lesions. Method: The histopathological features and corresponding clinical data of 75 patients with lupus nephritis were analysed using the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society ISN/RPS - 2003 classification. This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out over a period of two and a half years at the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. Results and conclusions: Lupus nephritis was commoner in females (88%, 66/75), with 52%, (36/75) in the 21-30 year age group. ANA positivity (93%, 70/75) was the commonest ACR (American College of Rheumatology - 1997) criterion to clinically diagnose SLE. Asymptomatic sub-nephrotic proteinuria was found in 47% (35/75), nephrotic syndrome in 21% (16/75) and hypertension in 17% ( 13/75). Endocapillary proliferation 84% (63/75) and wire-loop lesions 51% (38/75) were found to be the commonest histological features. 79% (59/75) had ISN/RPS class IV lupus nephritis (diffuse lupus nephritis) with the majority 93% (55/75) belonging to class IV-G (predominantly diffuse global lesions) and the remainder to class IV-S (predominantly segmental lesions). The pathogenesis of class IV-G lesions is thought to be immune complex mediated where as class 1V-S lesions are thought to show injury analogous to systemic vasculitides, unrelated to immunologic injury. Data on the prognostic outcomes of the two groups is conflicting because class IV-G is morphologically heterogenous, with two prognostically and pathogenetically distinct subcategories.
Empowering minds: Unveiling determinants of breast cancer information dissemination among non-medical undergraduates in Sri Lanka
(University of Borås, Sweden, 2026) Manatunga, P.K.S.; Kuruppu, D.C.
Introduction: Breast cancer is a significant global public health concern, and Sri Lanka is no exception. This research employs a survey to identify the critical factors shaping breast cancer information dissemination among non-medical female undergraduates in Sri Lanka. A comprehensive literature review preceded the study, highlighting gaps in understanding information dissemination dynamics within this demographic. Method: Randomly selected 455 non-medical female undergraduates from five state universities in Sri Lanka were used as the sample. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Analysis: A principal component analysis was done to identify the components and factors that affect successful information dissemination within the studied context. Results: The research assesses students' cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral dimensions concerning breast cancer prevention and early detection, identifying three influencing factors: the Nature of the information, the Inductive effect and/or Motivation of information, and the Fusion of knowledge. Conclusion: Effective dissemination requires customised, transparent, credible content utilising visual aids, timely delivery, and a culturally inclusive, empathetic tone. Initial findings emphasise the imperative for targeted educational interventions to enhance breast cancer awareness among non-medical undergraduates. The insights from this study aim to cultivate a more enlightened and active undergraduate populace, fortifying the collective societal effort to mitigate breast cancer's impact in Sri Lanka.
Using pathology reports as a data source for strengthening cancer surveillance
(College of Pathologists of Sri Lanka, 2016) Perera, Niranthi
A Legal Analysis of the Bell of Jaffna Fortress as a Colonial Cultural Property: Prospects and Challenges for Sri Lanka
(University of Jaffna, 2025) Madhushan, G.P.D.
Culture is a significant and magnificent element of any society which is a collective effort of the process of human civilization. The objects/property attached to such cultures reflect the richness of human innovations, interactions and engagement of their daily routines. The Bell of Jaffna Fortress, with the VOC monogram and dated 1747, is likely to have been the bell of the ...