http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7368 BOOK OF ABSTRACTS 2026-03-30T09:08:36Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7481 Title: A sociological study of Sinhala new year rituals and the functional role of women within the environmental context Authors: Amarasiri, Wickramaratne; Rasika, Muhandiramge Abstract: The Sinhala New Year, celebrated annually on either the 13th or 14th of April, marks the beginning of the month of Bak in the Sinhala calendar. The day preceding this is the final day of the previous year, and the rituals associated with this transitional period are divided into two parts: the “Old Year” rituals and the New Year rituals. These traditions are deeply rooted in folk medicine, games, beliefs, and customs, while also showing the influence of Indian Vedic religion and deity worship.This study investigates the potential indirect connections between the origins of Sinhala New Year rituals and Indian cultural influences. The primary aim is to examine the unique characteristics of this influence and how it has been integrated and sustained within the local context, particularly in relation to ecological knowledge and traditional practices.Three sub-objectives guided this investigation:To explore the embedded local knowledge within these rituals as reflected in folk traditions. To examine how the rituals relate to human life transitions and the environmental knowledge they convey. To analyze the ecological dimensions of New Year rituals through a feminist lens. Employing a qualitative, descriptive methodology grounded in interpretivism and human-centered paradigms, data was collected through interviews with ten individuals—including astrologers, fortune tellers, researchers, and scholars—selected using snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was applied to explore key patterns related to the research objectives.The study identifies Sinhala New Year rituals as cultural practices that are intricately connected to the local natural environment. Women’s roles within these rituals are primarily centered around the family, but their functions are revealed to be multidimensional. Women act as facilitators in food production and distribution, and as providers of diverse forms of labor. They demonstrate integrated environmental knowledge rooted in everyday experience—knowledge not used merely for consumption but for planning, conserving, and sustaining resources. Rather than being passive consumers, women emerge as active agents in conservation, investment, sustainability, and productivity. They primarily utilize locally available resources such as water, food, fuel (fire wood and fire), simple tools, and physical labor in their roles. 2025-05-20T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7480 Title: Improving reading comprehension through picture books in primary grades: a study at Ak/Al-Muneera Junior College, Addalaichenai Authors: Reesha, M.A.F.; Amal, M.A.F.; Minha, M.F. Abstract: Reading comprehension is a vital skill for young learners, particularly in English as a second language (ESL) context. This study explores the use of picture books as a tool to enhance reading comprehension among Tamil-medium Grade 4 and 5 students at Ak/Al-Muneera Junior College, Addalaichenai. Given the linguistic and cognitive development stage of primary learners, picture books serve as a bridge between visual literacy and text understanding, making them ideal for young ESL learners who face challenges in vocabulary, sentence structure, and inferencing. The study adopts a qualitative approach supported by simple pre- and post-tests to measure improvements in comprehension. A purposive sample of 30 students (15 from Grade 4 and 15 from Grade 5) was selected. Over a four-week intervention period, students were exposed to a series of graded English picture books with guided reading sessions, group discussions, and follow-up activities such as sequencing, storytelling, and vocabulary matching. Findings indicate that the use of picture books significantly increased students’ ability to predict content, identify main ideas, and make inferences. Visual support helped in decoding unfamiliar words and improved students’ engagement and motivation to read. Teachers also reported better participation during reading activities, especially among low-proficiency learners. The study concludes that integrating picture books into the English curriculum can be an effective method to support reading comprehension development in Tamil-medium primary learners. It recommends teacher training on how to use picture books strategically and calls for more contextualized materials that relate to students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds. 2025-05-20T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7479 Title: The role of national colleges of education (NCEOs) in developing self-efficacy and pedagogical competence among prospective teachers Authors: Punniyamoorthy, K.; Nawastheen, F.M. Abstract: Self-efficacy, a concept introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura, refers to a teacher's belief in their ability to manage classroom challenges and achieve teaching goals successfully. As teacher education institutions, the National Colleges of Education (NCOEs) play a pivotal role in nurturing future educators' confidence and pedagogical competence. This study investigates how NCOE training programs foster self-efficacy among prospective teachers and develop the instructional competencies necessary for contemporary classrooms. The present study underlined Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. The study aimed to examine how institutional training quality, subject specialization, and gender intersect to shape self-efficacy skills among prospective teachers. The study employed a quantitative approach using stratified sampling to select 230 student teachers (114 male, 116 female) across selected NCOEs. The Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES), adapted and validated for the Sri Lankan context, served as the primary instrument (Cronbach's α > 0.70). Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA used to analyze self-efficacy and perceived pedagogical competence differences. Findings indicate that male student teachers reported marginally higher self-efficacy scores than their female counterparts. Subject specialization also influenced outcomes; history trainees demonstrated greater instructional confidence than those specializing in English, though the difference was not statistically significant (p = .634). Notably, institutional disparities emerged, with student teachers from Vavuniya NCOE exhibiting significantly higher self-efficacy (p = .000) than peers from NCOE at Dhargatown. Pedagogical competence was consistently associated with the quality of practical training, the strength of mentorship, and the coherence of the curriculum. The study underscores the need for NCOEs to enhance their programs through confidence-building modules, gender-responsive mentoring practices, and deeper collaboration with schools for immersive practicum experiences. These insights offer critical implications for policy reform, institutional development, and the broader landscape of teacher education, especially in contexts seeking to elevate teaching quality through systemic capacity building. 2025-05-20T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7478 Title: Alcohol consumption in digital media platforms: a study based on Nintavur Divisional Secretary Authors: Hanana, M.N.F.; Sasna, S.F.; Farvin, M.Y.M. Abstract: This study investigates the evolving relationship between digital platforms and alcohol consumption behaviors within the culturally and religiously significant community of Nintavur. The research examines the technological mediation of alcohol procurement, focusing on emerging consumption patterns, underlying motivations, and broader societal consequences. Through a methodologically rigorous mixed-methods approach, the investigation combines in-depth qualitative interviews with comprehensive quantitative analyses to illuminate user engagement behaviors, technological facilitating factors, and associated regulatory challenges. Evidence suggests that digital platforms have substantially transformed traditional alcohol Purchas Regional ing patterns, with enhanced accessibility and personal privacy emerging as predominant facilitators of consumption within this community context. The research further explores the complex interplay between cultural traditions, legal frameworks, and community values that shape residents' interactions with digital alcohol procurement systems. By providing a contextually nuanced examination of this phenomenon, the study contributes valuable insights to contemporary discourse regarding technology's role in substance consumption behaviors and its intersection with localized sociocultural factors. The findings inform evidence-based recommendations for targeted policy development and community awareness initiatives specifically calibrated to address Nintavur's distinctive characteristics and challenges. 2025-05-20T00:00:00Z