http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/5 Mon, 04 May 2026 16:54:56 GMT 2026-05-04T16:54:56Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7921 Title: Assessing Shariah compliance: an analysis of Ijarah financing practices in Sri Lanka's Islamic banking sector against AAOIFI standards Authors: Hayathu Mohamed, Ahamed Hilmy; Ahamed Lebbee, Abdul Rauf; Mohamed Casim, Abdul Nazar Abstract: This study critically examines the extent to which Ijārah nancing practices in Sri Lanka's Islamic banking sector conform to the principles delineated in the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Shariah Standard No. 9. Employing a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory methodology grounded in a comprehensive literature review, this study synthesises information from peer reviewed journals, regulatory reports, and institutional documents. It establishes AAOIFI standards as the benchmark for compliance and systematically analyzes Sri Lankan practices, identifying key areas of convergence and divergence. The findings reveal a significant reliance on institutional-level Shariah governance, in the absence of a robust national regulatory framework. The analysis further uncovered critical gaps, particularly in the operational mechanics of Ijārah products, which may functionally resemble conventional nancing in some instances, thereby raising concerns about adherence to the higher objectives of Islamic law (Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah). This study provides a comparative perspective on international best practices. It offers strategic recommendations for policymakers and financial institutions to enhance Shariah compliance, strengthen transparency, and foster sustainable growth in the Sri Lankan Islamic nance industry. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7921 2026-01-22T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7920 Title: Preliminaries Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7920 2025-10-30T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7919 Title: Assessing urban heat island dynamics in the South Eastern region of Sri Lanka using landsat-8/9 and GIS (2019–2025) Authors: Fernando, U. S. D.; Zainudeen, U. L. Abstract: This study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in the Southeastern region of Sri Lanka, from 2019 to 2025, utilizing Landsat-8/9 satellite imagery and ArcGIS Pro analysis. Despite minimal land use changes, results indicate a significant rise in Land Surface Temperature (LST) from 36.31 °C in 2019 to 37.54 °C in 2025, with Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHII) increasing from 0.009172 to 0.01159. Supervised classification revealed a decline in vegetation cover (NDVI from +0.81 to -0.13) and an increase in urban (9% to 16%) and bare land (2% to 15%) areas, correlating with elevated LST and UHII, particularly during dry seasons. Albedo measurements using a lux meter showed low reflectivity (0.055-0.278) for urban surfaces like roads and concrete, enhancing heat retention, while paddy fields (0.07-0.11) contributed to temperature rises under reduced moisture. It indicates Sammanthurai has low albedo surface and it causes to rice temperature of the area. Weather data from 2024 highlighted a peak temperature of 38.7 °C, with a weak positive correlation (slope 0.02) between solar radiation (224.64 W/m²) and temperature, exacerbating UHI effects. Comparative analysis with Kitulgala’s wetter, forested region (207.065 W/m², 24-31 °C) underscores the role of vegetation and climate in mitigating heat. The study, achieving 91% classification accuracy (Kappa 0.88541), emphasizes climatic factors and land management as key drivers of UHI in semi-rural, agrarian landscapes. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7919 2025-10-30T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7918 Title: A custom Python script for automated tracking of locomotor activity in amphibian larvae Authors: Rajapaksha, H. T. D.; Dissanayake, B. M.; Wickramasinghec, W. A. G. K.; Pathirana, N. U. K. Abstract: Automated behavioural tracking tools are increasingly valuable for reducing observer bias, improving reproducibility, and enabling high-throughput data collection in animal behaviour research. Recent developments in open-source and customizable tracking platforms have enhanced accessibility and analytical efficiency across species, while modern programming tools like R and Python enable affordable and precise behavioural quantification, particularly valuable for research in resource-limited settings. Existing commercial and open-source packages provide useful frameworks, yet they are often constrained by limited flexibility, high costs, or inadequate adaptability to species-specific behaviours, particularly in non- model organisms such as amphibian larvae. To address this gap, we developed a custom Python-based tracking script capable of quantifying locomotor activity from standard video recordings The tool automates the detection and tracking of individual larvae, extracting continuous X–Y positional data and generating visual outputs such as trajectory plots and heat maps to represent spatial activity patterns. Output files are produced in Excel- compatible format, allowing seamless integration with statistical workflows. Behavioral trials were conducted to evaluate both short-term repeatability and developmental consistency of locomotor traits in tadpoles, demonstrating the script’s ability to capture fine- scale variation in activity levels over time. Preliminary validation against manual scoring confirmed high accuracy and reliability, highlighting its potential as a robust alternative to observer-based measurements. Importantly, the script’s open and adaptable structure allows researchers to modify tracking parameters according to study needs, extending its applicability beyond amphibians to other small aquatic organisms. This custom tool therefore offers a flexible, low-cost, and reproducible approach for behavioural ecologists and conservation biologists investigating movement and activity in larval stages. By facilitating detailed and standardized quantification of locomotion, it contributes to advancing questions in developmental biology, personality research, and ecological assessments of amphibian populations—areas of growing significance in light of global amphibian declines. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7918 2025-10-30T00:00:00Z