Browsing by Author "De Silva, N"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 110

item: Conference-Abstract
A concept of weather window (WW) in managing the rain risks in construction projects of Sri Lanka
Wiratunga, IVH; De Silva, N
Different weather conditions such as rain, wind and snow would directly impact on the performance of any construction project. Being a tropical country, the effect from rain would be experienced mostly in Sri Lanka. Within this context, risks caused from rain can be defined in financial terms as a loss or gain due to a change in weather conditions over a period of time. Weather records available in the Meteorological Department of previous years are analysed to establish the different rain risk categories based on dry spell, rain spell, and wet spell which are derived from a "wet day" as define by the Meteorological Department. In this research the value used' to define the wet day is modified to establish the '"weather windows• (WW.s)," under above rain risk categories, namely as major weather window, moderate weather window and minor weather window. These established WWs are applied to a completed project and analyzed at different risk conditions.lt was identified that the concept could be used effectively to manage the rain risks. The results showed that 3.5% of the total project cost would have been saved, if the weather sensitive items such as excavation and earth works, landscaping and external works, etc., of the project were scheduled by analysing the WWs, during the planning stage, even though the rain is considered as an Act of God and a totally uncertain event.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Adaptability of OHSAS 18001 as a regulation in the Sri Lankan construction industry: consultant's perspective
Senaratne, GRN; De Silva, N
The management of health and safety is an issue that is relevant and crucial to all organizations across all industries in the globe. It is more significant and crucial for the construction industry. In Sri Lanka, the construction industry is one of the largest industries,accounting about 8.7% gross domestic product in 2013. It employs about 681,000 in 2012 of the national workforce and generates an annual turnover of up to Rs.423.4 billion. However,construction industry still remains one of the most dangerous industries due to its high work force, heavy use of high risk machineries sand lack of safety culture. This research is focused to study the potential of implementation of OHSAS 18001 as a regulation in local construction industry. Thus three objectives such as study the standard process of OHSAS 18001 requirements implementing at a site , Level of current practice of OHSAS 18001 requirements at consultants organisations and Analyse the possibility of implementing OHSAS 18001 as a regulation were set. The survey method was employed in conducting this research. Data collection was mainly through questionnaire survey that consists with structured and semi structured questions. The findings of the research showed that 15.6 % of the companies are following OHSAS 18001 and another 12 .5% have obtained OHSAS 18001 certification. In addition, 59% of the companies are following OHS policies that are quite similar to OHSAS and 71.9 % of the respondents were of the view that OHSAS 18001 can be established as a regulation. These findings will inspire the stakeholders of the construction industry to implement OHSAS 180001 in their construction sites in order to optimize the operational performances and the legislature to introduce necessary legislations to make OHSAS 180001 a regulation for the benefit of the industry and the society at large.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Adoptability of community mobilisation concept for effective operation and maintenance of low-income condominium projects in Sri Lanka
(2023) Vipulaguna, MSV; De Silva, N
Sri Lanka's housing policy has welcomed the integration of high-rise condominiums In response to the demand for housing of low-income residents in underserved settlements, aiming to enhance population density. However, inadequate maintenance practices in these condominiums have resulted in considerable deterioration, posing critical safety and health risks to occupants. Community Mobilisation (CM) is recognized as an effective behavior-based strategy to foster behavioral change and active participation in regular maintenance activities. This research focuses on studying CM interventions that can influence the behaviors of low-income condominium dwellers regarding maintenance management and operational issues. In order to fulfill the research goals, a mixed-methodology was utilized, including expert interviews and a structured questionnaire survey involving 391 condominium dwellers. A comprehensive literature review identified 12 common operational and maintenance management issues in low-income condominiums. A CM model was developed using the CM approach and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to address attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The CM model incorporated strategies such as bringing people together, raising awareness, assisting in resource delivery, and facilitating community participation to enhance attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, respectively. The results illustrate that behavioral attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control exert significant influence on the behavioral intention and actions (behaviour) of occupants in operation and maintenance management. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers, condominium developers, and low-income residents to improve the sustainability and livability of high-rise condominiums in Sri Lanka. Keywords: maintenance management, low-income, condominiums, community mobilization, theory of planned behaviour
item: Thesis-Abstract
An Analytical study of the attitudes of Sri Lankan architects towards green architecture
Geekiyanage, NYY; De Silva, N
In the span of time it is only yesterday that the built-environment departed from ancient tradition. For thousand of years, our ancestors respected and honored the primeval forces. Every where, buildings strove to express a harmony between people, land and cosmos. The dawning of modern age, so called "age of reason "radically upturned this ancient almost unbroken paradigm of the world. This was due to invention of materials, mass-scale production process, technologies, building densities and practices. Due to this the building has become a major contribution to present environment degradation. For the purpose of finding solutions for these. The concept "Green Architecture" has emerged. Simply defined this is not a new concept, it is a re-emergence and interpretation of traditional concepts to address the modem environment movement based on the built-environment. It can also state that this is an "attitude": in congruence with "natural" and "built" environments. This study aims to examine the attitudes of Sri Lankan architects towards Green Architecture, as they are the main contributors of the building industry. The study initially identifies the modern interpretation of green 'principles', afterwards the evolution of green attitudes and interpretations are revealed according to them from the vernacular traditional architecture to present day. Next through a questionnaire based research it is searched for the attitudes and interpretations of present day architects towards Green Architecture. This study finds that the attitudes of present as well as the earlier architects comply well with the 'green' attitudes the cause behind the built-environment that still contributing positively towards the modem environmental crisis is revealed.
item: Conference-Abstract
Architecture of ensemble neural networks for risk analysis
De Silva, N; Thurairajah, N; Ransinghe, M
Assembling of nemal networks refened to as "Ensemble nemal networks·· consist with many small "expei1 networks" that leam small parts of the complex problem. which are established by decomposing it into its sub leYels. Ensemble nemal network architecnue has been proposed to so lYe complex problems with large munbers of variables. In this paper. this architecture is used to analyze maintainability risks ofhigh-rise buildings. An ensemble neural network that consists with four expert networks to represent four building elements namely roof. fa<;:ade. basement and intemal areas is deYeloped to forecast the maintenance efficiency (ME) of buildings. The model is tested and the results showed good performance. The model is fmther validated using a real case study.
item: Conference-Full-text
Better values and characteristics in relationally integrated value networks to enhance total asset management
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2014-06) De Silva, N; Ranadewa, KATO; Kumaraswamy, M; Ranasinghe, M; Sandanayake, YG; Fernando, NG; Karunasena, GI
Construction contract types span a wide spectrum ranging from traditional contracting to relational contracting modes. Although weak collaborative supply chain networks exist even in widely practiced traditional contract modes, the potentially beneficial strong relational forces remain untapped and/or fragmented, lacking well-defined common goals among stakeholders. Apart from addressing this shortfall in the built asset planning, design and construction (project management) phase, relational contracts (RC) can also be extended to total asset management (TAM) by aiming at the relational integration of all stakeholders throughout the built asset lifecycle, by engaging them in cross linked value networks’. Such integrated networks were called ‘relationally integrated value networks’ (RIVANS) when initially proposed for the project management phase. ‘RIVANS for TAM’ were next proposed to provide a holistic approach to bridge the project management phase and the asset management phase in the lifecycle of assets. The study reported in this paper, contributes to knowledge by identifying better values through adapting RIVANS as a holistic beneficial approach to the whole built environment. A questionnaire survey was conducted to identify common better values in RIVANS. These identified better values were then clustered to form similar groups using factor analysis to establish synergetic characteristics of RIVANS. Four characteristics were extracted to identify and target embedded synergies in RIVANS, for enhanced total asset management.
item: Article-Abstract
Building a WordNet for Sinhala
Wijesiri, I; Gallage, M; Gunathilaka, B; Lakjeewa, M; Wimalasuriya, DC; Dias, G; Paranavithana, R; De Silva, N
Sinhala is one of the official languages of Sri Lanka and is used by over 19 million people. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of the In-do-European languages and its origins date back to at least 2000 years. It has developed into its current form over a long period of time with influences from a wide variety of lan-guages including Tamil, Portuguese and Eng-lish. As for any other language, a WordNet is extremely important for Sinhala to take it into the digital era. This paper is based on the pro-ject to develop a WordNet for Sinhala based on the English (Princeton) WordNet. It de-scribes how we overcame the challenges in adding Sinhala specific characteristics which were deemed important by Sinhala language experts to the WordNet while keeping the structure of the original English WordNet. It also presents the details of the crowdsourcing system we developed as a part of the project - consisting of a NoSQL database in the backend and a web-based frontend. We con-clude by discussing the possibility of adapting this architecture for other languages and the road ahead for the Sinhala WordNet and Sin-hala NLP.
item: Conference-Abstract
Challenges faced by the construction industry in Sri Lanka: Perspective of clients and contractors
Rajakaruna, RWDWCAB; Bandara, KATN; De Silva, N
The construction industiy is .a majior contributor to the development of economies in Sri Lanka. However, it faces significant cballenges and difficulties which are unique to the specific industty. Therefore, it is a vital role to recognise them and offer solutions. This paper presents fmdings of a research which was carried out to identify c.hallenges face by the Sri Lankan construction indusny and effective mechaniisms / motives to overcome such aspects from the consultants' and contractors' perspectives. An in
item: Article-Full-text
Colour associated thermal perception (CTP) - Evidence from an experimental research design implemented in Sri Lanka
(2014-04-09) Hettiarachchi, A; De Silva, N
Colours have been hypotheticallY recognized to alter perceived temperature and thus differentiated as warm colours and cool colours, even though not satisfactorily supported via scientific inquiry. Given that this association could be generalized, the current investigation proposes its integration to create the optimal perceived thermal milieu demanded ~ human activities in built environment eventuallY working as a potential hybrid approach for energy conservation. In order to comprehend the logic behind u/arm-cooi dichoto17!Jof colour perception and to provide scientific explanation on its nature, emergenceand significant factors, an experimental research design was adopted with referenceto red and blue associated thermal perception (RTP and BTP).
item: Article-Full-text
Colour Associated Thermal Perception (CTP): Evidence From An Experimental Research Design Implemented In Sri Lanka.
(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2013-12) Hettiarachchi, A; De Silva, N
Colours have been hypothetically recognized to alter perceived temperature. and thus differentiated as warm colours and cool colours, even though not satisfactorily supported via scientific inquiry. Given that this association could be generalized, the current investigation proposes its integration to create the optimal perceived thermal milieu demanded by human activities in built environment eventually working as a potential hybrid approach for energy conservation. In order to comprehend the logic behind warm-cool dichotomy of colour perception and to provide scientific explanation on its nature, emergence and significant factors, an experimental research design was adopted with reference to red and blue associated thermal perception (RTP and BTP). It was affirmed that a warm RTP and a cool BTP can be generalized. Colour blind subjects were found to perceive the same suggesting possibilities of CTP beyond visual perception. Colour associated thermal perception was found to be more of a psychological response. One’s psychological state triggered by colour stimuli, preference to exposed coloured environment and the preconceived, learnt ideologies molded by educational background were found to have a significant impact on both RTP and BTP. Further, BTP was found to have relationship with subject's age, and the surface temperature of blue work station while subjects' favorite colour was significant for RTP. Accordingly, CTP was found to emerge as a subtle, complex combination of several layers; psychological, learnt, external as well as certain un-revealed factors.
item: Article-Full-text
A Concept of weather window (WW) in managing the rain risks in construction projects of Sri Lanka
Wiratunga, IVH; De Silva, N
Different weather conditions such as rain, wind and snow would directly impact on. , th, e performance of any construction project. Being a tropical country, the effect from rain wou I be experienced mostly in Sri Lanka. Within this context, risks caused from rain can be defined in financial terms as a loss or gain due to a change in weather conditions over a period of time. Weather records available in the Meteorological Department of previous years are analysed to establish the different rain risk categories based on dry spell, rain spell, and wet spell which are derived from a “wet day ” as defined by the Meteorological Department. In this research, the value used to define the wet day is modified to establish the "weather windows (WWs),” under above rain risk categories, namely as major weather window, moderate weather window and minor weather window. These established WWs are applied to a completed project and analyzed at different risk conditions. It was identified that the concept could be used effectively to manage the rain risks. The results showed that 3.5% of the total project cost would have been saved, if the weather sensitive items such as excavation and earth works, landscaping and external works, etc., of the project were sheduled by analysing the WWs, during the planing stage, even though the rain is considered as an Act of God and a totally uncertain event..
item: Thesis-Abstract
The Concepts, principles and methodologies used in Sinhalese Jewellery
(2014-08-19) Pathirana, DSH; De Silva, N
It is evident that, the things that we produce today, mark the capabilities of people, that gives predictions to the future of a nation. Great civilizations have been recognized from the things that they had produced in the past, such is reflected in architecture, literature, arts & crafts, paintings and sculpture. Today, we look back in to history, seeking for the inspiration of the past. The continuity of the future from the search of the past can be understood as a continuous and healthy process, for the evolution of the new. The study area o f jewellery can be identified as a rich and valuable part of a culture. It can be observed that embellishment had always been an indication of a rich culture. It is understood that, the careful thoughts and synthesis made upon creating jewellery, unfold greater values and deep set roots of the culture. The intelligence, freedom of imagination and wisdom, nourished by the availability of resources and technological expertise are considered as the most important concerns, from which stem the valuable crafting of jewellery. This has been evident, in the Sri Lankan history, which runs back in to more than 2500 years of time. The rich inheritance of gems and pearls, have naturally made Sri Lanka, a renowned name for the trading of gems in the ancient trade. The influence that had brought in the migratory movement of people, due to religious or political alliances, marriage and trade activities are eminent in Sri Lankan jewellery traditions. Also they were subjected to the cross fertilization of other cultural influences. Due to these factors, along with the location of Sri L a n k a as a trade hub in the ancient sea routes had paved way for a unique tradition, of jewellery showcasing high technology and material advancement. It is evident, that design and manufacturing of jewellery had been synthesized along, these processes, that had occurred mainly, due to social, cultural, economical, politie^^arid' environmental reasons. Therefore it had built a tradition along the coursl of j ts history, with accumulated knowledge from the back grounds mentioned above. However, it is observed, that due to various reasons , monotony has resulted, in the recent past in the field of Sinhalese jewellery. With the change of economy, and having introduced the commerce oriented jewellery production, towards the demands of the West, State supported arts and crafts have been fast diminishing in the recent past. A s a result, the value for jewellery and greater enthusiasm and creativity that originated from the aspirations of local people had been ignored for a considerable period of time. With these changing sequences, a commercial oriented background had set in day by day, with the original creativity diminishing in to history. This has resulted in a complete ignorance for good design and creative artists work in the Sri Lankan jewellery. Particularly the local designers work had been completely 'handicapped' by the jewellery design catalogues sent from abroad. Therefore, a greater need has arisen, to enrich the field of Sri Lankan jewellery for innovation, creativity and high quality designs with identity and uniqueness. T h i s has become a national need, of the country at present. A greater need has arisen to search for the roots of the past, to identify the concepts, principles and methodologies used in design and production. Most importantly search for the indigenous processes of creating jewellery in the past tradition. Adaptation of the academic formulas which has the power to influence the jewellery design education.
item: Article-Full-text
The Correlation Between Colour Associated Thermal Perception and Preferred Human Activity
(2013-03) Hettiarachchi, AA; De Silva, N
Research has shown that colour stimuli could trigger certain fixed emotional and behavioural responses within human beings. Consequently, transcending its typical aesthetic value, colours have a greater potential to be integrated into design in a way that can stimulate required emotions and behaviour in the built environment to enable optimum human performance. This attribute is identified in the present study as an important aspect of the ‘functional value of colour’. Literature on theory of colour explains the relationship between colour and human’s thermal perception (TP), distinguishing warm colours (red, orange, yellow), cools colours (blue, green, purple) and neutral colours (white, grey, black). This study emphasises that every human activity demands a unique thermal condition or environment for its optimum performance. In consequence, it was hypothesised that colours could be potentially used to manipulate human thermal environment as demanded by the activity intended in any built space. Hitherto, the scientific investigations done on the nature and potential of this association are scarce. The present research attempts to provide evidence for TP related to a few selected colours, while identifying certain associated functions for aforementioned colours. A group of normal sighted, healthy volunteer undergraduates (n=72) of the same age (20-23) were shown computer generated slides of a typical room in seven different colours as specified in RGB colour model, projected on to a wall ; red( 255,0,0), orange (255,165,0), yellow (255,255,0), blue (0,0,255), green ( 0,128,0), purple (128,0,128), white (255,255,255) within a controlled studio environment. While maintaining a constant ambient temperature (26oC), the participants were exposed to each slide for two minutes. They rated their thermal perception (warmness/coolness) of each room on a 5-point likert scale and selected activities they would prefer to perform, in each room out of a list of activities provided to them, imagining that they were actually experiencing each coloured room shown in the slides. Findings of this study provide testimony for colours’ ability to alter human’s thermal perception. Explicitly, TP of red, orange and yellow colour slides were rated as warm and blue, green, purple slides were rated as cool while white slide was found to have an average TP. Red was found to trigger the highest TP and blue, the lowest TP. The following relationship between TP of the seven colours tested was arrived at; TP Red > TP Orange > TP Yellow > TP White > TP Purple > TP Green > TP Blue. Supporting the hypotheses, the participants preferred to perform active functions in the rooms which they rated to have a high TP and vice versa. For instance, red room was preferred for exercising and sports, while orange was selected for sports, dining and exercising. Yellow was imagined as suitable to support discussions, dining and sports. The colours identified to have a low TP were significantly preferred for calm activities. Blue and purple respectively were decidedly preferred for sleeping and secondly for relaxing. Green room was dominantly preferred for relaxing. White which was rated to have an average TP was chosen for calm and neutral activities, mainly drawing, reading and meditation.
item: Conference-Full-text
The correlation between colour associated thermal perception and preferred human activity
(2014-01-10) Hettiarachchi, AA; De Silva, N
Research has shown that colour stimuli could trigger certain fixed emotional and behavioural responses lVithin human beings. Consequentty, transcending its typical aesthetic value, colours have a greater potential to be integrated into design in a WqJ that can stimulate required emotions and behaviour in the built environment to enable optimum human performance. This attribute is identified in the present stuc!J as an important aspect of the Junctional value of colour'. Literature on theory of colour explains the relationship betueen colour and human's, thermal perception (TP), distinguishing warm colours (red, orange, yellozv), cools colours (blue, gree1J,purple) and neutral colours (white, grey, black). This stu4J emphasises that every human activity demands a unique thermal condition or environment for its optimum performance. In consequence, it was f!)Ipothesised that colours could be potentiallY used to manipulate human thermal environment as demanded by the activity intended in arry built space. Hitherto, the scientific investigations done on the nature and potential of this association are scarce. The present research attempts to provide evidence for TP related to a few selected colours, while identifying certain associated functions for aforementioned colours.
item: Article-Full-text
Demand-side energy retrofit potential in existing office buildings
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2019) Karunaratne, TLW; De Silva, N
Purpose – Office buildings confront with the issue of high energy demand during the day time mainly due to heavy use of energy for HVAC and lighting systems. Demand-side energy retrofits (DSER) are identified as effective in controlling electricity demand of existing buildings. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the potential of incorporating DSER in to existing office buildings. The paper reports the cost benefits of using DSER in existing office buildings. Furthermore, it reveals several enablers that can be used to promote retrofits in office buildings of Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach – An industry survey was conducted by selecting a sample of 35 office buildings to study the usage of DSER in office buildings of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, three case studies were conducted to analyse the costs benefits of widely used DSER techniques in office buildings. Findings – Research revealed that the use of DSER techniques in existing office buildings of Sri Lanka is at a lower level. However, it found that the financial viability of those DSER was at a promising level. Furthermore, 11 enablers in two levels as organisational level and national level were identified to enhance the use of DSER. Originality/value – The study justifies the potential of DSER in reducing energy demand of existing office buildings through in-depth cost benefit analysis, which is useful for a country like Sri Lanka which faces massive energy crisis. This encourages Facility Managers towards using DSER to reduce building energy demand. Furthermore, study provides enablers at organisational and national levels to enhance the use of DSER.
item: Conference-Full-text
Developing a decision-making model for selecting smart retrofits
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2022-06-24) Jayarathne, GHTD; De Silva, N; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, S; Gunatilake, S
The world is now experiencing a large environmental crisis, particularly buildings contributing significantly to the problem. Hence, building energy demand has been continuously growing in parallel with the rise in occupant energy demand. Smart retrofitting has been highlighted as one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption. However, the selection of suitable smart retrofits (SRs) has become a challenging task, from a range of SRs. A qualitative research approach was used in this research to identify relating to smart retrofits (SRs) for office buildings and establish governing factors for their selection. Semi-structured expert interviews were conducted to collect data related to SRs techniques, and content analysis was carried out to establish governing factors for selection of each SR. Out of 18 identified SRs from literature, fan cycling, ventilation control, and LED luminaires are the most implemented retrofit technique during the operational stage of the office buildings in Sri Lanka. Further, fan cycling, and ventilation controls were identified as commonly used types. Those findings were used to develop the decision-making model. Although SRs implementation is a comprehensive process, the recognized governing factors can be used to select suitable forms and features of SRs based on proposed decision-making model. This research further establishes metrics to benchmark the performance of SRs. The proposed model and the metrics could be valuable tools for building owners and facility managers to optimize facility operations.
item: Conference-Full-text
Developing a TBPE scoring framework for assessing total building performance
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2014-06) Sabrina, NZ; De Silva, N; Sandanayake, YG; Karunasena, GI; Fernando, NG
Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) has received an increasing attention over the past two decades among the researchers to provide a comfortable and stable internal environment to increase and provide a better human potential. To determining how well the facilities are performing in order to support the organisational goals and user requirement, it is vital to conduct regular building evaluations which provide the current status quo of the building. Aiming to this, there are various BPE approaches developed around the world, and as evidenced there are no in-depth studies on Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) in tropical countries to evaluate the building performance. However, adapting these approaches might not necessarily be applicable in the context of tropical countries due to geographical, climatic, cultural and other differences. This has been identified as the gap in this research and aimed to formulate a holistic Total Building Performance Evaluation (TBPE) scoring framework, for the assessment of performance of buildings. First, a comprehensive literature survey was carried out. This was followed by an expert survey to sieve out the most significant BP factors identified in the literature survey. With that detailed questioner survey was carried out proposing a TBPE scoring framework compromising total of two hundred and sixty five points to evaluate buildings with 7 criteria and 57 dimensions in which energy management, reachability to the building, occupational hygiene, thermal comfort, unit costs savings, load bearing capacity etc had higher contribution in evaluating building with relation to tropical context. Finally, this paper readdresses the need of evaluating the buildings and suggesting the paradigm to evaluate the buildings in an objective manner.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Developing of scalable scada in view of acquiring multi protocol smart grid devices
(2015-07-06) Rathnayaka, RMJ; Hemapala, KTMU; De Silva, N
Distribution Automation (DA) can be identified as a method of improving system efficiency &reliability. It enables distribution utilities to monitor and control their distribution assets from a central location called “Distribution Control Center” However the distribution licensees operate in Sri Lanka, reluctant to adopt DA in to their system mainly due to higher capital investment &heavy dependency on foreign technical expertise in this field. With a careful study, it can be identified that there are considerable number of DA compatible distribution components were reside in their respective networks without proper utilization of features which support DA. These devices were brought in to their networks without considering DA.Therefore implementing a DA solution by utilizing these devices,should only be done after conducting a careful study. Device communication plays a pivotal role in DA. Successful DA implementation heavily relies on device communication. As these devices were added in to networks in adhoc manner, they tend to support many different communication protocols and create multiprotocol environment which complicates DA implementation further. Larger portion of the distribution network of Sri Lanka comprising of over head network and linking geographically dispersed distribution equipment to a central control center, where Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) system resides is a cumber some and expensive task. This dissertation discusses on developing a scalable SCADA in view of acquiring multi protocol smart grid devices to support distribution licensees operate in Sri Lanka to develop an in house DA solution with local expertise & with minimum capital cost. Further it discuss of adopting a cost effective communication media to maintain minimum operational cost for the DA solution. Western province north (WPN) of Distribution division-2 of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) considered for the study & outcome of the study has been utilized to develop a Distribution control center in WPN.
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Development of a customer satisfaction assessment model for the immigration and emigration service in Sri Lanka
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2015-06) Madhusanka, HWN; De Silva, N; Sandanayake, YG; Fernando, NG; Karunasena, GI
Immigration and Emigration Service (IES) is among the most vital set of state services of a country. In Sri Lanka it has played a great role with the augmented rates of immigrants and emigrants during past few years. The efficiency of this service relies on its customers’ satisfaction. Thus the focus of the research was to identify the level of satisfaction of customers regarding the quality of services, and to suggest appropriate further improvement strategies to maximize its efficiency. Quantitative approach was used for the effective fulfilment of desired objectives. During the first phase of data collection, two preliminary surveys were carried out to filter and specifically identify the factors to be included in the satisfaction assessment. Subsequently, the customer satisfaction assessment was completed focusing on 125 customers. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 4 experts, aiming to identify possible improvement strategies for further enhancements in the service quality. Twenty eight factors were established to appraise the immigration and emigration service quality. The service quality assessment using IPA matrix revealed that the customers were satisfied with 15 factors and dissatisfied with 13 factors. Thus, several improvement strategies were proposed to improve the current service quality.
item: Conference-Abstract
Development of a Customer Satisfaction Assessment Model for the Immigration and Emigration Service in Sri Lanka
(2015-08-20) Madhusanka, HWN; De Silva, N
Immigration and Emigration Service (IES) is among the most vital set of state services of a country. In Sri Lanka it has played a great role with the augmented rates of immigrants and emigrants during past few years. The efficiency of this service relies on its customers’ satisfaction. Thus the focus of the research was to identify the level of satisfaction of customers regarding the quality of services, and to suggest appropriate further improvement strategies to maximize its efficiency. Quantitative approach was used for the effective fulfilment of desired objectives. During the first phase of data collection, two preliminary surveys were carried out to filter and specifically identify the factors to be included in the satisfaction assessment. Subsequently, the customer satisfaction assessment was completed focusing on 125 customers. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 4 experts, aiming to identify possible improvement strategies for further enhancements in the service quality. Twenty eight factors were established to appraise the immigration and emigration service quality. The service quality assessment using IPA matrix revealed that the customers were satisfied with 15 factors and dissatisfied with 13 factors. Thus, several improvement strategies were proposed to improve the current service quality.