Nāgānanda International Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences – Vol. VI, Issue 03

Dr. Nayomi Kekulawala
Senior Lecturer, Department History, University of Kelaniya.

P.M.D.S. Amarasooriya
Lecturer, Department of Computer and Statisticts, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

G. A. A. N. Srishan
Research Assistant, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

P. N. Abhayasundere
Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

A. A. J. Jayasiri
Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

A. Harini Navoda De Zoysa
Lecturer, Department of Indigenous Health Sciences, Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka.

W.A.G. Perera
Senior Professor, Department of Philosophy and Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Dananjaya Gamalath
Professor, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

Dr. Ashoka Karunarathna
Assistant Librarian, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

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Dr. Nayomi Kekulawala
Senior Lecturer, Department of History, University of Kelaniya.

Abstract:
In studying the trade history of the Indian Ocean, it is clear that from the 13th century to the 15th century AD, the developed region of trade was around the Arabian Sea region. After the 13th century AD, the southern, southwestern and western ports of Sri Lanka became more prosperous The source provides the factors. During this period, the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526A.D.) and Mughal power (1526-1857 A.D.) were active in India, so there is evidence of how many South Indian traders came into contact with Sri Lanka. In particular, the advanced stage of “Natha ” worship can be seen in Sri Lanka by the 15th century AD and after that period Natha statues were built in many temples and shrines focusing on the western, southwestern and Kandy regions of Sri Lanka. By the 13th century AD, “natha” worship was popular in Southeast Asia and India. Also, during this period, Catholicism and Protestantism spread in these areas. Natha Ela and its surrounding temples belonging to Gampaha district in the Western Province have been selected for this research. When studying its location, it becomes clear that this Natha canal (natha ela) is an additional canal built to transport goods from inland to the western coast. Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, Sapugaskanda Rajamaha Viharaya and Heiyanthuduwa Rajamaha Viharaya etc. are the major temples built around Natha Ela. There is evidence that economic activities in this area were very prosperous during the reign of King Rajasinghe II (1635-1687 AD). Also, due to the prevalence of Roman Catholicism and Protestantism in those areas, during the Rajasinghe II period (1635-1687 AD), more Natha statues were built in this area to challenge Catholicism and Protestantism as well as to protect Buddhism. At the same time, during this period, Natha statues were built to bring the pilgrims from India as well as Southeast Asia to this area. Also, it is clear that in order to face the Mughal power in India and the expansion of the power of the Europeans, Buddhism was spread in the area by advancing the Mahayana concept.

Keywords: Natha, Trade, Gampaha, Rajasinghe II, Catholicism, Mughal

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P.M.D.S. Amarasooriya
Lecturer, Department of Computer and Statisticts, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Abstract:
For many people, dance is a natural way to express themselves, but it can present special difficulties for those who have hearing loss. Though a lot of study has been done to help the hard of hearing enjoy music, not much has been done to help them become self-sufficient dancers. This study explores the subtleties of teaching dance to people with hearing impairments, highlighting the significance of comprehending certain dance forms and their complex motions. This study presents a novel strategy to deal with these issues by utilizing machine learning technology. Using a machine learning model, the study focuses on three essential moves in Sri Lankan traditional dancing, making training easier for dancers with hearing impairments. The goal of the project is to empower and promote inclusivity by teaching people with hearing impairments a culturally rich dancing style.

Keywords: Deaf People, Machine Learning, Dancing Style, Sri Lanka

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G. A. A. N. Srishan
Research Assistant, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

P. N. Abhayasundere
Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

A. A. J. Jayasiri
Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Abstract:
During the epidemic season, the normal daily life of people changes completely. In order to control the spread of disease, people have to move from their familiar lifestyles. In an epidemic situation, the instructions given to control the disease in Western medicine are issued to the people in a legal form. For example, the laws imposed by the health sector for things like lockdown, and quarantine can be mentioned. Other health tips are made known to the public using various media. In the past, this situation takes a different form. In many cases, the traditional medicine emphasizes the ways in which people’s lifestyles should change during an epidemic, through rituals and cultural social practices. Apart from marriage, other rites of passage cannot be postponed due to an epidemic situation. A birth, a puberty, and a death should be done hygienically, even in an epidemic situation, following restrictive practices. What are traditional and Western medicine recommendations to deal with cases of human rites of passage during the epidemic? What are their similar inequalities? These are the research questions of this research. This research aims to comparatively study the advice given in traditional medicine and Western medicine in performing rites of passage cases during the epidemic period. This study falls within the descriptive research category, which is situated between social science and anthropology research. Colombo district and Monaragala district of Sri Lanka were selected as the study area of the research and 05 traditional practitioners and 05 Western medicine doctors from one district were selected as the total sample of 20 data contributors under the purposive sampling method. According to this research, it seems that during epidemic conditions, more attention was given to dealing with health advice for birth, puberty, marriage and death. Restrictions on rituals, food preparation, and even other routine practices can be seen in both traditional and Western medicine. Similarities can be seen in traditional and Western medicine when it comes to imposing social restrictions. Nonetheless it can be concluded that these restrictions are directed to the people in the form of rituals related to cultural characteristics in the traditional system, and in legal form as health advice in the Western system.

Keywords: Traditional Medicine, Western Medicine, Epidemics, Rites of Passage, Consultation

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A. Harini Navoda De Zoysa
Lecturer, Department of Indigenous Health Sciences, Faculty of Indigenous Health
Sciences and Technology, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine,
Sri Lanka.

W.A.G. Perera
Senior Professor, Department of Philosophy and Psychology, Faculty of Humanities,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Abstract:
One of the major challenges that organizations today confront is employee motivation. The commitment and dedication of the company’s personnel are key factors in its success. Therefore, employee motivation needs to come from both internal and external factors in order for the organization to achieve its goals. While the idea of motivation for employees has been widely studied in the literature, relatively little attention has been paid to the motivational components influencing employee motivation in the Sri Lankan insurance industry. The current study was thus launched in order to cover this knowledge gap in the literature. The primary objective of this study was to identify the factors that affect employee motivation in the insurance industry in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, this study will provide top management with a comprehensive grasp of the importance of motivating factors for raising productivity at work. Data was obtained from 260 employees who were selected using the simple random sample method utilizing quantitative methodology. Both primary and secondary data have been used for this research. A factor analysis was done to determine the main factors influencing employees’ motivation. The analysis revealed that three prominent factors were identified for employee motivation in the organization: employee engagement, employee performance, and employee personal growth. Therefore, managerial personnel should strive to identify the driving motivational factors of their employees, since this directly affects the performance of the organization.

Keywords: Employee Motivation, Motivational Factors, Employees, Managerial Personnel, Performance

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Dananjaya Gamalath
Professor, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

Dr. Nayomi Kekulawala
Senior Lecturer, Department of History, University of Kelaniya.

Abstract:
This research will integrate into the areas of Social Archeology and Historical Archeology. Of the 85 statues and cave temples we explored, 26 were represented by the god Saman in the perfume chamber, and on 12 occasions the perfume chamber was positioned in front of the Buddha statue facing both (Table 1) in both statues and paintings. The god Saman is thus depicted in the perfume chamber. In addition, a system of temples dedicated to God Saman came to our attention in the Western Province, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces (Gamalath and Kekulawala, 2020: 507-536). It is important to note that Saman’s early Theravada Buddhism underwent a gradual evolution after the 15th century. We have pointed out that the Mahayana religion was influenced by Hinduism. This research focuses on the number of hands, handprints, objects, body color, and data on elephants and their comparable differences related to the identity of the god Saman. This research has shown that there is a great variety of Saman deities, especially those made between the 18th and 20th centuries AD. It is also worth noting how the Hindu influences during the reign of the Nayakkar dynasty kings highlight these differences. In the end, the Hindu- inspired representation of Saman is enough to conclude that the Vedic deity is Yama (Paranavitana, 1957). The myth that Samandeviyan was the god Yama, built by Paranavithana, is deeply reconsidered here. The connection between the god Saman and King Rawana is hypothetically shown by the depictions that culminate in the early indigenous Yaksha tribal identity of that god. The closest example is the painting Saman Deva, published by Davy in 1821.

Keywords: God Saman, Yama, Vibheeshana, Gandakuti, Mahayana

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Dr. Ashoka Karunarathna
Assistant Librarian, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

Abstract:
The ancient water engineering technology stands out as a robust construction that underscores the excellence of Hela culture. Ancient societies endeavored to manage water for agricultural purposes in response to climate change, even predating civilization. While the early micro-water industry emerged for limited purposes, it is evident that later, expanded-purpose, and marine irrigation industries developed. The uniqueness lies in how the technology was manipulated to create a canal, serving the functions of a long river. This research aims to explore the water engineering technology of the Yodha Canal and its environmental balancing concepts. The research problem focuses on ascertaining the contribution of the geophysical environment to Yodha Canal water engineering techniques. In conducting the research, the study area served as the core area, spanning from Kala Lake to Tisawewa, with 3 miles on both sides as the left and right bank serving as the peripheral area. Geographical location information and formal survey methods were employed for data collection, while Geographic Information System and laboratory research methods facilitated data analysis. The research revealed sluices supplying water to the lakes on both sides of the Yodha Canal, silt control technology, groundwater conservation methods, bank technology, and water engineering technology. This can be identified as a unique irrigation engineering technology, aptly nicknamed a “long river.”

Keywords: Irrigation, Hydraulic Engineering, Water Management, Groundwater

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