scholarly journals Lightning Climatology and Human Vulnerability to Lightning Hazards in a School Community: A Case Study in Sri Lanka using LIS Data from TRMM Satellite

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-50
Author(s):  
U. G. D. Maduranga ◽  
Mahesh Edirisinghe
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
After School ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Human Vulnerability ◽  
Outdoor Activities ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Imaging Sensor

This study reported lightning climatology and human vulnerability to lightning in a 20 km × 20 km high-density school area in Colombo city in Sri Lanka from 1998 to 2014 using Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) flash data of NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). An average annual flash density recorded over the study area was 9.43 flashes km-2 year-1. A maximum of 49% lightning flashes happened during the first inter-monsoon season. There were only 4% lightning flashes that occurred during 06.00-12.00 LT and during 18.00-24.00 LT, it was 67%, whereas 94% of lightning flashes within a day had occurred after 14.00 LT. It is recommended that, without having proper lightning hazard preventive measures, schools in the study area should avoid or minimalize scheduling their outdoor activities in high lightning risk months of April and November. Especially, after-school outdoor activities should be planned with proper safety measures during the aforementioned months as per the diurnal analysis. Moreover, May to September and December to February were the months with the least lightning risk levels. It is recommended to follow the proposed five-level lightning safety guideline which includes, schedule outdoor activities by considering the variation of lightning activities, follow the 30-30 rule whenever required, avoid staying at the most hazardous locations which are vulnerable to lightning accidents, crouching action if required and providing first-aid whenever necessary. Not only for the Sri Lankan context but also the study is crucial and highly applicable for all schools and other institutes especially in other tropical countries.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Variability of Lightning Flash Distribution over Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
U.G.Dilaj Maduranga ◽  
Mahesh Edirisinghe ◽  
L. Vimukthi Gamage
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Total Lightning ◽  
Imaging Sensor

The variation of the lightning activities over Sri Lanka and surrounded costal belt (5.750N-10.000N and 79.50E-89.000E) is studied using lightning flash data of Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) which was launched in November 1997 for NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The LIS data for the period of 1998 to 2014 are considered for this study. The spatial and temporal variation of lightning activities is investigated and respective results are presented. The diurnal variation over the studied area presents that maximum and minimum flash count recorded at 1530-1630 Local Time (10-11UTC) and 0530-0630LT (00-01UTC) respectively. Maximum lightning activities over the observed area have occurred after the 1330LT (08UTC) in every year during the considered time period. The seasonal variation of the lightning activities shows that the maximum lightning activities happened in First inter monsoon season (March to April) with 30.90% total lightning flashes and minimum lightning activities recorded in Northeast monsoon season (December to February) with 8.51% of total lightning flashes. Maximum flash density of 14.37fl km-2year-1 was observed at 6.980N/80.160E in First inter monsoon season. These seasonal lighting activities are agree with seasonal convective activities and temperature variation base on propagation of Intra-Tropical Convection Zone over the studied particular area. Mean monthly flash count presents a maximum in the month of April with 29.12% of lightning flashes. Variation pattern of number of lightning activities in month of April shows a tiny increment during the time period of 1998 to 2014. Maximum annual flash density of 28.09fl km-2yr-1 was observed at 6.980N/80.170E. The latitudinal variation of the lightning flash density is depicted that extreme lightning activities have happened at the southern part of the county and results show that there is a noticeable lack of lightning activities over the surrounded costal belt relatively landmass.

scholarly journals Climatology of Lightning Activities over Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1027-1038
Author(s):  
Dilaj Maduranga ◽  
Mahesh Edirisinghe
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
International Airport ◽  
Environmental Goals ◽  
Imaging Sensor

This study reveals the spatiotemporal distribution of lightning activities over Bandaranaike International Airport, the main international airport of Sri Lanka. Lightning flash data was acquired from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) of NASA to investigate lightning activities from 1998 to 2014 covering an area of 30 km×30 km over the airport. Overhead annual flash density was 8.19 flashes km-2 year-1. The maximum lightning activities (57%) with an overhead flash density of 28.83 flashes km-2 year-1 was recorded in the first inter-monsoon season. The overhead flash density of 5.28 flashes km-2 year-1, 16.36 flashes km-2 year-1 and 7.46 flashes km-2 year-1 were recorded in the southwest monsoon season, second inter-monsoon season, and northeast monsoon season respectively. The month of April accounts for the highest number of lightning activities while maximum lightning flashes (22%) had occurred during 19.00-20.00 Local Time. According to the international climate season, maximum lightning activities over the study area have been recorded from March to May and during this seasonal period, the northern hemisphere is in spring and the southern hemisphere is in autumn. Safety guidelines are proposed to minimize lightning accidents in the airport. It is important to concern the regions with high lightning activity and vulnerable time periods to mitigate lightning accidents and to take adequate safety precautions to ensure the safety of passengers and the working crew to achieve environmental goals of sustainable development in the aviation industry.

The impacts of terrorism on risk perception and travel behaviour of the Dutch market: Sri Lanka as a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rami K. Isaac ◽  
Annika Van den Bedem
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Travel Behaviour ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of terrorism on risk perception and travel behaviour of the Dutch market towards Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach The research process involved an online self-administered method created with one of the leading research and web-based survey tools called Qualtrics. The questionnaire was filled in by 328 respondents. Findings Findings indicate that Sri Lankan is perceived to be a relatively safe destination. However, the likeliness of visiting the country is unlikely. The respondents with past travel experience (PTE) perceive Sri Lanka to be safer than those without PTE and are more likely to revisit. Male respondents have a higher safety perception of Sri Lanka than women. Most of the respondents see Sri Lanka as an attractive destination and would consider travelling there with children. Research limitations/implications The majority of the respondents are female and aged between 18 to 29 years old. The majority of the respondents’ children were already 19 or older and not accompanying their parents on holiday. This study has managerial implications for Sri Lanka’s tourism board that could work on developing a marketing strategy that focusses on promoting Sri Lanka as a safe destination in combination with all the other unique selling points. Originality/value To the best of author’s knowledge, no analysis has been so far published with a focus on the impact of terrorism on risk perception and attitudes of the Dutch tourist towards Sri Lanka. The aim of this paper is to close the existing gap in the literature and to provide valuable knowledge on the influence of terrorism on risk perception and attitudes of the Dutch tourists’ travel behaviour towards Sri Lanka as a destination.

scholarly journals Preliminary Observations from the China Fengyun-4A Lightning Mapping Imager and Its Optical Radiation Characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 2622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Hui ◽  
Wenjuan Zhang ◽  
Weitao Lyu ◽  
Pengfei Li
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Optical Radiation ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Radiation Characteristics ◽  
Southeastern China ◽  
Northeastern India ◽  
Satellite Platform ◽  
Variation Characteristics ◽  
Imaging Sensor

The Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) Lightning Mapping Imager (LMI) is the first satellite-borne lightning imager developed in China, which can detect lightning over China and its neighboring regions based on a geostationary satellite platform. In this study, the spatial distribution and temporal variation characteristics of lightning activity over China and its neighboring regions were analyzed in detail based on 2018 LMI observations. The observation characteristics of the LMI were revealed through a comparison with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)-Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) observations. Moreover, the optical radiation characteristics of lightning signals detected by the LMI were examined. Factors that may affect LMI detection were discussed by analyzing the differences in optical radiation characteristics between LMI and LIS flashes. The results are as follows. Spatially, the flash density distribution pattern detected by the LMI was similar to those detected by the LIS and WWLLN. High-flash density regions were mainly concentrated over Southeastern China and Northeastern India. Temporally, LMI flashes exhibited notable seasonal and diurnal variation characteristics. The LMI detected a concentrated lightning outbreak over Northeastern India in the premonsoon season and over Southeastern China in the monsoon season, which was consistent with LIS and WWLLN observations. LMI-observed diurnal peak flash rates occurred in the afternoon over most of the regions. There was a “stepwise” decrease in the LMI-observed optical radiance, footprint size, duration, and number of groups per flash, from the ocean to the coastal regions to the inland regions. LMI flashes exhibited higher optical radiance but lasted for shorter durations than LIS flashes. LMI observations are not only related to instrument performance but are also closely linked to onboard and ground data processing. In future, targeted improvements can be made to the data processing algorithm for the LMI to further enhance its detection capability.

scholarly journals Islam, Politics and Violence in Eastern Sri Lanka

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 730-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart Klem
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Muslim Identity ◽  
Islam And Politics ◽  
Political Dimensions ◽  
Academic Debate ◽  
Contemporary Islam

This article bridges Sri Lankan studies and the academic debate on the relation between contemporary Islam and politics. It constitutes a case study of the Muslim community in Akkaraipattu on Sri Lanka's war-ridden east coast. Over two decades of ethnically colored conflict have made Muslim identity of paramount importance, but the meanings attached to that identity vary substantively. Politicians, mosque leaders, Sufis and Tablighis define the ethnic, religious and political dimensions of “Muslimness” differently and this leads to intra-Muslim contradictions. The case study thus helps resolve the puzzle of Sri Lankan Muslims: they are surrounded by hostility, but they continue to be internally divided. Akkaraipattu's Muslims jockey between principled politics, pragmatic politics and anti-politics, because they have to navigate different trajectories. This article thus corroborates recent studies on Islam elsewhere that argue for contextualized and nuanced approaches to the variegated interface between Islam and politics.

scholarly journals Access to Scholarly Publications through Consortium in Sri Lanka A Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Pradeepa Wijetunge
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Scholarly Publications ◽  
Complicated Process ◽  
Awareness Raising ◽  
The University ◽  
And Training ◽  
Selection Of

This paper illustrates the complicated process of formulating a library consortium in Sri Lanka, and the process of preliminary activities, selection of databases, awareness raising and training and the later developments are presented as a case study, using appropriate Tables, Figures and textual discussions. Insights are provided to the factors that contributed to the slow but steady establishment and development including the support of the top management of the University Grants Commission, participation of as many academics as possible and the collaborative nature of the implementation process. This is the first ever paper written on the formulation of the Sri Lankan consortium and the publishing will help many researchers to gain firsthand information about its beginnings. Also, the library leaders from other countries where the socio-economic and attitudinal conditions are similar can use the lessons learnt from this initiative for their benefit.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF SRI LANKAN TRADITIONAL MEDICAL FORMULAE (KADUM BIDUM VEDAKAMA) ON FRACTURE HEALING (BHAGNA CHIKITSA) (AN OBSERVATIONAL CASE STUDY)

2020 ◽  
Vol p5 (01) ◽  
pp. 2617-2620
Author(s):  
Maduwanthi Anushika ◽  
Waratenne Prema Ranjani
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Fracture Healing ◽  
Distal Radius Fracture ◽  
Female Patient ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Radius Fracture ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Local Tenderness

Distal radius fracture is one of the most common fractures with an incidence of 195.2/100,000 persons per year. The objective of this study was to observe the effect of different drug formulae used in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka for the fractures. 46 years old female patient with distal end radius fracture was se-lected from traditional orthopedic dispensary at Rathnapura district in Sri Lanka. Duration of the study was 5 weeks. It was observed that six prescriptions were used for the treatment. Improvements of main clinical features i.e. Sandhi Shula (Pain), Sandhi Shotha (local swelling), Sparsha Asahyathawa (local tenderness), Sandhi Hanthi (Impairment of functions) and Vikruthitha (Visible and palpable deformity) were analyzed by using prepared scoring system along with the line of treatment. Significant improvements were observed after the treatment. Pharmacodynamic properties of the main ingredients in the formulae support the rapid recovery of the presenting clinical features.

Religion amid the Pandemic: A Buddhist Case Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 265-278
Author(s):  
Benjamin Schonthal ◽  
Tilak Jayatilake
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Service Activities ◽  
Economic Depression

This chapter highlights the strategies that religious groups are using to cope with a crisis that has simultaneously damaged the financial, spiritual, and organizational capacities of religion while also making those capacities more important than ever. Following a regional overview, it considers Covid-19’s effects on religion in one relatively small case study: Buddhist communities in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Buddhist communities face a variety of challenges which are also faced by other religious groups in Asia. These include avoiding close contact with co-worshippers, addressing economic depression among devotees and institutions, and managing the new legal and administrative restrictions proposed by government. Also, like other religious groups, Sri Lankan Buddhists have proposed their own range of religious solutions to the unfolding crisis. These include special forms of public blessing, social service activities, and alterations to public ceremonies and rituals. Looking at Buddhists’ responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka illuminates not only the depth and extent of the disease’s impact on societies in Asia, but it also highlights the creative and unprecedented changes to religion that have come from the pandemic.

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