A paradigm shift in the management of musth among bull elephants in captivity in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to four species of wildcats: Leopard, Fishing Cat, Rusty-spotted Cat and Jungle Cat. All four, except the Jungle Cat, are listed threatened. A coprological survey was carried out in 2014 to determine the gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of wild and captive cats in Sri Lanka. Parasite eggs and cysts were isolated and morphologically identified using iodine smears and a modified salt flotation. The intensity of infection was quantified using a McMaster counting technique. A total of 45 fecal samples were analyzed. Except for the six captive Rusty-spotted Cats, all cats were infected with one or more GI parasites. The presence of Moniezia sp. in Leopards in the Horton Plains National Park with an intensity of 150–1850 EPG (eggs per gram of feces) was unexpected. Moniezia is a common GI parasite of ruminants and before our study it had never been recorded in Leopards. Cross species infection with Moniezia could be possible due to accidental ingestion of cysticercoid infected oribatid mites, the intermediate host which could have been picked up in the pasture while feeding on carcasses. Among the other parasitic infections in Leopards Toxocara was most common (61.9%) followed by strongyle infections (15.4%). Of the fecal samples collected from wild Leopards 80.0% were infected with GI parasites while no GI parasites were found in the captive Leopard samples. The Jungle Cats and the Rusty-spotted Cats sampled were in captivity and only the Jungle Cats were infected with strongyles. Toxocara was recorded in Leopards and Fishing Cat both in captivity and in the wild. It is a common GI infection of cats causing morbidity in all age groups and mortality in young animals. Although parasitic infections of cats may not be a direct reason for a species’ decline, parasitic infections spreading within a small fragmented population could reduce the vitality and numbers and threaten the population further. This is the first report of GI parasites of wildcats of Sri Lanka and the first record of Moniezia infections in Leopards.

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GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF CAPTIVE PRIMATES IN THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS OF SRI LANKA

TAPROBANICA The Journal of Asian Biodiversity ◽

10.47605/tapro.v4i1.63 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 37-41

Author(s):

Umanga C. Gunasekera ◽

Susiji Wickramasinghe ◽

Ganga Wijesinghe ◽

R.P.V.J. Rajapakse

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Limited Space ◽

In Captivity ◽

Animal Contact ◽

Blastocystis Sp ◽

Human Animal

Fifteen species of primates from different geographic areas are living in captivity at the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka. As a result of limited space in the Zoo and ever increasing visitors, there is a possibility to increase the incidence of human animal contact. Therefore, it is important to identify potential parasitic infections that can be transferred from humans to animals and vise versa. In the present study, the primates were investigated for the gastrointestinal parasites. Total of 85 fecal samples were collected from all the species and examined for the presence of helminthes and protozoa. Balantidium sp., Entamoeba coli, Giardia sp., Blastocystis sp. and coccidial oocytes including Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts were identified. Furthermore, Nematodes and Cestodes were also recorded.

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Facilitating urban underserved dwellers and a paradigm shift in real estate development in Sri Lanka

Real Estate in South Asia ◽

10.1201/9781351233194-18 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 301-314

Author(s):

Harsha Munasinghe

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Real Estate ◽

Paradigm Shift ◽

Real Estate Development

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FUNDAMENTAL PREREQUISITES TO CREATE A PSYCHOLOGICAL PARADIGM SHIFT IN STUDENTS’ DEGREE CHOICE

International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH ◽

10.29121/granthaalayah.v9.i10.2021.4339 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 386-405

Author(s):

Lalith Edirisinghe ◽

Sampath Siriwardena ◽

Lakshmi Ranwala

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Paradigm Shift ◽

Research Approach ◽

Medical Doctors ◽

Opinion Survey ◽

Global Trends ◽

Degree Choice ◽

Desk Research

With globalization the need for experts in various fields were identified. In Sri Lanka students and parents preferred to become engineers, medical doctors, accountants, and lawyers after completion of their studies. However, demand for jobs other than above categories kept increasing and a mismatch between the supply of qualified people in relevant fields as against the demand from industry and government generated. Government universities offered degrees in limited fields and students were compelled to enroll in degrees against their choice. The education system produced more graduates from certain fields that are not in demand from the industry perspective. This situation leads to unemployment and underemployment which is a social problem today. Therefore, a psychological paradigm shift in students’ degree choice is proposed in this paper as a long-term solution to this problem. This study administered a qualitative research approach consisting comprehensive desk research and opinion survey. The results reveals the seriousness of the problems in Sri Lanka, its root causes, potential solutions. The society in large has settled down with certain ideologies about the field of higher education that are not commensurate with the present global trends. This paper discusses about the fundamental prerequisites to create a psychological paradigm shift in students’ degree choice.

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Abstract #604: Detection of Cardiovascular Risk Factors by Anthropometric Measures in Adults Living in an Urban Setting in Sri Lanka

Endocrine Practice ◽

10.1016/s1530-891x(20)42668-0 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

pp. 114-115

Author(s):

Kavinga Gunawardane ◽

Noel Somasundaram ◽

Neil Thalagala ◽

Pubudu Chulasiri ◽

Sudath Fernando

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽

Urban Setting ◽

Anthropometric Measures

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Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation in Sri Lanka

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 30-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sudath Samaraweera ◽

Athula Sumathipala ◽

Sisira Siribaddana ◽

S. Sivayogan ◽

Dinesh Bhugra

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

General Population ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

National Average ◽

The West ◽

Suicide Methods ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Completed Suicide ◽

The World

Background: Suicidal ideation can often lead to suicide attempts and completed suicide. Studies have shown that Sri Lanka has one of the highest rates of suicide in the world but so far no studies have looked at prevalence of suicidal ideation in a general population in Sri Lanka. Aims: We wanted to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation by randomly selecting six Divisional Secretariats (Dss) out of 17 in one district. This district is known to have higher than national average rates of suicide. Methods: 808 participants were interviewed using Sinhala versions of GHQ-30 and Beck’s Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Of these, 387 (48%) were males, and 421 (52%) were female. Results: On Beck’s Scale for Suicidal Ideation, 29 individuals (4%) had active suicidal ideation and 23 (3%) had passive suicidal ideation. The active suicidal ideators were young, physically ill and had higher levels of helplessness and hopelessness. Conclusions: The prevalence of suicidal ideation in Sri Lanka is lower than reported from the West and yet suicide rates are higher. Further work must explore cultural and religious factors.

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Suicide on the Indian Subcontinent

Crisis ◽

10.1027//0227-5910.23.3.104 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 104-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Murad M. Khan

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Indian Subcontinent ◽

Interpersonal Relationship ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Important Public Health Problem ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Formidable Challenge ◽

Causative Factors

Summary: The Indian subcontinent comprises eight countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives) and a collective population of more than 1.3 billion people. 10% of the world's suicides (more than 100,000 people) take place in just three of these countries, viz. India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. There is very little information on suicides from the other four countries. Some differences from suicides in Western countries include the high use of organophosphate insecticides, larger numbers of married women, fewer elderly subjects, and interpersonal relationship problems and life events as important causative factors. There is need for more and better information regarding suicide in the countries of the Indian subcontinent. In particular, studies must address culture-specific risk factors associated with suicide in these countries. The prevention of this important public health problem in an area of the world with myriad socio-economic problems, meager resources, and stigmatization of mental illness poses a formidable challenge to mental health professionals, policy makers, and governments of these countries.

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Sri Lanka: Political violence and ethnic conflict.

American Psychologist ◽

10.1037/0003-066x.53.7.771 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 53 (7) ◽

pp. 771-777 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

John D. Rogers ◽

Jonathan Spencer ◽

Jayadeva Uyangoda

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Political Violence ◽

Ethnic Conflict

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