Languages

The paper attempt to provide the world a TOE through the Buddhist theory of Sunyata. Sunyata is seen here as the motor of the world, rather the producer of the world, in contrast to its popular nihilistic interpretations. The paper argues that sunyata is the human form of Newton's Gravity and Maxwell's Electromagnetism.

All universities in the country are, right now, considering possibilities for conducting alternative assessments. This is a need of the hour and it is necessary to pay due attention to the possibility of doing so. Within a context in which no one is able to predict as to when we will have the opportunity to return to university onsite examinations, it is our duty as academics to adopt alternative assessments to minimize delays in evaluations. The aim of this brief note is to draw attention to some of the issues that surround our students when facing online examinations.

Concerning Sri Lankan Literature in English, this paper examines the causes and effects of "de-territorialization" as depicted in Funny Boy (1994) by Shyam Selvadurai and Island of A Thousand Mirrors (2013) by Nayomi Munaweera with special reference to Homi K Bhabha s' Location of Culture (1994). The study is primarily conducted based on a desk review of the two novels, supported by related theoretical and supplementary literature, and further sustained by an interview conducted with Prof. Maryse Jayasuriya. The study investigates the post-colonial de-territorialization that occurred in Sri Lanka according to Selvadurai, and Munaweera. According to the findings of the study political enigma, ethnic misunderstanding, and identity crisis are the main causes of de-territorialization. In line with it, the discussion is streamlined by means of interpretative tools of cultural studies and anthropology. Ultimately, the study strives to envisage the practicality of adapting to the requirement of coexistence, respecting the liminal identities and cultural differences of the other communities, and the unfeasibility of seeking territorial shift under the circumstance of social unrest.

Academic writing is a pivotal concern in the tertiary phase of education, yet with a great deal of drawbacks and challenges. The current study investigates academic writing-related challenges and possible mechanisms to overcome them. Therefore, the study delves into the avenue of academic writing hurdles faced by undergraduate students whose second language (L2) is English, specifically in the domain of sciences. This also examines the tactics formulated, from the standpoint of lecturers in tackling these impediments effectively. This research underscores both commonalities and disparities that resonate with the themes documented in prior scholarly works by harnessing qualitative data from a sample of undergraduate students and lecturers. The investigation identifies substantial contrasts between the viewpoints of students and lecturers concerning the challenges inherent in academic writing. While the preeminent concern for most L2 undergraduate students pertains to intricacies at the compartmentalised linguistic features, the focal point for most lecturers revolves around the holistic level, which encompasses a wider range of linguistic attributes. Moreover, the study unravels specific coping mechanisms students employ to navigate academic writing challenges. These discernments carry profound pedagogical implications, accentuating the imperative for providing pertinent writing models and interventions tailored to the individual requirements of L2 science undergraduates.

The study fosters a vibrant dialogue about the genre of Sri Lankan Literature in English, scrutinising the causes and effects of "de-territorialisation" through the works of Shyam Selvadurai and Nayomi Munaweera. It examines the literary representation of liminal spaces occupied by different identities, focusing on both physical and psychological de-territorialization. The works of these iconic immigrant authors, Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai and Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera, are analysed through the concept of "de-territorialization" using Cultural Studies, with special reference to Homi K. Bhabha’s “The Location of Culture” (1994). The study employs qualitative methods to articulate the causes and effects of de-territorialization, primarily through a desk review of the novels, supported by theoretical and supplementary literature. Major findings are reinforced by a questionnaire survey of the English-reading community and interviews conducted by the researcher. The research discusses ethnic conflict and identity crises, key factors contributing to de-territorialization, through the interpretative frameworks of Cultural Studies and Anthropology. The study concludes that embracing coexistence and respecting liminal identities and differences is more effective than seeking territorial shifts as a solution.

The study associates a passage of communication of the genre of Sri Lankan Literature in English and it examines the causes and effects of the process of "de-territorialization" with reference to the literary works of Shyam Selvadurai and Nayomi Munaweera. The selected works of the two iconic immigrant authors: "Funny Boy" by Shyam Selvadurai and "Island of A Thousand Mirrors" by Nayomi Munaweera will be analyzed by focusing on the concept of "de-territorialization" "Re-territorialization" through the lens of Cultural Studies emphasizing Homi K Bhabha s' "Location of Culture"(1994). This addresses the literary presence of the liminal spaces within the land block of Sri Lanka. Collectively the sample articulates the causes and effects of de-territorialization through the qualitative approach to reach the research conclusions. The study was primarily conducted through a desk review of the two novels, supported by other theoretical and supplementary works. Major findings of the research were supported by the results of a questionnaire survey conducted by focusing the English reading community as the sample of the data collection plus the interviews conducted by the researcher. The political enigma, ethnic conflict and identity crisis which are the main rationale to the de-territorialization will be discussed through the interpretative tools of Cultural Studies and Anthropology. Ultimately the study envisions that it is always better to live with coexistence, respecting the liminal identities and differences with a broad mindset than seeking territorial shift as the sole option.

The study investigates the genre of post-colonial literature through the lens of trauma and memory focusing on Agamben's illustration of Homo Sacer concerning the text Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera. The selected literary piece offers an authentic perspective of an immigrant Sri Lankan author, Nayomi Munaweera. The study applies trauma theory, and it explores the extent to which resilience is possible under the adverse effects of trauma and memory, drawing on the philosophical frameworkof Georgio Agamben. The study was primarily conducted through a desk review and content analysis supported by the theoretical foundation of Georgio Agamben. The major findings of the study were supported by a questionnaire survey targeting the English-reading community. The study highligh findings of the current study underlie the harsh reality and the battle of unerasable stains of memory in traumatised psyche through the perspective of Sinhalese and Tamil individuals (Bios and Zoe), which envisage the sufferings of both ethnicities equally through shifting perspectives. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of adopting a nondismissive approach when studying trauma and memory.

A writer of significance in the postcolonial Lankan milieu, Lakdasa Wikkramasinha's efforts at enriching the literary sphere of his land cannot be adequately measured in conventional terms. Having declared his attitude towards English in his first volume of poems, Wikkramasinha went on to further experiment with his chosen genre in terms of subjectmatter and language; whether its outcome fell short of his expectations or not needs to be scrutinised, and such literary investigation can perhaps take into account the attitudinal aspects of his approach towards language as well as linguistic and extralinguistic determiners relevant to his writing and the personae/poet-persona used. Wikkramasinha's now-famous words in his Note to "Lustre. Poems" indicate that he intended to circumvent the "treason" of writing in English by making it "entirely immoralist and destructive." While it is debatable whether his literary output really supports this intent, it would be useful to ascertain as to why Wikkramasinha wrote the way he did, which types of reading audiences he had in mind (if he did have such audiences in mind in the first place), and which types of colonial/postcolonial discourses he intended to grapple with through his creations.