http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/264 2026-06-29T20:40:05Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2116 Environmental Peacebuilding as a Pathway of Sustainable Development in Northern Province, Sri Lanka Kanisto, A. The post-war Northern Province of Sri Lanka continues to experience complex tensions arising from contested land governance and environmental degradation. Focusing on Northern Province of Sri Lanka, this study examines how land disputes and ecological degradation function as interconnected drivers of post-conflict tension. Drawing on Political Ecology and Resource Conflict Theory, the research analyzes how power relations and competition over natural resources shape environmental and social conflict in post-war contexts. Using qualitative and quantitative data collected through interviews and surveys with 30 villagers and activists, the study finds that military and police occupation of civilian land for camp construction has intensified local grievances and restricted access to traditional landholdings. Respondents further identified extensive deforestation, unauthorized construction, and unregulated tube-well development as significant contributors to environmental degradation and groundwater depletion. In addition, the designation of local lands as protected areas without adequate community consultation has limited livelihood opportunities and deepened perceptions of marginalization. The findings demonstrate that environmental degradation and land disputes are mutually reinforcing processes that exacerbate post-conflict tensions in Northern Province. The study argues that sustainable peacebuilding requires demilitarization of occupied lands, stronger environmental regulation, inclusive land governance, and community-centered environmental peacebuilding initiatives to promote reconciliation and long-term resilience in post-conflict regions 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2115 A Digital Adaptation Framework for Post-Vacation Stress Management: Promoting Student Harmony and Social Cohesion in Universities Thisakaran, R.; Libisanan, A. J.; Mohamed, A. R. R.; Rakshika, U.; Rifna, M.M.F.; Shakira, S. F.; Saraf, F. M.; Hasan, S. H. A.; Fayaz, M. M. M. Students of the university also face a problem of post-vacation stress, which is difficult to overcome after holiday breaks.described as momentary emotional exhaustion, diminished motivation, lack of concentration, and disturbed.social reintegration within the 1–2 weeks of academic reintegration.This phenomenon, although repeated in academic terms, has had little academic attention in spite of its.impact on student well-being.The current exploratory research (n=54, restricting external validity) is expected to build a Digital.Adaptation Framework to assist students in emotional, academic and social re-adjustment.after vacation periods, which may also lead to peace and internal unity.university environments.Data were collected using explanatory sequential mixed-method design.Obtained on 54 undergraduates using structured online questionnaires/ surveys and 21 follow-ups.University of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka interviews.More quantitative analysis found that 70 percent of students reported emotional exhaustion and 59% had a feeling of insufficient counseling support.The thematic analysis was able to identify the following elements: “emotional fatigue,” “workload shock,” and.“lack of guidance.” The paper suggests the implementation of a digital framework with the integration of emotional tracking done by AI through natural.processing of journal entries of the user, motivation reinforcement and social interaction.facilities to facilitate easier psychological acculturation.Although it was not directly the case that social cohesion was not involved.quantitatively, qualitative themes indicate that these interventions can be used to enable stronger.campus relationships. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2114 Environmental Stress, Community Health, and Social Cohesion: A Case Study from Climate-Affected Communities in Sri Lanka Shuja, M.I.M.; Thilfar, A.C.A.; Vajna, R.; Madhumitha, R.; Shanjeetha, M.I. Climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly affecting both health and social stability. In Sri Lanka, frequent floods, droughts, and extreme weather events disrupt livelihoods, damage infrastructure, and place additional pressure on already limited health services. These environmental stresses not only affect physical health but also influence social relationships, increasing vulnerability and tension within communities, particularly in rural and low-resource settings. This case study explores the relationship between environmental stress, community health, and social cohesion in climate-affected communities in Sri Lanka. The study is based on field observations from primary healthcare practice and community interactions in areas repeatedly affected by flooding. The focus was on understanding how environmental shocks influence disease patterns, access to healthcare, and interactions within communities. No personal or identifiable information was collected. The observations indicate that environmental stress increases infectious diseases, disrupts routine healthcare, and affects management of chronic illnesses. Communities also experience psychological stress, economic insecurity, and reduced access to services. These pressures sometimes create competition for limited resources and weaken trust in institutions. At the same time, strong community cooperation and mutual support were observed during recovery periods, demonstrating local resilience. The findings suggest that community health plays an important role in environmental peacebuilding. Strengthening primary healthcare services, supporting community-based responses, and improving preparedness for environmental events may reduce social tension and promote long-term resilience. This case study highlights the importance of integrating health, environmental management, and social cohesion in climate-affected settings and provides practical insights for policymakers and practitioners. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2113 Digital Governance and Social Inclusion in Primary Healthcare: Lessons from the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Sri Lanka Shuja, M. I. M.; Thilfar, A. C. A.; Vajna, R.; Madhumitha, R.; Shanjeetha, M.I. Digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly promoted as tools to improve efficiency, access and continuity of care in health systems. In Sri Lanka, these technologies are being introduced within a health sector that already faces challenges such as workforce pressure, rising service demand, uneven digital infrastructure and persistent rural-urban disparities. Although digital health can strengthen primary healthcare, its benefits are not automatic. Without inclusive governance, AI-enabled and digital services may unintentionally exclude older adults, rural communities, low-income households and disaster-affected populations. This position paper examines how digital governance can promote or limit social inclusion in primary healthcare in Sri Lanka. A structured narrative position paper approach was used, informed by selected peer-reviewed literature, international guidance, national policy documents and reflective observations from primary healthcare practice in rural Sri Lanka. Sources were reviewed using predefined thematic criteria related to AI in health, digital governance, primary healthcare, equity, data protection, accountability and social inclusion. The analysis identifies four major areas of concern: unequal access to digital infrastructure, low digital literacy among vulnerable groups, limited public trust in data use, and weak mechanisms for accountability when AI-supported decisions affect care. Ethical concerns were organised using core principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, privacy, transparency and accountability. The paper argues that technology alone cannot address healthcare inequality; rather, inclusive governance is required to ensure that digital transformation strengthens social trust and does not create new forms of exclusion. The paper recommends locally validated AI tools, human oversight, multilingual and low-literacy design, community participation, stronger data protection, role-specific training for primary healthcare workers and hybrid service models that preserve non-digital access. Inclusive digital governance should be treated as a public health requirement, not only a technical or administrative concern. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z