Jaffna Peninsula Research Articles

Abundance of Marine Macrodebris on the Northern Coast of Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka.

Marine plastic debris has emerged as a pressing concern along the northern coast of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, posing a significant threat to marine resources. A preliminary study was conducted to investigate the abundance and characteristics of marine plastic debris at four major fish landing sites in the northern coast of Jaffna, using the Clean Coast Index (CCI) and Plastic Abundance Index (PAI). The results revealed that the average abundance of marine debris and plastic debris were 1.71 ± 0.42 items/m2 and 1.66 ± 0.57 items/m2, respectively. The most common types of plastic debris represented plastic rope and net pieces (23.2%), followed by unidentified weathered plastic fragments (16.7%), beverage bottles (16.2%), bottle caps and lids (13%), and styrofoam (14.1%). The recognized sources of plastic debris were mainly fishing-based activities, recreation activities, transboundary sources, and unidentified sources. The fish landing sites were classified as exceptionally polluted, with a CCI exceeding 10 and a PAI value exceeding 8. Myliddy had the highest debris density, indicating substantial pollution levels, followed by Point Pedro, Mathagal, and Valveddithurai. These findings underscore the urgency of establishing a comprehensive plastic waste management framework for the northern coast of Jaffna and devising strategies to address buoyant debris within the northern Indian Ocean. Furthermore, this study carries significant implications for the local marine ecosystem, coastal communities, and Sri Lanka's broader environmental policies and practices.

Influence of Seasonality in Pediatric Respiratory Tract Infections: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study in Jaffna

This study aims to determine the prevalence, age distribution, and seasonal variation of respiratory infection in the Jaffna peninsula. This study was a descriptive retrospective study in which all patients 12 years of age and below who presented with signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infections and received inward treatment between January 2016 and December 2020 were included. During that period, a total of 2924 data were analyzed. The analysis showed significant correlations between the seasons and disease burden. This knowledge can provide insight into managing resources effectively in resource-limited settings.

Stakeholder perceptions in mangrove management in the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Mangroves are recognised as social-ecological systems where ecological dimensions constantly interact with human dimensions. In the Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka, mangroves constitute the primary forest type. However, a destructive civil war spanning over 25 years, heavily affected the local vegetation and local inhabitants. Large patches of mangrove forests were damaged and remained inaccessible for a considerable time, compelling most of the population to temporarily abandon their land. This study aimed to investigate the main mangrove goods and services that the local population benefits from and gather opinions of mangrove management stakeholders regarding mangrove conservation in the Jaffna Peninsula through a mixed methods approach. Ethnobiological surveys were conducted with coastal communities, along with Q methodology, expert opinion surveys and additional semi-structured interviews with mangrove management stakeholders. Ethnobiological surveys revealed a significant distancing of local communities from mangrove goods and services. The Q methodology identified three discourses: community-oriented, government-oriented, and mangrove conservation oriented. Expert opinion surveys highlighted encroachment and pollution as major threats to mangroves. Issues raised in the semi structured interviews include challenges regarding land ownership permits during and after the war, weak interactions among different stakeholders with overlapping jurisdiction, failed replantation efforts and scarcity of scientific data for mangrove management. Addressing these issues is crucial not only for fostering effective mangrove management and conservation in the Jaffna Peninsula but also for potentially benefiting other districts in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Comment on Arulananthan et al. The Status of the Coral Reefs of the Jaffna Peninsula (Northern Sri Lanka), with 36 Coral Species New to Sri Lanka Confirmed by DNA Bar-Coding. Oceans 2021, 2, 509–529

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Reply to Hendawitharana et al. Comment on “Arulananthan et al. The Status of the Coral Reefs of the Jaffna Peninsula (Northern Sri Lanka), with 36 Coral Species New to Sri Lanka Confirmed by DNA Bar-Coding. Oceans 2021, 2, 509–529”

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Assessing the Ecotourism Potential in Sarasalai-Kuruvikkadu and Adjacent Areas in the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Ecotourism is environmentally responsible, enlightening travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations. Sarasalai Kuruvikkadu and adjacent areas such as Anthanathidal and Kapputhu in the Jaffna District are rich with significant extents of mangroves that are notable for their waterbirds’ diversity. The diversity and abundance of birds and the ecotourism potential of those areas have not been evaluated probably due to the three decades long civil unrest. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the nature-based ecotourism potential of Sarasalai Kuruvikkadu and adjacent areas. Geographic Information System was used as tool for identify the potential status of entire Jaffna District. Suitability analysis was applied and Multi Criteria Decision Method (MCDM) and criteria ranking method were used. Three aspects such as Flamingo sites (13), other birds’ sites (40) and mangroves areas (66) in the district including study areas were considered for suitability analysis. The evaluating process for ecotourism sites were conducted based on criteria viz. species richness (of birds), tourist preferences, proximity to residential areas, proximity to accommodation, distance from roads, scenic beauty and density and distribution. Based on each three analysis, Potentials sites were derived based on priority ranking such high, moderate, and low potential. Through the overall analysis, the study areas, Sarasalai and Anthanathidal come under the high potential areas (> 75%) and Kapputhu represents lower potential (<45%) based on flamingo and other birds aspects but based on mangrove sites’ analysis, both areas represent high potential status and Kapputhu represents lower status. Our recent studies have shown that Sarasalai is home to at least 82 species of waterbirds (Margalef’s Index 6.74) and Anthanathidal represents 47 species (Margalef’s Index 9.23) and Kapputhu 22 species (Margalef’s Index 3.04). In addition to some of mammals, crocodiles and fishes were recorded in the study areas that have a high potential for promoting ecotourism. The areas had a high abundance of flamingos, which are a major Avi-tourist attraction. The study areas have large extents mangroves (896.6 ha) with four true mangrove species, Excoecaria agallocha, Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora mucronate and Aegiceras corniculatum which is a unique ecotone and attraction and sources for ecotourism. Hence these areas have a great nature-based tourism potential. There is also a great potential for the participation of local people for promotion of ecotourism in the Jaffna peninsula, elevating their poverty.
 
 Key words: Sarasalai, Kuruvikadu, Ecotourism potential, Mangroves, Flamingo

Does human intervention modulate the above-ground carbon biomass of agroforestry systems? A study of homegardens in Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka

CONTEXTAccumulating above-ground biomass (AGB) and conservation of biodiversity are two major services provided by any ecosystem and homegardens are no exceptions. The permanent structure of a homegarden is owing to its perennial tree-community which steadily builds up and maintains the tree diversity and AGB accumulation. Being a manmade agroforestry system, humans play a vital role in mediating each component of homegarden ecosystem including its carbon stock and biodiversity through management of the tree community. OBJECTIVEThe objectives of this study were to compute the tree diversity and AGB and human interventions in homegarden ecosystem in Jaffna peninsula and to identify the most prominent factors affecting the AGB. METHODSA primary survey was conducted capturing 135 homegardens from two agro-ecological regions (DL3 and DL4) in Jaffna peninsula (Northern province, Sri Lanka), where homegardens are observed as the primary tree-based vegetation. Data on floral composition, livestock and, household-interventions in homegardens were gathered through a structured questionnaire. Tree diversity and AGB were computed using Shannon-Wiener index (SWI) and carbon stock respectively. A multiple linear regression model was estimated to determine the effects of pre-defined interventions on AGB of homegardens. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe study sample consisted of 122 small-scale (<0.2 ha), 11 medium-scale (0.2–0.8 ha) and 02 large-scale (>0.8 ha) homegardens. The mean tree diversity as estimated by SWI was 1.1 ± 0.6 with 38 perennial species and 1286 trees; 32 genera and 17 families. An average homegarden is estimated to store 23.8 ± 20.9 Mg C/ha as AGB. Homegardens which reared livestock animals, had a significantly lower SWI value, yet, a higher AGB stock, compared to the opposed group (p < 0.05). The SWI, time allocation (hours) for homegarden/week/ha, technical knowledge on farming and non-timber usage within homegarden have significantly (p < 0.05) contributed to the AGB of homegardens, with regression-coefficients of 6.12, 0.02, 1.38 and 7.91, respectively. The results indicate that up-keeping the commitment of households in managing their homegardens contribute to environmental sustainability. SIGNIFICANCEThe results revealed a significant contribution of human interactions on the size of the AGB of homegardens in Jaffna peninsula. This contribution was not adequately discussed in previously literature and the findings suggest the need to manage human interactions in homegarden agroforestry systems to optimize carbon stock in traditional homegardens.

Assessing and mapping the groundwater potability in Vallipuram coastal area, Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka by weighted arithmetic water quality indexing method

Ground water is an extremely valuable resource and pollution of ground water resources is a matter of serious concern. Though more than 80% of people in the Jaffna region, rely on ground water self-supply wells, the extent to which self-supply wells delivers safe water and the associated risk factors for contamination remain unclear. In response to community requests and the National Water Supply &amp; Drainage Board's (NWS&amp;DB) provision of water from four ground water wells through 150m lateral pipes, a study was initiated to assess quality of well water within a 1.5km radius from the NWS&amp;DB wells. This study involved the evaluation and mapping of groundwater quality parameters and the application of the Water Quality Index (WQI) to determine water potability. The study revealed that numerous parameters, such as turbidity, color, TDS, total hardness, total alkalinity, chloride, fluoride, total iron, calcium, and sulfate concentrations, exceeded SriLankan drinking water standards, while pH, nitrate, nitrite, and total phosphates remained within acceptable limits in all 120 wells. Heavy metals like arsenic and cadmium were absent in all samples. Microbiological results showed contamination with total coliformand E.coli bacteria throughout the study area. Considering physical and chemical parameters, the WQI values ranged from 4.5 to 287.2, with 72 wells suitable for drinking. However, when microbiological parameters were factored in, only three wells were deemed safe for drinking, underscoring the critical necessity for aquifer protection, thorough cleaning, and the immediate implementation of regular well chlorination or disinfection measures tosafeguard the health and well-being of the community.

A Review on In-Situ Denitrification Technology for Consideration in Jaffna Peninsula Aquifer Remediation

A Review on In-Situ Denitrification Technology for Consideration in Jaffna Peninsula Aquifer Remediation

Physicochemical and Nutritional Characterization of Palmyrah (&lt;em&gt;Borassus flabellifer&lt;/em&gt; L.) Pith Waste: A Study to Explore Potential Agricultural and Industrial Applications

Purpose: The palmyrah fibre industry generates a large number of wastages during the production process, and the wastages have not been utilized in a proper way. The combustion of those wastages may result in environmental issues. This study aims to analyze the physicochemical properties of palmyrah pith developed from palmyrah fibre production line waste to be utilized in the future for agricultural and industrial applications.Research method: The palmyrah wastages from the fibre production line from all the regional centres in the Jaffna peninsula were collected and washed. The dried waste was ground using a laboratory motor mill and sieved using a laboratory sieve shaker, and the palmyrah fibre pith was packed in a stainless steel container for further analysis.Findings: Palmyra pith exhibited total ash of 15.6 g/100g, total carbon of 48.96 g/100g, and total organic matter of 84.4 g/100g. The nutritional content of the pith was nitrogen 1.90 mg/g, phosphorous 0.015 mg/g, sodium 0.621 mg/g, potasium 0.311 mg/g, calcium 3.196 mg/g, magnesium 1.918 mg/g and iron 0.014 mg/g. Physiochemical properties of the palmyrah pith were determined as pH 5.64, EC 0.586 dS/m, bulk density 0.241 g/cm3, particle density 0.60 g/cm3, total porosity 59.9%, water retention capacity 15%, C: N ratio of 259:1, and moisture content of 12%Originality/Value: This research paves the way for the utilization of palmyrah wastages in agricultural and industrial applications.

Characteristics of the initial dengue outbreaks in a region without dengue prior to mid-2009 in a dengue-endemic country

The present study evaluated the characteristics of the initial dengue outbreaks in the Jaffna peninsula, a region without dengue prior to mid-2009 in dengue-endemic Sri Lanka, a tropical island nation. This is a cross-sectional study conducted using a total of 765 dengue patients' clinical data and samples collected from the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna during the initial dengue outbreaks. Clinical, non-specific, and specific virological laboratory characteristics including the platelet count, NS1 antigen, and anti-DENV IgM/IgG were evaluated as correlates of dengue virus (DENV) infection in the two initial outbreaks of 2009/2010 and 2011/2012 in Northern Sri Lanka. Firstly, affected age and clinical characteristics were significantly different between the outbreaks (p < 0.005). Secondly, NS1 antigen detection in patients with fever days < 5 was statistically significant (p < 0.005). Thirdly, platelet count, detection of NS1 antigen, and anti-DENV IgM/IgG profiles were adequate to diagnose 90% of the patients; hepatomegaly and platelet count of < 25,000/mm3 were identified as predictors of severe disease. Fourthly, secondary DENV infections were detected in the early stages of the illness in many patients. Finally, infecting DENV serotypes were different between the two outbreaks. Clinical and non-specific laboratory characteristics and the infecting DENV serotypes between the two initial outbreaks in Northern Sri Lanka were significantly different. NS1 antigen, anti-DENV IgM/IgG, and platelet counts were identified 90% of the dengue patients. Hepatomegaly and platelet count of < 25,000/mm3 were able to predict the disease severity in this study.

White scorpion (&lt;em&gt;Hottentotta tamulus&lt;/em&gt;) sting induced autonomic hyperactivity and myocardial ischemia in a child

Scorpion bite is one of the common emerging toxicological problems in Jaffna peninsula of Northern Sri Lanka. Majority of the patients have an uncomplicated course, but some people may have severe systemic envenomation and life-threatening cardiovascular events. This case report is of a child admitted to Paediatric professorial unit, Teaching Hospital Jaffna following white scorpion (Hottentotta tamulus) bite. Subsequently he developed myocardial ischemia. There was no literature available in paediatric population with myocardial ischemia following sting of Hottentotta tamulus.

Maritime Trade Pattern and Early Urbanism in the Jaffna Peninsula of Northern Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has played a key role in maritime trade on a global scale since Early Historic times to the colonial period. Archaeological evidence from harbors and ports of the Jaffna peninsula in northern Sri Lanka indicate very early trade connections with China to the east, Rome and Arabia to the west, and with India to the north. Ceramics and other artifacts associated with diverse cultures discovered from excavations and surveys in the Jaffna peninsula show that Jaffna has played a prominent role in Indian Ocean trade. Early urbanism and the emergence of trade related settlements in the Jaffna peninsula with the city of Kantharodai as a focal point had begun in the 6th century BCE. International trade and commerce of the Indian Ocean region had a direct impact on the development of urbanism in Kantharodai in the Jaffna peninsula, while the ports and trade network in the hinterland provide useful insights into the nature of economic activities and urbanism in the region. Finds from several key ports in the Jaffna peninsula and particularly the port on the island of Kayts indicate international trade. The city of Kantharodai as a focus for change, the city as the focus of power and domination, and the city as an organizing principle or creator of efficient space use are aspects explored in this paper.

Lethal yellowing disease in &lt;em&gt;Borassus flabellifer&lt;/em&gt; in Jaffna peninsula

Palmyrah palm (<em>Borassus flabellifer </em>Linn.) is a highly versatile tree mainly distributed in the North and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. Even though the plant is rarely affected by pathogens due to its extremely woody nature, some significant abnormalities in plants growing in the Pungudutivu area in Jaffna Peninsula have been noted recently. The present study aimed to characterize the abnormality, identify the disease and confirm the possible causative agent. In this study, the progression and incidence of disease were determined through field visits. A literature search was conducted to compare the symptoms with other palm varieties. Additionally, the possibilities for phytoplasma infection were tested with phytoplasma-specific universal primers using PCR. Initially, the plants showed progressive leaf yellowing and drying from the leaf tip towards the petiole followed by collapsed spear leaf hanging downward in the crown. Finally, the crown falls off the trunk. The symptoms are characteristics of the lethal yellowing disease. The PCR result confirmed the association of phytoplasma with the diseased plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report from Sri Lanka regarding the lethal yellowing disease in Palmyrah palm. Since the disease severely affects the plant and spreads rapidly, there is an urgent need to study the epidemiology of the disease and to find out suitable control measures.

Lifeways of Early Kantharodai, Sri Lanka

In the 1st millennium BCE Sri Lanka was central to the wide-spanning trading networks in the Western Indian Ocean region. Population agglomerations grew on the coast and further inland, where Anuradhapura emerged as the major central place. Parallel agglomerations formed in the south in Tissamaharama and in the north on Jaffna Peninsula in Kantharodai. The site of Kantharodai on the northern tip of Sri Lanka is the largest known early historic mound site on the Jaffna Peninsula, thought to represent the ancient centre of the region. The Early Historic occupation of Kantharodai began ca. 400-100 BCE. In our study we focus on the older historic occupation phase at Kantharodai, represented by a rich midden deposit of domestic refuse that offer insights into the environmental conditions faced by early occupants of the site and their modes of subsistence. We provide a glimpse into the subsistence strategies of the earliest settled population in Kantharodai who augmented a diet based on domesticated livestock through multiple wild species from forests, swamps, mangroves and marine habitats. Based on the faunal evidence from early Kantharodai, this complex socio-economic structure appears to have been in operation, confirming proposed models of mixed economies in operation in the Early Historic period of the region.

Impact of leaf spot disease on beetroot production in Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka

The present study focuses on the aetiology of leaf spot disease and its impact on beetroot production in the Jaffna peninsula. A survey and field study was carried out to understand present status of the disease. The fungus associated with the leaf spot lesions was isolated and identified based on morphological features and sequence analysis. The survey has shown drawbacks in the cultivation practices, such as selection of cultivation season, selection of variety and inadequate weed management practices. The initial symptoms were noted in seedling stage, and the disease incidence and severity progressed with time. The disease incidence and severity index were 85% and 2.71 at 48 days. The field experiment has revealed the negative correlation between leaf spot disease development and yield. The fungal isolates produced obclavate shape, hyaline, multiseptated conidia on dark coloured unbranched sparingly septate conidiophores. The isolates showed 99.25% sequence identity with Cercospora beticola.

Impact assessment of land use on water scarcity in urban areas: case of Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Abstract Urbanization-led land use changes have significant effects on urban water problems as water scarcity is a common challenge for planning of cities today. Chunnakam aquifer in Jaffna, Sri Lanka has been significantly depleted and polluted in the past decade. This study assessed the impact of spatial distribution of land use on water quality and quantity using 44 dug wells. Water scarcity index (WSI), water quality index (WQI) and multiple linear regression (MLR) models were used to explore the spatiotemporal patterns of water quality, quantity and their relationship. Results revealed that 75% of the aquifer faced scarcity problems while 54% was polluted and not suitable for consumption. Moreover, water sources located around agricultural and residential land use were contaminated in line with the spatial distribution of crop types, fertilizer use and domestic waste disposal. Integration of water policy with urban development strategy and multi-stakeholder engagement for water conservation are important findings for ensuring the water security of cities in developing countries. This study can be further expanded by evaluating temporal effects of urbanization on water resources for sustainable spatial planning. Strong water policies must govern the land use change to ensure water security for arid regions in developing countries.

Retail Trends and Urban Regeneration in Jaffna Peninsula

Department of Agribusiness Management, Sabaragamuwa University, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka

Gastro-testimonials in Handmade: Narrating the War Experiences of Sri Lankan Tamil Women through Food

This essay examines the silent traumas, gendered violence, and unacknowledged resilience embedded in women's war stories from Sri Lanka's civil war (1983–2009) in the cookbook Handmade. Handmade is not a conventional cookbook. It is a collection of culinary life narratives that emerge from the depths of war to provide insider perspectives on the impact of war on the lives of women. I discuss the trajectory of the civil war and its postwar phases through the gastro-testimonials of Sri Lanka's Tamil women in the war-devastated regions of the Jaffna peninsula and the Vanni. The majority of the women featured in the cookbook are war widows. These women become the authors of their own life narratives when they use culinary ingenuity as the language of self-expression to tell their stories of suffering and survival. I demonstrate how the women's stories uncover important life narratives through a culinary mapping of war as a feminist act to argue that the cookbook is not a cultural artifact or a compendium of recipes. It is a testimonial narrative that uncovers the fractured lives that reside within and behind each recipe. The language of food formalizes the survival narratives of resilient Tamil women as they transition from invisibility to public disclosure through their cooking "against war."

Wolbachia infection is widespread in brackish and fresh water Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the coastal Jaffna peninsula of northern Sri Lanka.

Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are important vectors of dengue and many other arboviral diseases in tropical and sub-tropical locations. Both vectors are tolerant of salinity in the dengue-endemic coastal Jaffna peninsula of northern Sri Lanka. Aedes albopictus pre-imaginal stages are found in field brackish water habitats of up to 14 parts per thousand (ppt, gL-1) salt in the Jaffna peninsula. Salinity-tolerance in Aedes is characterized by significant genetic and physiological changes. Infection with the wMel strain of the endosymbiont bacterium Wolbachia pipientis reduces dengue transmission in the field by Ae. aegypti, and the same approach is also being considered for Ae. albopictus. In this context, we investigated natural Wolbachia infections in brackish and fresh water field isolates of Ae. albopictus in the Jaffna district. Aedes albopictus collected as pre-imaginal stages using conventional ovitraps in the Jaffna peninsula and adjacent islands of the Jaffna district were screened by PCR utilizing strain-transcending primers for the presence of Wolbachia. Wolbachia strains were then further identified by PCR using strain-specific primers for the Wolbachia surface protein gene wsp. The Jaffna wsp sequences were compared by phylogenetic analysis with other wsp sequences available in Genbank. Aedes albopictus were found to be widely infected with the wAlbA and wAlbB strains of Wolbachia in Jaffna. The partial wAlbB wsp surface protein gene sequence in Jaffna Ae. albopictus was identical to a corresponding sequence from South India but different from that in mainland Sri Lanka. Widespread infection of salinity-tolerant Ae. albopictus with Wolbachia is a factor to be considered when developing Wolbachia-based dengue control in coastal areas like the Jaffna peninsula.