Gyrinops walla (Thymelaeaceae) is a slender tree which grows in wet zone regions in Sri
Lanka. Potentiality of production of resinous natural product, agarwood, which used in
perfumery and medicinal manufactures, grant a great demand to this species in worldwide. In
vitro micropropagation technique may be a practicable solution to provide healthy planting
materials in commercial scale, in order to overcome the problems caused to the natural
population due to overexploitation. Thus, using leaf disc explant, possibilities of mass
propagation through in vitro techniques was explored in in vitro study. Explants were surface
sterilized using 0.2% carbendazim, 10% sodium hypochlorite and 70% ethanol each followed
by two successive washings in sterile distilled water. Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal
medium supplemented with varied concentrations of different plant growth regulators, 6-
benzylaminopurine (BA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), Kinetin (Kin) and
naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were tested for induction of calli from leaf discs. Out of
different growth regulator combinations, rapid callus growth was observed in MS medium
supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BA and 3.0 mg/L NAA within six weeks. Calli obtained were
yellowish compact and callus induction was mainly observed along the mid-rib. Calli obtain
could either be used for mass propagation, through indirect organogenesis or for
establishment of plant cell culture to obtain secondary metabolites. From the results obtain, it
could be concluded that callus initiation is feasible through leaf disc explant.

Greenhouse is a structure used to grow crops, in which environmental factors are controlled to provide an ideal setting for crop growth. Decision making done by humans to deliver these ideal conditions is not reliable since an accurate measure of environmental parameters cannot be provided. Relying fully on weather forecast is also not recommended especially for areas where the weather conditions are uncertain. This would lead to human error, and thus decrease the reliability. In addition, it would cause the crops to go bad or develop a disease, wasting resources that have been used to mature the crop to that level. Furthermore, humans cannot be relied on 24/7 to ensure the essential conditions are being met as this puts a strain on labourers. This causes crop quality and yield to decline, and in turn increase food wastage at the production level. Thus, the rationale behind automating the process of a greenhouse using a robot will increase yield and quality of the crops, ensure resources are used efficiently and decrease food wastage at the production level. Additionally, it will compensate for limitations in the existing systems by allowing the user to change the threshold values. This is a beneficial feature because growers commonly grow different types of crops in a greenhouse, or want to replace a crop once its lifetime is over. The autonomous robot will sense the environmental parameters of the greenhouse, and accordingly the actuators in the control system will function and also depending on the threshold values sent through SMS it allows the user to change the threshold values of the actuators in the control system.

Modern electric sewing machines are having more electric and electronic applications than mechanical applications. But, due to the long-term operation and improper usage certain electronic issues can occur in these machines. Besides, there may be mechanical errors as well. Most of the garment factories are having their own repair centre to repair their machines. After repairing a machine, those machines should be tested for 45 minutes to ensure the sewing machine is production

floor worthy. In some of the sewing machines there is an in-built auto run parameter which sets the machine to autorun mode and the machine is tested in this mode after repairing. There are many brands of electric sewing machines in which this parameter is unavailable. As a solution for this problem a prototype is designed and implemented to test machines after doing a repair as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. The test kit designed is named as AOC unit which stands for Automatic Option Control unit. This option controlling unit is designed to install to any sewing machine externally and the servo motor used in the unit is attached to the speed controller of the sewing machine. Sewing machine speed controller has been designed by the manufacturer to provide command signals to the microprocessor when the pedal position is changed by the operator. AOC unit actuates the speed controller without any interference of the operator and sewing machine operates

automatically within a given time. This operation is stopped by the countdown timer in the unit at the end of the set time.

Country of Origin and purchase intention are highly connected in the global marketing context because, in the modern era, the consumers’ (undergraduates) purchase intention depends on the country of origin. The main objective of this research is to identify the country of origin’s effect on undergraduate purchase intention. The paper has conducted with particular reference to imported consumer goods for undergraduates in Horizon Campus. The country of origin effect on undergraduate purchase intention was identified under 19 indicators, including 14 for country of origin (Independent variable) and 5 for purchase intention (Dependent variable). The sample of 300 students was selected using the simple random sampling technique, and data were collected using a standard questionnaire to identify the country of origin on undergraduate purchase intention. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha value ensures the questionnaire’s reliability. Furthermore, SPSS 25 version was used to analyse the data. The data were analysed using mean, correlation, and regression analysis. Correlation analysis was used to identify the relationship between country of origin and undergraduate purchase intention. According to the hypothesis developed, it can be concluded that the relationship between country of 0oigin and undergraduate purchase intention. According to the research findings, there is a positive relationship between the two variables. Based on the study results, it can be concluded that purchase intention can be changed with the country of origin. These research findings will be beneficial for the decision-makers to make better decisions according to their preference and save the cost.

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of self-congruence on the emotional brand attachment of undergraduates: with special reference to smartphone brands in Sri Lanka. In this study, data were collected using self-administered questionnaires through snowball sampling to identify the impact of self-congruence on the emotional brand attachment of undergraduates. The sample comprised 331 undergraduates. Data were analyzed using Mean, Correlation and Regression Analysis. The study findings of this research interpret that the effect of actual self-congruence on emotional brand attachment is lower than the effect of ideal self-congruence on emotional brand attachment. As per regression analysis, self-congruence has a significant positive impact on emotional brand attachment. The findings of this study support the view that self-congruence can increase emotional brand attachment. The findings of the paper led to some important theoretical and managerial implications for researchers and practitioners in the smartphone industry in the South Asian context.

Personal selling and buying behavior are areas of interest in the global marketing context.
Businesses need to identify the correct techniques for personal selling with the aim of
influencing consumers’ buying behavior. The main objective of this study is to identify
the impact of personal selling on buying behavior. The study has been carried out with
special reference to clothing stores in Sri Lanka. The impact of personal selling on
buying behavior is identified under four dimensions, namely, salespersons’ personal
characteristics, presentation of commodities (goods) by salespersons, characteristics of
clothing sale stores and promotion conducted by the salespersons in clothing sale stores.
For this study, 322 undergraduate students were selected as the sample using the simple
random sampling technique. Furthermore, SPSS 25 version was used to analyze the
data. Regression analysis was utilized to test the hypotheses of the study. The results of
the study found that there is a significant positive impact of salespersons’ personal
characteristics, characteristics of clothing sale stores and promotion conducted by salesperson
in clothing sale stores on the buying behavior. However, no impact of presentation of
commodities (goods) by the salespersons on buying behavior has been found.