Vichakshana Research Symposium - 2017
Vichakshana Research Symposium was held at the Auditorium of the National Museuem on 25th October 2017 under the auspices of the ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural affairs. Several research work funded by the said Ministry pertaining to the Sri Lankan culture, initiated by the Cultural Centres of the Universities in Sri Lanka, were presented at this symposium and it was attended by Mr.D Swarnapala, Secretary of the Ministry of Internal affairs Wayamba Development and Cultural affairs (The Chief Guest), Professor. K.N.O Darmadasa and Professor. Rohini Paranavithana among the other distinguished guests. The symposium provided a platform to share findings of nine research studies from eight National Universities including the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.
Our contribution, a research study titled “A pilot study on the effect of listening to music on the stress of the pregnant Sinhalese women “ which was carried out by Dr. M.U.P.K Peris , Senior Lecturer, Consultant Psychiatrist and Mr. K.A.K Kodithuwakku, Officer in charge of the Cultural Centre with the participation of the medical students of the faculty, was presented by a final year Medical Student Mr K. Ravindu Ruwan Peiris. The Senior Officials commended this study as the only scientific research presented at this symposium that was based on standard scientific research principles. It was also highlighted that this study was the first of that kind of research scientifically exploring the relationship of listening music on the change of variables of biological parameters of stress such as serum Cortisol, in a Sri Lankan population upto now.
The undergraduates from the faculty of medicine who supported in this study that included Ravindu Peiris, Pavithra Lakmini Perera, Nimesha Ekanayake, Hansana Sewwandi, A.D Smaranayake, Akna Samarasooriya, and Minura Yasas Pinto were each awarded a certificate of recognition from the Cultural Affairs Ministry for their participation in the study.
