http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1678 THESE ARE RESEARCH ARTICLES OF ACADEMIC STAFF, PUBLISHED IN JOURNALS AND PROCEEDINGS ELSWHERE 2026-04-26T08:36:43Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7921 Title: Assessing Shariah compliance: an analysis of Ijarah financing practices in Sri Lanka's Islamic banking sector against AAOIFI standards Authors: Hayathu Mohamed, Ahamed Hilmy; Ahamed Lebbee, Abdul Rauf; Mohamed Casim, Abdul Nazar Abstract: This study critically examines the extent to which Ijārah nancing practices in Sri Lanka's Islamic banking sector conform to the principles delineated in the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Shariah Standard No. 9. Employing a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory methodology grounded in a comprehensive literature review, this study synthesises information from peer reviewed journals, regulatory reports, and institutional documents. It establishes AAOIFI standards as the benchmark for compliance and systematically analyzes Sri Lankan practices, identifying key areas of convergence and divergence. The findings reveal a significant reliance on institutional-level Shariah governance, in the absence of a robust national regulatory framework. The analysis further uncovered critical gaps, particularly in the operational mechanics of Ijārah products, which may functionally resemble conventional nancing in some instances, thereby raising concerns about adherence to the higher objectives of Islamic law (Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah). This study provides a comparative perspective on international best practices. It offers strategic recommendations for policymakers and financial institutions to enhance Shariah compliance, strengthen transparency, and foster sustainable growth in the Sri Lankan Islamic nance industry. 2026-01-22T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7769 Title: Roles of libraries in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Authors: Mashroofa, Mohamed Majeed Abstract: Sustainable development has become prominency across the globe while travelling towards transforming the world in 2030 based on the United Nations’ (UN) proclamation. The UN has formulated 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets in 2015 that span 15 years to be achieved. The action plan for SDG proclaims to realize the development based on people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership, which are the major notions, and SDGs consider mainly three aspects, such as Economic, Social, and Environmental perspectives. UN expects “a world free of poverty, hunger, disease, fear, and violence”. Furthermore, it expects “a world with universal literacy, equitable and universal access to education, and health care”. Social protection, human rights, safe drinking water, sanitation, and improved hygiene, sufficient and nutritious food, and universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy are some more expectations. So far,10 years have passed in this venture, and nearly five years more to work to achieve these goals. At present, most of the higher education institutions are designing and progressively instigating deliberate actions steering towards SDGs; libraries should think about how they could contribute. Do the activities of libraries align with the parent organizations related to SDGs? Academic libraries are recognised as pivotal role players under the higher education system, contributing significantly to the achievement of the SDGs. There is a notion that university libraries are defined as the ‘heart’ of the academic institutions. While revising the concept, communities are considered the ‘heart’ of the libraries. This may be an academic or public, or any other type of library. They serve the closer or wider communities based on their requirements. Without a certain community, libraries no more to exist. 2025-12-12T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7768 Title: Career sustainability of women professionals in the Sri Lankan construction industry Authors: Madushika Chathurangi, Bogahawaththage Nishadi; Kamardeen, Imriyas; Mohamed Firose, Musthafa Abstract: Purpose – This study investigates the gender-specific challenges, organisational support measures, and job outcomes experienced by female professionals in the Sri Lankan construction industry. It addresses a critical knowledge gap by contextualising global gender equity discourse within a developing country setting, where socio-cultural norms and institutional limitations uniquely shape women’s workplace experiences. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a quantitative research design to collect and analyse survey data from female professionals in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Statistical methods, including t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analysis, were deployed to assessthe prevalence of gender-related challenges, the adequacy of organisational support, and their associations with job stress, satisfaction, and turnover intention. Findings – The results reveal that while overt discrimination is less commonly reported among office-based professionals, systemic barriers, such as limited career-aligned opportunities, work–life imbalance, and the ongoing need to prove competence, persist. These challenges vary significantly by role and career stage, with mid-career and executive women reporting greater concerns. Organisational support mechanisms, particularly flexible work arrangements, leadership advocacy for gender neutrality, and equitable promotion practices, are significantly associated with improved job outcomes. Notably, turnoverintention remains high in technicalroles despite moderate job satisfaction and low stress, suggesting a complex interplay of factors, including restricted career mobility and adaptive coping. Originality/value – This study makes a novel contribution by empirically mapping the relationships between gender-specific challenges,support mechanisms, and job outcomesin a developing country context. It advances theoretical frameworks such as the role congruity theory and the job demands-resources model, while offering practical, context-sensitive recommendations for industry stakeholders and policymakers. The findings highlight the need for multi-level, career-stage-specific interventions to foster a more inclusive and sustainable construction workforce in Sri Lanka. 2025-11-30T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7657 Title: Sovereign bond yield connectedness among major economies during turmoil Authors: Mohamed Riyath, Mohamed Ismail; Jahfer, Athambawa Abstract: Purpose This research evaluates yield connectedness dynamics between sovereign bonds among the G7 and larger economies such as China, Russia and India, encompassing the pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war. Design/methodology/approach The study collated daily data on sovereign bond yields from January 2011 to November 2023. The data were divided into three subsamples: pre-COVID, COVID-19 and Russia–Ukraine war periods. The Diebold and Yilmaz connectedness approach with the time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) model is applied to investigate the connectedness among the countries. Findings Germany, the United States, Canada and the UK were the major transmitters, with Germany and the US as the prime net transmitters. Japan, India and Italy were net receivers. Japan consistently receives net spillovers from Canada, Germany and the USA, while transmitting to the UK. Italy mainly receives from Germany and France, while China transmits to the UK, France, Germany and the USA. The UK receives from China and Russia, and India primarily from the USA and France. Research limitations/implications COVID-19 highlighted the stabilizing role of monetary and fiscal policies, particularly in Germany and India. Major economies’ interconnectedness emphasizes the need for diversified risk management and international cooperation to maintain sovereign bond market stability. Originality/value The study examines the impact of COVID-19 and the war on global financial markets, focusing on sovereign bond yield connectedness, identifying influential economies and offering insights for financial stability enhancement. 2025-08-28T00:00:00Z