POPULARIZATION OF STATISTICS: ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS – 2023

Department of Statistics: Summary of Key Contributions 2023

Workshops  

Dr. N. Withanage

• Modeling ordinal, nominal outcome variables (Resource person): organised by the Institute of Applied Statistics, Sri Lanka (IASSL).

Date: 10th – 13th March 2023 from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Target Group: Researchers.

Dr. N. Devpura

• Writing and Paper Enhancement (Resource person): organised by Bank Indonesia Institute, Indonesia and Asia-Pacific Applied Economics Association, Australia.

Date: 19th September 2023

Target Group: Researchers, Bank Indonesia Staff.

Dr. H. A. Pathberiya

• ●       Workshop on Statistical Techniques (Resource person): organised by the BSc (Honours) in Applied Sciences coordinators.

Date: 01st of December 2023
Target Group: B.Sc. (Hons.) in Applied Sciences candidates, USJ.

Dr. T. S. Talagala

• Large scale time-series forecasting and anomaly detection (Resource person for large scale time-series forecasting section): organized by the Forecasting for Social Good (F4SG), International Institute of Forecasters

Date: 26 January 2023

Target group: Academics, data scientists, researchers, practitioners in the field, undergraduate and graduate students

• Workshop on data visualization with R and Python (Resource person for data visualization with R section): organized by the Institute of Applied Statistics, Sri Lanka.

Date: 25 – 28 May 2023

Target group: Academics, data scientists, researchers, practitioners in the field, undergraduate and graduate students

• Data analysis with R: organized by the Staff Development Committee, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (SDC/FAHS).

Date: 11 May 2023

Target group: Academic staff, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences

Mrs. K. A. D. B. S. Karunasena

• Topic: Data Analysis, Interpretation and Presentation (Resource person): organised by the Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, USJ.

Date: 02.03.2023

Target group: Final year students, Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, USJ.

Invited Talks  

Dr. T. S. Talagala

• Title of the talk: Feature-based time series forecasting using R

Date: 2 November 2023

Target group: Researchers at the International Water Management Institute

Conference Organizer/ Speaker  

Dr. N. Devpura

• Co-chairperson of the international conference with theme “Climate Change, Energy and Economic Sustainability”

Date: 29th July 2023

Place: Marriott Marquis Queens Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Target Group: Researchers, Academic Staff.

This was organised by Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, China and Asia-Pacific Applied Economics Association, Australia.

Exhibition Stall  

The Department of Statistics, and the Statistics Society, USJ got a wonderful opportunity to popularize statistics among school children through an exhibition stall at the Musaeus College Science Exhibition 2023. It was held 10 – 11/08/2023.

The stall showcased several activities: Sports Analytics demo, DSJobtracker demo (Data Science job promotion) which was done as a project under Statistical Consultancy Service, Weight/Height/BMI dashboard, game corner, feedback desk.

The department staff, undergraduates and recent graduates contributed immensely towards this task and together, we were able to deliver a wonderful dynamic stall which attracted many school children.

National Competitions  

The National Statistics Olympiad

The Department of Statistics in collaboration with the Institute of Applied Statistics Sri Lanka organised the 10th National Statistics Olympiad on the 29th of October 2023 at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, with the aim of popularising Statistics among schools and university students across the country.

The department would like to appreciate Mr. P. Dias, Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi, Dr. R. M. Silva and Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe for their active contribution towards this event.

Statistical Consultancy Unit  

Statistical Consultancy Team

Coordinator: Dr. T. S. Talagala

Team members:

January – June 2023: Heshani Achinthika, Theja Sanduni, Kalani Siriwardene, Madhusha Perera, Savindu Kodikara, Udeshi Salgado, Anjana Senadeera, Dheedith Thejaka, Kavya Nayomi, Thisaakhya Jayakody

June – August 2023: Thimali Fernando, Kalpani Herath, Dinithi Hewagama, Denali Joseph, Tharushi Kaveesha, Oshini Kulasekara, Hansani Nawagamuwa, Nipuni Opatha, Sumedha Sandeepani, Ishara Wijerathne, Thilina Withanage

January – December 2023: Sadrushi Dissanayake, Lakna Perera, Menasha Brayani, Trishika Wickramarathne

Events/Activities conducted by Statistical Consultancy Unit in 2023

• Lunchtime seminar series organized by the Statistical Consultancy Series

Title: Uses and misuses of Statistics

Speaker: Mr. P. Dias

Date and time: June 8, 2023, From 12.05pm to 1.00pm

Target group: To all statistics enthusiasts, users, and learners

Moderator: Dr. Thiyanga S. Talagala

Title: Statistical Inference: What, Why, and How

Speaker: Professor B. M. S. G. Banneheka

Date: June 9, 2023, From 12.05pm to 1.00pm

Target group: To all statistics enthusiasts, users, and learners

Moderator: Dr T. S. Talagala

• DSJobtraker annual survey

The goal of this survey is to identify key qualifications and skills essential for data scientists, statisticians, and data analysts in their job roles. In 2023, for the third consecutive year, the SCS unit ran the survey. Through a meticulous analysis of job advertisements, the SCS team extracted the qualifications and skills mentioned in the job posts. The results were made public using the data visualisation dashboard and an R package.

• Providing statistical consultancy

In 2023, the SCS unit offered statistical consulting services to the following clients:

Clients	Affiliations
Group Data Evangelist	MAS Aqua Trading Global (Private) Limited
Ms. Janithra Harichandra	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. Thilanka Jagoda	Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, USJ
Ms. Kavindnie Dias	Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, USJ
Ms. Chalani Perera	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. Chathuri Amarasiri	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. Madhavi Kolambage	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. Hashini Prabodha	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. R.M.I.S. Rathnayaka	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. A. K. Maheshika Madushani	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. Nuwani Uthpala	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. P.A.D.Savindi Prathibha	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. Y .N. Ashani	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. Yashodha De Silva	Faculty of Graduate Studies, USJ
Ms. R.M.Umanda Rathnayake	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Dr. R. Sanjeewa, Dr. Meneka Liyanage, Mr. Ashan Jayamal	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. C.P.S. Palihakkara	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. Nisaka Munaweera	Faculty of Applied Sciences, USJ
Ms. I.U. Wickramaratne	Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University

Refereed Indexed Journal Publications    

Prof. B. M. S. G. Banneheka

• Abood Al Sawafi, B.M.S.G. Banneheka, Mohamed Wahish Hashim, Sandhia Valsala, and Babu Noushad. Development and validation of a university governance index. The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Organisational Studies, 18(2):65, 2023.

Mr. P. Dias

• E. l. A. N. N. Dilhara. K.D.C. Pushpakumara, P. Dias, A. M. B. Priyadarshani, “Association between Asia–Pacific body mass index classification and serum liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in healthy individuals”, Egyptian Liver Journal, 2023.

Dr. R. S. Lokupitiya

• Fernando, P.D.H., Subasinghe, S.M.C.U.P. and Lokupitiya, R.S., 2023. Allometric models for biomass prediction of Hevea brasiliensis. Environmental Quality Management.

Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi and Dr. R. S. Lokupitiya

• A group of representative measures of a set of time series and its decision support: a trial for dengue incidence data of Sri Lanka: Waduge, C. P., N. C. Ganegoda, D. C. Wickramarachchi, R. S. Lokupitiya, and G. H. J. Lanel (2022), International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences 14, no. 3 (2022): 260-288.

Dr. N. Withanage

• Dilshan, L.H.K., Withanage, N. and Chandrasekara, N.V., (2023). A Study on Factors Associated with Child Sexual Abuse and Recognizing the Severity: Special Reference to Galle District. Sri Lankan Journal of Applied Statistics, 24(1), p.19-30.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/sljastats.v24i1.8091

Dr. N. Withanage and Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe

• De Alwis, N. M., Withanage, N., Jayasinghe, C. L., Ananda, S. (2023). Socio-demographic and behavioural factors associated with prominent misconceptions of HIV/AIDS transmission among ever married women in Sri Lanka: An application of modelling correlated binary outcomes using a bridge distribution function. Journal of National Science Foundation Sri Lanka, 51 (4): 685 – 697. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v51i4.11558

Dr. R. M. Silva

• Ariyaratne, A., Ilankoon, I. M. T. P. K. ., Samarasinghe, U. ., & Silva, R. M. (2023). Finding Playing Styles of Badminton Players Using Firefly Algorithm Based Clustering Algorithms: Finding Playing Styles of Badminton Players Using FA Variants. Computer Science, 24(3). https://doi.org/10.7494/csci.2023.24.3.5116

Dr. T. S. Talagala

• Talagala, T. S., Hyndman, R. J., & Athanasopoulos, G. (2023). Meta‐learning how to forecast time series. Journal of Forecasting, 42(6), 1476-1501.

Book Publications  

Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe

• Book Chapter

Jayasinghe, C.L. (2023) Fixed-Design Local Polynomial Approach for Estimation and Hypothesis Testing of Reliability Measures. In Iqbal, J., Masoodi, F.S., Ahmad Malik, I., Khurshid, S., Saraf, I., & Bamhdi, A.M. (Eds.). System Reliability and Security: Techniques and Methodologies (1st ed.). Auerbach Publications (CRC Press). https://doi.org/10.1201/9781032624983

Peer-reviewed Conference Full Papers  

Dr. R. M. Silva and Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe

• D. Y. Jayasinghe, R. M. Silva and C. L. Jayasinghe, “Classification of batters format-wise based on ball-wise striking performance,” 2023 3rd International Conference on Advanced Research in Computing (ICARC), Belihuloya, Sri Lanka, 2023, pp. 160-165, Doi: 10.1109/ICARC57651.2023.10145736

• Silva RM, Jayasinghe CL, Jayasinghe DY, De Silva, LHKP, On Ball-wise Survival of a Modern Test Batter, In the proceedings of ISSAT International Conference on Data Science in Business, Finance and Industry 2023, Da Nang, Vietnam, pp. 123-130.

Peer-reviewed Conference Extended Abstracts/ Abstracts  

Prof. B. M. S. G. Banneheka

• W.A.J.R Silva and B.M.S.G. Banneheka. The effect of the z-score method- a case study in commerce stream. In 9th International Conference of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (ICSUSL), December 2023.

• J.A.H.T. Jayakody and B.M.S.G. Banneheka. A new optimal summary measure for likert scale student evaluations of teaching. In Open University Research Sessions (OURS) Sri Lanka, November 2023. Page 47.
• W.A.J.R Silva and B.M.S.G. Banneheka. A comparison of the z-score method and the aggregate raw marks method: A case study. In Open University Research Sessions (OURS) Sri Lanka, November 2023. Page 44.

Published R Statistical Software Packages  

Dr. T. S. Talagala

• New R software packages

Talagala T (2023). denguedatahub: A Tidy Format Datasets of Dengue by Country.

R package version 1.0.5, <https://denguedatahub.netlify.app/>.

• New R software package version release

Thiyanga S. Talagala [author, creator], Janith C. Wanniarachchi [author], Hansani Piyumika [contributor], HLS Perera [contributor], S Dissanayake [contributor], MB Senanayake [contributor], T Wickramarathne [contributor], (2023). DSjobtracker: What Skills and Qualifications are Required for Data Science Related Jobs?

R package version 2.0.0, <https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=DSjobtracker>.

Research Collaborations  

As a result of a great collaboration with THEME Institute, Duke University, NC, USA, and University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Department of Statistics, Department of Mathematics), the unit was established.

The Centre consists of two MPhil candidates and two researchers who are working under the supervision of Prof. Nishad Jayasundara (Duke University), Dr. Niroshan Withanage (Department of Statistics, USJ) and Dr. Pani W. Fernando (Department of Mathematics, USJ). The aim of the unit is to share knowledge and expertise with the mathematical and statistical approaches in marine biology and to enhance research opportunities.

• Development of Statistics Training Programs for MAS Linea Aqua

The initial discussion was held on 29/08/2023 at the FAS Board Room with a team led by Mr. Supun Sharada and Ms. Sakuni Wickramasekara from MAS Linea Aqua. To empower their employees with the necessary skills to handle statistical analysis and interpret data effectively, the following two training programs are in the process of developing and will be conducted in the near future.

Program 1: For the Data Evangelists’ Community

Enhance the analytical thinking to empower employees with data – driven decision making & proper identification of the problems in the business landscape.

Program 2: For Team Digital

Empower the team with statistical knowledge to move into predictive analysis.

The composition of each program development team is as below:

Program 1: Mr. P. Dias, Dr. Prasansha Liyanarachchi, Ms. Sadrushi Dissanayake, Ms. Menasha Senanayake

Program 2: Dr. Chitraka Wickramarachchi, Dr. Thiyanga Talagala, Ms. Thrishika Wickramaratna, Ms. Lakna Perera

This collaboration between MAS Linea Aqua (Aqua Global Trading Pty Ltd) and the Department of Statistics, USJ is coordinated by Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe and Dr. R. M. Silva. The department intends to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the company in order to formalise the links in the near future.

• NDA with AQUA TRADING GLOBAL (PRIVATE) LIMITED on Sports Analytics projects

Two Research Groups affiliated to the Department of Statistics and Department of Sports Science signed a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Aqua Trading Global (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka mainly to collaborate in the provision of education and research activities in areas of mutual interest. This was done as a preliminary requirement to sign a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) which will happen in the near future.

At the AGM 2023 of Institute of Applied Statistics Sri Lanka (Incorporated by Parliament Act No. 38 of 2011) the following staff members of the department were elected to the council.

• Dr. N. Withanage: President of IASSL
• Dr. R. M. Silva: Secretary of IASSL, a member of the Statistics Popularization Committee
• Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi: Immediate Past President of IASSL, a member of the Research and Development Committee
• Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe: Council Member, a member of the Statistics Popularization Committee, an Editorial Board Member
• Dr. H. A. Pathberiya: a member of the Research and Development Committee, an Editorial Board Member

Mr. P. Dias

• Mr. P. Dias was appointed as the president of Sri Lanka Counselling Association at its Annual General Meeting held on 5^th August 2023.

Dr. R. M. Silva

• Dr. R. M. Silva was appointed as the Secretary of the Committee for the Popularization of Science (CPS) in the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) on 17^th January 2023.
• Dr. R. M. Silva was appointed as the Country Coordinator for Sri Lanka of the International Statistical Literacy Project (ISLP) of the International Association for Statistical Education for the year 2022-2023.

Dr. T. S. Talagala

• “Forecasting Impact” podcast organized by the International Institute of Forecasters, Boston, USA

Dr. T. S. Talagala was an invited researcher to feature for the “Forecasting Impact” podcast organized by the International Institute of Forecasters, Boston, USA. Forecasting Impact is a monthly podcast which aims to disseminate the science and practice of forecasting by introducing prominent academics and practitioners in the forecasting domain.

Link: https://forecasters.org/publications/forecasting-impact-podcast/

• Workshops for school children

With the aim of promoting Statistics knowledge and thinking among school children, jointly with the Institute of Applied Statistics Sri Lanka (IASSL) the department organised and conducted workshops for A/L school children who follow combined mathematics.

– In August, Mr. P. Dias, Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi, Dr. R. M. Silva, Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe and Dr. N. Devpura organised and conducted workshops in Gampola and Ginigathhena education zones.

– In September, Mr. P. Dias, Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi, Dr. R. M. Silva and Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe organised and conducted workshops in Anuradhapura and Eppawala education zones.

– In October, Mr. P. Dias, Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi, and Dr. R. M. Silva organised and conducted a workshop in the Ruwanwella education zone.  

• Developing a teacher training programme for Statistics and Probability modules in the Advanced Level Combined Mathematics subject

With the aim of developing teaching skills and enhancing Statistics knowledge and thinking among school teachers who teach Combined Mathematics subject, jointly with the Institute of Applied Statistics Sri Lanka (IASSL) the department prepared modules for Statistics and Probability components in the  Advanced Level Combined Mathematics subject.

These will be used in the teacher training programmes which will be conducted throughout the island covering all nine provinces starting from early next year. Prof. Sarath Banneheka, Mr. P. Dias, Dr. Niroshan Withanage, Dr. Chathuri Jayasinghe and Dr. Rajitha M. Silva served as resource persons.

Dr. R. S. Lokupitiya

• Dr. R. S. Lokupitiya served as a member of the Advanced Level Z-Score calculating committee, Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka in 2022 – 2023.

Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi

• Statistician for developing Vocational Education and Training (VET) Plan for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning sector in Sri Lanka.

Dr. N. Withanage

• Moderating the Study text – Certificate level: Quantitative methods for business for CMA professional programme 2023 – 2027 syllabus.

Institute: Chartered Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA Sri Lanka)

Dr. T. S. Talagala

• Curriculum Revision of Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences at the Universities in Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Higher Education and the University Grant Commission (UGC) worked together on this initiative. The primary person in charge of data analysis and disseminating the results of the national-level general overview is Dr. Thiyanga Talagala.

• The Statistics in Sports Research Group at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has been awarded the SILK Most Outstanding Sports Research Project of the Year award at the 8^th SILK SPORTS AWARDS 2022. Organised by SPORTSINFO, this prestigious event recognizes not only the achievements of Sri Lankan sports stars but also their contributors.

The USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group which is coordinated by Dr. R. M. Silva of the Department of Statistics, USJ. It is the first research group in Sri Lanka that focuses on conducting research related to sports analytics. It was formed with the aim of supporting university students interested in conducting various research related to sports analytics while promoting and popularising sports analytics research in Sri Lanka. To acknowledge the quality research work conducted by the USJ Statistics in Sports Research Group, the SILK Jury awarded the group the SILK Most Outstanding Sports Research Project of the Year award.

Department staff members, Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe, Dr. N. Withanage and Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi are active members of this group.

• Dr. Thiyanga Talagala received a travel award from Posit Software, PBC (formerly RStudio, PBC) in Boston, USA, to attend Posit Conference 2023, held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA, from September 17th–20th, 2023.

• Mr. Janith Wanniarachchi won the First place at the SLAAS Physical Science Awards in Statistics 2022 for his undergraduate project. This project was supervised by Dr. T. S. Talagala.

• Ms. H. T. Jayakody and Ms. D. M. S. L. Dissanayake won the Second and Third Places respectively, at the SLAAS Physical Science Awards in Statistics 2023 for their undergraduate research projects. Ms. H. T. Jayakody’s project was supervised by Prof. B. M. S. G. Banneheka and Ms. D. M. S. L. Dissanayake’s project was co-supervised by Dr. C. L. Jayasinghe and Dr. R. M. Silva.

• Ms. D. D. D. Waduge won the ‘Best Oral Presentation’ award of the Applied Statistics Session at the Uni-In-Alliance 2023 symposium held at University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Ms. D. D. D. Waduge’s project was supervised by Dr. C. L. Jaysinghe.

• Ms. H. K. R. Rathnaweera,  Ms. M.D.T. Sanduni and  Ms. T.H.A. Mendis won merit awards at the IASSL annual research awards ceremony 2023 for their undergraduate research projects. Their projects were supervised by Dr. R. M. Silva, Dr. N. Withanage and Dr. D. C. Wickramarachchi respectively.

• To promote data science awareness and understanding, the Statistics Society of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura organised a guest lecture series on data analytics. The guest lecture was conducted by Mr. Dhanushka Abeyratne, who is a Manager in Data Analytics and Governance at MAS Capital. The series consisted of three sessions.

Session 01: Paving your way from Academia to a career in Data Analytics.

Date: 10^th of February 2023

Session 02: Conceptualising & implementing an autonomous supply chain 4.0.

Date: 17^th of February 2023

Session 03: Extracting the best out of mathematical optimization, metaheuristics & Data Science.

Date: 3^rd of March 2023

Mr. P. Dias

• Mr. P. Dias served in the judging panel of selecting Best Employability Skill Award organised by the Career Guidance Unit of the University.
• Mr. P. Dias served as the resource person of the workshop organised by the Statistics Society for FAS undergraduate students.

Title: Boost Your GPA: Workshop for Academic Success

Date: 15^th of June 2023

Target Group: First Year BSc Undergraduates of FAS, USJP

The second run of the financial aid program (Helping Hands) carried out by the Department of Statistics for first and second-year undergraduates who study statistics as a subject with financial difficulties was carried out.

Eleven students with financial difficulties were supported financially from July 2023 to December 2023 through this program. The sponsors consisted of department staff and alumni members of FAS, USJ.

Counselling Workshop

Mr. P. Dias

• A counselling workshop (Resource person): organised by the Sri Lanka Counselling Association

Date: November 23, 2023

Target group: Grade 6, 9, and 10 students, teachers, and parents of Sri Siddhartha National School, Weligama.

This counselling workshop was designed to address the counselling issues of lower secondary level students and help teachers and parents to identify the issues of the students and act accordingly.