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anthropologically observes the crises of representation, ethnocentrism, and racism in
classical anthropological studies and points out the relevance of the new frameworks
to the study of culture in a more scientific manner.

“Impact of Digital Hyper-Reality Oriented Influencer Culture: A Case Study on
Food Consumption Patterns among the Urban Youth Population in Sri Lanka”,
the paper by Anuradha C. Senanyake & Nedha de Silva reveals the patterns in which
social networking sites (SNSs) are ever increasing along with the advents of
globalization leading to a form of influencer culture where social media influencers
(SMIs) determine the lifestyle of the youth population, including their food
consumption patterns. Further, it examines the impact of the new digital hyper-reality
oriented influencer culture on the community-wise made food choices of the Sri
Lankan urban youth population. The survey results highlighted that while a number of
SMIs were visible in the SNS, the respondents failed to notice the strong influencer
culture in the digital space and felt that the role of the self-proclaimed SMIs was
unclear. However, in terms of the food reviews and blogs, respondents stated that the
majority of the SMIs presented a distorted reality aligned more with fantasy due to the
effects of simulacra and commercialization. This has led the respondents to develop
reservations when dealing with SNSs to make decisions on food consumption based
on digital recommendations of SMIs.

M. Rizwan's paper on the “Water Supply Project Managed by Community-Based
Organizations to Overcome Rural Water Shortage in Coastal Villages in
Akkaraipattu analyses the impact of rural water management with attention to
personal hygiene and water usage during the dry season. It is primarily based on
secondary data. This paper points out the water crisis precipitated by the growth of the
population, the use of chemicals in the environment, and the contaminated ground
water sources proposes that in working out a solution, water supply has to be made
under two separate methods defined as urban water supply and rural water supply
under Sri Lanka's national water supply system. The researcher reveals that though the
involvement of the community is important in addressing the water crisis, due to
various cultural and psychological factors, lack of knowledge on technical material,
timely challenges, gender inequality and mono-economic difficulties, community
participation in such project is minimal.

The papers thus included in this volume of Prathimana were all reviewed by a panel of
experts and were accepted for publication after effecting the revisions they have
suggested. The editors extend their compliments and salutation to the authors for their
kind acceptance of our invitation to contribute their valuable research papers to the
timely compilation presented in this academic journal, and the reviewers who made
their valuable input for the enhancement of its quality.

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