In earlier times, human-monkey interactions were not a severe problem in Sri Lanka, but has recently intensified as a result of habitat fragmentation and urbanization.  Due to these changes, Semnopithecus vetulus nestor has been listed among the 25 most Endangered primates.  The objective of our study was to evaluate the intensity of human-S.v. nestor negative interaction by identifying the crop and property damages in villages bordering Danawkanda Forest (7.001N & 80.049E), Gampaha, Sri Lanka.  We collected data using structured questionnaires interviewing households (N= 80) bordering the Danawkanda Forest from August 2014 to January 2015.  Households were most affected by damage to fruits, leaves, and buds of commercially important trees (93%), followed by damage to roof tiles (76%), and frightful confrontations with the monkeys (43%).  Average monthly loss per household from crop and property damage was estimated at between (Sri Lankan Rupees) LKR 2,700 and LKR 1,500.  Lighting firecrackers was the most common method used by the residents (99%) to deter monkeys, where as electrified barriers were rarely used (4%).  Households in close proximity to Danawkanda Forest experienced a considerable loss to their monthly income due to crop and property damage, compared to households further away.  As an alternative, residents now grow ornamental plants and short trees, eliminating the structures that attract and facilitate damage by S.v. nestor.  Awareness and active participation of residents, authorized government, and non-governmental organizations are needed to manage unplanned construction and agriculture plot extensions into the forest.  These two factors trigger the human-wildlife negative interactions in general and are not limited just to monkeys.

Plans for the establishment and development of new national libraries for the newly emerging nations have been considered, drawn up and launched in many developing countries. International bodies such äs UNESCO have been actively promoting these developments and many Conferences have been held and their reports published incorporating resolutions and recommendations of experts. 1 As conditions economic, political, social and cultural äs weH äs those relating to libraries differ in each of these countries, plans conceived for their national libraries must also reflect these differences and be thought out with due recögnition of each relevant context. As Arundell Esdaile wrote in the Preface to his pioneer study (1934) of the "comparatively new product, the national library", "uniformity is not to be expected; the political and social traditions of ohe country will produce a qüite different type of library Service from those of another ...". In the course of his öbservations on the differing contexts he touched on one very significant factor in stating "... the widest Variation is probably to be found in the value set upon a national library by the national government äs assessed in its annual budget". 2 The purpose of this study is to examine the concept of, and the possibilities for the national library in the context of developing co.untries, most of which are willing but not able to display that willingness by setting a high value on national libraries for their nations by assessing it thus in their national budgets, äs "in times of economic stress and acute foreign exchange crisis ... the things of the flesh are bound to take precedence over the äffairs of intellect", 3 and to look for prospects and alternatives within the narrow

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