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| Sunday, 22 August 2004 |
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Eco savvy Shehan by Lakmal Welabada
The 15-year-old has many things to say about his avid interest in nature, especially about 'Eco Fusion, the environmental awareness programme presented by the 'Friends of Nature' club at St. Peters' College, Colombo recently. "We had a fashion show and many other items which emphasised the importance of protecting nature," he says. Students of Holy Family Convent joined the Peterites to present the fashion show which was more of a green lifestyle show that emphasised ways and means of living happily using environmental friendly stuff. Vanni Eththolage Uruvarige Vanniya who was the Guest of Honour at 'Eco Fusion' presented a 'Veddas' tribal dance. The whole event was a collection of unique programmes that flowed from one to another. The chief guest was Environment and Natural Resources Minister A.H.M.Fowzie. School children and many other eco-loving guests, were also present. "Enormous credit should go to our Rector Father Felician R.Perera, Consultant Ms.Virginia Felthman and teacher-in-charge of the club Ms. Sunamalee for encouraging and backing us up to make the event a success," says Shehan enthusiastically talking about the success of the event and insisting credit should go to all who helped him. Though he has already stepped into adolescence, innocent childhood seems to be still in Shehan. "I had to keep my studies aside for a while as I had to concentrate on 'Eco Fusion'. Though my parents were not happy about it they never discouraged me. I always try my best to do well in studies. And they know that I won't mess up," says the teenager. Reading detective stories and mysteries are among his pastimes. But, 'Harry Potter' is his favourite. "I love video games and also to watch TV. I'm not a person who like to sit and study all the time as I'm a last minute case. But, I'm quite confident that I won't 'miss the bus'," claims a confident Shehan with a smile. Swimming and squash are his favourite sports. And in addition to all this, Shehan counts collecting tiny models of aeroplanes, trains, cars and all other vehicles and replicas of world famous monuments as his all time favourite hobby. "I like miniature objects that are replicas of real things," he says. The youngster loves all types of music except rap. He plays the piano, but loves to learn the guitar as well. Talking about movies, he says he doesn't like action movies with brutal killings and bloodshed. "I prefer fiction. I have a passion for history, was fascinated with 'Gladiator'. I felt that it had an exceptional effect," explains Shehan. The little ecologist, invents creative stuff as well as technical gadgets by re-using waste matter, like clay and wood. "I got this inspiration from my mother. She is a very creative person. I also like drawing, but don't do it on a big scale. My parents say my scribbles are nice," he says shrugging his shoulders. When asked about girls, he blushes a little, and says "Well, I won't just go for beauty, the inner self matters a lot and she should also have a broad vision towards life. These would be the most valuable qualities that I would be seeking in my future girl," said the youngman. Shehan hopes to be an Architect. Maths would be his A/L study stream. In addition he hopes to be actively involved in organisations both in environment and also in other subjects. "I believe in living according to religion. Hence I have never lied to my parents. They know that I would never break their trust in me. Apart from becoming an Architect I want to be a good citizen," concludes the little environmentalist. |
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Shehan Amaratunga is an eco-friend who leads others in the quest to
protect mother nature.
