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| Sunday, 6 February 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Painting for a worthy cause by Vimukthi Fernando
Want to know for whom some of the animals in the Dehiwela Zoological Gardens posed for? For two of their human friends, who are just like you. Young and energetic. Jovial. Mischievous as well - with telltale smiles and twinkling eyes. Always nudging each other when answering questions. But, Shanilka and Ashinka, the two Wimalasena siblings are serious about what they do - painting. It is their speciality and something that they like very much. They love animals. As Junior Members of the Young Zoologists' Association, they learn about animals, and sometimes get an opportunity to sketch and paint their pictures at the zoo as well. "After watching 'Bambi' (a film which tells the story of a baby deer whose mother was shot by hunters), they wanted to help and conserve animals," says their mother. That is why Ashinka and Shanilka sacrificed their holidays last year to paint animals with the help of their art master Prasad Peiris, for an exhibition to help animals in the zoo. But now, the two brothers use their much loved hobby to help "children who have lost a lot," say the duo, avoiding the fatal word. They do not like to use that word, nor hear it... but Shanilka and Ashinka will use the proceeds of their maiden exhibition of paintings to build a school in Kosgoda, for children affected by the tsunami. "Do come to see our exhibition. And when you come, please bring something to give the children (affected by the tsunami)," say Shanilka and Ashinka, inviting all Junior Observer readers to visit the exhibition. Over 100 paintings of wildlife and nature by Shanilka and Ashinka Wimalasena, studying in grades six and five respectively at St. Peter's College, Colombo 4 will be displayed at 'Siblings', their fist exhibition, which will be held at the National Art Gallery, Colombo 7, on February 7, 8 and 9. ######### School reconstruction gets underway The project to repair and reconstruct schools damaged in the tsunami was launched on January 26, one month after the disaster, at C.W.W. Kannangara Vidyalaya in Galle. The project was undertaken by the Gateway International School in Colombo and Hegalla Maha Vidyalaya in Ambalangoda and was sponsored by Round Table Sri Lanka. A total of 176 schools island-wide sustained damages in the tsunami and the Ministry of Education had compiled a list of their names and the private sector-led donors who will carry out the reconstruction projects. The specifications and plans for the reconstruction had been drawn up by the Ministry's Engineering team, and 28 private sector donors and five non-governmental organizations accepted to carry out the reconstruction work according to these plans. The Ministry also requested UNICEF Sri Lanka to provide uniform material, stationery, furniture and other school needs to affected schools. UNICEF has agreed to this request, and the delivery of these items to the Zonal Offices in these areas has been going on from January 20. ######### The little drummer boy
The boy with an inclination for music, started singing with his family members before discovering a knack for playing the drums. He had developed this interest when he was about five or six years old. According to his father, he would closely observe the drummers of famous bands whenever he saw them play. Navodya has now excelled as a drummer and has his own drum set. What is unique about this drum set is that it was made by his brother, Gayan. A talented boy himself, Gayan developed these drums at a cost of around Rs. 8,000, when a normal set would have cost between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 30,000. Navodya is an accomplished organ player as well. He started playing the organ during his pre-school days and can now play over 50-60 songs. A clever student too, Navodya harbours ambitions of becoming a scientist and a cricketer one day. |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
Navodya Gunasekara is still only 11-years-old, but he has already shown
a talent for playing the drum. The Year Seven student of President's
College, Maharagama can comply with his drums for any song.
