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Project to measure water quality of Beira Lake

The United States introduced a new initiative to measure the water quality of the Beira Lake, Colombo, as part of an environmental project that involves schoolchildren in the testing process. The project intends to help develop children's interest in safeguarding the environment.

The Community-Led Environmental Awareness Network (CLEAN) was developed by the US Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) three years ago, to increase awareness of the impact of air and water pollution on community health in Sri Lanka. Educated communities, especially children, can help to prevent pollution while encouraging the enforcement of environmental regulations, project officials said.

According to USAID Mission Director, Dr. Carol Becker, "Better understanding of the impact of environmental pollution on health will lead to a sharper focus on taking care of the environment.

Monitoring can help us identify pollution, but we must also take proactive measures for prevention." The project, which receives financial support from the Institute of International Education and US-AEP, is managed by the environmental division of the Industrial Services Bureau, a local non-governmental organisation. The programme has introduced air and water quality projects in Kandy, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo.

In the Beira Lake initiative, students measure water quality indicators such as the levels of dissolved oxygen and chemicals like phosphates.

This will help them learn about the sources of pollution, and its relationship to human health. School-based environmental groups discuss related issues and raise awareness about their impact on communities.

The groups encourage expanding the debate to their communities, and engaging decision-makers on air and water quality issues.

Vesak on a grand scale

by Janani Amarasekara

Last week we revealed the news about the 'Amadahara' programme for the first time, in the Junior Observer. Now, you must be counting the days for the event.

We have already informed you about a book launch to be held on May 2. Since it's getting closer, let us tell you more about it. The chief guest and the main speaker at the event will be Walamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera while other Theras will also participate. The Prime Minister along with other ministers, is also scheduled to participate.

The Independent Television Network (ITN) and Lakhanda will be joining hands with ANCL to ensure the success of the Amadahara programme. A special radio channel will also be a feature of the event.

The Amadahara programme was held last year as well. Former Chairman, ANCL, Janadasa Peiris was the chairman of the operational committee appointed to organise the event last year, and Ven. Dr. Itthademaliye Indrasara Thera was the patron of the committee.Vesak lantern competitions, musical shows, dansals and bakthi gee competitions added colour to the event. Four pandals were erected at different locations with Buddhist flags and flags with Amadahara emblem.

Around 500 to 600 three-wheelers decorated with flags carrying the Amadahara emblem, were part of the programme.

The Sri Lanka Air Force also gave their fullest support to Amadahara (Amadahara Vesak Zone), the grand Vesak celebration organised by Budusarana, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) and all State and private institutions located around ANCL. The Vesak lantern exhibition was held at the Air Force Base ground.

A special Dharma Deshana was held on the first day of Amadahara with the presence of about 1500 Air Force personnel. A special message about Amadahara Vesak Zone was delivered on that day. The Colombo Harbour also participated in Amadahara and decorated the area extending from the Harbour and around the Ceylon Continental Hotel. Dansalas offering refreshments for the people visiting the dagoba close to the Harbour were also organised.

Last year too, the Amadahara Vesak Zone covered a vast area in Colombo centred around the ANCL. The Zone was extended towards Gamini Cinema Hall, Colombo Harbour, Galle Face, Fort Railway Station, President's House and Trans Asia Hotel.

The event included vesak illuminations and decorations, dansal and bhakti gee recitals. Decorated arches marched the four entrances to the Vesak Zone. Huge flags with the Amadahara logo were erected in the zone. A radio transmission within this zone broadcast Buddhist songs, announcements, jingles and Buddhist news.

This year's event promises to be even grander and more colourful. So we invite all of you to be part of the celebrations.

How little elephant found peace

Sri Lanka had been involved in a war for over two decades. People suffered, but it's the children who suffered most. Adults fight to quench their thirst for power, but what happens to the children? How do they feel about the war? Dr. Nancy Baron, an American educationist, wanted to find answers for these questions and to speak aloud against war. She wanted peace for the children.

As another step in her journey towards peace, she wrote a book titled 'Little Elephant Helps to Find Peace'. It is illustrated by the famous writer and artist, Mrs. Sybil Wettasinghe.

The story takes place in a far away jungle where the animals are fighting with each other. It explains how a little elephant helps the animals to find peace. This little elephant lives in a camp with many other animals displaced by the fighting. This book describes how the animals struggle to find peace, lose it and find it again.

The story flows around the characters Baba, the little elephant, Amma, the mother elephant, Thattha, the father elephant, and Gita, the sister elephant. Baba takes care of Amma and Gita and the uncle elephant helps the animals in the forest to live in peace. Through Baba, Dr. Baron teaches children how to be brave and courageous when facing problems, and gives valuable advice to the children.

The book launch coincided with the launch of a film, which was based on Dr. Baron's previous book 'Little Elephant Finds his Courage'.

It was produced by Molenwiek Films of the Netherlands. The story was told by teachers around the world, while the real illustrated story was playing on the screen. In between the story, related experiences of children from Columbia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and New York appeared on the screen, in their own words.

'Little Elephant Finds his Courage' was the first book that Dr. Baron had written. 'Little Elephant Helps to Find Peace' is also based in the same jungle.

Let's hope this step would be another push for the process of peace in Sri Lanka, and that we will have a peaceful country for the children. That's the hope of Dr. Baron as well.

J. A.

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