'Ran Daru' sets new record

More than 117,000 paintings sent in by children from all parts of Sri Lanka vied for honours in a record response to the third 'Ran Daru' art competition and exhibition organised by life insurer, Ceylinco Life.

The event, which concluded at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre recently, was one of the largest and most successful initiatives involving corporate sector interaction with the community. Intended to stimulate and support the development of artistic expression among the youth of the country, the event is organised annually under the banner of Ceylinco Life's 'Ran Daru' Child Protection Policy.

The competition was conducted in four age groups this year and culminated in the award of 12 cash scholarships worth nearly Rs. 600,000 and 488 consolation prizes, providing a cumulative prize value of more than Rs. 1.5 million to the participants. Additionally, everyone of the 117,000 participants received certificates.

The exhibition comprised 500 of the best paintings from the four age groups who participated in the competition, which was open to children from pre-school age to 18 from all districts of Sri Lanka.

October - Stamp Collecting Month

The American stamp shown here stands out as a great teacher, inviting one and all to the hobby of stamp collecting. This month being the National Stamp Collecting Month, those who seek some innocent pleasure out of the stamps they collect will regard this stamp as one of their best friends.

No other stamp spells out stamp collecting as this stamp, which is simple in design, and at the same time inviting the admiration of the stamp collecting fraternity everywhere. The United States of America, Canada and Australia conduct special programmes throughout this month, and new recruits join the ranks in large numbers and begin to experience this hobby.

One of the aims of this month, celebrated as National Stamp Collecting Month, is to make the public aware of the many advantages of the hobby and to make life more pleasant for living peacefully.

Sponsors of the celebrations are the Postal Authorities of the particular countries backed by radio, television and newspapers. Moreover, new stamps are issued to mark the occasion. A popular saying in America is "stamp collecting builds better citizens."

Francis P. Gunasekera

Ramazan and Deepavali celebrated

Our Muslim readers would have celebrated the Ramazan festival or Id-ul-fitr on October 24 with the sighting of the new moon.

The month of Ramazan is the holiest month in the calendar for Muslims. It is on the day of Id-ul-fitr that they see the culmination of a month of fasting and intense prayer. It is a time when Muslims all over the world focus on their faith and practise God's commandments. They renew their commitment to lead lives of honesty, integrity and compassion. The day also teaches them the value of being more caring towards underprivileged people.

October 21 was an important day for Hindus all over the world. They celebrated Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, on this day. Hindus believe the festival dispels darkness and lights up their lives.

They believe that the demon Narakasura was defeated by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama on this day. Hindus celebrate this event every year by lighting clay lamps, decorating their houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting loved ones for feasts. Lamps are lit to pay homage to gods for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valour and fame.

Promoting Yapahuwa

We told you about the ancient kingdom of Yapahuwa in our Heritage Splendour page. Now comes the news that the Tourism Ministry in association with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board will promote Yapahuwa as a new tourist destination.

The Ministry expects to implement many short and long-term strategies to develop Yapahuwa as a tourist hub.

The support of the Wayamba Development Authority, SriLankan Airlines and the private sector will also be forthcoming for these projects.

The project includes placing international tourism signs in and around the Yapahuwa archaeological site and a cleaning campaign at the Maho town and railway stations close to the historic sites.

The project would involve the participation of students, tourists, vendors and tourism stakeholders in the area.

A tree planting programme in the archaeological sites of Yapahuwa and a cycling tour covering the tourist attractions were part of the project.