Mega irrigational project

You may have heard and read about the many hardships being faced by farmers in the dry zone due to the shortage of water for paddy and chena cultivation. If you are from these areas, you may have experienced these hardships yourself.

The 'Wev Pubuduwa' mega irrigational project will be launched by the government in mid-March as a solution to this problem. The project, which is estimated to cost over Rs. 10 million, will see more than 3000 large, medium and small scale irrigation schemes being reconstructed in the Kurunegala district.

The Galgamuwa electorate comprises the highest number of irrigation schemes to be reconstructed under the scheme.

Magalle Wewa, Atanagalla Wewa, Palukadawala Wewa, Ambakala Wewa, Rajangane Wewa, Mahananneriya Wewa, Mahagalgamuwa Wewa, Halugalle Wewa, Meddekeliya Wewa and Moragahakanda Amuna are some of the schemes earmarked for renovation.

It will also develop 11 small-scale irrigation projects under the Mee-oya scheme and 10 irrigation projects on phase one and 14 projects on phase two under the Deduru-oya scheme.

The project's feasibility study has already been completed.

Sizing up the Great Wall

China, Beijing: Just how great is China's Great Wall?

Chinese researchers hope to determine that through a four-year geographical survey of the ancient fortification that will determine its exact length as well as its precise route and condition.

The wall's length is routinely estimated at more than 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles), but the lack of a comprehensive survey has left the exact figure unknown.

Just as important, researchers hope to gain a clear picture of how the wall, which was begun more than 2,000 years ago, is holding up, Xinhua news agency said.

The Great Wall has come under greater assault recently than perhaps any other time since the days of the barbarian hordes(large crowd) it was built to repel(drive back), as souvenir hunters and construction crews pilfer (steal in small quantities)pieces of its masonry and visitors carve their initials into its stones.

The survey will be conducted across 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, Xinhua said.

Archaeologists and historians had urged the government to organise the survey to give the people of the world a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the great structure, it said.

AFP

New generation of writers

It was a fine Saturday evening on February 17 at the British Council premises. Many children and their parents had turned up to take part in a wonderful event. What exactly was this event? A book launch, but not an ordinary book launch!

The book 'First Flight' consisted of the writings of 52 well-trained students, all under 15 years of age. Hundred students had been selected from the 3000 applications that had been sent, and they had gone through a one-year training course on creative writing.

Lal Medawattegedara, a writer, had been the teacher-in-charge of these students. He had divided them into groups of 10 to make it easier to work with them. He seemed to be the favourite character in the class, because at the end of this event, I had to wait for long to speak to him, until he finished giving autographs.

"It was a very interesting project and I feel very lucky to take part in it", said Medawattegedara. He had gained a lot of experience about child psychology through the programme.

The group of students who had come all the way from Kuliyapitiya had inspired everyone. "They had to make a two and a half hour journey to come for the two-hour class, but they still made it twice a month", Medawattegedara said, appreciating their efforts. "They had a bit of a language problem, but we were mainly concerned with their creativity and only about their basic language ability.

There were 10 extremely good writers; they will have a bright future if they keep on writing and I have already given them the guidance they need", he added with a smile.

We had the opportunity of talking to one of the young writers, Archana Heenpella, the 12-year-old girl who had also designed the cover. "I love to write, so I consider this a golden opportunity", Archana said. Her future ambition is to become a journalist.

Her hobbies are writing and drawing, so she wishes to continue in those fields. The panel of judges, who chose the 52 best entries from 100, comprised Ameena Hussein, Ashok Ferrey, Vivimarie VanderPoorten and Dr. Dushyanthi Mendis. This unique book should be read and enjoyed by all book lovers.

Janani Amarasekara

Promoting local dance and music

An aesthetic competition and a cultural show to promote indigenous dance and music was launched throughout the island by the Education Ministry in association with Union Assurance Ltd.

The competition, to be held at district and national levels, is titled Union Neth Hamuwa Pasalen Karaliyata. It has been organised with the objective of displaying the aesthetic talents of local schoolchildren in the areas of dance and music.

All Provincial Aesthetic Directors, Provincial Dance and Music Directors, Provincial Education Directors, Zonal Education Directors and school principals have already been made aware of the competition.

The competition will be held in three categories: folk dance, folk songs (for students of grades 6 to 13) and announcing for grade 12 and 13 students. The winners at district level will take part in the national level competition. The two groups that emerge first and second at district level will perform at the competition's national festival.

All participants at the competition will receive certificates, while district level winners will receive special certificates. Winners of the national competition will get cash prices; the first, second and third placed will win Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.

Variety entertainment to promote talent

The Patron and the President of the Mutual Benefit Association, Ven. Dr. Dodangoda Pujasiri Thera stressed the need to provide education and protection for more children from low-income families as well as disabled children, at the colourful variety entertainment show held recently by the Samaratunga Ladaru Uyana (Kindergarten) of Arawwala, Pannipitiya at the school premises.

The Ven. Dr. Pujasiri Thera, who is seen here presenting a gift to a student for her achievements, thanked the teachers for their services and added that gratitude should be extended to Kinderhilfswerk Furdie Dritte Welf of Germany, who provides financial and other assistance for the school, David Peiris Motor Co. Ltd. for providing funds to buy milkfood for the children and to the Probation and Childcare Department for its services.

The Thera added that it's the duty of all to educate and protect disabled children while enhancing the nutrition of low income families and to recognise the efforts of teachers.

Plan to benefit children

A sum of Rs 200 million has been allocated by the government for the National Plan of Action (NPA) for children, which is expected to be ready shortly. Awareness about the plan has already been created among all Provincial Departments of Probation and Childcare Services by the Probation and Childcare Services Department.

Since the plan needs to be formulated in a more co-ordinated manner, Provincial Departments have also been requested to submit their proposals. The main areas of focus of the NPA will be developing the infrastructure at children's homes, preventing child exploitation and reuniting children.

Urgent attention will be paid to the improvement of infrastructural facilities at children's homes as they are absolutely necessary if child inmates are to live under better conditions.

Programmes will also be organised to raise awareness on the prevention of child exploitation, abuse and harassment, which have received the attention of the Department. The NPA also focuses on child reunification. Accordingly, steps will be taken to reunite children currently living in orphanages with their parents, families or relations.

This will give such children a chance to start a normal life with their families while also reducing the congestion in such institutions. The rehabilitation of young offenders will also be a part of the programme.