Restoration of Galle Fort

The Galle Fort is one of the most important sites in the southern part of Sri Lanka and is also a recognised World Heritage Site. The Central Cultural Fund is now engaged in restoring this ancient Dutch Fort.

The Fund is currently digging out the parts of the fortress which are still buried. Trees growing on its walls will also be removed; this is expected to be done with the use of injections to kill the trees, in order to prevent any harm being caused to the walls.

After the initial work has been completed, the restoration work will begin. The government of the Netherlands has donated Rs. 380 million for this project, of which Rs. 130 million will be utilised towards the restoration of the fortress walls, while Rs. 145 million will be spent on the Marine Museum and Information Centre.

A sum of Rs. 15 million will be spent on the restoration of the ancient sewage system, while Rs. 50 million will be used to restore the old houses inside the fortress.

This project is expected to be completed in 2009.

Rapid bacteria, biothreat test developed

Philadelphia - US scientists say they have developed a mosquito-sized biosensor that can rapidly detect tiny amounts of disease-causing E. coli bacteria in food.

The single-step technology developed by Drexel University researchers takes only minutes, compared with hours required by conventional tests for common food poisoning agents.

The sensor can also quickly detect proteins and very low levels of biothreats, such as anthrax. Researcher Raj Mutharasan and colleagues said the device has wide applications in the identification of very low concentrations of pathogens and proteins in medical diagnostic testing, monitoring for biothreat agents, detecting contaminated food products and other areas.

At the heart of the new biosensor is a vibrating cantilever (projecting beam supporting something), with a tiny beam supported at one end and coated with antibodies at the other, free-moving end. The antibodies are specific to the material being detected, such as E. coli, anthrax or proteins that are biomarkers for disease.

When that antigen is present in a sample flowing through the biosensor, it binds to the cantilever and alters the frequency of vibration in a way that can be detected electronically.

The research is published in the journal Analytical Chemistry.

United Press International

How climate change affects biodiversity

Of late, there has been a lot of news about climate change and how it affects the Earth. Freak weather conditions being experienced across the world including in our own country have been attributed to climate change, and it has affected the lives of people and biodiversity in every country. 'Climate Change and Biodiversity' will be under the spotlight once again when the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) is commemorated on May 22.

The area of focus for this year was announced by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

This theme builds on the designation of this year as the International Polar Year and the World Environment Day theme of Climate Change. Some of the activities that have been planned with regard to this day are lectures, seminars, film presentations, cultural events, exhibitions and school outreach activities.

It has been found that global temperatures have increased by about 0.6 degrees Celsius since the mid-1800s, affecting almost every corner of the world, from low-lying tropical islands to the Polar regions.

Some of the more visible signs of climate change which have taken place during the last century are; the largest glacier on Mount Kenya losing 92 per cent of its mass, sea levels rising by 10-25 cm, and the thickness of sea ice in the Arctic region decreasing by 40 per cent. While such changes have been taking place, that is not the end.

Temperatures are expected to go up by a further 1.4-5.8 degrees Celsius by 2100. This is predicted to lead to 210 million more people facing the risk of malaria, upto 3.1 billion more people suffering from water scarcity, and50 million more people facing hunger.

Climate change is also expected to result in bleaching of corals, drops in certain animal populations due to changes in breeding and living patterns and even in certain animal and plant species facing total extinction.

When the IBD was first created by the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, December 29 (the date the Convention of Biological Diversity came into force) was designated as the Biodiversity Day.

May 22 was adopted only in December 2000, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on May 22, 1992 by Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

One of the reasons for this change of date was the difficulty faced by many countries to plan the necessary activities in a month which has many holidays.

Day to celebrate cultural diversity

Sri Lanka is a nation of many races and cultures. This cultural diversity has enriched our society and way of life. Tomorrow, May 21 is an ideal day to commemorate this variety as it's the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

The special events of the day will be organised and spearheaded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Cultural diversity has been one of the main areas of focus for UNESCO ever since it was established over 60 years ago. The adoption of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (on November 2, 2001) has confirmed its commitment to the "fruitful diversity of cultures" in a spirit of dialogue and openness.

Culture encompasses literature and the arts as well as ways of life, value systems, traditions and beliefs; and the protection and promotion of their diversity presents special challenges. The preservation and promotion of this "common heritage of humanity" is part of the foundation and the final goal of UNESCO's entire cultural programme.

Expansion of Botanical Gardens

There are many well-known botanical gardens in Sri Lanka with the Henerathgoda Botanical Gardens in Gampaha being one of the most prominent. This garden is soon to be expanded, with the addition of 20 more acres. The expansion project has been designed to make the park more attractive for tourists.

The project will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by September. When completed, the park is expected to be a place of entertainment for the whole family. The Attangalu Oya, which is flowing beside the park, will be developed so that boat rides can be arranged.

The government plans to upgrade and improve all botanical gardens to international standards .