University plans herbal centre

Medicinal plants are very important to us. Herbs are used in medicines, both Western and Eastern, and help us relieve various aches and pains.

It is extremely advantageous if we can grow a few medicinal plants in our home gardens.

The Ruhunu University has now come out with plans to set up a herbal centre, affiliated to its agriculture faculty. This faculty had been conducting experiments on herbal plants over the last 20 years, and the University expects to make use of this experience in establishing the centre.

The assistance of the Indigenous Medicine Ministry will be forthcoming towards this project. It has already provided Rs. 1.5 million and a net-covered area for the project.

Plans are also under way to collect planting materials and to provide the required infrastructure facilities, nurseries and a marketing centre.

Another venture that has been earmarked as part of the project is to open a website to create awareness about the herbal plants in Sri Lanka and to maintain a place for plant-related products in this herbal park.

The University also plans to increase awareness about herbal plants through the encouragement of herbal cultivation in home gardens. The facility to sell the produce at the herbal centre will also be provided.

Stamp advocating reading

A Nation of Readers is the theme of this American stamp issued in 1984, conveying an all-time truth useful to people of all ages and all walks of life.

What is most significant about the stamp is that, the father who teaches the son is none other than Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of America (1861-1865) and the boy is his youngest son Thomas or "Tad" as he was lovingly known. It is sad to mention that "Tad" passed away at the age of 18 years.

The picture used in the stamp is an old photograph that has been carefully selected to convey the important message that, what is most essential is "A Nation of Readers", a message applicable to any country for all times.

Abraham Lincoln who had the barest education, undoubtedly wanted his children to have the education that he was denied. This American stamp stands out also as a living testimony for a great leader who relentlessly (tirelessly) fought for the end of slavery in America.

Francis P. Gunasekera

Promoting education in the South

The Southern Provincial Council is gearing itself to promote education in the Southern region, and developing the physical resources in the field has been considered as a matter of vital importance.

Priority will be given to new constructions, reconstructions and repairs of school buildings, teachers quarters, libraries and science laboratories.

The proposed projects are estimsted to cost a total of about Rs. 805 million. The Southern Provincial Council and the Asian Development Bank will jointly fund the programme.

Furniture and equipment for Vakarai schools

Twelve schools in the Vakarai area received furniture, books, school uniforms and other equipment from the Education Ministry recently. These schools are to be reopened shortly following the full restoration of civilian life in the region.

Under this programme, 2,000 school desks, 2,000 chairs, 1,700 small chairs, 850 small desks, teachers' chairs and tables were dispatched for the use of these 12 schools in Vakarai and Padirippu in the Batticaloa District. The project had been carried out at a total cost of Rs. 13 million.

The memorandum in this regard, submitted by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, had received Cabinet approval earlier. Some of the required furniture and equipment were chairs for children and teachers, tables, infant tables, library tables and chairs, laboratory tables and chairs, blackboards, computers and photocopy machines. Supplying these was identified as an urgent need if education activities in these schools are to be carried out without any hindrance.

The government has also taken steps to help the over 225 students in the area who couldn't sit the Ordinary Level examination last year due to the conflict.

Art exhibition and sale

An exhibition and sale of paintings titled 'Shades and Hues of Blossoms' by students of art teacher, Ms. Latifa Ismail began at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery yesterday. It will be held tomorrow too, from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

The participants of this exhibition are Natasha Nimalasiri (11), Rushka Silva (14), Kusheshi de Zoysa (7), Anuki Bogahawatta (11), Niruth Bogahawatta (8), Razia Usuf Ali (12), Abhishek Aryasinghe (11), Amra Ismail (10), Randeshini Kulatunga (9), Dilanika Kulatunga (8), Lahari Jayetileke (7) and Dulanji Beneragama (10).

The exhibition has been organised by the participants' parents to encouarge them to develop their artistic talents. The proceeds from the sale will be donated towards the well-being of thalassaemia patients at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.

Synthetic antifreeze protein created

Canadian-led researchers have created a synthetic version of a natural antifreeze protein that is reported to be

 far superior to the natural product.

Canadian and U.S. scientists, led by Robert Ben of the University of Ottawa, said the synthetic protein has numerous potential applications. The synthetic version of the antifreeze glycoproteins, or AFGPs, that enable Arctic and Antarctic fish to survive in freezing-cold waters has applications ranging from prevention of freezer burn in frozen foods to the preservation of human organs donated for transplantation.

The researchers found their artificial AFGP, which can be produced in large quantities, also appears safer in laboratory cell culture tests. The study was scheduled for publication in the May 14 issue of the American Chemical Society journal Biomacromolecules.

UPI

What large eyes!

In Antarctica's Ross Sea, a fishing boat has caught what is likely the world's biggest known colossal squid (yes, that's the species' name), New Zealand officials announced.

Heavier than even giant squid, colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) have eyes as wide as dinner plates and sharp hooks on some of their suckers. The new specimen weighs in at an estimated 990 pounds (450 kg).

The sea monster had become entangled while feeding on Patagonian toothfish caught on long lines of hooks. The crew then manoeuvred the squid into a net and painstakingly hauled it aboard, a two-hour process.

The animal was frozen and placed in a massive freezer below decks. The deep-sea species was first discovered in 1925, though the only evidence was two tentacles found in a sperm whale's stomach.

The new specimen is likely the first intact male ever recovered. It is said that the squid would yield calamari rings the size of tractor tyres.

The Hindu