Rural schools with dedicated staff provide an excellent education

P.P.G. Sugathadasa, Thihagoda group correspondent

Proper education is an indispensable component of life. Therefore our children should be afforded a sound education and trained well, said Minister of Cultural Affairs Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

He was speaking at the "Jeewana Mihira" book launching ceremony held at Aparekka Maha Vidyalaya, Aparekka, Matara recently.

The rural schools provide an excellent education strengthened by a qualified staff with a high sense of dedication and commitment. Parents have to be more concerned and vigilent about the behavioural patterns and activities of their children so as to ensure that they are not led astray. They should always be on guard to prevent their children from being enticed to vice and many other immoral activities in society today.

Sri Lanka would be urgently in need of disciplined people with no hatred, malice or feelings of vengeance in their minds. Parents have less faith in the education provided by schools. Children are therefore sent to tuition classes by them. Speedy action has to be taken to put an end to the mushrooming of tuition classes as it has an adverse impact on the behavioural patterns of the children, he said.

It would be at early childhood that proper ideas, attitudes and values could be cultivated. Hence religious education of a country is of paramount significance. The noble qualities needed to be useful citizen could be inculcated in the minds at the time of early childhood, Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana further said.

Mrs. Bandumathie Liyanage, Principal, Aparekka Maha Vidyalaya said that special projects have to be started to enhance the reading habits of children. Students have to be well educated with the aim of gaining sound knowledge, skills, virtues, discipline and leadership qualities.

The duty and the responsibility of teachers would be to guide the students to reach these goals, she also expressed her grateful thanks to honourable Minister of Cultural Affairs Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana for his presence at this book launching ceremony.

Venerable Pandit Galagama Chandananada Thera Adikarana Sanganayake of the Sri Rohana Chapter presided over the ceremony.

Rs. 7m to rehabilitate Buddhist places of worship

by Biyagama Special Corr.

The Government has allocated Rs. 7 million for the rehabilitation of Buddhist places of worship damaged in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. It has been planned to complete this work within 180 days, said Religious Affairs Minister Pandu Bandaranayake.

He was speaking at a meeting held to mark the unveiling of a new Buddhist statue installed in a Budu Medura at Pattiwila Biyagama under a program organised by the Pattiwila SLFP branch led by its Secretary Lal Ranjith. The Buddha Statue was donated by Ajith Sooriyarachchi.

Minister Bandaranayake said the government was always prepared to facilitate a religious and spiritual awakening in the country concurrently with its economic development effort.

While protecting and nurturing Buddhism it would also provide an equal place to other religious denominations in the country. A religious background was also essential to foster unity and peace.

Ven. Kalugahakumbure Vajira Thera, Ven. Pathegama Rahula Thera, Provincial Council member Rehenasiri Waragoda, U. George Perera, Pattiwila SLFP branch Secretary Lal Ranjith and several others also spoke.

Project to develop Matara Fort

by Bandula GunasekaraCorrespondent - Matara

A project to develop the historical starfort at Matara has been initiated by the Department of Archaeology. The Government of the Netherlands has funded the project.

Under the project steps have been taken to renovate the roof of the fort which was constructed following the system of Dutch architecture with the restoration of water course around the fort.

In addition a bridge will also be constructed over the water course with Kumbuk timber for the preservation of the old look (view).

The fort situated at Matara Town is close to Nilwala Ganga. It is an attractive place with a historical value.

Dedicated teachers boon to students

by K. A. Perera - Wadduwa special Correspondent

A record has been set up by the Bandaragama National School where 59 students have been qualified in the grade five scholarship examination and this is supposed to be the highest number of students qualified in the grade five examination in Kalutara district. It is a great credit to Bandaragama National School. Isuri Gayasani a student of the school scored 192 and won the 19th place in the All Island Examination and the third place in the Kalutara district.

The Principal P. D. Ranjith Premasiri said "There is remarkable progress in the scholarship examination. Special classes were conducted in the school to coach the students for the examinations and identified the weak students by the teachers who conducted classes and special teaching methods, were applied to face the highly competitive examination, He highly appreciated the devoted service rendered by the teachers who brought credit to the college.

She created stamp to mark World Postal Day

The creation of a stamp to mark the World Postal Day 2006 first took shape in the mind of Kanchana Imesha Gimhanie Hewa Vitharana.

After its transformation to the physical dimension, she succeeded in securing the first place in the competition organised to select a design for the stamp.

Kanchana, an 11th year pupil of Sujatha B.M.V., Matara. Her inherent aesthetic qualities were evident with skills she displayed with paint and brush at her tender age. "When I was informed that my creation was selected as the first in the All Island Competition I was stunned," Kanchana said.

Her parents Tissa Hewa Vitharana and Renuka Malkanthi were always there to criticise and guide Kanchana who is the second daughter of their family. "Even before attending Montessori I had a passion to draw and paint. My father and my mother helped me tremendously in my work".

She was fortunate to sharpen her artistic skills under 'Chithra Kala' Foundation of 'Merreen Akka' in her neighbourhood.

"I succeeded in securing the first place in a number of school, district and all island levels in art competitions and won eleven gold medals, three silver medals and also two challenge cups".

"I have also served as an announcer in children's radio programs of the Ruhunu Sevaya of the SLBC for a short time"

I am following a course in western music, but I reckon I would never give up my love for painting (art).