Improving Met Dept. network

A memorandum on the improvement of the meteorological and disaster management network of the Meteorology Department received Cabinet approval recently. Assistance for the upgrading of the meteorological observation and communication network will be provided by the Japanese Government, through the Japan International Co-operation Agency.

Over 90 per cent of the natural disasters happening around the world are weather-related. In our country too, unlike in the past, more natural disasters such as intense rainfall leading to severe floods and landslides and prolonged (lengthened) droughts are frequently experienced.

With upgraded facilities, the Department would be able to provide better services to the public through more accurate weather forecasts, advisories and warnings during periods of bad weather.

The project will see the 20 existing meteorological stations being upgraded to weather stations, while 18 new weather stations will also be established. A real time satellite communication system would connect the automatic weather stations with the Department's head office in Colombo.

The project, which will receive a grant of 807 million yen from Japan, is expected to be completed by March next year.

Coastal cities face danger of rising seas

Coastal cities around the world are facing the danger of rising seas and other disasters related to climate change.

Of the 33 cities predicted to have at least eight million people by 2015, at least 21 are coastal and highly vulnerable, says the Worldwatch Institute.

They include Dhaka, Bangladesh; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Shanghai and Tianjin in China; Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt; Mumbai and Calcutta in India; Jakarta, Indonesia; Tokyo and Osaka-Kobe in Japan; Lagos, Nigeria; Karachi, Pakistan; Bangkok, Thailand, and New York and Los Angeles in the United States, according to studies by the United Nations and others.

More than one-tenth of the world's population, or 643 million people, live in low-lying coastal areas at risk from climate change, say U.S. and European experts. Most imperilled(in danger), in descending order are China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Egypt, the US, Thailand and the Philippines.

AP

Remembering our gallant soldiers

Poppies...the blood-red flowers have been in focus over the past few weeks and will gain even more importance through the course of this day. Why? Because today is Poppy Day also known as Remembrance Sunday, when many countries in the world, including Sri Lanka remember their war-dead.

In Sri Lanka, the main event of the day is held at the Cenotaph War Memorial at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, Colombo. It is organised by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association, of which the membership is drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Many countries have a special day to remember their war heroes, whether they are dead, retired or still fighting.

Some of these special days are Veterans' Day in the USA, Armistice Day in France and Remembrance Day in Britain. November is considered as the Month of Remembrance by most countries, especially those who took part in the First and Second World Wars.

The British Remembrance Day is always held on November 11. It is on this day that World War1 ended in 1918, when the Armistice Treaty was signed in Northern France, at 5.00am. Six hours later, the fighting stopped, and to commemorate this, a two-minute silence is observed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

The nearest Sunday to the 11th is called Remembrance Sunday, when ceremonies are held in honour of those involved in wars, and wreaths are laid on war memorials. A two-minute silence is followed by a bugler playing 'The Last Post', reminding people of times of war when trumpets were also used in battles.

But, what does the poppy have to do with remembering a country's war-dead? The flower was adopted as the symbol of remembrance because it was widespread on the battlefields of Europe after the First World War.

The soil disturbances caused by trench-digging and shellfire produced ideal conditions for them to grow, and they appeared in vast numbers, especially in the Flanders Fields of Belgium where there was heavy fighting. The red petals of the flower symbolised the blood left by soldiers, and came to be associated with remembrance.

Artificial poppies are now worn by people on and around this day. However, the poppy is not just a symbol - it is a source of hope and aid to many. Once a year, close to this day, the public are invited to buy poppies.

They are made by hospitalised soldiers in memory of their fallen comrades. All proceeds from the Poppy Day sale are used to provide welfare and other facilities for disabled soldiers and dependents of dead servicemen.

In Sri Lanka too, the decades-old war has robbed the lives of many armed services personnel, who were in the prime of their youth. On this day, it is our duty to remember and honour them - the brave soldiers who sacrificed their today to provide a safe and secure tomorrow for the rest of us!

On tour to Bangkok

A 35-member group including children left Sri Lanka recently to take part in a cultural show and competition organised by the Benjama Boffit School of Bangkok, Thailand. The local group was organised by the Children Skills Development Programme (CSDP).

Kalani Amaya and Tharani Navodya of Surdutha Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Kuliyapitiya; Gihani Ayodya of Girls' High School, Mt. Lavinia; Dasuni Wasana of Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda; Daham Sri Madhusanka of Royal College, Panadura; Greshala Buddhi of Neluwa National School, Galle; Nimnadi Akalanka of St. Bernadette Model School, Polgahawela; Shehan Sandaruwan Jayasinghe of Mahanama College, Colombo 3; Panchal Venura of Susamayawardena Maha Vidyalaya, Colombo 8 and Maheshika Erangi, Nadeeka Nishani, Susitha Nayanapriya, Isuri Fernando, Lanka Gangani, Mihiran Priyankara, Kalana Subodha, Thilini Punsara, Sithara Harshani, Nuwanthi Madhubhashini, Radika Madhubhashini, Geeth Nimesha and Shanaka Prabhath were the children who took part in this tour. Over 516 children have already taken part in the foreign trips organised by the CSDP once every three months.

Another group will leave for a cultural show in India in December and those who like to take part can get further information by writing to CSDP, No. 51, Sri Dharmarama Road, Dematagoda, Colombo 9 or by calling 0112-672718, 0112-689536 or 0714-113457.

International Day for Tolerance

November 16 is the International Day for Tolerance as designated by the United Nations. In 1996, the UN General Assembly invited member states to observe the Day with activities directed towards both educational establishments and the wider public.

This action came in the wake of the UN Year for Tolerance, 1995, declared by the Assembly in 1993. The Year had been the initiative of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

On November 16, 1995, the UNESCO member states had adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year.

Scientists map cat genome

Scientists have mapped the genome (genetic composition) of the domestic cat, raising hopes that the genetic identification of the seventh mammal to date will open the path to new research advances for humans.

US researchers sequenced the DNA of a four-year-old Abyssinian cat named Cinnamon whose lineage (ancestry) traces back to Sweden, said the findings published in the journal 'Genome Research'.

Cinnamon is one of a number of test mammals currently undergoing comparative analysis involving genetic research performed on cats and other mammals. "The similarity between the cat genome and six recently completed mammalian genomes (human, chimpanzee, mouse, rat, dog and cow) allowed the scientists to identify 20,285 putative (supposed) genes in the cat genome," the study said.

AFP