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DateLine Sunday, 2 March 2008

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M. I. M. Mubarak, in his letter in the Sunday Observer of 10.2.2008, had stressed on the necessity to preserve Galle Fort as the 38th World Heritage site. When compared with the other heritage sites in Sri Lanka, mentioned by him, i.e. Sinharaja forest reserve, Ruvanweliseya, Sri Dalada Maligawa, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Ran Vihara and Sigiriya, etc., Galle fort fades into total insignificance, in view of what is stated below.

The most relevant question to be asked is what are we trying to preserve and for whose benefit.

We are labouring somewhat slavishly to preserve a site left behind by the Dutch, during nearly 150 years of forceful occupation of this country, much against the wishes of its citizens.

The irreparable damage caused to the places venerated by the Buddhists and to their culture during this illegal occupation is beyond description in a short letter of this nature.

Thus, what the responsible citizens and institutions of this country should do is not to clamour for the preservation of Galle Fort, but to demand compensation from the Dutch, for irreparable damages caused by them during their illegal occupation.

Galle Fort is only an eternal reminder to the citizens of this country of the damages so caused.

The Australian Prime Minister has recently apologized to the local aborigines for the irreparable losses/harm caused to them by the previous Governments. What is now required is, therefore, is to call for a similar apology from the Dutch, for all the damages caused by them.

The so called clamour to preserve the Galle Fort as Galle heritage, when in fact it is a Dutch heritage, is to say the least, very deplorable and is an insult to everybody who has some connection whatsoever with Galle. Such insult is further aggravated by the fact that Galle Fort has been listed on par with four other places of invaluable interest to the Buddhists.

Moreover, could anybody, institution or organisation point out a single World Heritage site in any other country of the world, where such site has been constructed by an invading nation who have done irreparable damage to the said country.

Perhaps, the local UNESCO office or their head office could enlighten the readers on this aspect. Perhaps, Sri Lanka could enter the Guinness Book for the wrong reason, i.e. the only country in the world to glorify foreign invaders, and preserve their left-overs for posterity.


DMMC and deplorable Dehiwala round - about

The sidewalks and pavements of our many highways and roads are veritable stretches of much cursed misery and foot-cramped drudgery, putting ones powers of patience and cocentration to the utmost of endurance and tests.

Take "the garland of stones" shaped (sic!) Dehiwala roundabout and the four pavement stretches concentric to it - not a step or stride, nay! not one, could ever be taken with any measured ease on them - apart from the ever - present gaps in the paving, most stones are broken halves due to had masonry (supposed and made to withstand simple and light human weight and possibly an errant trishaw) - this broken up "half-in / half-out" positioned stones at jaunty and unwary angles also has its amusing aspects - simply imagine the many hails of "hiya and hellos" flung across by criss - crossing pedestrians from imperceptibly and perilously placed pivoted footings on the numerous gaps and defective "see-saw" paving stones strewn about (already mentioned).

When oh when? will the PRDA who are supposed to be responsible according to a DMMC Engineer revealed to the press some time ago, end all this melodrama and indifference on almost a 10 year old dilemma (rubberised metal was strewed on the surface in camouflages right round the roundabout areas mentioned 2-3 years ago before the last presidential election. The ratepayers sadly, are left devoid and bereft of the simple use and comfort of their own roads.

Many more are the headaches and shortcomings of this busy important hubbub: Even the thicker concrete slabs over the drains are broken with plenty of blockages - rats and mosquitoes with added stench abound;

The traffic lights are in confusion Buses to Mt. Lavania invariably stop against pedestrian markings adding to the chaos. Just imagine an inadequate 3'-4' pavement from the roundabout to "Arpico" with people invariably on "leap-frog" situations with the much traversed bus movements.

Makeshift vendors structures on most roads of Sri Lanka even some from pavement shops (extensions) are most risky as they are allowed eye contact level construction. Hope Dehiwala will heave a huge sigh of relief soon!


Gongitota Road, Enderamulla an eyesore

Looks like this is a dying nation like 'merimeri epadenawa' in Sinhala. How best could we open the eyes and ears of the so called pradeshiya sabha chairman or the MPs who are war torn battling for all the power these days!

The article is mainly to draw the attention of the relevant authorities! If you send one of your photographers to this area you will know the truth and nothing but the truth.

We cannot go on and put our lives in danger anymore with all the holes on this road and many elderly people who travel in three-wheelers and bikes and schoolchildren are covered with mud at the end of the day.

We are just sick of life and sick of these sick people. I am sure you as the editor of this prestigious paper will give us your support by highlighting this letter in your paper, so that our grievances will be addressed.

I thank you in advance for your co-operation.


Hats off to Ward No. 3 - Kalubowila

My father was admitted to the Colombo South Hospital 'Kalubowila' recently, for treatment for an acute ailment.

During his stay in the hospital, the treatment, nursing care and other allied services he received, prompted me to write this note of gratitude. I, together with my family members were regular visitors to the Ward No. 3 and I was fortunate to bear witness to the dedicated service of the entire staff - doctors, nurses and the minor staff.

I saw how hard the doctors worked for the recovery of patients under their care. Now, in Sri Lanka, one has to pay exorbitant prices to receive basic attention and care at other institutions. May the Triple Gem bless all those who work under the roof of Ward No. 3


Stereotype teaching of English in schools

Today when we are in an era of Globalisation we have to be abreast comparing to the Asian countries as our rate of literacy is at a higher level. But it is disheartening to hear that the standard of English in our country is at a low ebb. What is the reason and who are responsible for this?

The standard of English in our country is deteriorating day by day when we look into the results of the GCE (Ordinary level) examinations held every year.

The English teachers in every school who are entrusted to teach this language are solely responsible for this. Graduates, diploma holders, trained teachers, certificated teachers and finally G.C.E. (Advanced Level) qualified teachers have undertaken this colossal task in teaching English as a second language. Some teachers with all their professional qualifications do not adhere to the accepted principles of teaching this second language.

Directors of Education, Principals, educational advisers and those particular English teachers should take some drastic steps to ameliorate the prevailing conditions in the country.

Language teaching is mainly involved in developing the skills of the children. Without developing the skills, it is impossible to learn a language. The skills are speech, reading and writing.

After learning English as a second language for nine long years in a school and of the average students are not competent enough to speak, read and write grammatical English it is a great failure in the teaching process.

However much the educational authorities in the country organise training programmes and conduct seminars still we see that the teaching of English is conducted in a slipshod manner.

Today in some schools a teacher steps in to a class, get pupils to open their textbooks and goes on translating word by word using his or her mother tongue. Here the children with great amusement and inquisitiveness listen to the teacher. The children are devoid of the ability to acquaint themselves with speech, reading and writing.

The curriculum development centre under the Ministry of Education has distributed teachers' guides to teach English properly. If the educational advisers take a keen interest and advise these teachers to adopt these methods, there will be no such failures in the examinations.

Language teaching comprises of so many techniques. Without using these techniques in the teaching process, it is like the blind leading the blind!

Apart from this we see tuition masters with enticing advertisements and enchanting utterances lure the parents to send their children to these classes. Here the teachers must live to teach and not teach to live.

 

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