Sri Lanka has the potential to become one of the global hot spots for whale watching as it is among the easiest places in the world to watch blue and sperm whales, according to researchers, marine biologists and eco-tourism specialists.

Sri Lanka is situated within the International Whaling Commission’s protected zone in the Indian Ocean. Of the 80 species of cetaceans observed and identified worldwide, 26 are found in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.

Whale and dolphin watching is a seasonal activity in Sri Lanka, available on the west coast in locations from Kalpitiya and along the South West Coast from November to March while the east coast off Trincomalee is preferable from June to September.

“The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society estimates that ten million people go whale watching every year,” said Heba AL Ghais AL Mansoori, Middle East Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Al Mansoori noted that Sri Lanka is the most reliable and easiest location in which to see the Blue Whale, the largest animal that has ever inhabited this planet.

“Sri Lanka may well turn out to be the top location for seeing both blue and sperm whales,” she said. Tour operators in Sri Lanka offer both boat and air based expeditions. For the boat trips, motor boats and trawlers enable the guests to travel far out to sea and get to the natural habitats of the whales and dolphins.

Air based expeditions are also available by helicopter or sea plane for an incredible aerial view of Sri Lanka.

The proximity to the shore makes Sri Lanka one of the easiest places in the world to spot blue or sperm whales. Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, growing up to some 110 feet in length and weighing up to 180 metric tons.

They feed on krill, a shrimp-like marine invertebrate. Sperm whales, the largest carnivore mammals, mostly feed on squid and octopus in the deep sea bed.

Naturalists say conditions around the island are good for whale habitat due to the nutrient flow from the country’s river system.

According to marine biologists, the deep sea off Dondra Head is one of the best locations to watch whales in Sri Lanka because of its proximity to the coast.

The South of Sri Lanka is blessed with beautiful beaches, snorkelling and some of the best boutique hotels and villas in the world.

It has been thought by many of Sri Lanka’s academics as well as others that the country’s examinations are not geared to test the intelligence and thinking ability of students. Instead, it has been memory power that had primarily been tested at most examinations.

This year, the question papers to be presented at the GCE Ordinary Levels in December are expected to be different. The structure and content of these exam papers will be changed this time to measure the students’ intelligence, logical approach and thinking power, qualities which are needed in the modern world.

In most countries, question papers are designed to measure these qualities in students. However, in Sri Lanka, this hasn’t been the case in the past with most students memorising the answers to questions expected at exams.

Students sitting for the GCE O/Ls for the first time would face this new examination, while private and second time candidates would still face the examination under the old system.

The examination, to be held under both the new and old formats, would take place from December 8 to 29 at 4,800 examination centres.

An event held on International Day for Tolerance

Today is a day which teaches an important lesson to all humanity - November 16 is the International Day for Tolerance as designated by the United Nations.

Celebration of the day was initiated in 1996, when the UN General Assembly invited member states to observe the event 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.

The television is one of the most powerful and one of the widest spread forms of media in the world today.

It combines images, sounds, technologies, styles and ideas to bring a complete product to viewers and presents information in audiovisual form which could be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age, nationality, social status, literacy level or other skills.

This primary means of communication, especially in the developing world, would be celebrated on World Television Day, which is observed by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on November 21.

The day was declared by the UN General Assembly in 1996 to encourage global exchanges of television programmes focusing on peace, security, economic and social development and the enhancement of cultural exchange.

The announcement for the event was made at the 99th plenary meeting of the Assembly, on December 17, 1996.November 21 was chosen because the first World Television Forum was held on that day in 1996, when media figures from around the world gathered to discuss the role of television in the modern world.

Some of UNESCO’s main aims through this day is to foster freedom of expression and increase cultural diversity in the media, particularly by improving production capacities, distribution and quality of audio-visual programmes.

The UN and UNESCO have called for the world’s television professionals to work together with them to ensure that television contributes to progress and to the well-being of the people of the world.