Tsunami heroine honoured!

Wellington - A ten-year-old New Zealand schoolgirl, Abby Wutzler was honoured on Wednesday, October 14 by New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence for recognising the approach of Samoa's deadly tsunami and warning other holidaymakers and local residents. of the danger by running up and down a beach .

The Ministry presented Wellington schoolgirl with a certificate of commendation for her actions in warning, on September 29, of the approach of the tsunami which was triggered by a 8.0 magnitude earthquake,and killed at least 143 people in Samoa, as well as 32 in American Samoa and nine in neighbouring Tonga.Abby was on the beach at the village of Lalomanu when she noticed the sea was retreating and ran up and down the bay, yelling that a tsunami was coming.She then managed to escape the deadly waves, although many others did not."I remember looking under my arms and seeing all these trees just crushing and being crushed in the brown water, just swirling around and killing everything in sight," she told commercial radio.Her father and brother were among those caught in the waves, but both survived uninjured.

Abby's former teacher Kaye Mudge said she taught her pupils about what to do in disasters and had worried she might have overdone it when Abby had nightmares about tsunamis.It was "the first time in all the 20-odd years I've been teaching that I can be absolutely sure that one thing I said sunk in and was used at the moment it was needed most," she said.

AFP

Compiled by W.A. Rusiru JAYASURIYA

October 25

Pablo Picasso,Spanish painter was born in 1881.

Lord Macaulay,British historian , poet and social reformer was born in 1800.

George Bizet, composer was born in 1838.

W.I.Fernando, former M.P., ayurvedic physician (konda weda mahattaya) was born in 1917.

October 26

Leon Trotsky,a leading member of the Russian revolution, was born in 1879.

Sir Cyril De Zoyza, philanthropist was born in 1896.

Francois Mitterand, a former president of France was born in 1916.

Prof.G.C.Mendis,historian and writer died in 1976.

October 27

Capt. James Cook,British navigator was born in 1728.

Niccolo Paganini,Italian violinist was born in 1782.

Issac Merit Singer,an American ,inventor of the Sewing Machine was born in 1811.

Dylan Thomas,Welsh poet was born in 1914.

October 28

L.T.P.Manjusri, artist (Magseysai award winner ) was born in 1902.

Rukmani Devi, famous film star and a singer died in an accident in 1978.

Jonas Salk,American micro-biologist who developed anti-polio vaccine was born in 1914.

Bill Gates, an American founder of the world's largest Microsoft company was born in 1955.

October 29

Joseph Pulitzer 'Father of modern American journalism'died in 1911.

Passing away of Ven.Sirimalwatte Ananda Thera, Mahanayaka of the Malwatta Chapter in1989.

His Grace Rev.Cardinal Thomas Cooray passed away in 1988.

Lalith Kotalawala, founder of the Ceylinco Group of Companies was born in 1938.

October 30

Gajaman Nona (Dona Isabela Corneliya) Sinhala poetess was born in 1758.

Diego Maradona ,Argentine football player was born in 1960.

Alec Robertson, former M.P. and Buddhist scholar was born in 1928.

Rodney Jonklass, marine biologist died in 1989.

John Henry Dunant, Swiss founder of the Red Cross Society,died in 1910.

October 31

Leslie Goonewardena,former minister of Communications (1970-1975) was born in 1909.

Sybil Wettasinghe,artist and a writer was born in 1928.

Indira Gandhi, a former prime minister of India, was assassinated in1984.

October 25

Kazakasthan national day.

First electronic wrist watch,went on sale in New York City in 1960.

Kelanivalley broad gauge railway inaugurated in 1991.

October 26

International Atomic Energy Egency was established in 1956.

First vap-magul ceremony was held at Panduwasnuwara in 1977.

National day of Austria.

October 27

Turkmenistan national day.

The Tea Research Institute at Thalawakele was inaugurated in 1925.

Congo change its name to Republic of Zaire in 1971.

October 28

Colour photographic process was invented by George Eastman in 1914.

Harvard University in U.S.A. was founded in 1636.

October 29

National day of Turkey .

October 30

Czechoslovekia Republic day in 1918.

October 31

Randenigala Reservoir project was inaugurated in 1988.

World Thrift Day.

Psychiatrist: What's your problem?

Patient: I think I'm a chicken.

Psychiatrist: How long has this been

going on?

Patient: Ever since I was an egg!

*********

Why couldn't the skeleton go to the dance?

He had no body to go with!

******

What did the little bird say to the big bird?

Peck on someone your own size!

*******

What bird is with you at every meal?

A swallow!

******

What do you get when you cross a centipede with a parrot?

A walkie talkie!

******

What do you call a rooster that crows every morning

An alarm cluck!

*******

Which bird does construction work?

The crane!

*******

My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start.

So far today, I have finished two bags of chips and a chocolate cake.

I feel better already.

*********

The need to upgrade rural schools stressed

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The primary classes up to grade five of all Government schools in the rural and remote sector should be equipped with new Science laboratories and modern Information Technology centres, so that parents would stop clamouring to admit their children to popular schools in the cities, said the Western Provincial Council Member, Vidura Wickramanayaka addressing students, teachers and parents at Sri Medhankara MMV, Horana at a conference held to coincide with the opening of a new science laboratory.

He also mentioned the importance of conducting primary schools separately from national schools; Madya Maha Vidyalayas and Maha Vidyalayas since this immensely helped even parents, when sending their children to nearest schools."Children receive an education to grow up as disciplined citizens, but unfortunately some children are today taught to tell lies at the grade one admission interviews by parents in order to get them qualified for the respective schools," he said.

He highlighted the fact that the desire of most parents was to admit their children to popular schools because of the availability of the best educational facilities in such schools, and said that this mentality could only be changed, if all remote and rural schools are equipped with modern facilities like in all popular schools.

Wickramanayaka further said that many poor parents preferred to send their children to village schools as they could not afford transport costs and other expenses to send their children to distant schools. But many had to do so in order to give the children the best education.

He said on the other hand, when children are sent to distant schools, their physical and mental growth could be affected due to travelling which leads to tiredness etc and urged parents to reconsider this important matter as it is the duty of all parents to see their children are healthy from their tender ages.

He assured that the Education Department or Provincial Education Divisions will never close down either rural or remote schools in the country under any circumstances because the aim today is to upgrade all schools.

Food fiesta at Vidura College

A food fiesta will be organised by the Grade 2 section of Vidura College, Colombo as the year end activity on October 27 at the Grade 2 premises of the school. Sri Lankan, Western, Chinese, Italian, Indian and Islamic cuisine will be presented by the students at the fiesta.

Indian Cultural Centre to hold children's competitions

Universal Children's Day as designated by the UN is on November 20 but many countries, like our own country observe this day on different dates. Our immediate neighbour, India celebrates Children's Day on November 14 every year coinciding with the birthday of Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru, the first Indian Prime Minister.The Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) will hold a painting, drawing and writing competitions for children on November 14, Saturday from 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. at its premises (133, Bauddhaloka Mw, Colombo 04) to commemorate Children's Day. Children may register their names with the Centre (Tel. 011-2500014, Telefax 2598674, e-mail [email protected]) and are requested to come to the Centre on November 14 at 9.30 a.m. The last date for receipt of entries in New Delhi for the Competition is December 31.

New dinosaur find in China

BEIJING (AFP) Paleontologists in east China may have discovered the remains of a new species of dinosaur at what is said to be the world's largest group of fossilised dinosaur bones, state media said on Wednesday, October 14 Scientists in Zhucheng city, Shandong province, have for months been exploring a gully over 500 metres (1,650 feet) long and 26 metres deep that is strewn with thousands of dinosaur bones, the Jilu Evening News said.Paleontologists believe that a fossilised skeleton dug up in Zhucheng and shipped to the China Academy of Sciences in Beijing last week could be a new species of dinosaur, the report said.They have already dug up the biggest-ever or "duck-billed dinosaur" -- and found Asia's first remains of a ceratopsidae, or a giant horned dinosaur, it added.The trove of dinosaur bones lies in an area in Shandong that has been known for numerous similar finds, with two major digs taking place in the region since 1964, the report said.Experts said the discovery of so many dinosaurs in such a dense area could provide clues on how the animals became extinct millions of years ago, it added.Scientists at the dig have also identified the remains of ankylosaurus, tyrannosaurus and coelurus, with many of the fossils dating to about 70 million years ago, reports said.Plans are being made to set up a fossil park in the area, it said.

Art exhibition by two sisters

The maiden art exhibition by two Bishopians, Vonara and Pehara Dahanaggamaarachchi will be held at the Art Gallery in Colombo on October 30 and 31.About 60 to 70 exhibits done in crayons, water colours and acroyn by these two students in Grade 3 and Nursery will be on display at the exhibition which will be declared open by the Principal of Bishops College, Mrs.Hemamali Bibile at 9.30 a.m.