'Home Sweet Home'

Reviewed by Dawn Rodriguez

"Mythil's Secret" by Prashani Rambukwella

My first impression when hearing about the book was that it was a book intended for children. Having read the book from cover to cover I agree that it is good for older children, perhaps the pre-teen age group.

More importantly, this book is also for adults because of the deep and underlying truths in it.

This book has layers of meaning. You can read as deep as you wish. Read it on the surface and it is imaginative, whimsical and entertaining. Go deeper, and it is sobering, touching and sad. Even deeper, and it can get frightening and bizarre. It is really like a secret unfolding.

Mythil's real world is not a very happy place. His mother and father, who represent his well-being, are not getting on and this is very disturbing for Mythil. He likes to escape from his home and into the jungle nearby where he encounters "Yakas" (demons) of different kinds, some quite tolerable and others not.

These "yakas" also intrude into his real world where he sees them in a shop, on the street or in his room. Each "yaka" appears to represent a fear within, which becomes very real to him. The dilemma he faces wondering if his Aunty Nilmini is also a "Yaka" is well portrayed. This is driven anxiety and based on what has happened to his parents. With the security of his home quietly disintegrating, the demons increase in number and their ferocity increases up to the climax of the story when in a spectacular and memorable battle they are finally driven away and conquered by Mythil himself.

The book beautifully juxtaposes the colourful rituals of day to day Sri Lankan life with the supernatural. The language is simple but striking.

Mythil's Secret shows that as people, we have many dimensions.

The part of us that goes through the daily routine and the deeper side of us - the inner core and the mind which does not have boundaries.

There are lessons here for parents who need to know how difficult it is for children when the security of the home is disturbed.

Children seek escape and sometimes what they escape into can be more frightening than the real world they live in.

And for children, it shows that they can face up to their demons and conquer them. It takes time, and it takes courage.

Children also need a friend or someone to support them during times like this and Mythil found one, in the story.

While fairytale endings are not really the stuff of life, the more realistic ending that Mythil's parents resolve the issue and come up with a solution that works well for all concerned, is a positive outcome.

It certainly hints at a happier time ahead for Mythil.

An informative guide to labour law

Reviewed by Vernon C. Kern

'A Practical Guide to Labour Law'

By V. Vimalarajah

'A Practical Guide to Labour Law' authored by V. Vimalarajah, the versatile Attorney-at-Law retired Labour Tribunal President, Industrial Court Arbitrator, provides interesting and informative reading to legal practitioners, judges, students of law and all those who deal with labour related issues in their organisations.

The book contains thirteen well compiled and illustrated chapters interspersed with real and factual case studies.

The chapters range from 'Understanding Labour Law and Some Grey Areas, to Changes in Labour Laws in Sri Lanka - Some Random Thoughts".

The last three chapters deal with "Wages Boards" and two useful appendices, one of which is a schedule of statutory requirements under wages boards", which can be utilized by the reader as a ready reckoner, and the other on "Industrial Labour Organisations, Labour Court Administration in Sri Lanka", articulated lucidly and clearly in the author's own inimitable style, covering such areas as "L.T. Orders, Just and Equitable Concept and Appeals from L.T. Orders".

Vimalarajah, a veteran on industrial law, utilizes his wide experience as a 'hands-on authority on labour law, to present this book, which is welcomed as a timely guide to the current and emerging trends in industrial law, such as the position of contracts entered outside Sri Lanka for employment within Sri Lanka.

Adopting a style of writing so akin to himself, the author, a master on industrial law, harnesses his vast experience of nearly four decades in the Labour Department, as Labour Tribunal President as a resource person and as an attorney-at-law, to compile this edition, which undoubtedly must find a prominent place on the desk of every practising industrial lawyer, the Human Resources specialist and all others who seek access to industrial law and its changing trends in Sri Lanka, viewed in the backdrop of the global economy.

The book was launched on July 2, 2009, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, by the Institute of Industrial Law Colombo, before a distinguished and august assembly, at which the Chief Guest was the Hon. Justice K. Sripavan (Judge of the Supreme Court), while the Guests of Honour were Hon. Justice S. Sriskandarajah (Judge of the Court of Appeal) and Mr. Mahinda Madihahewa (Secretary, Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower).

Enquiries on the book, which is modestly priced at Rs. 1,250 per copy, could be had from Mr. Vimalarajah's chambers at 153/1, Kirillapone Avenue, Colombo 5.

Vimalarajah should be congratulated for compiling this edition to fill a deep void for such a guide as refresher education on Industrial Law.

Proving your identity with an NIC

by Nilma DOLE

Victory has been secured, after winning the war on terrorism and we are now on our way to development after peace. Even though we can breathe a sigh of relief, we still need to be wary and cautious of certain factions that might develop to breed terrorism. Hence, the all-important National Identity Card, known as the NIC, is vital in knowing who you are and where you come from.

Wherever you go, an NIC is important because even though the war is over, there are checkpoints that rely on this form of identification. Hence, one also knows how cumbersome it can be if you lose your ID. "If an applicant fills the form properly and affixes the required documents, they can obtain their NIC promptly", said the Commissioner of the Registration of Persons Department A.G. Dharmadasa.

In the case of new applicants like school students sitting for their O/L exams, they have to obtain the relevant application form from their local Grama Niladhari or Estate Superintendent. "Every person should be 16 years of age at the time of applying for their National Identity Card and should be a resident and citizen of Sri Lanka. Even if they were born in another country, they should be registered with the embassy of the country they were born in," said Dharmadasa.

In 2005, in a gazette notification, the then Prime Minister declared that all NIC photographs should be in colour. Dharmadasa said, "The photographs should be clearly visible with the person's left ear visible and we ask the applicant to affix five NIC photographs." Thereafter a Rs. 3 stamp should be affixed with the duly filled form.

After the relevant documents are given to the Registration of Persons Department, the card is laminated and checked.

Thereafter, the person will be able to receive it with a notification. "We aim to do it very quickly because we have an automated system now. Hence, things can be done easier and efficiently with the NIC database", he said. Further the Commissioner commented, The Department also offers a one-day service for just Rs.500 if they want their IDs quickly."

"We are now processing NICs for those in the North and East who have lost their National Identity Cards or have been given birth certificates to make their IDs", said the Commissioner of the Registrations of Persons Department, A.G. Dharmadasa speaking to the Sunday Observer the Commissioner said, "The processing of the NIC (National Identity Card) is done by three departments namely, the ABC department for fresh applications, LI for lost identities and CL for corrections to the NIC."

In the NIC corrections department, you can even alter or change your name or change your profession if you like. In the case of married women, once you affix your marriage certificate, you can change your name with your husband's surname. "Make sure you double-check your details on your NIC because there is a system of validating when the person was born and if they are male or female", said the Commissioner.

"We appeal to the general public to rectify their identity cards if they have any corrections and also to sort out matters pertaining to lost NICs otherwise it will be difficult for them since checking is always done even after the peace". Further he commented, "Earlier we had incidents of forged NIC, and others will make identity cards on behalf of others but now we have stopped that practice and ask applicants to come personally to process their NICs."

In the case of a lost NIC, you should fill another application form with five colour photographs, affix a copy of the NIC and prove the number you have is similar to the NIC number in your bank book or driving licence. Then you have to go to the Grama Niladari and Divisional Secretariat to obtain approval in getting it done (See Box). "It's not a simple case of calling over and changing details of your NIC overnight but it should be done through a proper legible process," he said.

"On 2nd May 2006, we computerised the manual system by recruiting 25 data entry operators who scanned index cards of those on manual records. We had a database for those born from 1971 to 1981 and 1981 to 1985 where we added the details in our database", he said.

If one was born after 1st January 1991, then the ID number will automatically generate a number which will be your NIC card going into the database straight from the application with a computerised index card.

As for future plans, the Registration of Persons Department will move forward in e-NIC processing where applicants can apply for an e-NIC on the database. "It will be easier to identify people through the e-NIC system which saves time instead of the previous ages when it took about two months to find a record of a person if they lost their NIC. Today, we do it in a couple of seconds," he said.

In conclusion, the Registration of Persons Department has been instrumental in helping people get ahead in life because what can you do without an ID?

Steps to take if NIC is lost:

Step 1: The person concerned has to go to the Police Station to make a complaint.

Step 2: The person concerned requests for an extract of complaint form once the statement is written by the Police officer.

Note: The Police station charges Rs. 25.00 for each page of extracted complaint

Step 3: The police officer along with the extract of complaint issues the form issued by the Department of Registration of Persons to the person concerned.

Step 4: The person concerned has to fill in the form issued by the Department of Registrations of Persons along with, attach two photos and get it certified by the Grama Niladari , Divisional Secretariat and the respective Police station. Note: The Grama Niladari verifies the application with the relevant police station before certifying the application request.

The person concerned has to get his/her application request certified by the respective authorities in their own divisions.

Step 5: The person concerned has to submit a certified application to the Grama Niladari.

Step 6: The Grama Niladari submits the certified application to the Divisional Secretariat who in turn submits the application to the Department of Registration of Persons.

Step 7: The person concerned has to collect the National Identity card either from the Grama Niladari Office or the person will receive the National Identity Card by Registered Post if he/she has provided a stamped envelope to the Grama Niladari.

(Courtesy: Government Information Centre website www.gic.lk).

Book Launch

The Dark Star

Kalu Donkaraya

Karunadasa Suriyaarachchi's latest Sinhala novel "Kalu Donkaraya' and the English translation of his novel 'Andakara Tharakava' entitled 'The Dark Star' will be launched at the Mahaweli Centre Auditorium, Colombo 7 on November 24 at 3 p.m.

The launching ceremony will be presided over by Gamini Sumanasekara.

Dhamma Dissanayake and Jackson Anthony will speak on this occasion.

Suriyaarachchi is the author of 'Kanda Pamula', 'Vekande Geethaya', 'Vehi Kandula', 'Noma Saha Soma' and 'Kasurige Kolama'.

New on the shelf

Appreciating Poetry, (G.C.E. (O/L) Literature)

Author: G.A. Mathupema

Price: 275

Printed and published by Piyasara Publishers Kalutara

"Appreciating Poetry" by well known author G.A. Mathupema contains interesting and valuable criticisms of the 25 poems prescribed for G.C.E. O/L students (New Syllabus-2008 onwards). In addition to the critical discussion of poems, the book also includes four important chapters on 'How to appreciate a poem,' Rhyme, rhythm and metre, History of English poetry and Glossary of critical terms.

"Kanda Udarata Satan"

Premachandra Alwis' latest book 'Kanda Udarata Satan' was launched recently as a Sooriya Publication. It is the authentic Sinhala translation of Geoffrey Powell's 'Kandyan Wars' published some time ago.

The book is a collection of historical facts of the British invasion of the Up-country. The original book was written after a careful research into the available documents and other evidence. The author also records the views held by British Governors who ruled the maritime provinces. For instance, Governors Frederick North and Brownrig had recommended the justifiability of invading the Up-country to the British Government. However, Governor Maitland held the view that Up-country people should be allowed to live in peace.

The book also records the reasons for the downfall of the Kandyan Kingdom and the resultant chaotic situation among Sinhala leaders.

'Kanda Udarata Satan' is useful reading for those offering history for various examinations and for the general reader.

- RS