Upgrading religious education in schools

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa last week highlighted the importance of uplifting the standard of religious education of school children considering that it is immensely needed to improve their future well-being.

He said on par with the religious education, special attention must be focused on the uplift of social activities of children in all Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim and Hindu schools in the country. Making a special statement over the improvement of religious education in schools, the Presidential Advisor told the Junior Observer that as the initial step of this programme, he has planned to improve the educational standard of Catholic schools in the Gampaha district.

"Thereafter, steps will be taken to improve the standard religious education of all Dhamma schools as well as other religious schools in the country," he said.Referring to his recent meeting with Colombo Archbishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith at the Archbishop's House, the Presidential Advisor said in addition to the education of school children, steps will be taken to uplift their living and health standards and also to improve their sanitary facilities.

He said steps should also be initiated to construct housing schemes for children of needy families who live in slums.

The Advisor and the Archbishop also discussed issues pertaining to the resettlement of IDPs, since it will immensely benefit a large number of children who missed their educational activities for sometime.

Sri Lankan school choir sings in Holy Land

St. Cecilia's Choir of St. Joseph's College created history when they toured the Holy Land recently on a pilgrimage and singing assignment.

The Josephian choral ensemble comprising boys between the ages of 12 to 18 sang at Eucharistic services and other liturgical exercises capturing the hearts of hundreds of pilgrims in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cana, Mount of Beatitudes in Jerusalem.

The boy sopranos, altos blending exquisitely with the mature tenor and bass voices of senior singers moved many to tears as they sang before large crowds of faithful from European and American countries in Christianity's most cherished shrines.

The choir sang at masses in Cana, Garden of Gethsamane and on Mount Calvary while also re-tracing the path taken by Jesus with appropriate chants, hymns, canticles and anthems.

At the Basilica of the Crucifixion where they were specially invited by the priest in charge to sing before a large group of pilgrims, the choir sang Handel's Halleluia chorus to the great appreciation of the people of diverse nations.

The Josephians also entertained the visitors and staff at the Kibutz Hotel with the lusty rendition of Italian boat song Santa Lucia harmoniously, gaining all round applause.The highlight of the tour was the audience the choir had with His Beatitude, Most Rev. Archbishop Dr. Fouad Twal, the Patriach of Jerusalem in the old city. There they presented a short concert at which the member of Israeli Parliament from Nazareth too was present.

The choir with the rendition of Sinhala, English and Latin compositions won great admiration of the Patriarch.

Gathmini's maiden book launched

Gatemen Vihanga Vithanage a Grade 8 student of Sussex College, Galle launched her maiden book, Tikiri's Trip to Saturn recently. She presented the first copy to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Light House Hotel, Galle. Gathmini was praised for her creative writing by the President in 2008 too. The Presidential Advisor and his physician, Dr. Ajith Ranawaka is also in the picture.

He was the world's shortest man

On Saturday,March 13, the world's shortest man, He Pingping of China died at the age of 21. He, who was just over 29 inches(74 centimetres) died of heart complications while taking part in a TV show in Rome. He posing with the world's tallest man - Sulthan Kose.