Child welfare and protection:

Parents need to be more vigilant about them

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The importance of parents taking a keen interest and monitoring their children's educational and social activities was highlighted by the Consultant Paediatrician Dr. (Mrs.) Dilrukshi Ruberu recently. She said many children in the world today are living according to their own free will and are engaged in various activities without any adult supervision.

The former Colombo National Hospital and Lady Ridgeway Hospital Consultant Paediatrician, Dr. (Mrs.) Ruberu who has been in service in the field of children's healthcare for a long period of time said that unfortunately many adults in our country were not familiar with the expectations of their children in the present day society.

She was addressing the AGM of the National Council For the Deaf (NCFD), presided over by the NCFD, Director Maud Senaratne,which was held in Colombo recently.

Dr.(Mrs.) Ruberu stressed that parents, especially mothers must look into not only the education of their children, but also other extra-curricular activities.

"When adults do not pay much attention on the day-to-day activities of children, many of them could fall into unnecessary trouble".

She recounted an unfortunate incident that took place in a popular girls' school in Colombo recently and said that due to lack of attention paid by parents and teachers towards children's activities, a young school girl had to lose her life.

She said such cases are reported from every part of the country and it is the responsibility of elders to minimise them by having a close rapport with children.

"Both parents and teachers must focus more attention on their children, especially during their adolescence and be aware of their physical growth and physical changes," she pointed out.

"Parents should be more knowledgeable about adolescence that commences from 12 years and they should not be reluctant to talk about personal matters with their children."

While highlighting the services rendered by the National Council for the Deaf to develop the educational and social activities of differently-abled children in the country, Dr. Ruberu requested parents to spend more time with their children and educate them on the importance of social activities.

NCFD Director Mrs. Maud Senaratne said their organisation from its inception in 1970 was engaged in many social activities for the welfare of hearing-impaired children in the country.

She said a large number of children are receiving education at schools maintained by their Council and children will also be taught about self-employment projects at these schools.

Celesta International 2010 - India:

Sri Lankan students win third place

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The dancing and choreography team of the Royal Institute, Colombo 5 won third place at the Celesta International-2010 held in Lucknow, India.

Fifty teams from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka took part in the competition organised by City Montessori School, Lucknow, India. Celesta International 2010 consisted of 7 items; traditional group dancing, art and painting, choral singing, choreography, dramatics and orchestra. The 12 member Royal Institute team comprised Kavindu Jayawardena, Sonal Hemarathna, Piyumi Ubesiriwardena (Student Team leader), Tania Weerasinghe (Assistant leader), Depega Jehansan, Sajani Somawansa, Nipuni Ubesiriwardena, Thinithi Bulathsinghala, Shalini Chandrasekera, Thushmi Sooriyarachchi.

The teaching staff of the Institute, Isuru Weerasinghe and Thilaka Wijesinghe were in charge of the team.

CSDP educational tour for children

An educational and cultural tour of India and Bangkok for children, preschool teachers and youth between the ages of 18 - 25 will be organised by the Children's Skill Development Programme (CSDP) during the forthcoming school holidays. While the selected children will be given an opportunity to participate in workshops on art, dance and singing, the teachers will be able to exchange views with their foreign counterparts and prepare evaluation reports during the tour.

A special workshop to select participants will be held at No.20, Rahula Dance Hall (opposite the Children's Hospital) on Magazine Road, Colombo 8. Those interested can contact the CSDP on 0112-672718 or 0714113457 or email them at [email protected]