Schoolchildren must obey road rules

by Ananda KANANGARA

The need for schoolchildren to learn road rules in order to avoid violating the highway code was emphasized by the Minister of Education, Bandula Gunawardene recently.

He said the Government has taken the initiative to educate schoolchildren on road rules with the aid of the Police Department by launching various programmes to explain the correct use of the road.

He said that under this programme all Police Stations will have to conduct such display programmes in schools in their respective areas in the future to minimise road accidents which are on the increase.

The Minister who said this at a prize distribution ceremony at a primary school in Kurunegala recently highlighted many incidents where children have lost their lives as a result of violating road rules.

He pointed that it is the responsibility of parents to initially educate their children on the importance of obeying road rules.

He also said that parents must set an example when travelling on roads by not violating the highway code.

The Minister also requested parents to paymore attention on the condition of vehicles used for school transport as many vans transporting schoolchildren were not roadworthy.

The need to be careful when taking children on the pillion of their motorcycles was also stressed by the Minister as some parents do not seem to be aware of the danger they are exposing their children to by taking them on pillion, especially without any protective head gear.

NASA signs over shuttle title to California museum

NASA has transferred ownership of the retired space shuttle Endeavour to a California museum.

A ceremony at the California Science Center held on October 11 was attended by several members of Endeavour's last crew including Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' astronaut-husband Mark Kelly.

Endeavour is expected to arrive next year at Los Angeles International Airport and then be towed through the streets to the museum near downtown Los Angeles. Museum President Jeffrey Rudolph says Endeavour will be housed horizontally in a temporary display until a permanent exhibit is built.

Its final position will be vertical, as if it's ready to launch. NASA retired the space shuttle fleet in July after three decades of flying.

Museums in suburban Washington, D.C., Florida and New York will receive the remaining shuttles and prototype vehicle. AP

Learn about America Essay Competition

U. S. Ambassador felicitates Eisenhower award winners:

A special function to felicitate the winners of the Learn about America Eisenhower Essay Competition 2011 conducted by the American Center in Colombo in collaboration with the Eisenhower Fellowship Association of Sri Lanka and the print media Sunday Observer was held on October 14 at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Colombo.

Held for the third consecutive year, the competition paves the way for children to learn about American history and its leaders. This year's theme commemorated the Eisenhower Day of Fellowship which fell on October 14 where participants submitted essays based on the life of former U. S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower .

The nine winners under the age categories 12-14, 15-16 and 17-18 were awarded certificates and cash prizes to the value of 180,000 rupees which was granted by the Eisenhower Fellowship Association. U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Patricia Butenis who hosted the event at her official residence, delivered the welcome speech and presented the awards to the winners in the presence of Eisenhower fellows Dr. Harsha De Silva and Mrs. Kala Peiries . Director of the American Center, Christopher Teal made the introductory remarks while the President of the Eisenhower Fellowship Association of Sri Lanka, Chandra Jayaratne, described the importance of the Essay Competition to children with writing talent.