KIDS News

Cub scouts celebrate 100 years with a new stamp

The Philatelic Bureau issued a commemorative postal stamp to mark the Cub Scouts Centenary of World and Sri Lanka (1916-2016). A commemorative first day cover too was issued to mark the occasion at the 11th National Cubboree. The ceremony was held recently with the participation of over 6,000 cubs at Richmond College, Galle. The stamp was designed by Sanath Rohana Wickramasinghe, a veteran philatelist, President's Scout and Scout Leader Trainer. The Cub Scout stamp issued recently is a significant landmark in his scout career as it would be Sanath’s 150th stamp design. The Bureau will issue 2,500,000 stamps in Rs 10 denomination.

Doyen of English Education Prof. Ashley Halpe passes away

Prof. Ashley Halpe who was considered the doyen of English education passed away at the age of 83 recently. He became a Professor of English at the tender age of 31 thus becoming the youngest professor in the country. He was the most senior Professor of English. Prof. Halpe served in academia holding many positions including those of Dean, Faculty of Arts at the University of Peradeniya, Head of the Department of English for over twenty-five years and Head of Fine Arts for several years and visiting professor in several foreign universities. He authored a number of books, including creative works, and academic papers besides translations of Sinhalese works into English and has directed over a dozen theatre productions. His remains were taken to the Peradeniya University and the final rites were performed on the same day at the Mahaiyyawa general cemetery.

Winner of ‘New Inventions Competition 2014'

The New Inventors Competition 2014 was held at school, zonal, provincial and national levels by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Sri Lanka New Inventors’ Commission. Student, A.G.N.D. Wickramaratna of the D.B. Wijethunga National School in the Central Province obtained the national level first place by making a special coffee plucking machine for the competition. An award presentation was held at the Ministry of Education recently under the patronage of Minister of Education, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to felicitate student. Wickramaratna's invention made of fibre glass and iron at low cost. It can be used to harvest coffee without waste.

International Science and Engineering Exhibition – 2016

Three students represented Sri Lanka at the International Science and Engineering Exhibition at Arizona, USA with the participation of 75 countries. The three students clinched the first, second and third places at the New Inventors’ Competition organised annually by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Intel Institution. The Sri Lankan team comprised T.D. Chamindu Jayasanka, a student of Hanwella Rajasingha Central College, who obtained the first place in the all-island New Inventors’ Competition creating an adjustable crutch, Abhishek S. Gomes, a student of Belvoir College International who obtained second place in the competition creating an American Hand Sign Translating device and P.M. Lochana Piyumantha Prerera, a student of Madampe Senanayaka Central College obtained the third place in the competition creating a method of destroying cancer cells using Nano technology. They were given air tickets at the Ministry under the patronage of Minister of Education, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.