All Island Art Competition 2016

The Annual Award ceremony of the All Island Art Competition for schoolchildren, organised by the Ministry of Education was held recently at the Ministry under the patronage of Minister of Education, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

From among the students with aesthetic skills in the schools islandwide, a large number of winners at the all island level participated. The aesthetic skills of students were tested under four stages. Accordingly, more than 3700,000 drawings had been submitted from school level to the zonal level at this competition and this time 7000 students participated in the final competition. Steps were taken to award 80 first place achievements, 600 excellent honours and 6020 achievement certificates under each category to the winning students.

The awards and certificates to the first, second and third place winners at the National Level and another 80 students entitled for Technical Memoirs were presented by the Minister. Among the winning students, there were 16 students who were first in 16 categories such as drawing objects, expressions, paintings, collage, traditional paintings, posters, designs and geographical scenes.

Several sponsors including Toyota Lanka Co. Penthium Co., Tokyo Cement Co., DSI Institution, HNB Assurance Co. and the Bank of Ceylon had joined to offer awards to the winning students. Twelve retired education officers who did yeomen service to the art of painting was also awarded gifts on occasion. The school obtaining maximum awards in this all island arts competition was Pelmadulla Dharmaloka Navodya School, Ratnapura. Director of the Urumaya Channel, Hemanalin Karunarathna and Director of Penthiam Co., Jagath Disanayaka were also felicitated for their contribution to the aesthetic education. A large gathering including the Secretary of Education participated.

Scientists invent robot fish

US engineers have built the first ever self-contained, completely soft robot – in the shape of a small octopus. Made from silicone gels, the 'octobot' is powered by a chemical reaction that pushes gas through chambers in its rubbery legs.

Because of this design, the robot does not need batteries or wires – and contains no rigid components at all. However, the octobot can’t yet walk, instead it sits in one place and pumps alternating legs up and down in a very slow, eight-legged can-can. But because that dance is powered purely by the robot’s internal chemical system, the Harvard researchers say their system marks a key step forward for soft robotics.

Upside down cafe

A new cafe in Germany has heads spinning with its wacky upside-down design. Toppels Cafe, located near Frankfurt, opened earlier this year and tourists are flocking to take photographs in the mind-boggling building.

The cafe is designed to look like a family home, owned by the Toppels, but nothing is in the right place.

The sink, toilet and bath are all topsy turvy in the bathroom, where visitors love to pose with their heads in the loo. Go into the kitchen, where the tables and chairs are suspended upside down.

Visitors seem to be more interested in photographs than food but there are nibbles and beverages available for those willing to pay the €4.50 (NZ$7) entrance fee. You will even get served your coffee in an inverted mug.

Tharun Dharmawickrema receiving the the Best Performance in the IGCSE May/June 2012 from chief guest James Dauris

British School Prize-giving

The annual prize-giving of The British School in Colombo (BSC) was held recently at the Nelum Pokuna Auditorium, under the patronage of British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris, Director, U. Maniku, Managing Director, Priyantha Hettiarachchi and Principal Dr. John Scarth.

Students were awarded Class Prizes for Merit and Progress and Academic Prizes for subject-specific excellence. Students were recognised for their dedication to the community, sporting and house achievements as well as for outstanding achievement at IGCSE and A/L examinations.

The cynosure of all eyes was on Sandun Bambarandage who is currently reading at the Princeton University. He bagged the University of Melbourne Challenge Trophy awarded to the Best Advanced Level student for his excellent results in the June 2016 session.

Meanwhile, Tharun Dharmawickrema won the award for the Best Performance in the IGCSE May/June 2012 while Gyan Wickremasinghe won the Shanika Kannangara Memorial Trophy presented to Year 11 student who has demonstrated the best progress throughout.