ADB assistance for knowledge society project

A memorandum on financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Education for Knowledge Society project received the approval of the Cabinet recently.

The negotiations concluded with the Bank has enabled the government to obtain a grant of 15 million US dollars and a loan of about 65 million US dollars for the implementation of this project.

The main objective of the project is to improve the quality, relevance, effectiveness and equal access to secondary and tertiary education through the upgrading of 150 selected secondary schools in the poorest administrative districts to fully fledged schools, providing 15,000 scholarships for secondary education and non-university tertiary education, development of a competency based education curriculum, upgrading the facilities of educational institutions such as the Centre for Excellence in English Education, expansion of ICT education, providing computer and internet facilities for 2,125 schools, integration of health education into the curriculum of secondary schools, establishing a high level policy coordination and partnership mechanism in the sector and setting up a management information system for the Ministry of Education.

Theatre complex to boost arts

Arts and culture are vital to any country and the development of these sectors reflect the development of a country. Sri Lanka's arts scene would receive a boost soon when a fully-fledged performing arts theatre meeting international standards is set up in the country.

The complex, to be built with assistance from China, is to come up at a prime location in the city (the former Nomads Grounds) and would be completed in 26 months.

This theatre complex would comprise halls, pavilions, dressing rooms, a 1,288 seater theatre and would be perfect to stage recitals, dramas and symphonies. The Cultural Affairs Ministry would be responsible for its management.

The theatre is expected to provide ample space for performing arts, thereby enhancing (increasing) people's aesthetic conceptions (ideas) and enriching their daily lives.

Mountains and the climate

Climate change has been one of the main issues for discussion during recent times. It has been linked to everything from global warming to extinction of certain flora and fauna.

The topic is so important that this year's International Mountain Day, which is commemorated on December 11, also has as its theme 'Facing Change: Climate Change in Mountain Areas'.

The event is spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in collaboration with various partners, particularly the Centre for Development and the Environment in Switzerland.

They are preparing communication materials to highlight thematic issues, suggest ways in which countries can celebrate the Day and facilitate action. This includes an information note on the management of climate change, which will draw on specific examples of practical action to reduce or control negative impacts of climate change.

The day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world's mountains and highlands.

International Mountain Day has been celebrated from 2003 onwards. This decision results from the success of the UN International Year of Mountains in 2002, which increased global awareness of the importance of mountains, stimulated the establishment of national committees in 78 countries and strengthened alliances through promoting the creation of the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions, known as the 'Mountain Partnership.

The International Mountain Day was declared by the UN General Assembly and was observed for the first time in 2003. The FAO was designated as the lead agency to coordinate worldwide observances.

Three medals for Sri Lanka at Thai cultural show

Sri Lankan students have won a gold medal and two silver medals at the Sri Lanka - Thailand cultural show held at the Benjama Borphit school in Bangkok, Thailand. This is the second time that local children had participated in this event.

Dasuni Wasana of Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda won the gold in the dancing competition, while Kalani Amaya of Suradutha Balika Vidyalaya, Kuliyapitiya and Mihiran Priyankara of C.W.W. Kannangara Maha Vidyalaya, Borella won silver for dancing and general knowledge respectively. Diretor, Children Skills Development Programme (CSDP), Rathna Pushpa Kumari, Principal, C.W.W. Kannagara Vidyalaya, Mr. Maithreepala and Director (Administration), CSDP, Mahesh Lakmal Gamage took part in the competitions as judges and invigilators.

Tharani Navodya (Suradutha Balika), Maheshika Erangi, Nadeeka Nishani, Susitha Nayanapriya, Isuri Fernando, Lanka Gangani, Kalana Subodha, Thilini Punsara, Sithara Harshani, Nuwanthi Madhubhashani, Radika Madhubhashani, Geeth Nimesha and Shanaka Prabhath (all of C.W.W. Kannangara Vidyalaya), Gihani Ayodya (Girls High School, Mt. Lavinia), Daham Sri Madusanka (Royal College, Panadura), Greshala Buddhi (Neluwa National School), Nimnadi Akalanka (St. Bernadette College, Polgahawela), Shehan Sandaruwan Jayasinghe (Mahanama College, Colombo 3) and Panchal Venura (Susamayawardana Vidyalaya, Colombo 8) all presented items at the event.

Sri Lankan students at Model UN event
 

by Ramani Kangaraarachchi in Liverpool, UK

Four Sri Lankan students got the rare opportunity of representing this country at the Model United Nations General Assembly (MUNGA) held at the Liverpool Town Hall, UK recently.

They were Lahiru Mihiranga Fernando of St. Joseph's College, Isuru Pathiba Galappatty of Richmond College, Galle, Chathushika Wijayasinghe of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya and Sumali De Silva of Bishop's College. Sri Lanka was the only foreign country invited this time for this event, where the other countries were represented by the students of British schools.

Lahiru was the main speaker representing Sri Lanka at the even and made an impressive speech on 'Slavery-illegal but alive'. Chathushika, Sumali and Isuru spoke on 'The future for peace keeping forces', 'Gender equality and empowerment of women' and 'A sustainable global energy supply respectively.'

The sessions ended with the final discussions and networking in the evening. The team was taken to visit historical and important places in and around Liverpool. The London city tour was organised by the UN London Branch.

Language Training Institute in the offing

The setting up of a National Language Training Institute is now in the offing under a plan of the Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Ministry.

The main aim of the institute is to create persons with trilingual skills to be absorbed in to the public service. The institute would teach Sinhala, Tamil and English with the objective of creating better teachers who can teach in Sinhala, Tamil and English, and good translators who are thorough with their knowledge of the languages.

The building intended for this institute, at Agalawatte, is currently being renovated at a cost of Rs. 17 million, and the institute is expected to commence its functions once this work is completed. It would also be equipped to conduct residential language courses and workshops for teachers from distant areas.