Geographical mapping in the pipeline

The Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Ministry has decided to map geographical landmarks with the objectives of boosting development and to use error-free geographical information for various purposes. It is also expected to minimise the many problems that had arisen with the development process.

Named the Information Grid Project for Rehabilitation Supervision, it would be implemented with the assistance of the Surveyors Department under the supervision of the Urban Development Authority.

Assistance to the tune of 6.5 million Euro has been received for this project. The official inauguration ceremony of the project was held recently at the Ministry. Sri Lanka faced many natural disasters in the recent past due to geographical landmarks not being taken into account.

With the increase in the number of natural disasters, the need for an error-free geographical map has also increased. The information thus gathered is expected to be used to achieve sustainable urban development.

Measures are also being taken to start training courses by the information unit of the Ministry to conduct surveys in the SAARC region parallel to the programme. Through the first phase, the Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts have been selected for the project, while 40 main cities too have been selected for mapping.

The mapping of land structures is expected to provide easy identification of occupational areas and cultivation land areas, and also the identification of areas which are frequently subjected to natural disasters.

Island-wide survey by Education Ministry

An island-wide survey has been planned by the Education Ministry to collect further information on certain issues highlighted by evaluation reports of the National Education Institute and the Examination Department.

The survey, scheduled to be carried out this month will identify shortcomings and drawbacks in the education sector. It would be conducted by resource personnel engaged in university education.

The survey would have as its specific objective the consideration of subjects and the way education activities are conducted, under seven themes. Through the implementation of zonal-wise and school-wise plans, the Education Ministry hopes to see a rapid development in the education sector.

The result evaluation reports for each examination conducted by the Examination Department would also be issued by the Ministry within two months. With the results analysis, the Ministry is expected to be in a better position to identify the drawbacks and take measures to rectify them.

ADB gives boost to education sector

The government formed an agreement recently with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve the quality, relevance, effectiveness and equity of access of Sri Lanka's secondary and tertiary education sector under the Education for Knowledge Society Project.

A total investment of US$ 105.3 million has been earmarked for the project; this comprises a US$ 65 million loan and a US$ 15 million grant from the ADB and US$ 25.3 million from the Sri Lankan government.

These funds will be used to upgrade 150 provincially administered secondary schools in the poorest administrative divisions under the Isuru schools programme, and will enable them to offer Science subjects for the Advanced Levels.

Improved facilities will be provided for teaching subjects such as Information and Communication Technology, English and technical subjects. Computers and internet facilities will also be provided for 2,125 schools while 15,000 scholarships will be granted to poor students.

The project is also expected to support reforms in the education sector through the development of curricula, instructional materials, performance standards and teacher training. Incorporating HIV/AIDs and health education in the secondary school curriculum and Training the Trainers and secondary school teachers in health education will also be funded under this project.

It will be conduted by the Education Ministry through the Higher Education Ministry, Provincial Education Departments, National Institute of Education and National Evaluation and Testing Service. All activities related to the project are expected to see completion by 2012.

Sri Pada pilgrimage season commences

The annual Sri Pada pilgrimage season started on Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day, December 23. The season began with the ritual of carrying the statue and sacred ornaments of the deity Sumana Saman to the Sri Pada Maluwa from Ratnapura.

The offering of Buddha poojas and the performance of other rituals saw the pilgrimage season getting under way.

Thousands of people of different religions and from all walks of life will journey to the mountaintop to pay homage to the sacred footprint according to their faiths.

Arrangements have been made to provide all required facilities to the pilgrims who will be thronging the area until Vesak Poya in May, when the season comes to an end.

One thing you must keep in mind, if you are also planning to make this sacred journey, is to leave the surroundings as you found them, without polluting them.

You must especially be careful not to throw plastic bottles and sili sili bags, light fires or cut trees for fuel for cooking purposes or put loud music which disturbs the animals within the protected area. Always make use of the bins placed along the route for pilgrims.

The area surrounding Sri Pada has one of the world's rarest ecosystems and is the catchment area for several rivers and waterways, and home to a variety of flora and fauna which are endemic (unique) to the area.

Solid waste carelessly thrown by pilgrims have blocked the area's waterways and have posed health hazards to the animals in the past. So make sure that you do not contribute to this environmental pollution.

Sri Pada and its surroundings are one of the most sacred as well as ecologically important places of the island. So keep it that way for you and for future generations!

Flashback 2007

We are at the very beginning of another new year. The past year was both good and bad for Sri Lanka as well as the rest of the world. Given below are some of the highlights from around the world from the year that was...

January 1 - There were worldwide protests and demonstrations especially among Muslims, following the hanging of former Iraqi President, Saddam Hussain on December 31, 2006.

January 5 - The oldest living woman, a Japanese by the name of Yoni Minagawa, celebrated her 114th birthday at an Elders' Home in Fukesa.

March 11 - The 9th World Cup Cricket Tournament commenced at the Trilovini Stadium in Montague, Jamaica; West Indies was the host country.

March 18 - The Coach of the Pakistani Cricket Team, Bob Woolmer died suddenly during the World Cup Cricket Tournament. The Jamaican Police attributed his death to a homicide, but months later, it was established the death was due to natural causes.

April 28 - Australia emerged Champion at the 9th World Cup Cricket Tournament. Sri Lanka was the Runner-up.

July 11 - Thoppigala was captured by the forces from the LTTE.

July 25 - Ms. Pratibha Patel (72) was appointed 13th President of India. She was the first woman to assume the Presidency of this country.

August 2 - The Mir 1 mini-submarine was launched by Russia into the waters of the Arctic Ocean in the North Pole.

August 8 - The US Space Shuttle 'Endeavour' lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.

August 10 - NASA launched a satellite to probe life on Mars.

August - A concert was organised in London by Princes William and Harry in memory of their mother, Princess Diana, who died 10 years ago. Many celebrities participated at the concert.

August 31 - Sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe won a Bronze Medal at the 17th Asian Games held in Amman, Jordan, clocking a time of 22.63 seconds, in the 200 metre event.

September 24 - Chagi Basuru Weerakoon scored an overall 200 points in the Year 5 Scholarship Examination. This was the first time ever that full marks had been recorded by anyone at this examination.

October 20 - South Africa became the Rugby World Cup Champion, beating England.

November 2 - Head of LTTE's Political Wing, Thamil Selvam died following aerial bombing by the Sri Lanka Air Force, at Kilinochchi.

November - A lioness gave birth to three albino cubs at a Zoo in New South Wales, Australia.

December - Muttiah Muralitharan became the highest wicket-taker in the cricket world at the First Test held between England and Sri Lanka at the Asgiriya Stadium. His record total was 709 wickets.

December 27 - Pakistani Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in a shooting and explosion after taking part in an election rally in Rawalpindi.

Compiled by Taniya Moses and Imantha Dilhan