How can we manage disasters?
by Indeewara Thilakarathne and Ranga
Chandrarathne
The Webster Dictionary provides similar but a
different slant to the definitions of a disaster as 'an adverse or
unfortunate event, a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a
calamity; a serious mishap.' The words such as 'sudden and
extraordinary' are important as in the case of 2004 tsunami any
crucial disaster has a sudden onset.
 Full Story
'Integrate the disabled into the mainstream of society'
In Sri Lanka, we treat the disabled as a
separate group and many of them with justification feel they are
marginalised. What we need to do is to take all possible measures to
integrate them fully into society so that they feel one with the
rest, and belong to it on an equal footing. Legislation plays a
vital role in safeguarding the position of the disabled in society .
However, close examination reveals that there are some gaps in Sri
Lanka's legislation on the disabled.
Full Story
Biogas - a viable source of energy
Public forum on biogas:
The Public Forum on biogas which was recently
held at Goethe Institute in Colombo was an eye-opener to Sri Lankans
especially with the energy crisis looming in the horizon, as prices
of crude oil surges in the world market. It is pertinent to ponder
on whether Sri Lanka has harnessed its bio potentials for generation
of energy which according to Prof. KDN Weerasinghe of the University
of Ruhuna who made a presentation on biogas, is capable of
generating 30 per cent of energy requirement of the country.
Full Story |
