Book on Sri Lanka’s sculpture

A book on the evolution of Sri Lanka’s sculpture from 2-18AD, compiled by the Central Cultural Fund together with the Archaeology Department was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently at Temple Trees.

About 100 books are expected to be printed under this programme. Of the total books, 30 on the evolution of Sri Lankan maps have already been printed, while 30 on Sri Lanka’s sculpture and another 30 on Sri Lanka’s architecture would be printed soon. There will be others printed on different subjects.

The series which was presented to the President was titled ‘Buddha’ and comprise 30 copies in Sinhala, English and Tamil media. They include descriptions of 36 special statues such as Mahailuppalama statue, Abahayagiri statue and Purasankulama, Pankuliya and Maligawila statues.

National Energy Policy

A National Energy Policy, to offer solutions for the challenges faced by the energy sector and to make an active contribution from the energy sector to national development, will be introduced by the Power and Energy Ministry soon.

Accordingly, short, medium and long-term strategies towards streamlining the sector will be implemented.

This National Policy focuses more attention on the strategies for regularising the electricity generation, transmission and distribution, development of electricity supply, optimum utilisation of local resources, maintenance of a strategic balance among the imported fossil fuels, distribution of electricity among 20 per cent of the rural population without electricity facilities, investments on energy services and operation, regularisation and distribution of energy services.

This policy is expected to be reviewed within three years. The Ministry stresses that the energy sector would be operated through strategies of energy development, qualitative development of the energy services, energy conservation, energy efficiency, energy management and consumer protection.

Archaeology committees in schools

Preserving and restoring our valuable artifacts and ancient places is not solely the responsibility of the Department of Archaeology. The public too has a duty to support this task. However, over all these years, though many people did their duty to save these treasures, everybody was not concerned.

On quite a few occasions, we have heard about valuable properties being destroyed. Now is the time to think about a serious solution to this problem.

“We have restored around 300,000 archaeologically important places, but we can’t do it alone,” said Archaeological Assistant Director, Central Province, Department of Archaeology, D. D. Wijayapala. As the first step of getting the involvement of the public to do this responsible duty, the Department of Archaeology has decided to start Archaeology Committees in Schools.

This programme was initiated, along with several other programmes during the Archaeology Week. The Department is planning to launch this programme from the Central Province, with nine rural schools initially selected from the province. Those studying history as a subject in school and those who are enthusiastic will be chosen for the committee.

The chief advisor of the committee will be the chief monk at the closest temple, while the principal and history teacher of the respective schools will also help students as advisers. Of course, the Department of Archaeology will supervise the students.

The committee of each school will be given the responsibility of looking after the archaeological site which is located closest to them. The members of the committee will be responsible for the maintenance of the site.

“We are planning to carry out restoration work once in every three months, with the help of the school and under the supervision of the Department,” said Wijayapala. “We are planning to involve adults, parents and relatives also in this project, through students,” he added.

Officers from the Department of Archaeology have visited the chosen schools to educate the committee members on how to preserve these valuable properties and the restoration methods. If there’s an exploration going on in any particular area, the members of the closest school committee will participate.

“We are hoping to have oratory, essay and drawing competitions especially for the students who are in the committees.

“ We are also hoping to organise workshops and provide discounts for them to buy books as a special treat,” said Wijayapala, “As they are helping us to safeguard our national treasure,” he added.

During the Archaeology Week, the Department of Archaeology experimented as to how they can involve students in the restoration process.

They restored six sites with the help of the students from the schools closest to the site.

“We also planted mee, na and halmilla at the Udamaluwa archaeology site, Kundasale as part of the Archaeology Week celebrations. We need the wood of these trees for the restoration process.

“Since wood is already scarce, we planted these trees. It will be a great investment for the Department,” said Wijayapala.

Proposed Schools and the site to be handed over to them

Sigiriya MMV - Rama Stupa and Pidurangala
Dullawa MMV - Thalgahagoda Temple
Amunupura MMV - Balana Fort
Sirimalwatta School - Degaldoruwa
Gurulupotha College - Padahanagara
Lankathilaka MMV - Lankathilaka Vihara
Hindagala Seevali MMV - Hindagala Temple
Diyathilaka MMV - Hanguranketha Pothgul Vihara
Hadunuwewa MMV - Posolpitiya

Sites that have been restored and the participant schools
Thalgahagoda Temple - Thalgahagoda MMV
Galmaduwa Temple - Sirimalwatte School
Marassana Ambalama - Nearby schools and the public
Kithulpe Ranpath Viharaya - Pallebowalay College
Vegiriya Ambalama - Daskara College
Dehandu Kadulla Memorial - Kotmale
Nayapana College,
Maswala Gemunu College.

- Janani Amarasekara

Youth and climate change

We have already commemorated many international days during this year. You may have noticed that most such events focused on environment and climate issues as their themes for this year.

The International Youth Day, observed on August 12, is no exception. It has as its theme ‘Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action’.

The process of climate change has already started, destroying communities and worsening the effects of hunger and poverty in many parts of the world.

This has complicated the challenges faced by the youth of the world, but it has been noticed that the youth are also increasingly adding their voice and demanding action on these fronts.

In the areas of disasters and climate change, youth can contribute in many areas such as preparedness, risk reduction, adaptation and mitigation (minimise the effects of).

For those of you between the ages of 15 and 24, this is your day. There are so many ways in which you could take part in the activities to be held in relation with the day.

You could team with other key players such as government, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, businesses and other young people and organise various fora, discussions and various information campaigns about issues which are important to youth.

You could also showcase the contributions made by youth to the societies they live in. The encouragement of the empowerment and participation of youth in the process and decisions that affect their lives could also be done on this day.

Some of the main programmes in connection with Internatioal Youth Day 2008 would be held in Canada’s Quebec City.

The UN Programme for Youth-organised World Youth Walk and concert will be held there to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the city.

The UN General Assembly decided to declare August 12 as International Youth Day on December 17, 1999.

The Assembly recommended that public information activities be organised to support the day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, adopted by the General Assembly in 1995.

Book launch by Adhil

N. Adhil Mohamed, a Grade 9 student of Royal College Wayamba, Kurunegala launched a book titled, ‘A Sweet Day Mum and Other Stories’ recently.

The launch took place at the Town Hall, Kurunegala under the patronage of chief guest, Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe, Guests of Honour Mayor of Kurunegala Municipal Council, Nimal Chandrasiri de Silva and SLFP Organiser and Member of the Municipal Council, Abdul Saththar, Principal of Wayamba Royal, T. B. Eriyawa, Sectional Head, Vajira Rathnayake, Class Teacher, Shantha Amarasinghe and English Teacher, Tamara Hewagama. This book which comprises 13 stories is Adhil’s third book. The book releases have coincided with his birthday.