Taiwan Buddhists assist Bhikku University in A'pura

by Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional District Group

"I remember in year 2005, at the Vesak World Conference held in Bangkok the Organiser, the Rector of Mahachulalonkorn University mentioned that "Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism are like two wings of a bird. I believe this theory is completely applicable to Taiwan and Sri Lankan Buddhism. We the Buddhists of 60th countries are all the Buddhist disciples though belonging to different sects but in pursuit of the teaching of Lord Buddha."

So said the Venerable Hui Kong Nayaka Thera of the Che Kuang Maha Vihara in Taiwan participating at year 2008 "Maha Sanghadana" religious festival held at Anuradhapura Buddhashravaka Bhikkhu University last week.

The Sanghadana (alms to the Bhikkhus) was organised by the Buddhists in Taiwan, and the Che Kuang temple for the second time. The alms consisted of 10 computers two lap-top computers and cash donations to 200 student Bhikkus at the Buddhashravaka Bhikhus University, valued at Rs. 2.5 million.

In his anusasana the Ven. Hui Kong Maha Nayaka Thera said: "Currently the countries facing the trend of globalisation.

The globalisation covers politics, education, economy, technology, business and the culture.

The thera also pointed out that Buddhism should catch up the trends of globalisation. In this context he hoped that Buddhism of 60th countries could develop smoothly and people in the world could live in peace and all beings could relieve from suffering and gain eternal happiness.

Addressing the gathering of Buddhist priests and the visitors from Taiwan the Vice Chancellor of the Anuradhapura Buddhashravaka Bhikkhu University, Aggamaha Panditha Venerable Thumbulle Seelakkandha Nayaka Thera in his anusasana said that the Ven. Hui Kong Thera and the Taiwan Buddhist Circles have insisted in establishing a branch of Anuradhapura Buddhashravaka University in Taiwan and it would be initiated soon.

"The Taiwan Buddhists love Sri Lanka and the Anuradhapura Bhikkhu University remains the only such university for Buddhist priests in Asia.

They have a firm belief that the bhikkus at the university are well deciplined and who are able to teach Dhamma to the world in the most appropriate way, and hence the Taiwan Buddhist Community has arranged Maha sanghadana for the second time at a grand scale.

"I appeal to you to study Dhamma to enable to evaluate the Mahayana and Heenayana sects of the Buddhism comparatively taking into consideration that these two sects are the two wings of a bird," the Venerable Vice Chancellor emphasised.

Southern region under accelerated electricity programme

by P. P. G. Sugathadasa - Thihagoda Group

Southern Regional Office of the Ceylon Electricity Board has initiated an accelerated electricity development programme in the Southern Province.

According the Deputy General Manager, H. A. G. Pushpakumara attached to Southern Regional Office of the Ceylon Electricity Board, the proposed projects cover most of the remote and backward villages in the region.

A total of over 56 remote rural hamlets in 28 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts are to be benefitted by these electricity development activities and around 12,650 families would be benefitted by this programme.

Work on 14 electricity extension schemes have already been completed. Construction of electricity projects anew, installations of electrical transformer and further extensions of existing lines are included in these electricity augmentation programmes.

The total expenditure for all these development activities would be at Rs. 70 million.

Central Government and Southern Provincial Council funds are utilised for the purpose, Deputy General Manager, H. A. G. Pushpakumara attached to Southern Regional Office of the Ceylon Electricity Board further added.

‘Good Neighbours’ help needy children

by P. P. G. Sugathadasa - Thihagoda Group

‘Good Neighbours’ a charity organisation has initiated programmes to enhance welfare activities for schoolchildren in low income families in the district of Matara.

Under the proposed programme the action has been taken to provide midday meal, conduct tuition classes to improve their knowledge of English and classes in computers for children attending the classes from grade 1 to 4 at the Kitalagama West Maha Vidyalaya in Thihagoda. In addition each child would be given vouchers worth Rs. 750 to buy their school shoes.

Under the programme students from grade 1 to 6 attending Nadugala Maha Vidyalaya in the Thihagoda Educational division will also be provided with midday meal, and educational programmes to improve their skills and learning the English language along with computer studies by the “Good Neighbours” in Matara. All these student welfare activities would be funded by “Good Neighbours” in Matara. At the request of Minister of Mass Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana. These child welfare programmes have been organised on the initiatives taken by Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, according to his Secretary Keerthi Wijayawansa.

Charity organisation donates house

by Mahaweli Systems

The Sri Pushpadana Society of Kandy - a local charity existing for over 100 years - has donated a moderate house to a family living below the poverty line.

The breadwinner of this family is thirty-five year old Bandula Samarakoon who is a heart patient. His wife is suffering from cancer. They have a baby and a twelve-year-old daughter and a fourteen-year-old son.

Upon seeing the plight of the Bandula Samarakoon’s family, Grama Niladhari Ms. Dasanayaka had urged the ‘charity’ to help them.

Responding to her request the office-bearers of it visited the family at Bodhigala Viharaya Road, Sirimalvaththa, Degaldoruva off Kandy and built a house-for-the-family with assistance of the Prajaa Diriya Padanama Community.

A religious ceremony was held at the new residence of the lucky family to bless them.

Huge fine for food offenders

K. A. Perera , Wadduwa

Eighty - eight thousand and five hundred rupees were collected by means of fines from the traders and owners of hotels in Kalutara town for the offence of selling food items unfit far human consumption during last seven months from eighteen hotel owners, said L. Gamini Samaratunga Public Health Inspector of Kalutara South.

Among them, he had detected a “Rotti” where a used beedi found inside.

The eighteen hoteliers were found guilty for selling food bands unfit for human consumption, and decayed curies, and “Kottu” rotti.

They were also charged for selling inferior quality dry rations, dhal infested with insects and out-dated cakes and other sweet meats.

They pleaded quality for the offences.

10 fertiliser warehouses

by Hiriyala group

Arrangements are being made by the Agrarian Services Department to construct ten fertilizer store buildings in the Kurunegala district in order to expedite the distribution of fertilizer among farmers. The proposed fertilizer store buildings will be constructed in Ibbagamuwa, Kotawehera, Bingiriya, Narammala, Mahagirilla, Ganewatta, Thambuththa, Dodangaslanda, Mahananneriya and Ehetuwewa areas.

No market place for ornamental plant cultivators

A. Keerthisinghe, Alawwa Special

A large scale ornamental plant cultivators of Narammala, Alawwa and Dambadeniya areas told that they are facing hardships without a market for their products. A large number of cultivators in Narammala area are cultivating ornamental plants for their living. The officials who implemented the project and promised to provide a market place for products are now not concerned about the predicament, they, said.

The ornamental plant buyers said the officials hold meetings and wasted our time without finding solutions to the problem.

Chinese language course

by Edward Weerasinghe - Kelaniya Group

Applications are called from prospective candidates for the Certificate Course in Chinese Language which will commence this month according to W. M. Karunaratne Registrar of the University of Kelaniya.

The Chinese Language course will be conducted in English by a Chinese Professor and a lecturer at the Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya. The lessons will be held during weekends and the beginner’s course is designed to cover the four fold language abilities in Chinese. The applicant should have passed six subjects including English at GCE (Ordinary Level) and the course period will be 3 months. Further details could be obtained from the Head of the Department of Modern Languages, University of Kelaniya.

90 acres of fallow land under cultivation

By Dharmasiri Wijeratne - Hanwella Group

Ninety acres of fallow paddy lands in Kosgama and Padukka Agrarian services divisions will be brought under the traditional “maa-vee” cultivation during the forthcoming Maha season.

Steps have been taken in terms of the Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Ministry program to re-introduce maa-vee cultivation to 150 acres of land in the Colombo district.

Kosgama Divisional Agrarian Services Officer, Neranjala Kusumseela said that 80 acres of completely fallow and partly fallow lands in Kadugoda North, Mawalgama, Suduwella, Kanampella West, Ihala Kosgama North, Muruthagama, Giraimbula, Seethavake, Kadugoda South and Kaluaggala Grama Niladari Divisions have already been identified for Maa-Vee Cultivation. She said that required instructions have been given to the farmers and that free seed paddy and weedicides issued to them. Applications have been called for, to issue the fertiliser, she said.

Pollution due to sand mining

by Matale District Group

Due to illegal sand demining along the channels in Galewela Divisional Secretariat area, environment is very much polluted.

Welamitiyawa, Malawa and Kalugala channels are affected severely with channel lands eroding.

The cultivation lands located both sides of the channels are being washed away while the huge trees have fallen down crossing the waterways.

According to public more sand from these areas to out-skirts are transported and majority of the sand collectors are operating without any valid permit But they have the support from some local politicians and certain government officials. So these racketeers are continuing the illegal acts without any problem.

In this connection the public said that they have made several complaints regarding the issue to the relevant authorities but no action has been made so far.

De Mazenod to recommence Residential Course

by E. Weerapperuma

The De Mazenod English Institute initiated by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Congregation, in Sri Lanka 15 years ago, will recommence on Sunday, September 14, with a new batch of 60 students who will follow the three-months long Residential English Immersion Course.

The blessing and the house-warming ceremony of the new building of the De Mazenod English Institute at Katuwapitiya, Negombo will be held tomorrow, September 8.

Very Rev. Fr. Clement Waidyasekera OMI, Provincial of the Oblates of Colombo Province will preside over the ceremony.

Rev. Fr. Dennis Iddamalgoda OMI, MA, Executive Director of the Institute told “Sunday Observer” that the Members of the OMI Congregation celebrate their 160-year presence in Sri Lanka, this year. The congregation has added teaching English to their missionary activities to students awaiting results after their GCE AL and OL exams.

“We had no building of our own all these years to run the Institute. We moved from one place to another looking for a spacious building. But now that we have one of our own, with Rev. Fr. Tissa Balasuriya OMI, founder of the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR), Maradana donating the ancestral home of Balasuriya family at Katuwapitiya, Negombo to the OMI Congregation. We are thankful to Rev. Fr. Balasuriya for the donation and to Rev. Fr. Waidyasekera for giving the house to run the Institute”, Rev. Fr. Iddamalgoda said.

“I started the Institute with the approval of my congregation in 1993 using a building attached to the OMI Mother House at Mattakkuliya, Colombo. Though we had to move from one place to another place we continued our services without interruption and we are happy to note that with the support of brother priests of the OMIs and the De La Salle Brothers, over 1,500 students had gone through our training. Some of them do extremely well in Sri Lanka and some others have migrated overseas”.

“Scientia Locupletat” - ‘Knowledge Perfects’, is our motto and the three month immersion program calls for hard discipline and long hours of concentrated studies.

The course is not mere learning English but it is English and Life education program directed towards character formation, moral and spiritual development, while drawing out the best in each one who undergoes immersion course to give them the strength to face challenges in their future life”, Rev. Fr. Iddamalgoda added.

The Oblate Fathers and Brothers were serving the Catholic Church from 1847, almost from the very inception of the OMI Congregation Founded by St. Eugene De Mazenod