Teachers should lead an exemplary life - SP Governor

by D. C. de Silva - Kahawa Special

"Guru Pranama Ulela - 2008" to felicitate Teachers in the Southern Province organised by the SPC Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva, was held recently at Galle City Hall and the Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya was the Chief Guest.

1729 Teachers selected out of 29,000 Teachers were felicitated, at the event.

Governor Balasuriya addressing the occasion said, that, "Teachers must behave in the open society as exemplary characters as they are taken as examples by the society, especially by the student population".

"Teachers must maintain that position throughout in the schools as well as in the open society" Governor told the Teachers.

"It is a challenge standing before you all, so you should keep that in mind well" she told the Teachers.

"We must do something for our motherland without expecting anything in return" she pointed out.

"Country's future depends on children and they should be well looked after, well treated, safeguarded, and served with best things and this was President Rajapaksa's wish, and it should be hailed by all Teachers and Parents as well" she said.

"As far as I know, some Teachers used to inculcate revolutionary political ideas in the minds of children, and some political elements used to take them on to roads to stage protest campaigns, at a time when the government provided them with all facilities free of charge from the kindergarten to the University," she added.

"President Mahinda Rajapaksa's keenness to see, a higher standard of education in the South," is met by the SPC CM Shan Wijayalal de Silva is commendable. It is by upgrading the standard of education in the South, we could improve the living standards in the region," Governor said.

"When I was on a mission to Hambantota, to judge the educational level there a few months before, a Teacher came to me and asked for a transfer, but she was there for two weeks after her first appointment" the Governor noted.

"Children should be educated on social manners at the school, and Teachers should be mannerful first" she noted.

"Mannerfulness and disciplines are the two sides of the same coin".

"Well done Chief Minister Shan," you are a pride for the whole country and the President had never told me anything wrong about you.

"Government is engaged in a war against terrorism and separatism in the North, while engaged in development. We should work together forgetting our differences for the sake of the country" she said.

Mr. N. J. Karunadasa, the SPC Director of Education said, the Atha Demu Daruwanta Program of the SPC Chief Minister, Shan Wijayalal de Silva was meant to train children fit for future examinations.

"M. W. Wijethilaka, the Secretary to the Chief Ministry and SPC Education Ministry said, the CM had already provided funds for the betterment of education in the province".

"Teachers must work with interest and dedication to promote education, thinking it as their bounden duty to do so" he said.

"Governor's guidance on the education in the province should be highly appreciated" he said.

Prizes, Certificates and Thilinas were given away by the Governor Balasuriya in association with the CM, Shan Wijayalal de Silva.

English course for school leavers

K. A. Perera - Wadduwa Special

An English Language Course will be conducted for school leavers in Matugama Education Zone to create a sound education in English Language to better future prospects.

The English Language Course has been inaugurated at Megahatenna Teachers Training Centre, recently.

The school -leavers from the villages could acquire a sound knowledge in English Language by attending the Course.

The course has been implemented under the supervision of the English and Foreign Language unit of the Ministry of Education.

A certificate will be issued to students who complete the course successfully by the Ministry of Education.

The English Instructress Priyanka Chandani will coordinate the English Language course under the direction of Mrs. P. G. N. K. Kusumsiri, the Manageress of Teachers Centre.

Premier opens new building for southern PC

by Hemachandra NANAYAKKARA Galle group

On the Invitation of Wijewantha the chairman of Southern Provincial Council on the September 5th the new southern provincial building complex was opened by Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, Governor Southern Province Kumari Balasuriya, Chief Minister Southern Province Shan Wijayalal de Silva, with their Ministers and member of the southern province participated at the event.

Premier Rathnasiri Wickramanayake in his speach praised Governor Kumari Balasuriya Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva Chairman S. P. Wijewanthe and all other members who constructed this complex within a short period.

Governor Kumari Balasuriya Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal de Silva also spoke.

Central monitoring authority vital to deal with HIV - Prof. Sheriffdeen

by Victor Marambage - Talawa Group

Non Governmental Organisations and Community Based Organisations have more Commitment than the government in screening returnees from abroad in detecting HIV/AIDS infection. Prof. A. H. Sheriffdeen Co-Chairman International Congress on AIDS in Asia and Pacific (ICAAP) addressing the ICAAP National Volunteer Movement inauguration meeting held at BMICH Colombo, recently.

"Prevention of HIV/AIDS and related activities are not a problem for Department of Health alone. It is a problem of Ministry of Transport, Police and the Ministry of Defense etc. Internal Migrant workers such as drivers and defense Personnel are the groups at risk of HIV/AIDS. Therefore a good central monitoring authority to prevent HIV/AIDS is necessary a gurandian foundation for Screening Middle-East returnees is also very vital Prof. Sheriffdeen continued.

He further said "all organisations, whether it be in prevention of HIV/AIDS or anything, should have four "C's. (Credibility, conviction, competence and Commitment.)

So we hope to establish an AIDS Foundation in Sri Lanka and to provide funds to NGOs for prevention of HIV/AIDS, an emergency medical fund and an emergency expense fund to provide special milk powder to children of parents living with HIV/AIDS and for funeral funds. As voluntary workers we do not expect any luxuries in life" he said.

New programmes to enhance abilities of youth

by Wehella Piyathilaka - Maharagama Special

To empower and strengthen the youth in all possible fields and utilize their talents and creative abilities in development projects of the country is the policy of the Mahinda Chintanaya. In this respect the Youth Affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and The Chairman and the Director General of the National Youth Services Council Bhasawa Senanka Gunaratne had jointly introduced so many new programmes to uplift the lives of the youth in economic, social and cultural fields.

The newly introduced project to strengthen the economy of the youth is the youth driving school.

Inviting applications islandwide (without any distinction to any race, language or religion) The NYSC had selected 300 youth (men and Women) to be trained at the youth driving school. The training will be done in stages with 100 for each batch.

The inaugural ceremony of the first badge will be held on September 16th at 10 a.m. at Eraminiyaya youth training Centre (Hambantota District) with the participation of the Youth Affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Civil Aviation and Water Management Chamal Rajapaksa.

This is totally a too months residents free course. Driving, Motor Mechanism, VIP Driving training, Spoken English and initial computer training also will be included in the curriculum of the course.

"The motive of this training is to make them fit to serve any part of the world." The Chairm Bhaswara Gunaratne told 'Sunday Observer'.

Three batches, 100 each will be trained within the year 2008.

Dried-jak for instant cooking

by Nimal Wijayatunga - Eheliyagoda Special

Twenty five year-old Harshana Ariyawansa of Panawala close to Eheliyagoda town has adopted his own method in preparing ready-to-cook packets of jak-fruit that has become very popular among customers.

He said he was compelled to engage in this business in order to popularize jak fruit among the people as a majority of rural area housewives seem lazy to chop and cut jak fruit as it was done earlier. "Though during fruit bearing season, the trees are abound with many fruits, village people neglect them and as a result, ripen jak-fruit lay under trees without any use.

Ariyawansa says that there was a great demand for these ready-to-cook jak fruit packets and he found it difficult to meet the demand, sometimes. In the near future, he hopes to export dried and raw jak-fruit to India and Pakistan.

Poor durian season

by S. M. Jiffery Abdeen - Kandy South Group

Where have all the pungent smelling but luscious 'durians' gone? This is the mind boggling question, the lovers of this delicious fruit ask for themselves.

This is the durian season in the Kandy area which is grown in plenty in Hindagala, Kadugannawa, Anniewatte, Wattegama, Nugawela, Pilimatalawa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Danture, Pottapitiya, Gampola, Geli Oya and Peradeniya areas.

The residents of these areas say that there is no durian crop this season and the massive trees hardly bore any fruit. This has resulted in a severe shortage of durian fruits which despite its pungent smell is enjoyed by its lovers.

A person who was able to get a few fruits priced it at Rs. 350 per fruit in Kandy which is exceedingly high and beyond the reach of the average man. But still he had many takers as for them it was 'now or never'.

Many say it was due to unfavourable weather conditions and another source claim that it was a blowing which took place during the flowering season could be responsible for less durian this season. Many fear what happened to pears in Nuwara Eliya during the cyclone in 1978 should not happen to this popular fruit.

Agro equipment to promote home gardens

By Nimal Wijayatunga - Eheliyagoda Special

Distribution of agricultural equipment for a group of selected farmers and housewives mainly to strengthen home gardening under Mahinda Chinthana Concept was held at Eheliyagoda Agrarian Services Centre Auditorium, recently.

The allocation has been made by Provincial councillor, Mohan Saliya Ellawala on the request of Provincial Councillor. G. M. Karunapala. Sabaragamuwa Governor, Dixon Dela Bandara also participated.

Agricultural forks, pans, mammoty blades and fertilizer bags were distributed.

Jumbos create havoc

by Stanley Seneviratne - Kurunegala North Group

A herd of elephants trampled to death a villager and destroyed houses and crops in the Kobeigane and Kurunegala recently.

Thelahera, Makeliyawa, Gopollowa, Embalagama, Mahadanwila, Warakatuwa, Dambukele and Andigedara villagers are the worst affected areas. The residents of the area pointed out that more than 1,000 acres of paddy land in the area were destroyed by the herd.

A farmer of Niyawalapitiya village R. B. Amarakoon said that a herd of about 15 wild elephants came into the village have ruined a vast stretch of paddy land which were on the verge of harvest. "Leaving us in difficulty in settling the loans taken for cultivation.

The jumbos have not spared a single chena cultivation in the area.

Meanwhile the Nikawaratiya police said that a farmer of Kumbukwewa S. M. Sirimewan (53) was trampled to death by a wild elephant recently. A resident of Kumbukwewa S. A. Gunawardana said that the elephants had pulled down more than 50 bearing coconut trees in his garden.

This is a severe blow on the economy of the area.

Majority of the population in the area depends on agriculture. Many young farmers of the area, at present given up agriculture and taken to other trades to make their living.

A student of Thelahera Central College Lahiru Samanpriya said, "We live in constant fear of elephants. Even in the day time we meet wild elephants on our way to school.

Statue for Richard Pathirana - Kahawa Special

Southern Provincial Council (SPC) has decided to erect a statue in memory of the Late Minister, Richard Pathirana in the Galle city.

SPC (CM) Shan Wijayalal de Silva commenting on the matter, told the Sunday Observer, that late Richard Pathirana was the MP for Akmeemana and held several portfolios until his demise.

He was the Minister of Education, State Administration, Home Affairs at several occasions in the NPA regime, and held the posts of Chief Opposition Whip and Chief Government Whip," the CM said.

Erection activities of the statue has been already handed over to a well-known sculptor in the south," CM finally said.

Old Cheverlot still in good shape

Nimal Wijayatunga - Eheliyagoda Special

Ellawala W. Arnolis alias 'Pala aiya' who is the President of Eheliyagoda Lorry Drivers' Club possesses a 50-year-old but still useable Cheverlot lorry numbered CN 7004.

Pala Aiya is very popular among lorry drivers and commuters as he used to transport commuters along Eheliyagoda Idangoda route for decades without a single road accident. Though his beloved wife died about 15 years ago Pala aiya adopted his three children by hiring this lorry and still he transports goods from Eheliyagoda town by the lorry on the request of village traders.

He told the Sunday Observer that though very handsome amounts of money were offered to him by antique collectors etc. he has rejected selling his good old companion.

New projects

by Milton Dharmasinghe Bulathsinhala spl.

Under the Pragramne of Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma, 49 projects for Bulathsinhala Secretariat Division and 11 projects for Madurawala Secretariat Division have been approved by the central government for 2008. For these entire projects Education Services Minister who is also Bulathsinhala SLFP organiser Nirmala Kotalawala has provided Rs. 10,760,000.00.

Many rural roads, supply of electricity to rural areas, construction of bridges will come under the proposed projects.