The Best Environment-friendly School of the Year 2011 :

Competition is now on

The Best Environment-friendly School of the Year 2011 Competition will be held for the fourth consecutive year by the Green Forest Association in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Bank of Ceylon.

The competition which will be held at the Maharagama Youth Centre on November 5 is open to schools which meet any of the following :

* Initiate solid waste management projects in the school.

* Maintain environment- friendly classrooms and compounds.

* Conduct home- gardening and agricultural activities.

*Launch awareness programmes.

* Have students with special talents; excelled in studies and extra-curricular activities and won awards.

* Done home gardening,flower cultivation and forestry

* Highly disciplined and morally endowed students

* Wall paintings(murals) and model constructions such as ponds,

The winners in different categories will be awarded valuable cash prizes and trophies by the organisers. Applications close on June 15. Schools interested in participating can contact the organisers on 0772012900 for more information.

Leadership training from Grade Six

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The importance of giving leadership training for schoolchildren was highlighted by the Education Minister, Bandula Gunawardana at a conference in Colombo recently.

Addressing the conference which was attended by parents, teachers and schoolchildren, Minister Gunawardana said schoolchildren must be given a comprehensive short term training on how to develop leadership skills.

He said schoolchildren should not only focus their attention towards their day- to- day educational activities, but also must follow leadership training courses at least from Grade Six as it is important for them to live in society in close co-operation with different communities.

The leadership training will be a great benefit in this connection, he said. Minister Gunawardana also mentioned about three-week leadership training programme proposed by the Higher Education Ministry for students who have qualified for university education from this year.

He said this short term leadership training programme will help students to overcome numerous future challenges and achieve goals in life..

Mama Wenama Malak:

A stage drama especially for children

The premiere of Mama Wenama Malak, a stage drama for children will be held on June 5 at the Tower Hall, Maradana. The shows will be at 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm.

This exclusive work that caters to the young audience, focuses on the ups and downs of adolescence.

It will focus on a child's struggle to comprehend the challenges of growing up and prepare him to make the giant leap into adulthood.

The drama highlights the importance of respecting a child's individual identity, this dreams and aspirations and also the importance of identifying a child's unique strengths to guide him achieve greatness.The role of Gimhani, the lead artist of the drama is played by Thisuri Lavanya, a student of St. Paul's Milagiriya, Colombo. She faces many challenges trying to focus on her dreams while an over reacting mother fights relentlessly to steer her off her dreams and make her concentrate solely on studies.

Mama Wenama Malak is the newest creation of Nalaka Swarnathilake, the director of widely popular children's stage and teledramas, Dangamalla and Anne.

Other female child artists are Nipuni Narmada, Tehara Kannangara, Chathurni Indrachapa, Ithara Silva, Pramodhi Artigala, Amaya Senaratna, Nuwanthika Kaushalya, Niromi Nawanjali, Chalani Himansha and Sanduni Edirimanna from Vishaka Vidyalaya, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Sirimavo Bandaraniyake Vidyalaya and St. Paul's Girls School.

The male child artist is Akila Dayarathna from Royal College.

The main adult roles are played by Sanjeewa Upendra and popular television actress Kusum Renu. Song vocalists: Malithi Jayarathne, Dulanjali Gamage, Chathurika Iroshani Perera, Dasanthi Sanjeewani Gamage and Anuthara Mendis (from Nanda Malini Sangeetha Ashremaya).

-M.F