By Afra Naufel
A mobile library service is to be launched in Jaffna on 7 October, said an EU press release. This new service to the children in Jaffna district is considered an opportunity to enhance the knowledge, of the children who are healing from the war.
This program will be announced by EU representatives on 1st October, marking the international Children’s Day. This mobile library is expected to benefit thousands of children who have little access to books. As Jaffna holds there are five education zones with over 100 schools.
“This mobile lending library will be the first of its kind to be organized in the Jaffna district and will benefit thousands of children from over 100 schools in the five educational zones,” said the press release.
The EU will fully fund this project. The Jaffna public library, Municipal Council of Jaffna, Zonal Education Department and the Gods Own Children Foundation will support this program, said the press release.
The mobile library is expected to visit the educational zones in Jaffna on a regular basis. This would help the children to have better access to new books and educational publications, as many students have very less or no access to books in the war torn areas.
“The mobile library service aims to visit the educational zones on a regular basis in order to provide better access to publications and educational material to those who have no or less access to library services.”
This program is also initiated with the aim of creating awareness on the importance of education to the academics.
“It is also a means of creating awareness not only among the children, but also the principals, teachers and parents on the importance and value of education,” said the press release.
The program will be launched by Her Lordship the Mayor of Jaffna and the EU Attaché at the public library, Jaffna, Wim Prud’homme. The event will also be graced by students, Principals, general public and government officials said the press release.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Agriculture fighting climate change
By Afra Naufel
Early signs of climate change evident in Sri Lanka is ruining the agriculture sector, admits Head of Agro-Climatology, of the Natural Resources Management Centre of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. B.V.R. Punyawardena.
This will have a severe impact on the country because, as the Department of Census and Statistics reveals, nearly 70% of the Sri Lankan population is from the rural area, where many depend on agriculture as their livelihood.
“It is true that Sri Lankan agriculture is being affected by our climatic conditions. Though we don’t see sudden and massive impacts on our agriculture, there are clear and gradual damages on our agriculture from the climate change,” said Dr. Punyawardena.
The Sri Lankan Centre for Climate Change Studies from the Department of Meteorology, said that Sri Lanka faces lower, but clear effects of global climatic changes.
“We are clearly experiencing a climate change. We experience different patterns in our usual climatic conditions,” said Head of the Centre for Climatic Change Studies, Anusha Warnasooriya.
She said that Sri Lanka faces sudden temperature rises. Also our rainfall has a very high level of variability as well. We either experience too much rain or very little rain, than expected levels.
Dr. Punyawardane said that agriculture is being damaged due to abnormal climatic conditions. There is also unpredicted density of rainfall and untimely rainfall.
Problems faced by farmers
Farmers from the colder parts of the country seem to be more affected by the abnormal rains.
“Most of our crops are damaged because we experience a new trend in rainfall patterns,” said Research Officer (Plant Pathologist), of the Agriculture Research Centre of Seetha-Eliya, George Chandra Babu. He said that Nuwera Eliya experiences abnormal rainfall which makes it very hard for farmers to prepare their lands for the crops.
Sudden rises in temperature also creates problems. New pests breed in large numbers which is hard for the farmers to control, “In terms of the crops, if the temperature rises abnormally then we have a problem. In Nuwera Eliya we have a minimum pest problem, but when there is a temperature increase, new pests migrate and we have a pest problem,” said George Babu.
A farmer from the Nuwera Eliya District, Ali Sabry said, “I have problems when the temperature rises because there are more pests. These pests migrate from different places. They do lots of damage to my crops so I end up spending more on fertilizers."
Farmers from the Northern Province, where the climate is hot, face a different problem.
“I depend a lot on the rains, because Mannar usually has a hot climate. Yet when there is no rainfall when I expect it, most of my crops get damaged. I have a huge loss at such times,” said a farmer from Mannar, Mohommed Silgy, whose farming is his livelihood.
He also said that due to damaged crops, he faces several other problems during harvesting. “I usually get a loan from my brother-in-law, to get my seeds, but when I do not get the expected return, I end up being a debtor too,” said Silgy.
The Solutions
The Sunday Leader spoke to the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, who also affirmed that there is an impact on agriculture in Sri Lanka due to climatic conditions.
“Since our climate is becoming more unpredictable, we are facing problems in our agriculture sector,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, the Department of Agriculture has taken two steps.
One is to make the crops escape harsh conditions, by reducing its vulnerability. Drought tolerant varieties and storage varieties of crops have been introduced to farmers.
The farmers are also advised on farming methods, like balancing the soil moisture, and better land preparations.
The next is the mitigation method. According to Dr. Punyawardane, this is to reduce green house gas emissions. “This method takes a long time to bring balance, therefore the adaptation method is the more suitable and the best solution,” he said.
Sri Lanka – a victim
According to Environmentalist Jagath Gunewardane, it is a misfortune that Sri Lanka has become a victim to the thoughtlessness of many developed countries.
He said that Sri Lanka is not a major contributor to this environmental damage, which is mainly caused by deforestation and rapid industrialization, both of which are not eminent in Sri Lanka.
“Data shows that our wet zones are getting wetter and dry zone drier. We even get more floods and droughts. We are a small country which did not contribute to this hazard. Yet we are becoming a great victim,” said Gunewardane.
Domestic income takes a blow
Damage to agriculture does not only hinder the lives of farmers, but poses a threat to the economy as well, said economist Hameed Mohommed.
This is because 12.8% of the total GDP of Sri Lanka depends on the agricultural sector, he said. Tea, for instance, is one of the main export products and stands as one of the highest foreign income generators.
According to the Central Bank Annual Reports, there has been a drop in the overall agricultural output, from 7.5% in 2008, to 3.2% in 2009.
“In the 1990s Sri Lanka was alerted by the World Bank to prepare for a global food crisis. So since then we have been cautious and we were not affected. Yet, if this climate change shows a great impact on the crops, then it is possible that there would be a few changes in our economy too, as our imports would increase,” said Mohommed.
The social and economical catastrophe that Sri Lanka is about to face needs more public awareness and attention. According to Environmentalist Jagath Gunewardane, many Sri Lankans do not see this problem coming.
Early signs of climate change evident in Sri Lanka is ruining the agriculture sector, admits Head of Agro-Climatology, of the Natural Resources Management Centre of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. B.V.R. Punyawardena.
This will have a severe impact on the country because, as the Department of Census and Statistics reveals, nearly 70% of the Sri Lankan population is from the rural area, where many depend on agriculture as their livelihood.
“It is true that Sri Lankan agriculture is being affected by our climatic conditions. Though we don’t see sudden and massive impacts on our agriculture, there are clear and gradual damages on our agriculture from the climate change,” said Dr. Punyawardena.
The Sri Lankan Centre for Climate Change Studies from the Department of Meteorology, said that Sri Lanka faces lower, but clear effects of global climatic changes.
“We are clearly experiencing a climate change. We experience different patterns in our usual climatic conditions,” said Head of the Centre for Climatic Change Studies, Anusha Warnasooriya.
She said that Sri Lanka faces sudden temperature rises. Also our rainfall has a very high level of variability as well. We either experience too much rain or very little rain, than expected levels.
Dr. Punyawardane said that agriculture is being damaged due to abnormal climatic conditions. There is also unpredicted density of rainfall and untimely rainfall.
Problems faced by farmers
Farmers from the colder parts of the country seem to be more affected by the abnormal rains.
“Most of our crops are damaged because we experience a new trend in rainfall patterns,” said Research Officer (Plant Pathologist), of the Agriculture Research Centre of Seetha-Eliya, George Chandra Babu. He said that Nuwera Eliya experiences abnormal rainfall which makes it very hard for farmers to prepare their lands for the crops.
Sudden rises in temperature also creates problems. New pests breed in large numbers which is hard for the farmers to control, “In terms of the crops, if the temperature rises abnormally then we have a problem. In Nuwera Eliya we have a minimum pest problem, but when there is a temperature increase, new pests migrate and we have a pest problem,” said George Babu.
A farmer from the Nuwera Eliya District, Ali Sabry said, “I have problems when the temperature rises because there are more pests. These pests migrate from different places. They do lots of damage to my crops so I end up spending more on fertilizers."
Farmers from the Northern Province, where the climate is hot, face a different problem.
“I depend a lot on the rains, because Mannar usually has a hot climate. Yet when there is no rainfall when I expect it, most of my crops get damaged. I have a huge loss at such times,” said a farmer from Mannar, Mohommed Silgy, whose farming is his livelihood.
He also said that due to damaged crops, he faces several other problems during harvesting. “I usually get a loan from my brother-in-law, to get my seeds, but when I do not get the expected return, I end up being a debtor too,” said Silgy.
The Solutions
The Sunday Leader spoke to the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, who also affirmed that there is an impact on agriculture in Sri Lanka due to climatic conditions.
“Since our climate is becoming more unpredictable, we are facing problems in our agriculture sector,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, the Department of Agriculture has taken two steps.
One is to make the crops escape harsh conditions, by reducing its vulnerability. Drought tolerant varieties and storage varieties of crops have been introduced to farmers.
The farmers are also advised on farming methods, like balancing the soil moisture, and better land preparations.
The next is the mitigation method. According to Dr. Punyawardane, this is to reduce green house gas emissions. “This method takes a long time to bring balance, therefore the adaptation method is the more suitable and the best solution,” he said.
Sri Lanka – a victim
According to Environmentalist Jagath Gunewardane, it is a misfortune that Sri Lanka has become a victim to the thoughtlessness of many developed countries.
He said that Sri Lanka is not a major contributor to this environmental damage, which is mainly caused by deforestation and rapid industrialization, both of which are not eminent in Sri Lanka.
“Data shows that our wet zones are getting wetter and dry zone drier. We even get more floods and droughts. We are a small country which did not contribute to this hazard. Yet we are becoming a great victim,” said Gunewardane.
Domestic income takes a blow
Damage to agriculture does not only hinder the lives of farmers, but poses a threat to the economy as well, said economist Hameed Mohommed.
This is because 12.8% of the total GDP of Sri Lanka depends on the agricultural sector, he said. Tea, for instance, is one of the main export products and stands as one of the highest foreign income generators.
According to the Central Bank Annual Reports, there has been a drop in the overall agricultural output, from 7.5% in 2008, to 3.2% in 2009.
“In the 1990s Sri Lanka was alerted by the World Bank to prepare for a global food crisis. So since then we have been cautious and we were not affected. Yet, if this climate change shows a great impact on the crops, then it is possible that there would be a few changes in our economy too, as our imports would increase,” said Mohommed.
The social and economical catastrophe that Sri Lanka is about to face needs more public awareness and attention. According to Environmentalist Jagath Gunewardane, many Sri Lankans do not see this problem coming.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Hambantota port
By Afra Naufel
Pix by: Abdul Rahman
The Hambantota port was filled with water to a level of one meter on the 15th of August, as another massive step in developing Sri Lanka. The port which is geographically located between the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal, a major sea rout for nearly 50,000 ships a year, is expected to attract many commercial opportunities.
The first phase of the project which began in the year 2007 was funded by the Exim Bank of China which provided 85% ($360 million) of the total project while the rest was financed by the Sri Lankan government. China’s state owned companies- China Harbor Engineering Company and the Sino Hydro Corporation gave hand to many of the Sri Lankan engineers in constructing the deep-sea port, which is situated 260 km South of Colombo.
“One of the Mega development projects in Sri Lanka. We can see great opportunities for our nation in the future. This port is going to make Sri Lanka the second Singapore in another 10 years. Though we are late yet it’s great that it has been started at least now” said a sightseer, Mr. S.H.M Naufel, a principal by profession.
These pictures were taken on the 9th of August 2010. Six days before the port was filled with water.
(Information for this article was collected though online surfing)
- construction -
- Under heavy work -
- A far view of the bund -
- A sight seer under the scorching sun -
- A part of the port -
- A complete map of the port -
Pix by: Abdul Rahman
The Hambantota port was filled with water to a level of one meter on the 15th of August, as another massive step in developing Sri Lanka. The port which is geographically located between the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal, a major sea rout for nearly 50,000 ships a year, is expected to attract many commercial opportunities.
The first phase of the project which began in the year 2007 was funded by the Exim Bank of China which provided 85% ($360 million) of the total project while the rest was financed by the Sri Lankan government. China’s state owned companies- China Harbor Engineering Company and the Sino Hydro Corporation gave hand to many of the Sri Lankan engineers in constructing the deep-sea port, which is situated 260 km South of Colombo.
“One of the Mega development projects in Sri Lanka. We can see great opportunities for our nation in the future. This port is going to make Sri Lanka the second Singapore in another 10 years. Though we are late yet it’s great that it has been started at least now” said a sightseer, Mr. S.H.M Naufel, a principal by profession.
These pictures were taken on the 9th of August 2010. Six days before the port was filled with water.
(Information for this article was collected though online surfing)
- construction -
- Under heavy work -
- A far view of the bund -
- A sight seer under the scorching sun -
- A part of the port -
- A complete map of the port -
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Local balladeer
Who took Lankan music to the world - Calypso singer of yesteryear promotes Sri Lanka the way he knows best
Published On The Sunday Timesm(SL)August 08, 2010
By Afra Naufel and Azra Ameen, Pix by J. Weerasekara.
Music fans will remember him as part of the La Ceylonians singing those lilting calypso tunes with his trademark straw hat and guitar. Many years have passed since those memorable tunes and times but Anura Pathmasiri Jayasingha’s musical journey continued, taking him across the world carrying his brand of music to people.
He has met world renowned singers of the calibre of Harry Belafonte and Lionel Ritchie and his Sinhala songs done with his own group The Balladeers were aired on French radio and television in 1990.
He is philosophical as he looks back: the path to this successful release was not one of roses but he adds that, “It was worth all the trouble I had to go through, because today I am recognized in many countries for my music.”
Anura has presented radio programmes about the beauty of Sri Lanka to a French audience through stations such as the Tropic FM, Radio Asia and Radio France.
Anura was one of the first musicians to compose and sing jingles against drug abuse in Sri Lanka and even presented his song against drug abuse to the French Red Cross society. He is now working on a new instrumental to tell the world that the war has ended in Sri Lanka and that people should visit this land of peace.
Having studied at the Royal Primary and Thurstan College Colombo, Anura with the little music training that he had gained from being a part of the school choir, joined the “La Ceylonians” in 1967. “I would not be here today if it was not for my master Noel Ranasinghe who gave me a place in his band, and Lylie Godridge who trained my voice,” he says with gratitude.
Anura travelled around the world, singing Sinhala songs with the “La Ceylonians”. They represented Sri Lanka at the Yamaha World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo in 1967 where they received a certificate of merit for their performance. He has performed at numerous Sri Lankan food festivals in many leading hotels abroad including Hotel Maurya Sheraton in New Delhi, the Taj chain across India, Lai Lai Shangri- La hotel in Taiwan, Beverly Hills Wiltshire Hotel, USA, Hotel Hilton in Amsterdam and the Hilton in Germany.
“The Balladeers” was formed shortly after Anura left the “La Ceylonians” in 1986. His close friend Stanley Welgampola named this band and wrote the lyrics for most of his songs. The original members of “The Balladeers” were Rohan Silva who played the mandolin, harmonica, pedal steel, and guitar and also sang together with Nilantha Ariyaratne who played bass guitars and vocals. The late Asoka Ratnapala was among those who played the guitar and did the vocals for the first album of “The Balladeers”-‘Welcome to Sri Lanka’.
‘Welcome to Sri Lanka’ was released in 1990, with 13 original compositions of the Balladeers. This incidentally was the first Sri Lankan Sinhala lyrical music CD launched in France. The CD was sold in 22 countries and three of his videos were telecast in 57 countries.
Anura is currently creating a new style in music around the flamenco, the music of the gypsies in Spain and has even got down a flamenco guitar. “I am not a flamenco guitarist and I have never learnt it under a professional but I love this music because I have many friends who play it and I’ve decided to create a new style using Sri Lanka as my inspiration.”
Today, Anura is back in Sri Lanka, after more than 20 years in France, to enjoy the peace that has returned to the island. His second album, “Sitting Pretty in the Ocean” released in 2006 is a call to those out there to visit this “heaven on earth”. He is positive that talented Sri Lankan musicians could be a great source of attraction to tourism with a little more exposure to the industry.
As the first Sri Lankan member of SACEM, the French authors, composers and editors union, Anura hopes for such a body here too and is disappointed by the lack of interest shown by those involved in the industry. Yet, he seems to have not given up on his aim -- to boost the tourist industry with the magical Sri Lankan beat.
Published On The Sunday Timesm(SL)August 08, 2010
By Afra Naufel and Azra Ameen, Pix by J. Weerasekara.
Music fans will remember him as part of the La Ceylonians singing those lilting calypso tunes with his trademark straw hat and guitar. Many years have passed since those memorable tunes and times but Anura Pathmasiri Jayasingha’s musical journey continued, taking him across the world carrying his brand of music to people.
He has met world renowned singers of the calibre of Harry Belafonte and Lionel Ritchie and his Sinhala songs done with his own group The Balladeers were aired on French radio and television in 1990.
He is philosophical as he looks back: the path to this successful release was not one of roses but he adds that, “It was worth all the trouble I had to go through, because today I am recognized in many countries for my music.”
Anura has presented radio programmes about the beauty of Sri Lanka to a French audience through stations such as the Tropic FM, Radio Asia and Radio France.
Anura was one of the first musicians to compose and sing jingles against drug abuse in Sri Lanka and even presented his song against drug abuse to the French Red Cross society. He is now working on a new instrumental to tell the world that the war has ended in Sri Lanka and that people should visit this land of peace.
Having studied at the Royal Primary and Thurstan College Colombo, Anura with the little music training that he had gained from being a part of the school choir, joined the “La Ceylonians” in 1967. “I would not be here today if it was not for my master Noel Ranasinghe who gave me a place in his band, and Lylie Godridge who trained my voice,” he says with gratitude.
Anura travelled around the world, singing Sinhala songs with the “La Ceylonians”. They represented Sri Lanka at the Yamaha World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo in 1967 where they received a certificate of merit for their performance. He has performed at numerous Sri Lankan food festivals in many leading hotels abroad including Hotel Maurya Sheraton in New Delhi, the Taj chain across India, Lai Lai Shangri- La hotel in Taiwan, Beverly Hills Wiltshire Hotel, USA, Hotel Hilton in Amsterdam and the Hilton in Germany.
“The Balladeers” was formed shortly after Anura left the “La Ceylonians” in 1986. His close friend Stanley Welgampola named this band and wrote the lyrics for most of his songs. The original members of “The Balladeers” were Rohan Silva who played the mandolin, harmonica, pedal steel, and guitar and also sang together with Nilantha Ariyaratne who played bass guitars and vocals. The late Asoka Ratnapala was among those who played the guitar and did the vocals for the first album of “The Balladeers”-‘Welcome to Sri Lanka’.
‘Welcome to Sri Lanka’ was released in 1990, with 13 original compositions of the Balladeers. This incidentally was the first Sri Lankan Sinhala lyrical music CD launched in France. The CD was sold in 22 countries and three of his videos were telecast in 57 countries.
Anura is currently creating a new style in music around the flamenco, the music of the gypsies in Spain and has even got down a flamenco guitar. “I am not a flamenco guitarist and I have never learnt it under a professional but I love this music because I have many friends who play it and I’ve decided to create a new style using Sri Lanka as my inspiration.”
Today, Anura is back in Sri Lanka, after more than 20 years in France, to enjoy the peace that has returned to the island. His second album, “Sitting Pretty in the Ocean” released in 2006 is a call to those out there to visit this “heaven on earth”. He is positive that talented Sri Lankan musicians could be a great source of attraction to tourism with a little more exposure to the industry.
As the first Sri Lankan member of SACEM, the French authors, composers and editors union, Anura hopes for such a body here too and is disappointed by the lack of interest shown by those involved in the industry. Yet, he seems to have not given up on his aim -- to boost the tourist industry with the magical Sri Lankan beat.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Dogs and dont's
Published On The Sunday Timesm(SL) August 01, 2010
Handling dogs in a humane manner while giving priority to the handler’s safety
By Azra Ameen and Afra Naufel, Pix by Nilan Maligaspe
Freeze….no it’s not a game. Stand still and don’t move, the moment you see an angry dog charging you. For if you run, the dog will sense your fear, chase you and take a nip. If you are still, it will hesitate before pouncing.
Municipality workers catch a dog for vaccination
These are the valuable tips that the Community Liaison Officer of the Blue Paw Trust Renuka Malkanthi gives on prevention in a country where the National Hospital reports 1,600 dog-bites on average every month.
Dogs are extra alert if their food is around or they have puppies. So, don’t go near their food or their puppies, she advises, stressing that one must refrain from annoying a caged or tied dog because that animal is already angry about being restricted.
Such a dog could lunge at you and may very well be able to break free, she says. Keep a distance of about 10m from a tied dog to avoid its jaws, while being conscious of the fact that if the dog is infected with rabies, the virus will transmit easily to the brain of a human if bitten in the upper part of the body. In an unfortunate situation where you are attacked by a dog, cover your ears and face.
Teaching the handling of dogs at the workshop.
These important points were discussed by Malkanthi at a four-day workshop organized by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the Blue Paw Trust for Animal Control Operatives in July at the CMC’s Veterinary Department auditorium at Dematagoda.
Veterinary surgeons and dog catchers from the Colombo, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Kandy, Kotte and Negombo Municipal Councils along with Health Ministry veterinary surgeons participated.
The workshop aimed to train the participants on handling dogs in a humane manner while also giving priority to the handler’s safety.
Many dog-catchers who handle stray dogs to vaccinate or sterilize them are not concerned about their own safety, said the Blue Paw Trust’s Project Manager for Colombo humane dog population and rabies management, Shevanthi Jayasuriya.
Incidentally, the workshop also introduced the name ‘animal control operative’ to take away the stigma attached to the name dog-catchers.
Earlier the CMC caught and killed stray dogs as a measure of preventing rabies, said Chief Municipal Veterinary Surgeon Dr. S.D. Eleperuma, adding that since 2006, however, there is a “no-kill” policy. Strays are vaccinated and also sterilized.
Working with the Blue Paw Trust and the WSPA, we have managed to vaccinate and sterilize 4,300 of the 5,000 stray dogs in Colombo city, he added.
Handling dogs in a humane manner while giving priority to the handler’s safety
By Azra Ameen and Afra Naufel, Pix by Nilan Maligaspe
Freeze….no it’s not a game. Stand still and don’t move, the moment you see an angry dog charging you. For if you run, the dog will sense your fear, chase you and take a nip. If you are still, it will hesitate before pouncing.
Municipality workers catch a dog for vaccination
These are the valuable tips that the Community Liaison Officer of the Blue Paw Trust Renuka Malkanthi gives on prevention in a country where the National Hospital reports 1,600 dog-bites on average every month.
Dogs are extra alert if their food is around or they have puppies. So, don’t go near their food or their puppies, she advises, stressing that one must refrain from annoying a caged or tied dog because that animal is already angry about being restricted.
Such a dog could lunge at you and may very well be able to break free, she says. Keep a distance of about 10m from a tied dog to avoid its jaws, while being conscious of the fact that if the dog is infected with rabies, the virus will transmit easily to the brain of a human if bitten in the upper part of the body. In an unfortunate situation where you are attacked by a dog, cover your ears and face.
Teaching the handling of dogs at the workshop.
These important points were discussed by Malkanthi at a four-day workshop organized by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the Blue Paw Trust for Animal Control Operatives in July at the CMC’s Veterinary Department auditorium at Dematagoda.
Veterinary surgeons and dog catchers from the Colombo, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Kandy, Kotte and Negombo Municipal Councils along with Health Ministry veterinary surgeons participated.
The workshop aimed to train the participants on handling dogs in a humane manner while also giving priority to the handler’s safety.
Many dog-catchers who handle stray dogs to vaccinate or sterilize them are not concerned about their own safety, said the Blue Paw Trust’s Project Manager for Colombo humane dog population and rabies management, Shevanthi Jayasuriya.
Incidentally, the workshop also introduced the name ‘animal control operative’ to take away the stigma attached to the name dog-catchers.
Earlier the CMC caught and killed stray dogs as a measure of preventing rabies, said Chief Municipal Veterinary Surgeon Dr. S.D. Eleperuma, adding that since 2006, however, there is a “no-kill” policy. Strays are vaccinated and also sterilized.
Working with the Blue Paw Trust and the WSPA, we have managed to vaccinate and sterilize 4,300 of the 5,000 stray dogs in Colombo city, he added.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Differently-abled students show their creativity
Published On The Sunday Timesm(SL) July 18, 2010
By Afra Naufel and Azra Ameen
Each item was a little masterpiece. They had all been created with great effort and care by a special child. The colourful paintings hanging on the walls had a message to the world, that said- "Yes, we can do it too."
The students of 'The Colombo Centre for Special Education' displayed their talents in different forms, on July 14 at the Lionel Wendt gallery. The exhibition was titled 'Expressions 2010'.
The expressions came in a wide array: paintings, collages, wall hangings, hand made wrapping paper, greeting cards, wooden items, embossed work, serviettes and dish towels. The items were available for sale at a bargain price.
Preparation for the exhibition started in January. Attention was given to bringing out the abilities of each student, said their art teacher, Anusha De Silva who explained that they created collages by blending colours using old magazines and the students even made the tassels of the wall hangings.
The aim of such an exhibition was to encourage the students. "They love seeing their work displayed," said the centre's executive director Charika Muttiah, who said it would help bring in funding for these students.
The 28 mentally-disadvantaged male students who are above the age of 18 are supported by the teachers and volunteers with much care. The teachers have a gift themselves- they need special qualities to deal with the differently abled. "What's special about these children is that they do not know how to keep a grudges or take revenge. That's a beautiful trait in them and it's easy to work with them," said Anusha.Expression 2010 was a success and it was a joy to see the smiling bright faces behind the work.
Link : http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100718/Plus/plus_25.html
By Afra Naufel and Azra Ameen
Each item was a little masterpiece. They had all been created with great effort and care by a special child. The colourful paintings hanging on the walls had a message to the world, that said- "Yes, we can do it too."
The students of 'The Colombo Centre for Special Education' displayed their talents in different forms, on July 14 at the Lionel Wendt gallery. The exhibition was titled 'Expressions 2010'.
The expressions came in a wide array: paintings, collages, wall hangings, hand made wrapping paper, greeting cards, wooden items, embossed work, serviettes and dish towels. The items were available for sale at a bargain price.
Preparation for the exhibition started in January. Attention was given to bringing out the abilities of each student, said their art teacher, Anusha De Silva who explained that they created collages by blending colours using old magazines and the students even made the tassels of the wall hangings.
The aim of such an exhibition was to encourage the students. "They love seeing their work displayed," said the centre's executive director Charika Muttiah, who said it would help bring in funding for these students.
The 28 mentally-disadvantaged male students who are above the age of 18 are supported by the teachers and volunteers with much care. The teachers have a gift themselves- they need special qualities to deal with the differently abled. "What's special about these children is that they do not know how to keep a grudges or take revenge. That's a beautiful trait in them and it's easy to work with them," said Anusha.Expression 2010 was a success and it was a joy to see the smiling bright faces behind the work.
Link : http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100718/Plus/plus_25.html
Painting the Good Truth
Published On The Sunday Timesm(SL) July 18, 2010
By Afra Naufel and Azra Ameen
“Inspired by sources both in and around me, my soul’s eye paints fleeting illustrations, lasting as long and as steady as clouds in an open sky. These momentary pieces, more often than not, in striking shades of black and white, are soon transformed into work that is visible to the human eye.” This is how Rochelle Motha, the artist behind the 32 paintings of “Good Truth” on display on the walls of the Barefoot Gallery, sees her first ever solo art exhibition.
A past student of Good Shepherd Convent Kotahena, Rochelle began taking lessons with Mrs. Gothami Seneviratne when she was 14. She graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Bangalore, India, and is now back in Sri Lanka from the UK.
Rochelle says she is inspired by Van Gogh’s use of colour and Rodin’s work for the purity of the human form. Sri Lankan people, reading and writing, that she has come into contact with in the recent past, all serve to fuel her art. “The display is all about painful poetry,” said Rochelle. “I used typography in my art because I believe that visuals are strong but words are stronger.”
“There is ultimately no such thing as good art or bad art-but merely a level of honesty and forthrightness that makes art truly inspirational or at its worst, memorably bad,” says the young artist. Her work will be on display until July 25.
link : http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100718/Plus/plus_13.html
By Afra Naufel and Azra Ameen
“Inspired by sources both in and around me, my soul’s eye paints fleeting illustrations, lasting as long and as steady as clouds in an open sky. These momentary pieces, more often than not, in striking shades of black and white, are soon transformed into work that is visible to the human eye.” This is how Rochelle Motha, the artist behind the 32 paintings of “Good Truth” on display on the walls of the Barefoot Gallery, sees her first ever solo art exhibition.
A past student of Good Shepherd Convent Kotahena, Rochelle began taking lessons with Mrs. Gothami Seneviratne when she was 14. She graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Bangalore, India, and is now back in Sri Lanka from the UK.
Rochelle says she is inspired by Van Gogh’s use of colour and Rodin’s work for the purity of the human form. Sri Lankan people, reading and writing, that she has come into contact with in the recent past, all serve to fuel her art. “The display is all about painful poetry,” said Rochelle. “I used typography in my art because I believe that visuals are strong but words are stronger.”
“There is ultimately no such thing as good art or bad art-but merely a level of honesty and forthrightness that makes art truly inspirational or at its worst, memorably bad,” says the young artist. Her work will be on display until July 25.
link : http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100718/Plus/plus_13.html