Saturday, March 31, 2012

Judge refuses bail to three Peradeniya u’grads

, The Island

By Cyril Wimalasurendre

KANDY: Central Provincial High Court Judge Manilal Waidyatilaka refused bail to the three undergraduates of the University of Peradeniya, held in remand custody in connection with ragging, torturing and sexually assaulting a fresher. He ordered the prison authorities to escort the suspects to the University Examinations Centre on the days they were to sit the examination.

The bail application was filed by the parents of the suspects.

When the case was called on Thursday (29) State Counsel Nalin Hewawasam objected to bail as investigations by the CID were not complete.

He further told court that if bail was allowed the suspects would hamper investigations. They had committed offences of serious nature, he said.

Attorney Sudath Karawita, appearing for the suspects, submitted to Court that the suspects had to sit an examination in the University on April 2nd.

He further submitted that the investigation of the allegations were not properly conducted and that the inquiring officers had not visited scene of the incident.

High Court Judge Manilal Waidyatilaka put off further inquiry into the bail application for May 4.

In this case, undergraduates of the University of Peradeniya P. G. Charith Lakmal, Ruchila Madusanka and P. T. Yohan Sandaruwan have been held for allegedly ragging, assaulting and sexually harassing a fresher.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Bandula ready for public debate


Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene said today said he was ready for a public debate to prove that a family of three could survive with a monthly income of Rs.7500.

He told a news conference he would meet anyone with a sound knowledge of economics to disprove what he said.

Mr. Gunawardene said his argument was that a small family could survive on Rs.7,500 a month and pointed out that school hostels spend only Rs.2,500 to feed a student for a month.

The minister who used to be an economics teacher said a family spends only 41 per cent of the monthly income for food and the rest is spent on clothes and to pay utility bills.

He said this is what is computed by the Colombo Consumer Price Index which works out the average income of a family and their spending patterns.
The minister said his argument was based on sound economic principals and he could prove it any time. (Yohan Perera)

Agro chemicals damage environment, health



By Maheesha Mudugamuwa, The Island.

Agro chemicals have already done plenty of harm to environment and become a major cause of many non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka, Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute Director Lalith Kantha Jayasekara told The Island Yesterday (28).

According to world statistics, agriculture mortality rates have remained consistently high throughout the world in the last decade in contrast to other dangerous occupations. Farm workers are at a very high risk of occupational diseases due to exposure to pesticides due to inadequate education, training and safety systems, he said.

"The pesticide laced foods we eat, the smokestack befouled air we breathe and the petrochemical based products we use negatively affect our quality of life," Jayasekara said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Ministry Secretary W. A. Sakalasooriya said that ministry has taken steps to manufacture 50,000 MT of organic fertilizers this year to increase crop productivity, improve soil fertility and reduce chemical fertilizer imports.

He added that the Government was investing about Rs. 500 million a year for that purpose and had also made a Rs. 500 million allocation for organic farming last year. The allocation is made not only to make organic fertiliser but also to train farmers on how to make organic fertiliser and popularise organic farming.

By increasing the organic fertilizer the government can save valuable foreign exchange spent to import chemical fertilizer, Sakalasooriya said.

The Ministry has also conducted a large number of organic fertiliser projects around the country. The Organic Fertiliser Promotion Centre was established in Weligama recently at a cost of Rs. 4.5 million by the Agriculture ministry. The main objective of the establishment of this organic fertilizer centre is to encourage people to grow fruits and vegetables free from chemicals.

Driving children to suicide? Who is responsible?

, The Island.

article_image
Your editorial of March 27, ‘Driving children to suicide?’ is indeed praiseworthy. I wish to congratulate Prof. Chandrika Jayasinghe, a junior colleague mine on her excellent article in The Island of March 23 on this subject where she had made use of her own experience as a mother of her young daughter as well as a medical teacher. She belongs to a rare breed of medical professionals in this country who write regularly to the press (mainly in The Island news paper) on current issues thereby exhibiting her social conscience and therefore her intense patriotism.

My intention is not to delve into the psychological, social and medical consequences of the current education system which has been dealt adequately by your editorial as well as Prof. Jayasinghe’s letter. I wish to consider some possible causes and identify who is responsible for this malady. It is certainly not the child who is at fault but most of the blame should be borne by the parents themselves as well as the educational authorities who in turn are dictated by the politicians. The politicians have seen to that the economic development of our country do not percolate down to all sections of the society. They perpetually keep them undereducated and therefore misinformed so that hey could be fooled by exotic promises made at an election time. The upcountry Tamil politicians have done it so effectively so that the economic standards of the estate sector have not appreciably improved during the past several decades. While most of their children are being educated abroad, it is the children of the poor and the middle classes who have to compete for the limited resources that are available to them and it is so intense that it has become a do-or-die battle for some of them. The farmer or the carpenter or the manual labourer does not wish his child to follow the same vocation and the only avenue left for them to advance their future is based on a sound education. In this respect it has been shown by recent reports that most children who commit or attempt suicide belong to the lower social classes.

The parents are at fault since it is they who drive and push these children to unattainable goals since all children are not made intellectually equal. They do not recognize the potential of a child to train for a profession that the child would be good at. Instead every parent wants his or her child to be a doctor, an engineer or an accountant or a lawyer since that is where future economic stability lies. In contrast children of rich families are aware of the fact that it doesn’t matter what educational stream he chooses as he knows well that he will some day inherit the fortunes of their parents. The second reason why the parents are at fault is it is they who ultimately vote for the politicians to come to power and enrich themselves at the expense of those who elected them.

Prof. Upali Illangasekera,
Professor in Medicine,
University of Peradeniya

FUTA (Pera) condemns SB’s statement



By Cyril Wimalasurendre, The Island.

KANDY: The Federation of University Teachers’ Association’s Peradeniya Branch totally rejected and condemned a statement purported to have been made by Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake recently that the security personnel of the Peradeniya University were supplying ganja (cannabis) to university students.

A statement released by the FUTA Peradeniya Branch under the signatures of the President D. P. Abeyratne and Secretary A. S. Liyanage yesterday (28) said that Minister Dissanayake had made an unreasonable and undue accusation.

"What we observe from the statement is that he is making a vicious attempt to ridicule the entire university student population through the security personnel that they are addicts to intoxicants such as drugs and cannabis and create the impression in the public that the university students are a set of vagabonds, and thereby promote the private university concept," the release adds.

The release has highlighted the valuable service rendered by the university security personnel under trying conditions with a sense of responsibility and coordination.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Official committee report says Government agencies misled by school authorities


Malabe private medical venture, Sunday Times
  • Repeated warnings by SLMC regarding the real position ignored by parents
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi
The entire process of setting up the controversial private medical school at Malabe was flawed, a high-powered official committee has charged. The committee, headed by Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu, said the private medical school authorities particularly its founder Dr. Neville Fernando had misled Government agencies and despite repeated warnings by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) regarding the real status of its medical degrees, parents continued to enrol their children in response to SAITM advertisements.
The committee confirmed that the accreditation of foreign and overseas-connected medical universities lies with the SLMC and that the future of the medical school of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Management (SAITM) is a decision the SLMC has to make.
“… the SLMC should decide whether the accreditation should be denied or conditional accreditation or full accreditation should be granted,” it said, in the report which was handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa last Thursday by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena. The SLMC is the only regulatory body that accredits foreign medical colleges which allows those graduates to practise in Sri Lanka once they pass the Examination for Registration to Practise Medicine (ERPM) – earlier known as the Act 16 exam.
The probe followed complaints and concerns by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and the SLMC that the institute had not followed proper procedures. It had registered as a Board of Investment (BOI) enterprise, not as a medical university and not obtained SLMC sanction.
Much of these concerns were reported by the Sunday Times on September 18, last year, headlined, ‘Management sees guinea pig students as way out of crisis.’
The committee comprising Dr. H.R.U. Indrasiri (the Health Ministry’s Deputy Director-General for Education, Training and Research), Prof. Jayantha Jayawardena (Director of the Post-Graduate Institute of Medicine), Dr. Palitha Abeykoon (former Director of the World Health Organization) and Mrs. A.R. Ahamed (the Health Ministry’s Legal Officer), made a strong recommendation that in future any application for a private medical college must be considered by a joint committee comprising representatives from the Health Ministry, BOI, SLMC and the University Grants Commission (UGC) while also seeking the views of the relevant trade unions and professional associations.
“The approval to establish a medical faculty and the degree awarding status should be granted only following such an agreement,” the report, a copy of which is in the possession of the Sunday Times, said.
The committee said SAITM should apply to the SLMC for accreditation and the SLMC should respond by initiating the process. “Whether this should be done before or after completion of the new hospital, has to be resolved by the SLMC. It is desirable to commence the process as soon as possible since students have already been admitted after the Gazette notification and it is necessary to monitor the academic and administrative conditions,” the report said.
It noted that even after the newspaper announcement of the Health Ministry that SAITM should suspend enrolment of new students for the medical degree until the issues are resolved, it had made a public advertisement to enrol the 5th batch. The committee dealt at length with the process that SAITM and its founder Dr. Fernando followed, finding flaws in the process. For example, it said when SAITM applied for BOI approval there was no medical degree involved in the courses which included health sciences.
“Thus it was established without a Medical Degree Programme.”
The BOI had said that SAITM should seek approval from the Health Ministry prior to starting training in health sciences and that it is permitted to offer degrees only after affiliating to a recognized foreign university, both of which, the committee states, were not done as the evidence shows. Furthermore, two batches of students were taken in without prior approval from the Health Ministry or the SLMC.
Referring to a letter written by Dr. Neville Fernando to the BOI stating that “the Health Ministry approval has been obtained”, the committee observed that no such approval had been obtained from the Ministry.
The committee also found that several statements in letters written by Dr. Fernando to the BOI and other authorities were incorrect.
It also said that students for the medical degree programme were admitted in September 2009 much before SAITM got official confirmation of affiliation with the Russian-based Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy (NNSMA) - another violation of the rules.
It referred to repeated warnings by the SLMC to the public in respect of the legal position of SAITM and its medical degree programme which had said SAITM advertisements were misleading and had incorrect information.
In the discussion with SAITM officials, the report also said….“on a question posed to them, the officials admitted that they had admitted two students who did not meet the current SLMC criteria for admission and that they will ensure this will not be repeated.” In the observation, the committee states that in this batch of students it appears that “at least” two do not meet the criteria.
Meanwhile, health circles are perturbed that the Director of Private Health Sector Development of the Health Ministry at that time, Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva, had allegedly issued a letter that the “……ministry approves the project in principle” and “congratulates SAITM on establishing a high-tech hospital for teaching in Malabe”.
What authority did he have, queried many sources, pointing out also a “conflict of interest” in the light of speculation that his offspring is a student at Malabe. The Sunday Times contacted the residence of Mr. Fernando yesterday, but he was not available for comment.
GMOA happy with report but has reservations
Our concerns have been substantiated, said GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Sankalpa Marasinghe, when contacted by the Sunday Times. While “happy with the observations overall”, Dr. Marasinghe, however, expressed reservations that the committee had gone beyond its mandate to suggest a way out of the mess for SAITM.
He urged the authorities including the Health Ministry, BOI and the judiciary to act on the findings, particularly to look into the involvement of non-authorized officers.

Committee recommends solutions to private medical college problem



By Don Asoka Wijewardena, The Island.

The committee appointed by the Ministry of Health to clarify issues related to the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine at Malabe has, among six vital conclusions, stated that admission of new batches of students in the future should be done strictly on the basis of UGC criteria and in accordance with the requirements of the Sri Lanka Medical Council.

The five-member Committee handed over its report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa last Thursday. The Committee comprised Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr.Ravindra Ruberu, Dr.H.R.U. Indrasiri, Prof Jayantha Jayawardena, Dr.Palitha Abeykoon and Mrs A.R.Ahamed.

In the case of students enrolled prior to private medical college being granted degree awarding status on August 30, 2011, the Committee has suggested three "possible options that could be offered" to its management, parents and students for consideration.

On the question of the private medical college obtaining Sri Lanka Medical Council recognition, the committee has recommended that it apply to the SLMC. "Whether this should be done before or after completion of the new hospital has to be resolved by SLMC. It is desirable to commence the process as soon as possible since the students have already been admitted after the gazette notification and it is necessary to monitor the academic and administrative conditions. Following the completion of the formal procedures, and as in other instances, the SLMC should decide whether the accreditation should be denied or conditional accreditation or full accreditation should be granted."

The committee said that the SAITM had to ensure that the new teaching hospital would be completed and fully operational at a date agreed by the management, UGC and the SLMC.

"While the work on the completion of the hospital is proceeding it is important for the SATIM engage the ministry of Health closely as the latter will need to play the role of facilitator by providing access for students to certain facilities required for community medicine (such as MOH Division), special campaigns and supra-special units such as cardiac and neurosurgery etc."

"The UGC and SLMC should advice the management of SAITM to ensure that only one batch each year is admitted for training as done in state medical faculties," the committee has recommended. "Such admissions for local students should be based on AL results of that year or the equivalent examination as being done for admissions to the State Medical College."

The committee commenting on the difficulties in establishing of new medical schools says that "many of the difficulties encountered by the students, MOH and the SLMC on account of this issue were due to decision making processes being done in isolation, with inadequate interactions, and often on verbal assurances. In certain instances it appears that the management of SAITM had misinterpreted the true situation regarding the status of the course and the recognition of the degree."

 

Role of education in reconciliation

, The Island.

article_image
A "National Conference on the Role of the Education in Reconciliation" was hosted by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS) on Tuesday, 13th March, 2012. The government officials, primary and tertiary education authorities, private sector, diplomatic community, international organizations, academia, media and eminent actors in the education field participated at the reconciliation through education conference. The focus of the third conference in the Series on National Reconciliation was to discuss how education can contribute in changing attitudes and perceptions among all segments of society, especially the future generation of Sri Lanka. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Chairman, Minister of External Affairs delivered the Keynote Address. Mr. Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Executive Director of the Kadirgamar Institute who delivered the Welcome Address and chaired the first session said that, Reconciliation - in particular, the issue of dealing with the past - should be addressed directly in schools. Education can play a vital role in strengthening and supporting a positive identity. Mr. Abeygoonasekara recommended Education Packs under the theme of "Role of Reconciliation" to be introduced nationally into the schools where values and ethics- empathy, toleration, moderation, humanity, and skills to live in a multicultural and multiethnic country are taught to both teachers and students. Such a system thus will help inculcate a Sri Lankan identity among students and instructors ensuring future stability of the country.

Over conscious racial and linguistic identity

Delivering the keynote speech Prof. G. L. Peiris expressed that Sri Lanka is leaving behind its painful divided past and looking into the future with ‘fortitude and confidence’. "In situations of that sort the national institutions, national policy, national thinking must bear the primary responsibility for devising appropriate solution that are best suited to the culture of the country, its societal structure, its history, its heritage and that’s why primacy has to be given to the national effort." Over conscious racial and linguistic identity can be harmful and it’s seen as one of the serious problems that has affected the country. He added that the National Trilingual policy as a successful answer to overcome such obstacles. Having 26 years of experience as an university teacher, Hon. Prof. G. L. Peiris fervently requested the teachers, academics and educators, who has the power to shape attitudes and perceptions of students to take up the ‘sacrosanct responsibility of disseminating knowledge, not only knowledge but analytical capabilities in the minds that they come into contact with and the minds that they mould in the course of their teaching".

Six prominent professionals in the education field delivered speeches at the national conference. Prof. Rohan Gunaratna, Head, International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research – Singapore said that the rehabilitation of ex combatants in the country was an immense success with about 500 former members of the LTTE, under 18 years of age being rehabilitated. Some of them have been eligible for university entrance and some have entered the medical school. Prof. Gunaratna added, "this clearly demonstrated the spirit of the Sri Lankan people, even though they were former combatants, even though some of them did killings in the North East or even outside that area that the response of the Lankan public and the government was to rehabilitate and reintegrate them".

Prof. Rohan reiterated the need of schools with multiethnic set up to act as role models with more interactive programs and student exchange activities that have impactful capacity to spur reconciliation. The future of Sri Lankan student needs to grow up not as Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Christians but together as Sri Lankans. The call of the day for the school system is the desegregation of schools that are popular by ethnicity or religion into education institutes that permits the school children to grow up as Sri Lankans. "The greatest heritage we inherited is the heritage of harmony" Prof. Gunaratna fervently added. This common heritage could not be enjoyed by the Sri Lankan people as the political leaders from North and South exploited the ethnicities and the religiosities of the people. I think that our education system can create the ideal Sri Lankan for the future and I hope that this conference will spur debate especially among the elite of our vision to build that ideal Sri Lankan".

Mohal Lal Grero, Monitoring Minister of Education, delivering his speech added that education can be used as a guiding tool to avoid conflicts as well as a mechanism to resolve conflicts through mutual respect and inculcated cultural and spiritual values. Among a variety of ways Sri Lankan society adopts to create change in attitudes of future generations, increased communications methods, Hon Grero pointed out as an effective tool to build harmony between different ethnic groups. Encouraging dialogue and debate within the school system is also needed in the current education system. The role of the teacher is of utmost importance with regards to expanding pupils’ horizon away from racial or pre conceived notions based on religion or ethnicity. Therefore it is important to educate the teachers with new approaches as opposed to dogmatic teaching methods Hon. Grero further added. The second session of the conference was moderated by Mr. Prasanthalal de Alwis, Director, Visiting lecturer of the University of Colombo.

Mrs. Nirmalie Wickramasinghe, Principal, Ladies College Colombo explained that English language as a link language has aided in maintaining solidarity and quality standards of a renowned private school in the country. Over the years even though the language policies have changed, English as a link language has helped maintain solidarity among different ethnic and religious groups of children within the private school system. Mrs. Wickramasinghe also shared the reconciliation initiatives undertaken by Ladies College Colombo, in collaboration with other sister schools in the country for the children of NE provinces to create friendships among children from South and the North.



Issues in the North and East

Mr. Sundaram Divakalala, former secretary North & East, Cultural Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Education, expressed that the conflict the country had as a ‘Conflict of Resources’. He urged the need of sufficient resource allocation and distribution of such to Vanni areas that needs much attention. In the education sector Vanni suffers from lack of teachers, with about 35 defunct schools in Vanni out of 140 defunct schools for the entire NE provinces. Another impeding factor in the education system is the lack of a proper mode of transport. Almost all the teachers in Vanni are daily travellers from Jaffna. This has resulted in a loss of learning hours and fatigue among children and teachers. Teaching is conducted without prior preparation thus efficiency losses encountered in the system. The implementation of an Emergency Education Plan for the war affected areas with special attention to Vanni was proposed by Mr. Sundaram Divakalala as oppose to the existing the traditional education plan. The key areas reconciliation need to address in NE, Mr. Divakalala added as poverty alleviation, psychosocial Intervention and social reintegration of populace. Youth are an important segment in the reconciliation process as well. It is required to support psychosocial well-being of youth, involvement in community-based relief, recovery and reconstruction programmes. He further added "Young people should be at the forefront of the country’s change and innovation. If they are empowered, they can be key agents for development of peace. This can be achieved through vocational and skill training that not only helps to augment their incomes but also increases their sense of identity and self-worth in ways that enhance their psychosocial well- being. Training thus is s one of the most important dimensions of an emergency education response".

More than service delivery, the ways to re-establish socialisation and restore identity needs be identified and introduced to the education development programs especially when operating in areas affected by decade’s long conflict. Armed conflict destroyed homes, separated families, split communities and broken down trust among people. Conflict has disrupted health and education services. Helping war affected children to build on their own strengthens and resilience, in collaboration with trusted caregivers, is an important strategy in the process of healing. Children who have been continually exposed to violence almost always experience a significant change in their beliefs and attitudes, including a fundamental loss of trust in others. The psychosocial concerns intrinsic to child development must be taken into account. Mr. Divakalala concluded by stating the need of a holistic and a delegated approach for national reconciliation where the relevant state and non-state institutions work hand in hand in the revival of the education system and protecting the younger generations in NE.

NE provinces suffer from adverse consequences after decade long violent conflict with increased violence and abuses on orphans, children and women. Mrs. Emelda Sukumar, GA Jaffna, adding to the discussion stated a teething problem in NE, with about 600 annual reported child abuse cases of girls between 10- 12 years in Jaffna peninsula and in the island of Delft. The need to enforce strict penalties to perpetrators was strongly highlighted with an immediate policy intervention in the NE provinces. It is imperative that state agencies- The National Child Protection Agency (NCPA) - external stakeholders- activists of women and children’s rights, UN agencies such as UNICEF and INGOS, form partnerships and alliances with state institutions to address the issue by immediate interventions through intensified awareness campaigns in NE.

A cultural impediment to teaching was brought into light with teachers abstain from instructing subjects such as Reproduction. Thus lack of awareness through school education, cultural and traditional attitudes, and economical conditions- poverty and dependence, therefore being attributed as aggravating factors in the NE provinces in relation to an increase in child abuse, sexual exploitation of women and children and domestic violence.

Dr. Rajasingham Narendran, former Associated Professor of King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, delivered an insightful discourse on the topic of "Role of Education in Building a Harmonious Society: Challenges and Opportunities". "As a prelude to resolving conflicts there should be a willingness to accept there is a conflict, understand the reasons from a multi-dimensional and ‘other’s’ perspective, forgive, apologize, trust, be trustable and desist from mutual recriminations. Education can provide the necessary mindset". Education should instil ethical values in society with an awareness and appreciation of each other’s cultural heritage. Thus education needs to foster a mutual respect for each other and among different ethnic groups. "Education should transform us into an ‘Ethical nation’, from one that is built on expediency. Education is the key that opens the door to the riches within man. Education then would bring out the ‘God’ in man and not the ‘Devil’ ". Dr. Narendran posed the critical questions regarding the education policies in the country. ‘Does the education system we have, yet based on its colonial foundations, suit us in terms of our cultural, religious and philosophical heritage and needs as peoples? Does our education system recognize the differences in the potential of students and cater to it?"

Modern education has created a society in which competition and conflict are in-built and selfishness and self centeredness are virtues. "The education system should embrace the dedicated institutions, the home and society. The best from the west should be incorporated, but not permitted to diminish or blow away what is ours and makes us what we are. Further, the menace of private tuition in school subjects should be eradicated to provide the child the time to learn other things of value in life. The first alphabet ‘Aana’ was taught with the aphorism ‘Aram seyya virumbu’ (Desire to do things that are harmless), ‘Aaavanna’ was taught through ‘Aaruvathu sinam (Let anger cool) etc., which were concepts that are valid throughout one’s life," Dr. Narendran stated. Our conventional knowledge is overseen and omitted from school syllabus’ thus the children grow up to be divided and self-centred. "An education system that can make us a cultured, wise and thinking people can make us reconcile, and become a harmonious society. This is the challenge".

Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratna, Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education spoke on ‘Current Initiatives in Education for Building Harmony". Reconciliation must be rooted in fundamental values such as respect and equality, be concerned with issues of pluralism, and address specific issues of culture, identity, class and gender. Authorities cannot impose trust and empathy by decree; nevertheless, they can create a climate that encourages private steps towards reconciliation. The requirement of our society in the present context is a paradigm shift in attitudes and within the education system. The new paradigm therefore need be the "multiethnic and multi religious Sri Lankan paradigm". In the aftermath of conflict the higher education has moved in with new initiatives by forming new partnerships with Columbia University and Jaffna University. Other new approaches consists of leadership ateliers with about 22 000 university students island wide undergoing education programs related to personality development and leadership.

Changing attitudes

Mr. Yusuf explained the crucial role education plays in changing attitudes. Mr. Yusuf stated that crisis can sometimes bring the best of each individual and societies (i.e during the Muslim evacuation in NE,Tamils pleaded with LTTE; during the Asian Tsunami in 2004 LTTE helped the soldiers; Catholics and Protestants live in harmony in NE) therefore the question presently before us is finding a path to regain that faith and solidarity. "Education plays a crucial role in finding the path out of a tormented and painful past. With our reservoir at root with good will, shared heritage and values it’s important that Sri Lankans find their way together" Mr. Yusuf added.

It was the collective view of the speakers at the conference that reformations to the school system are fundamentality required to produce future generations to be respectful to differences, be united, enriched with values and ethics in order to move forward with a shared goal. The dynamic component of reconciliation needs to be inculcated into the syllabuses. It’s essential that a program for teachers be commenced and the competing narratives of history be re adjusted. To enhance the social strength it’s important to introduce programs that sentise teachers. In terms of training school teachers as teachers act as role models and children imitate them. The present education system is limited and generates skills and values aimed at economical gains. It is also important to consider that some of the minority perception that unemployment and lack of opportunities which is often attributed to ethnicity is a probable misconception while the root causes of such attitudes may lie elsewhere (politicians). Mr. Yusuf further stressed the need to align these (misperceptions) with regards to reconciliation. He was of the view that class room education can play a vital role while sport can be a binding factor. When you participate in sportive activities, do things together the misunderstandings dilute and attitudes change he concluded.

The conference consisted of an interactive Q&A session. Educating children is comparatively an easy task when compared with educating adults in order to make shifts in perceptions and attitudes among them. It may therefore be necessary to introduce a program aimed at changing perception and attitudes in adults who will be nurturing and rearing the young eventually passing the prejudices to their children.

A holistic approach adopted by an NGO’s using a Venezuelan model, with music as the link language has been implemented successfully in NE provinces. The educators and Zonal Educational directors of NE shared many successful stories in relation to developments in the educational field. The educators expressed that awareness programs, cultural integration through art, dramas, adopting new teaching methods and formations for teachers and principals as well as establishing partnerships with funding agencies as few such initiatives that could address ails of the system. In order to address the competition at university entrance, responding to a question from the audience Dr. Nawaratna, Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, stated that non-state universities are opening up as an alternative method aimed to lessen competition. A shift in current education system is already taking place, he further added. The need to develop a quality education system based on interpersonal and social skill development that instils and fosters leadership qualities, respect for others attitudes, enhances critical thinking , and develops analytical ability were also emphasised by Dr. Nawaratna.

Overstress of culture with an aim of creating a peaceful society has reversal consequences by adding up to conflict generation. It is vital to find the balance and evaluate how thus far the outcome of policies has been impacted societies. Harking back into past policies- Sinhalese language as the national language introduced in 1956- is an example of how state led processes have antagonised communities. It is therefore crucial to focus on functional integration of all segments of community thereby education can be considered to compliment the cultural economical and political progress of Sri Lankan society. The participants and the speakers urged therefore to re-think the present changes related to History, a subject taught in schools, to be answered in onemother tongue as an issue needing immediate attention.

Rev. Sister Canice Fernando, former Principal of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya said psychological aspects are important to rebuild peace among societies affected by violent conflict. Sister Canice explained a variety of psycho-social reconciliation methods commonly applied for NE. Creative expression through arts, music, drama, dance and story-telling, the development and promotion of self-help groups, conducting workshops and re-training, education and re-skilling; promoting family reintegration and reunion of individuals dislocated from communities and families, counselling and group support are the often used processes. The Psychosocial centres inaugurated in the NE by simply focusing on creating a safe environment where those affected by conflict can meet, network, share experiences and focus on establishing new routines has been highly effective and a successful method in war-torn NE provinces. Such programmes have helped different ethnic groups accept commonalities and differences leading towards communal harmony and national unity. Sister Canice stressed the importance of Self-help groups within communities especially among women and the emotional support or practical help received to large number of windows in the NE.

JVP dissidents complain of discrimination against former suspended u’grads

, The Island.

article_image
by Dasun Edirisinghe

More than 60 undergraduates of the Sri Jayewardenepura University yesterday blamed the university administration for delaying Mahapola and Bursary payments to them during the last two years.

Representative to the Students Council Ven. Kumbullewe Chandaloka thera said that 67 students from the Management, Arts and Applied Sciences faculties had not received Mahapola or bursary payments for varying periods.

"When we make inquiries from the university administrators, they dodge the issue," he said.

Chandaloka thera said that some students from rural areas were in dire financial straits as a result.

Those students had been suspended a few years back, but university administration itself lifted the suspension orders later, he said.

JVP dissidents’ students council member said that when they complained to the Mahapola Trust Fund it said the university administration had yet to send letters confirming the lifting of the suspension to the fund.

"This is the examination period and they would launch a protest against this delay in paying Mahapola and Bursary to those students after completing the examinations," Chandaloka thera warned.

Undergraduates receive Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 2,000 monthly as Mahapola and Bursary payment respectively.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

VCs condemn US resolution

, The Island.

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Directors (CVCD) expressing their great concern over the unfolding situation at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva says that the resolution brought by the United States of America (USA) against Sri Lanka is an ill-conceived and unnecessary intervention into the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

Following is the text of the statement issued by the CVCD under the signature of its Chairman Prof. Susirith Mendis:

"We, the Vice Chancellors and Directors of the Universities in Sri Lanka are greatly concerned about the unfolding situation at the UNHRC Sessions in Geneva, Switzerland. We believe that the United Nations was established to develop peace, harmony and goodwill among member nations.

"The resolution brought by the United States of America (USA) against Sri Lanka is an ill-conceived and unnecessary intervention into the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. It symbolizes a threat to the dignity and sovereignty of all small nations.

"We are of the view that Sri Lanka must be given the time and space to rebuild our country that has been torn by a thirty-year war. This is being done by the collective effort of the government and the people of Sri Lanka. Building trust and mutual understanding is necessarily a long and arduous process.

"We believe that powerful nations must assist Sri Lanka and lend their support and goodwill to ensure that this process is strengthened so that reconstruction and rehabilitation of the war-scarred people and war-ravages villages can proceed without distraction.

"We wish for an outcome at the UNHRC Sessions that will not create precedents that are harmful in the long-term to the much-valued concept of mutual respect and understanding between and among member states of the United Nations.

"We request all nations that are concerned about fairness, equity and all-inclusive, evenhanded principles of justice and fair-play in international relations to support Sri Lanka at this crucial juncture."

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Einstein Archives website

Original Einstein manuscripts to be posted online

, The Island.

article_image
JERUSALEM (AP) — Albert Einstein’s complete archives — from personal correspondence with half a dozen lovers to notebooks scribbled with his groundbreaking scientific research — are going online for the first time.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which owns the German Jewish physicist’s papers, is pulling never-before seen items from its climate-controlled safe, photographing them in high resolution and posting them on the Internet — offering the public a nuanced and fuller portrait of the man behind the scientific genius.

Only 900 manuscript images, and an incomplete catalog listing just half of the archive’s contents, had been posted online since 2003. Now, with a grant from the Polonsky Foundation UK, which previously helped digitize Isaac Newton’s papers, all 80,000 items from the Einstein collection have been cataloged and enhanced with cross referencing technology.

The updated web portal, unveiled Monday, features the full inventory of the Einstein archives, publicizing for the first time the entirety of what’s inside the collection and giving scholars a chance to request access to items they previously never knew existed.

"Knowledge is not about hiding. It’s about openness," said Menachem Ben Sasson, president of the Hebrew University.

Einstein, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist whose theory of relativity revolutionized science, was one of the founders of the university. He contributed the original manuscript of his famed theory to the university when it was founded in 1925, four years after he was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics. He bequeathed the rest of his papers — and the rights to the use of his image — to the university upon his death in 1955.

The portal now offers a close look at an initial 2,000 documents, or 7,000 pages total, from Einstein’s personal and public life up to the year 1921. In the coming years, archivists will slowly upload the remainder of the collection.

The online project is part of an initiative with Princeton University and the California Institute of Technology to publish annotated scholarly work on all of Einstein’s papers.

The Hebrew University’s Einstein collection includes 14 notebooks filled with research notes in small cursive handwriting, letters to Einstein’s contemporaries on his physics research, and a handwritten explanation of his theory of relativity and its summarizing equation EMC2 (energy equals mass times the speed of light squared).

It also includes lesser-known papers, including a postcard to his ailing mother, private correspondence with his lovers, and a pile of fan mail Einstein received about his wild hairdo.

"I saw your picture in the paper. I think you ought to have your haircut," one 6-year-old girl wrote in large block print.

In another note, a researcher wrote: "I’m making a scientific survey to determine why genius so often tends to long hair."

One document made public for the first time denies the commonly held view that Einstein’s Jewish identity developed later in his career, as Hitler rose to power.

In the aftermath of World War I, in which Germany was defeated by Allied powers, German Jewish scientist Fritz Bauer criticized Einstein’s decision to go to the United States to raise funds for the Hebrew University. Bauer accused Einstein of being disloyal to Germany.

In response, Einstein wrote: "Despite my declared international mentality, I do still always feel obliged to speak up for my persecuted and morally oppressed fellow clansmen, as far as it is within my powers ... this involves an act of loyalty far more than one of disloyalty."

The curator of the archives, Roni Grosz, said the letter makes Einstein’s priorities clear. Eastern European Jewish refugees in Germany had been denied entry to universities after World War I, and Einstein saw it as an injustice.

"He couldn’t fix it in Germany, so he worked hard to find another solution — for fine young Jews to study in a university in Jerusalem," Grosz said.

The curator said the university would publish a copy of Einstein’s grades as a young student, hoping it would dispel a popular myth that Einstein did poorly in school. The university is also posting a 20-year-old Einstein’s correspondence with scientists, showing how advanced his research already was at that early age.

Other parts of the collection expose the scientist’s private life, especially a trove of letters to his half dozen lovers, and his interest in a host of social issues, from nuclear disarmament to African-American rights and the Arab-Jewish conflict.

In a letter to an Arab newspaper before the establishment of the State of Israel, displayed to the public for the first time since its publication, Einstein outlined his proposal for Mideast peace: An eight-member "secret council" of Arab and Jewish physicians, judges, clergy and labor representatives which would negotiate a settlement to the conflict that divided them.

The Hebrew University holds rights to Einstein’s image, and prohibits advertisers from inappropriately using his likeness. In 2010, the university sued General Motors Co. for grafting the scientist’s head onto the body of a well-toned, shirtless man in an ad in People magazine. The ad had the slogan "Ideas Are Sexy Too."

Hanoch Gutfreund, former president of the Hebrew University and now responsible for Albert Einstein’s intellectual property, said the collection’s online exposure put Einstein’s best face forward.

"More than anyone else, he expressed his views on every agenda of mankind," Gutfreund said. "Now we have a complete and full picture of that person."

 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

FUTA demands: Communiques with the MOHE

Unemployed Graduates accuse govt. of favouritism



by Dasun Edirisinghe, The Island.

 Unemployed Graduates, who protested in demand for public sector jobs, now claim that the government was providing jobs to certain graduates without calling for applications.

Spokesman of the Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates (CAUG) Dhammika Munasinghe told The Island that the government provided jobs, without calling for applications, to graduates who were their henchmen in the Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, Kandy and Moneragala Districts.

He said that graduates who passed out several years ago were still waiting for employments while the recently passed out graduates received employment opportunities.

"Most of them worked for the UPFA during the campaign for the recent elections," Munasinghe said adding that they got jobs skipping the waiting list.

The CAUG complained to the Human Right Commission, too, against the provision of jobs without a proper list and asked that the appointments, given through political influence, be cancelled, he said.

The JVP rebels–led unionist said that government politicians forced the unemployed graduates in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to work with the government’s political campaign to obtain employment.

Munasinghe said that there were about 5,000 unemployed graduates in the country when incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over.

Over the past six years, the number of unemployed graduates had since risen to 40,000.

The government completely forgot the issue in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 budgets, he said.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Govt. docs warn of island-wide strike action in a fortnight

Gives ultimatum to resolve DAT issue

, The Island.

article_image
By Suresh Perera

Government medical practitioners have decided to adopt a tough stand by calling for an island-wide strike in hospitals within a 14-day framework if an official circular on their key demand – an enhanced Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) allowance of 29,000 rupees – fail to materialize, officials said yesterday.

At a stormy emergency session of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) branch of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) on Friday, a resolution was unanimously adopted to issue an ultimatum to the government to honor its pledge to push up the allowance or face the prospect of country-wide trade union action, they said.

"Our membership was fully supportive of a strike as there is no option to win this just demand", they explained. "We want to see it in black and white as empty promises have only led to more frustration".

The resolution is expected to be placed before the GMOA’s powerful General Committee on Sunday (25) for overall sanction and a decision on the timing of the proposed trade union action, the officials said. "We are going all out this time as the wait for the pledge to be honored has been long".

A DAT allowance of 5,000 rupees was first granted to government doctors in 1993. Subsequently, it was increased by 10,000 rupees, but when doctors asked for 29,000 rupees, as approved by the Health Ministry and the Treasury, the President at the time had wanted time to implement it because of the war situation, the officials recalled.

"Three years after the end of the war, we are still waiting", they pointed out."We need to get this issue sorted out at this juncture".

Turning vociferous, the membership accused GMOA President, Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya of siding with the government to thwart an earlier planned strike action by the NHSL branch, the biggest in the country with more than one thousand doctors, they asserted.

"There was displeasure over the attitude of the GMOA chief with some members openly challenging him to at least organize a one-day strike in the interest of doctors to disprove the charge that he is more eager to please the powers that be", they said.

Some members had also wanted a General Committee (GC) meeting be called to take "appropriate action" against Padeniya and the Executive Committee as they were not satisfied with his conduct as the President in the struggle to win legitimate demands.

There is also provision at a GC session to move, by majority vote, a no-confidence motion against the Exco, as witnessed in 2003, when Padeniya himself was the secretary of this 15,000 strong body. An interim committee was appointed until the next election was held.

Asked why he came under flak, Padeniya replied, "These are people who want to create agitation without divulging their names. Why can’t they agree to be quoted on these news reports without remaining anonymous?"

When told that members face the prospect of expulsion if they are quoted by name in the media, he shot back, "the GMOA is a democratic organization. I was elected and we have a media committee and a spokesman. Are these people so spineless not to reveal their names".

"It didn’t happen the way they try to project – these people have no spines. That’s why they want to hide and give various versions. Give me their names as a responsible journalist".

When told that journalists believe in fundamentals and are not under obligation to him to reveal their sources, Padeniya replied, "if you are not prepared to name your sources, you can keep your fundamentals and I have nothing further to discuss with you".

‘Set up your Universities in Sri Lanka, we will help you’

Minister S. B. Dissanayake

, The Island.

article_image
By Steve A. Morrell

Minister of Higher Education, S. B. Dissanayake said the Sri Lankan Government would encourage Universities in Britain to establish their seats of learning in Sri Lanka. This possibility would be within Education policy of the Government to eventually establish Sri Lanka as a Regional education hub in Asia.

"We will help you. The British Council here has already moved forward to conduct exams and allied courses in English to enrich our students on use of English ", he said at the British Council’s 19th Annual Education UK Exhibition, where he was the chief guest on Friday.

Inauguration of the three day exhibition attracted students and post tertiary educated persons intending to pursue further studies in the UK or in Sri lanka.

Country Director, The British Council, in Sri Lanka, Tony Reilly, in a brief note of welcome said the Minister’s vision to change the landscape for Higher Education in Sri Lanka was clearly set out for the future of education here. 56 Universities from The UK were represented at the Exhibition; suggesting wide choices for opportunities that could encourage students to select subjects best suited for their future.

The British Council’s ‘ Going Global’ International conference, to be held next week in London, would be a forum that would attract over 1000 delegates . The Minister would represent Sri Lanka. ‘ I would look forward to meeting you there’, Tony Reilly said.

Opportunities offered would broad base employability and such qualification would ensure suitable job placings.

The International Conference would present Government’s plans to establish Sri Lanka as a regional educational hub and will address a global audience of top level higher education stake holders.

Manager International Higher Education, The British Council, Niroshi Siriwansa, and Manager Marketing and communications, Randima Jayasinghe, said organization for this event started in June last year, and since then clinical placing of various structures had to be decided and in place well before the event.’ What you see this morning is the culmination of hard work ‘

Senior Lecturer in Sport & Event Management, Ian Webster, of the Coventry University, and International Officer, South & South East Asia, Coventry University, Kevin Dunn, talking to the ‘The Island’, said the course fee including duration, and choice of study would cost about Rs. 1.5 million.

Reiterating this figure was barely an assessment that could vary, more or less, would be each student’s commitment. They further said there were allied alternatives that included study in Sri Lanka, conducted by the University, equally valuable for academic qualification. Additionally, distance learning was also available based on modules and connected costs which were more cost effective and equally valuable. Choices were varied and quite substantial they said.

There were other scatological focuses that were also important. For instance educational tourism, and Sport tourism. For instance in about two weeks when the English cricket team tours Sri Lanka, people from the UK who would be here to watch and numbers in arrivals not be insignificant .

Sri Lanka in its present atmosphere of openness could benefit from opportunities that would come its way.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Waiting till the cows come home

Idioms beautifying language IV

, The Island.

article_image
By Vijaya Jayasuriya

Idioms change over time. They undergo differences in their meaning and form from time to time and are accordingly recorded in contemporary dictionaries so that learners have no reason to worry about these changes. However they would do well to have a knowledge of these differences as they are bound to come across original forms of these idioms in early writings like novels and plays, for example books by Shakespeare and Dickens.

A good example is ‘com to’ whose meaning in the Oxford dictionary (1964 edition) includes ‘inherit; return to one’s senses from a fainting fit’ while Collins too defines it as ‘re-cover from a fainting fit and return to one’s normal sensible attitude.’

Meantime Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (ALD) 1974 edition changes this to ‘come to one’s senses/oneself ‘meaning’ become conscious after fainting’ while the 2010 edition equalizes it to ‘come around or come round’ with the meaning ‘to become conscious again’ eg: His mother hasn’t yet come round from the anesthetic.’

‘Hoe come’ is also a popular expression meaning ;how something can happen’ expecting an explanation from the interlocutor. ALD (1974) puts it down as a slang use meaning ‘How does/ did that happen’ : eg: How come (that) you just sat there doing nothing?’

A beautiful idiom ‘when the cows come home’ (Collins) the new ALD presents as "Till the cows come home while ‘;come down to earth’ is expanded to include ‘bring down to earth’ as well. Other idioms that have undergone slight changes either in their form or meaning will be recorded accordingly. Even Collins reports of these changes thus. It is typical of the continual change that language is undergoing’ (Page 67)

Learning should never be postponed – the earlier the better. An idiom related to this idea is ‘To wait till the cows come home’ meaning ‘to wait for a long time or even for ever’. To this Collins gives the meaning ‘never’ and describes it as getting delayed also: ‘Cows when the time comes for them to be milked, they meander extremely slowly to the milking shed’. An interesting way of using this idiom is: ‘She is not going to marry till the cows come home’ (to mean ‘for along time’ or even ‘never’)’

‘It’s time for you to come down to earth shedding those highfalutin ideas’ – ‘come back /down to earth’ (with a bang) or ‘bring someone back/down to earth’ is to return or make him return to a normal way of thinking or behaving after a time of being excited or impractical. It also means ‘stop day-dreaming, and return to practical realities.’

‘Being down-to-earth’ is also a similar phrase (concerned with realities; practical; contrasted with impractical, vague, idealistic etc.) eg: He’s a down-to-earth sort of fellow (ALD 1974) ‘simple and practical in a way that is helpful and friendly’ (ALD: 2010).

The term ‘come to grief’ Collins presents as ‘circumstances of failure or disaster that would cause sorrow, regret etc. ALD (1974) has expanded it to include ‘bring somebody to grief or come to grief’ meaning ‘cause someone to /meet with misfortune, injury or ruin. The new edition of ALD gives tow senses to this: 1) To end in total failure 2) to be harmed in an accident eg: Several pedestrians came to grief on the icy pavement.

‘Count one’s chickens before they are hatched’ is defined by Collins as ‘with over-confidence make plans depending on events that many not happen. He quotes an Aesop’s fable in which a market-woman selling eggs plans to buy a goose and then a cow and with dreams of growing rich she in her excitement kicked over her basket and all her eggs were broke. ALD records it as ‘Don’t count your chickens (before they are hatched) meaning’ You should not be too confident that something will be successful because something may still go wrong.’

‘Crocodile tears’ is simply defined in ALD as ‘insincere sorrow’ while its latest edition gives the meaning. ‘They pretend to be sad about something, but they are not really sad at all’ Collins describes it as being ‘hypocritical show of grief or hypocritical show of grief’. Sinhala has the exact equivalent ‘Kimbul Kandulu’.

‘She was a cross as two sticks’ means annoyed and irritated. Oxford dictionary gives the explanation ‘peevish, out of humour’ also. ‘Very bad-tempered’ (ALD -1974). The new edition gives the example; eg: I was cross with him for being late; lease don’t get cross, let me explain. (annoyed; quite angry).

‘I don’t want to cross swords with you’ is defined as ‘to fight or argue with somebody’ – ‘contest a question; enter into a dispute or argument’ (Collins). A further explanation; generally used with reference to opposing a rather redoubtable opponent’ (ibid)

‘An evening at the opera is not everyone’s cup of tea; ‘He is nice enough but not really my cup of tea’. ‘Not one’s cup of tea’ is ‘not what somebody likes or is interested in according to ALD (2010). Collins provides a long explanation to it referring to tea as a ‘universal social drink’. Starting from tea as being ‘not my cup of tea’ it is used by extension in general reference to other things that do not suit one’s taste; ‘eg: an entertainment at a theatre, a book etc. with the meaning ‘whatever others may like, that is not the sort of thing to appeal to me.’

‘His is a case of cupboard love’ can be used about an affection that is shown in the hope of getting something by it. ‘A child hoping for cake’ is also an example. (ALD – 1974).

‘Trying to curry favour with somebody’ means trying to win favour or approval by using flattery, etc. the latest dictionary meaning is ‘to try to get somebody to like or support you by praising or helping them a lot.’

There are a number of idioms used with the word ‘cut’ eg: You really cut a dash in your new kit’. ALD explains this as ‘to look attractive in a particular set of clothes, especially in a way that makes other people notice you. According to Collins the verb ‘cut’ gives the meaning ‘make’ which ‘dash’ means ‘showy’ appearance’ (a way of behaving that combines style, enthusiasm and confidence’ (ALD – 2010). The word ‘dashing’ is also synonymous: ‘a dash in young man; his dashing good looks etc. (attractive, confident and elegant).

The verb ‘cut’ is again used to mean ‘make’ in the idiom ‘cut a figure’ eg: She cut a striking figure in her new dress’ ALD (1974) gives it as ‘cut a fine/poor/sorry etc. figure’ (make a fine etc. appearance).

‘My opinion is by no means cut and dried’ and so is subject to change’ – ‘cut and dried’ is an idiom commonly used even in speech to mean ‘already formed and unlikely to change’.

‘They cut it very fine by arriving just before the train started’ means to leave yourself just enough time to do something. ALD (1974) explains the idiom as ‘leave oneself only the minimum of what is needed, yet gives within brackets the restriction: ‘especially time’.

‘Look sharp’ is an idiom with a similar meaning – waste no time’ hurry. ALD (2010) recommends it as a way of instructing; ‘sued in orders to tell somebody to be quick or to hurry; eg: You’d better look sharp, or you’ll be late.

‘Cut corners’ is also an interesting one often used by language aficionados. ALD (1974) sets out its literal meaning as ‘(of a driver of a motor-vehicle) go across, nto round them (the corners when driving fast’ and then gives the figurative meaning as ‘simplify proceedings, ignore regulations etc. to get work done quickly.’ ‘Take a short –cut’ is also given as a general meaning of the idiom under the entry ‘cut’ – ALD (1974). In the new edition (2010) this idiom is explained thus: ‘to do something in the easiest, cheapest or quickest way, often by ignoring rules or leaving something out’ eg: they cut corners to finish the work as soon as possible.

‘You’re going to cut off your nose to spite your face!’ means to damage one’s own interests in a fit of bad temper. Also meant is doing something to harm someone else but it arms you too.

A fine idiom conveying good advice is ‘to cut your coat according to your cloth’ meaning ‘restrict your expenditure on a particular thing to your available means or your income’ Collins also adds: ‘adapt oneself to circumstances’. The idiom is good to the ear as well with the alliteration of the two words ‘coat’ and ‘cloth’ – both on the consonant and the vowel.

‘She is not cut out to be a teacher’ – ‘be cut out for/to be something’ is to have the qualities and abilities needed for it.

‘My uncle cut that Gordian knot by donating his money to the poor’ (When the relations were grappling to grab it). To cut/untie the Gordian knot is to solve a very difficult problem by taking suitable action. The origin of the idiom is one king Gordins who made a complicated knot and said that whoever undid it would become the ruler of Asia. It 2as Alexander the Great who cut through the knot with his sword’ (Collins).

‘He was cut to the quick when he was scolded by the principal’ is to upset someone very much by doing or saying something unkind. (‘Touch’ is also used in place of ‘cut’). The ‘quick’ is the tender, sensitive flesh under the skin and especially the nails; eg: bite one’s nails to the quick.

‘The meeting turned out to be a dam squib’ is an idiom meaning ‘an event that is disappointing because it is not as exciting or impressive as expected. ‘squib’ is a firework that does not go off when it is damp.

‘She was just a dark horse till she won the game of tennis’ – ‘a dark horse’ is one who keeps quiet but surprises others with interesting qualities or by winning a race etc. (According to Collins the origin is horse –racing referring to a horse about whose capabilities little is known.

"Her knowledge of English cannot held a candle to her sister’s’ ‘not as good as her sisters in comparison’; eg: You can’t hold a candle to him in speaking English.

‘Call it a day’ is a very popular and widely used idiom with the meaning ‘to decide or agree to stop work’. Mr. Lenie Gunawardana, a language luminary who visited Peradeniya English teachers; training college as a guest lecturer when we were novice teachers there during early seventies flamboyantly used this term; ‘Shall we then call it a day’ encouraging us to delve deep into the treasure trove of English idiom. This can also be sued for lifetime engagements. ‘After forty years in teaching I think it’s time for you to call it a day now’ (to retire).

‘We have to face the problem of garbage day in day out’ means ‘continuously or every day for a long period of time’; ‘Year’ is also an alternative; eg: We have to pay this amount year in year out.’

Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s fourth commemorative lecture

, The Island.

The fourth commemorative lecture on Sir Arthur C. Clarke will be delivered on March 19 from 4.45 p.m. to 6.25 p.m. at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies Auditorium (BMICH premises).

According to a media release from the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies the lecture will be delivered by the Founder- Executive Director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand Prof. Suvit Vibulsresth.

Prof. Vibulsresth has made a pioneering contribution to the development and applications of Space Technology capabilities in Thailand. Prof. Vibulsresth’s has made important contributions in this field as the first Vice Chairman of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Use of Space (UNCOPUOS) and as the Vice Chairman of the Second Ministerial Conference on the Regional Space Applications Programme of the UNESCAP, the release said.

Technology and Research Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi will be presiding over the event.

Friday, March 16, 2012

University dons gird themselves for trade union battle

, The Island.

by Dasun Edirisinghe

President of the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri told The Island yesterday that the government had been informed that unless their problems were solved immediately, they would be left with no alternative but to resort to trade union action.

"Ministry has reneged on the promise again and we will make a final decision on the issue at our executive committee meeting scheduled to be held on March 21," Dr. Devasiri said.

Dr. Devasiri said that Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne had written to FUTA that the matter had been referred to the National Salaries and Cadre Commission.

FUTA members had a discussion too with Dr. Navaratne on Monday and the meeting had ended inconclusively, he said.

The senior academic said that they temporarily suspended their trade union action on July 21, 2011 on the assurance of the government.

Higher Education Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne said that he had discussed the problem with FUTA members and another round of discussion would be held shortly

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Another batch passes out:Musings on Pera Convocation

, The Island.

article_image
By Liyanage Amarakeerthi

Department of Sinhala

University of Peradeniya

For those of us in the Sri Lankan academia happiness is something rather fragile, but we enormously cherish whatever little happiness that life offers us. As university academics the happiest moment of our life is to see our students graduate. This year, we at Peradeniya are even happier that they are graduating in time.

These are troubled times for national universities. We do not know how much the fund cut the government contemplates for the next year will amount to. Even to get whatever little it gives, one has to write an endless number of proposals, letters, reminders and the like. For those of us in the faculties of arts the challenge is far greater because we have to prove annually that what we are doing is worth doing. Those great Enlightenment thinkers in Europe, we thought, answered all the skeptic questions asked of the validity and utility of arts and human sciences. We thought for example, Immanuel Kant convinced the world that the utility of arts is a utility of a different kind. Nevertheless, we still find ourselves facing those questions all over again. Still, we are happy, however fragile that happiness may be, because another batch of students is graduating from Peradeniya.

A protracted trade union struggle by university teachers was suspended a few months ago in the hope that the government would honour its promises. Many months on, the promises are still to be kept. Concerned about the future of students, the university teachers are still trying to negotiate with the government. Students, too, remain unhappy due to many different reasons while the proposed private university bill has been the main cause of unrest among the students.

Students are hardly perfect; they have not been able to stop the inhumane tradition called ‘ragging,’ though Sanjaya Bandara, the Convener of Inter-university Student Federation reportedly said that "ragging is something far too outdated". They want to fight for revolutionary changes to have greater democracy while holding on to so called ‘traditions’ that are totally authoritarian. It is learnt that certain political parties do use ragging as a tool of indoctrination. A political movement that employs ragging as a means to achieve certain ends cannot be trusted however lofty its goals may be. The ragging, however, seems to be a much more deep-seated phenomenon than it is often represented in the popular media. Where pro-government student unions are in power, there is ragging!

State and state media exaggerate ragging in order to use it as an excuse for interfering in university affairs. After spending so many millions on so-called leadership programmes, the government has not been able to curtail ragging or any other acts of violence by students, who, too, do not show much of maturity in dealing with the State encroachment on university autonomy. Incidents of violence are reported from almost all universities. The response of the State to student activities has been overly violent. When students engage in protest march at Peradeniya, for example, the state turns Galaha Junction into a battlefront. To observe all of these is disheartening for some of us.

Despite all this, we are proud that another batch of students is graduating from University of Peradeniya.

We at the Faculty of Arts have many reasons to smile in spite of difficulties, and in fact, we are able to smile. The Faculty of Arts, which is often called the pride of the university, experiences more difficulties than others. Thee result from inadequate resources and funding. While student intake has gone up annually over the years the allocation of funding either remains the same or has dwindled. The Faculty of Arts, however, with the support of the Vice Chancellor and the rest of the university, was able to score some noteworthy achievements in the recent past.

In December 2011, the faculty organized the first ever-international conference in the Humanities and Social Sciences attended by national and international scholars. A host of internally known scholars, intellectuals and dignitaries such as Prof. Savithri Gunasekare and Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala supported us by giving keynote addresses and participating in plenary sessions. The conference was a forum where all of us were reminded of the significance of the intellectual freedom and autonomy of the university. We could raise a new awareness that the role of university was to promote critical thinking. The conference beautifully supplemented a re-discovery that we made during our trade union actions. It is true! We re-discovered that university education was for freedom and emancipation from dogmas and all forms of oppression. At least some of us, did make that re-discovery. Our international conference only strengthened that renewed understanding. During the conference, some graduating students, too, became even more aware of what they could do to make their society better place for everyone.

The opening of a new postgraduate centre at the Faculty of Arts is another achievement of ours. It is by a beautiful creek that runs across the campus. A significant percentage of the cost was borne by the Faculty itself. As Dr. O. G. Dyarathna Banda, Chairperson of the higher degrees committee mentioned at the inauguration, money had come from the savings the faculty made during years of postgraduate teaching. Although we are still years away from starting a fulltime graduate education system, something like many international universities have, this centre has surely brought us a step closer to that goal. We do hope that the creme de la creme of graduating class will return to us as postgraduate students.

The Faculty of Arts could play an active role in the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Prof. Ediriveera Sarachchandra’s play Sinhabahu––one of the landmarks of South Asian theatre and the contributions Peradeniya dons made to the modern Sri Lankan art. At the celebrations, we did not blindly worship a work of art but re-evaluate it critically by contextualizing it anew, rethinking its theme, felicitating its creator, and even lamenting that we could not continue with some of the traditions established by great men like Sarachchandra. But, many of us are at work to regain the tradition of critical inquiry at the Faculty of Arts, for which University of Peradeniya is well known.

There are talks of non-state universities of international standards. It is great if we have institutions of quality higher education that we could call ‘real universities’ for the brightest sons and daughters of the nation. However, an institution that trains mere mercenaries for a field that is likely to be ephemerally in vogue cannot to be called a university in the real sense of the word. The Faculty of Arts at Peradeniya, in spite of its limitations, currently offers an impressive range of courses and degree programme in seventeen departments thus becoming the largest Faculty of Arts in the country. And we teach those at an unbelievably low cost compared to many universities in the world. For sixty years we have tried not to lose our grip on the universal ideals of a true university.

Therefore, on March first 2012, we are happy that those graduates have had an education only a true university can provide them. They are university graduates - of course Peradeniya ones. To be happy on that day would be one of small way of safeguarding our national university system. In that sense, our happiness, it is true is fragile, but it is still political.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Docs decide unanimously to strike

, The Island.

By Don Asoka Wijewardena

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) General Committee yesterday unanimously decided to launch a country-wide strike after March 13 to protest the non-payment of their agreed Disturbance, Availability and Transport (DAT) Allowance. The exact date of the trade union action would be finalized on March 13.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Treasury Chief Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr. Ravindra Ruberu and the Salaries and Cadre Commission had agreed to pay Rs. 29,000 as DAT Allowance in 2008, but doctors had been paid only Rs. 15,000 up to now, GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Nalin Ariyaratne told The Island.Dr. Ariyaratne said that when the GMOA delegation met President Rajapaksa in 2008 over the issue, he agreed with the GMOA’s demand to increase the DAT Allowance as he was convinced that it was a reasonable demand. President Rajapaksa had requested the GMOA to wait for a while to obtain the full allowance as the government’s expenditure had skyrocketed at the time due to the war.

Most doctors were unable to make both ends meet due to high accommodation and fuel costs. Although it was a genuine plea of the GMOA, it had fallen on deaf ears. Doctors had been discriminated against in this regard as other high ranking public officials were being paid Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 80,000 as transport allowance. This was a great injustice meted out to doctors, he said.

Dr. Ariyaratne added that doctors attached to all main and base hospitals would keep away from work except emergency services. Treatment Required in Acute General Emergencies (TRIAGE) would be attended but inpatients and outpatients would be affected in the hospitals. The GMOA had no alternative but to take the strong trade union action to win its demands.

"The GMOA is not affiliated to any political party. It is a trade union established to protect the welfare 16,000 doctors. Due to spiraling cost of living doctors find it difficult to live near hospitals. Some doctors do not have their own cars and they have to come from far away. The long delay in the non-payment of the DAT Allowance to doctors cannot be tolerated by the GMOA any longer," Dr. Ariyaratne stressed.

Getting the language mix right to develop Sri Lanka

, The Island

article_image
Welcome

Welcome to the eighty-first (81st ) edition of the regular column "The Catalyst".

The Education System

One of the main issues that Sri Lanka faces is its language problem. While the languages of Sinhalese and Tamil are extremely important as mother tongues to most Sri Lankans, English can play a vital role as the common medium. One of the key aspects for the future of the country is to get our language mix right. This is something that has gone wrong for us in the past. Conducting state affairs in Sinhalese meant that the native Tamil speakers couldn’t deal with the government in a language that they are comfortable in, and that in turn reduced life opportunities for them. Not only the Tamils but also the native Sinhalese speakers were also adversely affected. The lack of English skills weakened the capability and potential of our students to deal with the emerging knowledge based society.

Recently the government decided to declare the year 2012 as the Year for a Trilingual Sri Lanka. It is a commendable initiative to encourage the people of Sri Lanka to communicate effectively in all three languages. The Cabinet of Ministers last week approved a Ten Year Plan formulated as the basis for a National Programme to motivate the people to acquire trilingual skills. The fact that the President himself has taken the initiative to make this a personal practice is a positive gesture and there is nothing better than leading by example.

However, I would like to point out that the method in which we teach English in our schools needs improvement. After teaching students the language for duration of the entire school period, we have students coming out at Year 13 who can’t speak a word of it! Obviously there is a problem, and I hope this weakness will be considered and rectified when teaching three languages.

The way to teach a language is by encouraging the application of it. Along the way, the students should be trained to use it in practical scenarios. Just teaching the grammar and concentrating on writing doesn’t necessarily improve language skills.

For example, Sri Lankans who travel to countries like Italy, the Middle East or Japan, learn the respective languages of those countries relatively fast. That is because people are put in a situation where they have to use it. To use it, they have to learn it.

Another key factor is to take gradual measures to remove the exam oriented nature in the education system. Parallel to that, there needs to be a process that introduces and implements skill-based education. A part of it could be looking at the delivery modes as discussed earlier. At the moment, there’s very little practical work but includes a lot of writing, as students are expected to memorise notes. Nevertheless can we make it more of a practical environment where the students actually learn out of interest? There is a difference between learning vs teaching. What we do is mostly teaching, of course it is important in certain areas, but it has to be mixed with learning. That is getting the student to do things practically; research, read, observe, experiment and learn. This means that the motivation for the learning should come from within the student. And the teachers’ task would be to encourage and develop that learning skill. They are the traits we need to develop in a student to have a generation that is more innovative, takes initiative and adds value to the country using their talent.

Reconciliation

Solving some of these problems in regards to the language mix could be achieved through changes in the education system and that can have a favourable impact on the reconciliation process in our country. Although the Geneva summit and various international forces are talking about taking action against human rights violations, I believe these are the real problems on the ground to be solved for a sustainable peace.

Let’s set aside the past, move forward and build a better future!

In this light, the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS) in its series of events to promote reconciliation will convene the next national conference on the "Role of Education in Reconciliation" on Tuesday, 13th March from 2:00-6:00 pm.

Education is a critical tool in Sri Lanka’s path towards long term reconciliation. Education can be used to promote tolerance, co-existence, and moderation. Once the dust settles after a conflict – inter-ethnic, inter-racial, internal or external education is a common and a vital call. Education offers the chance to shape minds, hearts, and behaviours of succeeding generations.

It is important that we educate the young people to respect others, to make friends and that the beauty of society lies in our differences. It is important to make them understand the cost of group hatred, the tools for resolving disputes and skills to negotiate, to stand up against demagogues and to be peacemakers. A morally educated generation will help prevent future violence and atrocities.

For education to be holistic, it needs to account for its various dimensions such as culture of understanding, non-violence, tolerance, mutual respect and co-habitation, intercultural and interfaith understanding, linguistic diversity, peace and love. Promotion of such values, attitudes, and behaviour directs communities towards a harmonious and a more secure society. This transformation of values could aid in the process of healing and reconciliation thereby strengthening cooperation on a country’s shared goals – peace, prosperity and the well being of all citizens.

Speakers at the conference
will be:

* Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs

* Prof. Rohan Gunaratna, Head, International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research

* Hon. Mohan Lal Grero, Monitoring Minister of Education

* Mr H.M. Gunasekara, Secretary, Ministry of Education

* Mr Sundaran Divakalala, Former Secretary North & East, Cultural Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Education

* Mr Rajasingham Narendran, Former Associate Professor, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

* Ms Nirmalie Wickramasinghe, Principal, Ladies’ College, Colombo

* Rev. Sister Canice Fernando, Holy Family Convent, Rajagiriya

* Mr Javid Yusuf, Former Principal, Zahira College, Colombo

* Mr Prashanthalal de Alwis, Visiting Lecturer, University of Colombo

* Participation is by invitation, so if interested please email lkiirss@gmail.com



Young Global Leader from
Sri Lanka

Having mentioned the conference of Kadirgamar Institute, it’s very aptly to mention and recognise that its Executive Director Asanga Abeyagoonasekera has been selected as a Young Global Leader (YGL) for 2012. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Asanga, on matters associated with the reconciliation conference process as a resource person.

During the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this year, 192 exceptional individuals around the world received their official nomination as Young Global Leaders.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders brings together outstanding leaders, aged 40 years or younger, who have committed to devoting part of their knowledge and energy over the next five years to collectively work towards a better future.

Past YGLs include Maria Bartiromo, Managing Editor, Wall Street Journal Report, CNBC, USA; David Cameron, Prime Minister of UK; Esther Duflo, Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Larry Page, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Google and Zhang Xin, Chief Executive Officer, SOHO China.

"In the last few years, the world has seen the biggest recession in almost a century and we now face daunting global challenges," said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. "Recovery and innovation will require new, unique ideas and an environment where the best minds, ideas and leadership can thrive. The most important determinant of this will be how we use human talent. Within the World Economic Forum community, the Young Global Leaders represent the voice for the future and the hopes of the next generation. I am particularly proud of this year’s honourees, who I believe will address the challenges we face in a meaningful way through fresh thinking and true multi-stakeholder engagement."

Asanga is the only son of late Ossie Abeyagoonasekera, Leader of Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP), MP and Presidential candidate who was assassinated by LTTE in 1994 when Asanga was 16 years.

Events

The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) has introduced a new Special Interest Group (SIG) for IT Enabled Services. The newly formed IT Enabled Services SIG will meet for the first time on 15th March at 5.30pm. We are going to discuss about BPOs, the Sri Lankan situation and borrow some insights from India. The speaker is ably suitable for this. He is none other than Mr Pankaj Akhauri, COO- Timex BPO. The venue is, 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo. The date: 15th March and time: 05.30 to 07.30 PM.

The CSSL is organising a session on Free and Open Source Software. This session will specifically talk about "Storing and Processing Big Data with Open Source Tools". The great thing about Free and Open Source Software is that that they are free and they are available for everyone to use and change as required. This presentation will help you understand how to store and process big data with open source tools. The presenter is Deependra Ariyadewa, who currently works at WSO2. This session is also Free and Open for everyone so we invite you to participate. The venue again is, 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo. The date: 13th March and time: 05.30 to 07.30 PM.

For any of the above events, please drop an email to info@cssl.lk or call 11 4713336 to confirm your participation.

See you next week!





The Columnist

Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama is a professional with significant experiences. In 2011 he was recognised as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) in Sri Lanka. Yasas has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from University of Colombo and a Masters degree in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Swinburne University in Australia. He has worked in the USA, UK, Sri Lanka & Australia and being trained in the USA & Malaysia. He is currently involved in the training organisation, Lanka BPO Academy (www.lankabpoacademy.lk). Yasas is also an Executive Council Member of the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL – www.cssl.lk). Apart from this column, he is a regular resource person for ‘Ape Gama’ program of FM Derana (Sunday 3-5pm). Yasas is happy to answer your relevant questions – email him at yva@lankabpoacademy.lk .