Despite
the blaze in the picture looks like a major fire,
it was only the conflageration of the large
number of coconut oil lamps lit by devotees at
the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya on New Years's
Day. The accidential blaze was soon brought under
control (Pic by Nimal Dayaratne)
Electricity and Environment
The needs of human beings in Sri Lanka today are far more
important than any other considerations. What is more
important? The preservation of sanctuaries for birds
within a few miles of the centre of Colombo city or the
use of such lands for housing as the city gradually
expands outwards? Should wild elephants be allowed to
destroy sugar plantations or vital paddy fields? If a
pest destroys vital agriculture, then such pests must be
effectively eliminated.
The pioneers responsible for Badulla Visakha
Vidyalaya
Many years after Visakha Vidyalaya was well on its feet,
Gunapala, a premier founding member, by then, a probation
officer, was transferred to Kandy. On the eve of his
departure, the people of Badulla gave him a send-off at
which he was presented with 20 gold sovereigns - one for
each year of his service to the YMBA. He handed one to
his wife, Sumithra and returned the rest to the YMBA.
Now, an octogenarian, Gunapala is still a community
activist in the Hill Capital.
The need for Sinhala initiative
Whether judged by norms of justice or principles of
democracy, there is no question that the interests of the
larger Sri Lankan nation should prevail over the
interests of the few. However, it does not mean that the
interests and concerns of the few are to be ignored. On
the contrary, they must and should be addressed. In the
process of addressing these issues, the concerns and
interests of the larger Sri Lankan nation should not be
jeopardized.