Learning foreign languages
The concept of learning foreign languages has always been productive as it enables learners not only to speak and write in different languages but also to explore their cultures and lifestyles. Learning EnglishSo, we can make a start by teaching and learning English before venturing into other languages. There are a number of problems which mar the process of teaching and of learning English as a second language in Sri Lanka. We see that Sri Lankan business entrepreneurs don’t send enough signals to their employees that foreign language and cross-cultural skills are important. But the dominance of the English language outside Sri Lanka that he predicted has now become a reality.
Source:Sunday Observer
November 11, 2018 02:15 UTC
Edifice of St. Lucia: The first Cathedral in Ceylon
A house of prayerWalking into the Cathedral of St. Lucia as a writer was something refreshing for me. We celebrate the feast of St. Lucy on December 13; in addition we celebrate Corpus Christi and the Month of May festival”. On the topmost border there are statues of Blessed Mary, St. Lucia, St. Anthony, St. Peter, St. Paul and St. Francis of Assisi. Sancta LuciaBehind this altar a figurine of St. Lucy is enshrined. The Cathedral of Saint Lucia will remain as a testament to the resilient and faithful catholic clergy and thousands of parishioners.
Source:Sunday Observer
November 11, 2018 02:15 UTC
The bane of the cane
Corporal or in other words physical punishment is defined as any punishment using physical force ‘intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light.’ Most of the time, this involves hitting, spanking, slapping either by hand or another implement such as a cane. Corporal Punishment (CP) usually comes to the lime light for a few weeks during the lineup to and soon after Children’s Day celebrations on October 1. Corporal or physical punishment can do nothing about changing a child’s behaviour, says Prof. de Silva. “In the late 80s, may be early 90s, I saw quite a lot of tragedies including physical abuse and sexual abuse. Physical child abuse is an extension of CP because the act is the same - you hit a child.
Source:Sunday Observer
November 10, 2018 19:30 UTC
Lahiru Kumara: Bigger than the game
Another Sri Lankan cricketer got too big for the game and his boots and was shown the door by Sri Lanka Cricket on the eve of the first Test against England in Galle. He is the 20 year old fast bowler Lahiru Kumara who despite not having a regular place in the team found it fine to break the players’ code. “Lahiru Kumara, who was in the 16 member Test squad to face England in the three match series has been found guilty of breaching the code of conduct of the team. Accordingly, the team management decided to replace him. Dushmantha Chameera comes in as the replacement with immediate effect,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a media statement.
Source:Sunday Observer
November 10, 2018 19:18 UTC
Economy needs national safeguards
He said the economy needs national safeguards. The government’s decision to spend extra money on public sector salaries was an amateurish decision by the government. There was an influx of vehicles into the country which drained a huge chunk of foreign exchange. J R Jayewardene tried to have a blend between the open economy and managed economy. “Sri Lanka has been a welfare economy from 1931 with a 90% literacy rate and the Sri Lankan economy is not a “South Asian economy” in that sense.
Source:Sunday Observer
November 10, 2018 19:18 UTC
Ketchchimalai: The ancient mosque rising above the ocean
The ancient mosque on the hill of Ketchchimalai has stood for almost 800 years, rising majestically in the backdrop of the ocean. One day, the chief priest of the Maradana Jumma Mosque had climbed this rock and was viewing the ocean. Some say, the Governor fell off the horse, while some opine he managed to safely dismount, but the frenzied horse raced towards the Ketchchimalai hill. Upon reaching the vicinity of the mosque the horse seemed to have calmed down and stood still. The cousins Hidayathulla, Nafeel and Hafeefdeen, have faithfully guarded the Ketchchimalai mosque for almost forty years and their enthusiasm has not diminished.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 13, 2018 21:56 UTC
Burden of the GCE O/L will reduce
The government has taken a decision to lower the number of subjects that students have to offer at the G.C.E. Nowadays in our nursery schools, children are taught very difficult things that even an adult will not grasp easily. Dr. N. Kumaranayake Clinical Psychiatrist, says that reducing the O/L examination subjects is the only solution for reducing anxiety and depression among children. The two important barriers in examinations for a student are the G.C.E Ordinary Level examination (which determines entrance to G.C.E Advanced level) and the G.C.E Advanced Level examination which determines University entrance. It is well known that stress is associated with the development of anxiety and depression, and a relationship between stress, anxiety and depression is well established.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 13, 2018 19:18 UTC
Pricing formula, a vital need says Pharma industry chief
Can you explain the current market issues of the pharmaceutical industry? We believe that all parties involved in, ultimately want the same outcome – fairly-priced, reliable quality medicines with equitable availability. If the old pricing system is bought back, will it be a disadvantage to the people? How should the pharmaceutical industry focus be changed along with the emerging health issues (eg. However, this is incrementally complicated in the pharmaceutical industry where there are 3,500 brands available.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 13, 2018 19:14 UTC
The vanishing wattle and daub homes
They prefer to live in eco-friendly wattle and daub houses, which can be spotted in Dambana even today, in the forest. Wattle and daub itself is a timeless technology that has undergone very little change over the years. The peasant family lives in a room a little more than 12 by 10 feet. I was surprised to see an original Wee Bissa (paddy container) in front of each cadjan thatched traditional wattle and daub house in the village. However, in line with the present trend towards small houses, wattle and daub dwellings offers a charming simplicity in an eco-friendly atmosphere.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 21:00 UTC
Solving graduate unemployment
Most professionals, in the public and the private sector, agree on this reasoning. The private sector today, prefers applicants with hands-on-experience of Information Technology (IT), Management, Marketing, Human Resource Management and related services. Some educational experts believe, the expansion of our university enrolment some years ago without a proper vision or plan has directly contributed to graduate unemployment. Therefore, labour market employment opportunities too are rapidly evolving. A feasible solution would be the joint efforts of the Government, universities, private sector and other organisations interested in higher education.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:18 UTC
Fleeing your demons
Demons in Paradise debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. “Maybe the organisers didn’t expect this reaction when they scheduled Demons in Paradise. Film-maker Malaka Devapriya pulled his own film Bahuchithawadiya from the festival in protest against the removal of Demons in Paradise from the program. I wanted it to end, even if my own people had to be killed,” the Tamil filmmaker told the BBC. “This is the way the Tamil community reacts – this is the political culture within the community that is now getting exposed.”
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 UTC
Massira Inclusive
Away from the norm the Asian and European International Charity Fashion Show in Colombo turned the spotlight on differently abled global models with a view to keep them in the forefront of society. The chief guest was Shiranthi Rajapaksa at this colourful show which was staged at the Kingsbury Hotel. Shan Rambukwella was the photographer.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 UTC
SL to get US$ 1 billion from China this week
The pressure on Sri Lanka’s currency is expected to abate with the anticipated receipt of US$ 1 billion through a syndicated loan from the China Development Bank (CDB) this week followed by projected inflows of another US$ 1.5 billion in the coming months boosting reserves, a top Central Bank official told the Sunday Observer yesterday. The Chinese were on holiday last week and the US$ 1 billion should come within the course of this week,” the Governor said, referring to the week-long break in China from October 1 on account of the Chinese National Day celebrations. “Given the fact that interest rates have gone up a lot, it is an excellent deal we have got,” the head of the country’s monetary authority said. The Central Bank said Sri Lanka’s average rate against the USD during the past week stood at Rs. The Panda Bond is a Chinese renminbi-denominated bond from a non-Chinese issuer, sold in the People’s Republic of China.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 UTC
Baseball drive in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Baseball is joining hands with Horizon Campus, Colombo, to improve the sport in the country. Currently, Sri Lanka is ranked 40th out of the 120 registered countries worldwide and ranked seventh in Asia. Last year Sri Lanka won the West Asia Cup and bagged a Bronze medal at the Asia Baseball Cup held in Indonesia in 2015. The Sri Lanka team took part in the 2018 Asia Games and performed reasonably well registering its first win in the tournament. To date Sri Lanka has 30 clubs playing in the National League and 28 schools taking part in the schools tournament.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 UTC
Sri Lanka-England Press Con made prize-giving ceremony
A Press conference involving the captains and coaches of the cricket teams of England and Sri Lanka was turned into a prize-giving ceremony as far as the presenter of the event was concerned as he exhorted journalists to clap for the head table that was present only to answer questions from the Media. He was not the regular and compatible presenter of Sri Lanka Cricket’s press conferences. “Everybody give him a round of applause, put your hands together”, he rattled away each time someone at the head table made a speech. Some members of the foreign English media found it rather amusing as did several senior Sri Lankan journalists who preferred to use their hands to take down notes rather than clap for anyone which can never be a journalistic norm. Sri Lanka Cricket is currently functioning according to a so-called Competent Authority in the absence of an elected set of office-bearers.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 UTC