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
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
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
Young people a major risk group, warn experts
The rate of suicides in young people between the ages of 15-19 is increasing in Sri Lanka, a result of substance abuse and subsequent mental health issues, experts said last week. “Most people suffer from mental health illnesses at some point in their lives. In such a background, it is mandatory to treat mental illness with the same respect we show physical illness and take proper preventative action,” the Mental Health Director noted. “Lack of leisure time, failure to engage in physical activity are also contributing factors to increase mental illness among the young,” she added. Academic stress could also lead to a breakdown in mental health, the experts noted.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 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
Red-eared terrapin: Evasive and Invasive
The Global Invasive Species Database notes red-eared terrapin to be an environmental pest outside its home range as they effectively compete for food, nesting sites and basking areas with native species. He says that upto now, populations of red-eared terrapin have mainly been found in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara areas. Hence, one of the only ways to spot red-eared terrapin remains when at 10 am in the morning, it basks in the sun. An exotic invasionGunawardana adds that the red-eared terrapin displays invasive and predatory behaviour in most countries. Indeed, Richard Aaron Gibbs states in his study,An Assesment of Environmental Impacts of Red-eared Slider Introduction (2017) that half of the Australian continent is at risk due to expansion of red-eared terrapin populations, with Queensland, Australia establishing red-eared terrapin eradication programmes.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 UTC
Ruining Sri Lanka Cricket in style
Is it the downward spiral of the Sri Lankan rupee, the conduct of the top brass of the Sri Lanka Police or the performance of Sri Lanka Cricket? It is a tight contest but perhaps, because of its greater international exposure, the performance of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will emerge the winner- and that would be about the only win Sri Lanka Cricket will be able to register in the foreseeable future. As a result, Sri Lanka won their games and everyone was happy. Consider this: Sri Lanka has amended the country’s Constitution to prevent someone such as Mahinda Rajapaksa running for President again and again and again. So, hat’s off to him, the man maybe ruining Sri Lanka’s Cricket, but he’s smart enough to do it in style!
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
Kalhari Group plans to set up global recycling village
“As far as recycling is concerned, a global recycling village will be set up shortly to collect rubber and plastic waste. What is the current state of the rubber industry in Sri Lanka? What are the steps we should immediately take to safeguard the local rubber industry? The rubber industry will have a significant growth in the next five years to come. There are plans to set up a Polymer University in Sri Lanka by the PRI in the near future with the possible support from the Government for finding a suitable premise .
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 UTC
SriLankan, most punctual global airline in Sept - Flightstats.com
SriLankan Airlines has achieved the remarkable feat of being named the world’s most punctual airline in the month of September 2018 in the key categories of ‘Global Airlines’ and ‘Major Airlines’, by the flight data analysis company Flightstats.com. An extraordinary 91.37% of SriLankan Airlines’ flights in September 2018 were on time according to an analysis by Flightstats (www.flightstats.com). Airlines are categorised among four categories – ‘Global Airlines’, ‘Major Airlines’, ‘Regional Airlines’ and ‘Low Cost Carriers’ – with some airlines appearing in more than one category. In the ‘Major Airlines’ category, SriLankan was easily ahead of India’s IndiGo that was in second place with 86.92% of flights being on time, and ANA which was third. SriLankan’s exceptional performance came on the heels of the airline having launched its dynamic new ‘Ready to Fly!’ program at the beginning of September 2018.
Source:Sunday Observer
October 06, 2018 19:07 UTC