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People and events

First of a series of lectures at the Kadirgamar Institute

Republic of Slovenia’s Constitutional Court President Dr. Ernest Petric recently delivered a lecture on "International Law as Means for Foreign Policy" organized by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies.

Dr. Petric who has previously served as Slovenia's Ambassador to several nations including the USA and India in his address spoke on how small nations should use persuasion through diplomacy to make their mark in the international arena by using intentional law to their advantage.

Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris who introduced the guest speaker said that Dr. Petric has become a word authority on international law. Born in 1936 in Slovenia, Mr. Petric holds a Ph.D. in International Law from the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana.

Before Mr. Petric started his diplomatic career, he was a professor of international relations and international law, and served as the Head of Department of Political Sciences and International Relations of Ljubljana University. From 1983 to 1986, he was a professor of international relations and international law at the University of Addis Ababa.

Honorary Counsel for Slovenia in Sri Lanka Sanath Ukwatta who spoke on the occasion said that the visit by Dr. Petric would help boost ties between the two countries. "There is a lot we can learn from each other's countries and cultures," he said.

The lecture by Dr. Petric was the first in a series of lectures on the themes of foreign policy, economic and trade policy and national security which are the core issues the Kadirgamar Institute focuses on.

Experience the "Xtaztic" Energy

The United Nations Club of S.Thomas' College Mount Lavinia presents the 7th edition of Xtaztic, a musical show featuring some of the island's most celebrated bands such as Bathiya and Santhush, Battery & Black. Sri Lanka's only artistes to have signed up with Sony Music International, The Sherifs, and talented emerging artistes such as Sankha B, Shuaib & Ryan will also perform at the show on January 28 at the Bishop's College auditorium from 7 p.m. onwards. For ticket details contact the College Office on 011-2712270 or College Gym on 011-2726969.

National Trust book ‘Flowering Plants’ on sale at prelaunch price

The latest National Trust publication, the coffee table book 'Flowering Plants'- commonly encountered in Sri Lankan habitats by Sriyanie Miththapala, Siril Wijesundara and Janaki Galappatti will be on sale at the prelaunch price of Rs 3000 at the Galle Literary Festival. The books will be available at the Galle Heritage Foundation just in front of the Hall de Galle.

"Flowering Plants" will be available at the prelaunch price at the National Trust Office , 407, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 and at the January and February lectures of the National Trust.

District 306 A1 cabinet meeting today

The International Association of Lions Clubs District 306 A1 will hold its 3rd District cabinet meeting today, January 15 at 4.30 p.m. at the River Dale Restaurant, Galle Road, Moragalle, Aluthgama (opposite Hotel Eden).

State Plantations Corporation Ex-Staff Association AGM

The 15th annual get-together and AGM of the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation’s Ex-Staff Association, will be held on Sunday, January 22 from 10 a.m. to 2.30 pm. at the Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo-1.

Ex-employees, who wish to participate in this fellowship, should contact the Hony. Secretary, Gamini Attanayake on 0722772258 or the President, Sunil Kulasekera.

World Vision organises children’s art exhibition

"No matter how much development a country accomplishes in building roads and infrastructure, it is of no use if the future generation of that country is abused and destroyed and is not cared for," said Tissa Karaliyadda, Minister for Child Development and Women's Affairs, at the Children's Art Exhibition organised by World Vision at the BMICH recently.

The Art competition for children was conducted in 25 World Vision Programme locations, encouraging them to paint their thoughts and display their talents on 'Child Rights and Responsibilities'. More than 5000 Children from 670 World Vision child societies participated in the competition which was conducted under four age categories.

"I was delighted to see the talents of the children on display today. The theme of this exhibition was Child Rights and Child participation and we want to ensure that all children have a voice in all things that affect their lives," said Suresh Bartlett National Director, World Vision Lanka "We used to tell children what was good for them and what they should be doing but now in all our programmes we intentionally engage with them and want them to tell us what is good for them" said Bartlett.

In order to prepare the children, workshops on visual art were held at each ADP, prior to the competitions with the support and collaboration of the Department of Fine Arts, University of Kelaniya. The Department of Fine Arts was involved in the full process, even in the selection of the winners. Children from Mannar, Ehetuwewa, Bibile, Vavuniya, Wilgamuwa, Navithanveli, Jaffna and Horowpothana Programmes bagged the awards. Among the distinguished gathering were M.L.A.M Hizbullah, Deputy Minister of Child Development and Women's Affairs and Sarath Amunugama, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya.

English teaching programme for underprivileged children launched

A largely computer-based English teaching programme was launched at St. Theresa's Church, Thimbirigasyaya, on January 11, by Rev. Fr. Neil Karunaratne, to inaugurate the Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith Programme for the Upliftment of Deprived Youth.

The Waterford Early Learning Programme, for early learners in English, Science and Maths has been worked out by Waterford Institute, India, a subsidiary of Waterford Research Institute of United States, with over 35 years in education.

Initially, a group of teachers were trained on how to teach the students, using the programme.
The underprivileged children of the Thimbirigasyaya parish started on the course on Friday.

From Smiles, to Expressions, Jayantha’s canvas of paintings

By Shaveen Jeewandara

A little boy smiles through the canvas of a painting while his eyes follow us around the room. "That is one of my specialities," says artist Jayantha Silva who says he had the ability to draw human eyes in this way. I don't know how I get at it, but it works almost all the time."

Jayantha Silva is again ready to explore the wonders of human expression in his latest exhibition - 'Expressions 8'. Continuing from the success of his last major exhibition, 'Smiles of Sri Lanka', held in June last year, he says 'Expressions 8' too will have many paintings depicting the smiles of Sri Lanka. The main focus has been on the innocence of children and the elderly.

Having trained under Mudaliyar Amarasekara, he showed a great liking for figurative art and portraits.

Jayantha Silva learned the finer points but he confesses that he did not learn everything. "I based my art on self-thought and experimentation." Being self-taught gives you enough freedom to experiment and discover a new side to life, he feels.

Included in the exhibition are four works under the theme 'Colombo over a 100 years ago'. These black and white paintings show the early modes of transport and Colombo's old buildings as they stood a hundred years ago.

'Expressions 8', will be held on January 21 and 22 at the Lionel Wendt from 10 a.m. onwards.

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