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7th February 1999

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Hello Children,

Last week was special for Sri Lanka because February 4 was our Independence Day. Fifty-one years ago, we gained freedom from the British.

We should think about our achievements during these years and also our aspirations for the future.

Did all of you watch the celebrations at Independence Square on Thursday? I'm sure you would have done so.

Why don't the artists among you send us some of your paintings on the celebrations? Others who are good with words should write in small essays on your thoughts on Independence.

Hoping to hear from you.

Until next week
Aunty Sunshine



How I spent the New Year

I spent this New Year very happily. A few days before the New Year we cleaned, washed and painted our house. My mother made many kinds of sweets and a big much as possible.

On 31st night we were up till late. My brothers went to see a musical show that night at the Galle play ground.

My mother boiled milk and allowed the milk to overflow. That is called "kiri uthuranawa.'' The air was filled with the sound of crackers, we too lit crackers and enjoyed the sweets. On the following day my mother woke up very early and cooked milk rice. We ate the milk rice and wished our parents a happy New Year. In the evening we went to the temple to take part in religious activities as it was a poya day. I heard some one saying this year is lucky.

We have stepped into the 20th century.

Damindika
Thalawinna Sanghamitta College Galle


It's not like it used to be

My mind runs empty
When I'm about to think
But, I know that it's not like it used to be
My mouth dries up
When I'm about to speak
But, I know that it's not like it used to be
My legs run out of strength When I start to walk And I feel a terrible loneliness
When I'm left at home But, I know that it is not like When I used to be at school
I may have been punished When at fault
But I've also been praised
For practising what was taught
Life was so sweet
Eveything was so neat
But now, it's no more Like it used to be Sometimes when I'm fragile
I think how my friends feel
They too must be feeling the same
I make up my mind - no big deal
But I can't forget the feeling of knowing,
That it's not like it used to be

Chamila Dissanayake


God's best gift

I, naturally
Can't remember the day
I was born,
But, you still have sweet memories
Of my birth
When I started to take my first step
You gave your hand to keep me up
You showed the correct way
From time to time.........
I have passed several stages
You have taught me several things
My dear mother.............
It's very hard to forget my past
Because...........
You have built up my life
Through many hurdles
I have learnt to share
My pleasures and my sorrows
You always showed me
How to smile through my tears
In my troubles...........
You have told me, "Don't be in a hurry''
And also,
Gave a helping hand
To proceed with my life.
After father passed away
You got closer to our souls more and more
Now I am in my teens
So,
I have to tell you something
From the bottom of my heart
You are the best gift
That God has given me
Thank you for being my mother.....
For all the things you have done for me
A kind-hearted person like you
Never will I meet in my life again
Once again I really appreciate
You and your work
I hope all your plans and dreams
Come true.
With health, wealth and happiness
I love you with all my heart
Until I from this world depart
May God bless you.

Nilushi Mallavarachchi Rajasinghe
Central College, Hanwella


A story of a soldier

I am a soldier
Fighting for independence,
Of our country.
We fight together,
To protect our country.
Guns, bomb blasts,
Are the only words we hear.
Both soldiers and terrorists,
Are killed before our eyes.
My dearest friend just died
When we were fighting
In the last operation
My dearest friend!
This is our duty,
For both you and I
That we must fight for our nation.

Nadeesha Sandamali Sooriarachchi


Dear mother

You are always these
With your calmness and patience
You always work
Mostly for us
You always care
Your love is very sweet
Like a flower
There aren't enough words to say
How much I love you.
How much I appreciate you
I want to thank you
For everything you have done for me, Mom!

Duminga Wijesinghe
Mahamaya Girls' College, Kandy


Myself

My name is Buddika Nawodani Gajanayake. I am 12 years old. My school is R/ Kalawana M.M.V and I am in Year 7-C.

ive in Kalawana. I have one brother and two sisters. My brother is Sithira Gajanayake and my sisters are Upani and Ruwani. My mother is Mrs. Sandaya Senanayaka. She is a house- wife. My father who is a planter is Mr. Sarath Gajanayake .''

friends are Dasuri, Kalhari and Sandareka. My best friend is Kalhari. My class teacher is Mr. Upali. He is kind.

favourite subjects are English and Maths.

Buddika Nawodani
R/Kalawana M.M.V.


Our educationists

Stamp News 53

Continuing the series on the nation's leaders, today let us talk about some educationists who have been recognized by the release of stamps for the services they have rendered.

Taking pride of place is the 'Father of Free Education', C.W.W. (Christopher William Wijekoon) Kannangara (1884-1969). A teacher by profession (later he became a proctor) he took to politics stampsand was elected to the Legislative Council in 1923. Having been elected at the general elections in 1924 and 1928, he served as the first Minister of Education in the State Council for 17 years (1931-1947).He initiated extensive reforms among which were the abolition of the two-tiered school system with English for the privileged urban class and vernacular for the rural masses; introduction of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction; reform of the curriculum with a vocational and cultural stress; upgrading of pirivena education and the inauguration of the university. The establishment of Central Schools (present day Madya Maha Vidyalayas) in the outstations took secondary education to the doorstep of the rural child. His biggest contribution was the free education system from kindergarten to university which he introduced in the teeth of bitter opposition from the socially and economically privileged groups. Yet for all, he lost the general election in 1947, but came back to Parliament in 1952 to become the Minister of Local Government (1952-1956). He was among the national heroes who was honoured with a 50-cent stamp on May 22, 1982.

The responsibility of implementing the free education scheme fell on E.A (Edward Alexander) Nugawela (1898-1972) as Minister of Education in the First Parliament (1947-1952). A major in the Ceylon Light Infantry (CLI) he was an advocate and practised in Kandy. His entry into politics was in 1936 when he got elected to the Galagedera seat in the second State Council, succeeding his father P B Nugawela Dissawe. A 50- cent stamp was issued in his honour on May 22, 1988.

Fr Dr M J (Maurice James) Le Goc (1881-1945), born in Brittany, France arrived in Ceylon in 1914 and turned out to be a leading educationist among Christian missionaries. Having joined St Joseph's College as a teacher he served as Rector for 21 years (1919-1940). He was a botanist and taught the subject in the Medical College and Government Training College.

Al-Haj Dr T.B (Tuan Brahanuddeen) Jayah (1890-1960) in whose name a 50- cent stamp was released on May 31,1981, contributed a great deal towards the upliftment of Muslim education in Sri Lanka. Starting life as a teacher, he got into politics with his entry to the Legislative Council in 1924. He took charge of Zahira College in its infancy and built it up to rank with the best in the land.

The service rendered by P de S (Patrick de Silva) Kularatne (1893-1976), Principal of Ananda College for 25 years (1918-1943) in the field of education was remembered when a 75-cent stamp was issued on May 22, 1987. Having graduated in London, he proceeded to do his law degree and once he was back here, he devoted his entire life to the cause of Buddhist education.

Another prominent teacher who was honoured when a stamp was released on December 29, 1988 was Dr E W (Edward Winifred) Adikaram (1905-1985), founder of several Buddhist schools in and around Nugegoda. These include Vidyakara Vidyalaya, Maharagama (1933), Anula Vidyalaya (1940) and Ananda Shastralaya, Kotte (1941). Later as General Manager of the Buddhist Theosophical Society, he did much to improve the standard of Buddhist education. His appointment as Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura was in recognition of his services in the education front.


Dogs and bears

Dogs, like cats, are meat-eaters. They have long legs and run on their toes. But whereas cats usually hunt alone, catching prey by surprising it, dogs wear it down by chasing it over long distances.

Apart from the fox, dogs do not hunt alone. They have a keen sense of smell, and good hearing.

imageThey are highly social animals and live in groups called packs. Each pack has a leader.

WolvesThis is well illustrated in the wolf. Wolves hunt in small packs or family groups of about six animals. They are still widely distributed in North America, Europe and Asia, though they have been driven out of the areas which are farmed. In spite of their reputation, they rarely attack humans.

The smaller coyotes of North America and the jackals of Africa are scavengers rather than hunters.

There are several other kinds of dogs, including the dhole of India and the hunting dog of Africa.

The dingo was probably introduced to Australia by the Aborigines, who arrived there long before the Europeans. Its ancestor is unknown, but it may have been bred from the jackal as a tame dog, which then went wild again.

Domestic dogs

Most of the northern breeds of dogs such as huskies and the chowchow are almost certainly descended from the wolf. They behave in similar ways. Dogs like these tend to look on their master as a sort of pack leader, and depend on him much more.

A dog will gulp its food, just as a wolf does. Cats have better table manners. This is because a wild cat can feed at leisure, but wolves and dogs live in a group, and the fastest eaters get the most.

Both puppies and kittens are playful. Play is preparation for the serious business of hunting as an adult.

Domestic dogs have been bred for many tasks. These include hunting, retrieving, use as guide and guard dogs, and for pulling sledges and as house pets.

Foxes

A fox tends to live and hunt alone, stalking its prey in a cat-like way. Foxes are hunted and face other dangers from man, so they have become shy, hunting mainly at night. But the European fox is still common, and will even enter towns to look for food.

The smaller Arctic fox lives in the far north. It turns white in winter. The silver fox is bred on fur farms .

Hyaenas

Hyaenas look like dogs, but belong to a different family. They are less powerful runners, and have a weak-looking sloping back.

There are four kinds of hyaenas. The spotted and brown ones live on the plains of Africa, the striped hyaena is north African and the aardwolf lives in southern Africa.

The aardwolf lives mainly on insects and has weak jaws. The others are scavengers, with powerful jaws that can crack large bones.

People used to think that hyaenas were cowardly animals who would wait around a lion's kill for the left-overs. But now we know that they catch their own prey and will even drive off a lion. The laughing cry of a hyaena is a familiar sound in the African bush.

Bears

Bears are the heaviest of all the meat-eaters. They walk on all fours, on the flats of their feet, so that all five toes leave tracks. Some are good climbers.

Although they have the large canine teeth and strong jaws of carnivores, they are omnivorous, and will eat anything from grubs and berries to large prey.

Most bears are northern animals. They have thick coats to withstand the cold winters.

The most widespread bear is the brown bear, which has a range extending from North America, across Europe, into Asia and India. It varies greatly in size, the largest being the grizzly of the American Rockies and the giant Kodiak bear of Alaska.

Biack bears also live in North America, while sloth bears live in India.

The most northerly bear, the Polar bear, lives among the ice and snow of the Arctic. It wanders about alone most of the time, and hunts seals.

Tiny cubs

Bears eat a lot in the summer, and grow fat. When winter comes, they hide away in a safe warm place. This is when the cubs are born. They are tiny, and are among the smallest babies in relation to their parents.

A female grizzly can weigh up to 220 kilograms, but her cubs weigh no more than a few ounces each at birth. They feed on their mother's milk, and first go outside the den in spring. They stay with their mother for up to three years.

Bear cubs have been reared and even trained as circus animals.

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