Former Editor and senior journalist Vijitha Yapa presented a paper on the future of Sri Lanka's democracy at an international conference titled 'Making democracy real' held in Panchgani, India.
Mr. Yapa said that it is not question of asking who is right after a bitter war but what is left. "It is from there we need to pick up the pieces and work towards reconciliation." He said that more than preaching to Sri Lanka, countries need to assist Sri Lanka in ensuring democratic rights and a future for all her people.
Some 200 delegates from 37 countries attended the four- day conference organized by the Initiatives of Change.
Picture shows Mr. Yapa with Dr. Rick Machar Teny, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.
Lankan blooms in Netherlands
An International Floricultural Trade Fair held in Vijfhuizen, Netherlands from November 2-4 had a Sri Lanka Pavilion which featured four Lankan companies-Decor Foliage; Pannala Ibbagamuva, Omega Green(Pvt) Ltd, Negombo, Green Scape Coir Exports(Pvt) Ltd Maharagama and Trump Coir Products/Foliage
Colombo 5.
Cuban film festival
The Sri Lanka National Committee for Solidarity with Cuba will be holding a festival of Cuban films at the Sudharshi Hall (opposite the BMICH), Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 on January 23, 24 and 25. The opening ceremony will be held under the patronage of the Cuban Ambassador Nirsia Castro Guevara at 4 pm on January 23.The Chief Guest will be Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premjayantha.
Following are the films:
Jan. 23, 4 p.m: Jose Marti, The Eye of the Canary
Jan. 24, 6 p.mp: Old House
Jan. 25, 6 p.m: Red Hot City
Germany issues stamp of Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire
The 'Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire' has been depicted in the latest issue of a stamp in Germany. The stamp depicting the "Sri Lankan Sapphire' was launched on the occasion of the birthday of the German President Christian Wulff. Heike Faller, Director, Karl Faller Lapidaries, who was responsible for the design of the stamp, presented a copy of the 'Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire' stamp to Prasad Galhena, Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka last Tuesday.
Karl Faller Lapidaries specifically selected the Sri Lankan Sapphire for its unique colour said Heike Faller. A leading lapidary in Kirshweiler, Karl Faller provides lapidary service to several high end jewellery houses in Europe, Middle East and the Americas.
The stamp was formally approved by the German President Christian Wulff and will be sold in post offices all over Germany and also be available online.
Triumphant top selling dealers
The Triumph annual Dealer Conference and awards ceremony was held at the Pegasus Hotel last week with top-selling dealers being felicitated by the company for their excellent performance.
 |
| Winners all (above) and (below) Gold award winner Ruklanthi Thalagune |
 |
How to teach 6 to 12 year- olds the Montessori way
The La Petite Fleur Academy under the leadership of Bernadine Anderson will host an all day symposium on educating children ages 6 to 12 years using the authentic Montessori primary/elementary philosophy and methodology on January 28 at Waters Edge.
This is a unique opportunity to explore Montessori education for older children developed several decades ago by Dr. Maria Montessori, and Lena Wickremaratne of Sri Lanka. Their original work based on empirical evidence and research was assessed and first adopted in educational institutions in Italy and later in many parts of the world.
Dr. Montessori believed education should be geared to the levels of human development and not be linear in nature. She adapted her educational methodology to meet needs of these levels through strategies and materials designed for exploration and self discovery. She realized the potential of the child between 6 and 12 years to acquire and maintain a high level of intellectual curiosity, abstract thinking, moral reasoning and social responsibility. She marvelled at their ability to balance freedom with responsibility.
Gary Davidson, M.A. a Montessori teacher trainer and international consultant from the US will conduct this day long symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more details contact LPF Academy. Tel:4899931 or e-mail: events@lpfacademy.com
Induction of Dr. Hemantha Perera
The new President of the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr. Hemantha Perera, was inducted on January 7 at a ceremony held at Mihilaka Medura, BMICH. The Chief Guest was Prof. Marian Hall, Emeritus Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom while the Guests of Honour were the former Director, Reproductive Health Project, National Institute of Education, Hemamali Rupasinghe and Dr. Yap Lip Kee, Medical Director, Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre, Singapore and former President, International Society for Gynaecologic Endoscopy.
New SLMA President
The ceremonial induction of Prof. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake as President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association was held on January 7 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.
Creative writing workshop
Featured in this year's GLF line-up is author John Boyne who has written a number of award- winning novels for adults and children.
Neluka Silva, also an author at GLF, will be discussing the themes of his most recently published children's book, "Noah Barleywater Runs Away" followed by a session to introduce creative thinking and writing to the participants, at MILK, on Barnes Place.
The first in this series of creative writing workshops for 9-13 year olds. will kick off on Saturday, January 28 from 10.30 a.m - 12 noon at MILK, 12, Barnes Place, Colombo 7.
To reserve a place please contact 0777681703.
|
E-mail
