Archives

Daham school should be filled with spiritual and moral values - Minister Lokubandara

by P.D.A.S. Gunasekera, Ratnapura group correspondent

Daham school education should go 'hand in hand' with a simple and plain life, as of yore. The 'Motto' should be 'plain-living and high-thinking' and not vice-versa. Let the Daham schools under the proposed revival not be another school filled with material resources, but one filled with spiritual and moral values, said the Minister of Buddhasasana, Justice and National Integration W.J.M. Lokubandara at Ratnapura recently. He said so participating, in an advisory capacity, at a conference, on the Cultural heritage in Sabaragamuwa, held at the Chief Ministers office, led by the Chief Minister Mohan Ellawala.

The object of the conference was to find ways and means of speedily completing and producing the 'Sabaragamuwa Wansa Katha' (the story of the Sabaragamuwa cultural heritage).

Minister Lokubandara, the Minister of Small-Holder Development Susantha Punchinilame, Chief Minister, Mohan Ellawala, District Secretary Malinie Premaratna, Dr. Pandula Aandagama and Professor Malini Aandagama participated.

Minister Lokubandara said that the Daham schools, which hitherto prevailed and still prevail had failed to deliver the goods. Hence he saw the Institutions of Dhamma, under review not as 'modern-schools' with material comfort, but as the ancient places of Daham education, which gave the pride of place to the 'mat' in the 'Bana-Maduwa' or the 'green-grass carpet' under the Bo-Maluwa.

He said so when a senior Lecturer at the Ruhuna University Ven. Dr. Koongastenna Ananda Thera requested the Minister, in his address, to obtain chairs and desks and other material facilities for the 'Daham School' education program to be a success. "Help develop the moral values under self-discipline rather than the desire for material-comfort under self-ostentation" the Minister said.

Contributing to the discussion on the production of the History of the Sabaragamuwa heritage, a documentation of the cultural, social values now in decadence, the Minister paid a tribute to the great scholar-Monks, including those from Kiriella and Nahalla, who had left behind a large collection of their works on the subject, which can immensely help the present venture.

The Minister reminded the conference that 'Sabaragamuwa Wansa Katha' should not merely be 'another project' to be read and shelved but an appeal to all and sundry, big or small, capable of effectively stirring the innate desire for their heritage at all times and places.

The conference ended with the final decision to appeal to the philanthropists in the area for financial assistance, for the worthy cause, to enable the 'Board of production' led by Dr. Aandagama, an archaeologist of fame and repute in Sabaragamuwa to complete the project without further delay.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager