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Reflections of humane qualities

'Naada Nethi Geetha' - an anthology by Indra Kumari Ratnayaka

Reviewed by A. A. Dodangoda

After some time it is a pleasure to read the anthology 'Naada Nethi Geetha' (Songs without music) by Indra Kumari Ratnayaka, in which there are a lot of things to read between the times. With the help of her vast experience since childhood she has been able to create an anthology of lot of value with much of hidden meanings and fresh conception.

Almost all of her more than half a century creations bring food for thought as she has touched many aspects of human qualities. In her teenage, when Sri Lanka was not having TV channels she had been encouraged by the then giants of Radio Ceylon, like Madawala S. Ratnayaka, Karunaratne Abeysekera, Chitrananda Abeysekera, Wimal Abeysundera and Mahagama Sekara and she remembers them with much honour in the forward of her book.

Her sensitivity on humanism, its failures, cruelties, love and the like are so much powerful that some times you may feel that it is your own experience. In presenting all these, the imagery she uses are fresh or in some instances a common simile or a metaphor used in a fresh style.

The most important aspect of all her creations is that anybody can learn good lessons in reading the anthology as many poems give some kind of human disaster of the present day society. But as a silver lining in a dark cloud, there are some poems which reflect the fragrance of the "milk of human kindness" very much effectively.

Another marked quality seen in the book is her restraint in which she has been able to narrate a rough idea in a smooth way without agonising the reader at once. Apart from that, her economical use of words with much effect is commendable.

Although she has named it 'Naada Nethi Geetha' many of those poems can be sung with music to the popular songs. As a whole she has done a great deal of work through her new creation.

Essential reading for trainers

"Every Trainer's Handbook" 

By Devendra Agochiya

SAGE Publications India (Pvt) Ltd

Reviewed by Kushani Ratnayake

Over the past three decades or so, training has acquired a significant position in the world of business and in the field of social development in the developed and the developing world.

In many developing countries, government agencies offer a wide range of training programs to young people making them more employable or helping them to become self-employed.

With increased recognition of the need for training, there has been a substantial increase in the publication of materials on training in the form of books, articles and papers.

This hand book "Every Trainer's Handbook" has been prepared keeping in view the exigent need of those responsible for organising and delivering training to a wide range of groups, in different settings.

Written in a very accessible manner by Devendra Agochiya it is based on his vast experience in the field. It has been organised in such a way that it will be equally useful to trainers drawn from both the formal management sector and the field of social development.

It also emphasises a step by step, practical approach to planning, organisation and delivery of a training program. Important points have been suitably elaborated and further reinforced through examples. Guidelines have been added to assist the trainer in carrying out specific tasks.

It has been written in a characteristic reader friendly language and style consistent with special attributes and characteristics of the targeted group of readers.

After outlining the concept, meaning and scope of training Devendra Agochiya covers the entire aspects of a training program including: An integrated approach to learning in training, the essential steps in designing a training program, delivery of a training program, the various training methods and techniques, the respective roles and functions of the trainer and the participants, dynamics of a training group, how to evaluate a training program and measure learning.

This handbook has been written keeping in mind the needs of those responsible for organising and delivering training to a wide range of groups in different settings, regardless of the nature of the group or the theme of the program.

It is also aimed at training manager, instructors in various training and educational institutions, organisers of workshops and seminars, those responsible for planning training programs and participants.

Following a logical approach and written in a simple but absorbing style, this practical handbook will be of immense use to trainers throughout the world, whether experienced or relatively new to the field.

Welcome addition to economic history

"Sri Lanka Arthika Vikashanaya" 

By Prasad Milinda Siriwardane

Deepani Ltd. 464 Highlevel Road, Gangodawila Nugegoda

Reviewed by R. S. Karunaratne

The tendency of professional economists and historians - as of scientists in other fields - is to specialise in particular aspects of their subjects. Some of them write text books which can be used at schools and universities. However, Prasad Milinda Siriwardane's "Sri Lanka Arthika Vikashanaya" appears to be a research study of the island's economic history from 543 BC - AD 1832. Although there are many research studies on Sri Lanka's economic history, almost all of them have been published in English. Therefore, Mr. Siriwardane's book fills a vacuum in this field of studies.

It cannot be forgotten that economics is a social science dealing with a particular aspect of human existence. Similarly, history deals with another aspect of our life. The present volume attempts to trace the economic development of Sri Lanka in relation to history.

That itself is a daunting task because to write such a book one has to be conversant with economics and history as well. Flipping through the pages of this volume profusely illustrated with relevant pictures, I found this is a commendable task by a young author. Any book on economic history of a country has to deal with a host of other subjects, such as, productive resources, land, labour, population problems, scale of production, location of industries, markets, the national income, expansion of the economic activity of the state and fluctuations in employment.

The book under review opens with a classification of Sri Lanka's rural economy which had self-sufficiency as its base. People cultivated their lands and gave a portion to the king. There were certain industries and the technology was not much developed.

There is evidence that Sri Lanka had trade ties with foreign countries even at early stages. The author has mentioned some of the details to prove his point. Stone inscriptions also depict economic expansion in different ages of the country's history.

Having dealt with various periods in history dominated by kings, the author describes how the economic scene changed during foreign invasions. For instance, when the Portuguese ruled certain parts of the island, there were visible changes in the economic sphere. Although the Portuguese initially had no intention to invade the island, internal dissension enabled them to have control over the Kingdom of Kotte. As a result, certain revolutionary changes took place as far as land ownership was concerned. Meanwhile, Portuguese rulers allowed private ownership of land leading to a new breed of land owners. The author has meticulously recorded facts and figures to substantiate his claims.

The Dutch rule from 1640-1796 paved the way of more reforms in the economic history of the island. The author has given details of budget statistics covering a period of nine years during the Dutch rule. This was followed by the British period from 1815-1832. It was during this period that the island's economic history underwent drastic changes.

Economically the British closed all avenues of imports of machinery and equipment from non-British countries. Thus they enforced the preferential treatment and control of the imports from overseas and exports to overseas.

During the 450 years of foreign domination the country's economy underwent drastic changes. Although Sri Lanka regained political independence on February 4, 1948, economic independence remains to be won. Unfortunately the hangover from colonial rule continues to this day.

Books of this nature remind us what we were in the past and what we are today. I presume "Sri Lanka Arthika Vikashanaya" will be a welcome addition to the literature on the country's economic history.

Unique short stories

Pora Meegon 

By Sena Thoradeniya

Published by S. Godage and Brothers

"Pora Meegon" ("Fighting Buffaloes"), the fourth collection of short stories written by Sena Thoradeniya was released recently. "Peradeniye Istesama Tikat Dena", "Nakulamatha", "Eelam Yuda Katha" are the three collections of short stories written by the author prior to this publication.

The present collection contains twelve short stories. The uniqueness of this collection is that every story employing a specific technique of its own befitting each theme.

The story "Priya Prayana" is constructed as in a few acts in play, while the main short story in the collection "Pora Meegon" is based on several bouts as in a fight. The story "Muluten" depicts a modern version of Kapotha Jataka.

Sena Thoradeniya in his introduction says that he writes short stories not according to any accepted definition and a mould or a frame of a traditionalist.

The author says that for the present decay and decadence the bureaucracy who does not know even Max Weber's Bureaucracy as a management theory is directly responsible.

The story "Pora Meegon" is about such a civil servant.

Cover design of the book is by Sunil Samarakone. For the cover, the artist has skilfully used a painting done by P. E.+ P. Deraniyagala, former Director of Museums and ancient wrestlers depicted in a mural of Dalada Maligawa. The photograph of the author is by Geethanath Kudaligama. "Pora Meegon" published by S. Godage & Brothers is priced at Rs. 200.

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An account of the current situation

War or Peace in Sri Lanka,

Volume 3

The Quest for Peace

T. D. S. A. Dissanayaka

The author T. D. S. A. Dissanayaka has produced yet another book. Like his other books, this too has been printed and published in Sri Lanka, by Swastika Pvt. Ltd.

This book was launched on the 1st of December, this year at a ceremony held at the residence of Sam Wijesinha, which was presided by the publisher Kalyani Ranasinghe.

This book has two chapters and an epilogue. In chapter one, the author tells the reader, the story of the Sri Lankan civil war. In the context of the story, he tells us about the quest for peace.

In chapter one, we have the details of the civil war and chapter two is the commentary on the initiative taken by the Government elected by the people on the 5th of December 2001. He tells us about the Ceasefire Agreement reached between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE and the talks being held in this no war situation.

The epilogue sums up the current situation as at the beginning of November, 2002.

The book also has other valuable documents as appendices. They being The Vaddukodai Declaration, The Memorandum of Understanding for the Ceasefire and The Opening Addresses at the peace talks.

In writing this book, the author once again condemns our politicians. He seems to have done enough research on this subject and some of them, he has by name been critical.

However, this condemnation of our politicians must be seen in the proper context. Who are these politicians, any way? Aren't these the children of our society, our homes, our places of education, and our places of worship?

It has been said, that the people get the leaders that they deserve. Also that African American Southern Baptist Minister, Martin Luther King, once said, that the sin of our times is the silence of the majority.

In condemning our politicians, we must not forget the silent majority. These are the people who like the Priest and the Levite who unlike the Good Samaritan looked the other side and went away when a person had to be looked after. This is one of the many stories that the man called Jesus once told.

So in the context of the tragedy of our times, in Sri Lanka, we have had a silent majority. Today, we cannot blame the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British and other foreigners for our problems. We as a nation have failed ourselves.

We have misused our freedom, liberty and independence. We haven't had the love and the grace to share what we have, as a nation, with all its citizens. As a nation we haven't worked hard enough to increase the 'National Cake', so that sharing will be easy.

Therefore, the reading of T. D. S. A. Dissanayaka's latest book is a MUST for all Sri Lankans. This will help us revisit our national tragedy and realise, perhaps, that in condemning the politicians, we are in fact, condemning ourselves.

All great nations in history, have been rebuilt from dust and ashes. Germany and Japan being the classic examples of two nations rebuilt after the tragedy of the Second World War.

We Sri Lankans too can rise from dust and ashes. For this each one of us must become and be peace makers and bridge builders. Only then can our national problem be ultimately resolved, managed and handled. All of us Sri Lankans must work for peace and justice and equality for all our people.

The author has dedicated this book to Sam Wijesinha and says in a note that all profits from the sale of his book will be given to the Mukta Wijesinha Memorial Fund of the Sri Lanka Girl Guide Association. All Girl Guides and Boy Scouts have the vocation to live and work for peace. Mukta Wijesinha was certainly a shining example. Perhaps Mukta could be our role model.

- Sydney Knight

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