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Book on practical aspects of print journalism
Puvathpathe
Kathandare
Niyaya ha
Prayogika Bhavithaya Pilibanda Vimasumak
Author:
Chandana Wijekoon
Pages 212
Publishers S. Godage Brothers, 675,
Maradana Road, Colombo 10
Review: Wiruma
Media: The latest book on newspapers Puvathpathe Kathandare
(The story of newspaper) will be launched at the National Library and
Documentation Services Board, Colombo tomorrow (October 4) at 4 p.m..
Chandana Wijekoon deals with the laws pertaining to Sri Lanka
Puvathpath Mandalaya is a member of the Lak Janatha editorial, a Lake
House Publication. He was the Associate Editor of the Dinamina prior to
his posting to the Lak Janatha.
In his introductory note the author says that the book is the story
of the newspaper and thus he invites a larger readership to dive into
the past of the newspaper history of this country in a very special
manner.
This book will help the reader to have a clear idea of what a
newspaper is and also to make his own judgment in respect of the
newspapers circulating in the country.
In his foreword to the book Dr. Tudor Weerasinghe, Dean of the Mass
Communication, Faculty at the Sri Pali Campus of the Colombo University
emphasises that today the media study has become vital and the attention
is focused that on the internal norms, which govern public information.
Dr. Weerasinghe says that the author has made an effort to provide
relevant information, data and also closely examine them give a detailed
account of what he has selected best for consumption for the general
reader, to the keen student in journalism and those entering research
field.
According to him, the book also provides information, which had never
been found in books dealing with the journalistic field, and commends
his efforts lavishly.
There have been a number of books in Sinhala in the recent past
dealing with Journalism and this was mostly due to Journalism becoming a
subject in the university curriculum and also setting up of a few
institution to give training to budding journalists.
But there is a lot to be written about it, as it is a subject that
keeps growing with time and changes taking place in society.
Mohan Samaranayake in his write-up about Wijekoon says that the book
is a very valuable addition where the theory and practice of journalism
are concerned. It fills to some extent a noticeable vacuum that existed
despite several books have been added to the literature in Journalism.
It deals mostly with the practical aspect of journalism.
The book running into five chapters helps the reader to assimilate
the content well. The book has also been enriched with an appendix
giving necessary clues and information to the keen scholar and reader to
dive deep into the subject.
Instructive and inspiring Buddhist annual
Vesak Sirisara 2007
Edited by Rajah Kuruppu
Review: T. B. Ratnayake
BUDDHISM: Vesak Sirisara, the trilingual Buddhist annual,
which has been published uninterruptedly for nearly a three-quarter
century made its 72nd appearance in the hallowed month of Vesak, 2007.
The colourful cover of the journal is designd on a painting depicting
the Telapatta Jataka, as found in the Hanguranketa Raja Maha Vihara,
also known as the Potgul Vihara. The current issue contains 44
stimulating articles in both prose and verse, covering a wide range of
Buddhist subjects.
There are 20 articles in Sinhala, including four contributions in
verse. The Tamil Section carries three articles by T. Kanagaratnam, the
Assistant Editor, Dr. Jinnah Sheriffdeen and Ruwan Bandara Adhikari.
There are 21 articles in the English section including four
contributions in verse.
This review will be confined to the English section. Some of these
articles are by well-known Buddhist Scholars from abroad. The late Ven.
Dr. M. Vajiragnana Thera, the Head of the London Buddhist Vihara and
Sanghanayaka of the United Kingdom, writes on "Having good Friends",
mainly based on the Vyagghapajja and Sigalovada Suttas.
He enumerates the qualities of a "Kalyani Mitta" and quotes the
Buddha who said he himself was a Kalyana Mitta to all beings. Dr.
Susanga Weeraperuma, residing in France, covers a similar theme, though
different in approach. He quotes the Hiri Sutta to explain who a true
friend is.
Theme
"The Buddhist Path of Deliverance" is the theme selected by Dr.
Ananda W.P. Guruge, a reputed Sri Lankan Buddhist scholar residing at
present in the United States of America.
He traces, in his inimitable style, the Buddha's early days as Prince
Siddhartha Gautama, is discovery of the Path of Deliverance and the
unique way in which he presented it to the people.
Deshabandhu Olcott Gunasekera discusses the scourge of tobacco use
and alcohol use, providing reliable statistics to prove the human misery
caused by consuming tobacco and alcohol.
He stresses the importance of observing the fifth precept of the
Panca Sila genuinely and following the path of Right Livelihood
enunciated by the Buddha in his Noble Eightfold Path as an effective way
of eradicating the habit of dependency on tobacco and alcohol.
An extract from a collection of Teachings of Ajahn Chah, the reputed
Thai teacher of meditation, is reproduced under the title, "It Can be
Done". In this lengthy article running to 16 pages, he discusses the
essence of Buddha Dhamma stressing on the importance of studying the
Dhamma intelligently.
He shows how a proper study and practice of the Dhamma would help a
person to "go beyond suffering and attain peace here and now, in the
present." "What is in a name?" is the title of an adaptation of a talk
given by Ven. Ajahn Amaro, the co-abbot of Abhayagiri monastery in the
United Kingdom.
He discusses the importance of reflecting on fear and how practising
of the Dhamma - Buddhist meditation, Buddhist teachings and Buddhist
ethics can lead to fearlessness.
Dr. Kingsley Heendeniya, in his "Letter to Zeta", makes the study of
Dhamma easy and pleasant. He touches on many points connected with the
Dhamma such as nama-rupa, cetana, manasikara, phassa etc., in an
indirect manner under interesting headings such as "common sense,
happiness, experience, name and matter, like and dislike and
attachment."
A talk given by Rinze Randeniya at a meeting of the Servants of the
Buddha Society, reproduced here as "Jhana Attainments and Nibbana," is
of an academic nature, quite useful to those who undertake a serious and
in-depth study of the eight states of absorption.
Traditions
In his article, "Buddhism and Tradition," Prof. Arjuna de Zoysa
speaks of the two major traditional schools of Buddhism, Theravada and
Mahayana and shows how a study of both traditions would help to
understand the Buddha Dhamma better and in its entirety.
He cites the description of Dependent Origination in the two
traditions as given in the Pali Mahanidana Sutta (Theravada) and
Sanskrit Salistamba Sutta (Mahayana) where the main text remains the
same with the Sanskrit version giving a more elaborate description.
He says that it is time that we abandoned narrow disputation based
merely on loyalty to tradition.
A talk delivered by Richard Jones at the London Buddhist Vihara is
reproduced as "Right Livelihood." He reviews briefly, the right
livelihood for monks and discusses the right livelihood for lay people
in greater detail. Mrs. Eileen Siriwardana, in a short article,
describes how the teachings of the Buddha could be of profit to the
modern world, if diligently studied and practiced.
Madawala Hemananda, founder member of the Thames Meditation Society
in England, writing on 'Understanding Re-birth", says that re-birth is a
universally applicable fact although it is not possible to produce
conclusive evidence.
The Samsaric Process of Re-becoming by Asoka Devendra is a well
thought out article which makes it easy to understand the profound
theory of Dependent Origination.
He tabulates the cycle of Dependent Origination, dividing the twelve
links into two groups as Vipaka Cycle and Kamma Cycle, clearly
explaining each link of facilitate easy comprehension.
Volitional actions
Anil Goonewardene, resident in England, in his article "Kamma Vipaka"
explains the results of volitional actions and the mechanics of Kamma.
D. Saddhasena writing on the Concept of Punna in Early Buddhism explains
the difference between punna and kusala and says that Punna could be
defined as the training ground for Kusala.
The Buddhist way to worldly happiness is explained by Asoka M.
Jayasinha in his article with the interesting topic "Let's be Happy! Why
not?" He says that conducting the present life with confidence in the
Dhamma, moral discipline, generosity and wisdom will pave the way to a
happy life in future births.
The Editor, Rajah Kuruppu, in his article, "Towards a purified Mind",
discusses how the mind gets polluted through unwholesome thoughts such
as unrestrained sense desires, ill-will, envy, anger and fear and the
three root defilements greed, hatred and ignorance. He proves the
efficacy of meditation (bhavana) and the four sublime or devine abodes (brahma-vihara)
as instruments to achieve mental purity.
Dr. Claudia Weeraperuma in her verse "Indifference to Pain and
Pleasure" (Upekka), employs an interesting story of how a woman
carefully and painstakingly cooked a meal for some guests and the pain
and disappointment she felt, at first, on their unkind remarks and how
she later composed herself and became indifferent to their comments.
Kamal Premadasa's sensitive poem "Companion", affectionately
addresses his walking stick which has become his only faithful companion
in his old age, when forsaken by kith and kin.
All the articles in this year's Vesak Sirisara are instructive and
inspiring. The chief editor, Rajah Kuruppu, and his two devoted
assistant editors, Dhamma Weerakoon and T. Kanagaratnam deserve our
grateful thanks and good wishes for undertaking the onerous task of
producing a well-designed, attractive Vesak Annual which would be a
valuable gift of the Dhamma (Dhamma dana) to all its readers.
Excellent publication on Portuguese arrival in Sri Lanka
Kandy Fights
the Portuguese:
A Military
History of Kandyan Resistance
Author: C. Gaston Perera
Vijitha Yapa Publications, 2007
388 p.
Review: Prof. Chandra R. de Silva
HISTORY: Gaston Perera's new book is a fine addition to the
numerous works on the history of Sri Lanka in the 16th and 17th
centuries.
The author, well known for his two historical novels, The Rebel of
Kandy and The Sons of the Rebel has clearly devoted a great deal of time
and energy in reading the primary and secondary sources for the period.
The book advances our knowledge and understanding of the political and
economic developments as well as the military history of the period.
As the Forward by K. W. Goonewardane points out there was a period up
to the 1970s when Sri Lankan historians including Tikiri Abeyasinghe,
Miguel Gunatilleke, W. L. A. Don Peter, Edmund Pieris and others,
including myself produced a number of books and articles that
illustrated the complex relationships between the Portuguese and the
peoples of Sri Lanka.
Since then, apart from the writings of Martin Quere, Mendis
Rohanadheera and Risiman Amerasinghe and the valuable document
collections edited by Vito Perniola, there has been little of note.
Revival of interest
The second volume of the University History of Sri Lanka published by
the University of Peradeniya in 1996 (in which I have several chapters)
is mostly a restatement of existing knowledge.
On the other hand, there has been a revival of interest in Sri Lankan
history of this period by scholars in Europe. Jorge Flores' Os
Portugueses e o Mar de Ceilao, 1498-1543: Trato, Diplomacia e Guerra
(1998) and his collection of duments, Olhos de Rei (2001) have led the
way but Alan Strathern, Zoltan Biederman, oc Shihan de Silva Jayasuriya
and Kenneth Jackson have provided valuable insights.
A couple of Sri Lankans in exile, Michael Roberts (Sinhala
Consciousness in the Kandyan Period 1590s to 1815, Vijitha Yapa 2004)
and Channa Wickremasinghe (Kandy at War, Vijitha Yapa 2004) have helped
to clarify various issues. It is in the context of this literature that
we need to evaluate Gaston Perera's book.
The first thing that will strike you about the book is its
readability. The author's narrative flows easily and for me, it was
difficult to put the book down. It is not easy for a novelist to make
the transition to being a historian but Gaston Perera has been
meticulous in his work.
Every statement is supported by evidence and while the author points
out that his lack of fluency in Portuguese has been a limitation, most
of the material he needs has been accurately translated into English. In
terms of a sustained investigation of the military history of Kandyan
resistance, this is now the key book to read.
Military encounters
Then again, like most new military historians, Gaston Perera places
military encounters within a socio-economic and political context. This
book is not just about battles but about people, their lives and ideals.
On the other hand, more than half the book is an analysis of battles
and strategy and the author illustrates his analyses with maps while
quoting from time to time from contemporary sources. He is excellent in
delineating the causes of war and in charting the course of each
conflict.
If I had a word of criticism it would simply be that Gaston Perera
does not extend his analysis to the wider consequences of military
conflicts of the time. For instance, Sanjay Subrahmanyam in writing on
the conflicts in South India in the 18th century linked them to the
formation of the 'modern state' in that region.
Did constant warfare make the ruler of Kandy (Rajasingha II) more
powerful vis-a-vis the nobles and did this affect the political
structure of the Kandyan state? Was the lessening of military conflict
with the ascendancy of the Dutch connected with a strengthening of local
autonomy?
It is true that evidence to judge this is hard to find. Certainly,
Gaston Perera's work has laid the foundations upon which more difficult
questions can be raised, if not answered. I also would have preferred if
the book has an index.
Gaston Perera's book provides a comprehensive look at the weapons,
armour and training of the soldiers of the period. His analyses of
famous battles, including those of Danture, Ambatenna, Randeniwela and
Gannoruwa are excellent.
He has provided us with a glossary to explain unfamiliar terms. In
sum, this is an excellent publication to follow on the quincentennial of
the first arrival of the Portuguese in Sri Lanka in 1506. It is a book
that is well worth purchasing.
The writer is Dean, College of Arts and Letters and Professor of
History Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
Leadership qualities lucidly explained
Nayakatvaya
Author: Nishantha Kamaladasa
82/23, Wickramasinghapura,
Battaramulla
208 pp Price Rs. 240
Review: Premasra Epasinghe
 LEADERSHIP:
The book is interesting, intriguing and educative. Written by
Nishantha Kamaladasa, an old boy of Nalanda College, with which I had a
very close association, I read it with interest. Nishantha is the CEO of
the Distance Learning Centre Ltd, at which the Ministry of Education
launched the e-village programme recently, where I met him and received
this book.
Titled as "Nayakathwaya - Ebarthu Thibe", meaning "Leadership - There
are vacancies" and written in Sinhala any leader will find this book
immensely useful.
I was able to read it fully without a hassle, unlike many other
academic works, probably because of the beautiful writing style of
Nishantha. It was absorbing from the beginning to the end. I also found
it extremely useful to me as a leader and a leadership trainer both.
It deals with various aspects of leadership such as different
leadership styles, types, positions, etc. Rather than passing judgment
on any of those types, styles and positions the author tells us what
each would offer us. That helps us to select what is appropriate in a
given context than following a standard recipe. The most important thing
is that the author has been able to bring local examples known to us in
emphasizing his points.
Different brains
The book also talks about the use of different brains in assuming
leaderships. It argues that though a specialist brain might be useful to
become a professional of the highest calibres the same brain will not
help any one to become a leader.
He emphasizes the necessity of having the creative right brain that
is not normally produced by the curricula in the school but outside of
it. Looking back at my colleagues and students, I find this as a very
important conclusion of the book.
The leader assuming leadership has to build someone to succeed him
and also has to plan his exit. By this way he not only can provide room
for others to grow but also allow him to grow further. Though I am not
aware whether this is being practised even by Nishantha, I see a very
strong argument in his discourse.
Strong messages
The author also emphasizes the importance of small action that gives
strong messages to the followers. Building a culture is the most
important thing of a leader. People having a set of values which are
upheld by the leader can perform even in the absence of a leader. The
value could guide them. Probably this is what the Buddha said when he
was asked to nominate a successor.
I think this should be read by all Sri Lankan leaders and aspirants
for leadership, irrespective whether they are in the public sector,
private sector or NGO sector. These kinds of books are necessary to make
Sri Lanka, bigger and better.
I learnt that he has also written several other books, all in Sinhala,
on different aspects of management, though I have not read any yet. I
wish he will be able to contribute many more to the Sinhala management
literature repository.
The enhancement
As it's the belief in everyone
I was puzzled to receive you
I bent on to look at you
Through my naked eye
The enchantment of your ways and means
Had innovated the home front
Without any grumbles or grimaces
You created a strong relationship
Between you and me
I could hear the bells of melody
With a wonderful attachment
And you have become a part of my life
Looking at my own son
Noticing his shiny red cheeks
I see a vast difference
A healthy environment all around
Beginning of a happy era
You come to me when I sit alone
You talk to me like a big woman
You care for me, as I do
You appreciate my love and support
In the long run
The golden gift you offered me
A cute little fellow just like my son
Holding my arms, you realized that pain
Experiencing that big task
Entering the fortress
That holds the sanctity of motherhood
Be strong my angel, there is a long way
Let that old belief become null and void
We'll share the life as two loving mothers
The day you reach, to hold my position
Then, be a true mother, to your daughter-in-law
Let them all realise
The gravity of this relationship
Susi Abeynanda
Traffic
Think of snails and tortoises
The winding length of worms
A mixture of cacophony sounds
Polluting smoke of a forest fire
Noon sun heating all metal
baking the smarting flesh of all
Approaching a concrete civilisation
The oncoming awesome silence
Drowned by the passing noises
Impatient, tense, a grip on the wheel
Cursing silently behind time
Wasting precious valued hours
The driver becomes obedient
Duty bound behind the row
Craning necks checking up front
Shouts of curses to those leading
Incessant sound of horns
Stampede of breaks missed with smoke
Screech of fires and melted tar
Consists traffic so much unfair
Miran Perera |
