A dedicated Minister just before the reshuffle of the Cabinet did
foresee much vistas and vast possibilities of the potential of
converting sugar cane into ethanol to meet our country's fuel needs.
This started by Brazil as far back as 1970 was not taken as an
alternative by any Energy Minister thus far? Most of the smaller
vehicles of Brazil cuts short a fuel cost by nearly 20 per cent by
utilising this fuel.
Brazil exports of raw sugar to the Arabian countries after tackling
the fuel needs as a priority. No extra fuel to run the many distilleries
and refineries is needed either as the squeezed out cane is put to the
furnaces instead of fuel or electricity.
The sugar extract waste is taken for fertilizer use. The exhaust is
eco-friendly and non-polluting. Imagine the avenues for employment on
the vast fields of the cane (known in Brazil as the emerald fields) and
also as personnel of the many refinery and distilling plants.
W. MEADOWS, Dehiwala
I wish to refer to the article written under the above caption by
Professor R.N. de Fonseka, Emeritus Professor of Botany, University of
Colombo published in your paper.
The teachers who were expected to teach Biology were given a day's
guidance in Colombo by a set of University Professors. We were told that
we, teachers who have been teaching Botany and Zoology should not face
any difficulty in teaching Biology, as it is only a combination of the
two subjects.
After several months, I asked a teacher friend of mine in another
school as to how much of the syllabus she had covered. Her reply was "I
have finished the Botany part and the Zoology component has still to be
done".
According to Professor Fonseka's article, he clearly states that
Biology is not a combination of the two subjects but an entirely new
entity, demanding a very different approach to that of teaching Botany
and Zoology.
One of the greatest blunders committed by the syllabus makers was the
non-inclusion of a few senior teachers to the panel of syllabus makers.
Most University Professors in this country except those in the faculties
of Education have never been trained in educational technology and the
general tendency is to shove in all they know into a syllabus.
My past students who are currently in the Universities tell me that
certain aspects appearing in the A/L syllabus like Biochemistry,
Physiology and Microbiology are covered in the University courses.
The lecturers are said to complain that these aspects have not been
taught properly in schools.
The present A/L syllabus in Biology cannot be covered during the
periods available in schools. I would certainly had some additional
classes after school, but for the fact that I live about 15 Kms away
from school. Further I am a mother of two small children, who have to be
looked after. Under these circumstances, I do not discourage my students
attending private tuition classes.
Professor Fonseka hints that the other A/L science subjects too
cannot be completed during school periods.
We would like to know the views of the other science subject syllabus
panels who drafted the A/L syllabuses, but before that could I kindly
request them to familiarise themselves with the set up in the outstation
schools having A/L classes in Science.
P. ARIYASINHE
The above captioned letter appeared in the Daily News of recently by
Dr. Thaha Reffai which is quite appreciable and praiseworthy.
Every point of view of her are quite apt. She drew the attention of
the parties concerned on the matter of real wastage of money in these
difficult periods. The cost of printing card is almost Rs. 100. If 1,000
cards are printed 100 x 1000 = Rs. 100,000.
Now there is another item. It also amounts a colossal amount of
money, wedding cakes. A card to a friend, comprising father, mother and
one or two children. It means 3 or 4 members attend the wedding.
It amounts to 4 x 1000 wedding cakes. Now a piece of cake is Rs. 100.
Those days the pieces were wrapped in tissue or oil paper. Now the
pieces are packed in a heart shaped or in a shape of hand bags, tied
with a ribbon, printed in gold.
One thousand invitees mentioned above, the total costs for Rs. 1,000
x 100 = 100,000 which is undoubtedly a waste of money. Rs. 100,000 plus
Rs. 100,000. These items for one day's show totalling Rs. 200,000
altogether. If the people are bit wise, the amount could be deposited in
a bank in the names of the couple.
Is it not advisable and wiser to look into the future of all aspects?
J. E. VETHANAYAGAM, Moratuwa
Lately the garbage removal at 7th Lane Borupana Road has become so
seldom that it is not done even weekly. Thus is creating a health hazard
and a breeding ground for worms.
I wonder why the removal which was on a daily basis has now become
weekly.
I hope the Mayor of Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council will
rectify this as soon as possible.
M. Z. M. HILMY, Ratmalana
This is to bring to your notice and that of the public an experience
I had at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
On December 5 I went to the passport office to get a new passport as
my passport did not have any empty pages though it was still valid. I
managed to get a number which was issued to get to a counter to handover
documents.
There were four counters for All Countries and six for the Middle
East only. I waited for about two hours in a queue and suddenly an
officer came over there and announced that those with numbers up to
1,400 to join another counter which already had a queue.
All with these numbers were at a mad rush to get to this counter. By
this time counters for Middle East have passed the number 2,500 but for
All Countries it was only 1,240. The time was around 12.00 noon.
Then I walked to an officer who was an Additional Director and asked
him why you do not call by numbers, then people do not have to rush in
this manner and no one will grumble but wait for his turn. He said we do
it for your own convenience.
Then I smiled and told him that to call by numbers would have been
more convenient and people can be seated till they get their turn.
He got annoyed with these words and ordered me to get out of the
cubical. I told him I just wanted to get my passport under the proper
channels and in a just manner.
There was another lady officer seated close by and I walked up to her
and told her to help me to get the passport. She took my documents and
went to the same officer and she was chased out and again ordered me to
get out of his office.
I stood my grounds as I wanted my matter attended to. Then he shouted
out that if I do not get out, he will walk out and while walking out he
tried to brush me off.
I said not to do it and got to a side and two or three officers came
rushing shouting "Mahatayata gahuwoth policiyata kiyanawa" (If you
assault our Boss, we will get down the police and hand you over).
It was only myself on my side and I knew there will not be a single
witness for me. Then they pushed me out. I had nothing else to do but to
collect my papers from the lady and walk out of the office. This is the
plight that people have to face, if we suggest the officers better ways
to handle people without inconveniencing them.
And if he did not want to accept my suggestion this was not the way
he should have spoken to me.
It is up to the Director and other relevant authorities to look into
this matter and to make the process more simplified and helpful to
public in meeting their requirements and also to inquire about this
incident and to take necessary action to prevent people from this type
of unnecessary harassment and humiliation, if they want to make this
office which is notorious throughout, a corrupt-free and people-friendly
office.
Chandrasiri Mayakaduwage, Wattala
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