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Converting sugar cane into ethanol to meet fuel demands

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.


Science syllabuses for G.C.E. (A/L) with special reference to biology

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.


Expensive wedding cards

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?


Irregular garbage removal

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.


Incident at Passport office

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.

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