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DateLine Tuesday, 8 April 2008

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Apathy towards Govt text books

The Government spends millions of rupees for printing and distributing text books. These books are printed on high quality papers with beautiful eye catching illustrations.

These text books are given to children free of charge with the genuine intention of giving a proper education to all. I observe that the majority of children pay less attention to the text books before and after using them.

Now the situation has reversed. They never put covers for the books. Instead they fold the pages, scribble on them and sometimes tear the books. Some students have the bad habit of folding books and putting them in their pockets.

Some children use books to cover their heads from sun and rain. As soon as they come from school or private classes, they throw books every where.

Thereafter, they have to spend some more time to find the books. Can these children learn a subject by doing such improper activities? It is strange to find books hidden in the class room, so that they do not have to bring them on the following day.

Teachers and parents often advise children to use their books with care. But only a few of them heed their advice. It is like pouring water on a duck’s back.

I strongly believe that users must realise the value of the books. However, I appeal to the authorities to impose strict rules in the use of books, before issuing them to students.

LAL KANNANGARA
- English teacher, St. Mary’s College Matugama

Advertisement on television channel

A few months ago a person spoke to me on the telephone and invited me to appear on an advertisement on a television channel. Since I do not appear in commercial advertisements on TV channels, I rejected such a request.

On several occasions they made requests regarding the above but I politely informed them that as a principle I do not appear for commercial advertisements.

Although it finished there a few days ago a journalist called me and inquired and accused me as to how I am appearing in TV commercials when I had informed the print media that on principle, I do not appear in commercial advertisements and thus breaking such principles.

Further when I travel outstation for stage shows or for shooting of a teledrama my fans were inquiring from me that a similar person like me is appearing in a commercial advertisement on TV and however they did not expect such a thing and that I have broken the statements that I have made before.

Shocked and alarmed in investigating into this matter, I found that a person very close to my features and behaviourial pattern had been taken to act for this advertisement on TV.

It is a well known fact that the respective advertising firm has the liberty of choosing any person like me or otherwise.

But the fact remains that for the very advertisement offered to me and thereafter rejected by me sounds suspicious and feel that it has been a trick played on me and thereby causing to tarnish my good image and reputation.

As a person who has been involved in the field of art and literature for over 40 years with my own contributions I gather from my fans in various situations that they undoubtedly appreciated my dedication, enthusiasm and honesty.

You no doubt will appreciate that art and literature takes humans to great heights. But those who profess truth and sincerity in their creations cannot be bought over by either power or money.

During the last 40 years I have been out of commercial advertisements, as society would not appreciate an actor appearing in commercial advertisements which would gain nothing for the society.

An actor or a dramatist is not a consumer or a seller of milk or meat but a citizen who would provide satisfaction to uplift society.

Commercial advertisements are essential requirements for the commercial world and for which there are plenty of models and actors available throughout the country, for this purpose.

We live in a complex consumer-oriented society.

Our genuine productions are made with great effort which gives us great pleasure rather than the income earned from appearing in commercial advertisements.

Through the years of experience I find that all my fans in this country and all over the world including my family members appreciated my effort rather than the money earned.

I would very much appreciate if you could draw your attention to this type of fraudulent activities in order to that even in the future a genuine actor or dramatist will not be subjected to such an ordeal.

JAYALATH MANORATHNE
- Boralesgamuwa

Food crisis

In recent months, the world prices of virtually all staples have shot up.

Economists worry that this boom may worsen poverty even more than low agricultural prices did in the past to poor farmers.

Major factors contributing to global food price rises, among others, are given below.

Rising crude oil prices. Growing competition between bio-fuels and food, higher demand from emerging economies in the developing world and climate and weather-related events destroying crops.

Even if one allows for rising demand from Asia’s middle classes, the real challenge is not the volume of food available; it is the problem of food being in the wrong place and at a price the poorest cannot afford.

As the current supply could not meet the growing demand, the global food prices further accelerated to a level unaffordable to the low income earners.

However, the investments spurred by today’s high prices promise more food in future, but at a higher price.

Under these circumstances, Sri Lankans should strategise and take immediate action to address the global food crisis with a view to making available the essential food items at affordable prices.

The Government’s role would include; stockpiling and facilitating risk-insurance for farmers and many others. The greater emphasis would also have to be placed on targeting subsidies in ways that complement markets rather than distort them. At macro level, the policy-makers must adopt proper land use plan using GPS/GIS technologies in order to optimise land utilisation to grow more food.

The release of land from the Eastern Province including Mahaweli land should be expedited for agriculture related investments.

The writer is of the view that the President should consider appointing a Special Task Force to address the challenges faced by Sri Lanka due to the global food crisis. If proper strategies are implemented effectively, it would be a silver lining in the dark cloud.

JAYAMPATHY MOLLIGODA
- Bogawanthalawa

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