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Thursday, 21 May 2009 |
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Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil is a country in South America. It is the fifth largest country by geographical area, occupying nearly half of South America, the fifth most populous country, and the fourth most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of over 7,491 kilometers (4,655 mi). It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and the French overseas department of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos are part of the Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz. Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 until its independence in 1822. Initially independent as the Brazilian Empire, the country has been a republic since 1889, although the bicameral legislature; now called Congress, dates back to 1824, when the first constitution was ratified. Its current Constitution defines Brazil as a Federal Republic. The Federation is formed by the union of the Federal District, the 26 States, and the 5,564 Municipalities. Brazil is the world's tenth largest economy at market exchange rates and the ninth largest in purchasing power. Economic reforms have given the country new international projection. It is a founding member of the United Nations and the Union of South American Nations. A predominantly Roman Catholic, Portuguese-speaking, and multiethnic society, Brazil is also home to a diversity of wildlife, natural environments, and extensive natural resources in a variety of protected habitats.
VesakVesak is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of the Buddha is commemorated on this day. It is celebrated on the Full Moon Day in the month of May. The Vesak moon rises over Lanka's hills and plains. It is beaming forth her mellow light all over mortal man and beast alike. It's echoing to all the mankind and to the sublime message of the Buddha. The Blessed Sage whose exalted teaching appeals to any age. M. Z. M. Afzal - Sailan International SchoolCelebrating victory as one nation
The past few days were very significant for our beloved country. Did you hoist the National Flag to celebrate the ending of the LTTE terrorist war which spanned for nearly three decades headed by the most ruthless terrorist Prabhakaran? We must salute our President Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Commanders of three Forces namely Army, Navy, Air Force and Police. We must be grateful to them for their leadership par excellence. How can one forget the brave soldiers who sacrificed their precious lives and limb to safeguard our Motherland, so that both you and I can live safe and happy in our day to day life. However as President Rajapaksa said in his victory speech now is the time to start developing the country. We must not think in terms of race or religion. We are all Sri Lankans who should love our Motherland and work towards its development. All communities Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher should be united in taking our Motherland beyond victory. Don't forget United we Stand, Divided we Fall. I am sure most of the schools will celebrate this historic victory with hoisting the National Flag and paying tribute to our war heroes. No Tobacco DayMay 31 is World No Tobacco Day. Let us focus on the latest statistics on this issue. Over one thousand million people worldwide smoke tobacco. The percentage of smokers has declined in many developed countries but is increasing in developing countries.
Consumption of tobacco and related products claims 5.4 million lives annually throughout the world, of which 27,000 lives are lost in Sri Lanka. We all have a role to play in fighting against the escalating tobacco related deaths and health problems. Awareness campaigns should be from grassroots level such as school children participating in art and essay competitions, seminars and workshops. Street dramas depicting the deadly consequences of smoking can also be very effective. Children can be victims of passive smoking. What is passive smoking. Passive smoking is the involuntary inhalation of smoke, called second-hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke, from tobacco products. It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment, causing its inhalation by people within that environment. Scientific evidence shows that exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke causes disease, disability and death. The member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day in 1987. It draws global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to its negative health effects. On May 31, 2008 the WHO called for a complete ban on tobacco advertising. By the way World Telecommunication and Information Society Day was on May 17. The main objective of the day is to raise global awareness of societal changes brought about by the Internet and new technologies. It also aims to help reduce the Digital divide. Bye for now. - Aunt AnjiWasu meets Zira
The story so far... Pramodaka, Nalaka, Champika and Chinthaka go on a trip to the woods with their parents for their school holidays. In the middle of the night the children are awakened by a strange noise. On following their dog, Scooby, Chinthaka is snared by the age old spell of the 'luring stones'. Pramodaka departs with Ruwi, a pixie, to recall a book of spell to cast off the spell while Nalaka, Champika and the dog remain behind with Sachi, a gnome who updates them on the life of mythical creatures. Shamilka, a friend of the mythical creatures joins in and they begin hunting for Pramodaka and Ruwi as there is no sign of their return. Just as they were coming to terms with the fact that they were lost, six rabbits scamper along the way. The rabbits take pity upon the children and agree to guide them part of the way. One of the rabbits named Wasu meets Zira, a young gnome who chooses the moment to play a trick on him. Meanwhile a storms is brewing in the West and threatening the inhabitants of the woods. Everyone flees in fright except one creature who had the opportunity to eavesdrop...
Meanwhile Sachi had advised the rabbits and the children to get a hold of each other. "We need to form a chain strong enough to stand against the wind," he said. Anu gave a yelp as Champika's fingernails dug into his skin. "Yow, ow. That hurt," he squeaked, pulling a long face, as he massaged his paw. "oh, sorry," she cried, reddening but Sachi hurried them on. Then suddenly Ruwi and Pramodaka burst into the scene. "Thank god. You are here at last..." Sachi while Champika and Nalaka gave exclamations of delight. Pramodaka joined the space between the two children and took their hands. He was glad to be among his siblings even though he remembered with some dismay that one was still frozen in the middle of the woods. "Hold on tight... we are in for a bumpy ride," Sachi cried as the full gust of wind hit them barely a minute before the arrival of their friends. It was not like anything they had witnessed before in their life. The wind dragged at their hair while howling in their ears. The children clung on for dear life, praying that the storm would pass. However it seemed to go on for hours, shrieking around them and blowing dust in their faces. Champika's grip on Anu suddenly loosened, sending a shiver of anxiety up her spine. She uttered a silent prayer but all her efforts were in vain. Suddenly the three children found themselves carried off with the wind. (To be continued)
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"Hold on to me," Ruwi commanded to Pramodaka in a stern voice as she
tightened her grip on his hand. Pramodaka obediently followed her lead
as he sensed that the pixie was the kind who would save her friends even
if she would come to harm herself. They scurried up a different route,
one Pramodaka had not seen before. 
