Features | Online edition of Daily News

Bolivia, is a landlocked country in central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the North and East, Paraguay and Argentina to the South and Chile and Peru to the West.

Prior to European colonization, the Bolivian territory was a part of the Incan Empire, which was the largest state in Pre-Columbian America.

The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th Century. During most of the Spanish colonial period, this territory was called 'Upper Peru' or 'Charcas' and was under the administration of the Viceroyalty of Peru, which included most of Spain's South American colonies.

After declaring independence in 1809, 16 years of war followed before the establishment of the republic, named for Simón Bolívar, on August 6, 1825.

Bolivia has struggled through periods of political instability, dictatorships and economic woes.

Bolivia is a democratic republic, divided into 9 departments. Its geography is varied from the peaks of the Andes in the West, to the Eastern lowlands, situated within the Amazon Basin.

It is a developing country, with a medium Human Development Index score, and a poverty level around 60 percent.

Its main economic activities include agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and manufacturing goods such as textiles, clothing, refined metals and refined petroleum. The Bolivian population, estimated at 9 million, is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Europeans, Asians and Africans.

The main language spoken is Spanish, although the Aymara and Quechua languages are also common.

The large number of different cultures within Bolivia has contributed greatly to a wide diversity in fields such as art, cuisine, literature and music.

International Day of child victims of violence

On the occasion of the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression (June 4) the IRCT calls for increased efforts to end torture against children.

The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) is an independent, international health professional organisation that supports the rehabilitation of torture victims and works for the prevention of suffering worldwide.

This day is more relevant today with violence and conflict takes place more often.

It is the children, old and the feeble who are vulnerable in any conflict situation. As three decades conflict in the North and East has come to an end we can move about freely which is indeed a great relief. But let us not forget the thousands of innocent civilians who have lost their livelihood, children deprived of health services and proper education.

Women and children coming out of the conflict affected areas have endured extreme conditions, including scarcity of food, water and sanitation and are in urgent need of immediate humanitarian support. Although the Government is doing their utmost for the welfare of these victims, it is the duty of each one of us to help them.

Children not only become victims of war and conflict they can be subject to physical, mental and emotional abuse in the hands of parents, elders who supposed to protect them.

The United Nations Children's Fund plays a major role in rehabilitating and assisting the children displaced by war.

Another important thing that you children must remember is to help the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in our country. You can help them in any small way you can. Spare a thought for these displaced children and lend a helping hand, either through your school or individually.

Bye for now. - Aunt Anji

The kids vanish!

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 is 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....

Scooby who had been howling in his sleep amidst bad dreams was flung on top of a willow tree. Though he had lost consciousness due to the potion that Sulo had made him swallow, nevertheless he felt the impact of the storm. Needles of water suddenly started to pour out of the sky, drenching them all.

"Where are the children?" Ruwi shouted in Sachi's ear. The gnome gave her a puzzled stare and she realized that her soft voice did not carry over the wind. What made things more difficult was that he was also hard at hearing. "The children... Child-ren..." she cried desperately as she tried to duck over Shamilka's shoulder to get a better look. She was beginning to wish that she had never let go of Pramodaka's hand. It would have been safer if Champika, Nalaka and Pramodaka had been between Sachi and her. Why, oh, why didn't they think of that before?

At last there were signs of the storm fading. The water drops which had fallen like hail stones around them seemed to be slowing down and soon they were able to see each others faces through the thin curtain of rain. Sachi watched Ruwi in wonder as her head darted back and forth, hysterically searching for the children.

"Err... lost something, Ruwi?," he asked. Ruwi could have screamed with frustration. Why is he so slow on the uptake sometimes? "I'm sure you've noticed that some of us are missing by now," she said, keeping her temper in tact.

"The children," he said after a pause and a grim expression clouded his brows. Ruwi sighed and looked towards the six rabbits who were now huddled in a group with a worried looking Shamilka by their side.

"Where are the others?," Basu who seemed to have regained his composure asked with a frown.

"We lost grip. I tried to make one desperate lunge at her before she was blown away..."

"I hope they are ok. Poor kids... We should have kept them between us," Pramu said with regret, voicing the same thoughts that were in Ruwi's mind minutes before.

Ruwi took a deep breath. Despite being grumpy, difficult and hard to please at times, Basu knew how to act in desperate situations. No wonder the Elf chief had made him the leader of the pack.

(To be continued)

My House	Beach

P. Kavisha Nethmi Cooperative pre school Pitumpe	P. Rashini Kavindi Year 3B Rajapola MV
Ship	Watching TV

Dinindu Nethkalu 2A, Thurstan College Colomb 7	Lakindu St. Teresa’s pre school Colombo 3


The Mawilmada Women’s Development Society (Kantha Sanwardana Samithi) in Mawilmada, Kandy held its maiden Singithi Avurudu Festival for children of Mawilmada at the Municipal grounds in Kandy.	A fancy dress parade was conducted and in the picture from left: Isuru Dilsha Fernando (Second place Veddah), Chamal Liyanage (first place Village Yokel) and Lahiru Dilhara (Third place Hindi actress). Above: The contestants for the Singithi Avurudu Kumari contest. Pictures by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy South group correspondent	The principal, staff and the parents of St. Anthony’s College, Baddegama launched a program to feed Kola Keda daily to the Primary Section students. Here a group of students waiting to get their ration. Picture by Somadasa Abeywickrama Baddegama Group Correspondent