The art exhibition which was held on July 15 and 16 at the National
Art Gallery was an exemplary collection of creative art and paintings
which depicted the tragedy faced by fauna and flora in the face of
commercialization and urbanization. The artist’s exquisite paintings and
craftsmanship led us to perceive the harsh truth and reality thereby
paving the way to cultivate good human values.
No doubt, his experience which was expressed by way of his creations
was an undertone of a suggestion that man has become an architect of all
the tragedies on this earth. In a way, it is a wake-up call given by the
artist to the Sri Lankans and the mankind as a whole for preservation of
environment. For example, the elephants that are shot dead in an
unprecedented manner is a harrowing tale showing man’s inhumanity to
man.
The environment which was beautified by fauna and flora in the days
gone by is in a grip of a crisis which cannot be easily solved.
I am of the opinion that any sensitive nature lover may react to
nuances of emotions expressed in his creative work which are capable of
changing his/her attitudes to adopt in an environment friendly manner.
The artist explained this occasion as his long felt need that came
true. According to him, art is not an act of keeping aloof from society
but many artists and art teachers live in isolation.
Although the artists live in isolation willingly, the art teachers
cannot follow suit so long as there are sensitive children. This artist
like many other teachers does not like to shirk his responsibility of
guiding the clever and talented children on the correct path to
discharge the national duty of preserving the environment.
Lalith Gunatillake who is well known as a teacher cum artist renders
a silent service of guiding his children as his national responsibility.
In spite of the fact that this is the first occasion on which I
recognised his inborn talent and capabilities, it amounts to shirking my
responsibility as a nature lover if I do not write a few words
appreciating his national mission. This is my little contribution to the
fine art and craftsmanship of this artist of rare calibre.
R Somasiri - Pannipitiya
The authorities of the International Schools are adding a certain
percentage as VAT when collecting school fees from the parents.
Low-income parents pay this school fees and taxes by sacrificing many of
their requirements.
As education is a fundamental requirement of a child, parents are
always ambitious to provide a good education under a good discipline.
Most of the parents admitted their children to the International Schools
as they have failed to admit them to popular schools. Therefore, it is
the responsibility of the Government to intervene and cease the levying
of VAT from the school fees of the International Schools.
P H K PATHIRANA - Nugegoda
Until quite recently I used to drive to work and back every morning
and evening proudly admiring the beautifully landscaped and foliaged
centre islands and roundabouts along the Parliament Road.
They used to be immaculately maintained; grass trimmed, flowers
blooming and plants freshly watered; thanks to dedicated private sector
participation in helping to beautify our city.
Now, suddenly, I noticed that these same centre islands and
roundabouts that had been so well and meticulously manicured and
nurtured are in a state of gross neglect; muddy, grass overgrown and
plants in their last throes. I see that certain other centre islands and
roundabouts in Colombo and Moratuwa that were also beautifully
maintained are now in a state of neglect.
Is it due to bureaucracy and red tape, I wonder! Local authorities
should give more consideration to those who volunteer to help keep our
city clean and beautiful at their own cost and who do an excellent job
of it. They are actually doing a favour to the authorities and a great
service to the nation.
G R L Perera - Battaramulla
The Government and the Minister in charge of plantations should be
commended for having taken early action to plant 100,000 acres of land
in the North with coconut that would thrive well if correctly and
methodically undertaken.
For the above to be a success, healthy nuts from selected mother
palms should be chosen as seed nuts for this purpose, to achieve maximum
yields. In addition to the above, experienced and knowledgeable personal
should be entrusted to advice and supervise this valuable task that
would bring added revenue to the country within five years of planting,
thereby improving the livelihood of people.
When developing the country, prominence should be given to
agriculture, of which our country has been famous for. Needless to
mention that this arrangement would benefit the safeguarding of the
atmosphere as well, which is a very vital area needing our attention.
Tommy Wanigesinghe - Kurunegala
I wouldn’t want to go through such an experience again. Neither would
I want any other helpless lady in this, my neighbourhood, to suffer this
same fate, therefore, I write this as a warning to all.
Returning home from my workplace, I was at my gate, unlocking and
unlatching it, when I felt something scratching and scraping at my neck,
pulling me back and almost throttling me. At first, I thought it was a
monkey or squirrel from the cadgu tree that had jumped on me. By the
time I realized it was a snatch - thief grabbing at my gold chain, it
was too late.
The two culprits had got away with what they wanted and I only saw
their backs disappearing on their motorbike.
I was too stunned even to call out for help - I simply stood there,
my mouth agape and too shocked even to move. I did shout then, but by
that time they would have been a mile or so away.
It was not so much the loss of my chain, but the trauma and shock
which still haunt me night and day. I had been warned several times not
to wear valuables, especially at the hour I usually return home - around
3.00 p.m. or so - when our road, Dharmaratne Avenue, with its many turns
and twists is so lonely and deserted and the ideal hunting-ground for
this kind of thief. But, not being young enough to wear all the fancy
jewellery that young misses adorn themselves with these days, I was in
the habit of wearing this chain.
ANTOINETTE FERDINAND - Moratuwa
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