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Sri Lanka has still not adopted the new developments in the advanced
world in respect of vocational education. As a country, Sri Lanka should
consciously engage itself in the transformational process to achieve the
goal of a ‘Wisdom Society’. The present Information Society therefore
will have to pass through the intermediate stage of Knowledge Society.
Vocational education plays a key role in this exercise.
It is a well-known fact that over 90 percent of the children who
enter the school system as five year olds do not succeed in their life
in the context of the educational inputs given in their school
curriculum. The civil society should therefore strive to supplement this
void through their contribution to the educational system, especially in
the field of vocational education.
The free education we boast of as a country void of vocational
education has not given any demonstrable benefit to the vast majority of
parents and schoolchildren. The latter run from one private tuition
class to another in the quest of a good GCE O/L certificate or an
exceptional GCE A/L pass, that have no real acceptance in their job
search.
The university degrees too are looked upon by the prospective
employers with scepticism as they have low inputs in terms of vocational
education.
The Old Boys associations of the various schools for example could
contribute to supplement this void in vocational education in the
primary and secondary school sector as this is a large untapped resource
in terms of experience, expertise and enterprise.
These members of the civil society are leaders in the varying fields
of the economy of the country. Others who have retired from active
service in the private, cooperative or the public sectors too could chip
in.
It is high time that the civil society individuals and groups
volunteer to offer their services to the country’s education system
regarding vocational education. It is the duty of the education
authorities to solicit and also welcome such overtures in the betterment
of the Sri Lankan society.
Asoka Sooria Bandara,
Senarathgama, Katugastota
Sometimes I regret very much having eaten flesh of animals during my
very early childhood. My love for dumb friends turned me to become a
vegetarian. Most people in the high society (not all) believe that a
meal or a function is not complete without a dish of innocent animal
flesh.
Though most humans think that the whole world belongs to them, it
should be remembered, like humans, animals do have a life and a right to
live peacefully on this planet.
How many delicious dishes, salads we can make without killing
animals. There are plenty of fresh green vegetables, fruits, whole
grain, yams etc. to make disease-free meals, soya products are very
popular among vegetarians. Soya foods have been an important food in
China for thousands of years, but have only recently gained popularity
in Western countries, due to its high nutrition benefits.
For people who think that being a vegetarian is an “old fashioned
thing” or no way anyone can celebrate a wedding or any other function
without animal flesh, I like to highlight the wedding reception of Dr
Hirantha Atukorala and Dr (Miss) Dilusha who got married on September 9,
2005 at Colombo Hilton. Dr Hirantha is the son of Dr D P Atukorala -
famous Cardiologist, who is a vegetarian. They invited about 700 guests
for the wedding and Home Coming. I still keep a valuable article they
appeared on October 10, 2005 in Daily News by Mr Douglas Premaratne on
Dehiwela, who was a guest at the Home Coming at Trans Asia Hotel.
He described at length of the mouth watering full vegetarian dishes
and desserts, even without eggs. He further wrote that he has
experienced weddings at five star hotels, but never had the opportunity
of enjoying such a delicious meal.
If they were not vegetarians, how many innocent animals could have
been killed to entertain such a large number of high society guests.
Atukoralas set a noble example for the whole society. Specially for
those who believe that nothing could be celebrated without killing
animals.
Humans should not use their tummies as a grave to bury the flesh and
blood of dead animals.
Also it is a known fact that meat and meat products increase the risk
of certain cancers and kidney diseases. A pure vegetarian diet prevents
heart diseases too.
Please remember some of the powerful, strong animals on this planet
are pure vegetarians, i.e. elephants, bulls, gorillas etc. So let
animals be our dumb friends, not our food.
Amitha Perera
I believe that a strong will is one of the greatest blessings that
can be bestowed upon a human being. Having a weak will is like having
little donkey in your backyard. It can’t hurt you very much; about the
worst it can do is chomp on your tulips. But it can’t help you that much
either, and you could end up with a life of regrets for not doing things
you thought to do. Having a strong will, on the other hand, is like
having a dozen Clydesdales in your backyard. These horses are massive,
extremely strong, trained, disciplined and harnessed to move mountains.
The President demonstrated his strong will when he eliminated
terrorism in our country. Now if, we, all the citizens of Sri Lanka work
harmoniously towards the common goal of discipline, progress, growth and
enlightenment, we too can demonstrate our nation’s will power. This is
the best compliment we could return to our President.
Vidana Gamage Ratnasiri
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