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The Sri Lanka Astronomical Association (SLAA) through the media
informed the public of a meteor shower which could be seen in the skies
over Sri Lanka. Many people witnessed this meteor shower which was at
its peak last Thursday (Dec 13) and Friday (Dec 14). The meteor shower
was clearly visible in the Western skies in the early hours of the
morning and was a wonderful sight - like fireworks.
Meteoroids have been in existence for billions of years, and our
grandmothers referred to them as Devatha Eli. Their explanation was that
the light was a 'God' journeying through the skies. The scientific
explanation is that meteoroids are particles thrown out from the
crumbling nucleus of a comet.
They exist by the millions travelling along the comet's orbit in huge
swarms although the grains may be kilometres apart. Meteoroids
themselves are invisible but if they collide with the Earth's atmosphere
at speeds ranging from 10 - 40 kms they evaporate in a streak of light -
forming meteors or 'shooting stars'. If the Earth passes through a large
swarm of meteoroids, many meteoroids may be seen every hour. This is a
meteor shower. Ordinary meteors usually burn up at a height of about 50
kms above Earth.
Anything larger than a stone will light the ground as a meteorite. An
especially bright meteorite is called a fireball. Any meteor long enough
to travel through the Earth's atmosphere and hit the ground is called a
meteorite.
They could be pieces of minor planets or comets. Some meteorites are
stony others are metallic - presumably from the crust or core of a
broken mini planet. A few meteorites are made of very crumbly rock.
In 1976 a meteorite crashed into California in the USA. It is even on
display today and has been given the name 'The Old Woman'.
This meteorite weighs 2758 kgs making it the second largest meteorite
ever found in the US. It is made of Iron and Nickle and may have formed
part of a molten core of a small planet that broke up about four million
years ago. We must be thankful to the SLAA for informing us about the
meteor shower in time.
Harshi Nadie Perera – Piliyandala
The CAA, the brainchild of our admirable Co-op Minister is a very
laudable and praiseworthy functional organ indeed. This wonder-working
arm of the Ministry was mainly to keep the COL at manageable levels for
the convenience of the ever pressed common-man and the helpless
housewives.
On this score, referring to the fruits scenario, why has not the big
opportunity been taken of all our island's blessed luscious fruits
surely and certainly coming out seasonally and annually down to its
lowest prices? Lime in mounds goes for a mere pittance at just a tenner
or two as prices along with many other fruits hiting that big 'low'.
Amusingly, on the other side of the scale all the canned and bottled
by-products of these fruits are found meted out at astronomical prices
at all the sales points and outlets.
Why isn't the multi-faceted authority taking planned out steps with
labour gangs and suitable transport deployed across the landscape,
providentially during the well-timed seasonal low, for the mass
propitious collecting and gathering of the fruits for the processing
machines? The Marketing Department had machines used for these fruits
bought at any and all times of the year at fancy and artificial prices
with never an inkling of a notion of any reduced prices for the public
to manage.
Here's all good wishes for a more systematized method of gathering
from the sources itself, to help the poor buyer on one side and also
lend a big hand in the scruffing by the neck (sic) of that big bugbear
that is haunting the lives of the poor Sri Lankans. Here's also all good
wishes and hopes for the venturesome CAA.
W. Meadows - Mt. Lavinia
This is with reference to your editorial of 6.12.12. Sirimavo
Bandaranaike became the Prime Minister by fortuitous circumstances. When
her husband was killed by a Buddhist monk, other monks could not go in a
bus or walk on the road without rude remarks being cast. The Maha Sangha
appealed to Sirimavo who was minding the hearth and home. She issued a
statement over the radio to the public to stop harassing the monks.
Thereafter started problems in the government over the Premiership.
Caste considerations took over and she was catapulted to lead the party.
She came to Parliament through the back door and never sat in the
PM's seat but in the gallery, till she was elected subsequently.
Clasping hands is a national custom of greeting anyone and is not
confined to politics.
Senex - Ratmalana
Attractive and colorful potted Poinsettias plants are displayed by a
number of plant sales outlets these days. All these plants are raised by
local nurserymen. Poinsettia is a plant closely associated with the
Christmas season each year. Poinsettaes originating in the exotic Mexico
State of Moreles, can be induced to bloom for more than one season.
The snowy red blooms are not flowers, they are modified leaves termed
as bracts. Actual flowers of Poinsettias are the small yellow flowers
found in the center of the bracts. When selecting a potted plant it is
better to buy Poinsettias whose flowers show little or no yellow pollen.
There are different colors of Poinsettias available, but plants with
prestige red and classic green leaves are the most popular species. The
sap of the plant causes irritation to human and animals if it touches.
Therefore, these plants have to be kept in a place where children and
pets cannot easily reach.
It is suggested that to maintain your Poinsettia plant in good shape
and induce vigorous growth, keep them at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit
during day and at a cooler temperature during night.
Water the plants when the soil is dry. To re -flower Poinsettias year
after year in the month of March remove stems and dried leaves by
cutting to about six inches.
In June re -pot the plants in larger pots using organic potting soil,
and keep them out doors. In July pinch off lateral shoots. This will
cause the Poinsettaes to flower and produce colorful leaves by Christmas
time.
Naheer Taip – Wattala
Why not the section apportioned for businessmen by the Federation of
Self Employees (FoSE) adjoining the Bogaha in Pettah, be transferred to
the bigger one which has been constructed near the Gunasinghepura and
just left for nearly two years? Nobody knows why it has been just kept
unused.
The CMC and UDA too are not interested to make use of it as it comes
under a powerful minister. We do not know whether the minister concerned
knows that such a completed construction has been left unattended when
every inch of Pettah is being exploited for want of space.
The one near the bo tree should be kept without being dismantled as
it could be used to arrange dansals during Wesak and also for other
religious requirements of the temple. At the same time, vehicles
including buses could also pass through it as before without any
hindrance.
Blocking such a road in the centre also looks odd. Hope the CMC or
the UDA will look into this suggestion.
Nazly Cassim - Colombo 13
I am a pensioner using a small 800cc car which is 25 years old. Due
to the high cost of fuel, I use it only very sparingly. Each year I have
to obtain an Emission Test report to get the Revenue Licence. An
emission test costs Rs. 1110. In order to pass the test I have to visit
the garage and replace several parts, also paying high labour charges.
Even then the mechanic cannot certify that the vehicle is upto the
required standard because he does not have sophisticated meters like
those found in testing centres. As a result I have to use some devious
means to obtain the pass at the emission test.
Sometimes temporary adjustments are made just to face the test and
reverted, once you come out. This is downright cheating, but that it
happens is an open public secret. Being an honest individual I
personally detest it but it has to be gone through. Otherwise I have to
discard my car. With my meagre income I cannnot buy any new car. Some
cars which are very old are exempt from the emission test. Likewise, I
earnestly request the authorities to exempt cars over 20 years old from
this test. Also a few years back the annual revenue licence for my car
cost only Rs. 350 but now it stands at Rs. 1300 and is bound to go up
with the budget proposals. Please grant relief to old car owners by
giving some concession in the revenue licence fee considering the age of
the car also.
A.G. Abeysinghe - Gampaha
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