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Old age has its
pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of
youth. - W. Somerset Maugham
Be kind to elders
Dear children,
Recently as I was returning from the supermarket I saw how a small
girl and boy helped an old couple to pick up a parcel that had fallen on
the car park and put it back in the trunk of the vehicle. Their act of
kindness was highly appreciated by the old couple.
I am sure all of you would do the same if you witness such a
situation. Am I right? Yeah, That’s how it should be. As I tell you
always, whenever possible you have to reach out to the needy, and to the
old too, who continuously need your attention.
 Hope at least some of you have heard of the term the old are in a
second childhood. When we are young, at times we may feel that we will
never grow old. Sometimes when you see old people, you may never feel
that you too would reach this stage of life one day. Our looks will
deteriorate, skin will shrink, teeth will fall out etc. No one wants any
of these changes to happen, but the truth is that we cannot avoid
growing old.
It should be the responsibility of the young to make elders happy.
Most of the time they feel isolated and are in need of constant
attention. We have to be in their company as most of their companions of
the same age are no more.So may it be your grandma, grandpa or any
elder, you should never let them feel that they are alone.
I am sure you do not use any bad terms when referring to elders. You
have to treat them with dignity and respect. They have a great deal of
stories to tell you. They have passed many stages of life and you can
learn a lot from their past experiences. Having an old person around
means you have access to a lot of information. You have to be quite
tolerant when dealing with the old. Due to their advanced age, they have
memory problems. Also they may get angry sometimes for no reason at all.
Day by day all of us too will grow old. Hence leave no room in your
hearts for regrets about what you could not do for your elders when you
were young. Never ill-treat your grandparents, always be determined to
look after your parents in their old age…The old are never a burden, but
an asset..
Bye for now,
The Glory of Sinhala Literature
Mahagama Sekera
He wrote the words of a song you must surely know by-heart, a song
which so effectively describes the love all of us feel for our
motherland, Rathnadeepa Janmabumi, Lankadeepa vijayabumi... He was
considered one of the greatest poets of our country. He produced one of
the greatest movies ever made. He was a lyricist and a painter and an
academic as well. But in the middle of all these creative activities he
had time for you too.
 One of the first books Mahagama Sekera published was written for you.
Called Punchi Ayata Kai Kathandara the book contains amazing stories,
together with beautiful pictures, all done by this great artist, with a
heart overflowing with love.
Born on April 12, 1929 in Radawana, Mahagama Sekera was the only son
of Maha Gamage John Appuhami and Ranawaka Achchige Rosalin. He went to
the government school in Radawana which stands to this day. If you take
a bus to Kirindiwella you are bound to come across the junction called
Thun Man Handiya, the title given by Mahagama Sekera to his semi
autobiographical novel and later the movie he directed based on the
novel.
Mahagama Sekera held many posts after he left the school in Radawana.
He was a teacher, a translator, a playwright, a director of programmes
at the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation, a lecturer and a principal. But
even as he worked he continued to study as well and obtained a B.A
honours degree from the University of London in 1962 and the M.A degree
from the University of Kelaniya (then called Vidyodaya) in 1969. In 1981
the University of Sri Jayawardenepura posthumously awarded him the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy for his research thesis Sinhala Gadya
Padya Nirmana Kerehi Balapa Athi Akaraya.
He married Kusumalatha Suraweera in 1963. He was the father of two
daughters and a son. He passed away on January 14, 1976 at his home in
Gampaha at the age of forty-six.
The books he wrote for children - Punchi Ayata Kai Kathandara, Saru
Polawak Apata Athe, Koti Valigaya and Lama Geetha, can be read on his
website, mahagamasekera.org.
In 1972 when he fell ill and was admitted to the General Hospital in
Gampaha he started writing the book, Nomiyemi ( I will not die). You and
I can fulfill his wish. We can help him live by reading his books, by
giving a special place for him in our hearts. This is the best we can do
for an artist who loved the world around him and the world that was to
come, so much.
He thought like you. He made the same wishes you make.
I like to be like the rain and fall from the sky/ I like to be like
water and fill up lakes and tanks..
Do read what he wrote. Let him enter your heart through the songs and
stories he wrote for you. Let him live, inside your heart.
Pollution
All trees in a happy mood
Staying free with the animals
Smoke! chemical Pollution.
All the animals running from fear
All the trees move from side to side
And they die now.
The forest is like a city dump!
Menu Vyanga Dias
Gateway College
Kandy
| Bak
Maha Ulela of Jenings International School |
Annual New Year festival of Narithasan Kindergarten |
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The Bak Maha
Ulela organised by the students of the Jenings International
School at Kettapawwa in Ambanpola and Mahawa was held in the
presence of parents, staff and wellwishers at the Digana
playground recently. Picture by Sakuntala Jayasingha |
The annual
New Year festival of Narithasan Kindergarten in
Ranpokunugama was held recently. Here, the kids of ‘Saman’
class participating in an item. Picture by Ajith Kumara
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