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Sri Lanka has been historically evolved as a matriarchal society and
as such, women are at the centre of family decision making. Their
influence is very much apparent in all spectrum of family life. In the
rural setting in most instances, The woman contributes to family income
despite inherited vulnerabilities and responsibilities of feeding and
nurturing children and fetching water. She is courageous and stubborn in
the face of trying conditions.
It should also be mentioned that women usually go through hardships
with the intention of giving a better quality life to their children,
and put themselves at the risk of being afflicted with all kinds of
preventable ailments. We also hear women raise their voices in the
household to protect children, in society against injustice, stand up
for friend or neighbour. We find that she asserts herself everywhere.
It is generally accepted that women are vulnerable to many social
changes and usually take the brunt of disasters. The majority of those
who died during the 2004 Tsunami disaster that hit Sri Lanka were women.
Their vulnerability and hardships increase several fold in times of
calamity such as droughts and floods.
However, given the matriarchic nature of the Sri Lankan society,
actions are usually in place to tackle challenges that are unique to
women by default - simply by virtue of being women. It should be
mentioned that despite matriarch values in society, there are cases of
vocational rights particularly in the 'Free Trade Zones'.
Further, some women human right activists claim that society and
social formation are patriarchal in nature and leave women exposed to
violence. Moreover they claim that legislation of Sri Lanka does nothing
to empower women, and in the aftermath of harassment can hardly reclaim
their rights. However the biggest picture of the Sri Lanka society is
that social structures respect and appreciate women and provisions are
usually made to address the vulnerabilities of women.
In the arduous journey towards a sustainable future, women can play a
leading role where in a matriarchic society the influences can affect
changes in the household and in society as a whole. It is just a matter
of ensuring that she makes sustainable decisions and choices.
Through her influence in the family and society, the message of
sustainability could be easily penetrated into all strata of society.
Even though the country has ensured equality in education, there is a
concern, as unemployment among women is very high, particularly among
educated women. The rate of unemployment of women is twice that of men.
Among educated women the rate of unemployment is around three times the
rate for men.
Furthermore, the majority of women who are from low income groups
engage in particular sectors such as the garment industry and plantation
sector, in vocations considered low wage jobs. In the garments industry
90% are women and in the plantation sector women employment consist of
more than 60%. There is also health, social, and cultural concerns
linked with women employment in the garment industry and plantation
sector. Further, 70% of Middle East immigrant workers are women.
With emerging issues such as climate change, increased attention
should be paid to women. If not, she will be forced to deal with new and
even more difficult situations.
HARSHI NADIE PERERA
PILIYANDALA
It was reported that schoolchildren were found to be the most
affected by dengue.
It is high time that the authorities took a decision on changing the
school uniform of small children including girls, as presently their
uniforms are such that they are more exposed to mosquito bites than any
other.
They are exposed from the time they leave home, waiting for the bus
or school van early in the morning and again in the classroom.
I sincerely trust that the higher officials of the ministry concerned
will take effective action very urgently.
L. SENANAYAKE
MORATUWA
Water is a precious commodity which should not be wasted but
accumulated when available to be used when necessary.
With destructive changes effecting our environment, scarcity of water
is inevitable within the next couple of decades.
Although ours is an agricultural country, this position too is
rapidly changing due to the almost irreversible harm we cause to the
environment.
Taking the above circumstances into consideration, it is necessary to
introduce low cost technologies to collect large quantities of water,
which can help meet the requirements of the people over appreciably long
periods. Needless to say with rising temperatures due to changing
weather patterns experienced at present, water tables are certain to
descend to deeper levels, whilst vast evaporation of surface water
becomes yet another cause for concern.
Water as we all know, is a life and death issue as water has no
substitute, which is why this vitally urgent issue should be given top
priority and due consideration. Waiting for a crisis situation to occur
would attract disastrous consequences, and should be avoided at all
costs.
In the words of Khalil Gibran, “In one drop of water are found all
secrets of all the oceans; in one aspect of you are found all the
aspects of existence.
TOMMY WANIGESINGHE
KURUNEGALA
The standard of English education in Sri Lanka a few decades back,
superseded that of all other countries in Asia. At that time, Sri
Lankans held in high esteem illustrious Buddhist prelates in the calibre
of Ven. Narada, Balangoda Ananda Maitri, Polwatte Buddhadatta, Walpola
Rahula and many other Theras as they were not only versatile in the
vernacular but also erudite in several other languages.
Through their publications on the doctrine of Buddhism they were able
to propagate the Buddha Dhamma in several countries in the world. Some
of their publications were even prescribed as text books for public
examinations. Westerners valued these publications and those who
understood the teachings of the Buddha in its correct perspective,
become converts to Buddhism. Some westerners who arrived in Sri Lanka
with a thirst for Buddhism, got ordained.
In this context it in imperative that the present standard of English
imparted to the Buddhist clergy be uplifted. In order to encourage the
missionary zeal, English Language is a basic and vital requirement.
The Nalanda University in ancient India, was the oldest seat of
learning which provided Buddhist education to scholars from across Asia.
Today only the archaeological remains of the university can be seen
as it was destroyed by invaders. The Nalanda University is said to have
had several faculties offering a number of subjects in the Buddhist
tradition. It was in the news recently, that the Indian Parliament
passed a Bill to re-build the Nalanda University “as a symbol of India's
global ambitions”.
In Sri Lanka, as the majority of young novice Buddhist monks are
pursuing higher studies in universities or Pirivenas, it is opportune
that a separate university be established to cater to the Buddhist
clergy to procure graduation in English and other foreign languages as
subsidiary subjects. The objectives of opening a separate university in
the English medium could be briefly listed as follows
* Serve as Buddhist missionaries in foreign countries.
* Publish books on Buddhism for the benefit of students, who offer
Buddhism as a subject of public exams.
* Hold discourses on Buddhism to tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
* Serve as graduate teachers on the subject of Buddhism in schools in
the island.
* Deliver discourses on Buddhism over the TV for world wide telecast.
Funds for the implementation of the proposal could be met by the
UNESCO, private individuals, religious groups, Buddhist countries and by
the state.
R.L. GURUGAMAGE
DODANDUWA
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