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| Child
in the middle The professor
of paediatrics at the University of Kelaniya explains his concerns
relating to politics and war, a field he admits to be outside his
area of speciality. "We cannot devolve politics from the issue
of child protection," he stresses. Questioning the peace process, he says, "Are we taking the correct path?" He highlights issues such as child conscription and abduction that primarily affect children in the north and east. As Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority of Sri Lanka, Prof. de Silva has been actively involved in child protection and welfare. The problems he encountered in the course of his work led him to campaign against various factors contributing to child abuse, such as paedophile activity. Dr. de Silva calls for a change of attitude in society. "We need to see where we went wrong and work towards long-term solutions to protect our future generations," he says. Rather than concentrating on economic development, we need to invest on social development.” Speaking at the launch, veteran journalist Edwin Ariyadasa commended Dr. de Silva's exercise of analyzing the peace process and bringing to light issues that needed redress. Children’s and women's rights activist, Dr. Hiranthi Wijemanne reiterated that politicians look for short-term solutions. It is thus left to civil society to take matters into their hands. "To regain Sri Lanka we need to start with children, our future. We need to protect them from all forms of violence and abuse." Sybil
Wettasinghe’s latest book will leave readers purring for more Written in her simple style, what initially strikes one about the book are the illustrations. Wettasinghe's own simple lines and soft colours bring out the best in each character making even adults yearn to turn the pages for more. "This is a story I wrote back in 1994, my purpose being to spread the message of peace and harmony," says Wettasinghe. The book was first brought out in Japanese and is a much-loved picture book in that country. A Japanese-sponsored
NGO, Surangani Voluntary Services then went on to publish the book
in Sri Lanka in Sinhala, Tamil and English and it went on sale this
year. Nearly all the cats in Cat Country become enthralled with this object sailing the high seas. Not having seen a ship before, they gather at the beach and are amazed as strangers step out, dressed in many coloured clothes and wearing masks the likes of which the cat people have never seen. Then drumbeats fill the air and the strangers move like the wind. Even though the Cat People are unsure of what is happening the beauty of their dance lures them and they take the visitors to meet the ‘Cat King’. The King asks that they perform their dance for him and they do, somersaulting in different directions in tune with the beat of the drum. The most captivating factor about the book is the astute likeness Wettasinghe has drawn to man. Every movement, every illustration and every word spoken is identical to that of man. As the dance comes to end the Cat King insists that the strangers remove their masks - they refuse, saying that they have a very specific reason for wanting to do so. But unable to refuse the Cat King’s request the strangers unmask and horror breaks lose. The simple
language and Wettasinghe's style of writing make the book reader
friendly. To know
the child Drawing on his long experience as a teacher, principal and education administrator, the author introduces the reader, in simple language, to three broad strands forming this subject. These cover, 1. The global re-orientation towards doing the best for children; 2. How Sri Lanka has positioned itself within this international re-ordering of priorities; and 3. The relevance of understanding the process of child development in fashioning a rational approach to child rights. The first strand examines the response of the international community based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (CRC). This accepted the fact that rights must be matched with relevant services in order to promote child development within the framework of a supportive, family-friendly society. Wanniarachchi asserts a connection between democracy, human rights and peace and states that child rights cannot flourish within an overall context that does not accord equal respect to the humanity of all people. This is the holistic principle that has guided the United Nations in its work during the last fifty years. He traces the beginnings of UNICEF after World War II, created to safeguard the welfare of children in war- torn Europe. Also specifically dealt with is its present global mandate in terms of the CRC to make a reality of the rights of the most disadvantaged children to live and grow in a protective environment in which their human dignity is respected. The author also explains the 'Triple A' approach that underpins the programmatic responses of UNICEF where a situation affecting children is assessed and analyzed before action is taken. The second strand picks up the national response to the issue of 'child abuse' by successive governments and deals in detail with the work of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). Wanniarachchi summarizes the main initiatives launched by the NCPA during its first five years. These are:
However the limitations of that approach become apparent when we move into the third strand of his book. This takes us to the realm of child development and child psychology. His lucid analysis of child development from birth to adolescence emphasizes the function of parents and a supportive society in nurturing the growing hearts and minds of children - not merely their bodies. A truly scientific understanding of how abuse and neglect affects the cognitive, emotional and biological development of children is essential for society to devise a relevant and useful approach. This developmental perspective must inform decisions taken as to, what is abuse and neglect, when the State should act to prevent or protect against it and how effective such action has been. The development of official policy and local practice regarding child protection and child welfare based on the latest developmental knowledge is a national priority if Sri Lankan children are to reap the full benefit of the global movement for children. A significant challenge in this regard is the present lack of professional orientation towards child abuse and child welfare as a subject requiring serious study. This makes Wanniarachchi's book essential reading for those engaged in decision making concerning children at every level. It is also hoped that it would find a place in the reading lists of students of social sciences and human resource development in both schools and universities. The pricing of this book at Rs. 175 is no indication of its value but is in accordance with the author's intention that knowledge on child welfare should be disseminated widely, not only amongst those working with children but amongst children as well. The historian’s
craft at its best The International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Kandy and its Executive Director, Prof. Kingsley de Silva must be congratulated for masterminding this project and placing before the researcher the invaluable information unfolded in Lakshman Perera's doctoral thesis. The three unwieldy volumes were lying in the Ceylon Room of the Library of the University of Peradeniya, where generations of students had used them so frequently that the paper had deteriorated. Despite the numerous problems that arose such as typing 1,500 brittle yellowed pages that could not be scanned, and annotating and updating the references to inscriptions used in the text after a period of 50 years, Prof. Sirima Kiribamune completed this laborious task assisted by Dr. Piyatissa Senanayake of the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya. hile the text has remained faithful to the original, the refinements to the footnotes, the dynastic tables and the comprehensive index has been completed with the professional competence and the meticulous attention to detail usually associated with Kiribamune's work. Interpretations The findings of the author, 50 years ago proves beyond doubt the value and authenticity of the Mahavamsa, now discredited as myth by pseudo historians trying to push their own private agendas. The usefulness of the Mahavamsa as a structural framework within which to place the names of the kings who appear in the inscriptions is amply proved by the author in no uncertain terms thus, "It would not have been possible to construct a genealogy or to arrange the records in chronological order, except on the basis of the palaeography, but for the information supplied in the Mahavamsa, on names, virudas, relationship, lengths of the reigns and deeds of merit and valour. Most of the inscriptions are royal grants or proclamations and because even private inscriptions often refer to the reigning king to fix the date of the inscription, most of the inscriptions can be arranged in chronological order and a genealogy can be drawn up." Despite the plethora of epigraphic evidence that has been unearthed our knowledge of the island's history would have been disconnected if not for this unique record left by the learned bhikkhus. The present work alone is proof that the Mahavamsa when substantiated by contemporary lithic records presents an authentic picture of many aspects of the island's history. The inscriptions on the other hand supplement the literary sources whose main interest was religion and political events. On the administration of the religious institutions, the day-to-day economic life of the people, the land tenure system, the evidence of the inscriptions is invaluable. The evolution of the Sinhala script from Asokan Brahmi to the modern Sinhala script and the language from Proto-Sinhala to modern Sinhala and even the development of Sinhala grammar can be traced from a study of the inscriptions. The period covered by this study (831-1016) extends from the reign of Sena I to that of Mahinda V. This marks the last momentous days of the Anuradhapura kingdom after which it was finally swept away by the Colas under Rajaraja. The inscriptions introduce us to an opulent and prosperous kingdom with an institutional life more mature than any met with before whereas the Mahavamsa supplies the details of strife, political intrigue and foreign aggression. Immunities The author's penetrative study of the Badulla Pillar Inscription reveals the sophisticated administrative structure which reached the local level. Assuming that history is the sum total of human experience, the author gives in detail the organization of the market-town of Hopitigama presenting much data which should be of immense interest to the social and economic historian. It is worth noting that all four poya days of the month were mercantile holidays for the inscription states that whosoever trades on poya days will have to give a measure of oil for the offering of lamps at the Mahiyangana Ceitya. The Badulla Pillar Inscription provides a wealth of information regarding trade, weights and measures. Law
and justice The concept of judicial integrity is deeply ingrained in our traditional and community attitudes. The concept of the rights of appeal-in fact multiple rights of appeal, was built into our legal system. The concept of community oriented administration of justice and of lay participation in the judicial system, the concept of resolution of disputes in an informal manner, rather than the strictly adversarial settlement of disputes leaves a legacy of bitterness between the parties and poisons community feeling thereafter. We also had a system of law which was based on emphasising duties rather than rights... and even concepts such as the concept of asylum and protected places found recognition in our legal system." All those connected with this superb product, from the author down to the printer have shown a high level of professionalism. The paper, printing and binding done by Karunaratne & Sons has come up to international standards. The cover design is most appropriate giving an air of sober dignity like the author himself. His name Lakshman Susantha Perera written in the Sinhala script of the 9th and 10th centuries is a delightful idea. |
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