People and events
View(s):Jaipur limb users’ annual sports festival
‘AIDEX 2012’, the annual sports festival for Jaipur limb users organised by the Colombo Friend- in-Need Society will be held today, October 7 at the Wesley College grounds, Campbell Place, Colombo 8, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
Public participation is encouraged to cheer on the spirited athletes who will take part in a variety of events throughout the day. The Colombo Friend-in -Need Society has for many years spearheaded this cause, providing Jaipur limbs to Lankans all over the country.
Kusum first Asian woman to win ‘Women in Water 2012’ award
The Chair of NetWwater and Sri Lanka Water Partnership, Kusum Athukorala, has been awarded the ‘Women in Water 2012’ award presented biannually by the International Water Association (IWA), at its World Water Congress held in Busan, Korea on September 19.
Ms. Athukorala receiving the award from IWA World Water Congress President Prof. Changwon Kim, with IWA President Dr. Glen Daigger on her left.
The award, in memory of a path-breaking Korean woman engineer Dr. Hei Jin Woo, recognises Ms. Athukorala’s long association with and deep commitment to gender-related issues in water. Ms Athukorala is the first Asian and youngest recipient of the award.
Ms Athukorala has an extensive involvement in international water management organisations. A member of the Initial Steering Committee of the Global Water Partnership (GWP), she is the Steering Committee member for Women for Water Partnership (WFWP) and the WFWP Representative on the World Water Council . Her international involvement in water management led her to co-found two other international organizations — SaciWATERs based in Andhra Pradesh, India, and Women for Water Partnership (WfWP) based in The Hague.
She is also Co-Chair of the Gender Expert Group for UNESCO’s World Water Development Report. Active locally as well in advocacy and capacity-building for community based water organisations; Ms. Athukorala is also a Trustee of the National Community Water Trust of the Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage.
IWA is a global network of 10,000 water professionals spanning the continuum between research and practice and covers all facets of the water cycle. AN IWA objective is to recognise and promote women’s partnership and career development to higher management in the water sector.
Spotlight falls on depression on World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day on October 10 is an annual event aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates affects one in ten people across the globe.
This year’s specific focus is on depression – a very common mental disorder that can have severe consequences, but which can be successfully treated.
To coincide with the theme of World Mental Health Day, Halfway Home Mulleriyawa and Amba Tea Estate will be launching a booked entitled “Happy? – Expressions of Mental Well-Being”, which examines the beliefs and attitudes we all have about mental wellness. The book includes quotes from Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, authors Shyam Selvadurai and Joanna Trollope. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards supporting livelihood projects for the residents at Halfway Home Mulleriyawa.
There will also be a school art, essay and slogan exhibition at the National Art Gallery on October 9, 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which will be opened by chief guest, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ms. Robyn Mudie, at 9 a.m. on October 9.
A ‘March for Mental Health’ begins on October 10 at 7:30 a.m. from the National Art Gallery to Lipton Circus. All are welcome to join and show their support for mental health care in Sri Lanka.
The Open Day of the National Institute of Mental Health will be on October 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. NIMH will be hosting an open house for the general public featuring an art exhibition, forum theatre craft sale, butterfly making and fun for the whole family. The event will officially be opened on October 12 at 9 a.m. by the First Lady, Ms. Shiranthi Rajapaksa and on October 13 at 8 a.m. by Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Education.
Annual All-Island Scrabble Tournament
The annual All-Island Senior Citizens Scrabble Tournament organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Senior Citizens will be held on Sunday, November 4 at the Colombo Hilton. The event which is open to all Sri Lankans over the age of 50 is being held for the 12th consecutive year.
Players will vie for the Deshabandu Clara Motwani Cup, the champion’s trophy.Play will be in two categories: Category A will be for the championship and words used will be from the Collins Scrabble Words 2007 dictionary. Category B will be for those who prefer the old style of play using traditional words from the Oxford English Dictionary. Prizes will be awarded for the highest game score and the highest word score. There will also be spot prizes.
Entry forms are available from Mrs. Indrani Atukorale, 102/1, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 ( tel: 2696993) and Mrs. Delryn Wijesinghe, 27, Ridgeway Place, Bambalapitiya ( tel: 2587094).The entry fee is Rs 750 and the closing date for entries is October 26.
Symposium on improving life through science
An International Symposium on ‘Improving the Quality of Life through Science’ and a ‘Science Communication Leadership’ Workshop will be held in celebration of the 1st Inaugural General Assembly of the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA), Colombo, from October 16-19.
The symposium and workshop are being hosted by the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka with support from the Inter-Academy Panel, the AASSA and the Korean Academy of Science and Technology.
The symposium will focus on how science and technology can improve the quality of life of people through improvement of their knowledge economy rather than through heavy capital intensive investments in physical development. The workshop will emphasise the importance of science communication as a means to connect science with society. The workshop objective is to share experiences, policies, and developments about science communication and invitees from different areas will carry their demonstrations and review.
Mirihana Police OIC to head Kandy Divisional Crimes Special Branch
Chief Inspector Senarath Egodawele, Officer in charge of the Mirihana Police has been made head of the Divisional Crimes Special Branch at the Kandy Police.
He counts 23 years of service having joined the department as a Sub Inspector. Before serving as OIC, Mirihana Headquarters Police Station for two and a half years, he served in Point Pedro and Trincomalee.
Sing-along for charitable projects
Sing-Along with “PEARL” , a musical evening organised by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph’s Church 4th Lane Ratmalana will be held on October 13 from 7p.m. onwards at the parish hall. Tickets are priced at Rs. 500. Proceeds will be for the charitable projects of the society and the church building fund. Those interested could contact Cherryl on 0771819780.
Symposium on improving life through science
An International Symposium on ‘Improving the Quality of Life through Science’ and a ‘Science Communication Leadership’ Workshop will be held in celebration of the 1st Inaugural General Assembly of the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA), Colombo, from October 16-19.
The symposium and workshop are being hosted by the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka with support from the Inter-Academy Panel, the AASSA and the Korean Academy of Science and Technology.
The symposium will focus on how science and technology can improve the quality of life of people through improvement of their knowledge economy rather than through heavy capital intensive investments in physical development. The workshop will emphasise the importance of science communication as a means to connect science with society.
The workshop objective is to share experiences, policies, and developments about science communication and invitees from different areas will carry their demonstrations and review.
Anton discusses book and obliges readers
Eminent were the people who gathered to ‘Meet the Author’ Anton Sebastian not only to discuss ‘A Complete Illustrated History of Sri Lanka’ but also get their books autographed on September 21 at the Palm Lounge of the Galle Face Hotel.
This 696-page hardback with 487 photographs and illustrations has a new perspective on the history of Sri Lanka. Within its pages are ‘The Geological Origins of the island’, ‘Prehistory before Vijaya’, ‘Who were the Nagas?’
‘History behind the Mahawamsa and other chronicles’, ‘Ethnicity and culture of the Sinhalese and Tamils’, ‘How did the Tamils become influential?’ ‘The origins of Muslims in Sri Lanka’, ‘The Indus axis of Sri Lanka’, ‘Tamil invasions from South India’, ‘From Hinduism to Buddhism’, ‘Buddhism in Jaffna’, ‘Towards and after independence’, ‘The rise and demise of Tamil militancy’ and ‘The colonial past’.
The book is available at the Vijitha Yapa book stores.
‘Songs of Love’ from Kanchana
Singing sensation of the Middle East, Kanchana Peiris will have her maiden musical extravaganza- ‘Sneheya Gee Mal’ (Songs of Love) in Sri Lanka at the Ananda Kularatne Memorial Hall at Ananda College on Saturday, October 13 from 6 p.m.
Popular singers – Rohana Bogoda, Mario Ananda, Ranjan Saliya, Jananath Warakagoda, Palitha Liyanege, Anukumar Amerasinghe, Ajith Jayaratne amd W. Premarathne will join Kanchana at this musical show.
The musical backing for the night will provide by D. D. Gunesena Orchestra.
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