 Talking
about fuelwood energy
Fuelwood energy
'Fuelwood Energy and Gender Issues' was the theme of the Ninth National
Workshop held at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya,
from December 3 to 5. The Workshop, sponsored by the Dutch Embassy, Ceylon
Tobacco Company Limited and the Sri Lanka National Science Foundation,
was presented by the National Multi Purpose Tree System Research Network
Co-ordinator, Professor H. P. M . Gunasena.
The Workshop addressed the problems facing rural communities with the
rapid decline of a sustainable supply of fuelwood and discussed ways and
means of increasing fuelwood production. Chief Guest at the opening ceremonies
on the 3rd was Batty Weerakoon, Minister of Science and Technology.
Many eminent persons participated in a total of eight sessions as well
as a special session of panel discussions. Chairing each session were Professor
Leslie Gunawardena, Vice-Chancellor University of Peradeniya; Dr.W.W.D.
Modder, Director, TRI; H.M. Bandaratilake, Conservator of Forests; Dr.
Ray Wijewardena; Dr. S D.l.E Gunawardena, Chairman, Tea Research Board;
Professor T. Jogaratnam, Professor of Agricultural Economics, University
of Peradeniya; Dr. S.H. Upasena, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Wayamba
University, Professor K.G.A. Goonesekera, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Peradeniya and Professor H.P.M. Gunasena.
Of the many topics discussed, Ray Wijewardena and P.G Joseph raised
the issue of growing more fuelwood trees and developing scrub lands to
produce dendro-thermal energy, complementing hydro-power for sustainable
energy. A. Nanayakkara outlined the advantages of using paddy husk as an
alternative to wood fuel in tobacco curing, while the Estate Forest and
Water Resources Development Project, represented by Forest Officer W.U.D.
Fernando, showed how seriously imbalanced the picture was in fuelwood supply
and demand. It was recommended that plantation companies extend and enlarge
their plantation forests and go in for sawmills and plywood extraction
technology thus aiming at total self-sufficiency in fuelwood in 10 to 15
years.
Biomass producton of certain tree species was a dominant theme and both
Kiran Dhanapala and S. Premaratne highllghted the role of rural women both
in fuelwood utilization and production. It was intriguing to learn that
estate labour burns up to 62 percent of all the fuelwood on plantations,
each labourer using up to one cubic metre of fuelwood per year - totalling
850,000 cubic metres. This is the largest demand segment and plantations
are compelled to bring in from outside sources the timber needed for construction,
for tea chest manufacture and also to meet the fuelwood deficit
RBIP in Kandy
The GTZ Regional Bank ing Innovations Project opened its office at 93,
Bowala Path, Tissarama Mawatha, Meda Bowala, Kandy on December 8. The RBIP
acts as a co-ordinating service between entrepreneurs and banks in the
servicing of enterprises.
Green Trade
Companies interested in selling their bio-products overseas can now
register with Green Trade, a database of over 700 products from 26 countries.
Green Trade is a new German agency commissioned by GTZ PROTRADE to support
developing countries in the trading of their organic products. The database
access address is oekologie -marketing@compuserve. com
Handloom Show
An exhibition of handlooms by the Vocational Training for Women Group
of the Kandy District will be held at the Hotel Suisse from December 17
to 19. The VTW tells me that the show will be mainly to emphasise the worth
of local handlooms which are unique in character. Local handlooms find
favour with foreign buyers because of the traditional aspects of design
and presentation. The exhibition will also have many contemporary styles
and designs on par with the best available in Europe.
Protected agriculture
A few farmers in the Kandy District have laid down the infrastructure
for the production of high-value vegetables under poly-tunnels and in shade
houses and greenhouses. This is supported by AgEnt under a Protected Agriculture
Scheme with plans for the growing of red peppers, cherry, tomatoes and
telegraph cucumbers. High value crop growers have now formed an association
- the Protected Agriculture Entrepreneurs Association - with present membership
at 30. Plans are also afoot to establish a marketing and service centre
which will serve as a modern packing and storage facility for fruit and
vegetables. It will all fall into place in 1999.
Energy-efficient brick kilns
After a pilot ophase of six months, the Intermediate Technology Development
Group of the Rural Regional Dvelopment Project Kandy, will set up for operation
an energy efficient brick kiln. Using such a kiln as showpiece, the Group
will encourage brick producers in the district to build such kilns. Brick
producers are now being invited to register for training in the construction
of such kilns and in the firing of bricks.
On the syllabus
It was nice to learn that our finest and most outspoken poet (poetess?)
Jean Arasanayagam will be read at the Puvenpu University, Karnataka, India.
One of her poems, 'In the Month of July' is on the English Literature syllabus
and she was given this cheering news at the recently concluded conference.
'Writing the Nation' which was held at the Peradeniya University. The Conference
was this year's big event by the Sri Lanka Association of Commonwealth
Literature and Language Studies, under the direction of Professor Ashley
Halpe.
It was Promod K. Nayar of Puvempu University who had the pleasure of
announcing the acceptance of Jean's poem, and she was prevailed upon to
read her poem which reflects with startling effect, the mob savagery which
was part of that certain month of July in a certain time that would be
evil to forget:
In the month of July
Childhood is far away
beneath a tree
playing with pebbles
skilfully tossing them from
back of hand
to palm
requiring a certain skill and
magical ritualistic incarnations.
As one grows older
the pebbles grow too
Into great stones and
rocks hurled with violence
smashed skulls spilled brains
splattering the pavements.
In the month of July
a man fled from his pursuers
he climbed a tree
the mob aimed stones at him
until they got him down
probably fell off, his grasp loosened
slippery with blood, his body already battered
and then they trampled him to death.
Maybe I shouldn't say this, but readers may like to know that my first
science-fiction novel will be released by Penguin in 1999. A good touch
that, since the novel is also set in an end-of-century scenario in 2299.
Oh, and by the way, also "on the syllabus" is Yakada Yaka - For
the undergrad course at Sabaragamuwa University. Colombo it is on the syllabus
for the 'Literature and Society' paper as part of the MA in English and
Education/Administration. Rajiva Wijesingha informs me; You will be pleased
to hear that all candidates answered the question on it and were very complimentary.
All rejected vehemently the idea that the sex was extraneous to the main
themes!' An enlightened Sabaragamuwa! Am seriously thinking of moving there!
Kandy's getting quite morose and looks askance at free spirits. Maybe it's
something to do with the way they wear the saree here.... or something!
Randles Fair '98
The old Kingswoodians Sports Club will stage its Fun Fair for the second
successive year from December 15 to 20. President, OKSC says there'll be
musical shows, trade stalls, an agricultural and educational exhibition
and fireworks nightly. Chief Guest will be Salinda Dissanayake while others
who will grace the occasion will be Lakshman Kiriella, Sanath Goonetilleke
and Kamal Addaraarachchi. The Carnival is in aid of the school sports fund.
Pan Asia in Kandy
Pan Asia Bank's Kandy branch was declared open on December 4 by the
Bank's Chairman, Dr. W.M. Tilakaratne, in the presence of guest of honour
Stanley Tillekeratne, Governor, Central Province and members of the Pan
Asia Board. Auspicious time for commencement of business was 9.30 a.m.
The Kandy branch is at No. 138, Colombo Street.
Steven Spielberg Suite
Aspecial Steven Spielberg Suite will soon be a feature at the Hotel
Suisse after refurbishment in completed. Anton Jacob, the design wizard,
says that local film moghul Chandran Ratnam, who is in close touch with
Spielberg has offered to bring in some special Spielberg memorabilia for
the suite. Jacob, who was the moving spirit behind the design and decor
of the Queen's has also commissioned Sarawak artist Ramsay Ong to provide
a large 10 by 8-foot barkcloth painting for the entrance lobby of the Suisse.
Incidentally, Ong's painting executed for the Queen's is now all aglow
in the entrance hall, beside the door to the Queen of Hearts banquet hall.
The painting is a delicate composition of Kandyan cultural themes, the
Earth Goddess the pot of plenty and, in tribute to the Queen of Hearts,
a tender portrayal of a sprinkling of English roses. The intricately carved
wooden frame for this painting was specially selected by Ong in Singapore,
reflecting all the beauty of the Indonesian woodcarver's art.
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