By Ranee Mohamed

T he paediatric ward of the National Cancer Institute is commonly called the children's ward. Every day is a day of tears, sighs and heartache in these wards which are numbered Ward 15B, 15A and 16.

Situated in a hidden corner of the main, spacious hospital the wards look comparatively crammy; and it is in this small, upstair building that parents experience the darkest nightmare of their lives - witnessing their children cry in pain and discomfort, afflicted with the most dreaded affliction called cancer.

No easy task

Walking into the children's ward of the Cancer Hospital during non-visiting hours is not an easy task. But it can be a very enlightening encounter. The wards stand out on their own; suffering children on beds, mothers beside them anxious and tearful, trying to look into their every need. The medical teams are present in the reception areas.

"The doctors of these wards, especially Dr. Damayanthi Pieris and Dr. Shama Goonetilleke are very nice to us. In fact, all the nurses and staff are kind and understanding. This is the only consolation we have," said the mothers.

Here, the true sufferers are the parents who have to endure the anguish of having to watch their children suffer. The mothers stand by their bedside, some for as long as three to four months. Many of these mothers have left their other offspring at home to be with the ailing one.

As the world spins by no one seems to care about the happenings at the children's wards of the cancer hospital. In fact few know of the heartache herein. Children as young as one year line the floor while the hospital authorities try to grapple with the day to day problems.

There have been times when visitors moved by the suffering of these children confined to a hospital bed have brought them toys, fruits and other gifts which are allowed by the ward staff. But today the gifts are getting far and few between with the rising cost of essentials and the cost of living itself. This is one reason why these poor parents, many of them unable to find money to do the medical tests or get the bare essentials for their children depend on the hospital, the staff and their medical doctors for all the care in the world.

Heart-rending situation

Though overcrowding has necessitated that some children be kept on the floor, the most heart-rending problem that parents say they encounter is the absence of a doctor to be in charge of the ventilator which is threatening to take away their children, in the event of an emergency.

According to a source at the Intensive Care Unit, several children have died due to the absence of this basic facility.

About five children have died recently due to non access to a ventilator and among them are Isurika and Hashana whose parents say that the availability of  a ventilator would have saved the lives of the most precious thing in their life.

"We have eight beds at the Intensive Care Unit, but only four are in use," said the source who did not wish to be identified. Investigations revealed that children are in imminent danger due to  the absence of a doctor to be in charge of the ventilator. It is also learnt that the ventilator in the children's ward of the Cancer Hospital has been obtained through a donation.

"Do not launch an attack on the hospital," urged some parents who said that Dr. Damayanthi Pieris and Dr. Shama Goonetilleke have always taken a personal interest in their children.

On the floor

But there is little that these professional medical doctors can do to meet the medical needs of the hospital. While doctors insist that contrary to reports, 70 per cent of the children in the paediatric ward of the Cancer Hospital do get better and go back home there still remains a sense of gloom that looms large over the children's ward.

Over capacity which has caused children to be kept on the floor,  according to medical sources, is due to ignorance of the parents of these children who believe that the paediatric ward of the Cancer Hospital can do to their children, what the hospitals in their hometown cannot.

"But this is not so. There are parents bringing children to the children's ward of the Cancer Hospital from places as far off as Galle, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Jaffna and Badulla. What they do not know is that there are  seven cancer treatment centres in the country and among them are Kandy, Anuradhapura, Jaffna and Badulla. Their machines are the same and they have good doctors there too and the medicine is supplied by the same Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health, and the consultants there  have followed the same medical course," pointed out this medical source.

Long journeys

But parents still continue to bring children, travelling as long as 200 miles to reach the children's ward of the Cancer Hospital. And at most times, they come all this way and the children have to be put on the floor due to the over crowding of the medical ward.

Separate investigations also revealed that the supply of drugs to these children's wards are erratic. It was found that when a child was prescribed a particular type of drug, the supply of that drug suddenly wanes and the child is put on another kind of drug. "On some days only the most expensive drug is available, on other days the cheaper drug is available, and on bad days nothing is available, and on sunny days every drug is available," said the source.

Live in hope

Meanwhile the over 250 children continue to be at the mercy of the health authorities of this country. The anguish herein cannot be described - the pain, anxiety and the heartbreak of the parents in these wards have reduced them to a sad and passive state. They live in hope that their children will receive the best, that they get well and that they can take their child back home. 

Scurrying through the Year of the Rat

The Year of the Rat begins on February 7 and ends on January 25, 2009. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Rat (Earth), which is the first in the cycle of 12 animal signs, begins the sequence and recurs every twelfth year.It is a time of renewal in so many ways.

Favourable

A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity and renewal.This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start.Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful.

The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find.People born in a Rat year are said to be logical realists, shrewd, charming, ambitious, and inventive.Of course, the entire horoscope must be considered when making any personality assessment.

In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising creature.People born in a Rat Year are thought to be clever and bright, sociable and family-minded.They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes.

They are gifted in many ways and have an easy going manner.They are active and pleasant, tactful and fantastic, and are able to grasp opportunities.They seem to have interests in everything and usually participate in many of them andvery well too.

The sign of the Rat

Opportunist with an eye for a bargain, Rats tend to collect and hoard, but are unwilling to pay too much for anything.They are devoted to their families, particularly their children.Quick-witted and passionate, they are capable of deep emotions despite their cool exteriors.Their nervous energy and ambition may lead them to attempt more tasks than they are able to complete successfully.Rats are blessed with the best possible intellect.

The sign of the Rat is the firstone in the zodiac cycle and it is little wonder that Rat people exude great leadership qualities and are good at taking the lead.They don't mind a lot of responsibility and they demonstrate a strong presence that other people respect.For those with the Rat nature, status and monetary satisfaction are the greatest motivators.

The effect of the sign of the Rat is energetic, and demonstrates enough endurance to fight almost any sickness. Yet, all Rats tend to be tense, full of nervous energy, and prone to stress.Yoga and meditation would benefit Rats by calming their aggressive natures and helping them manage stress.

Rats make good homemakers who are always willing to do household chores.Because this is a sign of acquisition, the Rat person's house is presumably bursting with various knick-knacks collected over the years.Most Rats are cheerful, domesticated individuals who find happiness at home with their families.

Heed advice

The Chinese say others should always listen to the advice of the Rat. Because of their intellect and observatory powers, Rat people possess prudence and perception.They can anticipate problems, and are always able to see the big picture.Status, money, title and recognition are important to the Rat.They have a keen sense of observation that allows them to foresee upcoming business opportunities as well as potential occupational problems.The Rat makes a better boss than an employee.Rats work better in flexible situations where they can be freely creative.

Cunning and thrifty, Rats have a knack with money and are apt to save for rainy days.The Rat is a great money saver, and in cash-strapped times knows how to make something out of nothing or how tomake things advantageous for themselves.

Generally friendly and sociable, the Rat is one of the extroverts ofthe 12 animal signs. They have a special gift for easing the minds of others.It is not surprising that Rats have a lot of friends.To the people they love, Rats can be amazingly charitable, popular and supportive.

Although Rats like to be in the driver's seat, they do need partners who can keep up with their active lifestyles.Rat people are romantic, and are always happier to have someone to share life with.

Born in the Year of the Rat (1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984)

Long term investments could show favourable returns since the Earth component of year 2008 prefers conservatism and practicality. The Year of the Rat will be a grand year for opportunity if you keep errands in place and possible opportunities will probably come about as conservative investments. Keep hold of your budget because you could still be clashing with a few household obstacles especially if you are doing business in your  own country.

Born in the Year of the Pig (Born 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983)

Money problems will come about if you can be persuaded by a clever, sly type salesperson that provides unassailable proposals. Adhering to your budget should be carefully observed and take caution with every expense that will occur. Make it a point to think twice. The second part of 2008 will give you more gains than in the first half.

Born in the Year of the Ox (Born 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985)

There are great chances that your debt will be diminished in the Year of the Rat. Revenues will have greater chances of having growth. Finances will be stable and promising. Don't forget to keep track of your health. You may also come across money coming from a good fortune. Lastly, don't forget to stick to a tight budget this 2008.

Born in the Year of the Tiger (1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986)

Your assets could be under much risk. However there will be a significant rejuvenation of your health. Keep track of your spending since over exhaustion of your revenue each month may result in distressing under performance. A careful look at your long-term financial plan will do the trick and if you don't have one yet, make sure to have one this year.

Born in the Year of the Rabbit (1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987)

Be on your guard this 2008, especially if you are an entrepreneur. Your business could have a murky outlook. It is best to stay close to people whom you had a good relationship with in the past when on the lookout for financial advice. Your positive standing this year is on long term investments if examined thoroughly.

Born in the Year of the Dragon (1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988)

Because the Earth element of 2008 has preference to conservative actions of risky investors, your finances will be at uniform level with that of last year's. Your health will be in very good condition but be cautious with your savings. 2008 is also the right time if you are considering carrying out a major purchase for your home.

Born in the Year of the Snake (1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989)

Entrepreneurs born in the year of the snake will be able to acquire long awaited financial gains if you had suffered some financial problems in the past. Avoid buying expensive purchases on impulse to avoid suffering from a buyer's remorse. Profits will be evident in conservative investments under 2008's Earth element.

Born in the Year of the Horse (1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990)

Consider what a risk is and what is risky because the year of the rat is not a good year for risk taking Horses. Be wary of all your expenditures and be vigilant of people asking you for a loan since there might be a possibility that you cannot be re-paid.

Born in the Year of the Ram, Sheep or Goat (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991)

There could be a great improvement of your revenue in 2008. You may be astounded by an unforeseen downfall. Ensure that you have set aside sufficient funds to cover for unanticipated misfortune and also for financial maintenance. The Earth element of 2008 favours your conservatism.

Born in the Year of the Monkey (1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992)

Expect to see better changes from 2007 since your financial trends are generally set to be pleasant this year as the Year of the Rat is favourable to Monkeys in terms of money and finances. Just bear in mind that 2008 is not a year for perilous investments. Keep on using your intrinsic capabilities on spotting what is best. 2008 is one of the years that prefigures acceptably for your savings which could result in generating substantial assets in the coming years.

Born in the Year of the Rooster (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993)

Prepare for some startling heavy expenses as they may dip into your hard-earned savings. Make sure that you have created a thorough list of what you have to spend all year round. Avoid buying on impulse and avoid overspending as the temptation for something new could come back and hit you at the end of the day.

Born in the Year of the Dog (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)

There is a good likelihood that the Year of the Rat favours Dogs and because of that there will be an apparent upturn in your financial affairs.

However, trusting too much on people around you might get you in trouble. Getting a second opinion from someone you trust when considering a financial decision is always the wise thing to do.

A Shakespearience in Stratford-upon-Avon

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

The name Stratford-upon-Avon always held a certain fascination since childhood and as an adult, this one place always evoked a sense of wonder within me, all because it was this tiny Warwickshire village that was home to the Great Bard.

Not only was it his birthplace, but it was also where he lived, loved, wrote his marvelous plays and finally found his resting place. Stratford-upon-Avon is famed and fabled today owing to her greatest product, William Shakespeare.

We were a group of six, friends of different ages but sharing one fascination - our perennial love to the laureate's work. One of the eager six, unable to contain her excitement murmured as we sped towards Stratford, "Knowing Stratford-upon-Avon is to know William Shakespeare." I wasn't too sure of the veracity of her statement until we reached the picturesque village and to truly experience Olde England.

Religious fervour

To me, visiting the famous Shakespeare Village, as it is often referred to, was almost a pilgrimage, etched with a near religious fervour. It was not just any other tour but a journey of discovery - an attempt to discover the very spirit of Shakespeare. This was his home.

Our eager group of Bard fanatics was chattering all the way, quoting Shakespeare to their hearts' content, their fascination not a bit diminished despite adulthood. The two-hour drive from London was full of anticipation as if we were meeting the Bard himself.

Reaching Stratford is also part of the experience. The town itself is a place where one can find the way easily. Some take a coach and some resort to taxi tours.The railway station is just five minutes away. For those with an eye for the extraordinary, there was the open topped tourist fleet with commentators and of course horse driven carriage tours.

At Stratford, our friendly tourist guide, Mathew, had a simple question. "Do you wish to meet the Bard? Have the true Shakespearience?" We simply beamed in agreement. Visiting the village where the literary genius was born, where his very spirit may still dwell, was an overwhelming thought. To a Shakespeare besotted mind like mine, Stratford-upon-Avon was a poetic mystery. To date, it remains so.

Located in the Midlands in the county of Warwickshire, the village is unforgettable for two reasons - the Bard and its unique picturesque quality. The village derives its name from the River Avon that meets theStratford Canal in themiddle of the Bancroft Gardens, right opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The canal is now beautifully restored and meanders its way through the beautiful wooded countryside in Warwickshire.

Sense of wonder

We felt the village had a sense of wonder, for though small in size, it enjoys a rich history. The significance of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) to the town could be discovered in his families' houses scattered in the area. Hence the name 'Shakespeare Village.'

Mathew tells us, ever so proudly that there are five houses associated with the Bard and his family in the same locality or closely. These 16th century houses are kept open with visitors in their hundreds pouring in to appreciate the Tudor life.

Us, Shakespeare fanatics simply gaped from that point onwards - in the very birth place of the greatest of playwrights, taking notes, photographs and memorising entire scenes.

Church Street, our guide Mathew says, is truly significant to the Bard of Avon. There is the Guild Chapel of the Holy Cross, a medievalreligious foundation abolished during the Reformation. It is a 13th century awe-inspiring building with remarkablemurals and beautiful stained glass windows.

Right next is the Grammar School founded by the Guild of the Holy Cross where young William Shakespeare had his formative education. 

Birthplace

Next is Henley Street, a charming little street etched with houses and shops. That's where we find the playwright's birthplace, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, as well as the Shakespeare Library.

Preserved intact, there stands Shakespeare's home, where the Bard was born in 1564, and we simply gaze at it with amazement. This was the house owned by John Shakespeare, a wool dealer with considerable wealth. Shakespeare senior once held the office of Bailiff of the Borough in 1568, our guide adds.

This gorgeous semi timber mansion is considered among the most cherished and historic places in Stratford besides being the most frequently visited. Mathew adds that Shakespeare's descendants occupied the mansion until the 19th century when it was declared a building of universal historical value.

At my look of wonder, Mathew tells me that this was just the beginning of the Shakespearience. The birth home contains an exhibition of the poet's life, "William Shakespeare: His Life and Background." Next we wonder through the house furnished in Tudor period style with many historic manuscripts and books. Outside, we find what is referred to as the "Celebration Garden," a picture postcard come alive.

Mathew deftly guides us to Nash House, the house Shakespeare moved into in 1597. It is of monumental value given the literary work that took shape within the walls of his new home. The Bard lived there until his death in 1616.

The old mansion was brought down and rebuilt, complete with a beautiful Tudor garden we are told. The rooms are replete with an exhibition dealing with the history of Stratford-upon-Avon, before and after Shakespeare. That kind of puts things into perspective while we enjoy Shakespearience.

Close to the Holy Trinity Church, next we pull by Hall's Croft, an impressive mansion. That was the matrimonial home of Susanna, Shakespeare's eldest daughter. It was near that church that the Bard was buried, hence a place of reverence for Bard fanatics.

Second most visited

The house is named after Susanna Shakespeare's husband's family name - Hall. The mansion today contains period furniture from both 16th and 17th centuries along with paintings. A unique feature is an exhibition about Dr. Hall and the medicine of his time.

Visitors to Hall's Croft feel enamoured with this beautifully laid out garden. I just loved the tea room where people can quietly enjoy a cuppa and savour Shakespearience.

Among the most picturesque and fabled of Shakespeare homes is Anna Hathaway's cottage, the second most visited famous building in England. This is the house occupied by Hathaway before she wed William Shakespeare in 1582. Like the period represented, the cottage dating back to the 15th century is complete with period furniture and a regular feature of that time - an outstanding garden that adds to the ambience.

Five miles outside Stratford, we reached Wilmcote where another important Shakespeare home is located. This house preserves its British country setting to the word. In Wilmcote, we found the beautiful timbered Tudor farmhouse where Mary Arden, Shakespeare's mother grew up and lived until she moved to Henley Street as the wife of John Shakespeare.

Arden's farmhouse today is a dedication to her famous child and undoubtedly England's greatest playwright. There is the Shakespeare countryside museum and two historic farms. At the end of it all we sat dreamy eyed, buried in private thoughts - enamoured and unable to shake off the feelings the tiny village evoked.

Stratford-upon-Avon is the kind of place that goes to your blood. Mild liking is not possible. It's the superlative kind of place, and no wonder. There dwells the great Bard's spirit, a village that still lives and breathes Shakespeare.  

Does anyone care two hoots for the Scops owl?

By Risidra Mendis

In 1951, a foremost authority on Sri Lankan birdlife said it is most improbable that a bird, entirely new to science, could now exist in Ceylon. Over half a century later, a new Scops owl, a bird totally overlooked by collectors and field naturalists was added to the list of Sri Lanka's endemics.

Its call was first heard in the Kitulgala rainforest by prominent Sri Lankan Field Ornithologist, Wildlife Sound Recordist, Sound Engineer and Author and Publisher of wildlife and environment sound compilations, Deepal Warakagoda but could not be identified. Six years later, on January 23, 2001 Deepal discovered the existence of the new owl species at the Sinharaja Rain Forest. The new species was later named the Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni).

Rare find

Apart from Sinharaja and Kitulgala, the bird has also been spotted in the peak wilderness and the Kanneliya reserve by Warakagoda. He has spotted the bird in last month at Kitulgala and heard the bird's sounds at Sinharaja. Sunbird Tours were the first tour group to see this new species in 2001 and have seen it every year since.

This is the first new bird to be discovered in Sri Lanka since 1868, when the Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) Whistling Thrush (Myophonus blighi) was discovered. It is also the 24th and according to some authorities the 27th endemic bird species in Sri Lanka.

This rare species inhabits the rainforests in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka and like most owls, is strictly nocturnal and hunts insects such as beetles and moths close to the ground.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Warakagoda said in February 1995 he first heard and recorded an unfamiliar owl like call at night in the Kitulgala Proposed Reserve, a rainforest in the wet zone of Sri Lanka.

Over the next six years he heard the call several times, at Kitulgala and at Sinharaja Forest Reserve, but was never able to observe the calling bird.

Warakagoda compared the recording to other Asian owls, and sent it to Pamela Rasmussen at the University of Michigan, who agreed that while it sounded like an owl, it did not match any of the species known in Sri Lanka, although it was most like Reddish Scops owl (Otus rufesces).

He eventually succeeded in observing the bird, for several minutes, at Sinharaja in January 2001. In February 2001, wildlife photographer Chandima Kahandawala obtained pictures of the bird from many different angles.

From these photographs, Warakagoda was able to confirm that the owl is strikingly distinct in many characteristics from other Sri Lankan species.

Red list

"There is an estimated 200 to 250 birds in the country. The bird has been listed on the IUCN Red List of endangered species due to its numbers," he said.

Warakagoda, through an article written for Birding Asia Number 6 Bulletin of the Oriental Bird Club (UK) shares with us the hard times he went through in order to spot this bird. "A project was launched, with the support of several organisations and individuals, to study the new owl. Nanda Senanayake, Kithsiri Gunawardena, Udaya Siriwardana, Niran Caldera, Chandima and I carried out the field work, with Pamela as scientific advisor.

"The study team visited many forests in the island's wet zone and adjacent intermediate zone to find out the presence or absence of the owl - its range of distribution, and to learn about its behaviour and ecology. The work involved moving in these forests from dusk to dawn, listening to night sounds and trying to discern the owl in the 'night chorus.'

"Tiring walks in the dark, in wet, leech-infested terrain suddenly brightened up when we detected it. On some nights the survey was hampered halfway by heavy rain and we had to walk back to base to dry and de-leech ourselves. At other times we took a little rest around midnight, sitting on portable stools, rocks, or logs, or lying down on the forest floor.

The type of description was published in June 2004 (Warakagoda and Rasmussen, 2004). The species was given the scientific name - Otus thilohoffmanni after Thilo W. Hoffmann, Sri Lanka's leading worker for nature conservation, particularly for his role in saving Sinharaja where it was discovered. 'Serendib' was chosen as being an ancient name for Sri Lanka and to signify the serendipity of the discovery.

Description

The new species is a small Scops owl about 17 cm in length, with a short tail, and almost uniformly rufescent upperparts but for the presence of small black spots all over the body. The face is a little darker, and underparts paler than upperparts, with the belly becoming whitish. It has no distinct 'true' ear-tufts. The irides are orange-yellow in the male and yellow in the female and juvenile. The beak, legs and claws are whitish while the legs are feathered on the tibia and upper tarsi.

The vocalisation comprises a single note - pu'u'u, repeated at long intervals. The male and female's calls are in the same pattern but in different keys.

The first direct evidence of the breeding of the species was the observation of a fully-fledged juvenile roosting with an adult male in March 2006. The young bird was slightly smaller than the adult and with incompletely developed facial disk. It had yellow irides as in an adult female. Its colouration otherwise resembled that of an adult. 

60th Independence Day

Time to celebrate, but celebrate what?

Independence or freedom is defined as the self-government of a nation, country or state by its people. But 60 years since gaining independence, Sri Lanka has little to show by way of progress atleast where governance is concerned.

Sri Lanka is today a divided country. Divided into two groups of people who together fought side by side to gain independence for the country.

Apart from the discrimination against the Tamil-speaking people that grew following the advent of the 'Sinhala Only' policy of 1956, especially in the fields of employment and education, there was another sphere in which the Tamil ethnic group felt cheated, that of land colonisation.

According to a paper written by Dr. Kumari Jayawardhana in 1987 on the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, the north central areas which had been served by an irrigation system had reverted back to jungle.

Demographic shift

In her research, she has said that the British initiated a programme of repairing and restoring these irrigation reservoirs and settling people in the reclaimed areas. The peasants thus settled were mainly Sinhalese from densely populated south-western and central areas. This process was accelerated after 1930 and soon Sinhalese settlements began to appear in the predominantly Tamil Eastern Province as well.

This led to a shift in demographic patterns; for example, in the Trincomalee District there was an increase of the Sinhalese population from 20.7% to 33.6% in the period between 1946 and 1981. This process of state-aided colonisation was seen not only as a thereat to the political status of Tamils in the affected areas, but also as a threat to the existence of the Tamils as a community with its own linguistic and cultural identity.

All this took place in a context of violent riots against Tamils, which occurred with increasing frequency (1956, 1958, 1977, 1981 and 1983) and cultural vandalism such as burning down the much valued Jaffna library.

The Tamil ethnic group sought to counter this growing discrimination through political means. Before independence, the Tamil Congress unsuccessfully demanded equal representation - 50% seats for the Sinhalese and 50% for the combined minority ethnic groups. Later, in the face of continuing discrimination the Federal Party asked for a federal political structure that would give Tamils a degree of autonomy in the areas inhabited by them, as well as adequate representation at the centre.

Not insensitive

The main political parties were not totally insensitive to this process. In 1958 S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, the prime minister and leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) arrived at an understanding with the leader of the Federal Party and the Bandaranaike - Chelvanayakam Pact was born. This gave Tamils a degree of regional autonomy, including control of land settlement in their areas.

However, shortly after Bandaranaike had to abandon the pact in the face of opposition from the United National Party (UNP). The following year Bandaranaike was killed by a monk. Likewise, when the UNP was in power, Dudley Senanayake, the prime minister, worked out a somewhat similar understanding in 1967 but this too was scuttled in the face of opposition, this time from the SLFP.

The demands of the Tamil people had by this time become a major factor in Sinhala politics. Sinhala political hegemony was also becoming institutionalised. The Republican Constitution of 1972, while proclaiming Sinhala as the official language, declared that Buddhism had the 'foremost place' in Sri Lanka, thus almost affirming a Sinhala-Buddhist state.

It is this that made Tamils believe that co-existence with the Sinhalese in a single polity was no longer possible. This constitutional development was in stark contrast to India that todate remains a secular state despite its diversity and sheer enormity in size.

Non-violence/violence

While the established political party of the Tamils - the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF)  was demanding a separate state in parliament some Tamil youth formed groups, which took up arms in the same cause.

Since then, Sri Lanka has been engaged in a bloody civil war now close upon three decades.

Today, the stance adopted by the Mahinda Rajapakse administration it is widely believed is only making a bad situation worse.

The abuse of power has become common place. The government's inaction against abuses has led to unprecedented corruption.

The large number of cabinet ministers and an equally large number of non-cabinet ministers are the symbols of a government that remains in power by turning a blind eye to corruption.

A mockery

The government, instead of heeding the assessments of corruption by parliamentary committees no less, has taken steps to suppress the very committees making a mockery of parliamentary governance.

On the human rights front there is little to boast of with accusations that a disappearance is taking place every five hours in some part of the country including the capital itself.

With Sri Lanka completing 60 years of independence tomorrow (4) there is very little the average Sri Lankan on the street can be proud of - be it human rights, the economy, rule of law, cost of living, security, freedom of expression, freedom of movement etc, etc.   

It’s been an odd week

Centuries ago, a ship landed on the east coast of Australia on January 26 or thereabouts in the year 1788. It was the start of the colony of New South Wales — the first permanent European settlement in Australia that everyone seems to agree on. So last Saturday Australians celebrated Australia Day — Australia’s own little independence/nation forming day of sorts even though other colonies were settled at later dates and the entire country was only unified as a federation of states in 1901. But nobody remembers that. So they celebrate on January 26 every year.

Happenings

But there was a lot happening in-between gearing up for the celebrations. Mostly the news this past week has been about the actor Heath Ledger dying so suddenly in his apartment in New York. The papers have been full of speculation about the cause of the death and because he is Australian — almost everyone in the country seems to think it’s appropriate to mourn for him.

I suppose if you are a fan it makes some sense but to mourn a man just because he is someone famous who shares your country of birth? That’s a bit strange but it must be the patriotic flavour that these last few weeks have been tinged with.

Suharto has died, Obama has come ahead in the race, share markets in Asia are looking very shaky, the plastic bag ban debate is on again and back home the death toll has risen to nearly 100 in a week according to the Sri Lankan government. But the top news story is the death of an Australian expatriate and what people are planning to do for Australia Day.

One woman even rang up the teenage rock radio station to tell them that she was waiting for the number one song on their annual Australia Day countdown of the top 100 hits from the last year because she was going to walk down the aisle to it. They were counting down the top 100 hits from 2007 and she was going to walk down to the number one song live, as they played it though she didn’t know what it would be till they did.

A shame

It turned out to be a song by Muse — a psychedelic British rock band that seems to be an odd mix between The Who (anyone remember them?), Queen and The Clash. It was called Knights Of Sidonia or some such wacky title and I am wondering if she regrets it or if she chickened out at the last minute. A wedding to remember, no doubt.

And most horrendous of all — the news that the Bulletin — a long running political magazine is closing down. It’s closing down due to insufficient profits being made — sales being too low to keep it going. I hope people realise that it means that the current market majority is just not plain interested in anything other than celebrities, fashion and music.

That is a scary thought but it is true if the Bulletin has been forced to shut down after running for almost a century. It makes you wonder if everyone is going mad suddenly — it seems kind of unthinkable that the Bulletin should close.

Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s down under here in the Southern Hemisphere and it’s summer. Perhaps the heat is getting to everyone. It’s hot desert heat — no humidity, you just bake. It’s also daylight saving time which now even West Australia has to put up with for another two years as a trial which is insane because we get enough hours of daylight as it is. The sun still shining at eight in the night is not necessarily a good thing.

The cricket is on as well and the controversy with Symonds is still going on and just when you think you can get some enjoyment out of watching the game, your favourite player announces that he is retiring. Given that I support individual players rather than a team, this is a blow and so I am now debating transferring my entire allegiance over to the New Zealand team since Daniel Vettori is the only player I now like who is still playing barring a few Sri Lankans.

Hopefully the summer madness all Australians seem to share in will pass soon. The Perth International Arts Festival starts soon as does the Commonwealth Bank One Day Series and so come February, I will be wandering down to the WACA to watch the match between Australia and Sri Lanka and to boo at all the players who don’t steal runs. And then I’ll be off to take in a show or two in Perth’s city centre and to watch the parades in Northbridge.

Back to the routine

At the end of this week, almost everyone will be back from holidays and back at work and only the children will be off till school starts in another couple of weeks. At the end of this week, university students will finish up summer jobs and come back from their trips home to get ready for the start of this semester and first years will be huddling anxious, bewildered and completely confused around the main halls of universities across the country.

In a few weeks time they’ll start up the rounds for the Aussie rules football season again. Another fortnight and Hallmark will descend upon us with a Valentine’s Day round of societal propaganda.

Why am I so annoyed and bitter? Mostly because while everyone else around me gets to relax, I don’t. My brain is supposed to be working at the moment because this year I will have to be out of sync with almost everyone else around me as part of the perils of doing solo research demand. My breaks must be snatched at random — five minutes here while I wrap my brain cells around the workings of methodologies in historical geography, another five minutes there while I wait for a file to download and so on.

Disenchanted

And I am getting increasingly disenchanted by the world I live in and I didn’t think it was possible to get any more jaded than I already was. People care more about what entertains them than what they should or need to know. They also seem to have lost a sense of responsibility for themselves and their community. They live life for the moment and then wonder why they are never happy. They attempt to improve the things around them but not themselves. And so I wonder how any individual could live like that and how any individual could live being surrounded by people like that?

Sad story

The nation celebrated Australia Day last weekend and topped off a week filled with the most inane things to happen or be discussed in this nation so far. Though I am now a citizen, to me, it seemed like we were celebrating the idiocy we participate in on a daily basis rather than being a united nation. Celebrating a nation that ends up letting a news magazine close down, that mourns the death of an actor we barely recognised half the time he was alive and whose current local music sounds nauseatingly the same as every other third rate wannabe emo/rock/garage band, yet nevertheless gets promoted by the radio stations though clearly even the DJs are getting bored.

The saddest thing is that while we might be idiots like this, the rest of the world, or most other countries, are exactly the same.

- Marisa Wikramanayake

HUMOUR  

Some benevolence

A wealthy lawyer was riding in the back of his limo one day when he noticed two men at the side of the road eating grass. He told the driver to pull over and got out to investigate. "Why are you eating grass?" he asked the first man.

"We have no money for food," the poor man replied.

"Well, come with me then," instructed the lawyer.

"But sir, I have a wife and two children" the man said.

"Bring them along," replied the lawyer. "And what about you?" he asked, turning to the other man.

"I have a wife and six children" the second man answered, with his head hung low.

"Bring them all" the lawyer ordered. The two families climbed into his limo and stared at him with gratitude. 

"Sir, you are very kind. Thank you for taking all of us with you."

"No problem," the lawyer replied. "The grass at my house is almost a foot tall"                     

Baby or tooth

A woman went to see her dentist for a routine checkup. After the exam the dentist said, "I am sorry to tell you this, but I am going to have to drill a tooth."

Horrified, the woman replied "Ooooohhhh, I'd rather have a baby!  To which the dentist replied, "Make up your mind, I have to adjust the chair."

Caring husband

Higlemire and his wife entered the dentist's office.

"I want a tooth pulled," he said. "We're in a big hurry, so let's not fool around with gas or Novocaine or any of that stuff."

"You're a very brave man," remarked the dentist. "Which tooth is it?"

"Show him your bad tooth, honey," said the man to his wife.  

An hour late

Then there was the surgeon who was arrested for drunken driving. They let him go, though. He was already an hour late for an operation.

At a loss

Koster had an operation and was coming out of the theatre. He looked at the two other patients in nearby beds and said, "Thank God that's over!"

"Don't be too sure," said Benson in the next bed, "they left a sponge in me and had to cut me open again."

Rankin in a bed on the other side of Koster added, "They had to open me up too, just to recover one of their instruments."

Just then the doctor stuck his head in the door and called, "Anyone seen my hat?" Koster fainted.  

Spot of trouble

"I've been seeing spots in front of my eyes."

"Have you seen a doctor?"

"No, just spots."  

Mixed news

A man goes into hospital for some tests. They knock him out, and when he comes round there's a doctor peering over him; you know, pulling the eyelid up, wielding the reflex hammer.

Doctor says; "Ahh. I'm glad you've come round. I'm afraid I have some mixed news"

Man Says; "Don't hold back Doc, tell me the bad news."

Doctor says; "Worse than I thought; we had to amputate your left leg."

Man says; "What's the good news then ?"

Doctor replies; "The man in the next bed wants to buy your slippers."