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Finding ways and means of living

By Shezna Shums

The rising cost of living is making people look around for alternative methods of survival. Despite the rising cost of living, life has to go on and people have to bear the burden of feeding their families and children.

Apart from the prices of vegetables, meats and poultry going up, the cost of fuels, transport and other essentials are rising day by day.

Gas is what many of the people use today for their cooking because of its convenience, especially for many who live in Colombo city or other big towns where their houses have small kitchens.

 However the majority of the people still use firewood as the main source of energy.

The present price of a 12.5 Kg Shell Gas cylinder is Rs. 598 - this was increased from Rs. 567.  The price of a 12.5 Kg Laugfs Gas cylinder  is  Rs.580 - this was  increased from Rs 550.

"Although the people scold every time the price of gas is increased they always end up using gas because of the convenience factor" says vegetable stall owner Lakshman Perera .

The advantage of using gas to cook is that a person does not need a big kitchen, living in  apartments, has also made the use of gas more popular.

Gas  does not emit black smoke so the walls and roof do not get discoloured.

For  an average family a gas cylinder can last for about  one and a half months.

Other advantages are that the family members don't have to go through the hassle of every few days buying fuel and putting up with a messy kitchen if they were to use wood or coal.

The main disadvantage  is that a relatively large amount of money is needed to buy a  cylinder.

Usage of gas should be done carefully because if there is a leak or a large amount of gas in the room, it can ignite and cause extensive damage.

Another disadvantage is that the price of gas is vulnerable to change -  either increase or decrease.

According to Shell Gas Corporate Communications Manager, Steven Bartholomeusz the factors that affect gas prices are the exchange rate, freight charges, insurance charges and transport. 

Bartholomeusz also says "overall the situation does not look good: there is a harsh winter in the northern hemisphere and the US and Iraq situation are not good signs for the pricing of gas cylinders in the future".

Gas is bought from different countries and is not bought from any particular place.

Wood is another source of fuel used in cooking, yet mostly it is used in the outstation towns and villages since a big kitchen is essential and also a large stove is needed when using wood.

Owner of a wood shop, Sugathapala Silva said "for 50 kilos of wood it costs Rs.170; the price of wood has also increased by about Rs 10 because the cost of transport has increased."

"There is a new company that buys the wood from the lorry drivers for a higher price to make chipboard and sends this abroad,  so we are getting less wood at a higher price, this is why the price has gone up."

The number of families in Colombo who use firewood to cook is very little; mostly it is the small eating boutiques that buy firewood.

For  wood a big kitchen is needed and 50 Kg of wood will last about 10 days for an average family.

Some of the disadvantages of wood is that moisture free storage space is needed to keep the wood, a big space to cook, and specially a room with big windows for the smoke to go out is essential.

Another aspect is that buying 50 Kg of wood almost every 10 days works out to a high amount by the end of the month.

Also black smoke from an open hearth discolours the walls  and roof,  and when storing the wood,  insects  and household pests gather near the firewood. 

According to Executive Director,  Environmental Foundation Limited, Hemantha Vithanage 70% of the population of the country uses firewood or paddy husk as a source of energy and  about 15 % of the land is used for  chena  cultivation where forests are burnt.

Although firewood has disadvantages it is  extensively used especially by the poor people as this is what they can afford.

Environmental hazard

Middle-income people use fossil fuels, which also cause harm, and so does the burning of firewood but people have no choice.

A major environmental hazard that firewood causes is  higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air.  The big brown cloud that was detected near Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was definitely because of the burning of firewood and cowdung as an energy source by the South Asian countries.

The increase in carbon dioxide in the air also increases  global warming. Vehicles using fossil fuels is equally bad and increases the temperature of the atmosphere.

There are also health problems adds  Hemantha  Vithanage: "usually the kitchen area is poorly ventilated and the mothers and children don't get enough air,  so as a result they develop lung problems.

"The main problem about firewood is the smoke that is emitted - this is a problem  but I can't say it is a huge problem,"  says Hemantha Vithanage.

"There is no other choice for the people - this is what is available and what they can afford, so there is justification in using these fuels even though they may cause environmental harm, but the harm I can't say is significant," he said.

Increased fuel prices

With all these increases in the price of energy, the cost of food has also risen.

Increases  in  fuel prices  along with the increase in flour prices,  have resulted in a loaf of bread going up by about Rs. 1 to Rs. 2.

Some shorteats have also risen in price ranging from Rs. 1 to Rs. 5.

The price of flour  rose with effect from January 8 owing to higher international prices of wheat, which have occurred owing to a severe  drought occurring simultaneously in America, Canada and Australia according to Prima Ceylon Limited.

Mill Brand flour rose from Rs. 19.50 to Rs. 22.00 and Prima Green rose from Rs. 16.20 to Rs. 17.20 per Kg.

Speaking to some of the consumers regarding their views on the high cost of living this is what they had to say.

G.A.Kusumawathi says that she used to but 500grams of vegetables, now because it is so expensive she has to buy 250 grams.  "I have seven members in my family and it is very difficult these days, the prices increase all the time."

Anton and Kalyani Mariyadasa said that their expenses are getting higher and higher by the day.

"What I earn is not enough for my food and drink - earlier from what I earned I bought food and also had money for other household things. Now everything I earn goes for my food. My salary is not enough -my expenses are more than my income."

"We have to buy the same amount of food, we cannot reduce what we eat,  the only difference is that more money is spent on the same amount of food."

K. A. Thilaka says that it is very difficult especially with children. "We have to have food so we can't take less home but things are so expensive."

Avil Marapura sells  coconuts and because of the high cost of fuel the prices of nuts have increased to Rs. 15, 18 and at times 20.

"Business is very low.  I used to sell more than 200 nuts a day now I can't even manage to sell 100 nuts and whenever prices are high business is always low."

G.T.Sugath who sells spices also adds that  because of the cost of transport the prices of these essentials have increased:100 grams of pepper is Rs. 30, 100 grams of goraka is about Rs. 100.

K.A.Sunil who sells dried fish sells, 100 grams of Maldive fish  for Rs. 40. "People are buying less, they ask us how much things cost and scold us as to why they are so expensive.

"Most of the dried fish costs more than Rs 30 or 40 for 100 grams-people are buying less than what they used to."

Lakshman Perera who sells vegetables says that he has never before seen the prices of vegetables go up like this.

Transport costs and shortage of goods adds to the higher prices - almost everything has gone up in price.  Some people have no choice but to buy the same amount of food that they usually do but there are some people who also buy half of what they used to buy.  Generally though business was relatively low even during December.  This has been the case for more than four months now, according to the traders.

Tough living

With the prices of meats and fish over Rs. 200,  Konrad Silva says that it is very difficult  for a family with children to live.

"There are electricity, water, and food bills that keep increasing all  the time.  But we have to buy our food and now spend more money on the same amount of food that we used to buy earlier."

N.A.Ranjith who works in a bakery says that the price of bread has increased and so has the price of some short eats; "we had no choice because the price of flour went up." 

S.A.Kamalawathie who sell bananas says that people are not buying as much as they used to because the price is now a bit more.

"We sell bananas for about six or seven rupees depending on the type of fruit and keep only one rupee profit for us.

"But because the price of transport has increased our prices are also increasing and we find business is very low these days."

The blasting at Yala

By Risidra Mendis

It was the loud blasting sounds within the Yala Na-tional Park that first told the villagers of the area that danger was closeby. But despite their love for nature and its animals, these villagers whose lives and houses were about to be destroyed could not stop the destruction in time.

The story begins with the protests of villagers and nature lovers in the Weligama area against a quarry owner. The quarry owner had supposedly obtained permission from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to blast a rock in the Weligama area.

But even though the quarry owner received CEA and GSMB approval, residents and nature lovers of the area are mystified as to on what basis the CEA granted permission.

According to Section 6 of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) the extract of any mineral, sand or granite is prohibited from a national park. Section 6 of the FFPO also states that any operation that could harm the animals, plants and disturb the ecological stability is strictly prohibited.

According to Jagath Gunawardene, a prominent environmental lawyer, Section 3A of the FFPO prohibits the constructing of hotels or any other buildings for tourist purposes, within one mile of a nature reserve. Gunawardene further said the existing bungalows within the national parks were in existence long before the FFPO was created.

But despite the existing laws in the FFPO and with the mysterious CEA approval, the blasting of the rock went on until recently. However an official from the CEA commenting on this matter said no Environmental Impact Report (EIA) was done. "I don't know why an EIA was not done in the first place" the CEA official said.

According to the official, approval cannot be given by the CEA for such a matter. "However the blasting of this rock commenced on the Environment Minister's orders and therefore we cannot do anything. But if the public is interested they can take necessary legal action" the official said.

Meanwhile after many months of protests and complaints by the villagers to the Weligama Police, government officials, CEA, GSMB and the quarry owner, the blasting of the rock was stopped.

Mining going on

However when The Sunday Leader spoke to residents of Galkaduwa Hena they said mining on the rock was still going on. "Due to the relevant authorities not taking speedy action, today we have to live with dried up wells, broken roads and cracked walls" they said.

Meanwhile the adjoining rocks while under severe threat of earthslips has now become a serious threat to the villagers closeby. With around 25 families living within the quarry area, there is little chance that their houses will survive.

According to villagers the quarry owner's brother is a wholesale dealer in explosives in Matara. "Since he has a permit large quantities of explosives are brought to the quarry" the villagers said. Irrespective of the quantity that should be used, according to the villagers double and treble the quantity was used to blast the rock.

The villagers also say that the quarry owner, requesting permission to commence blasting of the rock once again has sent a letter to the Environment Ministry Secretary Thosapala Hewage. While permission is yet to be given by the secretary, The Sunday Leader was unable to contact Hewage for a comment.

However speaking to The Sunday Leader, Ranjith Eriyagama, Honorary District Director denied the accusations made by the villagers. He said no blasting was taking place within the park and these were just rumours to bring dishonour to the Environment Minister.

He further said in 1978 the need to blast a rock in Warahena to connect block 1 and 2 in Yala in order to cross the river with ease during the drought season was discussed but blasting never took place.

According to Eriyagama the CEA need not take action as there was no blasting taking place in Yala in the first place.

"I will be in Yala for the opening of the bungalow in February/March. So if you don't believe me you can come to Yala and I will personally take you to the rock in my vehicle and show you" Eriyagama said.

But despite the claims made by Eriyagama regarding the Yala Rock, action is yet to be taken against the gang who assaulted the YA TV crew when they were filming the outlying areas and houses of villagers on November 17, 2002.

The song of the dolphins

Christmas in 2001 was disappointing. Our daughter telephoned to say she would not be able to make it to Dubai in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. Travel from Washington D.C. would be traumatic, she said. Besides, her work with a human rights organisation was hectic, she went on. She could not get time off for this long trip. My husband and I were resigned but advised her to take a rest from work, over the short holiday break.

She did, by going to Hawaii and surfing with wild dolphins! She relaxed in the delightful world of dolphins for a brief moment in time. They taught her to celebrate life, to enjoy the beauty of the ocean world, to feel the sun on the human body and enjoy its spark let as it danced across gentle waves on the surface of the water. While she tried to forget the cares and stress of the world on shore, and swam into the clear blue, warm water, the dolphins approached her, as if intuitively knowing she needed healing, the kind of healing that being with them can give. She could hear the clicks and squeaks of a pod nearby.

A dolphin approached her. They swam along eye to eye, as friends. More dolphins kept swimming up from behind, some right next to her. Her heart was bursting with love and gratitude! A Bottlenose dolphin pair came straight at her to seemingly say "hello" and check her out. They were very friendly and funny, cavorting, touching each other like intoxicated lovers, rolling around together. When she eventually returned home the love and inspiration of these wonderful creatures, remained with her for a very long time.

In the year 62 A.D, Plutarch who was well recognised in Greece as a moralist and biographer wrote this: ". to the Dolphin alone, beyond all other, nature has granted what the best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage." The Greek poet, Oppian of Silica wrote this in the year 200 A.D.: "Diviner than the Dolphin is nothing yet created, for indeed they were afore time men, and lived in cities along with mortals. They exchanged the land for the sea and put on the form of fishes. But, even now, the righteous spirit of men in them preserves human thought and human deeds.."

In more recent times Barbara Tufty writing in Science Newsletter Vol 80 August 29, 1964 commented that the dolphin "exhibits a friendly willingness to co-operate with earth creatures a rare attribute which another animal, Homo Sapiens, has not yet learned to do with any consistency." Evidently, there is something about dolphins that put a song in the heart of these dolphin lovers.

Dolphins are small members of the whale order, Cetacea. The other members of this family are porpoise, killer whales and pilot whales. A dolphin is distinguished by its long, sharp snout that is flattened by a beak. Dolphins are mammals and are not fish, and are thus warm-blooded, keeping their body temperate nearly constant even when they are exposed to different environmental temperatures. The mothers provide milk for the young and nurse them for a year or more. They have lungs and breath though a single nostril called the 'blowhole' located on top of the head. The blowhole is opened during their frequent trips to the surface to expel and inhale air. Their teeth are cone shaped and are used to seize their food, consisting primarily of marine fish and larger inverbrates such as squid. The largest dolphins reach a length of about 15 feet but most species are 7 to 10 feet long. Dolphins have smooth skin with a rubbery texture. Most species have colour patterns that are some combination of black, white and gray. They have an insulating layer of blubber beneath the skin.

Many Species

Dolphins can be categorised as the river dolphins, with five freshwater species, and the true dolphins with more than 30 marine species. The killer whales and pilot whales are closely related to the true dolphins and are included in the same family. River dolphins belong to the family Platanistidae and true dolphins to the Delphinidae. The common dolphin (Delphiniums delphis) is also a species found worldwide in warm coastal waters, and is a frequent inhabitant of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Some other species are more restricted in their geographic range. For example, Peale's dolphin is native to the cold waters of the Atlantic and Pacific off the southern part of the South America. Hector's dolphin is a small species reaching a length of only five feet and whose range is limited to the offshore waters of New Zealand.

Dolphins live relatively long lives, with some  living more than 20 years. Most species do not begin to breed until the ages of 5 to 8 or more. The female bears a single offspring, called a calf, after a gestation period of 8 to 11 months, depending on the species. As soon as the calf is born, the mother nudges it to the surface for its first breath of air. The young stay with the mothers for at least one year, and sometimes as long as two years, while continuing to nurse. Most dolphins have their young in the warm months of the year.

Dolphins use sound for communication among themselves as members of a herd or pod, which may consist of more than 1000 individuals in some open ocean species. Often, an entire pod will function as a unit to accomplish some objective, such as trapping fish. Certain species of marine dolphin are the best known biologically because they survive well in captivity, allowing them to be carefully observed. The bottle-nosed dolphins has been the most intensively studied because of its adaptability to salt-water holding tanks. Bottle-nosed dolphins, so called because of their long beaks, are found in all oceans of the world from the tropics to the temperature regions. They grow up to 12 feet long and may weigh more than 400 pounds.

Communication system

Dolphins exhibit an intricate communication and detection system in the form of underwater sonar that consist of high-pitched whistles and squeaks, some of which may be of ultrasonic frequency that is above the range of human hearing. They are able to detect objects under water by using "echolocation" in which the sounds are reflected off solid surfaces back to their ears. By means of "echolocation" they can recognise schools of fish or even smaller organisms like shrimp. The time it takes for a reflected sound to return, indicates how far away an object is from the animal. They have excellent hearing, which compensates for a poor sense of smell and for the uncertainties of visibility underwater.

Dolphins are noted for their intelligence and learning abilities. They have proved to be superb acrobats under certain conditions and can be trained to perform impressive tricks in oceanariums. The eminent Dr John C. Lilly (Man and Dolphins 1961), pioneering researcher into dolphin behaviour and communication, has provided extensive research on dolphins after carrying out several experiments on them. It has emerged that the brain size of a bottle-nosed dolphin is comparable to humans at birth and, during their lifetime, develops well into the upper levels of the maximum size for modern man, about 1700 grams. It has also been found that on a comparison made of average brain ratios between brain weight and body weight, humans have a ratio of 12.1%, the dolphin 1.19% and chimps only .70%. If brain weight versus body weight were an accurate indicator of intelligence, then it would appear that dolphins follow man very closely in term of intelligence. For this reason, it can also be deduced that dolphins are intelligent enough to communicate. It has even been suggested (flippantly, of course) by dolphin watchers that the reason dolphins always seem to be grinning is because they understand our language and are patiently waiting for us to learn theirs! Dolphin conversation has been found to consist of whistles, chirps and other sounds. Some human communities are known to have communicated by whistling like the Mazateco language in Mexico, where whistling is used to communicate.

Socialising is also important to the dolphins. In 1965, Gregory Bateson, an anthropologist, discovered that dolphins live in social groups dominated by a leader. This tie is so strong that dolphins kept in total isolation will suffer ill-health and possibly death. The power of the pod is very strong and being part of the tribe is very necessary for them. Dolphin observers have seen that they frequently stroke each other with their flippers, indicating that they require physical contact much like humans.

Dolphins have been reaching out their hand of friendship to humanity since before recorded history. They have been trying to engage with humans intelligently and lovingly. Dolphins are constantly endeavouring to connect with humans and actively seek an intelligent relationship. Wild pods of dolphins will stay and play with humans who are willing to be playful, sensitive and loving.

In Australia, in a place called Monkey Mia, a dozen or so dolphins come up to the shore and interact with crowds of people who visit to feed, stroke and play with them. This has been going on since about 1964. Dolphins show joy, brotherhood, love, compassion and caring for other life forms and these attributes have been proved through the ages. Dolphins and also whales who belong to the same family, are the only species which are known to go out of their way to help another species such as saving the lives of drowning people and guiding endangered boats to safety, without gain for themselves.

Sense of humour

It has been observed by dolphin watches, that outside of its striking friendliness, it has been blessed with a well-developed sense of humour. Dolphins have been known to silently manoeuver behind an unsuspecting pelican and snatch its tail feather, usually leaving the bird minus a few. Other pranks include grabbing unsuspecting fish by the tail, pulling them backward a few feet as well as bothering slow turtles by rolling them over and over! Once, a dolphin was seen placing a piece of squid near a grouper's rock cranny. When the fish came out, the dolphin promptly snatched the bait away, leaving the puzzled fish behind.

Nowhere is the dolphin found more endearing than when it comes to showing friendship and gentleness. Ever since the first time man ventured into the sea, dolphins have been man's best friend in the sea. Throughout history, mention has been made of the extraordinary sensitivity which dolphins show humans. In a book written by Pultarch titled The Cleverness of Animals, he mentions the story of Odysseus. His son Telmachos, fell into the sea and was saved by a dolphin.Ever after that, Odysseus worshipped dolphins. Shakespeare uses a dolphin's story in Twelfth Night.

Arion, a rich poet and musician had his life threatened by pirates on board his ship. His last will was to sing one last song, and since he must die, he wished to jump overboard taking his own life. He did not drown, because a dolphin carried him about 200 miles to shore. Greeks say that this is true and that it happened in 60 B.C. and that the historian Herodotus and others have recorded it.

More recently in 1999, some newspapers over the world carried this headline: "Dolphins save two". That February, as a result of a devastating earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale in Colombia, 938 people died, 4000 were injured and 200,000 were rendered homeless. Residents in Bogota were fleeing at a rate of 6000 per day. Two boys, aged 22 years, Washington Caicedo and Elkin Sandoval also joined the exodus. They made their way to the shore and boarded a ship as stowaways hoping to get away from their devastated homeland. They were found out after the ship set sail from Colombia by the ship's crew who flipped a coin to decide their fate. They were unlucky, and the crew tossed them both overboard into the shark-infested waters of the Caribbean. They were in the water for more than 36 hours, and during this time a pod of dolphins looked after them and saved them from drowning until a fishing vessel picked them up.

The perpetual and ecstatic dance of the dolphins has captivated humanity since the beginning of recorded history and probably through pre-historic times. The dolphins live in a state of sheer exuberant joy of being alive, so yearned for by humans, yet so painfully inaccessible to most humans.

Without exception, whether in the wild or in the debilitating conditions of marine parks, dolphins always bring to people a deep experience of their own joy. Dolphin lovers believe that there is something superior in them than in any other creature .... including man.

 C.S. Lewis in Perelandra wrote about a planet where God had created two intelligent species. one that walked on the ground and one that swam in the oceans. Could the latter be the dolphin?

- Therese Gunawardena

•  Bentota's charm is as old as the sea

A study tour of a holiday resort

A place in the sun is  what most tourists   dream of; where to find it depends on personal inclinations and the state of one's finances. The favoured palm-fringed shores of Sri Lanka immediately conjures up a picture of blue skies, golden sand and beaches, set against a glorious and a brilliant sun.

Bentota's fascinating attractions are an obvious choice for seaside holiday makers. The palm-laced beach where stands in all her splendour and grace, the bewitching sea-side refuge of Bentota or Benthara has for many, many, years been pregnant with sea-side and riverine tourist attractions.

Bentota or Benthara, according to a Pali derivation means the dreadful ford (from the Pali word-bhiyathitha/bhiya means fear, thitha means ferry or port). More fear provoking folktales are wrapped with the name of this river - Bentota or Benthara or bhiyathitha.

These tales tell us that this place is haunted by a demon which lies in the depths of the whirlpools, taking human sacrifices! In those days of yore, when people trekked by foot or used bullock carts, they always invoked the blessings of the guarding deities for their safe journey across this dreadful ferry of Benthara (Bentota).

Fishing centre

Bentota is a thriving fishing centre, where madel fishing and other drag nets are carried out. At one time Bentota was famous for its oysters which were a favourite dish served there when the old rest house was in existence in the past. Bentota takes me back to my boy-hood days, when my married sister, brother-in-law with their family were staying at Aluthgama. During the school holidays we spent our school vacation at our sister's place in Aluthgama.

During World War II, from 1945, Bentota Rest House and its environs were occupied by allied forces. They pitched their camps along the sea-shore and along the river bank. When we visited the area, the soliders all smiles, would greet us cheerfully saying "Hello Johnny."

The railroad and the highway bridges across the Bentota river, having giant iron girdles, were constructed by British engineers in 1870. After withstanding the rigours of time of over 130 years, it is still standing as firm as a rock.

Sir Emerson Tennent, a famed colonial secretary of state in British times, was a prolific author. In his voluminous book titled: Ceylon Vol. II, (1959 A.D.), has this vivid but fine account of Bentota - about its many attractions, thus: "... the Rest House of Bentota is one of the coolest and most agreeable spots in Ceylon. It is situated within a little park, deeply shaded by lofty tamarind trees on the point of the beach where the river forms the junction with the sea." That was an eye-witness's account about 130 years ago.

Even to this day, with the multitudes of foreign and local tourists flocking there, Bentota as in the past, yet carries her charm and resplendence amidst its unspoilt sea-side and riverine spots.

- Gamini G. Punchihewa

He tried his best to talk things through

Instead he was in a very sober,  humble and thoughtful mood. I  think he was beginning to realise the enormity of the challenge before him. He told me that he had summoned Paskaralingam as well.  He said: "Sirisena I have decided not to live in President's House." Even as the PM he went to Temple Trees only to sleep; he would come to Sucharitha early in the morning and begin his work there.

Mr. Premadasa was not daunted by the innumerable challenges he had to face as the President. He had a very clear notion as to how to face and overcome these challenges. His main problem was that his enemies would not let him implement his ideas, carry out his programme of work. He wanted to bring peace to the country and ensure the development of the people. But he could not spend all his time and energy in achieving these aims because of the destabilisation campaign carried out by his enemies. They never gave him a break but tried to destabilise his government over and over again. That was the main problem he had to face as the president.

A country on fire

Mr. Premadasa inherited a country on fire. Despite his untiring efforts to come to an understanding with the JVP, the insurgency continued and in fact got stronger. He was helpless, caught between the JVP, the army and the UNP old guard. He had no time to establish himself. At times it looked like we were about to lose everything. And Mr. Premadasa was caught in a dilemma. He did not want the army to be unleashed since he knew what would happen as a result - another 1971. He was trying desperately to avoid that. He wanted a compromise solution and he went as far as he could to try to make it happen. But the JVP was not willing to compromise.

Mr. Premadasa's first challenge however was the parliamentary election. I did not want to contest the parliamentary election but Mr. Premadasa wanted to hand over the Colombo Central seat to me. When we had the Working Committee meeting to decide on nominations he wanted me to participate. Ranjan was the general secretary at that time. I later found out that Mr. Premadasa had coached Lalith to broach this subject with me and had left the room. After he left Lalith said: "Siri, why don't you contest? At least come on the national list." I said I prefer to be the mayor. I knew there would be difficulties if I became a cabinet minister because of the interference of Mr. Premadasa's family. But eventually I agreed to come on the national list.

A few days later when we were travelling together Mr. Premadasa brought the matter up again. He was a little happy that I had agreed to come on the national list, but what he really wanted was for me to take over from him at Colombo Central. He asked me who we should give nomination to in Colombo Central. I mentioned Ratnasiri Rajapakse's name. He asked: "Are you sure he can win?" I said that I will somehow or other make sure of it. However he was worried. He said: "He is our man.  If he loses it will reflect badly on us."

 He knew that I could win. But my preference was to be the mayor, where I was independent. It was not that Mr. Premadasa ever interfered in my work; that was not the problem; but I knew through experience that others would try to create difficulties.

Soon after this K. N. Choksy and Sunil Rodrigo came to see me. They told me that a couple of days ago Mr. Premadasa had walked into Choksy's house unannounced. Sunil Rodrigo had also been there. They told me that they felt very sorry for the President. They said: "He was feeling very bad; he was very hurt that you are not prepared to contest." I said that I had agreed to come on the national list. They told me that Mr. Premadasa wanted me to contest from Colombo Central. So finally I agreed. Even though I came second in terms of preference votes, I hardly campaigned for myself. I addressed only one meeting and I never asked people to vote for me. Anyway we won the election.

*    *    *    *

The situation in the country continued to deteriorate. Mr. Premadasa had removed the emergency as a goodwill gesture but the JVP did not respond positively; they just increased their terror tactics. (When Rev. Kotikawatte Sadhdhatissa Thero was killed we had to go and put up flags. We risked our lives to do that).

One day after the cabinet meeting was over Mr. Premadasa invited me to come for a meeting at Sucharitha. Rukman Senanayake and Gamini Wijesekara brought a person who they introduced as a representative of the JVP. I immediately recognised him; he had been a JVP member of the District Development Council that I attended, representing Mr. Premadasa. Mr. Premadasa talked to this man at length trying to persuade him about the need for a ceasefire, the need for peace. I felt very sorry about the way the President was pleading with this boy. I remember that at one point Mr. Premadasa said: "Why are you destroying public property and creating trouble when you can talk things over and come to some agreement? What do you want?"

No JVP contacts

Mr. Premadasa had no contact with the JVP. If he did it would have been through me because Somawansa Amarasinghe is the brother-in-law of my older brother, Nandasena Cooray. That family was from Payagala. I know there were stories that Somawansa was staying with me at the mayor's residence and that I helped him to get out of the country. But these stories are not true. I never met him after 1971. But he phoned me a couple of times during the late eighties. Once was during the Presidential election campaign, after the JVP fell out with the SLFP. He said: "from tomorrow we are going to attack them as well as you'll."  He was also trying to put us against JRJ. He used to call with various stories of what Mr. Jayewardene said. After the presidential election and Mr. Premadasa's conciliatory gestures, I thought the JVP would stop their violence and agree to negotiate; but they did not.

After the parliamentary election Somawansa called me and said: "My personal congratulations; but not that of the party. From tomorrow we are going to attack you." I said: "Now you can talk things over. There is a leader with whom you can have a dialogue and find solutions for your grievances. Why won't you talk?" Somawansa said: "No he is going to do what the other man did." I said: "which man?" He replied: "JR." I asked: "How can you say so"? He said: "Look at his cabinet" and went on to mention the names of several appointees they found objectionable because of their past. He mentioned Ranil's name first. I asked why they object so much to Ranil. Somawansa said: "he is the worst thug."

(To be continued next week)

Those who care....

The two kind ladies I met - Yvonne Seneviratne and Mavis Cyril Gardiner, readily agreed to show me the stray dogs they were looking after.

"But the place is a secret!" they whisper.

"Why?" I am curious. After all, who could be jealous of a stray dog? They reply that people might call the dog-catchers because they regard these dogs as pests.

"And you know that will be the end of these dogs no?"

I nod sympathetically. The whole problem was that people are unaware that animals also have feelings just like their children and everyone else.

These two ladies are magnificent. They make sure their stray friends have all three meals each day.

My mind is full of unvoiced questions. How do you do that when you don't even live in the same vicinity? What about opposition from husbands, children, transport problems, the curiosity and sarcasm of strangers who cannot understand why anyone should care for animals when the people suffer so much?

"We have another friend called Pushpa Butani," they explain. "She gives them breakfast."

"I give lunch," pipes in Mavis, "and Yvonne here gives them dinner."

"Every day?" I exclaim.

"Every single day! Even when the curfew was on!"

We have reached the secret place. Two dogs gambol up to us. No, these can't be the strays, I think - far too well fed. But it turns out that they are!

"That's Lucky and that's her puppy," the ladies introduce them proudly, as if they were their children.

"No more puppies?" I am surprised. The ladies look sad. "They disappeared."

Guests of honour

Then their faces brighten up. "But we have sterilised these dogs, so they will have no problem in the future."

A thin hungry looking dog appears from nowhere. "Here you are, my dear," Yvonne and Mavis immediately provide a plate for him too - as if he is a guest of honour. Lucky in the meantime rolls onto her stomach, comfortable and happy. There is a smile on her face, as if she knows that she is the luckiest dog in the world.

Beatrice Soysa, who lives in a slum in Bambalapitiya, also contributes much of her time to look after stray animals.

But she too did not want me to reveal the name of the place. The reason given being that people might kill her along with the animals.

"They might get angry that I am feeding the animals without feeding them!" was her plausible explanation. The other lady who brought food for  the cats every day did not want her name mentioned either. She is quiet in her ways.

"I do not want to get any praise for my work," she says with an apologetic smile.

I am relentless. I question her sternly.

"Don't you think they are multiplying because you are feeding them?"

She has a pained expression on her face and is earnest in her reply.

"Yes, I know. I have got two cats sterilised but one died because it was raining and her wound got festered. There is no shelter, at least a temporary shelter would do!" There is sadness in her voice.

"I can't bear to eat if I don't feed them!" I can well believe her. She looks so frail Beatrice Soysa interrupts. She is quite keen to have her picture taken. Some sarong clad unemployed men crowd around and join in the fun.

"Can I also pose, ha Beatrice?"

"Careful Beatrice, you might end up in jail because of that photo!"

For a moment Beatrice has a look of terror. I reassure her and she shouts at them. Amidst their shouts of laughter I drive off pondering for a minute about the fact that all of the people I have interviewed so far, are women.

Hats off to them!

-  Fahima Rizwan

The wonders of ayurveda

By Ranee Mohamed

Dr. Sujeewa Vitana is a man who lives among plants and herbs. This bachelor of ayurveda medicine and surgery makes strange claims. "Ayurvedic surgery can successfully cure wounds, infections and those other ailments that other medicine has set aside," he says " and we have antibiotics too," he goes on. These antibiotics however have no side effects and can be stopped when one desires.

Most of us prefer the short cut to remedies, but the Veda Medura at Batalanda which has been initiated by the Ven. Waga Gnaloka thera believes in the slightly longer process. Dr. Sujeewa who sets this Veda Medura in motion everyday says that he is disheartened by the hundreds of patients who come in with heart ailments and cholesterol problems.

"I attribute all these ailments to modern living and modern day illnesses. What people ought to realise is that they need to get back to an 'agrarian society.'" Live simply, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and lots of unrefined food. The problem today is that many go in search of the fried rice and the biryani," said Dr. Sujeewa. Stress, environmental pollution and bad living are giving man enough pain and heart ache, the doctor pointed out.

"We are eating far more than necessary and that what is not necessary and worse still we are not burning what we are taking in," he said. "Our forefathers ate healthy food and worked hard for it and after it. But what are we doing today? We are having international cuisine and going to sleep," he observed.

New treatment

"Our newest venture is curing by herbal steam and herbal baths and herbal massages," explained Sujeewa.  This involves the massaging of aching and ailing bodies with generous amounts of herbs that have been either boiled or soaked in water.

These methods are found to be particularly beneficial for skin diseases. "There is an amazing change after the herbal bath and massages. The face, head and specific places for specific diseases are  massaged. Even the most degenerated skin shows signs of translucence. Besides these herbs supply direct nutrition to the skin," explained Dr. Sujeewa.

Among plants that are mostly used are kohomba and weniwel gata. These plants are harmless and have great antiseptic qualities.

"What people may not be aware of is that ayurveda is capable of battling cholesterol on its own. We make tablets which are of plant origin and these tablets, capsules, pastes (kalka) and oils are capable of curing, battling and preventing age-old illnesses.

"At our Veda Medura in Batalanda we treat patients who suffer from arthritis, heart ailments, diabetes skin disorders and even strokes," said Dr. Sujeewa.

Arthritis is an ailments that is on the increase. There are several causes. At most times it is said to be caused by age, falls, accidents, bruises that have been neglected, etc. Sometimes even congenital joint weaknesses result in unbearable pain that is arthritis.

"Even one's occupation can given one arthritis, for example a security officer who has to stand for a long time," explained Dr. Sujeewa. "Long-term chemotherapy can cause bone damage too," he said.

Patients with arthritis must avoid climbing stairs and kneeling down. Bed rest  and reducing one's weight must be given priority.

"Oils as  siddarta, mahanayarana, pranajeewa and siddartha are used in these massages. Herbal steam is also used to bring relief to various pains and ailments," said Dr. Sujeewa.

The Batalanda Veda Medura at which Dr. Sujeewa and the  Veda Hamuruduwo have given life to a 'complete ayurvedic cure' has been in existence for three decades. They make oils and arishtas. "Sometimes one kind of oil requires about 250 herbs," explained the doctor. "The pancha karma therapy is gaining popularity all over. Even tourist hotels have given preference to the ayurvedic system of medicine," pointed out Dr. Sujeewa.

"Change your lifestyle and get back to nature," he advised.

Land of medicine

Talking of the wonder of plants, Dr. Sujeewa said that Sri Lanka is a jungle of cures and remedies.

Take komarika; he said that for pain in the stomach, the pulp of Komarika can be taken and ground together with mung ata and juggery and taken on an empty stomach in the morning. The mung ata must be soaked overnight. komarika is also good for the skin.

Speaking of beli, the doctor said that the roots, flowers, bark and the pulp of the beli are all cures in themselves. Raw beli has been found to  have an calming effect on phlegmatic conditions and said to strengthen the intestines. Beli flowers are found to control nausea and diarrhoea. Beli leaves are found to be good for  controlling rising temperature and cure stomach aches.  And the beli pothu is said to be good for the heart.

Dr. Sujeewa also stressed on the wonders of gotukola. He said that gotukola is found to cure sinus, piles, prevent ageing, clear one's voice, prevent cracked lips, worm infestations, etc.

Among these herbs is Haathawariya which is said to control swelling of the joints, battle sexual weaknesses etc.

Many have wondered how good goraka that we add to our fish curry can be for the body. Dr. Sujeewa however stresses on  the herbal wonder of goraka. "The leaves, flowers and the bark of goraka is used to repair fractures.  It is also used to control the festering of ones finger joints. gorka is used to stop pain in the throat," went on the doctor.

He also said that kohomba cannot be forgotten for its magical qualities. It is found to purify blood, combat worm problems, kill germs in the body, control temperature, is a diuretic, and stops phlegm conditions. It is also found to be used in the control of malaria, piles, wounds, premature ageing and body lice. Talking about the everyday karapincha that we use in our curries, the doctor said that this is a herb that is choc-a-bloc with goodness.

"The juice of the karapincha leaves is used to control morning sickness when mixed with a little sugar. It is also used to control diarrhoea when taken with bees honey. It also controls premature ageing and control one from being overweight. Take about 10 leaves everyday and it will control hypertension and help you to reduce your weight," he advised.

The ayurveda system of medicine which relies on nature and the plants around us for cure can have no serious side effects. Its teachings and effects and the way of life advocated by ayurvedic physicians ought to be reconsidered in these modern days when fast life and fast food seem to be taking us to the grave fast.

Fight to be polythene free:
possibility or pipe dream?

By Hemamala Wickramage

Polythene and plastic are two of the most commonly used materials in consumer products; they are used widely by everyone from street vendors to middle class housewives. The most common use of polythene is the wrapping of food items such as meat, vegetables, bread and lunch packets. While running around carrying shopping bags made of polythene and lunches conveniently wrapped in easily disposable 'thin' lunch sheets, most people fail to pay attention to the harmful effect these products have on the natural environment.

Politicians so wrapped up in their victory quests are another group that fails to see the harmful effects polythene causes. Election rallies with stages, trees and light posts all wrapped in polythene made flags and banners allow the 'polythene problem' to worsen.

The improper disposal of polythene items has heightened drainage problems and a number of other negative environmental conditions too are becoming apparent. Since the polythene bags do not break down as paper bags might, they very frequently end up clogging drains and sewage systems, which in turn creates significant negative health effects.

Environment groups calling for action claim, with the use of polythene gaining popularity, the use of traditional and environment friendly products has diminished. According to environmentalists the situation has continued unchecked because the public is unaware of the threat posed by their treatment of the environment.

But there seem to be some good news for parties lobbying for environment protection. The fight to become 'polythene free' has almost begun. At the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry plans are in the pipeline to impose a ban on the use of certain polythene products, which are harmful to the environment.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Advisor to the Ministry, Rohan Pethiyagoda said the Ministry is focusing on reducing the use of certain polythene made items. "It's not possible to issue a total ban on the use of polythene. For example things like injection needles that come wrapped in polythene are essential to keep them sterile. However the public can be made aware to limit the use of certain other polythene made items such as sili sili polythene carry bags and lunch sheets," he said.

Two ways

There are two possible ways of limiting the use of these "less than 10 micrones thick - sili sili polythene," according to Pethiyagoda. "Firstly, we must educate the public to refrain from using these types of polythene whenever possible and secondly to dispose of them carefully if and when used."

The Ministry believes in educating the public on making life style decisions that regular citizens make everyday which can have a profound impact on the environment. "This is somewhat similar to the issue of smoking in public places. There is no official ban to prevent people from smoking inside workplaces etc. But because of the publicity given to the issue, most people refrain from smoking inside places like offices and so on. They consider it as an anti-social act. Likewise, through proper awareness campaigns it is possible to improve polythene's negative impact on the environment," said Pethiyagoda.

The Environment and Natural Resources Ministry plans to launch awareness campaigns to discourage the use of polythene in government offices, places of worship and other public places while supporting the use of environmental friendly products.

Highlighting one shining example of people committing themselves to saving the environment, Pethiyagoda said the Trincomalee naval dockyard has a total ban on the use of all polythene products. "It's a voluntary ban. Even the CWE outlet there uses paper carry bags instead of polythene ones. I think it is the best example in Sri Lanka, where a large group of people are voluntarily engaged in limiting the use of polythene," added Pethiyagoda.

Helping this environmental friendly cause are a number of Colombo schools which have launched projects to limit the use of polythene products. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Principal, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Kalyani Lakshman said, " we have asked our students to bring lunch in a re-usable lunch boxes instead of using polythene bags. Even if they happen to buy a lunch packet from outside we have asked them to take the carry bag home and not to dispose of it within the school premises."

The project has proved to be successful according to the principal, with the school being able to bring down the use of polythene products considerably.

Joining in the battle are the students of St. Pauls Milagiriya. "All our students are encouraged to bring their lunch in lunch boxes. We also encourage them to use bags made of environment friendly products such as jute or cotton. When it comes to school functions too we have a total ban on using polythene for decorations. Instead we use natural material like hathawariya plants and frangipani flowers," said Deputy Principal, St. Pauls Milagiriya, Hema Perera.

Political parties agree

The Sunday Leader contacted the major political parties to get their views on the use of polythene for decorations at election and protest rallies. General Secretary, SLFP, Maithripala Sirisena said if the government is proposing such a ban on the use of polythene decorations, the SLFP would fully support it. "As a political party that carries out promotional work we are also against the heavy use of polythene in this manner.  Therefore we would fully support this project," said Sirisena.

A JVP media spokesperson said although they use polythene for decorative purposes at meetings and protest rallies, they do take necessary steps for the proper removal of such material. "We always make sure that polythene is not left behind lying around once a meeting is over. We don't go throwing it in garbage dumps either but we keep and reuse them. Furthermore, we have started using flags and banners made of clothing to minimise the use of polythene," said the JVP spokesperson.

General Secretary, UNP, Senarath Kapukotuwa said the UNP as a policy has a total ban on use of polythene. "We have banned the use of polythene at our rallies. At the last convention rally held at the Sugathadasa Stadium and the one held in Trincomalee too we used only flags and banners made of cloth," said Kapukotuwa.