Review

Tear for a Crocodile

The crocodile was not a good actor and did not seem anxious to do his role in the teledrama. He had sprung into the waters before the filming, swum violently to a nearby boat and bitten into the boat....

More.... 

 > In the holy month of Ramadan...

 > Snakes dying of starvation at Dehiwela zoo

 > Puppies are cuddly and really sweet (.....Balder dash)

 > Children who are blind to a father’s tears...

 > An eccentricity that knows no bounds

 > Campaign to eradicate dengue

Tear for a Crocodile

This sad story comes from the Dehiwela Zoological Gardens. It is the story of the Croco who was hired for Rs.10,000 and according to the zoo authorities, this is not the first time that animals in the zoo were given at a cost for various purposes of entertainment.

In fact, according to veteran producer and script writer Sudath Rohana, the zoological authorities had told him that if the crocodile was being ‘hired’ for a foreign film, the charges would have been ‘much higher.’

It all began when popular producer Sudath Rohana’s Sura Saradiel, played by Roshan Ravindra, had a scene with a crocodile.

The teledrama telecast on ITN on Sundays at 8.30 p.m. is set in 1832, and portrays the life of Sura Saradiel who has been compared to Robin Hood of England.

Sudath Rohana who has spent over Rs. 120 lakhs in the making of the film had been determined to go back in time, even though in film. The film has also involved the hiring of helicopters.

This producer of Sinhala teledramas said that he has always persevered to preserve Sri Lankan talent and was appalled at the way various unrealistic Indian teledramas have taken over our small screen.

"This is why I have always strived to give Sri Lankans the best entertainment based in a Sri Lankan setting, and Sura Saradiel is definitely a true Sri Lankan creation," explained Rohana.

"When I approached the authorities of the Zoological Gardens, they were quite willing to give me a crocodile for the scene, but at a price, I had to complete the paper work and pay Rs. 10,000. My request was for a mildly sedated crocodile which could swim in the Kitulgala river and also roll over with the hero," explained Sudath Rohana. ‘The authorities requested that I get a special long van for the crocodile to be transported and I got a van without seats, so that the crocodile would be comfortable," explained Rohana.

The crocodile which had left the Dehiwala Zoo at 11 a.m. on July 29 had reached Kitulgala at 3p.m. The crocodile had been taken out of the National Zoological Gardens with the legitimate gate passes.

"When the crocodile was brought to the location we were told that the crocodile could not be sedated as the vets were not in. He was brought by four keepers. The men were paid Rs.1,500 each and they said that they would guide the crocodile to do his scene," said Rohana.

The crocodile was not a good actor and did not seem anxious to do his role in the teledrama. He had sprung into the waters before the filming, swum violently to a nearby boat and had bitten into the boat causing damage and holes in the boat. It was evident that the croco enjoyed being by himself, and did not quite like to act. Producer Sudath Rohana had to pay the owner of the boat for the repairs.

"We soon found that there was no way that the crocodile could do his scene. Let alone touch him, the hero could barely get near him. Our whole exercise seemed useless and we had to get one of the zoo keepers to wear the hero’s wig and roll with the crocodile while we had a ‘long shot’," explained Sudath Rohana.

According to Rohana, the crocodile’s mouth could not be seen, and it had to be pulled by its keepers who had a rope around his stomach. While other stars had people around them for make-up etc. the crocodile had four keepers around him to pull and get him ready for the filming.

When it was lunch time, everyone had eaten, but when Sudath Rohana had inquired what they could offer their guest star, the keepers had told him that the crocodile was fed only once in three days.

So while everyone enjoyed their buth packets, croco had received nothing.

The crocodile who arrived at 11 a.m. had left the location by 3 p.m.

Three days later, tragedy struck as the croco who was now on celluloid, though by a long shot, died at the Dehiwala Zoo.

While authorities at the Dehiwala Zoo say that the croco was brought 35 years ago, Sudath Rohana says that the keepers told him that the croco was 50 years old. The post-mortem on the croco has revealed that he had died due to exhaustion.

The croco may have played a small role, but he died for it. It is time to shed some real tears for this crocodile, who died in captivity and whose true feelings about the situation, we would never know.

In the holy month of Ramadan...

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is an important pillar in Islam, and it is believed by Muslims that if a person dies without having made up his or her missed fasts then a guardian or heir must make up for them for they are a debt owned to Allah.

It is also reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said "when the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained," (Al-Bukhari)

Muslims believe that the first few verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet during the month of Ramadan.

Muslims around the world continue the tradition set by the Prophet by making more time to read the Qur’an. Many Muslims also read the Qur’an during Taraweeh prayers, which is held during Ramadan or Tahajjud and during the course of the day.

In addition to this, Muslims also try to spend more time in dhikr or remembrance of Allah as well as perform Taraweeh prayers which is preferably done in congregation but can also be done at home before or after the pre-dawn meal or Fajr (dawn prayer)

During this holy month many Muslims also try to perform Umra, a visit to the Ka’bah in Makka. This gives the same amount of reward as Haj, but does not replace the obligatory Haj.

During the period of fasting, the Muslims who are of age, healthy and not travelling, should abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse.

During this time they should also stop lying, arguing and back biting, although these qualities should be practiced throughout the year. This is a time when Muslims around the world learn to control themselves and develop more on their spiritual side.

To start their fast Muslims should have a pre-dawn meal and the fast takes place from sunrise to sunset, at which time they should break their fast without delay.

It is sunna that a small amount of food is consumed preferably with an odd number of dates and then perform Maghrib prayers before eating a complete meal. During Ramadam Muslims should also give charity or Zakat — another pillar of Islam, this is apart from the Sadaqa given throughout the year.

The Prophet has said that whoever draws nearer to Allah by performing an obligatory deed or any of the optional good deeds in this month shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time; and whoever performs an obligatory deed in this month, shall receive the reward of performing 70 obligatory deeds at any other time.

It is the month of patience and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is a month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased.

According to the Qur’an whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sin forgiven, and he will be saved from the hell-fire, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all. During this time it is obligatory that every Muslim pay Zak before the end of Ramadan.

This money is collected and given to a category of people so that they too may enjoy the festivities on Eid-ul-Fitr.

Muslims also believe that the last 10 days of Ramadan are the most blessed of all and try to make even greater efforts at this time to increase their worship.

The most blessed night of all is Laylat-al-Qadr, which falls on one of the odd numbered nights of the last 10 fasts.

The celebration at the end of Ramadan on the first day of the month of Shawwal is called Eid-al-Fitr . Muslims at this time or on the 29th day of fast await for the announcement of the sighting of the new moon, which is then followed by celebrations. It means that it is the end of the fasting month and Taraweeh prayers are not conducted for that night.

If the new moon has not been sighted then there is one more day of fasting and Taraweeh prayers are performed. In Eid celebrations, Eid prayers are performed in congregation and usually followed by a sermon after which the Muslims celebrate throughout the day.

Eid celebrations last only for one day and is a time when family and friends visit each other, gifts are given to children and the day is shared by celebrating with loved ones.

Snakes dying of starvation at Dehiwela zoo

Set amidst a beautifully landscaped area, the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwela became the centre of attraction many months ago with the birth of baby albino cobras. The snake enclosure which was avoided for many years by frequent visitors soon became one of the most sought after places at the zoo.

These slippery slimy creatures that had for many years instilled fear in people soon became popular due to the rare Albino cobras. For children and adults visiting the zoo nothing was more interesting than catching a glimpse of the Albino cobras.

The National Zoological Gardens, once popular for its many endemic, rare and unusual animals, birds, reptiles and fish, is slowly deteriorating due to the negligence of some zoo keepers. Today most of the Albino cobras that were successfully bred at the National Zoological Gardens cannot be seen anymore. Out of a recently hatched 30 baby Albino cobras 15 have died at the zoo.

In many cases an animal or reptile dies due to an incurable disease or old age. But sadly the death of the Albino cobras was not due to old age or disease but starvation.

According to inside sources the baby Albino cobras were not fed for weeks and months and died of starvation.

The National Zoological Gardens, known as one of the best in Asia due to its many successful breeding and conservation programmes is today in the centre of controversy.

The alarming news of a number of snakes dying due to starvation at the zoo has shocked the public who have questioned the very existence of a zoo in the country.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader inside sources said at present 15 Albino cobras, nine spitting cobras, three green mambas, one Central Asian Cobra, two king cobras and three kadol mapilas among others have died at the zoo.

"The largest python (14 feet in length) in the zoo has also died due to starvation. Zoo officials brought down a pair of king cobras from India two months ago.

The 10 feet long male king cobra had a growth on its tail when it was brought to the zoo. Zoo officials did not attend to the reptile and it died. The seven and-a-half-feet long female king cobra died due to starvation.

"This is a clear indication that the reptile was not fed and remained the same size when it died," inside sources said.

Inside sources revealed that certain species of snakes need to be fed with live animals such as frogs, chicken and mice. "Zoo keepers are too lazy to go looking for live animals. Their only interest is to display the reptiles. Snakes such as the cobra when fed after a long period of time cannot digest the food.

"Their intestines enlarge and burst and the cobra dies. A lack of sunlight has also caused the deaths of some species of snakes at the zoo," environmentalists alleged.

Commenting on the death of snakes, Zoo Director, Brigadier P. G. Charles said he was not aware of any such incident. "If an animal or reptile dies it has to be brought to my notice. A post mortem has to be conducted and a report submitted to me within 24 hours. I have not received any reports of dead snakes," he said.

However inside sources say senior zoo officials are unaware of the deaths of the reptiles as the dead creatures are allegedly thrown in the dust bins by the zoo keepers and disposed.

"Who is going to take responsibility for the cruelty imposed on these innocent reptiles due to starvation at the zoo, if the director is not aware of what is happening inside the zoo?" environmentalists question.

Puppies are cuddly and really sweet

These days, I permanently seem to be buying gifts. I think I should have a separate Gift Allowance. House keeping money vanishes in the blink of an eye; how on earth am I supposed to have leftovers for gifts? I know, I know, it’s the thought that counts, but for special people, it’s nice to show them by presenting them with something special.

And herein lies the problem, cheap things no good! (No, not really!) I have certain friends who keep stuff that they get and don’t like and then pass it on to others. I think this is a ghastly thing to do. Invariably, these discarded items aren’t that appealing; that’s why they were set-aside in the first place. So I think it’s really cheap to fob it off on some unsuspecting soul.

A card and a little token would be much nicer, I think. Also, very often, it is those who can afford to buy something that don’t bother! Like one acquaintance, she always says, "Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t have the time to buy anything, I’m coming over soon with your gift."

Of course, she never does! There was one lady whose husband owned a prawn farm, and she actually brought along a frozen pack of gift-wrapped prawns when she came to my friend’s place! Ugh! I know this is a very expensive item, but I thought that was simply gross! Couldn’t she have sent them along earlier if she wanted to?  Another most unwelcome gift I remember is when my brother-in-law gave my sister a puppy for her birthday.

Actually, he wanted it, and he’s mad over dogs, so he must have assumed my sister too would be thrilled about it. Typical male of the species! After a couple of weeks of wrecking the house and her good shoes, she threw a huge tantrum and demanded that it be given away.

Her shoes are a very important part of her wardrobe — she’s nicknamed Imelda Marcos! The next day, she said she was wondering if it would be looking for them, and if it was being looked after properly, etc.

In other words, she was indirectly saying she regretted banishing it from the house. My brother-in-law, quickly seizing the opportunity, said that of course it might not be looked after as well as at their place, yes, it would most definitely be looking for them and so on. "All right, I get the point, then bring him back!" In a flash, my b-i-l. had hopped into his vehicle and brought back the missing link.

Now he has adopted another six or seven, and my sis keeps grumbling that she comes out immaculately attired for work and they jump on her and ruin her clothes! But it is a half-hearted grumble. Once when b-i-l. was overseas, when I called her, she asked me if I knew what she was doing.

No, I answered. "Well, I’m spoon feeding this blinking animal, can you imagine, you have to feed him with a spoon or else he refuses to eat and will starve to death?" I almost died laughing at the thought of her sitting and feeding the dog like that!  As for me, my kids come and ask me close to my birthday or Christmas what I would like to have, and I tell them, knowing that they will convey the information to Caveman.

A very cunning method of getting what you want! In the same fashion, they hint very broadly towards their birthdays how they’d love to have certain things, and of course I try to get it for them if I can. Another lady I know goes and orders some jewellery and then tells her husband she ordered this for her birthday, anniversary or Christmas, and to please pay for it! A surefire method! Once my sister gave me a huge parcel for my birthday, and when I unwrapped it, I found another parcel.

In each layer, there was a gift! And right in the middle at last was a big wad of money. That was a nice surprise. I did something like this for Caveman’s fiftieth, I knew there was no way I could afford a yacht, plane or something on similar lines.

I collected 50 gifts over a period of time, and wrapped each one individually and gave him this mound to be unwrapped on that day! Now excuse me, I’ve got to go buy another gift! 

No knowledge is more satisfactory to a man than that of his own frame – its parts, their functions and actions – Jefferson

If any part in our body fails to function the mental agony we go through is unbearable. That is the nature of the human being. In such a scenario the condition would be graver if your loved ones sideline you as a result of the disability.

M.S.Peiris of 146/16, Kaldemulla Road, Angulana, Moratuwa is one such father who has lost the affection of his children due to blindness.

A father of three – one daughter and two sons — Peiris has done his duty by his children, but in return instead of looking after the father when he became totally blind the three children have started ill-treating and neglecting him. Poor Peiris who now struggles to collect money to get a lens implanted which would cost Rs. 12,000 to bring back his eye sight is today begging at railway stations and bus stands along the coastal belt.

This innocent father seeks public assistance to get his one and only dream come true — to see the world before he dies. " I do not want money for my survival. I starve for several days if I do not have money. Starvation is bearable but the blindness is unbearable. I was a hardworking man earlier, but due to my numerous family problems I went blind as a result of eye pressure," claimed this father.

Peiris was a hard worker in his younger days. He was attached to the Buildings Department as a labourer / cleaner. With the small remuneration he received he was able to save money to purchase plots of lands for his children. "I am a teetotaller. I have never spent money unnecessarily. That is how I could save money from my small salary," claimed Peiris.

Peiris lost his job due to the infamous July strike in 1980 and since then worked as a private bus driver to feed his family. The turning point in his life was when he decided to go to Saudi Arabia (SA) seeking greener pasture.

"I went to SA in 1982 as a backhoe, dozer and loader operator. I was attached to Tasco Company and while working there I came to know of an affair my wife was having with another person in Sri Lanka. "I tried my level best to convince her of the consequences as it would affect our children’s’ future but she did not listen to me and went with her new found lover. Psychologically I was upset over this issue but decided to go back to SA to provide my children a better future," added Peiris.

Peiris’ whole world again collapsed when he was informed that his only daughter – the apple of his eye — was carrying on an affair with a man of dubious character. "My whole world shattered before me after hearing this and decided to come back to the country. I pleaded with her to stop the affair but as I failed in all my attempts, I gave my daughter in marriage to her lover and gave Rs. 450,000 as dowry and also a music setup worth Rs.150,000," added Peiris.

However with his mind in turmoil and as there was no other option he had left the country to continue his job.

After this unbearable incident while working in SA one day he had noticed that his left eye was getting weak and the doctor diagnosed that this was due to eye pressure.

"The doctor asked me whether I have any personnel problems. I was sent back to Sri Lanka and was warded at Suwa Sevana at Peradeniya and there the doctors removed blood from the eye as a tiny vein had burst due to eye pressure.

Since then my left eye went totally blind and within three months the same happened to the right eye as well. Luckily the doctors at the Colombo Eye Hospital could save my eye after an operation but has to implant a lens to restore at least 50% of the eye sight," said Peiris.

At present he can see only faintly within a radius of less than one foot. He claims that he has saved Rs. 1,500 for his eye operation but needs more to see this world. According to Peiris all his three children are well off and are in a good position to help him in his operation.

"They have completely forgotten their father who did everything for them. Even all my friends told me to keep my life interest when I wrote the deeds to my children. But I trusted them without keeping the life interest. Now they have taken their mother back to the fold and do not look after me," said this dejected father.

At present Peiris is staying alone in a room unable to do his household work. "From the money I receive from the railway commuters I pay my room fee as well as the cleaning charges. If I have money I buy food which cost Rs.30 per meal, but if I don’t I just drink a glass of water and wait.

"My only ambition is to get my operation done at the earliest and look at the world. Once I receive my eyesight I hope to work hard to make a living," revealed Peiris regarding his future plans.

Perth Diary

An eccentricity that knows no bounds

Eccentricity, as I have mentioned before, seems to be genetically inherited. I mean I am not at all on par with the deeds of some of my  relatives on both sides but I must definitely be well on the way to  insanity. And they have done and continue to do some very odd things.  

 At the moment my eccentricity shows itself in the oddest ways — some of them very tiny but ones that people notice nonetheless. So much so that my best friend has labelled me as the ‘eccentric one’ amongst her group of so called ‘besties.’ Marisa? Oh — she’s smart.   

But very weird. She must think that when I call her ‘clueless’ it’s  complimentary. Well it is. Sort of. Back to the main idea before I get myself into trouble there. Even someone like Wei whom I have known for all of two months has trouble defining me at the moment.               

       I had to sign up onto a sort of little web network portal site called who-gives.com. It’s a site that exists to create a network of  those who fund-raise for various charities and those who donate to them.

   I signed up only because I had to do so for my volunteer work though I  do like the idea very much. Once you sign up you get a little profile section to fill out about yourself.                                    

  They asked the usual questions: what are your interests? What are your favourite movies or music? Then they got to the more relevant ones though I guess whoever came up with the questions was trying desperately to connect with a demographic they had no ties with because the next thing they asked was: "Why is compassion cool?"               

  "Why is compassion cool?" What kind of question is that surely? My problem is that I could not resist leaving it blank. I had to put in an answer and it had to be a honest one. My boyfriend would have put in something to poke fun at the question perhaps something witty — but no I could not even manage that.

I wrote an entire essay on why compassion should not be considered cool or obligatory but just as part of one’s  personal principles. It was a good answer and a very well worded one but it just proves how nutty I am. 

What proves me even more nutty is that for the next one: "The best thing you ever did," was: "Educate myself. Continuing to educate myself because you can’t do anything well without knowing everything about it especially when others are involved."              

   I can’t change it either. Well, I could but I have this thing about being honest on profiles like that. I have done it for other things too — anyone who wants a laugh should read what I have written  for "What kind of people would you like to meet?" in my profile on Hi5.com. That one is a good rant since I wrote it only once I found out who exactly from school is on there.

Yes, stupid as it is, I admit to being on Hi5.com. I got suckered into it thanks to a cousin who couldn’t stop asking me why I hadn’t joined the site yet. Not that  anyone visits it or messages me.

It’s a waste of space unless my profile proves to be able to provide some mirth for you readers. There are other things too. This is a list of things I do that I  get odd looks for. I only eat one flavour of ice cream — chocolate.

I  like anchovies... and olives ...  and tomatoes ... and onions... and  mushrooms... And yes, I love prawns even though Jan thinks they are  reminiscent of cockroaches (and she tells me I am weird). I tell people if I think they are pretty or cute to their face even if they are strangers.

I got so annoyed listening to friends talk about how to find out some basic information about a stranger that I just went up to him, introduced myself and asked him. I don’t wear makeup at all during the day. I’d much rather play cricket than watch it.

I am not interested in shopping with people who are obsessed with it. I talk very openly about a lot of things in public. I can remember things about people even when they have forgotten it.

I have a rolodex of contact information in my head. I have imaginary friends who are very  social but they won’t just talk to anyone.

The only personal secrets I keep from people are to do with my writing, certain personal details and how my brain works — everything else (unless it’s someone else’s  secret) is up for grabs. I even talk to myself, name objects and talk to them and act as if I have split personalities.                      

         I don’t regret doing this sort of thing. That’s not the point at all. The point is that I don’t wonder why people might see me as odd and eccentric — the underlying hope is that they will see fit to get  past that impression because I like being an oddball — if indeed I do fit that description.

Let’s just say I like being me and that I see nothing ethically or morally wrong with being me. Someone must carry on the family tradition after all.           

— Marisa Wikramanayake   

Health on Sunday

Campaign to eradicate dengue

Health officials islandwide are taking charge of eradicating dengue breeding sites and educating the masses as well as assisting the communities to clear their premises of dengue mosquito breeding places.

National Coordinator for Dengue Control, Dr. Lakshmi De Silva spoke to The Sunday Leader on measures that should be taken in order to avoid an outbreak of the deadly dengue.

She said that the best thing people in homes, schools as well as offices should do is to eradicate dengue-breeding sites by destroying them.

"By doing this we could avoid an outbreak, but in case an outbreak occurs then the situation would be difficult to control," she explained.

Another important fact is that offices and community centres should also be inspected as last year’s record of dengue deaths show a larger number of adults dying by this infection.

Currently there is a national dengue eradication week where households should clear dengue breeding sites every Friday and schools and public places should also do so every Sunday, but Dr. De Silva insists that this eradication process should be continued for a couple of weeks.

Schools and workplaces are at high risk where children and adults could be affected by this disease.

Every year during the months of June, July, November, and December the number of suspected dengue cases rise; this is why the government is taking precautionary measures to avoid an outbreak this year too.

During the months of June and July this year that were an outbreak of dengue especially due to precautionary measures taken.

Usually an outbreak is recorded every two years, according to recorded figures. This is another reason the government is keen on destroying dengue-breeding sites.

In the year 2004 there was a recorded number of 15,000 suspected cases while in 2005, 5,000 cases were reported. So far this year upto September there have been about 7,000 suspected dengue cases recorded.

"Such precautionary measures are important because in Sri Lanka there are no medicines or vaccines to deal with dengue," said the doctor.

When inspecting homes and other premises for dengue breeding sites one has to be very vigilant as small containers could be breeding sites for mosquitoes.

"Dengue mosquitoes are very active during the day so people should be aware of this as well," she highlighted.

The unit has also identified 12 high-risk districts around the island as well as 48 high-risk MOH (Medical Officer of Health) areas and extra dengue eradication campaigns would be carried out in these places.

"About 4,800 volunteers have been trained by the unit in order to assist and work with communities in destroying dengue breeding sites and cleaning up the environment," explained Dr. De Silva.

"But this should not stop in one week and must be continued for a couple of weeks to have the maximum effect," said the doctor.

This programme is being funded by the Italian government as well as the WHO.

It is also estimated that in the South East Asia region about 52 percent of the population or 1.3 billion people are at risk of dengue.