By Ranee Mohamed

Renuka Chrishanthi  Malalasekera (42) left her home on Wednesday, January 2 without breakfast.  "I will rush back home, cook your lunch and bring it to you," she promised her husband Hewawasam Puvakpitiyage Sunil. "Try to wait for me and we can have breakfast together," she told her three children as she relished a cup of tea with them.

"Don't buy any lunch packets, I will bring it to you early," she had stressed as she left her husband at home with her children.

Renuka Chrishanthi had been an active homemaker. She had doted on her three children, Maleesha Senali (16), Maleesha Ishadi (14) and Himasha Mihiran (20). Her day began at 5 a.m. On this Wednesday too, she had woken up at that time, washed the clothes, swept the house and made a grand breakfast, for in her mind, it was still the New Year and it was a time to be happy.

Thereafter she had worn her white skirt and blouse and walked about a hundred metres inwards down the little lane called 89th Garden to the house of  her sister where awaited her sister's son Manitha Lakindu Bandara (16) who was also wearing his spotless white shirt and trouser which he usually wore to school.

Celebrated his birthday

Manitha had celebrated his birthday just the previous day, on January 1, and they were happily discussing the cake they ate. Manitha and his family had in fact promised to serve cake to their neighbours down this narrow lane on Thursday.

The 16 year old boy was a pride to everyone who knew him. Spending a few hours each day in the temple, Manitha had led an exemplary life. His achievements surpassed the normal academic mark. With a third place among Sri Lanka schools in swimming, Manitha's home is filled with over 100 trophies and bundles of certificates endorsing his swimming excellence. His greatest dream had been to join the airforce.

Laughing and making funny faces, they happily set off down the lane to the main road - the busy highway in Maradana called Piyadasa Sirisena Mawatha. They walked about 300 yards down the road to another garden where Pathum Dissanayake also appeared like an apparition from the darkened bylane crowded with dirty, illicit constructions. Pathum too was wearing white.

"My son asked me to buy him a packet of biscuits. He said he was hungry but said he had no time for breakfast. He ate a few biscuits while getting dressed.

"However, he left the house on the  promise that I will make him his favourite lunch of chicken curry, brinjal moju and wattalappam," cried his mother, Sithy Fareeda. Sithy Fareeda is married to Dissanayake and they have three children. But the dawn of the year 2008  left them with only two - the younger brother and sister of Pathum, whom he doted on, played with and even fed them their dinner.

"He was loved by all down the lane. There is no one in the area who speaks ill of my son. He fetches and carries for everyone and he is ready to go to the boutique to buy anything for the hassled women who live in this area," said Sithy Fareeda. There is no one who can stop this mother from crying.

Disaster struck

"When I heard over Sirasa that there was a bomb explosion, I called the house where the funeral was being held and they told us that our son and the others had not arrived. Then I heard from those who visited the scene that my son was taken to hospital. I wanted to go and see him but no one took me. And then they brought his body home..." cried Fareeda as her husband stood near their son, the pride of their life.

Pathum Dissanayake had excelled in his studies, so much so that he was chosen for a scholarship which entitled him to Rs. 4000 worth of studying and reading material each month. He had seen many things in life but he had never seen a funeral. That is why he had begged his friend and the friend's aunt to take him along to the funeral of a friend of theirs. However, Pathum Dissanayake was not able to see the funeral, for he was brought back home to his own funeral after the bomb explosion near Nippon Hotel on the morning of January 2, 2008.

On Thursday morning as everyone was preparing to enjoy cream cake in celebration of Manitha's birthday on January 1, the news of the bomb hit them, their homes and their hearts. As their families in agony, rushed to the scene, they were first directed to the hospital and from there to the morgue.

Anguish and heartbreak

As Renuka Chrishanthi's hungry children waited for their mother to eat breakfast together, they were told in whispers that their mother's limbs had almost been torn apart with the force of the explosion near Nippon Hotel. "My children fell down on the sand and bit into the ground," said their father Sunil. They had howled in anguish at the loss of their mother who had promised to come home.  

Hours before on that Wednesday morning, the happy trio - Renuka Chrishanthi Malasekera (42), Manitha Lakindu Bandara (16) and Pathum Dissanayake (16) seemed as happy and carefree as swans. Clad in white, the New Year spirit had not left them as they laughed their way down Piyadasa Sirisena Mawatha. To onlookers, it did not seem like they were attending a funeral, least of all their own.

Constant sadness

Death kills the loved ones left behind. "My son was my only reason to live. Today, he has left us without a goodbye. His sister Omeshi (12) cannot be consoled. She is trying to shake him awake," said his mother Lakmini, refusing to leave the coffins of her son and her sister that lay in her house.

For the grandmother in the house, it is a greater agony - she weeps over the death of her daughter and has to pause to console her other daughter who has  lost a child.  As the coffins stood together in the house, a mother and daughter re-bond with heartbreak and tears.

"Our house is too small to bring the coffin of my wife," said Sunil who is inundated with problems without a place to live. Fate has added to his burdens, for he says he cannot live at all, not after the death of his wife. He looks at the crying faces of his three children, and begins to sob again.

Just like all of us who leave home, Renuka, Manitha and Pathum had many plans for the day, for the month and for this whole year. Nevertheless, fate seemed to have changed it all. Only peace, and love for all beings can change fate, and that is indeed the need of the hour, everywhere. 

By Nirmala Kannangara

Yet another new year has dawned and new expectations are aplenty in the year 2008. Despite many setbacks the country had in 2007, the year 2008 was welcomed with many celebrations islandwide.

Although department stores failed to attract many customers during the season, the city and suburbs were full of shoppers from morning till late evening. Although people from all walks of life still managed to buy something to celebrate the dawn of the new year they are of the view that the country will suffer further if terrorism is not wiped out.

Wipe out terrorism

"We are leading miserable lives. The government is claiming that the rising CoL is due to war expenditure. If it is so we are ready to face difficulties without grumbling but why cannot the government wipe out terrorism? First the government should stop wastage, bribery and corruption. Once these are eradicated it's not difficult to wage war and control the economy.

"If the government can wipe out the terrorists then not only January 1, but also the rest of the days could be celebrated. This is what we expect  most," said many shoppers in Nugegoda. 

Ven. Dr. Ittapane Dammalankara Thero told The Sunday Leader that religious ceremonies are held islandwide to seek the blessings of the Triple Gem to the country, the armed forces and the people to lead a peaceful and a prosperous 2008. "Even during Lord Buddha's time the people sought the Buddha's blessings whenever there was a bad period. Even now we are going through a bad patch and unless the people live by the Dhamma we cannot overcome these bad periods successfully. We want a peaceful country, to live in peace and the people should lead a good life," said the Ven. Thero.

Tainted

Consultant Physician, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Dr. Amal Pereira said that unless the people lead a life of repentance, the setbacks we faced during the past year cannot be overcome. "As a nation we have become a failed state in the eyes of the international community. Apart from being one of the few countries that has been tainted with bribery, corruption, wastage and malpractices what else did we achieve in 2007?" queried Dr. Pereira.

According to Dr. Pereira if the country puts a complete halt to bribery, corruption, wastage and malpractice then it would be easy to defeat terrorism in the country. "At a time when there are new amendments to law enforcement why cannot the government introduce strict laws on drug trafficking, robbing and criminal activities, irrespective of who is responsible so as to overcome the present pathetic situation in the country?

"I was in a Saudi Arabian country a few years ago. It is a very disciplined country. Robberies, drug trafficking, killing and rapes are not heard of in that country as irrespective of the offender's status, he will face capital punishment. What has happened to this country? Even if there is enough proof still the government meddles and stops further investigations.

"If we get a good straightforward leader of the calibre of the late Dudley Senanayake we can overcome all these hurdles within a very short period. What I wish is to have a country without bribery, corruption and wastage for the sake of our children. If the government puts a halt to these it is not difficult to defeat terrorism," added Dr. Pereira.

Colonial rule

Anusha Silva of John Keells told The Sunday Leader that he wished Sri Lanka would be under British rule once again so that everyone can lead a good life. "What have we received during the post-independence period? Now the country is getting ready to celebrate the 60th Independence Day. What is there to celebrate? Those who are ruining this country can celebrate but not the general public.

"The people are suffering immensely. Under the British we had proper law enforcement in the country. Unless the country becomes a British colony, Sri Lanka is on the  path to becoming yet another Somalia," added Silva.

Kapila Sirimanna, a Chartered accountant attached to a leading group of hotels told The Sunday Leader that  corrupt politicians should have been put in jail to enable the others to celebrate the dawn of the new year. "All those who are serving jail terms should be released immediately to accommodate the corrupt politicians in the country. Irrespective of party politics this should happen. Thereafter  we can elect a team of honest people to govern the country to bring sunshine to all Sri Lankans. Those who are put behind bars should be kept there for life," Sirimanna insisted.

Point of view

Shanil de Almeida, an A/L student at a leading Colombo school is of the view that unless terrorism is defeated the children of the country do not have a future. "Unlike in the good old days of our grandparents and parents we would not be able to lead a good life if the war continues. We should defeat terrorism through a war. The LTTE does not want to have peace talks. And if the present battle continues for another two years there is no doubt that terrorism could be eliminated from this country. If not, like my cousins and their families we too would have to migrate to a foreign country for greener pastures," said de Almeida.

K.M. Somapala, a textile vendor told The Sunday Leader that if the government does bring peace to the country then the people can lead a comfortable life thereafter. "We are suffering immensely as people do not have money to spend even though a new year was going to dawn. In the good old days during the Sinhala New Year in April and  the Christmas season we earned a lot of money. But this year  we did not have much business. Just a few who could afford bought textiles but the rest did not," he said, looking sad.

Laying off staff

According to Somapala he had to lay off staff as a direct consequence of the present state of affairs. "Unlike those days I do not get a good income. Even if I get a good income still due to the high CoL it has become difficult for me to pay my employees. Earlier, I had three boys to support me but now I manage the business by myself," said Somapala.

However he said that he would gladly miss one or two meals if the government can wipe out terrorism. "Although the people are struggling to live with the high prices of essential commodities we are prepared to starve if the government is able to wipe out terrorism. If this happens then there is no doubt that the people can lead a happy and a comfortable life.

"My wish for 2008 is to see my country free from terrorism," added Somapala.

This month, January, is the first month of  the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars, and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days.

January begins (astrologically) with the sun in the sign of Capricorn and ends in the sign of Aquarius. Astronomically speaking, the sun begins in the constellation of Sagittarius and ends in the constellation of Capricornus.

January is named for Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, where the Latin word for door (ianua) comes from - January is the door to the year.

Traditionally, the original Roman calendar consisted of 10 months, totalling 304 days, winter being considered a monthless period. Around 713 BC, the semi-mythical successor of Romulus, King Numa Pompilius, is supposed to have added the months of January and February, allowing the calendar to equal a standard lunar year (355 days).

 The first day of the month is known as New Year's Day. Although March was originally the first month in the old Roman Calendar, January assumed that position beginning in 153 BC when the two consuls, for whom the years were named, began to be chosen on January 1.

The reason for this shift of the new year into the dead of winter was to allow the new consuls to complete the elections and ceremonies upon becoming consuls, and still reach their respective consular armies by the start of the campaigning.

Several  Christian feast dates were used for the New Year in Europe in the Middle Ages, including March 25 and December 25. However, medieval calendars were displayed in the Roman fashion of 12 columns from January to December.

Beginning in the 16th century, European countries began officially making January 1 the start of the New Year once again - sometimes called Circumcision Style because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, being the 8th day from December 25.

Historical names for January include its original Roman designation, Ianuarius, the Saxon term Wulf-monath (meaning wolf month) and Charlemagne's designation Wintarmanoth (winter / cold month). In Finnish, the month is called tammikuu, meaning month of the oak, but the original meaning was the month of the heart of winter, as tammi has initially meant axis or core.

The first Monday in January is known as Handsel Monday in Scotland and northern England. In England, the agricultural year began with Plough Sunday on the Sunday after Epiphany.

The Coming of Age Day in Japan is the second Monday of January, for those becoming 20 years old in the new calendar year. It is a national holiday. The day has been celebrated since 1948, but fell on January 15 until 1999, when it was moved by the Japanese government in an attempt to lift the economy by making more holidays consecutive.

In the pagan wheel of the year, January ends at or near to Imbolc in the Northern Hemisphere and Lughnasadh in the Southern Hemisphere.

It is the middle month of summer in the Southern Hemisphere and the middle of winter in the Northern.

Events in January

Historical Firsts4

7:  First American presidential election, 1789

8:  First State of the Union Address in the U.S by George Washington, 1790

10:  First great oil discovery in Texas, 1901

10:  First United Nations General Assembly met in London, 1946

21:  Nautilus (SSN-571), first atomic submarine launched,  1954

23:  Elizabeth Blackwell, first modern woman physician, graduated from Geneva Medical School 
       of Western New York, 1849

24:  Gold first discovered in California by settlers, 1848

26:  India for the first time celebrated Republic Day, 1950

27:  Canadian Great Western Railway first opened, 1854

Month long events

            National Poverty Awareness Month - (United States)

Holidays

            New Year's Day - January 1st

            Martin Luther King Day in the United States - 3rd Monday Coptic Christmas - January 7th

            Australia Day in Australia - January 26th

            Republic Day in India - January 26th

            Poya Day in Sri Lanka - January 22

            Thai Pongal - January 15

January symbols

             January's birthstone is garnet.

             January's birth flower is the carnation or snow drop.

              The Chinese floral emblem of January is the plum blossom.

             The Japanese floral emblem of January is the camellia.   January is National Soup Month in the United States. 

By Risidra Mendis

We have said goodbye to 2007 and have welcomed 2008.  As humans we always look forward to a new year filled with love, peace, happiness and prosperity. However, a new year does not always bring forth what we wish for. Most of us do not know what's in store for us in 2008, but we still hope that Sri Lanka will prosper in the new year and be better than the previous year.

The Sunday Leader spoke to astrologer Uditha Weerasinghe to ascertain his forecast for the country in 2008.

"At the dawn of the new year (2008) we see that the country's horoscope has a strong influence of the planets Jupiter, Venus, and the Moon. The country will go through a good and bad period according to the influence of these planets," Weerasinghe said.

He says that after March 31 there will be an improvement in the judicial system. New laws will come into effect and fair judgments will be given at trials. However the period after June is not good for judges and lawyers. Judges and lawyers will have to face many problems during this period.

Bad for leader of the country

During this period the leader of the country will undergo immense stress, mental strain and other problems. But the present government will continue despite this difficult period. However after April there will be a change in the opposition but this change will not be powerful enough to topple the government.ÿÿÿÿÿÿ ÿÿÿ

In April 2008 there are signs of the economy improving to a certain extent. After June the economy will improve. However in the months of January, February, April, May, June, September, October, November and December the country will go through a period of accidents, disasters on account of fire and bomb blasts. Food prices will rise after July and the country will face many natural disasters in September, October and November.

In May, June and July the education system will improve. New education programmes will be introduced. This is a good time for principals, teachers and even doctors.

From January to September people will get involved in many religious activities. Religious leaders will gain popularity and Buddhism will gain recognition internationally. Seminars on Buddhism will be held in the country and Sri Lankans will travel abroad to engage in religious activities.

From September to December Buddhist monks will go through a bad period. Monks will become unpopular among the people at this time. In February, March, April, October, November and December a development in the agriculture sector can be seen. New programmes will be introduced to develop the agriculture sector.

Difficulties

After April foreign aid to the country can improve. The security forces will win battles against the LTTE but the public will undergo difficulties during this time. Apart from Urban Council and Pradeshiya Sabha elections there are no signs of any major elections to be held in the country.ÿ

Meanwhile numerologist, Hans Decoz has analysed the year 2008 according to the numbers and their significance. "The year 2008 is dominated by the vibrant and powerful number - 1. In numerology, 2008 adds up to 'One.' (2+8=10, 1+0=1).ÿ It's a 'One' year. 'One' is the number of God, new beginnings and transitions. New beginnings are excellent for opportunities, although many of us dread them. We as humans fear the unknown, the forced 'new beginnings' and fear the resistance of change. But this is human nature," says Decoz.

He adds that although every year promises changes and new beginnings, 2008 will stand out in the history books. "Throughout history, the actions of one or a few people have resulted in major shake-ups. The coming year will be different as priorities and lifestyle changes of many people of all walks of life will force massive positive changes," Decoz explains.

According to Decoz, the year 2008 can probably best be characterised as the year of unpredictable surprises, many of them encouraging, if not planet saving. "The driving force of the '1' cycle carries with it the unstable '8.' Some major upsets in the political arena and maybe even some natural disasters are predicted. Economies also are on shaky ground. But it's not all doom and gloom.

Significant changes

"The most significant changes happen in the spiritual and ethical mindsets while some organised religions may diminish in strength and numbers. At the same time small offbeat spiritual groups with positive social agendas may become more effective and visible. It is a time of separation and distance on the one hand, and tolerance and brotherhood on the other. After some initial conflict, a newer, much improved spiritual belief system can take hold," Decoz added.

"Behind every new beginning is an opportunity for personal growth, gathering strength, and planning for what will be. If you view these transitions as chaotic, upsetting your apple cart, breaking down the structure or your soul, then you aren't going to be very happy with it," he said.

He added that the new year can also bring joy, happiness and what you have longed for. "2008 is an eight year, ending in eight. Eight is the number of abundance, usually associated with money, but more importantly, bringing all things together," Decoz said in conclusion. 

by Fathima Razik

Undoubtedly the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to pose a serious challenge, worldwide. And whilst countries affected to whatever degree have taken necessary steps in combating and containing the spread, there is also a need to design newer methods of dealing with the issue according to local needs, implement such methods and monitor public health programmes.

In Sri Lanka, one of the key focus areas is to obtain reliable information on the prevalence and distribution of the infection in various groups and geographical areas to assess the trends of infection over time. Surveillance, therefore, plays a major role in this exercise and through which information is collected, collated, analysed and disseminated.

Meritorious

Voluntary donation of blood could to some extent be considered a periodical 'national event.' The public at large in this predominantly Buddhist country considers it meritorious to donate blood to mark many religious and other events. Innumerable organisations - government, private, NGOs et al., conduct blood donation campaigns and thankfully such donations are voluntarily given by donors without any expectation of a reward, financial or otherwise.

Some donate blood three or four times a year to reap merit. In this situation the need to screen samples of every pint donated becomes a sine qua non. 

According to Dr. Iyanthi Abeyewickreme - Consultant Venereologist and former director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health, in the public sector every unit of blood donated is screened for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and malaria - all diseases that can be transmitted through blood. And Sri Lanka is one of the first countries in the South East Asian region to start screening for HIV as part of screening for transfusion transmitted infections (TTI).

Trained and equipped

Originally the laboratory of the STD clinic, Colombo, carried out the HIV screening tests for the National Blood Bank and subsequently the staff at the Blood Bank was trained to carry out the tests and the Blood Bank laboratories were equipped to carry out HIV screening.

The Colombo complex that houses the National STD/AIDS Control Programme also has the national reference laboratory for STD/HIV. The Blood Bank on the other hand screens every sample. Donor blood that test negative for HIV antibodies are transfused while those that test positive are discarded.

On-going process

HIV sero surveillance at selected sentinel sites according to protocol of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been an ongoing process since 1993. Sentinel surveillance is carried out once a year on identified population groups. With regard to high risk groups the surveillance is tagged - 'anonymous unlinked' - which in effect means blood drawn for some other purpose, for example through the ESR test, is used after all identification is removed from the sample and then tested for HIV.

This is because the national HIV/AIDS programme objective is to see if there are HIV positives in the identified population group. The high risk group primarily comprises sex workers, drug users, and STD clinic attendees.

The sentinel sero surveillance conducted in 2006 had six populations - female sex workers (due to their multiple sexual partners), STD clinic attendees (since they represent clients of sex workers), patients with tuberculosis, military service personnel (included since 2003), drug users (added since 2006), and the pre-employment category (included since 2004 from the Northern and Eastern Provinces only, the main reason being the difficulty in getting adequate sample sizes for other sentinel groups in these provinces). Those who came for pre-employment screening with VDRL were included.

Low prevalence

The transport worker group included in the survey since 2003 tested negative continuously for HIV antibodies and was therefore not included in the 2006 survey.

Thankfully in Sri Lanka the prevalence of HIV is low. The health authorities however are not complacent and are continuing with their day to day activities such as screening, counselling, treating and ensuring that the morale of the patients does not take a plunge since this could lead to other social issues in a country already beset with innumerable problems on all fronts.

Only time will tell though how far the untiring efforts of those to whom it is almost a religion to deal with the issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS will bear fruit. 

The temptation to eat more

It's the year 2008 AD. A year earmarked as the one that will eradicate terrorism in Sri Lanka. A couple of hours into the very first day and a politician was shot dead. 

It's 2008 and in some places people celebrate; drink, party, dance, and elsewhere, others take no notice of the new year or the sudden change in the calendar. Their life continues as usual. Whatever work, whatever charity, whatever is necessary for them to do in order to survive - whether that means selling their bodies or their possessions. 

Ambitions

When I was younger, I didn't know what was wrong with me because unlike most of the children around me, I didn't have the slightest inkling of what I wanted to be when I grew up. Other children knew with the kind of certainty you have at that age that they wanted to be a doctor or a fireman or what have you and as they got older they still knew what they wanted to be and started planning for it. I sort of paddled along, panicking on the inside: "How on earth am I going to choose a degree if I don't choose a profession? How will I know what courses to take?" 

"What am I going to be?" 

The last time I knew what I would be was - according to my mother - when I declared that I wanted to be a rockstar in pink. While I can believe the "rockstar" part of that story, I cannot believe the "pink" part of it and therefore I judge that this must have occurred when I was about three and didn't know that I should hate that colour with a passion. 

"What am I going to be?" I still don't know. 

The mix

I studied science subjects in school and ended up getting a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and English Literature. I can't imagine my life stopping there, I can't imagine not moving on and learning something else. My friends are too confused now because that's my degree but then I end up becoming involved in Social Justice, or Journalism or Archaeology on the side. And now I am taking on an Honours year in Historical Geography. 

What happened to my writing, my dancing, my photography - my novel come to that? I keep putting things on hold because there are more important things to be done - like my degree, like doing the dishes and watching parliament sessions on TV late at night.

For a woman to write she does need the time, the money and a room of her own as Virginia Woolf said. Society though more supportive still ensures that when all of that is available, one is way too tired to even hold a pen. 

But here's a thought. Most of the time, as people, we walk around in our own worlds, subconsciously blotting out things we should know about the rest of the world. I don't expect us not to do it - we wouldn't be able to function efficiently if we didn't have some sort of blinkers on. But we can't ignore the world around us completely. 

Everyday, here and elsewhere, things happen that people aren't aware of. I don't know what I want to do with my life but I know what I'd like to do here and now. 

Story time

What I want to do this year is to sit down and tell you stories. I want to explain to people why things happen the way they do, what it all means and how it can be reacted to, changed, left alone. I want to tell people why things are important, why they should be, why we shouldn't forget certain things. I guess I want a soapbox to stand on. 

And if I do tell you something, I promise not to let it be boring and I promise to be completely truthful. Because I don't want you to revolt or to rebel - I just want people to start thinking more about certain things. Or in some cases, just thinking at all.  And so all I want to do is learn more and then put the information in your head. Later on, you will remember it and think it over and form your own opinion but I want it in there in the first place. Because then maybe you will pass it on or use it and somebody might be better off for it. 

And so that's my New Year Resolution for this year. Given that this is a one-sided communication at the moment, I wonder what your resolution is or if you have any, or if you even believe that they are worth having. But I hope 2008 sees things become much better for those who need it to be. 

And maybe I have decided what I want to be now that I am 'grown up.' I think I want to be an encyclopedia. 

- Marisa Wikramanayake

HUMOUR

Cookie the cat's resolutions

5. I will not demand to get out the minute after I come in, and vice versa

4. I will not scratch wallpaper, curtains, furniture, clothing or my scratch pad

3. I will not annoy the dog next door (unless I'm in a bad mood)

2. I will come when my human calls me (occasionally)

and Cookie's number one new year resolution is...

1. I will not sleep more than 23 hours per day.

What men really mean

"I'm going fishing"

Really means...

"I'm going to drink myself dangerously stupid, and stand by a stream with a stick in my hand, while the fish swim by in complete safety."

"Woman driver"

Really means...

"Someone who doesn't speed, tailgate, swear, make obscene gestures and has a better driving record than me."

"It's a guy thing"

Really means...

"There is no rational thought pattern connected with it, and you have no chance at all of making it logical."

"Uh huh," "Sure, honey," or "Yes, dear"

Really means...

Absolutely nothing. It's a conditioned response like Pavlov's dog drooling.

"My wife doesn't understand me"

Really means...

"She's heard all my stories before, and is tired of them."

"It would take too long to explain"

Really means...

"I have no idea how it works."

"Take a break, honey, you're working too hard"

Really means...

"I can't hear the game over the vacuum cleaner."

"It's a really good movie"

Really means...

"It's got guns, knives, fast cars, and Heather Locklear."

"That's women's work"

Really means...

"It's difficult, dirty, and thankless."

"Go ask your mother"

Really means...

"I am incapable of making a decision."

"I do help around the house"

Really means...

"I once put a dirty towel in the laundry basket."

"I can't find it"

Really means...

"It didn't fall into my outstretched hands, so I'm completely clueless."

Anniversary surprise

After their marriage the man said, "I am putting a box under our bed. You must promise never to look in it."

In all their 30 years of marriage, she never looked.

However, on the afternoon of their 30th anniversary, curiosity got the better of her and she lifted the lid and peeked inside.

In the box there were 3 empty beer cans and $1,874.25 in cash.

After dinner, the wife could no longer contain her guilt and she confessed, saying, "I am so sorry. For all these years I kept my promise and never looked in the box under our bed. However, today the temptation was too much and I gave in.

"But now I need to know why do you keep the empty cans in the box?"

He thought for a while and said, "I guess that after all these years you deserve to know the truth. Whenever I was unfaithful to you, I put an empty beer can in the box under the bed to remind myself not to do it again."

She was shocked, but said, "I am very disappointed and saddened, but I guess after all those years away from home on the road, temptation does happen and I guess that three times is not that bad considering the number of years we have been together."

They hugged and made their peace. A little while later, she asked him, "So why do you have all that money in the box?"

He answered, "Well, whenever the box filled up with empty cans, I took them to the recycling centre and redeemed them for cash."

A snake's new glasses

An old snake goes to see his doctor.

"Doc, I need something for my eyes...can't see well these days."

The Doc fixes him up with a pair of glasses and tells him to return in two weeks.

The snake comes back in two weeks and tells the doctor he's very depressed.

Doc says, "What's the problem...didn't the glasses help you?"

"The glasses are fine doc, I just discovered I've been living with a water hose the past two years!" 

Scene & Heard

The Sri Lanka Newspaper Arts Society presented an Award of Commemoration to Chairman, Ceylinco Consolidated, Deshamanya Dr. Lalith Kotelawala recently. The presentation was made as a token of appreciation for all sponsorship activities extended to the Sri Lanka Newspaper Arts Society which has a history of 52 years.

Photo shows Chief Advisor, Sri Lanka Newspaper Arts Society, D.F. Kariyakarawana presenting the Award of Commemoration to Deshamanya Dr. Lalith Kotelawala. President, Sri Lanka Newspaper Arts Society, Upali Arambawela, Chief Secretary, Muditha Kariyakarawana, Deputy President, David Raj, Foreign Secretary, Kurulu Kariyakarawana, Assistant Treasurer, Sunethra Wanigasekera, Sagarika Jayasekera and Organiser Chamil Waduge are also in the picture.

The third peace village was initiated by Dietmar Doering on December 15, 2007. Two peace villages in Nattandiya and Mullaitivu have been in operation.

      The newest is in Nilaveli, Trincomalee.

Children from all communities from other parts of the country are given the opportunity to take part in intercultural sports programmes in these peace villages.

MAS Holdings felicitated their 'Empowered Women of the Year' for the fourth consecutive year at the BMICH recently.  Twenty one empowered women of MAS's various business units were recognised for their personal and professional achievements.

The annual 'Empowered Women of the Year' awards are a focus of the go beyond programme, through which employees excelling in all walks of life are recognised. The programme aims to empower employees and impact communities by championing the cause of women's empowerment in society. It also  focuses on ensuring employees' career advancement and strengthening their work-life balance.

Chief Guest, Gowrie Ponniah, member,  MAS Strategic CSR Advisory Programme Coordinator of the International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour at the ILO, in her keynote address said: "MAS's plants are a valued member of the community that it is located in. It not only contributes to the rapid economic improvement of the area but also a major supporter of  local educational, sports, environmental and religious  activities. Nationally, I am certain that the success of the Go Beyond programme spurred the apparel industry's Garments Without Guilt campaign aiming at creating new global markets for our products."

Guests of Honours included Country Director, Sri Lanka and India - Victoria's Secret,  Reena Cheriyan, Director for NIKE India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Atul Ujagar, Rosy Senanayake and Vice President/Executive Creative Director, JWT - Chandini Rajaratnam.

Cheriyan of Victoria's Secret, said: "MAS had done a fantastic job with their CSR which gave Victoria's Secret a sense of pride and confidence about the future of the South Asian region. The Go Beyond awards is VS' favourite CSR event and we look forward to it every year."