Parents in predicament as students asked leave school.

The students of Grade 7 and 8 of Mahawathenna Junior School in Wilgamuwa,  and their parents were in a predicament when the principal of the school issued the school leaving certificates of the students and informed the parents in short notice yesterday  to get their children admitted to another school.

The parents who were in a predicament due to this decision said their children had been left out without a school. However, Principal of the school W. G. Bandaranayaka said he was instructed by the Wilgamuwa Zonal Education Office to reduce the number of pupils  of the school to meet the shortage of staff.  About 150 students who attended classes from Grade 1 to 8 and 60 students from Grade 7 and 8 were compelled to leave the school.

Parents said their warning to protest in front of the Zonal Education Office demanding the filling of vacancies in the staff of the school resulted in the closure of two classes.

 They travelled in a tractor from one school to another to get their children admitted. They pointed out that they were driven from pillar to post in their attempt to find an alternative school for their children. Meanwhile the children broke down in tears when the principal issued their school leaving certificates. 

However the parents  made representations to the Zonal Director in this regard but to no avail. They said that their children will be compelled to stay back without a school due to the arbitrary decision of the authorities.

Meanwhile the principal of the school said the decision to close the two classes was taken in consultation with the parents and the officials of the Zonal Education Office  that the  children could be admitted to Nugagolla and Naminioya schools. Principal of Nugagolla Vidyalaya M. P.  Gunadasa said the physical resources including classrooms and furniture were not adequate to admit more children and that the parents will have to fulfill the needs.

The parents said their meagre income from Chena cultivation and manual work did not permit the funding of any improvements to the schools. Meanwhile an official of the Zonal Education Office who refused to comment on the issue said the senior officials of the office were not available for comment.

This section features over 30 species of birds commonly found in Sri Lanka.

Indian Myna near homes in Kandy

After spending months in eastern Indonesia with its relative dearth of birds (at least in the area we were in) it was fantastic to spend time with some of the wonderful birds of the Indian Sub-continent.  Sri Lanka has over 400 species of birds, with some 25 of them being endemic (found nowhere else), and others found only in Sri Lanka and India.

For identification we mainly used two books: A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India and Nepal by Bikram Grewal (New Holland Publishers, London 1995) and Birds of India by R. Grimmet, C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp (Princeton University  Press, 1999).  If you want specific books on Sri Lanka's birds you might look for these titles: A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by John Harrison or A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka by Wijeyeratne, Warakagoda and de Zylva.

Sue birding in Yala National Park

Although the original enthusiasm for birding came from Sue, Amanda is now almost equally interested and has become the family's primary bird photographer.  The latter may have to do with the new camera: Amanda is in love with our Canon SLR Rebel XT (digital) with its long, Image Stabilized zoom lens, and its immediate shutter response.  No more lag between pressing the button and getting the shot like we had with our much less expensive digital cameras which allowed the birds time to fly away.  But birding isn't all about photography -- in fact the majority of birds we see and identify are seen only through binoculars.  The advantage of getting a photograph, (even a poor one) is that one can sit quietly and study the bird, comparing it to illustrations in bird books, to get an accurate ID.  A good photo, of course, is magic!

All photos were taken in the wild, mostly in Yala National Park, with credit/copyright Amanda Hacking 2007, unless otherwise noted.

The birds shown below are:

No listing of birds of the Indian sub-continent would be complete without a ubiquitous Indian or Common Myna Acridotheres tristis (above, at top).  We first encountered this bird in the islands of Fiji in the central Pacific Ocean, then again in Australia, Indonesia, and SE Asia. This is a brownish bird with black head, neck and breast, a yellow-orange bill, yellow orbital skin (the skin around the eye) and yellow legs. In flight the under wings are conspicuously white, with a white tail tip.  Noisy and gregarious, these are probably the most commonly seen and heard birds throughout the country.  Indian Mynas nest in holes in large canopied trees, often communally with crows, returning to the same trees for many generations.  They are opportunistic feeders, living happily off household scraps, nectar, fruits, large insects such as grasshoppers, geckos and other small lizards.  They can be found just about anywhere, especially near human habitation.

Camouflaged nicely into the brown and green grassland, the small (19 cm or 7 inches) Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura can be hard to spot.  It remains silently feeding on the ground until alarmed at which time it will fly into the always nearby shelter of bushes or trees.  When it does call it makes a sharp dual-noted descending whistle.  The Indian Pitta is a resident of India and the Himalayas but migrates to Sri Lanka in the winter.

Perched in the branches of a beach Scaveola bush, we saw this stout female Orange Breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta in Yala National Park.  The male has similar gray tail feathers and green back with dark gray wing tips but with a lavender band below the throat and a broad orange patch on the upper breast.  These pigeons are resident in Sri Lanka and neighboring India and the Himalayas.  They prefer moist subtropical broadleaved forest and are fruit eating.

On one of the lawns in the Peradeniya Botanic Garden near Kandy we came upon a lovely Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus.  Part of the plover family, this bird is seen fairly commonly near cities and in fields.  It is strikingly colored with its black head, neck and breast, with white band on the side neck and red wattle (which gives it its name), white belly and tan back.  We used the telephoto lens to "get close" to the bird which was obviously distressed to have anyone walking near it.  On closer examination we could see one tan and gray-speckled egg in the grass under the bird.  Lapwings eat insects, seeds and tubers, and are usually found in pairs. (Peradeniya Botanic Garden, near Kandy)

A Red-wattled Lapwing stands guard over its egg.

The Magpie Robin, also known as the Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis is a very common bird in Sri Lanka and neighboring India.  Found in gardens, parks, woodlands and open forest it often announces its presence with a lovely "swee-ee" song.  The female is similar to the male although the black back, head and tail may appear more gray.  It is often seen on the ground, hopping about for insects.  (Peradeniya Botanic Garden, near Kandy)

The repeated "towit towit" and "keea keea" alerted us to look for the bird making the lovely call.  Amanda spotted the sparrow-sized Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius on a branch outside our guesthouse in Kandy.  When singing, the Common Tailorbird shows a black necklace (barely visible in this photo) that separates its rufous head from its yellow-green back, and making a striking line in its white chin and belly.  It would have been great to see the nest of this small bird, because it is unique in that it consists of two or more living leaves sewn together to create a pouch for the eggs, giving the bird its name "tailorbird".  (Kandy)

We saw the chestnut-chinned Blue-Tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus in light wooded areas of Yala National Park and again north of Colombo outside the suburbs.  Even with poor lighting the upright stance, long tail and long down-curved bill gives you the jizz of a bee-eater.  When sun hits the ird you can then distinguish the colors and the species. Although we only caught a glimpse of the blue tail of the Merops phillipinus the rufous chin and green head were enough to give us an ID.  Our field guide does not mention the white streak beneath the black mask which appears so prominently in our photo. Bee-eaters are gregarious, often perching together in open branches or on wires from which they swoop off to feast on flying insects.  They are about 23&'8209;26 cm (8&'8209;10 inches) from head to tail tip.

Smaller than the Blue-tailed Bee-eater, is the more commonly seen Green Bee-Eater Merops orientalis. this gregarious brightly colored bird may appear green all over, or, in the right light, show off its blue throat, black band between throat and belly, and chestnut crown.  Both male and female have elongated pin (central tail) feathers although at times an individual may not.  Like other bee-eaters, they perch and roost communally, taking winged insects as prey.  We saw them repeatedly throughout Sri Lanka in wooded areas, near homes, in the hills and on the coast.

Fussing about the many flowering plants of open forests and gardens in Sri Lanka was the Purple Rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonicca.  The male is distinctive with a black down-curved beak, maroon rump, yellow breast, metallic green head and chestnut back.  The female is less colorful.  These birds can hover above flowers or perch on the delicate edges to sip nectar with their down-curved beaks. The call can be a metallic "chit" or a repetitive "ptsee-ptsee".  (Kandy)

On the edge of a lowland forest in Yala National Park we saw this lovely green and yellow, red-billed, mid-sized (42 cm or 17 inches) parakeet in the branches of a beach Scaveola tree.  The Rose Ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, so named for the male's pale rose colored collar, is the most common parakeet in the Indian Sub-continent.  They can be found in open forest, fields, gardens and cities and although they are mainly arboreal they will come down into fields to feed on ears of corn.  At night they roost in huge flocks in the tree tops. Their call is a harsh "kree-kree".

From the sea coast to the hills of Sri Lanka, but never far from water, you may see the handsome Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus.  The rich chestnut brown of the back contrasts well with the bright white of the head, neck, upper back and breast.  In flight the white breast stands out next to the chestnut tail and wings, along with black wing tips.  Juveniles are brown streaked overall.  Brahminy Kites are about medium size in the raptor range, at about 48cm (19in).  They feed on fish, crabs, frogs and even small birds.  Their call is two-part: "tssss herheheheheheheh" or a drawn out sound "kyeeeeerh".

For such a large bird, its hard to believe how easily this Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus managed to blend itself into the surrounding branches.  The largest of the hornbills found in Sri Lanka, the Malabar Pied Hornbill has a unique casque in that it is ax-shaped, with a dark path on the upper half.  This photo could be of either a male or female, but since we can't see the posterior end of the casque we can't tell.  (The male's has a black band, the female's does not.)  These hornbills have black bodies with white outer tail feathers, with a white trailing edge to the wings.  They can be found near inhabited areas and open forest.

Found along the sea coasts of India and the whole perimeter of Sri Lanka, the majestic White Bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster is frequently seen soaring over the water in search of fish, or perched nearby, eyes alert for action on the water.  When gliding, the White Bellied Sea Eagle carries its wings in a distinct V&'8209;shape, and its white belly, head and white under-wing coverts contrasts sharply with the black wing remiges (the trailing edges).  These eagles are often seen in pairs.  They feed on fish and sea snakes.

Lured by the majestic display of a male Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus an interested hen (left) approaches in Yala National Park. Although Peafowl have been introduced to many parts of the world, here in Sri Lanka they still wander at will, undomesticated and untamed in woodlands and forest.  Peafowl rely more on their legs than their wings to escape danger but do fly.  In fact they roost at night in trees where their large bodies appear ungainly on small tree branches. Their call is a very loud "may-aw".

Shown here walking away, but looking back over its rich black and red plumage, is Sri Lanka's national bird, and it is no ordinary farm rooster.  The wild, large Sri Lanka Junglefowl Gallus lafayetii is a handsome bird found throughout most parts of Sri Lanka except the SE (more inhabited) corner of the island.  A member of the pheasant family, the Sri Lanka Junglefowl has purple-black tail and wings, an orange spot on the red comb and elongated reddish-orange feathers over the back.  The female is less strikingly colored, with black and white patterning on the breast.

Probably the most beautiful of Sri Lanka's storks is the colorful Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephal with its yellow, slightly downcurved bill, coral-pink face and legs and black and white body with pink tail feathers. Found in fresh water habitat throughout India and Sri Lanka these large (93 cm or 34 inches) storks probe the silty, muddy bottoms of marshes and ponds for frogs, mollusks and crabs.

Yala National Park is a fantastic place for viewing some of Sri Lanka's 5 species of stork.  Strutting along the road was a small flock of Woolly Necked Storks (also known as White Necked Storks) Ciconia episcopus.  These large storks (up to 92 cm or 33 inches tall) have black bodies with white "woolly" necks, black caps, bills and wings, with red legs.  They are not very gregarious, nor noisy. The main sound they make is the sound of their mandibles clacking when their heads are thrown back.  They, like other storks, often soar on thermals.

The Asian Openbill Stork is one of the smallest, but most unusual of Sri Lanka's storks.  It has an overall white plumage (grayish when non-breeding) with black flight feathers, pale pink legs, a gray head and a long gray bill that closes with a long gap (hence the name "openbill"). Like other storks it makes large messy nests (left) in trees, usually communally.  After breeding these communities tend to disperse. Openbills feed on frogs (right), mollusks and crabs.  The purpose of the gap in the closed mandibles is not known.

Although a bit far away to see real detail, we were very lucky to spot one of the two pairs of Black Necked Storks Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus that reside in Yala National Park, in SE Sri Lanka.  These relatively large (up to 150 cm or 60 in) storks reside throughout much of the lowlands of India and Sri Lanka, but are becoming more and more rare.  Unfortunately, they are not a protected species, and we couldn't find any information on why they are not very often seen anymore.  Like other storks they soar on thermals, then come to fresh water to feed on frogs, insects, fish and small lizards. The Black Necked Storks are seen mainly in pairs and are wary.  They have a black neck, bill, head and tail, and in flight they display a broad black band across the otherwise white wings.

Unique in appearance is the Eurasian or White Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia with its long black, flat bill ending in a broad "spoon" shaped tip which may appear yellow.  Adult birds are all white except in breeding season when then develop a yellowish white crest, a red patch at the base of the throat and a beige "necklace".  In the photo, some of the birds have breeding plumage, and some do not.  Spoonbills  are found throughout India and Sri Lanka near rivers, lakes and marshes.  They feed by moving their bills in the water while opening and closing them.  They eat both plants and small animals.

The Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii is a widespread resident throughout most of India and Sri Lanka. In flight is appears two-tone with white wings and a buff-colored back.  The photo (right) shows the non-breeding plumage.  In breeding season, the adult has a more yellow head and neck and maroon-brown back. One of the smallest herons (42&'8209;45cm or 17&'8209;18in) this bird is found on both inland and coastal areas --anywhere with water, be in natural or man-made. IN fact it has taken so well to rice paddies, it is colloquially known as the Paddybird.  Like other herons, it poises in the water, alert, attentive, until it suddenly strikes out for its food of frogs, insects, or small fish.

A member of the plover family, the Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris (literally "re-curved nose") is commonly seen on the rocky, sometimes sandy, edges of lakes, river banks, and coastal shores.  This is a tall wader (49&'8209;54cm or 20&'8209;22 in) with striking facial markings: strong black and yellow upturned bill, gray head with white "spectacles" and black bars.  The Great Thick-knee is territorial and give off a rising whistle call: "kree-kree-kree kre-kre-kre-kre..."  We were lucky to get this photo on the rocky shore of a small pond in Yala National Park, as these birds are normally crepuscular (meaning they come out at twilight) and nocturnal.  In flight these birds appear duck-like.

Living on the edges of fresh water or salt/mangrove inlets, the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea is often seen standing motionless, waiting for a chance to strike at its prey.  Grey on the back, with white neck and chest, this bird also has a black eye-stripe which extends back to become a black cap, followed by black head plumes.  The front of the white neck appears decorated with gray feathers in a vertical line.  Grey Herons are gregarious and roost in communal  trees, making large clumsy nests of sticks.  An adult Grey Heron stands about 98cm (40in) tall.

Another large heron seen often in Yala National Park is the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea.  About the same size as the grey Heron, is has a dark purple-tan (as opposed to white) neck and a more purple-slate colored back than the Grey Heron.  the Purple Heron tends to be solitary and emits a croaking groan when disturbed.  They are found throughout India and Sri Lanka in open wetlands, marshes and near rivers.

The only ibis we saw in Sri Lanka was the Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus.  It is resident throughout much of western India and the lowland perimeters of Sri Lanka.  Like other ibises, it has a long down-curved bill which it pushed into mud or grasses to extract food -- both plant and animal.  In breeding season the adult develops chest plumes (seen in the photos to the right), gray scapulars and long gray tertials.  It lives in colonies and has a vibrant grunt.

Head swiveled around, and casting an alert eye, this Gray or Spot-Billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis was not very interested in leaving its perch in a sturdy tree on the edge of Kandy Lake, in the town of Kandy, Sri Lanka.  This bird is named for its plumage which is more dirty-white than the White Pelican, and the bill which shows small gray spots on the upper mandible on adult birds. These pelicans can be found alone or in large colonies.  They breed in colonially in Sri Lanka and India and are found near large inland lakes and coastal waters.  (Kandy)

Cormorants are found on just about any body of water in the sub-continent.  These two were sunning themselves on the edge of Kandy Lake, in the hill country of Sri Lanka. We're pretty sure the one on the left is a Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger, but the one on the right remains unidentified.  Given its size, we can guess it is the slightly larger Indian Cormorant or Indian Shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, but the gular pouch beneath the bill (with which one can distinguish one species from another) is not visible, so we're not sure.  All cormorants need to dry their wings after swimming and they're often seen with wings spread wide in the sun.  They swim with their necks and head just out of the water, then dive for fish which they capture in their long, strong bill.  (Kandy)  (Photo by Chris Hacking)

The Great Egret Casmerodius albus stands amazingly large and white on the top branches of trees where it roosts.  The largest of all the egrets, this is a pure white bird with a black gape that extends well past the eye. The normally yellow bill turns black when breeding.   This bird seems to be changing into breeding plumage as the bill is only partially black, and it is showing the characteristic light plumes on the lower back of a bird in breeding.  It can be found on rivers, lakes and mudflats, including inundated cultivated fields.

Lesser Whistling Ducks Dendrocygna javanica tend to hang together in large flocks on shallow, reed-covered ponds and marshes.  They are common throughout Sri Lanka and India.  Also called the Lesser Whistling Teal, these birds make a constant whistling sound "whi-whee" usually while flying.  Even their wings make a whistling sound.  They often roost in trees in the day, preferring to feed in dense reeds at night.  They nest in tree hollows, or deserted nests of other birds.

Commonly called the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis for their habit of sitting atop cattle or water buffalo to pick the insects off them, these small (50 cm or 20 in) egrets are actually found in many habitats.  They might be seen in inundated fields, pond and lakesides, or around human habitation or grassy fields.  They nest communally in trees and are usually silent except during breeding when they make groaning and croaking sounds.  The breeding adult wears a buffy-orange plumage on the head, neck and back; non-breeding adults are pure white with a pale yellow bill and yellow-black legs.  (Photo by Sue Hacking)

Universal Children's Day is on November 20

The United Nations' (UN),Universal Children's Day which was established in 1954, is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, promotes and coordinates this special day, which also works towards improving children's welfare. Many countries, including Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, hold Universal Children's Day events on November 20 to mark the anniversaries of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child which was adopted by the Un General Assembly on November 20, 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child which was adopted on November 20 1989.

However, other countries hold events on different dates, such as the fourth Wednesday in October (Australia) and November 14 (India).

Universal Children's Day is not observed in the United States, although a similar observance, National Child's Day, is held on the first Sunday in June. In Sri Lanka Childrens Day is celebrated on October 1.

.On December 14, 1954, the UN General Assembly recommended that all countries should introduce an annual event from 1956 known as Universal Children's Day to encourage fraternity and understanding between children all over the world and promoting the welfare of children.

It was recommended that individual countries should choose an appropriate date for this occasion.

At the time, the UN General Assembly recommended that all countries should establish a Children's Day on an an appropriate date. Many of the countries respected this recommendation and the Universal Children's Day has since been annually observed on November 20.

Enchanting Hakgala Gardens

From experimental station to botanic gardens in 148 years:

August will soon be upon us and Nuwara Eliya's little season will begin. Memories take me back to Nuwara Eliya, the little country town of my birth and upbringing. The cool, crisp air that I breathed in over the years keeps tugging these old heartstrings of mine and my footsteps lead me on to one of Nuwara Eliya's most beautiful Haunts - 'Hakgala Gardens.'

At an elevation of 5,600-6,000 feet above sea level, it is probably the highest situated botanical garden anywhere in the world!!

In 1861, almost 148 years ago, Hakgala Gardens was established by Dr. G.H.K Thwaites, Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, as an Experimental Station and Nursery for Cinchona. Hakgala was selected because of the similarity of climate and topography of the Andean Mountains in Peru, home of the wild cinchona.

When coffee, which flourished in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) was the money spinner of the coffee Planters, suddenly collapsed, Thwaites, had Cinchona ready. He distributed millions of plants to the would-be planters of Cinchona. However, the short-lived boom was over soon, so Thwaites had Assam tea to take its place. Those who visit Hakgala and walk up to the top of the Gardens can still see some of the original Assam tea hybrids Dr. Thwaites introduced in 1870.

Mr. and Mrs. Thwaites died leaving an only child, a daughter. She grew up to be a stately English lady, very prim and proper. Her parents had left her a tea estate .As far as my memory goes, it was 'Rosewood estate,' bordering the road to Hakgala, at Mahagastota. Being in a foreign land with no kith and kin, this was relegated to the care of a proctor, but sad to say, she never acquired it. Miss Thwaites carried on her life through as a seamstress. Her death was very sad. She was buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery in Nuwara Eliya. I was a little girl then and remember Miss Thwaites so very well.

It was not until 1882 that the Ornamental Layout of the Gardens was begun with the introduction of many Temperate and Tropical plants.

William Nock, the first Curator of Hakgala Gardens created a model Garden for testing these plants for acclimatization. He was succeeded by his two sons. J.K. Nock and J.J. Nock. The Nocks cleverly refashioned the 55 acre experiment into a series of descending terraces and charming wooded glades. The present Summer House almost at the entrance to the gardens is a memorial to their outstanding work. It is situated at a vantage point overlooking the entire Uva Basin, with the nine peaks of Namunakula, 6,679 feet, in the distant background, Haputale Gap to the right and the Madulsima Range to the left, all standing majestically!

On either side of the entrance to the gardens are the tall Monterey Cypress from California. Many of them are over 100 years old! There are also Cedars from Japan, Pines from the Himalayas, Auracarias from Australia, Camphor from China and the stately English Oak. On the left of the Drive, 100 yard further and below will be seen the 'Nock' Memorial, erected in memory of J.K.Nock, Curator of the Gardens from 1903-1909.

From this memorial can be obtained one of the finest views in Sri Lanka. This building is used by visitors as a rest room as well as to accommodate picnic parties.

In the herbaceous borders of the flower garden are shrubs and herbs introduced from temperate countries.

Growing in the gardens are varieties of salvia ranging from white to deep purple. The gardens also boasts of hot houses, displaying a magnificent array of exotic orchids. On ground level grow a rare collection of azalea and several species of magnolia, including magnolia grandiflora with its large white flowers measuring 8 inches across. Here also are the Chines tulip trees with their sweet-scented creamy flowers. There are also varieties of cypress from California, pampas grass, temple tree and the Japanese cedar.

But undoubtedly the 'Piece de Resistance' of the gardens is the 'Ferner'. Shaded by tall trees of native origin are the tree ferns, living fronds that flourished almost 25 millions years ago. When fully grown, these attain a height of 30-40 feet. Here, in the fernery one can see various kinds of ferns, both indigenous and exotic, including one of the most singular ferns in the world and is labelled such! Here also is a woolly tree fern with a trunk over 30 ft. in height and a graceful head of fronds 18 ft. in diameter!

Also can be seen the abyssinian banana with its large broad leaves. The gernery boasts a number of shallow, rippling, brooks spanned by rustic bridges fashioned out of Rhododendron boughs. Here in the fernery it is so cool and refreshing that one does not wish to say goodbye to it.

From the fernery the next attraction is the rock garden, where camphor, Chinese pine, eucalyptus and accacia can be seen. In between the crevices of the rocks nestle shy violets, exotic pansies, baby daisies and other flowering plants.

Mention must also be made of the green houses in which house plants too tender to thrive in the open are carefully nurtured.

Here at Hakgala one must not miss out on the rare and exotic roses of majestic, breathtaking colour! Their perfume lingers on and on.

A distinctive feature of Hakgala is the wonderful manner in which the natural springs have been harnessed to enhance the beauty of the Landscape Garden adjoining the fernery and the Japanese garden. These springs have been diverted to form Ponds replete with water lilies and rippling streams spanned by rustic bridges.

Another interesting feature of the gardens is the pond laid out in the shape of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Floating gracefully on its waters, are purple, pink and white waterlillies and in the still waters sport gold and silver carp.

At Hakgala the main Summer House built in memory of Knox is a very popular venue for rest and enjoying a meal. As children I remember so vividly this Summer House which was our favourite haunt. Here we enjoyed our food. The stretch of lawn by the entrance leading to it was our cricket pitch. Nostalgia for these old times keeps creeping into these old bones of mine.

Schooling in Colombo we were home at Nuwara Eliya for the holidays and picnicking at Hakgala was a must. Our mode of travel in those long ago days was the humble bullock cart in which the women and children travelled and which carried the picnic gear. The men walked behind singing loudly and stopping many times on the way to enjoy a tot. For the middle class in those far off days, this was about the only means of transport!

Hakgala is rich in legend. Hindu mythology favours it to be a part of Asoka Vanna, where Sita the beautiful consort of Rama, King of Ayoda in India, spent her captive life guarded by the Rakshasis of the demon King Ravana. The Sita Amman Kovil close to Hakgala is a humble tribute to the memory of the immortal Sita. The picturesque brook running by the shrine has the local reputation of being Sita's favourite haunt. The stream disappears underground for about 50 yards before it resurfaces. The round holes formed by the eddying water are pointed out as the footprints of the elephant ridden by Ravana when he pursued Sita who vanished and reappeared where the stream does now.

So much for legend. To return to reality now. For the holiday-makers fleeing the hustle and bustle of city life, Hakgala Gardens provides a delightful respite.

For the naturalist there is the fauna and flora of the mountain reserve, which includes the evergreen mountain forest reserve below the rock. It is a refuge for many rare epiphytes, mosses and lichens and a Sanctuary for the black monkey, rock squirrel, sambhur, wild boar, jungle fowl and birds of many species.

Today, from its small beginnings, Hakgala has now risen to be one of the most picturesque and beautiful gardens in this our lovely island home!!In conclusion, I must thank my dear friends late Sam Mottau of Nuwara Eliya and Derrick Shockman; also my late sister Doris, for feeding me with much information in compiling my story of Hakgala Gardens.

Japan helps war affected remote village

Japan this week funded a project to the tune of Rs. 8.6 million, to provide safe drinking water to war affected and poverty stricken remote village in the Ampara District, to be implemented by the Child Rehabilitation Centre.
“When we look at the past, the Government of Japan has been helping Sri Lanka during many disasters, which Sri Lanka had to face, especially, during the tsunami disaster,” Chairman, Child Rehabilitation Centre, Chamila Kodagoda said.

He added that access to safe drinking water is a basic human right. But for the villagers who live in a remote village called Mantottama in Damana Divisional Secretary Division in the Ampara District, this right was not a reality. This village has been neglected for more than 30 years. The people of this village were being attacked by terrorists and they suffered from poverty.

However, with the intervention of Japan, this basic human right is to become a reality.
“The project helps to complete the construction of a safe drinking water system, which was suspended since 2002 due to shortage of funds after the construction of a water storage tank by the village society. This project will contribute to provide safe drinking water to 600 families and improve the living environments and hygiene of the conflict affected people in Damana Divisional Secretary Division, Ampara District,” said Ambassador of Japan, Kunio Takahashi.

“We went to some officials of the government (of Sri Lanka) and met with ministers and requested for assistance to continue this project (suspended since 2002) but they kindly refused due to the high cost of the project. They said they could have done this project, if it was under the limit of Rs. five million. But this project goes up to Rs. 8.7 million. Finally we came to know about Grassroots Assistance Project of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka,” explained Kodagoda.

The Government of Japan provides funds to Non-Governmental Organisations and governmental agencies through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) to fulfil urgent needs of all the communities at grassroots level.

This scheme has been in operation in Sri Lanka since 1989, and has provided funding assistance to 198 projects at a total value of USD 24 million (approximately Rs. 2,759 million) for development and humanitarian projects.
“On behalf of Child Care Rehabilitation Centre, we submitted a project proposal to Grassroots Assistance Project of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka and within a very short time the kind staff of the Japanese Embassy responded positively. They visited the project area and we were asked to submit some documents. So, we did and after that in a very short time we were informed that our project had been approved for funding,” added Kodagoda.

This grant agreement was signed between Japanese Ambassador Kunio Takahashi and Chairman of the Child Rehabilitation Centre Chamila Kodagoda last Thursday at the Japanese Embassy in Colombo.

KANNELIYA - Biodiversity Hotspot:

In the shadow of Sinharaja

If you think that Sinharaja, a World Heritage Forest, is rich in biodiversity, think again. Kanneliya Forest Reserve is like the sadly underestimated son living in the shadow of a larger than life father. Sinharaja has revelled in the glory of limelight for long. It is interesting to note that, although Kanneliya is home to similar plants and animals as that of Sinharaja, in terms of biodiversity per unit area it is far superior to Sinharaja. In fact, forests like Kanneliya is a major reason for Sri Lanka being considered as one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world.

Kanneliya is a tropical low land rain forest situated about 35 km northeast of Galle, covering a total of about 5305.9 ha. It is the largest of the three conjoined forest complex - Kanneliya-Gediyagala-Nakiyadeniya - otherwise known as KGN. The high endemicity of the forest reserve is due to the forest type - Lowland Rain Forest - to which 17% of the wetzone lowland endemic flora is confined.

Getting there is half the battle. If you are the kind of person who hates sitting on a vehicle for long hours, do not be put off. Because in spite of the leeches as well as leech repellent, Kanneliya is a treat for the nature lover. A panoramic view of the KGN complex can be seen from the Kabbale Mountain Peak. The Gin River is the main and the biggest water way of Kanneliya forest reserve. There is no need to over burden yourself with large water containers, because drinking water from streams is quite safe. Small streams provide pristine clear water to fauna, flora and the weary traveller alike.

Anagimala Ella Pus wela

About 301 plant species are found in the Kanneliya rain forest. Plants like Hadawaka, Hora, Doona, Na, Gong Diva - the smallest member of the ficus family - Kapuru Kurundu - wild relative of cinnamon - Domba Keena, Okeiiya, Kekuna, Etamba, Godapara, Wal dooriyan, Hadawaka and Pitcher plants are found in abundance in Kanneliya. Gal Karandha, common in

Kanneliya (Humboldtia laurifolia) is an excellent example of a symbiotic relationship. It has a hollow stem, with a small opening, in which ants live. The Blue Butterfly lays eggs near the entrance to the hollow stem. The excreta of the butterfly provides a source of food for the ants, while ants provide protection for the eggs.

Plants like Kanabadulla - the latex of which is a strong irritant - and Thaapasa Bulath - which is used by locals to stop bleeding can be seen only few feet from the trail. In fact Kanneliya is home to a large numbers of medicinal plants such as Weniwelgeta, Kudahedaya, Maha hedaya, Kothala Himbutu and Rasakinda as well as endemics such as Stemonoporus Kanneliyansis and Wal Del. There are a high proportion of endemics among the 234 identified woody plant species, with 141 being endemic.

Fifty_nine bird species, including scarce endemic species such as the Serendib Scops Owl are residents at Kanneliya. Amphibians, butterflies, snake species and mammals in addition to rare and endemic fish and reptile species can be seen in Kanneliya. Grizzled Indian, Layard’s Striped Squirrel and the endemic Purple-faced Leaf Monkey are examples for mammals that make Kanneliya their home. Endemic lizards include the Rough-nosed Horned and Hump-nosed Lizard, while butterflies include Tree Nymphs and Commanders. Seventeen endemic snake species can be found in Kanneliya. Types of snakes found in Kanneliya include blind snakes, shield-tailed snakes, pythons and boas, cobras, vipers and pit vipers.

Gin Ganga, Udugam Oya, Nannikitha Ela and several waterways provide habitats to endemic and other fish in Kanneliya of which 20 species are endemic. An easy five km hike will bring you to Narangas Ella. The same trail also covers the cave, the Giant Navada tree and the giant creeper.

The Kanneliya Forest Reserve has been subjected to selective logging from 1940 to 1988, when it was suspended. Land hunger resulting from increasing population is also another threat. Fortunately, the Forest Department, under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has developed a plan to manage and develop the forest, conducting awareness programs and creating awareness through their information centre. A circuit bungalow of the Forest Department is also available.

Kanneliya although relatively less known than its bigger counterpart - Sinharaja is a biological treasure, that maybe home to plants that are yet to be identified. Consequently, visitors to this forest reserve should also bear in mind the responsibility to preserve its natural state while sightseeing.

Underprivileged Schools To Be Given Laptops

A record number of 1,500 school children in 13 underprivileged schools in the country will be given laptop computers under the 'One Laptop Per Child' (OLPC) programme, conducted by the Education Ministry in collaboration with the University of Colombo.

Speaking to Junior Observer, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that steps have already been taken to extend this 'One Laptop Per Child' programme even to other schools in the country within the next two years.

Minister Premajayantha said that giving computers to each student, especially who are studying in grade one to five classes is a costly programme, but their main objective is to improve the IT knowledge of the younger generation who are the leaders in the next century.

He also thanked several individuals, especially members of Past Pupil Associations of various schools for extending a helping hand to make this programme a success.

"Unlike in the past, children from their small ages now show a great interest to obtain a knowledge of Information Technology and English, considering that these two subjects are the key tools that will help to continue their higher studies and also to find employment in the future".

Speaking further, the Minister emphasised the importance of having a better knowledge of Information Technology and English by school children and said that under the `One Laptop Per Child' concept, the Government has decided to provide laptop computers to every student, so that each student could even save their important lessons in their own computers.

Minister Premajayantha also focused attention towards the children in remote schools, since majority of them do not have electricity to use their computers.

He assured that the Power and Energy Ministry has already taken steps to provide solar power electricity to a large number of areas within the next one year.

The Minister also said at present all Government schools in the country own about 4,000 computer centres and during the first ten months of this year his Ministry had provided 500 computer centres to schools.

"Our target is to establish another 1,000 computer centres before the end of 2010 to schools, including the Northern and Eastern provinces," he added.