Online degree chance for Lankans.............by Dasun Edirisinghe
Sri Lankan students can now get a university degree through online education, Higher Education Minister Prof Wiswa Warnapala announced yesterday.
The Minister said that he was delighted at the revolutionary introduction which is also a realisation of one of the promises pledged under the ‘Semata Sarasavi’ (University Education for All) theme of the Mahinda Chinthana manifesto.
The innovative scheme is offered by NODES, the National Online Distance Education Service, commenced under the Distance Education Modernisation Project (DEMP) of the Higher Education Ministry.
He said the NODES programme was declared open for students on March 1.
NODES, introduced under the DEMP, started in 2004 and 26 centres had been set up islandwide, he said.
This innovation would create greater opportunities for tertiary education through Online Distance Learning (ODL).
Universities, professional associations, private and public sector education institutions are instructed to adopt this mode of learning to cater to a larger student population.
The Minister said the NODES had introduced 46 courses of studies and these courses allowed the students to choose a course of study leading to a degree, diploma or certificate, depending on their qualifications.
A loan agreement signed between the Asian Development Bank and the Sri Lankan government on August 18, 2003 launched the DEMP.
www island.lk
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Rain Water Harvesting Policy in Sri Lanka.....!!!
Monday, 22 March 2010
Rain Water Harvesting Policy in Sri Lanka
Dr Tanuja Ariyananda - Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum
[ Harvesting rainwater]
* First National policy on Rain Water Harvesting
* Gazette to amend Urban Development Authority drainage laws passed on August 25, 2007
* Rain Water Harvesting International Workshop - Kandy in 2006
Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans are world famous for its water resource management. The first ever dam built in the world Tissa Wawe (3rd Century BC) is recorded from this island (History of Dams, 1994) and also the famous proclamation by King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186 AD), “.....let not even a small quantity of water obtained by rain, go to the sea without benefiting man” (Arumugam, 1969, quoted from Mahawansa), shows the wisdom and commitment of ancient kings and people to conserve and efficiently manage water resources.
In more recent times, Sri Lanka has another first in water management, that is we have the first National Policy on Rain Water Harvesting.
Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardena initiated the formulation of a National Policy and Strategy for Rain Water Harvesting in 2005 and was approved by the government. The policy objective is aimed at encouraging communities to control water near its source by harvesting rainwater.
This results in, minimizing the use of treated water for secondary purposes, reduction of flooding, improving soil conservation and groundwater recharge, providing water for domestic use with adequate treatment, agricultural benefits and reduce energy consumption.
A gazette to amend the Urban Development Authority (UDA) drainage laws was also presented by Minister Gunawardena and was passed in Parliament on August 25, 2007. In addition the regulation has been gazetted on April 17, 2009, which makes rainwater harvesting mandatory in certain categories of new buildings in areas under Municipal and Urban Council jurisdiction.
Minister has also initiated promotion of rainwater harvesting in the South Asian region by hosting an International Workshop on Rain Water Harvesting in Kandy in 2006.
The workshop was attended by five Ministers from SAARC countries, where they signed a declaration to exchange experience and know-how, and use different methods of rain water harvesting to contribute to solving poverty and water needs of human kind, other living being and the environment.
Parakrama Samudraya - the vast water reservoir built by
King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) Pic. courtesy: Google
Water is not only one of the most essential daily needs for the humans and other living beings, but is also important for the sustenance of biodiversity, ecology and overall health of the planet Earth. Because of the continuing increase in population, human consumption is causing a severe decline in the amount of available water resources.
Additionally, it is been predicted that there is strong impact of Global Climate Change on the availability and variability of water resources.
Rain water harvesting will reduce the pressure on present water source caused due to increase in demand, minimize the Government expenditure on subsidy, reduce water bills, minimize the use of treated water allowing more people to be served, save on energy needed to transport and treat water and will also reduce flooding in some cities.
Rainwater harvesting will also mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources during times of floods and drought.
If this timely action and direction by the Minister, is successfully implemented it will ensure that Sri Lankans will be self-sufficient in water, once enjoyed by our ancestors and are prepared for the impending water crises in the future due to the effect of climate change.
dailynews.lk
Rain Water Harvesting Policy in Sri Lanka
Dr Tanuja Ariyananda - Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum
[ Harvesting rainwater]
* First National policy on Rain Water Harvesting
* Gazette to amend Urban Development Authority drainage laws passed on August 25, 2007
* Rain Water Harvesting International Workshop - Kandy in 2006
Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans are world famous for its water resource management. The first ever dam built in the world Tissa Wawe (3rd Century BC) is recorded from this island (History of Dams, 1994) and also the famous proclamation by King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186 AD), “.....let not even a small quantity of water obtained by rain, go to the sea without benefiting man” (Arumugam, 1969, quoted from Mahawansa), shows the wisdom and commitment of ancient kings and people to conserve and efficiently manage water resources.
In more recent times, Sri Lanka has another first in water management, that is we have the first National Policy on Rain Water Harvesting.
Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardena initiated the formulation of a National Policy and Strategy for Rain Water Harvesting in 2005 and was approved by the government. The policy objective is aimed at encouraging communities to control water near its source by harvesting rainwater.
This results in, minimizing the use of treated water for secondary purposes, reduction of flooding, improving soil conservation and groundwater recharge, providing water for domestic use with adequate treatment, agricultural benefits and reduce energy consumption.
A gazette to amend the Urban Development Authority (UDA) drainage laws was also presented by Minister Gunawardena and was passed in Parliament on August 25, 2007. In addition the regulation has been gazetted on April 17, 2009, which makes rainwater harvesting mandatory in certain categories of new buildings in areas under Municipal and Urban Council jurisdiction.
Minister has also initiated promotion of rainwater harvesting in the South Asian region by hosting an International Workshop on Rain Water Harvesting in Kandy in 2006.
The workshop was attended by five Ministers from SAARC countries, where they signed a declaration to exchange experience and know-how, and use different methods of rain water harvesting to contribute to solving poverty and water needs of human kind, other living being and the environment.
Parakrama Samudraya - the vast water reservoir built by
King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) Pic. courtesy: Google
Water is not only one of the most essential daily needs for the humans and other living beings, but is also important for the sustenance of biodiversity, ecology and overall health of the planet Earth. Because of the continuing increase in population, human consumption is causing a severe decline in the amount of available water resources.
Additionally, it is been predicted that there is strong impact of Global Climate Change on the availability and variability of water resources.
Rain water harvesting will reduce the pressure on present water source caused due to increase in demand, minimize the Government expenditure on subsidy, reduce water bills, minimize the use of treated water allowing more people to be served, save on energy needed to transport and treat water and will also reduce flooding in some cities.
Rainwater harvesting will also mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources during times of floods and drought.
If this timely action and direction by the Minister, is successfully implemented it will ensure that Sri Lankans will be self-sufficient in water, once enjoyed by our ancestors and are prepared for the impending water crises in the future due to the effect of climate change.
dailynews.lk
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A year after kicking the smoking habit, smokers’ arteries showed signs of reversing a problem that can set the stage for heart disease...!!!
Arteries improve after smokers quit, study finds
ATLANTA (AP) - Quitting smoking can turn back time.
A year after kicking the habit, smokers’ arteries showed signs of reversing a problem that can set the stage for heart disease, according to the first big study to test this.
The improvement came even though smokers gained an average of 9 pounds (4 kilograms) after they quit, researchers found. Their levels of so-called good cholesterol improved, too.
"A lot of people are afraid to quit smoking because they’re afraid to gain weight," said the study’s leader, Dr. James Stein, a University of Wisconsin-Madison cardiologist.
The new research shows these people gain a health benefit even though they pick up pounds that hopefully can be shed once they’ve gotten used to not smoking, he said.
Smoking is one of the top causes of heart disease, and about one third of smoking-related deaths in the U.S. are due to heart disease. A heart attack often motivates longtime smokers to give it up.
Quitting is known to lower the risk of developing or dying of lung cancer. This is the first major clinical trial to show it quickly improves artery health. Results were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and presented at the group’s annual conference on Monday.
In the study, 1,500 smokers were given one of five methods to help them quit - nicotine patches; nicotine lozenges; the drug bupropion, sold as Wellbutrin and Zyban; or a combination of patches and lozenges or the drug and lozenges. A sixth group received a dummy treatment.
After one year, 36 percent had quit, and it made no difference which method they used, Stein said.
Before the study started and one year after smokers quit, doctors did ultrasound tests to see how well blood vessel linings relaxed and handled blood flow. Hardening of the arteries is an early step to heart disease. Using a tourniquet, they stopped blood flow in the forearm for a few minutes, then measured how a major artery responded when the flow was restored.
"It’s a valid test" and is considered a good sign of how healthy the heart arteries are, said Dr. Alfred Bove, a Temple University heart specialist and president of the cardiology group.
Doctors found that artery function improved 1 percent in the quitters.
"That may not sound like much," but research shows that translates to a 14 percent lower risk of developing heart disease, Stein said.
"It’s a small improvement at one year. The question is, do these folks keep getting better?" Bove said.
The study is continuing another two years to give an answer, Stein said.
London-based GlaxoSmithKline PLC provided smoking cessation medicines for that part of the study, and several authors have research funding from the company. Federal government grants paid for the artery study.
www island.lk
ATLANTA (AP) - Quitting smoking can turn back time.
A year after kicking the habit, smokers’ arteries showed signs of reversing a problem that can set the stage for heart disease, according to the first big study to test this.
The improvement came even though smokers gained an average of 9 pounds (4 kilograms) after they quit, researchers found. Their levels of so-called good cholesterol improved, too.
"A lot of people are afraid to quit smoking because they’re afraid to gain weight," said the study’s leader, Dr. James Stein, a University of Wisconsin-Madison cardiologist.
The new research shows these people gain a health benefit even though they pick up pounds that hopefully can be shed once they’ve gotten used to not smoking, he said.
Smoking is one of the top causes of heart disease, and about one third of smoking-related deaths in the U.S. are due to heart disease. A heart attack often motivates longtime smokers to give it up.
Quitting is known to lower the risk of developing or dying of lung cancer. This is the first major clinical trial to show it quickly improves artery health. Results were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and presented at the group’s annual conference on Monday.
In the study, 1,500 smokers were given one of five methods to help them quit - nicotine patches; nicotine lozenges; the drug bupropion, sold as Wellbutrin and Zyban; or a combination of patches and lozenges or the drug and lozenges. A sixth group received a dummy treatment.
After one year, 36 percent had quit, and it made no difference which method they used, Stein said.
Before the study started and one year after smokers quit, doctors did ultrasound tests to see how well blood vessel linings relaxed and handled blood flow. Hardening of the arteries is an early step to heart disease. Using a tourniquet, they stopped blood flow in the forearm for a few minutes, then measured how a major artery responded when the flow was restored.
"It’s a valid test" and is considered a good sign of how healthy the heart arteries are, said Dr. Alfred Bove, a Temple University heart specialist and president of the cardiology group.
Doctors found that artery function improved 1 percent in the quitters.
"That may not sound like much," but research shows that translates to a 14 percent lower risk of developing heart disease, Stein said.
"It’s a small improvement at one year. The question is, do these folks keep getting better?" Bove said.
The study is continuing another two years to give an answer, Stein said.
London-based GlaxoSmithKline PLC provided smoking cessation medicines for that part of the study, and several authors have research funding from the company. Federal government grants paid for the artery study.
www island.lk
Monday, March 1, 2010
Females that have multiple mates reduce the risk of producing a brood of offspring without males..!!!
Promiscuous females
‘could prevent species becoming extinct’
Promiscuous females could prevent their species becoming extinct, scientists have found.
According to research by the Universities of Exeter and Liverpool, females that have multiple mates reduce the risk of producing a brood of offspring without males.
The study, published today in Current Biology, says an all-female brood could occur when all the ‘male’ Y chromosome sperm are killed before fertilisation, because of a sex-ratio distortion (SR) chromosome.
Scientists believe all-female broods will pass the chromosome on to their sons, which will in turn produce more female-only broods and eventually there will be no males and the population will die out.
Known as ‘polyandry’ among scientists, the phenomenon of females having multiple mates is shared across most animal species, from insects to mammals.
For this study, the scientists worked with the fruitfly Drosophila pseudoobscura.
They gave some populations the opportunity to mate naturally, meaning that the females had multiple partners. The others were restricted to having one mate each.
Several generations of these populations were bred so researchers could see how each fared over time.
Over 15 generations, five of the 12 populations that had been monogamous became extinct as a result of males dying out.
The SR chromosome was far less prevalent in the populations in which females had the opportunity to have multiple mates and none of these populations became extinct.
Having multiple mates can suppress the spread of the SR chromosome, making all-female broods a rarity, the researchers suggest.
This is because males that carry the SR chromosome produce only half as many sperm as normal males. When a female mates with multiple males, their sperm will compete to fertilise her eggs.
The few sperm produced by males carrying the SR chromosome are out-competed by the sperm from normal males, and the SR chromosome cannot spread.
Lead author Professor Nina Wedell, of the University of Exeter, said: ‘’We were surprised by how quickly - within nine generations - a population could die out as a result of females only mating with one partner.
‘’Polyandry is such a widespread phenomenon in nature but it remains something of an enigma for scientists. This study is the first to suggest that it could actually save a population from extinction.’’
(C) The Telegraph Group London 2010
www island.lk
‘could prevent species becoming extinct’
Promiscuous females could prevent their species becoming extinct, scientists have found.
According to research by the Universities of Exeter and Liverpool, females that have multiple mates reduce the risk of producing a brood of offspring without males.
The study, published today in Current Biology, says an all-female brood could occur when all the ‘male’ Y chromosome sperm are killed before fertilisation, because of a sex-ratio distortion (SR) chromosome.
Scientists believe all-female broods will pass the chromosome on to their sons, which will in turn produce more female-only broods and eventually there will be no males and the population will die out.
Known as ‘polyandry’ among scientists, the phenomenon of females having multiple mates is shared across most animal species, from insects to mammals.
For this study, the scientists worked with the fruitfly Drosophila pseudoobscura.
They gave some populations the opportunity to mate naturally, meaning that the females had multiple partners. The others were restricted to having one mate each.
Several generations of these populations were bred so researchers could see how each fared over time.
Over 15 generations, five of the 12 populations that had been monogamous became extinct as a result of males dying out.
The SR chromosome was far less prevalent in the populations in which females had the opportunity to have multiple mates and none of these populations became extinct.
Having multiple mates can suppress the spread of the SR chromosome, making all-female broods a rarity, the researchers suggest.
This is because males that carry the SR chromosome produce only half as many sperm as normal males. When a female mates with multiple males, their sperm will compete to fertilise her eggs.
The few sperm produced by males carrying the SR chromosome are out-competed by the sperm from normal males, and the SR chromosome cannot spread.
Lead author Professor Nina Wedell, of the University of Exeter, said: ‘’We were surprised by how quickly - within nine generations - a population could die out as a result of females only mating with one partner.
‘’Polyandry is such a widespread phenomenon in nature but it remains something of an enigma for scientists. This study is the first to suggest that it could actually save a population from extinction.’’
(C) The Telegraph Group London 2010
www island.lk
Friday, February 26, 2010
Asia swelters in El Nino heatwave....!!!
Asia swelters in El Nino heatwave
Grace Chua and Alastair McIndoe
The Straits Times/ANN
February is on track to become Singapore's driest month, as well as one of the hottest on record.
Peninsular Malaysia is experiencing water shortages, from the Kedah rice fields in the north to parts of Johor in the south, where taps ran dry over the Chinese New Year.
China is reporting severe drought and a shortage of drinking water, affecting millions in the south-western part of the country.
And in the Philippines, the largest corn-producing region, is withering under a blazing sun.
Weather experts say the region is once again grappling with the severe effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which sparked forest fires and the haze more than 10 years ago.
This time, the parched conditions are causing grief to farmers and raising concerns about water shortages.
The National Environment Agency's Meteorological Services Division said Singapore received 5.3mm of rainfall from February 1 to February 23. The lowest rainfall for any month was 8.4mm, recorded in February 1968 and February 2005.
The highest maximum temperature this month - 35 deg C - equalled last year's record high for the same month.
The hottest day in Singapore was on March 26, 1998, when the mercury hit 36 deg C.
Dr Matthias Roth, a climate researcher at the National University of Singapore, noted that temperatures in Singapore have been rising since the 1960s because of global warming and increasing urbanisation, as buildings tend to trap heat.
In south-western China, more than seven million people lack adequate drinking water and millions of hectares of crops have been affected.
Yunnan province, a top producer of sugar cane and rubber, is experiencing its worst drought in six decades.
On Sunday, angry and desperate corn farmers in the Philippines' Isabela province, which has not had rain in three months, threw ruined crops at the provincial government headquarters in Iligan City.
They have yet to recover from the enormous losses they suffered because of the typhoons late last year, according to congressman Rafael Mariano.
Pagasa, the national weather bureau, expects El Nino to last until June, with temperatures set to hit 40 deg C soon in some parts of the country.
But its impact on the farm economy and dam levels will probably be felt well beyond mid-year, said Pagasa climatologist Edna Juanillo.
The agriculture department estimates that the damage to crops from El Nino could total 10 billion pesos (US$216 million).
In Manila, the authorities are already urging the city's 12 million residents to conserve water, as water companies scramble to repair leaking pipes.
"It may well come to rationing because people don't recognise the need to conserve until it is too late," said Juanillo.
The El Nino phenomenon, which occurs every two to seven years, is caused by the abnormal warming of the sea surface in the Pacific Ocean.
In South-east Asia, the weather becomes hotter and drier than usual. Bush and forest fires are common.
What's El Nino?
The El Nino weather phenomenon occurs every two to seven years and is caused by the abnormal warming of the sea surface in the Pacific Ocean.
A strong El Nino is associated with drought and floods in different parts of the world. In South-east Asia, it brings hotter weather than usual during the dry season.
The last major El Nino took place in 1998, causing forest fires in Indonesia and Malaysia, blanketing the region in haze.
www island.lk
Grace Chua and Alastair McIndoe
The Straits Times/ANN
February is on track to become Singapore's driest month, as well as one of the hottest on record.
Peninsular Malaysia is experiencing water shortages, from the Kedah rice fields in the north to parts of Johor in the south, where taps ran dry over the Chinese New Year.
China is reporting severe drought and a shortage of drinking water, affecting millions in the south-western part of the country.
And in the Philippines, the largest corn-producing region, is withering under a blazing sun.
Weather experts say the region is once again grappling with the severe effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which sparked forest fires and the haze more than 10 years ago.
This time, the parched conditions are causing grief to farmers and raising concerns about water shortages.
The National Environment Agency's Meteorological Services Division said Singapore received 5.3mm of rainfall from February 1 to February 23. The lowest rainfall for any month was 8.4mm, recorded in February 1968 and February 2005.
The highest maximum temperature this month - 35 deg C - equalled last year's record high for the same month.
The hottest day in Singapore was on March 26, 1998, when the mercury hit 36 deg C.
Dr Matthias Roth, a climate researcher at the National University of Singapore, noted that temperatures in Singapore have been rising since the 1960s because of global warming and increasing urbanisation, as buildings tend to trap heat.
In south-western China, more than seven million people lack adequate drinking water and millions of hectares of crops have been affected.
Yunnan province, a top producer of sugar cane and rubber, is experiencing its worst drought in six decades.
On Sunday, angry and desperate corn farmers in the Philippines' Isabela province, which has not had rain in three months, threw ruined crops at the provincial government headquarters in Iligan City.
They have yet to recover from the enormous losses they suffered because of the typhoons late last year, according to congressman Rafael Mariano.
Pagasa, the national weather bureau, expects El Nino to last until June, with temperatures set to hit 40 deg C soon in some parts of the country.
But its impact on the farm economy and dam levels will probably be felt well beyond mid-year, said Pagasa climatologist Edna Juanillo.
The agriculture department estimates that the damage to crops from El Nino could total 10 billion pesos (US$216 million).
In Manila, the authorities are already urging the city's 12 million residents to conserve water, as water companies scramble to repair leaking pipes.
"It may well come to rationing because people don't recognise the need to conserve until it is too late," said Juanillo.
The El Nino phenomenon, which occurs every two to seven years, is caused by the abnormal warming of the sea surface in the Pacific Ocean.
In South-east Asia, the weather becomes hotter and drier than usual. Bush and forest fires are common.
What's El Nino?
The El Nino weather phenomenon occurs every two to seven years and is caused by the abnormal warming of the sea surface in the Pacific Ocean.
A strong El Nino is associated with drought and floods in different parts of the world. In South-east Asia, it brings hotter weather than usual during the dry season.
The last major El Nino took place in 1998, causing forest fires in Indonesia and Malaysia, blanketing the region in haze.
www island.lk
Thursday, February 25, 2010
In a breakthrough, an Indian-American rocket scientist has invented a mini electricity device,which could replace expensive powerhouses/ transm.lines!
AP BREAKTHROUGH: K.R. Sridhar, co-founder and CEO of Silicon Valley startup Bloom
Energy, holds up a stack of fuel cells. Photo: AP
In a breakthrough, an Indian-American rocket scientist has invented a mini electricity device, which could replace expensive power houses and transmission lines.
Christened the ‘Bloom Box,’ it would be unveiled by K.R. Sridhar in the Silicon Valley, a preview of which was given at the CBS’s popular show ‘60 Minutes’ last weekend.
“It is just like a laptop of the power sector,” the CBS reported.
Mr. Sridhar formed a company, Bloom Energy, which raised some $400 million from venture capitalists of the Silicon Valley at a time when it is tough to get money due to economic recession.
Among its board of directors is the former U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell, who joined it last year.
Mr. Sridhar, who was a rocket scientist and served as adviser to NASA, says that in 10 years or so the ‘Bloom Box’ for residential areas would be available at $3,000 (less than Rs.1.5 lakh) to produce electricity in a small home round the clock.
Having earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras, earlier he was a Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering as well as Director of the Space Technologies Laboratory (STL) at the University of Arizona.
courtesy: TheHindu.com
Comments to : web.thehindu@thehindu.co.in Copyright © 2009, The Hindu
Energy, holds up a stack of fuel cells. Photo: AP
In a breakthrough, an Indian-American rocket scientist has invented a mini electricity device, which could replace expensive power houses and transmission lines.
Christened the ‘Bloom Box,’ it would be unveiled by K.R. Sridhar in the Silicon Valley, a preview of which was given at the CBS’s popular show ‘60 Minutes’ last weekend.
“It is just like a laptop of the power sector,” the CBS reported.
Mr. Sridhar formed a company, Bloom Energy, which raised some $400 million from venture capitalists of the Silicon Valley at a time when it is tough to get money due to economic recession.
Among its board of directors is the former U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell, who joined it last year.
Mr. Sridhar, who was a rocket scientist and served as adviser to NASA, says that in 10 years or so the ‘Bloom Box’ for residential areas would be available at $3,000 (less than Rs.1.5 lakh) to produce electricity in a small home round the clock.
Having earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras, earlier he was a Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering as well as Director of the Space Technologies Laboratory (STL) at the University of Arizona.
courtesy: TheHindu.com
Comments to : web.thehindu@thehindu.co.in Copyright © 2009, The Hindu
Friday, February 19, 2010
AT park has been established mainly to transfer technology to the farmer through live specimens,demonstration of new & old agricultural technologies!!
Bata Atha Agricultural Technology Park:
Haven for agriculturalists
Ishara MUDUGAMUWA
The Bata Atha Agricultural Technology Park was established in 2007 under the patronage of the Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa to assist farmers to
Entrance to the park
Agri museum
Paddy field
gain knowledge of small scale cultivation including home gardens.
This park has been established mainly to transfer technology to the farmer through live specimens, demonstration of new and old agricultural technologies, promotion of agro tourism for local and foreign tourists, distribution of seed varieties, plants, leaflets and other technology transfer materials, as a centre to distribute agriculture technology information and instruction of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
This park is an ideal place to see the practical examples of how crops would be grown successfully.
Food production drive
Through the President’s Api Wawamu - Rata Nagamu countrywide food production drive most of the people try to get maximum use of their home gardens. As most of them haven’t even a basic knowledge about agriculture they are very keen to learn agriculture technologies.
There are two agricultural technological parks which are maintained by the Agriculture Department. One is situated in up-country at Gannoruwa, Kandy and the other down South in Bata Atha, Hambantota District. It is open for those who are willing to improve their knowledge about agricultural technologies.
Entrance to the park
The entrance to the park is from under an archway formed by two clasped hands. This symbolizes the bond among traditional farmers who had the concept share the farming system known as ‘Aththam’, said the Assistant Director of Agriculture Rohan Wijekoon.
This technology park is enriched with planting materials and a publications sales centre and information centre, demonstration plots of paddy cultivation, open air theatre, rain water harvesting farm, collection of citrus family crops cultivation, fruit garden, underutilized fruits crops, floriculture unit, granedilla cultivation, passion fruit cultivation, guava cultivation, pomogranate cultivation, a resting area, genetic landscaping of paddy, jak cultivation, herbal garden, improved chena, live crop museum, mango cultivation, home garden, Thumba cultivation, collection of grapes cultivation, nursery management unit, banana cultivation, seed laboratory and seed exhibition, bee keeping unit and bathing area also.
Variety of crops
The sheer variety of crops in the park is awe-inspiring. The park is very useful for agriculturists as well as for those who are interested in learning about crops. With the dawn of peace when tourists visited the South the Bata Atha Park could be a major attraction.
Dr Wijekoon also said “This park will be renamed as Chamal Rajapaksa Agriculture Technology Park in future and the President’s Secretariat will provide funds for the park. A National Agricultural museum, agro tourism cabanas will be established in this place in the near future.”
dailynews.lk
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