Golden rules for happiness
It is very important for us to secure happy life (married or unmarried). Even if a sacrifice is made for the benefit of others you should be happy (for example blood donation).
An employee who is sincere in his work earns job satisfaction and make his life interesting.
Money, social status, high positions, comforts etc are not the symbols of happiness. As the time goes on, they lose their glamour. It could be seen that people from low-income group are happy as their expectations are low and limited. On the contrary, even millionaires are not happy as they have ever-increasing urge which results in mental depression.
They take liquor, smoke, narcotic drugs etc, to control mental depression. Some commit suicide also.
I quote below seven golden rules to secure happiness.
Balanced life
Money is not everything though its importance could not be denied. Healthy life is better than wealthy life as you could enjoy the comforts earned by you. Adequate exercise, good eating habbits, proper rest (both body and mind) sound sleep, meditation, avoidance of liquor, smoke, drugs, fatty animal foods, unsafe sex etc. make your life interesting. Create a good sense of humour which is very important. Laughter is the best medicine.
Illegal matters
Never get involved in illegal matters. Dealing in smuggled goods, bribery, forgery, frauds etc have to be avoided. Tax evasion is also a criminal offence. A fear would be planted in your mind and to escape from legal consequence you may get involved further.
Goodwill earned by you for the past several years will vanish and your image would be tarnished. Have a clear and open mind when approaching your problems.
Clear conscious
Please be true to yourself. Do not betray your own mind. Take decisions after consulting others, experts etc if necessary. But decision-making should be in your hands with a clear mind.
Past mistakes
Never regret for the past mistakes. You may have missed good education, job opportunities, good habits etc in the past. Once you realize your mistakes please take corrective actions and create a new life. It is better to light a candle than cursing the dark forever.
Affection
Please show more affection than what you receive from others. Kindly look after your employees, family members, parents and those who depend on your assistance. This attitude itself creates happiness.
Enjoying
Whenever you have opportunities please enjoy in a proper way which makes others also happy. Share your pleasure with others. They say in India, Punjabis enjoy their life the most as they always have celebrations. New year, weddings, birthday festivals etc. They wait for an opportunity to celebrate. This is the secret of their happiness. A smiling face is equal to thousand roses.
Expectations
Please give more than what is expected from you. It need not be money but includes services as well. In your workplace your output should be more than what is expected from you. It gives job satisfaction and secures positions, increments etc. Spend some time on charity.
You could visit an orphanage regularly and look after the inmates by offering meals, sweets, clothes and entertainments.
Late John F Kennedy once said "Do not think what America can do for you but think of what you can do for America". Please be a patriotic by an action and not by your words only.
Once you leave this world, people could fondly remember your good deeds and definitely not your money. It is better to do a service to all and be happy.
I sincerely believe that this message is acceptable to all concerned.
I look forward a happy and prosperous Sri Lanka 2011.
S R Balachandran
Council Member
The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka
DAILYNEWS.LK
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
JOKES FROM....SRILANKA..!!!
From: Bas Baskaran
Date: Sun, Oct 24, 2010 at 3:24 AM
Subject: Enjoy .....!!!
To: chelvadurai@gmail.com
AMDA RETURNS
Boss: Where were you born?
Amda: Sri Lanka ..
Boss: which part?
Amda: What 'which part'? Whole body was born in Sri Lanka .
2 Amda were fixing a bomb in a car.
Amda 1: What would you do if the bomb
explodes while fixing.
Amda 2: Dont worry, I have one more.
Amda: What is the name of your car?
Lady: I forgot the name, but is starts with 'T'.
Amda: Oh, what a strange car, starts with Tea. All cars that I know start with petrol.
Amda joined new job. 1st day he worked till late evening on the computer. Boss was happy and asked what you did till evening.
Amda: Keyboard alphabets were not in order, so I made it alright.
Museum Administrator: That's a 500-year-old statue u've broken..
Amda: Thanks God! I thought it was a new one.
At the scene of an accident a man was crying: O God! I have lost my hand, oh!
Amda: Control yourself. Don't cry. See that man. He has lost his head. Is he crying?
Amda: U cheated me.
Shopkeeper: No, I sold a good radio to u.
Amda: Radio label shows Made in Japan but radio says this is 'Radio Ceylon! '
NOW THE LAST TWO ULTIMATE:
In an interview, Interviewer: How does an electric motor run?
Amda: Dhhuuuurrrrrrrrrr. .....
Inteviewer shouts: Stop it.
Amda: Dhhuurrrr dhup dhup dhup....
Tourist: Whose skeleton is that?
Amda: An old king's skeleton.
Tourist: Who's that smaller skeleton next to it?
Amda: That was same king's skeleton when he was a child.
Date: Sun, Oct 24, 2010 at 3:24 AM
Subject: Enjoy .....!!!
To: chelvadurai@gmail.com
AMDA RETURNS
Boss: Where were you born?
Amda: Sri Lanka ..
Boss: which part?
Amda: What 'which part'? Whole body was born in Sri Lanka .
2 Amda were fixing a bomb in a car.
Amda 1: What would you do if the bomb
explodes while fixing.
Amda 2: Dont worry, I have one more.
Amda: What is the name of your car?
Lady: I forgot the name, but is starts with 'T'.
Amda: Oh, what a strange car, starts with Tea. All cars that I know start with petrol.
Amda joined new job. 1st day he worked till late evening on the computer. Boss was happy and asked what you did till evening.
Amda: Keyboard alphabets were not in order, so I made it alright.
Museum Administrator: That's a 500-year-old statue u've broken..
Amda: Thanks God! I thought it was a new one.
At the scene of an accident a man was crying: O God! I have lost my hand, oh!
Amda: Control yourself. Don't cry. See that man. He has lost his head. Is he crying?
Amda: U cheated me.
Shopkeeper: No, I sold a good radio to u.
Amda: Radio label shows Made in Japan but radio says this is 'Radio Ceylon! '
NOW THE LAST TWO ULTIMATE:
In an interview, Interviewer: How does an electric motor run?
Amda: Dhhuuuurrrrrrrrrr. .....
Inteviewer shouts: Stop it.
Amda: Dhhuurrrr dhup dhup dhup....
Tourist: Whose skeleton is that?
Amda: An old king's skeleton.
Tourist: Who's that smaller skeleton next to it?
Amda: That was same king's skeleton when he was a child.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Survey conducted by local charity 'Bio Parents Locate' in Colombo, revealed that over 35,000 SL-children are being adopted by foreigners.!!!
Lankan-born children meet biological parents here
by Ananda KANNANGARA
Gunawathi and daughter Kristina Somalatha
Although a close rapport between children and parents should exist we hear of incidents where mothers abandon their children at bus halts, hospitals, under lamp posts and by the side of roads. Some parents throw their infants into rivers, while others send their children into employment at a tender age.
Some parents give their children away for adoption to foreign nationals.
A recent survey conducted by a newly formed local charity 'Bio Parents Locate' in Colombo, revealed that over 35,000 Sri Lankan children are currently being adopted by foreign nationals.
According to many adopted children who contacted Bio Parents Locate via internet and the website, they were given away to foreign foster parents by their biological parents in Sri Lanka at a tender age.
President, Bio Parents Locate, Dr. Rohan Ratnayake in an interview with the Sunday Observer said the main objective of forming the association was to facilitate the adopted Sri Lankan children to locate their biological parents in Sri Lanka and also to facilitate the biological parents to locate their children given in adoption, years ago. The association has received over 35,000 requests from Sri Lankan children in foreign countries such as Norway, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany and Holland to locate their parents in Sri Lanka.
Kristina Somalatha, husband Palsson Magnus and their daughter
Kristina feeds her mother a piece of milk rice
Dr. Rohan Ratnayake and Ariyasiri Arangallage
Kristina Somalatha with her family and relations at Bulathkohupitiya
'Bio parents locate' Treasurer, Ariyasiri Arangallage said the Association was formed two months ago. During this short period they were able to reconnect eight Sri Lankan children who are presently in foreign countries with their biological parents in Sri Lanka. "Our Association is a Colombo based international non profit charity. It was established under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 with the aim of assisting adopted Sri Lankan children to locate their bio parents here,"
He said judges, doctors, engineers, lecturers, lawyers and owners of business enterprises are the prominent members of the association and they financially help the association to carry out its activities. Many of their attempts in the search for biological parents here were not successful due to lack of proper information given by the children on their parents. A recent visit was made by a media team to Bulathkohupitiya in the Sabaragamuwa Province to meet two Swedes of Sri Lankan origin, (a female and a male) who met their biological parents and also relatives.
The story of W.D. Gunawathi (56) of Palanpitiya at Bulathkohupitiya is pathetic. When she was 26-years-old she had an affair with a man in the area and had given a birth to a baby girl without being legally married.
"Four months into my pregnancy, he left me for no reason and after the baby Somalatha (now Kristina) was born I faced numerous difficulties.
I had to work at a house in Ratmalana and a Swedish couple who visited the house requested me to give Somalatha who was only four-years-old at that time for adoption," she said.
Although at first she refused to part with the baby, during their second visit to Sri Lanka she changed her mind and gave the child for adoption.
Somalatha who born on May 5, 1976 is now 33 years old. She was named Kristina Somalatha by her adopted parents. She is employed in a travel agency in Sweden.
"I went on the internet and informed Bio Parents Locate and found my parents after 32 years.", Kristina said.
"I met my husband Palsson Magnus (36 years) who is a Technical Engineer in Physics in Sweden. My foster parents in Sweden are divorced. My husband and I have a baby girl,"
Krishantha now Peter Martensson (30) of Moratuwa said that his mother died and he was given away for adoption to the Good Shepherd Convent, Dehiwela when he was only four months old.
"Thereafter, I was taken away by my foster parents to Sweden. I presently live in Gothenborg, Sweden"
He had his entire education was in Sweden and he is now employed as a marketing co-ordinator,"
"I came to Sri Lanka in 2006, but I couldn't get the accurate details of my parents, However, now I have found some of my relations in Moratuwa," he said.
He is unmarried and wishes to marry either a Swedish or a Sri Lankan girl,"
Bio Parents Locate Secretary, Dharshani Dissanayake requested any Sri Lankan parents or Sri Lankan children adopted by foreigners to contact their organisation.
She said informations received by them will not be disclosed to a third party and they assure 100 percent confidentiality.
She also thanked the Sri Lankan Government for their assistance extended towards the organisation.
Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2010 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Facebook has reached 500 million users and growing. Its meteorite rise entwined a collective web culture that has blossomed.!!!
Facebook users click to connect cheerfully....Philip Fernando
Facebook has reached 500 million users and growing. Its meteorite rise entwined a collective web culture that has blossomed. Eloquently put, millions on-line are telling each other “we felt blessed meeting you.”
Born : May 14, 1984 (age 26)
Nationality: American
Occupation : Co-founder, CEO & President of Facebook
Facebook’s co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg
Facebook posted more than 30 billion photographs, links to Web sites and news articles to be shared through the site. Every month its members spent roughly 700 billion minutes there, a favourite ‘place’ to hangout for those wearing their interests on their sleeves. No whispered scenarios here-everything is in the open.
The first movie on Facebook titled ‘Social Network’ would be in the theatres on October 1. The founders reportedly had several meetings negotiating strategies trying to get their input unscathed.
Birthdays, weddings, graduations, promotions, anniversaries and such personal events are gobbled up like hot cakes by online users every minute. Photos and personal info are exchanged and the chitchats generated an inexorable swap of pleasantries about family doings.
Over 1.7 million Sri Lankans use the Internet and over a third joined the Facebook. In Canada, USA and Scandinavian countries over 40 percent are avid members of the site.
Facebook has commanded serious attention - social values are being shaped in many ways as people exchange ideas. The climb from a few hundred, mostly in Harvard dormitories initially to half a billion had energized others like Google, Apple, Yahoo and Microsoft to woo web users frenziedly.
Facebook’s co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his ex-Harvard friends have changed people’s perspectives with a pro-active devotedness to make them share more information with each other.
It is a cultural force shaping our collective ethos. Even if you have no desire to ever set up a profile in the Facebook, you can’t ignore it and you are now oddly defined in the negative and left out of the zeitgeist-the German term for the world of normal happenings.
Collective conscience
Collective consciousness was a term coined by the French sociologist Emile Durkheim hundred years ago to refer to the shared beliefs and moral attitudes which operate as a unifying force within society.
Many called it collective conscience as a superior translation in part due to the busy association of the word ‘consciousness’ with both Marxist and Freudian thought. It undoubtedly connoted a concept preeminently embedded in sentiments and representations close to the heart.
Sri Lankans are familiar with the concept of consciousness expressed as a way of sharing, something that seemed second nature to most of them.
Those in the West are striving to a grasp consciousness in the context of representations of arguments, circumstances and feelings. Some try to provide almost a sexual connotation to consciousness.
Fuller consciousness
Some have called Facebook an attempt to reinvent full blown consciousness as depicted by appreciation of friendship, charm, marriage, separation, fidelity, even licentious behaviour in order to depict life’s diversity in all its traits.
Behind that is the use of situations, scenes, images and ideas as vehicles towards reaching the higher understanding of human nature: the self and society. It is the sharing of the new language of body that employs a full exposure of body and mind.
Physicality in 3D
Exchanging photos and personal news indicate closeness or physicality which transcends mere conversation through a telephone call. Most users are enamoured by the ability to be expressive. Facebook has overcome the vicissitudes of web-connections by cutting through the complex alignments.
Net users are notoriously fickle and the web’s short history showed that sites that were once prospering have either since died (Geocities), lost their luster (Yahoo) or faded into irrelevance (Friendster). Facebook has reached a high level and even if it had reached a plateau it would not disappear soon.
The changes in perspectives take their course slowly creating a new world with power of minds and hearts.
It is followed with a passion and joy that encompass kind words, smiles and prayer: social activism via websites marked by random acts of kindness expressing ourselves through special ways, gifts and talents.
Some have philosophized that it was slow work but gained momentum when meticulously pursued like the formation of mountains, not even visible at first glance. And yet with it entire tectonic plates knitted together to form a wholesome landscape - a growing mass of inter-social habitat. .
Could the Facebook lose it in one sweep? There are competitors in college dorms knocking out computer code with a vengeance. Some sites have appeared: OneSocialWeb, the Appleseed Project and WebFinger, the same way the Facebook began.
From the abode they called home, people seemed poised to become the coordinators of social networking - where their social profile lives wherever they want it to (as your e-mail does) and can interact with any other profile around the net, on their own terms.
While it sounds far-fetched, studies suggested that people are as happy with the Facebook as they are with their morning cup of tea, even if they do find it similarly indispensable, that is no surprise.
dailynews.lk
Facebook has reached 500 million users and growing. Its meteorite rise entwined a collective web culture that has blossomed. Eloquently put, millions on-line are telling each other “we felt blessed meeting you.”
Born : May 14, 1984 (age 26)
Nationality: American
Occupation : Co-founder, CEO & President of Facebook
Facebook’s co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg
Facebook posted more than 30 billion photographs, links to Web sites and news articles to be shared through the site. Every month its members spent roughly 700 billion minutes there, a favourite ‘place’ to hangout for those wearing their interests on their sleeves. No whispered scenarios here-everything is in the open.
The first movie on Facebook titled ‘Social Network’ would be in the theatres on October 1. The founders reportedly had several meetings negotiating strategies trying to get their input unscathed.
Birthdays, weddings, graduations, promotions, anniversaries and such personal events are gobbled up like hot cakes by online users every minute. Photos and personal info are exchanged and the chitchats generated an inexorable swap of pleasantries about family doings.
Over 1.7 million Sri Lankans use the Internet and over a third joined the Facebook. In Canada, USA and Scandinavian countries over 40 percent are avid members of the site.
Facebook has commanded serious attention - social values are being shaped in many ways as people exchange ideas. The climb from a few hundred, mostly in Harvard dormitories initially to half a billion had energized others like Google, Apple, Yahoo and Microsoft to woo web users frenziedly.
Facebook’s co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his ex-Harvard friends have changed people’s perspectives with a pro-active devotedness to make them share more information with each other.
It is a cultural force shaping our collective ethos. Even if you have no desire to ever set up a profile in the Facebook, you can’t ignore it and you are now oddly defined in the negative and left out of the zeitgeist-the German term for the world of normal happenings.
Collective conscience
Collective consciousness was a term coined by the French sociologist Emile Durkheim hundred years ago to refer to the shared beliefs and moral attitudes which operate as a unifying force within society.
Many called it collective conscience as a superior translation in part due to the busy association of the word ‘consciousness’ with both Marxist and Freudian thought. It undoubtedly connoted a concept preeminently embedded in sentiments and representations close to the heart.
Sri Lankans are familiar with the concept of consciousness expressed as a way of sharing, something that seemed second nature to most of them.
Those in the West are striving to a grasp consciousness in the context of representations of arguments, circumstances and feelings. Some try to provide almost a sexual connotation to consciousness.
Fuller consciousness
Some have called Facebook an attempt to reinvent full blown consciousness as depicted by appreciation of friendship, charm, marriage, separation, fidelity, even licentious behaviour in order to depict life’s diversity in all its traits.
Behind that is the use of situations, scenes, images and ideas as vehicles towards reaching the higher understanding of human nature: the self and society. It is the sharing of the new language of body that employs a full exposure of body and mind.
Physicality in 3D
Exchanging photos and personal news indicate closeness or physicality which transcends mere conversation through a telephone call. Most users are enamoured by the ability to be expressive. Facebook has overcome the vicissitudes of web-connections by cutting through the complex alignments.
Net users are notoriously fickle and the web’s short history showed that sites that were once prospering have either since died (Geocities), lost their luster (Yahoo) or faded into irrelevance (Friendster). Facebook has reached a high level and even if it had reached a plateau it would not disappear soon.
The changes in perspectives take their course slowly creating a new world with power of minds and hearts.
It is followed with a passion and joy that encompass kind words, smiles and prayer: social activism via websites marked by random acts of kindness expressing ourselves through special ways, gifts and talents.
Some have philosophized that it was slow work but gained momentum when meticulously pursued like the formation of mountains, not even visible at first glance. And yet with it entire tectonic plates knitted together to form a wholesome landscape - a growing mass of inter-social habitat. .
Could the Facebook lose it in one sweep? There are competitors in college dorms knocking out computer code with a vengeance. Some sites have appeared: OneSocialWeb, the Appleseed Project and WebFinger, the same way the Facebook began.
From the abode they called home, people seemed poised to become the coordinators of social networking - where their social profile lives wherever they want it to (as your e-mail does) and can interact with any other profile around the net, on their own terms.
While it sounds far-fetched, studies suggested that people are as happy with the Facebook as they are with their morning cup of tea, even if they do find it similarly indispensable, that is no surprise.
dailynews.lk
Friday, August 20, 2010
Every Social Problem Needs a Solution,But a practical solution can be arrived only through an intelligent understanding of nature,extent & rootcauses!
Beg to live or live to beg?
Lionel Wijesiri
Every social problem that we encounter demands a solution, but a practical solution can be arrived at only through an intelligent understanding of the nature, extent and root causes of the problem.
Beggary has become a social problem
The beggar question is no exception to this rule. While the beggar in Sri Lanka has always been an object of charitable attention, the problem as such has seldom been a subject of rigid scientific inquiry.
Of course, there have been a few local studies, (for example, Professor Nandasena Ratnapala’s ‘The Beggar in Sri Lanka,’) but no definite research has been conducted on the problem in its entirety and proper perspective.
In 2006, Social Services Department of the Social Service and Social Welfare Ministry conducted a research study titled, ‘Action Research on Social Integration of Street People in Colombo City’.
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura and University of Colombo also made a couple of research studies during the past few years.
Conservative figures indicate that from 55,000 beggars in Sri Lanka in 1995, it has risen to 85,000 at present. A recent study done by a research group of the Colombo University has revealed that 79 per cent beggars in Sri Lanka are physically sound and most of them are free of chronic diseases. Nearly half of them are against granting houses or lands for them to settle in and nearly 84 per cent are against providing them an employment while 90 per cent are against social benefits.
These are startling revelations and truly projects the behind-the -screen picture of the problem.
It is obvious that, beggary has become a social problem of great magnitude and grave concern in Sri Lanka. Begging is no longer limited to a few stray beggars driven to seeking alms as a last resort. It has become a profession for some, a way of life for others, and more horrific still, a lucrative racket for unscrupulous and ruthless operators, who have spawned a virtual ‘beggar mafia’, using destitute and helpless as commodities.
Performers
Present beggars of Sri Lanka are much superior to their previous generations. In simple words, we can say that they have brought corporate professionalism in their jobs. In some of the big cities turnover from the begging is millions of rupees every day and number of big shotguns of the society are managing this business.
It is very easy to see these beggars performing various new and old tricks for begging in buses, busy markets, and parks and around public places.
Some of the beggars of Sri Lanka are so intelligent that they use all kinds of the psychological and emotional tricks to make people feel sympathetic towards them. It is said that an average beggar earns around rupees 500 per day and some expert ‘professional’ even fetch a four-figure income.
There is American word known as panhandle, which means ‘beg by accosting people in the street and asking for money.’ There is also “aggressive panhandling.” Its definition may vary. In the USA, aggressive panhandling generally involves the solicitation of donations in an intimidating or intrusive manner.
Examples may include, extending the head and both arms, or even the hand, into a car window to solicit, approaching individuals from behind, as they are exiting their vehicles, to solicit, refusing to take “No” for an answer or following an individual, soliciting near Super markets, Banks etc. It is quite obvious that what we find here in Sri Lanka most of the time belongs to this aggressive panhandling.
Due to these reasons, in most of the advanced countries in the world begging in public is restricted. For example, in many provinces in Canada, the Safe Streets Act has been introduced to restrict specific kinds of begging.
In 2001 this law survived a court challenge under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The law was further upheld by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in January 2007.
In many larger cities in the USA, panhandling has been banned.
In May 2010, police in the city of Boston started cracking down on panhandling in the streets, and were conducting an educational outreach to residents advising them not to give to panhandlers. In the UK, begging is illegal under the Vagrancy Act. In Japan begging is illegal under the Article 1, 22 of Minor Offense Law.
Impact on Tourism
Meanwhile, the Tourist agencies maintain that the increase in beggars will have a negative impact on the tourist industry.
While the industry, at present, is on an upward trend, begging from tourists has increased proportionately, with the increase in beggars, which tourist experts say will have a negative impact on the growing industry. Begging will also give rise to yet another deadly phenomenon - the sexual abuse of children by tourists, which has an impact on child prostitution in the country, Tourist agencies add.
They say that these children are ‘hired’ at a price and the ‘agents’ who are go-betweens of the parents and the foreigners, make huge profits.
Solution
Beggary can be practically eliminated or at least controlled to a great extent if there is will and determination to do so. The Government must stop the farce and act to bring about real change on ground. The important steps in these would be creating awareness among the public, building the necessary infrastructure, and by appreciating the links between poverty, unemployment, disabilities, destitution and beggary, and devising suitable solutions.
Distinguish destitution from professional beggary
The present system makes no effort to distinguish destitution from beggary. Quite a few of the beggars are old aged and physically disabled.
Treating all beggars as criminals does not help. Only the lazy and the professional may be subjected to Correctional sentences.
We should have full sympathy with people hit by bad circumstances but zero tolerance to professional money-makers through begging.
The public and government have to think very seriously about methods of providing relief to the abandoned (supportless) old aged citizens, presently without any social security. The approach of the system should be supportive and corrective. It should be sympathetic to the whole issue of destitution and must alleviate the condition of citizens slipped into destitution.
Raise/Widen the security net
There should be a social safety net to provide relief and rehabilitation to sections of society or individuals struck by misfortunes in their lives, calamities, handicaps, disabilities or familial, social or economic trauma.
The government along with the civil society has to take comprehensive steps to provide these strata the basic amenities and alternative life support systems so that they can also be discouraged from begging and thereby have their share in the development of the country.
Eliminate escape avenues
Offenders who have made begging a profession have to be punished by making them work. Simply putting them behind bars is not going to make an effect on them. Innovative ways like employing the inmates in maintenance of gardens, roads, and upkeep of civic amenities.
Educate citizens
Steps must be taken to educate people not to help beggars in the wrong direction by giving them alms. The authorities should organise sensitising programmes for the citizens, police, and in schools and issue messages through Hoardings, Newspapers, Internet, and other mass media.
Most of us would not like to accept it, but the cause for the pathetic situation of beggary lies on us. We, as citizens, have failed in three ways : 1., in not holding the administration accountable for so long a period; 2., in encouraging beggary by providing alms even while a relief system is in force. 3., by failing to debate and push establishment of a broader destitute relief and rehabilitation system and Social Security mechanism.
It’s time we wake up from our slumber.
Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2010 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Lionel Wijesiri
Every social problem that we encounter demands a solution, but a practical solution can be arrived at only through an intelligent understanding of the nature, extent and root causes of the problem.
Beggary has become a social problem
The beggar question is no exception to this rule. While the beggar in Sri Lanka has always been an object of charitable attention, the problem as such has seldom been a subject of rigid scientific inquiry.
Of course, there have been a few local studies, (for example, Professor Nandasena Ratnapala’s ‘The Beggar in Sri Lanka,’) but no definite research has been conducted on the problem in its entirety and proper perspective.
In 2006, Social Services Department of the Social Service and Social Welfare Ministry conducted a research study titled, ‘Action Research on Social Integration of Street People in Colombo City’.
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura and University of Colombo also made a couple of research studies during the past few years.
Conservative figures indicate that from 55,000 beggars in Sri Lanka in 1995, it has risen to 85,000 at present. A recent study done by a research group of the Colombo University has revealed that 79 per cent beggars in Sri Lanka are physically sound and most of them are free of chronic diseases. Nearly half of them are against granting houses or lands for them to settle in and nearly 84 per cent are against providing them an employment while 90 per cent are against social benefits.
These are startling revelations and truly projects the behind-the -screen picture of the problem.
It is obvious that, beggary has become a social problem of great magnitude and grave concern in Sri Lanka. Begging is no longer limited to a few stray beggars driven to seeking alms as a last resort. It has become a profession for some, a way of life for others, and more horrific still, a lucrative racket for unscrupulous and ruthless operators, who have spawned a virtual ‘beggar mafia’, using destitute and helpless as commodities.
Performers
Present beggars of Sri Lanka are much superior to their previous generations. In simple words, we can say that they have brought corporate professionalism in their jobs. In some of the big cities turnover from the begging is millions of rupees every day and number of big shotguns of the society are managing this business.
It is very easy to see these beggars performing various new and old tricks for begging in buses, busy markets, and parks and around public places.
Some of the beggars of Sri Lanka are so intelligent that they use all kinds of the psychological and emotional tricks to make people feel sympathetic towards them. It is said that an average beggar earns around rupees 500 per day and some expert ‘professional’ even fetch a four-figure income.
There is American word known as panhandle, which means ‘beg by accosting people in the street and asking for money.’ There is also “aggressive panhandling.” Its definition may vary. In the USA, aggressive panhandling generally involves the solicitation of donations in an intimidating or intrusive manner.
Examples may include, extending the head and both arms, or even the hand, into a car window to solicit, approaching individuals from behind, as they are exiting their vehicles, to solicit, refusing to take “No” for an answer or following an individual, soliciting near Super markets, Banks etc. It is quite obvious that what we find here in Sri Lanka most of the time belongs to this aggressive panhandling.
Due to these reasons, in most of the advanced countries in the world begging in public is restricted. For example, in many provinces in Canada, the Safe Streets Act has been introduced to restrict specific kinds of begging.
In 2001 this law survived a court challenge under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The law was further upheld by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in January 2007.
In many larger cities in the USA, panhandling has been banned.
In May 2010, police in the city of Boston started cracking down on panhandling in the streets, and were conducting an educational outreach to residents advising them not to give to panhandlers. In the UK, begging is illegal under the Vagrancy Act. In Japan begging is illegal under the Article 1, 22 of Minor Offense Law.
Impact on Tourism
Meanwhile, the Tourist agencies maintain that the increase in beggars will have a negative impact on the tourist industry.
While the industry, at present, is on an upward trend, begging from tourists has increased proportionately, with the increase in beggars, which tourist experts say will have a negative impact on the growing industry. Begging will also give rise to yet another deadly phenomenon - the sexual abuse of children by tourists, which has an impact on child prostitution in the country, Tourist agencies add.
They say that these children are ‘hired’ at a price and the ‘agents’ who are go-betweens of the parents and the foreigners, make huge profits.
Solution
Beggary can be practically eliminated or at least controlled to a great extent if there is will and determination to do so. The Government must stop the farce and act to bring about real change on ground. The important steps in these would be creating awareness among the public, building the necessary infrastructure, and by appreciating the links between poverty, unemployment, disabilities, destitution and beggary, and devising suitable solutions.
Distinguish destitution from professional beggary
The present system makes no effort to distinguish destitution from beggary. Quite a few of the beggars are old aged and physically disabled.
Treating all beggars as criminals does not help. Only the lazy and the professional may be subjected to Correctional sentences.
We should have full sympathy with people hit by bad circumstances but zero tolerance to professional money-makers through begging.
The public and government have to think very seriously about methods of providing relief to the abandoned (supportless) old aged citizens, presently without any social security. The approach of the system should be supportive and corrective. It should be sympathetic to the whole issue of destitution and must alleviate the condition of citizens slipped into destitution.
Raise/Widen the security net
There should be a social safety net to provide relief and rehabilitation to sections of society or individuals struck by misfortunes in their lives, calamities, handicaps, disabilities or familial, social or economic trauma.
The government along with the civil society has to take comprehensive steps to provide these strata the basic amenities and alternative life support systems so that they can also be discouraged from begging and thereby have their share in the development of the country.
Eliminate escape avenues
Offenders who have made begging a profession have to be punished by making them work. Simply putting them behind bars is not going to make an effect on them. Innovative ways like employing the inmates in maintenance of gardens, roads, and upkeep of civic amenities.
Educate citizens
Steps must be taken to educate people not to help beggars in the wrong direction by giving them alms. The authorities should organise sensitising programmes for the citizens, police, and in schools and issue messages through Hoardings, Newspapers, Internet, and other mass media.
Most of us would not like to accept it, but the cause for the pathetic situation of beggary lies on us. We, as citizens, have failed in three ways : 1., in not holding the administration accountable for so long a period; 2., in encouraging beggary by providing alms even while a relief system is in force. 3., by failing to debate and push establishment of a broader destitute relief and rehabilitation system and Social Security mechanism.
It’s time we wake up from our slumber.
Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2010 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The majority of the Tamils never forgets or overlooks their language and their rites, rituals, customs & manners. The Sinhala Buddhists waste...!!!
News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growing old causes heartache
By Galaboda Siri Gnanissara Nayaka Maha Thera (Podihamuduruwo – Gangaramaya)
Mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, beware of growing old! In Myanmar (former Burma) growing old is a reason for respect. The situation in Sri Lanka is totally different. Let me tell you an authentic story.
A gentleman, a driver by profession related as follows: "Venerable Sir, may you get much merit. My grandson is very young and just begun to lisp. He is not of school-going age. But, when he is angry, he calls me "Old Fellow". My only child is my daughter, my wife has passed away. I wondered how my grandson came to call me "you old fellow." It could have been acquired by him either from his mother or his father. I thought of a strategy. When I come home from work, I brought two toffees and gave him one and showed the other. My grandson then threatens me to get the other toffee and would call me "You dirty old fellow." I take delight in that expression because it gives my daughter and son-in-low a sharp pain."
Everyone should understand this situation. Even the state cannot prevent people growing old. If one tried, he can lead a healthy life. The Buddha’s word is "Arogya parama labha" (Health is the greatest benefit.) This was a sacred statement, uttered nearly 2500 years ago. Each one must look after one's self, so that one can attend to one's own task, until one passes away. Today, a situation has arisen when people cannot get their children to take care of them even if they are wealthy and educated.
Homes for the aged have mushroomed. But, how many can afford that? Do they not have the good fortune to get the support of their own children, raised by them? In "Vasala Sutta" (the Discourse on the Outcasts) several causes of downfall are given. One is the neglecting of one's aged parents. Parents amass wealth for their children without taking adequate food, undergoing much suffering. How many of the younger generation appreciate this suffering of parents? You have to look at both sides. It is no use raising children without inculcating in them a sense of virtue, values and responsibilities. All those who bring up children must keep this in mind. It is futile to curse or find fault with others.
The majority of the Tamils never forgets or overlooks their language and their rites, rituals, customs and manners. The Sinhala Buddhists waste a vast amount of money, for weddings, funerals, ceremonies, celebrations etc. The Teachings of the Buddha emphasize that falsehood, deception, pride etc. are negative qualities. The Buddhists are in the majority and should set an example to the other races and communities. What is meant by deference is treating all races, communities and followers of all religions, with equanimity. That is true felicitation. Felicitations held by collecting subscriptions are futile exercises.
Many are the occasions, when the Kings of this country, offered their land to the Venerable Brotherhood of Monks. This gesture enabled the Sacred Brotherhood of Monks to receive the respect and honour of the people of the country. Land, property, wealth etc. were offered to Sacred Monasteries, to enable the monks to perform their duties, without becoming helpless. Where there is contentment, simplicity, humility and a sense of charity, there is no downfall. There will be no lack of followers and admirers. This nation should live in utmost comfort. As one grows older that person should enjoy the assets and comforts with a sense of happiness. Charity should be practised not merely to show others, but with a conscience, truly and honestly.
In Europe e.g. the child is a treasure. Parents need not save for them. They have social security systems, Medicare facilities and Homes for the aged which are like luxury hotels. Since they have a systematic lifestyle they can lead their lives enjoying the assets they possess and be generous.
Today, millions of Rupees are needed to counter the illnesses and diseases that affect us. There is no awareness at all about Insurance Systems and Social Security measures. Even, where parents save for the children they do not have the good fortune to divide those amicably and live happily.
The parents have no way to divide their wealth among the children, while they live. This is due to excessive greed. People in our country today seem to lack the wisdom to understand what should be done and what should not be done.
Parents must clearly realize that the main reason why they do not receive the love and affection of their children is due to their own fault. They must instantly take steps to remedy this situation.
© Copyright 2010 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growing old causes heartache
By Galaboda Siri Gnanissara Nayaka Maha Thera (Podihamuduruwo – Gangaramaya)
Mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, beware of growing old! In Myanmar (former Burma) growing old is a reason for respect. The situation in Sri Lanka is totally different. Let me tell you an authentic story.
A gentleman, a driver by profession related as follows: "Venerable Sir, may you get much merit. My grandson is very young and just begun to lisp. He is not of school-going age. But, when he is angry, he calls me "Old Fellow". My only child is my daughter, my wife has passed away. I wondered how my grandson came to call me "you old fellow." It could have been acquired by him either from his mother or his father. I thought of a strategy. When I come home from work, I brought two toffees and gave him one and showed the other. My grandson then threatens me to get the other toffee and would call me "You dirty old fellow." I take delight in that expression because it gives my daughter and son-in-low a sharp pain."
Everyone should understand this situation. Even the state cannot prevent people growing old. If one tried, he can lead a healthy life. The Buddha’s word is "Arogya parama labha" (Health is the greatest benefit.) This was a sacred statement, uttered nearly 2500 years ago. Each one must look after one's self, so that one can attend to one's own task, until one passes away. Today, a situation has arisen when people cannot get their children to take care of them even if they are wealthy and educated.
Homes for the aged have mushroomed. But, how many can afford that? Do they not have the good fortune to get the support of their own children, raised by them? In "Vasala Sutta" (the Discourse on the Outcasts) several causes of downfall are given. One is the neglecting of one's aged parents. Parents amass wealth for their children without taking adequate food, undergoing much suffering. How many of the younger generation appreciate this suffering of parents? You have to look at both sides. It is no use raising children without inculcating in them a sense of virtue, values and responsibilities. All those who bring up children must keep this in mind. It is futile to curse or find fault with others.
The majority of the Tamils never forgets or overlooks their language and their rites, rituals, customs and manners. The Sinhala Buddhists waste a vast amount of money, for weddings, funerals, ceremonies, celebrations etc. The Teachings of the Buddha emphasize that falsehood, deception, pride etc. are negative qualities. The Buddhists are in the majority and should set an example to the other races and communities. What is meant by deference is treating all races, communities and followers of all religions, with equanimity. That is true felicitation. Felicitations held by collecting subscriptions are futile exercises.
Many are the occasions, when the Kings of this country, offered their land to the Venerable Brotherhood of Monks. This gesture enabled the Sacred Brotherhood of Monks to receive the respect and honour of the people of the country. Land, property, wealth etc. were offered to Sacred Monasteries, to enable the monks to perform their duties, without becoming helpless. Where there is contentment, simplicity, humility and a sense of charity, there is no downfall. There will be no lack of followers and admirers. This nation should live in utmost comfort. As one grows older that person should enjoy the assets and comforts with a sense of happiness. Charity should be practised not merely to show others, but with a conscience, truly and honestly.
In Europe e.g. the child is a treasure. Parents need not save for them. They have social security systems, Medicare facilities and Homes for the aged which are like luxury hotels. Since they have a systematic lifestyle they can lead their lives enjoying the assets they possess and be generous.
Today, millions of Rupees are needed to counter the illnesses and diseases that affect us. There is no awareness at all about Insurance Systems and Social Security measures. Even, where parents save for the children they do not have the good fortune to divide those amicably and live happily.
The parents have no way to divide their wealth among the children, while they live. This is due to excessive greed. People in our country today seem to lack the wisdom to understand what should be done and what should not be done.
Parents must clearly realize that the main reason why they do not receive the love and affection of their children is due to their own fault. They must instantly take steps to remedy this situation.
© Copyright 2010 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Poisoning is the seventh top cause for deaths in Sri Lanka. In 2008 there were 63,742 cases of poisoning and 1,247 deaths.!!!
Poison, seventh killer in Lanka
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
Poisoning is the seventh top cause for deaths in Sri Lanka. In 2008 there were 63,742 cases of poisoning and 1,247 deaths.
Around 70 percent of those poisoning was caused by drugs and other chemicals. Poisoning cause due to lack of knowledge and ignorance. This was revealed during a seminar at the Health Education Bureau recently. According to latest statistics issued during the seminar around 30 percent of the poisoning cases reported in 2008 were due to insecticides. Fifty eight persons out of the total number had died due to snake bites. According to the findings, the majority of the victims of poisoning are children and youth.
Children get poisoned due to the negligence of parents. Careless use of insecticides and excessive use of drugs cause most of the poisonings in rural areas.
The National Week on 'Poisoning Prevention' organised by the Health Ministry is being held from May 17 to 23 under the theme 'Let us take precautionary measures to prevent poisoning at home and in the community caused by ignorance.
dailynews.lk
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
Poisoning is the seventh top cause for deaths in Sri Lanka. In 2008 there were 63,742 cases of poisoning and 1,247 deaths.
Around 70 percent of those poisoning was caused by drugs and other chemicals. Poisoning cause due to lack of knowledge and ignorance. This was revealed during a seminar at the Health Education Bureau recently. According to latest statistics issued during the seminar around 30 percent of the poisoning cases reported in 2008 were due to insecticides. Fifty eight persons out of the total number had died due to snake bites. According to the findings, the majority of the victims of poisoning are children and youth.
Children get poisoned due to the negligence of parents. Careless use of insecticides and excessive use of drugs cause most of the poisonings in rural areas.
The National Week on 'Poisoning Prevention' organised by the Health Ministry is being held from May 17 to 23 under the theme 'Let us take precautionary measures to prevent poisoning at home and in the community caused by ignorance.
dailynews.lk
Monday, April 26, 2010
Body language: how to encourage respect ...!!!
Body language: how to encourage respect
By James Borg, leading expert in body language
What an unusual commodity respect is. It is almost impossible to quantify, and yet it forms a crucial part of most human interactions. It can be unclear what constitutes respect, beyond recognising the integrity of another individual.
Mostly, respect is engendered by self-respect. If you see that somebody is taking themselves seriously, then you are much more likely also to take them seriously, too. So with your body language you should concentrate on projecting your strong sense of self. Done successfully, this body language will let those around you relax in your company. Imagine you’re watching a play and the actor forgets his lines – it’s always fine as long as the actor has the confidence to deal with the situation.
Dress to impress
Nothing says "I command respect" like good dress sense. It doesn’t have to be flashy or showy – it’s not a catwalk – and clothes that are too outlandish can convey the sense that you don’t take yourself seriously. But if you are well turned out, many people will find it that much harder to dismiss you out of hand.
Be deliberate
Hold yourself well – straight back, chin up, deliberate arm gestures. Imagine what you look like from the outside – do you give off the impression that you are worried about being yourself? You can practise in the mirror – even if you’re put in a situation you’re terrified of, you can at least look like you know what you are doing. If you stand up, or change your posture, do so with an equal sense of purpose. Keep the palms of your hands facing outwards, and try to smile. It makes you seem friendly and open, which combined with confidence lets people respect you as being both approachable and self-assured.
Are you leaking respect?
Negative body language, or "leakage", is one of the most surefire ways to eradicate any respect you inspire in others. These little signals betray your insecurities, and let your audience know you are wavering or uncertain of what you are saying. Excessive fidgeting – particularly playing with your hair, face or clothes – is an obvious warning that our faith, or respect, might be misplaced. Particularly avoid covering your mouth or face with your hands; this is a classic gesture of nervousness, and indicates that you might be lying.
This is especially true if you fear you are in a position of weakness – raising an issue at work, such as a pay-rise or mistreatment by a boss, or dealing with an awkward social situation, like a break-up with a partner. When you need to be taken seriously, you need your body language to support the words you’re saying. Respect helps in every aspect of life: the right body language can help you go a long way to achieving it, professionally, socially and romantically.
(c) The Telegraph Group
London 2010
www island.lk
By James Borg, leading expert in body language
What an unusual commodity respect is. It is almost impossible to quantify, and yet it forms a crucial part of most human interactions. It can be unclear what constitutes respect, beyond recognising the integrity of another individual.
Mostly, respect is engendered by self-respect. If you see that somebody is taking themselves seriously, then you are much more likely also to take them seriously, too. So with your body language you should concentrate on projecting your strong sense of self. Done successfully, this body language will let those around you relax in your company. Imagine you’re watching a play and the actor forgets his lines – it’s always fine as long as the actor has the confidence to deal with the situation.
Dress to impress
Nothing says "I command respect" like good dress sense. It doesn’t have to be flashy or showy – it’s not a catwalk – and clothes that are too outlandish can convey the sense that you don’t take yourself seriously. But if you are well turned out, many people will find it that much harder to dismiss you out of hand.
Be deliberate
Hold yourself well – straight back, chin up, deliberate arm gestures. Imagine what you look like from the outside – do you give off the impression that you are worried about being yourself? You can practise in the mirror – even if you’re put in a situation you’re terrified of, you can at least look like you know what you are doing. If you stand up, or change your posture, do so with an equal sense of purpose. Keep the palms of your hands facing outwards, and try to smile. It makes you seem friendly and open, which combined with confidence lets people respect you as being both approachable and self-assured.
Are you leaking respect?
Negative body language, or "leakage", is one of the most surefire ways to eradicate any respect you inspire in others. These little signals betray your insecurities, and let your audience know you are wavering or uncertain of what you are saying. Excessive fidgeting – particularly playing with your hair, face or clothes – is an obvious warning that our faith, or respect, might be misplaced. Particularly avoid covering your mouth or face with your hands; this is a classic gesture of nervousness, and indicates that you might be lying.
This is especially true if you fear you are in a position of weakness – raising an issue at work, such as a pay-rise or mistreatment by a boss, or dealing with an awkward social situation, like a break-up with a partner. When you need to be taken seriously, you need your body language to support the words you’re saying. Respect helps in every aspect of life: the right body language can help you go a long way to achieving it, professionally, socially and romantically.
(c) The Telegraph Group
London 2010
www island.lk
Thursday, April 15, 2010
An inaugural International Tamil Sports Awards event was held at famous Brit Oval, London on 10-4- 2010 to recognise&reward the best sporting talents!
International Tamil Sports Award Event held in London
2010-04-15
An inaugural International Tamil Sports Awards event was held at famous Brit Oval, London on 10th April 2010 to recognise and reward the best sporting talents within the British Tamil Diaspora Community.
Event was orgnised by Tamil School Sports Association (TSSA UK) the oldest Tamil Sports body in the UK, with the support of other leading Tamil Sports organisations with the vision of creating world renowned sports personnel and teams within the Tamil Community and contribute to world sports. President of TSSA, UK Mr. Arunachalam Thiruketheeswaran in his inaugural welcoming address claimed this event as the first of this kind within British Tamil Community and marks a beginning of a new era in Tamil Sports for the Tamil diaspora all over the world.
The event was attended by Hon. Minster Ms. Dawn Butler MP Minister for young Citizen and Youth engagement, British Parliamentarians, Sports personalities and Well wishers. In her key note address, the sports minister paid tribute to the enormous
contribution that Tamil Community made for the British Sports for the last many years and congratulated the finalists and the winners. She also praised the resilience of the Tamil Community and their thrive to create international sporting talents. She wished and hoped to see young British Tamil athlete in the forth coming London Olympics. She quoted lyrics of a powerful song,” The higher you build your barriers, The taller I become..” by Labi Siffre. The Minister referring the song, said, it is because your (Tamil Community) inside so strong I know that you can make it.
British Parliamentarians Barry Gardiner MP and Siobhain McDonagh MP also praised the mental focus and physical strength of young talents within the community and congratulated the finalists and event organisers. Message of support also received from Hon Minister Gareth Thomas, Shadow Foreign Minister from Liberal Democrat Ed Davey, Former London Mayor Ken Livingston, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and British Member of Parliament, John Denham. Everyone who spoke admired the progress of Tamil Sporting Talents at National Level and International Level.
The event recognised the Tamil sporting talents in 5 different sports - Cricket, Football, Volleyball, Netball, and Athletics and in male, female, junior and senior categories. A Life Time Achievement award was presented to an international sporting hero who also contributed his life to the promotion of Tamil Sports. The event also awarded scholarships to promote young Tamil Sporting Talents within the community especially in North and East of Sri Lanka.
Event Organising Committee and TSSA Secretary, Joy Pooranachandren in his address explained the future plans of adding more sports categories and reaching out to broader audience. He further said, though this year's event was primarily led by TSSA with the support
of other organisations, a team from all other organisations will lead the event from next year. He envisioned that similar sporting events are to be organised at different country level among Tamils and to be evolved as a global event one day. He appreciated the support from British government, sporting personalities and organisations, sponsors and other well wishers for their continuous support for promoting sports within Tamil community.
In every category, nominations were called publicly and the final 3 were selected through an independent panel appointed by the Sports Awards Committee. Winner among the finalists were then selected through a secret ballot and announced at the event. Awards night was inaugurated with British National anthem and Tamil Thai Vanakkam sung by Manchari Kalamohan and with the British Junior Sports minister's award presentation of Junior Cricketer of the Year. Event was also entertained by the Traditional Barathanatya dance by Lavina and her friends. The solo dance by Lavina Suthanthiran – a leading journalist caught the attention of whole audience.
Following were the Winners
Junior Cricketer of the Year – Nishanth Selvakumar
Cricketer of the Year – Arun Harinath
Junior Footballer of the year - Vinothen Sathyamoorthy
Footballer of the year - Similan Anandajeyaraja
Volley Ball Player of the year - Thayalan Sinnathurai
Junior Male athlete of the Year - Madushanth Jude Ronil
Male Athlete of the Year - Navajeevan Pararajasingham
Junior - Netball Player of the Year - Natalie George
Net Ball Player of the year - Rathkalathevy Ananthavadivelu
Female Athlete of the year - Kaniseya Nadarasa
Junior - Female Athlete of the year - Natalie George
Life Time Achievement ( International ) - Nagalingam Ethiveerasingham
© IT Division - Lanka News Web.COM
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
I leave home around seven in the morning and walk ..!!! Jak the bread winner..!!!
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Jak the bread winner
Jayanthi Liyanage
Ariyadasa brings Jak in his wheel barrow
Gone are the days when Jak (kos) fruit was regarded as "the poor man's food". As a local delicacy, Jak has crossed gourmet boundaries, adorning the affluent dining tables with equal aplomb.
But the messy and sticky process of cutting Jak fruit and cleaning up Jak gum (Koholla) has made him sell only the Jak fruit - a poor man's livelihood. This is a blessing for Hewavitharanage Ariyadasa . So every morning he trudges many a mile to gardens where he knows jak fruit to be thriving and fills his wheel barrow with the fruit he buys, usually around Rs.40 per fruit.
"I leave home around seven in the morning and walk to areas like Koswatte and Malabe where I know Jak to be growing," said Ariyadasa, explaining the exhausting process of gathering jak fruit to be sold every day. The morning we met him he had been to Udahamulla and Batapola and returned around 10.30 am to Lenat Perera Mawatha in Battaramulla where he lives, pushing his wheel barrow filled to the brim with Jak fruit.
By the main road in front of this lane, his wife Thamara Kusum awaits him and assists him in cutting and packing into sili bags about two kilos of Jak fruit each and placing them on array to lure Jak-loving customers. The moment the array is ready, customers begin trickling in. A bag of Jak fruit changes hands at Rs. 50.
"Some of my customers have Jak trees at home but they buy from me as they don't want to go through the hassle of cutting and cleaning Jak fruit," Ariyadasa smiled. "Some times they let me pick fruit from their gardens without even charging money."
"Jak fruit is rather scarce these days," he says with disappointment. "I have to go a longer distance in searching for it. By the month of May, the situation should
Thamara sells Jak fruit
"
Thamara sorting out Jak fruit
be better."
When there is a scarcity of Jak fruit in home gardens, Ariyadasa goes to Pettah and buys Jak at Rs.150 a fruit from lorries brining Jak to Colombo from distant areas such as Kandy. His is a life of constant effort and physical exhaustion, spurred on by having to support three sons and two daughters, four of whom are still school going.
Ariyadasa used to be a mason. When his work began to reduce, he changed from masonry to selling jak. Originating from Aparekka, Matara, where his father of 98 years and mother of 85 years are resident, he says, "It is my parents you should ask about Jak fruit. They know all about it. When there wasn't enough food to eat, they used to have Jak for all three meals."
Being a Samurdhi recipient, he obtained a loan from his allowance and for short while managed a vegetable cart.
That venture turned out to be not profitable and Ariyadasa gladly stuck to his business of selling Jak fruit in which he has been engaged for the last eight years.
The income of not less than Rs.650 a day he earns from selling Jak fruit goes to educating his children and covering household expenses.
Ariyadasa's eldest son (21) works as an accountant at a lottery agency, having passed his advanced levels with three credits in the commerce stream.
The other four attend school. Being a Christian, Ariyadasa says that his church helps him with class fees of one of his daughters. When he was a child, his foster parents gifted him the land where he now lives with his family.
Selling Jak fruit is Ariyadasa's trade now. This courageous man and his family so dependent on Jak fruit deserves help from any interested persons who can uplift them to a more comfortable living.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Craftsmanship
Ariyadasa with his wood carving. Pictures by Saman Sri Wedage
Ariyadasa couldn’t continue to be trained in wood carving and furniture making at the National Youth Services Council because “I didn’t have money to buy wood”, he said. He showed us a sofa he had made from neem wood with decoratively carved arms. The Council asked him if he would prefer a training overseas or locally. He opted for local training and seemed interested in making use of this knowledge but financial difficulties keeps him occupied only in selling Jak (kos) fruit.
Monday, March 1, 2010
A warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations..!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: FW: STATIC ELECTRICITY --This could save a LIFE!!!
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:23:33 -0500
From: NagaRa@familyservicetoronto.org
To: lalitha.brodie7@hotmail.com
Subject: Fwd: STATIC ELECTRICITY --This could save a life!!!
STATIC ELECTRICITY
Shell Oil Comments - A MUST READ!
Safety Alert!
Here's some reasons why we don't allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling areas.
The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations
In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.
In the second, an individual suffered burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car!
And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should know that:
Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes
Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition
Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat, Etc.
Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (i.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.)
To sum it up, here are the: Four Rules for Safe Refueling
1) Turn off engine
2) Don't smoke
3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off
4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling
Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of 'static electricity' at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires.
His results were very surprising:
1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.
2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.
3) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.
4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.
5) Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas
6) It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8) Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.
Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas.
If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.
As I mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger. You can find out more information by going to Once here, click in the center of the screen where it says 'Stop Static'.
I ask you to please send this information to ALL your family and friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen to them, they may not be able to get the children out in time Thanks for passing this along.
Subject: FW: STATIC ELECTRICITY --This could save a LIFE!!!
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:23:33 -0500
From: NagaRa@familyservicetoronto.org
To: lalitha.brodie7@hotmail.com
Subject: Fwd: STATIC ELECTRICITY --This could save a life!!!
STATIC ELECTRICITY
Shell Oil Comments - A MUST READ!
Safety Alert!
Here's some reasons why we don't allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling areas.
The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations
In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.
In the second, an individual suffered burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car!
And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should know that:
Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes
Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition
Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat, Etc.
Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (i.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.)
To sum it up, here are the: Four Rules for Safe Refueling
1) Turn off engine
2) Don't smoke
3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off
4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling
Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of 'static electricity' at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires.
His results were very surprising:
1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.
2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.
3) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.
4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.
5) Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas
6) It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8) Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.
Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas.
If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.
As I mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger. You can find out more information by going to
I ask you to please send this information to ALL your family and friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen to them, they may not be able to get the children out in time Thanks for passing this along.
AFTER YRS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINSIS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVES..!
நல்லதையே நினைத்து என்றும் நல்லதையே செய்!
Bas Baskaran
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINSIS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY ...
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc., and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.
To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water--best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.
Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
(PLEASE FORWARD IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT)
Bas Baskaran
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINSIS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY ...
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc., and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.
To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water--best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.
Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
(PLEASE FORWARD IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT)
Friday, January 8, 2010
He struggled to release the car door & free the unconscious woman from seatbelt,but managed to pull her to the bank & put her in a recovery position!
France honours hero for saving pregnant woman Friday, 08 January 2010 18:26 1 2 3 4 5 ( 1 Vote )
A French man has earned a bravery medal for diving into an icy river and saving a pregnant woman who was trapped inside a crashed car in northeastern France.
The woman had been in a collision with another car which sent her car into a river in Amiens on Wednesday evening.
The woman - eight months pregnant - and her husband were submerged when the car flipped over.
The husband cried for help and Eddy Devauchelle, 42, dived in, pulling the unconscious woman to safety.
Police and fire crews soon arrived at the scene and the couple were rushed to a hospital in Amiens, where the pregnant woman is being kept under constant observation.
"A firefighter came to see me and said 'the baby and his mother are safe!'" Mr Devauchelle told a local paper, Le Courrier Picard.
Describing the rescue, he said he had first seen "a man in the river, with water up to his neck" and some people watching on the river bank.
"He cried 'Please save my wife!' I got out of my car, took off my jacket and got in, up to my neck - it was freezing," he said. "The husband was rooted to the spot - I told him, 'Let's get going!'"
Mr Devauchelle said he struggled to release the car door and free the unconscious woman from her seatbelt, but managed to pull her to the bank and put her in the recovery position.
Acknowledging the rescue, the prefect of the Picardy region and Somme, Michel Delpuech, "awarded this man the silver medal of bravery and dedication," the prefecture said in a statement.
The capital of the Somme department in Picardy, Amiens is 120km (75 miles) north of Paris.
dailymirror.lk
A French man has earned a bravery medal for diving into an icy river and saving a pregnant woman who was trapped inside a crashed car in northeastern France.
The woman had been in a collision with another car which sent her car into a river in Amiens on Wednesday evening.
The woman - eight months pregnant - and her husband were submerged when the car flipped over.
The husband cried for help and Eddy Devauchelle, 42, dived in, pulling the unconscious woman to safety.
Police and fire crews soon arrived at the scene and the couple were rushed to a hospital in Amiens, where the pregnant woman is being kept under constant observation.
"A firefighter came to see me and said 'the baby and his mother are safe!'" Mr Devauchelle told a local paper, Le Courrier Picard.
Describing the rescue, he said he had first seen "a man in the river, with water up to his neck" and some people watching on the river bank.
"He cried 'Please save my wife!' I got out of my car, took off my jacket and got in, up to my neck - it was freezing," he said. "The husband was rooted to the spot - I told him, 'Let's get going!'"
Mr Devauchelle said he struggled to release the car door and free the unconscious woman from her seatbelt, but managed to pull her to the bank and put her in the recovery position.
Acknowledging the rescue, the prefect of the Picardy region and Somme, Michel Delpuech, "awarded this man the silver medal of bravery and dedication," the prefecture said in a statement.
The capital of the Somme department in Picardy, Amiens is 120km (75 miles) north of Paris.
dailymirror.lk
Severe winter weather continued to cause transport chaos across EU ,while days of heavy snow and plummeting temperatures plunged EU into deep freeze!
Arctic blast sends temperatures plunging across Europe Friday,
08 January 2010 18:12
London, England (CNN) -- Severe winter weather continued to cause transport chaos across much of the UK Thursday, while days of heavy snow and plummeting temperatures plunged Europe into a deep freeze.
More than 100 flights have been canceled at London's Gatwick airport and British Airways warned of lengthy delays at both Gatwick and Heathrow.
A Eurostar train from Brussels to London was delayed in the Channel Tunnel, but a spokesman could not confirm if it was because of the weather.
Last month, thousands of Eurostar passengers were left stranded on either side of the English Channel after services were suspended following a series of train breakdowns.
Meanwhile, motorists across Britain were also dealing with lengthy delays, closed motorways and hundreds of accidents because of heavy snow and icy conditions.
The Automobile Association reported a dramatic increase in the number of emergency calls because of the severe weather.
"Yesterday we had more than 16,000 breakdowns which was nearly double a normal Wednesday," AA spokesman Peter Barnao told CNN.
As parts of the UK were digging out from as much as 40cm of snow, much of the country shivered under a blast of arctic air that saw temperatures plunge to -18 degrees Celsius in some areas overnight.
The Met Office warned that icy conditions would continue over the next few days and that exceptionally low temperatures would cause widespread ice and transport disruptions.
The rest of northern Europe was also gripped by one of the coldest nights in decades as temperatures plummeted to below -40C in some places.
The central Norwegian town of Roeros recorded an overnight temperature of -41C -- one its coldest recorded temperatures.
In Poland, freezing conditions claimed more lives as the death toll climbed to more than 120 people, according to a spokesman for the Polish National Police. Overnight temperatures dropped as low as -20C.
Germany continued to deal with heavy snowfall and temperatures were as low as -20C in some areas.
The latest Arctic blast is set to continue over much of northern Europe over the next few days.
dailymirror.lk
08 January 2010 18:12
London, England (CNN) -- Severe winter weather continued to cause transport chaos across much of the UK Thursday, while days of heavy snow and plummeting temperatures plunged Europe into a deep freeze.
More than 100 flights have been canceled at London's Gatwick airport and British Airways warned of lengthy delays at both Gatwick and Heathrow.
A Eurostar train from Brussels to London was delayed in the Channel Tunnel, but a spokesman could not confirm if it was because of the weather.
Last month, thousands of Eurostar passengers were left stranded on either side of the English Channel after services were suspended following a series of train breakdowns.
Meanwhile, motorists across Britain were also dealing with lengthy delays, closed motorways and hundreds of accidents because of heavy snow and icy conditions.
The Automobile Association reported a dramatic increase in the number of emergency calls because of the severe weather.
"Yesterday we had more than 16,000 breakdowns which was nearly double a normal Wednesday," AA spokesman Peter Barnao told CNN.
As parts of the UK were digging out from as much as 40cm of snow, much of the country shivered under a blast of arctic air that saw temperatures plunge to -18 degrees Celsius in some areas overnight.
The Met Office warned that icy conditions would continue over the next few days and that exceptionally low temperatures would cause widespread ice and transport disruptions.
The rest of northern Europe was also gripped by one of the coldest nights in decades as temperatures plummeted to below -40C in some places.
The central Norwegian town of Roeros recorded an overnight temperature of -41C -- one its coldest recorded temperatures.
In Poland, freezing conditions claimed more lives as the death toll climbed to more than 120 people, according to a spokesman for the Polish National Police. Overnight temperatures dropped as low as -20C.
Germany continued to deal with heavy snowfall and temperatures were as low as -20C in some areas.
The latest Arctic blast is set to continue over much of northern Europe over the next few days.
dailymirror.lk
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