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Ultrasound scans are very frequently used during pregnancy. It is rare to find a mother who has not had an ultrasound scan during pregnancy. Even if the doctor does not recommend an ultrasound scan, most mothers get one done at some point of their pregnancy. But very few are aware of how, when and why it is done.

Whilst most mothers like an ultrasound scan during pregnancy, some mothers panic thinking that it could give rise to side effects etc. Therefore it is worth explaining the mechanism of an ultrasound and what ultrasound is.

The human ear can hear sound waves from 20 – 20,000 Hertz and any sound beyond that range is called ultrasound. Diagnostic ultrasound scan uses 2.5 – 7.5 Megahertz. The ultrasound scan machine is like a computer which can also generate sound waves. These sound waves are generated by the ultrasound probe which emits sound waves through the abdomen when scanning.

Transmission of sound waves differs according to the tissue through which it travels and these sound waves are reflected back to the probe as an echo. A gel is applied on your tummy to aid sound waves to pass in to the tummy, as sound waves would not pass if there is air in between probe and tummy wall. The computer analyses the difference between the sound waves transmitted and reflected and creates an image on the screen.

Are there any side effects of ultrasound scanning?

Ever since the use of ultrasound in obstetrics, a lot of scientists and researchers have done research to look for any side or adverse effects to the fetus. But none of them were able to prove any side effects to the fetus or the mother. Some think that it could give rise to left -handedness, but it has not been proven. Therefore in summary, considering the enormous advantages of ultrasound in obstetrics, one should not panic while having a scan done during pregnancy.

Do pregnant women need ultrasound scans?

Yes indeed. According to scientific evidence, it is advantageous for all women to have an ultrasound scan AFTER 10 WEEKS & BEFORE 14 WEEKS from their last menstrual period. It is best to get it done at 12 weeks and this scan is called a DATING SCAN. In other words, the most important scan during pregnancy is the dating scan. In developed countries this is a routine scan offered universally even without a recommendation of a doctor.

One group of women needs an ultrasound scan as soon as they find that they are pregnant. That is the group of patients who are at risk of having an Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb, commonly in the tube). Generally it is not common with only about 14 per 1000 pregnancies.

Those who are at risk of getting an ectopic pregnancy are the ones who have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past (the risk increases from 0.14% to 10 – 15 %), pelvic infection, pelvic surgery, those who have had assisted reproductive techniques like sub fertile women who had medication for stimulation of ovaries and in vitro fertilization and those who become pregnant while having an intrauterine contraceptive device (commonly known as a Loop/ Coil) for contraception.

These women need to see their gynaecologist to get a scan done to exclude an ectopic pregnancy.

What are the routes of scanning?

Basically there are two routes. Most scans are done by placing the scan probe on the lower abdomen (Transabdominal). But sometimes, in order to see a clearer picture of an early pregnancy etc, a special probe is used through the vagina (Transvaginal or TV scan) in some patients.

What is a dating scan & how is it done?

Dating scan is a scan done to date the pregnancy so as to give a correct expected date of delivery. Most of the time it is done by performing an ultrasound scan through the abdomen. Usually a gel is applied on your tummy and an ultrasound probe is placed on top of that. Then the correct image of the baby inside the womb is obtained (as shown in the photograph).
By measuring the sitting height of the foetus, (called Crown Rump Length - length from top of the head to buttocks) we can get the correct gestational age of the foetus by using the standard charts. Thereby we can calculate the expected date of delivery.

What is the reason to recommend a dating scan for all pregnant women?

Generally we calculate the Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) using the date of Last Menstrual Period (LMP) given by the mother and adding 280 days (40 weeks) to that. For it to be correct, we assume that every woman is having a 28 day regular menstrual cycle and ovulation (release of an egg) and fertilization takes place on day 14.

But according to evidence, this is incorrect in the case of 10 – 40 % of women .

Even if the menstrual cycles have been regular, some do not remember the LMP exactly. Therefore we recommend this for everybody.

In addition to that, the only reliable way to know the EDD is a dating scan for the following group.

Those with irregular menstrual cycles
Those who become pregnant whilst lactating
Those with regular menstrual cycles but shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
Those who become pregnant within 3 months after discontinuing contraceptive pill
Those who become pregnant while using any form of contraceptive method (rare)
Those who have had bleeding after LMP (in early pregnancy) or if LMP is not similar to normal periods

Why should it be done between 10 to 14 weeks?

It is during this period that the variation of the growth of human foetus is minimal. A scan done during this period in any country would have the same measurement for a given period of conception and the difference would be few millimeters, whereas later on, the growth and measurements are dependent on the mother’s and father’s height, race etc. Also we have thousands of data of the measurements of foetus of in-vitro fertilization where the exact date of fertilization is known. According to the above, researchers have found that the most accurate dating is obtained through a scan done during that period.

What are the advantages of having a dating scan?

Firstly to calculate the EDD accurately. It is also said to increase the parental bonding and patient satisfaction. This is the first chance for parents to see their expected new addition to the family moving and its heart beating inside the womb. It also helps to assess the viability of the foetus.

According to medical evidence, another advantage is that it is said to reduce the incidence of unexplained sudden still births. At 37 weeks the incidence of sudden stillbirths is one per 3000 pregnancies and it increases to six per 3000 at 43 weeks. Therefore these women can be induced (A method to trigger labour process artificially by breaking the water bag and starting a hormone drip up) after 41 weeks if the dates are known exactly. As 15 out of 100 pregnant women do not go in to labour naturally at the end of 42 weeks, induction is an important procedure in obstetrics. (NB-Although we give an expected DATE of delivery, it is rather an expected PERIOD of delivery after 37 weeks and before 42 weeks).A dating scan also reduces the incidence of post term pregnancies (pregnancies going beyond 42 weeks).

Furthermore, a dating scan reduces all the unnecessary inductions before 41 weeks. According to scientific evidence, if induction is done before 41 weeks, the chances of failure are high ending up in unnecessary Caesarean delivery. Therefore a dating scan can prevent unnecessary Caesarean sections and its complications. Also since one can wait up to 41 weeks anticipating natural onset of labour without any risk, it also reduces the unnecessary side effects of induction.

Dating scan reduces the number of unnecessary hospital admissions too, especially when they come in with ‘false labour’. Some pregnant women get contractions and pain like labour pains, but they do not go into labour and this is called ‘false labour’. If the Obstetrician is not sure about the correct EDD he is compelled to keep these patients in the ward until they go into labour or until induction and this becomes a reason for overcrowding in government hospitals.

If your doctor or the midwife suspects poor growth of the baby, the only way to diagnose this is by doing an ultrasound scan. To find out if the baby is small or if the dates are wrong, it is invaluable to have had a dating scan as it helps to exclude wrong dates.

One of the most important advantages of a dating scan is the diagnosis of a twin pregnancy as it can be diagnosed in almost 100% of twins at that stage. But later on it is not as easy as this stage. The most important scan for a twin or a higher order multiple pregnancy is the dating scan as the future risk and management is dependent on the findings of this scan related to the nature of the twins.

There are five types of twins depending on the stage of division in their development. The risks are dependent on the presence of one or two placenta for both, lying in a single and two separate water bags etc. The correct type of twins can be identified in almost 100% at this stage. Considering the above, the most important scan in the pregnancy is the dating scan which has to be done after ten weeks and before fourteen weeks (ideally at twelve weeks).

There are other types of scans done during pregnancy but most have to be recommended by your Obstetrician (the doctor looking after you during your pregnancy).

What causes reduced amount of water in third trimester in August issue..

A Stock Exchange provides a liquid, open market for buying and selling of shares, debentures etc. of publicly owned companies. Companies, which use the mechanism of the stock market to raise debt or equity capital, commonly enter the stock market through issuing shares or debentures to the public. Sri Lanka’s only stock exchange, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) currently has 234 listed companies, 15 member firms, 6 trading members and one specialized debt trading member.

What is a listed company?

When a company raises funds to support its growth by selling ownership interests (shares in itself) to the investing public, those shares need to be “listed” and traded on that country’s stock exchange/s. These companies need to be in compliance with an Exchange’s set of listing rules such as previous profit records, issued/paid up capital etc. in order to be admitted to the official list.

What is the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)?

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is the organization responsible for the operation of the stock market in Sri Lanka. The CSE is a company limited by guarantee established under the Companies Act no. 17 of 1982 (amended 2007) and licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) to operate as a stock exchange in Sri Lanka.

How do you purchase shares?

There are two ways to purchase shares From a new issue of shares (Primary Market),

The primary market is the market for new shares or debenture issues. In the primary market, the security is purchased directly from the issuer (company). In a primary issue, the company offering the share/debenture issue publishes a document known as the prospectus. It is an invitation to the general public to buy shares or debentures of that company.

On the Secondary Market through a stock broker. A market in which an investor could either buy or sell shares, debentures and Government Securities from or to another investor, subsequent to the original issuance in the primary market.

Types of securities traded at the CSE

Shares
Corporate Debentures
Government Securities

What is Central Depository Systems (Pvt) Ltd?

Central Depositors Systems (Pvt) Ltd is wholly owned Subsidiary of the CSE, which has taken over the functions of Clearing, Settlement and Registration from the Stock Exchange.

How do I open a CDS account?

To open a Securities Account in the CDS you should complete an Account Opening Form, which can be obtained from your stockbroker or custodian bank. There are no fees charged for opening a CDS account. Your participant organisation may call for documents establishing your identity. It is possible to open and operate an account on the same day. Every account will be identified through a unique account number and all correspondence and dealings, including trading and depository activities, will refer to this account number. Your CDS accounts should be operated through your Participant organisation, and any changes to your account will have to be forwarded through the Participant. You cannot issue instructions directly to the CDS.

What is the purpose of my CDS account?

Your CDS account enables you to participate in paperless trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange. Your account will be maintained in double-entry book-keeping format and will be updated on real time as your participant lodges your transactions at CDS.

What is the reason for holding my securities in scrip-less form?

The trading system at the Colombo Stock Exchange is fully automated and thereby the paper securities you lodge in your CDS account are translated into an electronic portfolio. When you buy securities, your account is automatically credited with the shares purchased and the corresponding seller’s account is automatically debited with the same amount. Thus the entire process is automated and involves no exchange of bills or certificates.

Who is a Participant?

A participant is a central depository agent, either a stockbroker or a custodian bank, who has been authorized by CDS to open accounts in CDS on behalf of investors.

Who are stockbrokers?

Stockbrokers are registered members of an Exchange, authorized to buy and sell shares. These stockbrokers provide their services to the investing public interested in trading in shares of listed companies. The CSE has 15 member firms and 6 trading member firms authorized to buy and sell shares

What do I deposit in a CDS account?

Shares and bonds

Must I open a CDS account?

Yes, if you intend to trade in shares, which have been selected for depositing, through the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Can I use a different broker from the one I have been using?

You may maintain multiple accounts through several Participant organisations. You can also transfer securities across accounts held with different Participants.

Will it cost me more to use CDS?

No. There is absolutely no increase in cost for the CDS accountholder.

What is the process of depositing securities?

Visit a participant with the certificates you want to immobilize.
Be sure you have already opened an account or are ready to do so.
You will be issued with and assisted to complete a Security Deposit Form.
Sign your form with the signature used when buying the shares.
Return the form to the participant together with the certificates you have included on the form to be deposited.
You will be given a receipt as evidence of your deposit.
The participant will forward the form and the certificate to CDS
CDS will forward the certificates and forms to the company’s shares registrar for verification.
When the registrar confirms the certificates as genuine, the shares will be deposited in your account.
Once the shares are in your account you can trade in them.

How do you withdraw shares from CDS

You can withdraw shares from your account, using a withdrawal form that can be obtained from your broker, the CDS will facilitate the removal of shares from your account so that you may receive a scrip from the relevant company.

How does Intra- Account transfers occur?

You may also transfer part or all, of your portfolio between accounts opened through different participant firms. Once the Intra-Account transfer is completed and forwarded through the respective participant, the CDS will acknowledge by returning a duplicate of said form. Once checked for accuracy and completeness, the transfer will take effect. The Exchange has permitted free transfers through different accounts in the CDS in order to accommodate foreign clients operating in different time zones to that of Sri Lanka on completion of the relevant form.

How does Inter-Account transfers occur?

Private Transfer of securities may also take place between account holders providing a valid relationship exists, prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka must be sought in order for such transfers to take place. However, in the instance of death of an account holder, securities may be transferred to next of kin, using the relevant CDS form without SEC approval.

What do I get to prove I have deposited securities?

You get the receipt of the deposit form
You get a monthly statement if you have a deposit or a trade that month.
You get a quarterly statement if you have not had a trade for three months.
The statements are issued directly to your address as indicated on the account opening form.

How Safe Is CDS?

CDS has taken measures to ensure the security of your shares. The company has back up facilities and procedures that would ensure business continuity in the event of anything happening either to the computer system or its usual premises. CDS has taken precautions to ensure its system is not interfered with. CDS has employed staff of high integrity and keep very high levels of confidentiality.

Will be continued next month issue……. How to Find a Stock Broker

A closer look at the emergence of children’s language skills and problems that can arise.

by Thilangani Jayawardena
Academy of Child Development & Child Psychology

Ann Perera didn’t panic at first when her son Shaveen was slow to speak. “Shaveen hadn’t said any word by 18 months, he was our first child so I didn’t really know what to expect,” Ann sad. Ann’s quandary is one shared by many parents in our country. Studies suggest that as many as 25 percent of children may experience problems with speech, language or communication during the preschool years, and that these can take a variety of forms.

An immense amount of learning needs to take place, before a child utters his first word. The child needs to be able to hear and then comprehend what is said to him, which is known as receptive language, and be able to express what they are thinking, known as expressive speech. They also need to learn how to pronounce speech sounds so their words can be understood by others, and to produce fluent and meaningful speech. Communication problems in toddlers might therefore involve one or more of these areas. Speech delay, such as that experienced by Shaveen, is one of the more common forms of communication impairment in children.

There is often no discernible cause for such delays once physical impediments such as hearing loss are ruled out, though a number of factors may play a part. A recent Australian study of children’s language development found that the risk for late language emergence (LLE) at 24 months was not associated with particular strata of parental educational levels, socioeconomic resources, and parental mental health, parenting practices or family functioning. Risk factors that were identified, however, included low birth weight or prematurity, having a sibling and also gender, with boys at almost three times the risk of LLE than girls. Research has also found that late talkers are significantly more likely to have a parent with a history of late talking, suggesting that some speech and language problems may have a genetic basis.

Pronounciation problems may also occur in the toddler years. These problems encompass any situation where the sound is pronounced in a way that is not readily understood. Pronounciation difficulties may be called by a variety of names; speech impairment, speech-sound disorder, phonological impairment, articulation disorder etc. Pronounciation problems include lisping, as well as substitutions such as “w” for “r”, so “wed” and “wabbit” replace “red” and “rabbit.”

Stuttering is another common but separate disorder. Many children go through a period of dysflueuncy, where they might exhibit stutter-like behaviours, at some point in their first five years. This often coincides with a jump in theair language development – for example, suddenly using longer sentences or a lot of new words. Research indicates that about five per cent of children stutter at some stage, but that 60 to 80 per cent of these will become fluent again without any treatment, and the girls are more likely to recover than boys. This was the case for Nuela Fernando, whose daughter Anjali began stuttering not long after she turned three. “It was a real shock, because she’d always been quite a fluent talker,”sad Nuela.

“The stutter literally came on overnight, and got worse whenever she was upset, tired or particularly excited about something. When it hadn’t gone away after six months I started to get quite worried, but thankfully not long after that it lifted almost as quickly as it had set in. Looking back, the stutter really did emerge at a time when Anjali’s vocabulary was just exploding… it was almost as if she had too many words for her head, and they were all fighting to get out.”

Experts advise that there are a number of “red flags” for parents to be alert with respect to their children’s speech. Parents should seek a speech and hearing evaluation if the child does not babble by 12 months, has not spoken his or her first word by 12 months, or has less than 50 spoken words by two years. Two year olds should also be beginning to use two-word sentences, and to have a few longer words in their vocabulary, such as “caterpillar” or “watermelon.” Strangers should be able to understand at least 75% of what a three-year-old says, and that by four, most children will spontaneously engage in rhyme or word play.

Early intervention is particularly important given the potential long term effects of childhood speech and language disorders. A speech delay or difficulty does not mean that a child is unintelligent or has an intellectual impairment, but nonetheless may influence academic performance. Speech is co-related with language and literacy, both of which directly affect school achievement, emotional health and future employment options.

The link between the speech and language skills and literacy has been demonstrated in a number of studies, including one where 87 preschoolers with proven speech and language impairments were followed over a 14 –year period. Researchers found by the age of 16 the people in this group had significantly poorer literacy skills than their peers, even though in many cases their difficulties had resolved within a year or two of starting school. Another study notes that children presenting with literacy problems at school frequently found to have speech and language problems when assessed, yet the problems were so subtle that they had never been identified by their teachers or parents.

Speech difficulties may also impact socially on a child. Ranil is a seven-year-old with speech delay and impaired articulation. “We were worried about him managing the work when he started school, but he learned to read and write quite quickly,” says his mother, “what has been an issue though is making friends- he can’t join in conversation easily, isn’t always understood. Boys his age aren’t great at making allowances for each other, and anyone ‘different’ tend to get left out.” These types of problems could affect a child’s psychological growth and disturb his personality development.

A variety of treatments or interventions are available for children with speech and language difficulties. These often involve both direct intervention, where the child works in a one-to-one relationship with a speech pathologist and indirect intervention, where important people in the child’s life, such as parents and teachers are trained to facilitate language development. In some cases, a program for a late talker might include teaching the child’s parents to use special conversational techniques during a half-hour of play each day, and during routine events such as mealtime or bathtime. Certain therapy includes a series of games or activities focused on a particular sound or speech pattern.

Sooner the better- if you suspect your child showing signs of speech delay, early intervention is very important. It will improve the child’s quality of life as early as possible, hence minimizing behavioural, social, emotional or academic difficulties.

After months of preliminaries, the finals of Uniliver Sri Lanka’s Sunsilk ‘Hadakari’ ended the 2008 regional workshops year on a high note. Sixty finalists selected from island-wide workshops conducted in Negombo, Badulla, Galle, Polonnaruwa and Maharagama participated in a hair and makeover competition to select the most outstanding among them. The winners received cash awards plus scholarlships worth Rs. 100, 000 each for a course at the Ramani Fernando Sunsilk Hair Academy, the leading destination for a career in hair dressing.

Sunsilk a leading hair care brand for over 40 years has evolved in keeping with consumers’ expectations. The young women of today are taking charge of their lives and making things happen, rather than let life dictate how things turn out. With this insight, to empower young women of Sri Lanka, Sunsilk took on the mammoth task of equipping them with the necessary know-how to embark on a career in the beauty industry. Sunsilk Hadakari provides young women the platform to learn from the best in the field and improve the standards of the Sri Lankan beauty industry.

The series of Sunsilk ‘Hadakari’ workshops saw over 20,000 young women and men from all parts of Sri Lanka participate, firstly through the regional work shops, after which the finalists were entered into the competition held in Colombo. This largest personal grooming and empowerment educational campaign in Sri Lanka, now in its 8th year is a stepping stone for those aspiring a career in hairdressing and beauty culture and provides a platform for enhancing talent in that arena. Finalists are taken through the regime of the finer points in hair dressing and make up while their selected models, most of who are from their villages, undergo intense catwalk and modeling training before taking the stage.

Dilini Dahanayake, Sunsilk’s brand manager, said “Sunsilk is not only the hair expert, but the catalyst in bringing out the best in a person. The 2009 Hadakari proposition is all about living up to your dreams and making things happen – as Life Can’t Wait and we are committed to enabling this, working with experts in the various fields. Through the newly designed workshops Sunsilk aims to arm the participants with the required know-how to spot the opportunity and make the change to their advantage. The workshops for the year 2009 were also unveiled at this grand occasion”. She emphasized.

Nuturing the entrepreneurial spirit among the finalists, Sunsilk together with PHABA (Professional Hairdressers and Beauticians Association), had well established stylists and make up experts teach the enthusiastic audience the finer points in hair styling and make up. Included in the education session was catwalk training by the maestro in fashion choreography, Senaka De Silva, bringing in a qualitative dimension to the days sessions.

Taking this philosophy further, Sunsilk Hadakari will Partner with leading hairdressers and beauticians to conduct these workshops across the Country.

Heart and Soul - Maeve Binchy

Her latest novel which is literally and metaphorically about the heart and it is a really heartwarming book. In true Maeve Binchy fashion, her latest book is filled with many real-life characters with everyday issues and it is all centered around the new Heart-care clinic. The characters are witty, warm and with a deep understanding of what makes us all tick, the author makes us care about them as they are our own friends. The “Sunday Times (USA)” described the book as “being wrapped up in a pink blanket with a hot-water bottle!”

Paths of Glory – Jeffrey Archer

Inspired by a true story this is the tale of a man who loved two women, but one of them killed him. George Mallory had an outrageous dream that if he realized his dream, he could be placed alongside great names in history like Robert Scott, Francis Drake, Charles Lindbergh, Edmund Hillary and Neil Armstrong to name a few. “Paths of Glory” is the story of such a man, who against all odds, managed to achieve his dream. In true Archer fashion, it is a fabulous masterpiece.

The Little Giant of Aberdeen Country - Tiffany Baker

Truly Plaice is part human and part witch. Her birth practically rocks the foundation of the little town they lived. She spends a painful childhood in the shadows of her beautiful sister Serena, and is teased mercilessly about her enormous physique. Suddenly Serena vanishes leaving truly the caregiver of her son. Truly now must battle with her brother-in-law against being used for his medical experiments while bringing up her little nephew. A very different kind of a novel from a new author.

Hand of Isis - Jo Graham

Set in ancient Egypt during the reign of Cleopatra, when in Rome, Julius Caesar’s rising power threatens to engulf everything and everybody near its sphere. Charmian is a handmaiden and sister to Cleopatra. The great female Pharaoh Cleopatra had two more sisters - one elder and one younger. These three sisters were the three daughters of the Pharaoh Ptolemy Auletes born to his queen and two other maids of the Court. The book discusses the power struggle between mighty kingdoms and how through it all, the three sisters’ lives were shaped.

The Angel’s Game – Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The book is the latest of the author and is said to be the fastest selling book in Spanish Publishing history. Set in Barcelona, it is the story of a young man, David Martin, an author charming out sensationalism novels stuck in an empty house with dark secrets locked away in one of its rooms set in the turbulent 1920’s, the story takes the reader to the gothic period in a masterful tale about the darkest corners of the human soul.

SPECIAL REVIEWS

Barack Obama – The Audacity of Hope

The “Independent” newspaper termed him as “the most exciting politician of the day” Already. President Obama’s speeches have acquired status of “Poems in Prose” quality for his usage of the English words and phrases is almost wizardry. This fact quite showed up in his campaign speeches which managed to fire-up the people not only in the USA, but also people around the globe, who enjoyed listening to his very eloquent speeches.

The “Audacity of Hope” discusses the importance of empathy and inclusiveness in politics, his hopes for a different America with different policies and now the ideals of democracy could be renewed. A public servant, a lawyer, a loving husband and a caring father, he is both a Christian and a septic able to transform and inspire the people world over.

Readers are offered a window through the book, to the mind of America’s most exciting politician who is frank and humble in his proposals for a new USA and the book is very much ahead in its rivals’ books. His words are a lucid prose, enlivened with colourful details to keep the reader engrossed in its pages till the last page. As he says, his is a heart filled with love for his country.

Rice in 60 ways – Marshall Cavendish Cuisine

Rice is a rich source of complex carbohydrates, and it is a staple main dish of many of the countries in the Asian region. Rice is relatively low in protein and contain only trace amounts of fat and sodium and carries no cholesterol or gluten, according to the introduction of the book.

Within the books colourful mouthwatering pages, in seven different segments, 60 different recipes to cook tasty rice dishes are produced, complete with a glossary and different measures of rice. The different segments are: Vegetarian, Seafood, Poultry, meat and desserts. These different recipes are from many different parts of the world like, Greece, India, China, Spain, Italy, Japan and many more countries. Each dish is illustrated and well presented in the most “deliciously audible” fashion with its extensive glossary covering many terms related to the cooking of the rice.
It is a delicious book to be had by any worthy cook of rice dishes!!

[by Chris Edirisinghe]

With the end of the war, there were massive crowds at Thanthirimale Temple this Poson. Especially on Poson Poya Day there was such a massive crowd even the VVIPs who were scheduled to preside over various ceremonies could not make it on time due to a severe traffic block en route. One thing became clear, that this hallowed place has regained its past glory.

Thanthirimale village, which is very much larger than the City of Colombo, was always considered hostile territory as far as comfortable living was concerned. It nests in strictly arid Zone and though there are over 81 small tanks and several water holes, comparatively a large percentage, they all go stone dry during the dry period and for thousands of years water became the scarcest commodity here. The water from Halpanu Canal Development Project came to the rescue of these villagers recently and water is not a problem anymore.

When you are seated on one of those huge rocks you can meditate, thinking how small you are, feel how nature can be so rough on you as well as protect you, go back to the history of our country beginning from pre historic days when men lived in caves and then through Vijeya and Kuveni to kings and Chola invasions to complete isolation and back to LTTE terror and to lasting peace. It is a chain of events starting long before the Veddas. We can consider this village as a meeting place of our history, culture and even our battles fought down the centuries. A person studying history of both our country and the religion must have Thanthirimale as a guide to provide clues, because this place contains in a nutshell the history of the whole country.

People of this village are simple and tend to talk very fast in Sinhala and their speech is somewhat musical. There is some sort of rhythm in their speech. You will be able to identify them anywhere by the way they speak. At first it is difficult to follow their conversation, you might even laugh, but soon you will know and understand. Some of the words are quite new to us. Like in the down South they too have a language and a style peculiar to them.

To many of the villagers here, their history is somewhat unknown. Nearly all of them know however, that their village is famous because of the Ashtapala Maha Bodhi, the eighth shoot of the sacred Bo tree, but to a person studying history this place is the eventful narration from king Vijeya, the onset of Hinduism and Brahminism, the invasions of Chola, Pandya, and even Elara, the great battles of Dutugemunu and the rise and fall of kingdoms.

Only the Western conquests are missing here. In short one can study the good and the bad influences of our immediate neighbor, India, in the affairs of our country. Buddhism definitely is its greatest gift to us.

Life in this village has always been topsy turvy. People of Thanthirimale who worshipped Yakkas in the years gone by were influenced by Hinduism and when the Brahmin Thivakka was the chieftain of the village his influence spread all round and the religious rites performed under his stewardship controlled their lives. With the onset of Buddhism even he was converted to Buddhism and the new way of life influenced everyone. The village flourished soon and organized agriculture became the livelihood of the people. There was peace and development all over until the invasions of later years ravaged the village and made it desolate. The handful of families that survived here lived in utter poverty until perhaps 1960 when under Ven Thera Kudakongaskada Vimalagnana, it began to blossom again. He developed this place bringing it back to its pristine glory. With the LTTE Tiger threats mounting Thanthirimale became a border village in 1980s. This Thera was killed when his assailant threw a bomb at him in 1992. Till early this year the village was threatened now and again with terrorist attacks and as always withstood all of them.

So, with the end of the war there is new hope for villagers. Home guards can take a rest and perhaps young men and women will now opt to get back to the land and cultivate in earnest, instead of guarding the village day in and day out. Children will attend schools without fear and will grow up to live in harmony with everyone. There will be loads and loads of Karatha Colomban mangoes, papaw, tamarind and drumsticks from home plots on sale. Hitherto neglected Chenas are getting cleared again for crops like sesame, Kurakkan, chillies and corn. With the onset of peace there is new hope in this village and pilgrims from all over flock to this place of peace and meditation. Poson is the annual festival here and year after year pilgrims will travel 250 kms from Colombo itself to worship at the foot of the Ashtapala Maha Bodhi. Though various mileages have been indicated, it is exactly 42 kms from Anuradhapura. In recent years many developments have taken place here. The provision of water which was a priority has been taken care of. The driver’s dream of a very good road is now a reality indeed. Temple area is continuously getting a face lift. Pilgrims’ rests can now be constructed in earnest and I cannot imagine what the traffic situation would look like come next Poson !

[by Lakmini Wijemanne]

As long as I can remember, Galle Fort had always held an indescribable fascination for me. Which of its, unparallel sights interests me more, I cannot, quite put my finger on, but the city, nestled within, the walls of the Fort is definitely intriguing, but more so is the history of the place itself, for, after all these years, as far as the buildings go, they are quite well-preserved to tell us the story of the life in the Fort.

Due to so many strategic reasons, Galle was and still is an excellent port. It has a good natural harbour well protected to the west by a south pointing promontory. Literally, the next piece of land directly ahead across the sea is the frozen wasteland of the Antarctic!! The earliest mention of the Galle comes from the Arabian traveller Ibn Batuta who had visited the port in the mid 14th century. He called it the Qali. Many years later, a naval fleet commanded by Capt. Lorenzo de Almeida took refuge in the Galle harbour quite by accident.

The fleet, caught-up in the vicious gate, was swept towards the land side at Galle, and on that fateful day, the port of Galle made her first acquaintance with the western world for 82 years later, the Portuguese came looking for a foothold in this country, hoping to start-up a commercial venture. They managed to seize control of the Galle port from the Sinhala Kings. The Galle Fort was first built by the Portuguese in the 17th Century. Then, in 1640, the Dutch captured the control of the Fort and during their reign, they brought extra labour from Mozambique and Indonesia (then called Bataria) and built the Fort as it stands today. The Dutch remained there for almost 150 years and in 1796, it changed hands again with the British. Sri Lanka finally gained its Independence in 1948 and, the Fort became ours and in 1988, it was declared as a world heritage site, since it is one of the most well preserved Dutch period forts existing today, in the world.

Galle lies 116 kms. South of Colombo. Galle has its own unique strength of character and had produced great men and women for Sri Lanka, who had done their country proud. Galle has always been known as a stronghold of the strong men and women of the country who had, in their times, contributed to the forward movement of the country. In Galle, one can find an “Old Galle” and a “New Galle” existing by the side of each other, and complimenting the existence of each other. The New Galle is the bustling, commercial hub where the Railway Station, the main Bus Station, the bazzar and the offices (Private and Government) are all found vying for space and attention. Across the main Colombo-Matara Road facing the Sea, enclosed by its protective majestic walls is the sleepy town of Old Galle. It is amazing how different the characters of Old and New Galle are just separated from each other by a main bus road. Once you enter the Fort through its main entrance, it is as if you have gone back in time, except for the attire of the people. Most of the main buildings, the residents’ houses, roadways, all help to transport us to an era, which existed many hundred years ago.

The Galle Fort was primarily, built to withstand any attack from either sea or land. The massive bastions and its majestic walls cover an extent of 36 hectares of land where 473 houses for its residents have been erected by the Dutch. Inside the Fort, there are several museums, a lighthouse for the ships to show the way to the harbour, a massive clock tower, churches, mosques, schools and a hospital (now used for a government office) exist. Around the Fort, there are 14 massive bastions on which there had been 109 cannons mounted during the Dutch period. It’s interesting to walk around the Fort on foot, on the ramparts,

which takes about two hours (I have to warn you, if you are planning to do the Rampart-walk start it well equipped with a wide brimmed hat and comfortable walking foot-wear and a bottle of water!!). Before you attempt to visit any sights within the Fort, the Rampart walk should be covered, for it gives you an idea of the lie of the land and helps you to appreciate and understand the vintage point chosen for the Fort.

The Tour de Ramparts (on foot!!!)
Start from the New Oriental Hotel (Now called Amangalla). Take a short stroll under the massive shady trees to the Aurora Bastion. Continue on a southern route enjoying the beauty of the Indian Ocean and its cool breeze with the beautiful view of the Galle Harbour to the east, and reach the 20m. high lighthouse built by the British in 1934, which stands on the Utrecht Bastion.

Continue due east, alongside the Ocean and pass the Triton, Neptune and Clippenberg bastions beyond Clippenberg due north is the Star Bastion. Continue due south and you will pass the Sun and Moon Bastions between which are the main gate to enter the Fort, built by the British in 1873. Further to the east on Baladaksha Mawatha (Customs Road) the old gate the Dutch built which on the inner lintel is carved the VOC mark flanked by two lions and surmounted by a cock. Here the VOC inscription is dated 1669 and VOC stands in English for United East India Company which controlled the commercial trade in this part of the world. Beyond the old gate is the Zwart Bastion (Black Fort) the oldest fortification of Portuguese origin surviving in the Fort today.

Inside the Fort, there are many important and fascinating sights to view which would allow us to have a glimpse into a life style nearly 369 yeas ago. Other than the Dutch, the predominant inhabitants in the Fort were the Moors who mainly engaged in the matters of commercial trade. Even today, it is predominantly a Muslim community that inhabits the Fort, although there is a sparse scattering of others in the Fort, and they lead a peaceful existence in this sleepy old town of Galle Fort. In our forthcoming issues, we plan to take you with us on a tour of the Fort visiting all these historical sites and we sincerely hope you would enjoy reading and sharing the fascination as much as we did in compiling it for you. So, till we meet again at the Fort….

In this our endeavour to share with you the fascinating past of this unique inheritance, the Galle Heritage Foundation is our friendly and most cooperating partner. The Galle Heritage Foundation was formed in 1994 by a Parliament Act to look after the interest and upkeep of the Galle Fort, so that our future generations would also have the opportunity to enjoy and learn from it. The GHF has to date, done a wonderful job of work in preserving the Fort, about which we will bring information to you separately.

[by Lakmini Wijemanne]

It was of a rainy evening Surani and Hemantha Punchihewas home down Bauddhaloka Mawatha. Although it was a bit gloomy, the house stood out like a beacon due to the colour of the outside walls - yellow. The road-front face of the house was a one, even-surfaced wall with open squares of different sizes with fitted front gills. Refreshingly green foliage peeps out through the grills to enhance the outside appearance of the house, hinting at the coolness to be found inside the house. Once inside, the house transforms itself into a home with lots of sunlight, space, air and soothing colours.

Just over a year ago, Surani and Hemantha purchased the house from its previous owner, because they liked the basic style of the building and the fact that it was at a very central location to their children’s school. Initially designed by a British architect, the house had many different levels with an interestingly designed staircase connecting the levels. Once the purchase was made the new owners set about giving the house a new identity making it function to suit their family and needs for this propose, they brought in a qualified Architect Mr. Ariya Gallage to effect the necessary changes.

As I mentioned at the outset, there are four levels to the house. An entrance doorway in the road-front wall, opens onto a stone-paved short path towards the main door of the house. A little courtyard nestles in the corner to the left with sunlight pouring in from the above through the pergolas, for there is a gap of a few feet between the road-front wall and the house proper. An elegantly appointed sitting area resplendent in red sofas meets the eye of the visitor next. A set of long French windows opens out to a small courtyard filled with plants.

The water feature is set against a column in the room, which adds a soft soothing sound to the quiet of the room. Behind a closed door, is the visitors’ powder room. Off from the room, the staircase leads upwards and half-way through branches off to either side. A short flight of steps on the right, lead you to another sitting area while the steps on the left leads to the kitchen and pantry area. Comfortable, plush sofa set in brown occupies the pride of the room with plenty of fluffy cushion thrown in for added comfort. Narrow rectangular windows fitted with bamboo-tats allows muted sunlight to creep into the room, keeping it quite temperature-controlled during the blistering hot times of the day. Three steps up from the sitting area, is the dining room. A solid chunky dining table with matching chairs occupies the room with a wall cupboard unit in red fitted on to the wall above the sink adding colour to the room.

A huge mirror, framed with wide panels of wood adorns one wall, with its reflected images of the room and its occupants making the area look bigger. Three more steps up from the dining room brings the visitor back into the kitchen/pantry area. The half wall between the pantry and dining area is separated by a long line of potted plants. The next flight of steps through the pantry leads to the children’s rooms. This floor contains a large bedroom shared by Sirani and Hemantha’s two daughters and their study/library room with their bathroom. The study room is decorated in very feminine colours with red and pink dominating the spaces. Airy and spacious, it has specific spaces for their studies, book racks, toy racks and the computer. A few steps up from the study room, is their bedroom, again, the colour pink dominating the room.

Through the children’s room you could enter to another sitting area which I like to think of as the “blue room” bright blue sofa set arranged in a “L” shape with lots of cushions in different hues of blue occupy the room. Again, rectangular window fitted in to the brings in lots of sunlight to brighten the room and a refreshing touch of green is added to the area with the array of potted palms in the area just between the entrance to the master bedroom and the sitting area. A TV occupies the wall in front of the sofa set just inviting you to tuck your tired legs into the cushioned comfort of the sofa and rest your head on it’s many cushions and maybe… Watch a relaxing movie…

A final flight of steps leads the way to the pinnacle of the home, an oasis right in the middle of busy town - the rooftop terrace. The rooftop terrace is again on-spit levels with two sitting areas, a bar, a barbeque center and a small courtyard to sit outside under the blue sky with small garden chairs as well as benches built into the wall soft grass cushions your feet while lush plants and vines adores the walls as well as provide you with privacy.

A painting in red, white and lace framed in wide wood panels dominates and adds colour to the area. Surani informed me that this painting, by chance they had found at Pinnawala, in a shop of arts and crafts, done by an Australian painter. The furniture in the whole house has been hand-picked by the couple in their free time (For both of them are busy professionals working in Colombo) but yet, they all look as if they have been custom-made to match.

Surani has found time to choose colours and little adornments to her house, and her efforts have really made her house glow. With not-too-many items, she has prudently kept empty spaces so that the house leaves a restful atmosphere to the people who live in it as well as to he visitors. The white walls, cream-polished tiles, and the chunky wood furniture and wood-based artifacts adds to the total look of the house while a little patch of colour introduced in the way of a sofa, a cupboard or a wall painting enhances the light and space of the house.

[by Shehara Rajapakshe]

A rightful saying at the correct time and that is exactly what brought in victory for our motherland. Anoma Fonseka is the wife of General Sarath Fonseka the mastermind behind the operations to eradicate terrorism from our beautiful mother Lanka. A beautiful, simple, charming, modest and elegant lady who shared with LW the life of a General’s wife. According to her daughters, Anoma is the pillar of strength in their family, which is an example set forth to all the mothers around the world.

Multitasking – a role model

Anoma plays many roles like most women in life, she is not only the supportive wife but also mother, daughter, sister and aunt to all the family members from both sides. When I was seated in front of her at the interview itself, there were a number of calls from the family members asking for her advice and guidance and she readily excused herself and gave them the assistance they required.

School Life

A past pupil of Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 10, she was an all rounder during her school days as she had played net ball, a member of the school band, an active member in little friends and guiding and in her singing career at school she had followed almost to the level of Visharadha. In school she has been a very quiet and calm person. A most charming, simple, down to earth and elegant lady with an air of confidence in doing what she does best; supporting anyone as best she could.

Religious Beliefs

A strong believer in Buddhism, not just as a religion but a way of life, said, that she used to observe sil at every full moon. As the President of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB), she organizes along with her team a sil programme for the Vesak poya in order to invoke blessings not only for her husband and family but also to those serving in the forces and every citizen of the country. “When my husband met with the bomb blast, I was confident that nothing would happen to him as I had done ‘sathyakriya’ which protects him from all dangers and harm. Also, the whole nation joined together in ‘bodhi pooja’ to invoke blessings for all those fighting to rid our nation of terrorism, I believe that all the citizens’ efforts in invoking blessings was a strength that brought us out as victor of this thirty year old war.”

Love and Marriage

“My husband was my brother’s friend’s friend and he proposed marriage and we were married on 29th April 1979,” stated Mrs.Fonseka reminiscing the past. “Our life was just like that of any soldier, he was a second lieutenant when we got married. There were no problems at that time and as my father too served in the Reserve Police during World War two, he accepted my husband very well. His first appointment was Ampara and we had our first daughter in 1981. A few years later we came to Colombo and our second daughter was born in 1986; those two years were remarkable for both of us. He is in the Singhe Regiment and most of his life he has served in the operation areas.”

Children in their lives

“Apsara and Aparna are now in their twenties, Apsara recently got married to Former Brigadier Tillekeratne’s son Danuna, but still both husband and wife find solace only with me as they rush with all their worries, moments of happiness, advice etc”. The two daughters shared with us about their relationship with their mother, which they both described as mediator and peace maker and keeper. They said, “if there is any advice to be taken for any decision in our lives, we depend on Amma, who would then put to our father and return with a very positive answer. We prefer when she acts as the mediator as Amma is an inspiration to both of us. She is a loving and patient mother, friend and mediator in our life and has been our pillar of strength, especially when thathi was injured it was amma who gave us the courage and strength to hold on.”

Mother, teacher and friend

The very fact that General Fonseka was away strengthened the bond between Anoma and the children and she added that they have become best of friends as they confide in her every single encounter in their lives.

“Sometimes my husband is too stern with my daughters as he is used to commanding males in his line of duty and at that time I help him see the sensitive side towards them and obtain his approval. No matter what I do, I always get his feed back and that has immensely helped me to grow as a person. I was a housewife until we had our second child, Aparna. As I had some free time to spare, I completed the Pre School Course at the Open University of Colombo which is recognized world over. I was teaching for twelve years at the Vishaka Nursery as a Pre School teacher. This was the happiest time of my life. I even had a nick name “kaageth amma” as children who needed more love and affection used to come in search of me. I love children and I’m a very patient person, this I think led me to show more love and affection to all the children. I gave up teaching when my husband was promoted to Major General as I too had duties to perform as I automatically became the President of the SVAB in the Singhe Regiment whilst my daughter went in for higher studies abroad. This led both of us to travel abroad once a year. After a while I applied for a green card visa with my Pre School qualification and experience and to my surprise I was granted and the next two years I worked as a Pre School teacher abroad.

Thereafter, when General Fonseka returned to Colombo he was promoted to the rank of Chief of Staff and at that time he faced many problems and I returned to support him.”

Turning point in life

“Our turning point in life was when H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakse appointed him as the Army Commander, which I was very proud of, as he rightfully deserved it. I was very proud and confident of him. During these last two and half years he had been so busy strategizing and planning their moves that I did not disturb him. As I have been married to him for the past 30 years we have a very good understanding about each other, therefore, I did not have to burden him with my problems or my daughters’ problems but instead gave him the necessary space and support so that he would be able to serve the need of the hour for the people of the nation.”

The end of the war

“It was truly a relief to me as the past two and a half years were very difficult and stressful not only for us but for the whole nation, especially those who had their kith and kin serving the country at the battlefront. During this period I was very positive and gave him unstinted support by taking all necessary effort to provide him an environment where he could concentrate on the strategies to be taken as any wrong action or word would have had the whole country at bay”.

Seva Vanitha at the Army

Anoma is the President of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) in the Sri Lanka Army as the wife of the Commander and apart from that as General Fonseka is the Commanding Officer of the Singhe Regiment Anoma has a dual role as Chairperson of the Singhe Regiment too. The wife of the Commanding Officer in each regiment becomes the President and the overall President will be the wife of the General who has a bigger role to play.

All this involved a lot of hard work as it revolves around so many lives that depend on the welfare of their immediate families. Whilst the husbands were busy fighting to free the country from terrorism the women looked after each other. As the President of the SVAB the tasks she has is endless but as each regiment has a President who looks after their own welfare it is quite manageable for Anoma. When the war was on, Anoma visited every regiment inquiring of the necessary requirements for all the family members of the serving personnel, she supported the soldiers, widows and children who were in need at the time.

Projects in progress

Although there are many projects in progress we thought of sharing a few of them and in later editions, we will share each project so that you could learn more of the work carried out by the Seva Vanitha Branch of the Sri Lanka Army.

Senehasa Special School

The Senehasa Special School is a fully equipped school for children with special needs which will also provide in-house accommodation for children living in rural areas. Constructed for such children in both army and civil families, its construction cost is over US $ one million. Anoma said that this was a project that she would carry forward even if her husband retires from the service, as this was a passion that she had after teaching a few of these students abroad, she decided that this is something that has been neglected due to various other commitments by various organizations. Therefore, she initiated this project with a well reputed board of directors that consist herself and her husband as well as Dr.Kanishka Karunaratne, Mr.Lalith Weeratunga (Secretary to H.E.), Mrs.Champika Wijesinghe (wife of former Chief of Staff).

The Scholarship Project

This is especially implemented for the children of Army Personnel who are killed, missing or disabled due to the war. The majority of students are brought up by their widowed mothers who struggle to support the growing needs of the family. Thus educational support is invaluable in their lives.
Donors have the option of contributing monthly for a period of one year or provide a scholarship throughout a student’s school career.

The Preschool Project

Providing preschool education for children is another function of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch of Sri Lanka. The organization now runs and maintains Ranketi Preschool and Day Care Centre (Panagoda), Viru Daru Preschool and Day Care Centre (Manning Town), Ran Daru Preschool (Udupila), Ran Kekulu Preschool (Anuradhapura), Viru Daru Preschool Centre (Diyathalawa), Viru Kekulu Preschool (Kosgama) and its new addition in Ran Tharu Preschool (Galle). These services are provided at a very nominal cost to the children of army personnel. Workshops and Teacher training sessions are organised often in order to ensure high quality in education and employs teachers qualified at the Open University of Sri Lanka.

The Hospital Project

This project is especially formulated to look into the needs of battle injured war heroes in all military and general hospitals in the country. The Seva Vanitha Army Branch of Sri Lanka provides wheel chairs, crutches, walking aids, emergency packs, clothing and food, through the contributions made by donors.

Mulleriyawa Project

Their scope of service goes beyond the welfare of the soldiers alone and extends to the public as well. The Mental Hospital Project is one such example. The female ward (No. 16) at the Mulleriyawa Mental Hospital is maintained by the generosity of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch of Sri Lanka.

The Welfare Shop Project

The Seva Vanitha Army Branch operates Welfare Shops at Army Headquarters premises, Summit Flats, Kendalanda, Manning Town and Aluth Kade where a wide range of daily provisions can be bought at concessionary prices.

Sewing Centre, Bakery & Pastry Shop Project

The Sewing Centre at the Seva Vanitha Army Branch provides soldiers with tailoring facilities at reasonable rates. The Bakery and its Pastry shop offer snacks at affordable prices.
We wish Anoma, General Fonseka, Apsara and Aparna the best in life in all their endeavours and sincerely hope that they will be able to expand their meritorious work even further.