International Mother Language Day: 21 February Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – February 2024 International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21. The first observance was organized by UNESCO as a celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity. There are over 7,000 languages spoken in the world — this is a large number considering that some languages are better documented and more spoken than others. Many ethnic languages, some of which are still spoken by small groups today, will most likely be extinct in a few decades. This is why International Mother Language Day is so important, as it is part of a larger initiative to revive many communities’ linguistic heritage. History of Mother Language Day Image Source : bdlearn UNESCO first established International Mother Language in 1999. The first inaugural celebration was held in 2000. This annual commemoration began as a tribute to the Bengali Language Movement, ...

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Australia higher education promotion draws Sri Lanka students – By APSARA RODRIGO Source : economynext A large number of Sri Lankan students looking for higher education options attended an Australian education showcase in Colombo last week. The Study Australia Showcase was organised by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), an Australian government agency. “An impressive number of students expressed their eagerness to select Australia as their preferred location for advanced education,” Dr Monica Kennedy, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade, said in a press release from the Australian High Commission. “We collaborate with Sri Lankan students to ensure they are making optimal choices when considering studying in Australia.” UNESCO estimates that approximately 10,500 students are currently studying in Australia as of August 2023. Sri Lanka is witnessing an increasing number of its students seeking entrance to foreign universities amid an economic crisis last year, and continued political uncertainty in the ...

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The Mysterious Caves of Dambulla: Unraveling the Enchanting Secrets Within – eLanka – By Nadeeka Introduction: Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Sri Lanka, the ancient city of Dambulla holds a treasure trove of captivating history and mystical allure. Its most celebrated gems are the Dambulla Cave Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and an architectural wonder dating back over two millennia. In this article, we embark on an exploration of the mysterious caves of Dambulla, delving into their profound spiritual significance, breathtaking artistry, and the enigmatic stories they preserve through the passage of time. A Journey to the Sacred Caves As we step into the heart of Dambulla, we are greeted by a mesmerizing complex of five caves etched into the towering rock face. Each cave has a unique ambiance and contains a treasure trove of ancient art and artifacts, providing a vivid window into Sri Lanka’s spiritual heritage. ...

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An a island country located in the Indian Ocean ” Sri lanka” – By Malsha – eLanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, off the southern coast of India. The country has a rich cultural heritage and a history that spans over 3,000 years. The capital and largest city of Sri Lanka is Colombo, which is located on the west coast of the island. The country has a population of approximately 21 million people, with Sinhalese being the largest ethnic group, followed by Tamil and Muslim communities. Sri Lanka is known for its beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, and ancient Buddhist temples. It has eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the ancient city of Anuradhapura and the Sigiriya rock fortress. The economy of Sri Lanka is primarily based on agriculture, with tea, rubber, and coconut being some ...

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Reading between the covers – By Vimukthi Sarathchandra Source : sundayobserver The month of literature is gone. The month meant for reading is now upon us. We are on the threshold of the toughest task. Buying a book is easier than reading the same. Sri Lanka solemnised October in 2004 on several grounds. The UNESCO declared the 2003-2013 period as the reading decade. They made it a point that readership must be coached because it is not a natural-born. Besides, readership is considered a decisive factor in assessing both spiritual and materialistic progress of a nation. The physical factors alone would not suffice in assessing a nation’s development. If the population of this globe is to be made wealthy, the level of awareness of the surroundings shall be raised – so believed the UNESCO. Awareness is the keyword. It was against that background that the UNESCO took several measures to encourage ...

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“Damila Maha Seya” – incomplete archaeological site By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in the ancient city complex of *Polonnaruwa covering an area of approximately 1.6 hectares (four acres), “Damila Maha Seya” also known as “Damila Thupa” or “Demala Maha Seya” is an incomplete stupa constructed during the reign of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) utilizing labor of Tamil prisoners brought from India when he attacked the *Chola Kingdom of South India. Due to some unknown reason, the King had been unable to complete the Stupa. This stupa is similar to *Kota Vehera in Dedigama and *Yudaganawa Stupa (considered as the location of King Parakramabahu’s mother’s cremation).  This gigantic incomplete stupa is located between *Gal Viharaya and *Thivanka Pilimage and is at present, a protected archaeological site. Scholars are of the view that, although, King Parakramabahu I has planned this 12th century stupa of 186 meters (570 feet) height as the world’s largest ...

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International Literacy Day 2022 – By Dr Shan Haines Source : Brisbane Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – September 2022 This year’s International Literacy Day will be celebrated worldwide on Thursday, 8th of September, under the theme Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces, with the intention of bringing the ownership of the challenges of literacy back home to the local community. So why has the UNESCO devoted a specific day to recognize literacy since 1967? Traditionally, literacy has meant the ability to read and write. Miriam Webster Dictionary defines it as the ‘quality or state of being literate; educated…able to read and write”. But these days, this meaning has been expanded to include the knowledge and skills people need to listen to, read, view, speak, write and create oral, print, visual and digital texts for different purposes in a range of contexts. It now includes the skills and abilities to access, understand, analyse, ...

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Protecting Sri Lankan Rights: The Modern Saga of Shipwreck “Avondster” – by Michael Roberts   Source:thuppahis.com The curtain rises: One morning in 2002 I received a call from the Additional Director General, Central Cultural Fund (CCF), Mr. H. D. S. Hettipathirana, to discuss a glitch in the Avondster project which was due to get off the ground. I was, then, wearing several hats: Consultant (to the CCF) and Special Advisor (to the Director-General, Archaeology) on Maritime Archaeology; and member of the Advisory Committee to the Ministry. I was also a member of ICUCH (the ICOMOS International Committee on the Underwater Cultural Heritage) and had been involved in the formulation of both the ICOMOS Charter and the UNESCO International Convention on the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Neither I – nor anyone else in the country – had had any maritime archaeological training: I was the proverbial one-eyed man in the kingdom of the ...

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Buddhist Railing at Jetawana Monastery – unique structure of yesteryear – By Arundathie Abeysinghe   Located approximately 120 meters south of Jetawanarama (also known as Jetawanaramaya stupa or Buddhist reliquary monument) and located in the ruins of *Jetawana Monastery in the UNESCO world heritage city of *Anuradhapura, there is a structure known as “Buddhist Railing” which has been researched and analyzed by many scholars, authors and travelers from the period, the British discovered it in the 1800’s. This site is enclosed by a large railing made of stone slabs and pillars. According to the Archeological Commissioner’s Report of 1890, *H.C.P. Bell has discovered and restored this unique site. According to scholars, the stone fence is a Buddhist motif found in ancient Buddhist architecture including *Sanchi in India. According to *Mahawamsa, there had been a *Bodhi tree inside this structure and King Dappula II (797-801) had donated a golden Buddha Image ...

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International Mother Language Day: 21 February Source:Brisbane 4EB Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – february2022 International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999. The UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002. International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. UNESCO believes education, based on the first language or mother tongue, must begin from the early years as early childhood care and education is the foundation of learning. Last year’s observance was a call on policymakers, educators and teachers, parents and families to scale up their commitment to multilingual education, and inclusion in education to advance education recovery in the context of COVID-19. This effort also contributes to the United Nations International Decade of ...

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