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| Tuesday, 1 October 2002 |
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October 1st is observed as International Elders Day worldwide. On this day elders are recognised and honoured for the services they have rendered to their families, their communities and to society in general. The thrust of these observances and celebrations is to give the senior citizen a proper place in society. It is an attempt by the state, by society and by NGOs to gradually reduce the marginalisation of elders. This year HelpAge Sri Lanka is honouring elders by presenting four senior citizens with the Golden Award on October 1st at a ceremony held at the BMICH at 10 am, under the patronage of the Minister of Social Welfare Ravindra Samaraweera. The guest of honour will be Dr. Kan Tun, Resident Representative, WHO. The award has been modelled as a replica of the god Pulasthi, who represents old age, wisdom, experience, austerity and dignity. In addition the recipients will be presented with Rs. 25,000 each. Executive Director of HelpAge Sri Lanka N.E. Wijewantha, says that at present 10 percent of Sri Lanka's population is over 60 years of age. By 2020, he adds, that this percentage will rise to 25 per cent. We will then have a real geriatric problem, he says, and we have to prepare for it and we are. Many of our elders are weak and traumatised and are often separated from their children. They have no access to relief measures and are generally considered a burden to the family and to society, Mr. Wijewantha says. As such it is our responsibility to bring them back into the mainstream of life and recognise their wisdom and experience, he says. The four recipients have been chosen from the field of education, the teaching profession, and those skilled in music and drama. They are: Devasiri Perera, former Principal of Parakrama Vidyalaya, Panagoda, aged 82 years. Mr. Perera was a teacher for 35 years. A talented violinist and dramatist he joined Radio Ceylon in 1964. He wrote plays incorporating the contents of the novels of Martin Wickremasinghe and W.A. de Silva and broadcast them over Radio Ceylon. Many people will remember Mr. Perera playing the role of 'Disapamok' in Prof. Sarathchandra's musical drama 'Maname. He is also a JP. A teacher of long experience, Ms. Chandra de Zoysa another winner of the Gold award began her career as a teacher in 1945. Born in 1921 she had her education at Clifton Girls High School, Colombo and then graduated from the Colombo University College. She served as Principal of Kalutara South Balika Vidyalaya and then became Deputy Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo. An able administrator, she left her mark in the education field. She was also engaged in social service work and Buddhist activities. She was an active member of the ACWBC and served as its President for some time. M. Sugunadasa Athukorale (80) has had a long career in the field of education. He obtained an Honours degree from the University and started teaching at Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama, in which school he later served as the Vice Principal. Until his retirement in 1984 he served as Principal of Nalanda College, Colombo. Born in the village of Dodangoda he served his village as well in many ways, including being the Chairman of the Village Council. Among his other achievements. He was President of the Grade 1 Principals Association and was Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Library Services Board. Mrs. Martha Karunaratne spent the best part of her life at Christ Church Girls school Baddegama first as a student, then as a teacher and finally as one of its most able Principals. Eighty years old this year she is remembered with affection, respect and admiration by both past pupils and teachers for her unique achievements in this school. |
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