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The Nugegoda bomb tragedy on Wednesday, November 28 is a clear
indication that the LTTE out of desperation has begun to target
civilians.
In this instance, as reported in the media, most of those who were
killed are those who were in the shop and rushed to re-claim their
parcels at the counter, knowingly that a parcel suspected to be a bomb
being searched in the vicinity, thus totally ignoring the risk.
Had the Management of the shop taken action to evacuate people from
the vicinity of the parcel counter, even at the expense of loss of
business, many lives could have been saved.
In life threatening situations of this nature if a Security Officer
(or any ordinary citizen) acts bona-fida on his initiative with the
intention of saving lives he would be well within his rights, even if
his action violated the policy of the organisation.
The President of the Industrial Security Foundation (Sri Lanka) Inc.,
Nihal de Alwis, stated in a circular issued to the private security
profession reminding of its responsibilities.
It further says, in this situation enhanced vigilance by all citizens
is of paramount importance.
Every citizen whether at home, in the workplace, in shops and market
places, whilst using public transport or even walking the streets needs
to be observant of:
(a) Strangers
(b) Suspicious movements of people and vehicles
(c) Houses with suspicious movement of inmates
(d) Vehicles parked in a suspicious manner
(e) Suspicious movements near public telephone booths
(f) Unattended bags and packages
In the context of this background all personnel in the Industrial
Security profession can play a positive and meaningful role.
The massive manpower component of over 75,000 men and women:
(a) are spread all over the island
(b) are security trained, whilst a large number possess police or
armed service experience.
(c) are present in virtually all industrial, commercial and financial
institutions at shopping complexes and market places, they are seen
performing duties.
(d) Invariably use public transport and
(e) move about freely in public places
Security companies could provide leadership by conducting awareness
programmes in the workplace that they function and also advise their
respective clients on the proper handling of emergency situations.
It is proposed that the management of all security companies and
agencies would take action to remind their personnel of the gravity of
the situation. The time and energy spend on repeatedly reminding
security personnel on the importance of the contribution that they could
make in disaster situations and the saving of lives are certainly well
spent.
AJITH JAYASEKERA - Industrial Security Foundation (Sri Lanka)
Inc.,
It is claimed that depending on child preferred learning modality,
different teaching techniques have different levels of effectiveness.
A consequence of this theory is that effective teaching should
present a variety of teaching methods which cover all three learning
modalities.
Parental involvement is an important element in a child’s educational
development. Today’s educators need to remember that parents are the
child’s first and foremost teachers. Academic achievement and parental
involvement are strongly linked in the research.
As a parent you need to help your children discover how they learn
best. Your children’s learning styles are as unique as their finger
prints. There is no right or wrong learning style.
* Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn most effectively through
direct experience. They prefer participating in activities and
preforming skills such as note taking and writing.
* Auditory learners prefer to listen to information given orally and
process the information by repeating it aloud.
* Visual learners process information best by picturing things in
their minds and developing mental image.
As a parent learn to identify, understand and respect your children’s
learning styles. If your children complain they do not understand an
assignment, you may want to suggest a different learning approach.
Encourage their natural learning styles but help them to develop the
other styles as much as possible.
Monitor assignment and provide guidance: Talk to your children about
their assignment, you can assist your children by teaching
organisational and time management skills. Provide a calendar for noting
assignment start and completion dates.
Ask to see your children’s note books and returned assignments. Read
the teacher’s comments and recognise extra efforts and areas of
improvement.
Encourage your children to do their own work. Do not give in to their
requests that you do their homework.
The work teachers send home is generally work which students are
capable of doing and already practiced in the class room. Establish a
regular study schedule: Decide with your child a time and place best
suited for studying.
After dinner seems to be one of the most productive times for study,
giving children much needed time to relax after school. Family study
time benefits children in several ways.
1) If they have a question regarding an assignment, they are more
likely to ask for help. They will also be more likely to share details
about assignment.
2) Your children will be in an environment where every one is
modelling study skill.
Make it relevant: Try to relate what your children are learning to
something they are familiar with. Teach children to be active
participants in the learning process. Always encourage questions about
what they are styding and learning in school.
Encourage your child to write a reflective journal of their
activities at school work and correct spelling and grammatical mistakes.
Try to focus on positive aspects. If you expect and recognise success,
you will get more of it.
SIVALINGAM BALAMURALI, MURALI –
Wellawatte
Thank you very much for the insightful article by J.A.A.S Ranasinghe.
From my own professional experience, I would stress that more often
than not whistle-blowing is a last warning - not, an early warning. So,
if there is whistle-blowing there often is a failure in organisational
culture in the sense that the organisation did not heed the early
warning which precedes the whistle-blowing. You’ll find more at
www.risk-communication.de/en
BJORN ROHDE LIEBENAU
The Castle hospital which is synonymous with mothers has always been
treated with great respect and won the hearts and minds of the people.
Since its inception, it has played a pivotal supporting role to the
famous De Zoysa Maternity Hospital with the help of visiting
gynaecologists and became the leading maternity hospital.
The Castle Street Hospital for Women now stands as the best maternity
hospital in Sri Lanka not only for its efficient service but for many
qualities including environmental, responsibility, cleanliness and top
class mother and baby care.
The doctors and medical staff are some of the finest and kindest
people you’d ever find. There courtesy, commitment and care knows no
bounds. They value service more than money. The Nursing staff always
acts with utmost care and would have made Florence Nightingale very
proud.
The words ‘cannot’, ‘unable’ or ‘don’t know’ are never in their
vocabulary. The hard working doctors and nurses are doing a marvellous
job. Anybody who enters the hospital is welcome with nameboards in all
languages.
This hospital has five gynaecologists, a radiologist, pathologist,
anaesthetist where Quality Assurance programmes are offered.Bouquets to
the Hospital Director for his loyal and tireless services to the
hospital and the nation. He is quality and he gives everyone quality.
The Castle Hospital has won the Taiki Akimoto Award in 2001, National
Quality Award in 2002, the Kaizan Award in 2002, Quality Merit Award in
2003 and the Quality Gold Award in 2004 and is bound to win more awards
in the future for its dedicated and admirable services. This is what
makes the Castle Hospital a ‘Palace of Babies’.
K. SUKUMARAN -
Batticaloa
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