1

La Repubblica socialista democratica dello Sri Lanka

The Democratic Socialist Republic of

2

Sri Lanka

3

Agenda

Our Country

Our School

Our country’s status in respect to the theme

– Food Miles

– Genetically Modified Organisms

– Human Water use

4

Sri Lankan National Symbols

The Coat of Arms

The National Bird

The jungle Fowl

The National Tree

The Na Tree

The National Flag

The National Animal

The Giant Squirrel

The National Flower

The Blue Lotus

The National Gem Stone

The Blue Sapphire

The National Sport – Volley Ball

5

Sri Lanka An Island in the Indian Ocean - south of India

Known as “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean” and “The Granary of the East” since ancient times. Was also known as Ceylon, Seylan, Zeelan, Ceilao, Serendib and Taprobane.

Multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation

A Rich Cultural Heritage (over 2500 years)

Over two thousand years ruled by local kings

Has a progressive and modern industrial economy

6

Pidurutalagala

2,524 m Highest point

1,340 km

Coastline

65,610 sq km

Area

92.8 % (2005 estimate) Literacy rate

19 deaths per 1,000 live births

(2007 estimate) Infant mortality rate

74.8 years (2007 estimate) Life expectancy

Buddhist, 69 %

Hindu, 15 percent

Christian, 8 percent

Chief religious affiliations

Sinhala Official language

Colombo

Sri Jayawardena pura Kotte

Business Capital

Administration Capital

79% (2005 estimate) Rural population distribution

21% (2005 estimate) Urban population distribution

323 persons per sq km

(2007 estimate) Population density

20 million (2007 estimate) Population

7

Our country is internationally

recognized for…

Tea

Garment Industry

Gems

Tourism – Sandy Beaches with sunlight through out the year

– Mountains & Waterfalls

– Sanctuaries

– Ruins of Ancient Kingdoms (more than 2000 years old architecture and irrigation schemes)

– Tropical Forests

– Cultural pageants such as Kandy Perahera (Procession)

Coconut, Rubber, Spices, Fruits, Coffee

8

It is also famous for …

Cricket and other international sports

9 Muttiah Muralitharan

Arjuna Ranathunga

1996 Cricket World Cup

Sanath Jayasuriya

Susanthika Jayasinghe

Few of many Sportmen who have brought

fame to Sri Lanka in the recent past

Ranjan Madugalle Ex Sri Lankan cricket captain,

Present Chief Referee ICC

10

Some Tourist Attractions of Sri Lanka

Ruins of the City of Anuradhapura

11

Some Tourist Attractions of Sri Lanka

Ruins of the City of Polonnaruwa

12

Some Tourist Attractions of Sri Lanka

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

13

Some Tourist Attractions of Sri Lanka

Dambulla Rock Cave Temple

14

Some Tourist Attractions of Sri Lanka

Few of our many beautiful water falls

15

A Glimpse at Sri Lankan Dancing

16

A Glimpse at Sri Lankan Festivals

17

A Glimpse at Sri Lankan Dancing

18

A Glimpse at Sri Lankan Painting

19

Our School

The Royal College of Sri Lanka

20

• Situated at the capital of Sri Lanka; Colombo

• Was founded in January 1835

• The oldest and the leading national school in Sri Lanka being 173 years

• A Boys’ School with 8300 students & 400 teaching staff and is the biggest school in Asia in respect to student population.

• Provides both primary and secondary education in 13 years of school life (from grades 1 -13 ages 5 to 18).

• Classes in three mediums - Sinhala, Tamil & English

The Royal College of Sri Lanka

21

The Royal College of Sri Lanka

• Facilitate many extra curricular activities

– Has about 60 clubs and societies

– 36 games

• Has produced many distinguished personalities:

– Kings, Sultans, Princes, Presidents, Prime Ministers, countless number of Professionals. Sportsmen, Entrepreneurs .

• The school is built and nurtured with traditions and customs, which contributes to its position.

22

Our School Motto

Motto : - “Disce Aut Discede”

Learn or Depart / Impari o parta

23

The Stamp issued in recognition

to the Second Oldest Cricket

match in the World.

The Royal College

Stamp

The Royal College

Stamp

24

Our School Logo

25

Our School Flag

26

Our School Mates

27

Primary Pupils

28

The Prestigious College Main Hall

29

The Agriculture Areas - Vegetables

30

• Since British rule Considerable dependency on

Imported Foods

• Local Food – Transportation to Cities

• Limited Space in Home Gardens

• Though the government had tried to implement new

technology to increase productivity in limited space,

people have not yet understood the necessity.

Food Miles

Food Miles – Our Current Situation

31

• Concerned on Environmental Pollution

• Understand the effect of Transportation on Environment

• Not Approached the Concept of Food Miles

• Embarked a massive Agricultural Development Programme

• For Health Reasons Started Interest on Home Grown Vegetables & Fruits

Food Miles

Food Miles – Government Policy

32

• Pre Colonial Era – Self Sufficiency in all aspect like Food. – Tropical Country with two monsoons and inter monsoon rains

– Very rich soil

– Possible to cultivate through out the year

– Developed Irrigation Scheme from ancient times

– Sri Lanka is an island : Famous for Prawns, Crabs, Fish

– Many reservoirs, lakes, rivers

– Patronage of Kings for development of irrigation and agriculture

• Colonial Era – Concentrated on Commercial Crops and started dependency on Imported food. Deterioration of subsistence agriculture. – Spices

– Tea, Rubber, Coconut, Coffee.

Changes in the Economic Pattern

Food Miles

33

Other Factors for dependence on Foreign Food

• From 1977 Liberalized Markets (Open Economy Policy)

• Many Sri Lankans work abroad

• Many Sri Lankans receive their tertiary education in Foreign Countries

• To promote Tourism Foreign Food is available in Sri Lankan Hotels

• Foreign foods are available in Super Markets for Foreigners working in Sri Lanka

• To reduce prices in local Markets some food items are imported

• Trade Agreements among countries

• Low participation of Government in Trade

Food Miles – Sri Lanka’s Situtation

Food Miles

34

• Changes in Life Style – Females engaged in full time employment is

getting increased

• Popularization of Super Markets for Convenience

• Most Business Operations and Administrative Activities confined to

Colombo and a few main cities – limited space in home gardens

• Agriculture taking place in rural areas

• Fishing from Coastal areas

• To maintain Quality Centralized Purchasing in Super Markets

Food Miles

Local Food Traveling Long Distances

35

• Sri Lanka currently use GM versions of Paddy and a limited number of food items but its not widely used due to negative views of the society.

• Genetic modification in cattle and goats to a certain limit but certain environmentalists display strong opposition towards genetics, but there is no scientific base behind this, so we hope it does not stay long.

• Good results have been obtained from genetic modified rice and certain tropical fruits for export, as well as the GM cattle embryos imported from Australia.

• The destruction of certain crops in the hill country due to a “super pest” have left a negative imprint on the minds of local farmers.

• It is to hoped, in time, successes we meet will erase the “black marks” from our people.

Genetically Modified Organisms

36

• A country blessed with an abundant supply of water.

• 103 main rivers flowing radially to all side as well as countless lakes and

springs provide enough water for agriculture as well as other purposes.

• 40% of the generated electricity is hydro power.

• Unfortunately, had not understood the value of water till recent times.

• Have not faced a water scarcity in the past but taking steps to face for the

future

• There are public pipes fitted in nearly all places in all cities, which give

free water supply to all.

• Village and rural areas get water supply directly from the rivers, tanks,

reservoirs & lakes. Since there is plenty of water resource, Sri Lanka has

never faced serious water issues.

• Approximately 80% of the water is used in agriculture irrigation.

• 40% of the electricity is produced using water.

Human Water Use

37