Saturday, August 2, 2008
14/7/2008
[Lanka Dissent]
New laws imposed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) demand that mobile and fixed CDMA phones can only be kept with their rightful owners.
Accordingly, if a person possesses a mobile or CDMA phone that is registered under another’s name, he should transfer the ownership to his own name.
The TRC says that new facilities are introduced for this purpose.
In addition, new services allow a transfer of a phone connection ownership to that of obtaining a new connection.
Noting that all phone service institutions are informed to produce details of mobile and CDMA users, Director General of the TRC, Priyantha Kariyapperuma said that they would probe into the matter soon after receiving the details.
He added that any underage person or a student who is using a mobile phone also requires the possession of a letter from a parent or guardian, clarifying that the bearer was given a mobile for his use.
Noting that the implementation of this new law is not aimed at collecting personal details of mobile and CDMA users, Mr. Kariyapperuma said that due to concerns on National Security, the objectives of the new law is to identify true owners of phones and to stop people using others’ phones.
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This looks like another way to get the mobile phone taxes on the way...pretty sneaky i must say...anyway life gets harder by another notch...
whats the deal with CDMA phones? we bought the dam things not because they were trendy or pretty looking but because of the mere fact that they could be taken form one place to the other, acting like a land phone. But with the new regulations CDMA phones should be stationary.
Either the phone companies must compensate the money back or the government should, or we have to bear the injustice of the nation yet again. Sri Lanka DOES suck...BIG TIME.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Geoffrey Bawa Trust Fund Design Excellence Award 2008
The refreshing and the innovative
The first ever Geoffrey Bawa Trust Award for Excellence in Architecture was shared by Shyamika Silva for “Nalin Indrasena’s house” and Lalyn Collure for “The Boulder Garden Resort”
By Tahnee Hopmana
Over the past nine weeks we had glimpses of their creations, and insights into their different ways of thinking, their vision. They were nine different architects with nine very different creations.
We have seen them all- from central bus stations and houses to resorts, car sales centres and gardens. The Bedsitter by Prasanna Jayalath, Nalin Indrasena’s House by Shyamika Silva, the Dambulla Central Bus Stand cum Retail Centre by Tommy Wijeyasekera, The Boulder Garden Resort by Lalyn Collure, The Saffron Beach Villa by PWA Associates, The AMW Complex by Nela De Zoysa, the Estate Bungalow in Ginigathhena by Palinda Kannangara, The Minneriya Park Visitor Centre by Sunil Gunawardene and the Thicket, Gampaha by M.M.G Samuel.
| The winners: Shyamika Silva and Lalyn Collure | |
Finally, it was the moment they had all been waiting for- the awarding of the first ever Geoffrey Bawa Trust Award for Excellence in Architecture and the coveted prize was shared by Shyamika Silva and Lalyn Collure, while Palinda Kannangara and Nela De Zoysa, were commended for their work.
“What matters to us most in the end, more than the final result, is the journey we have made in evaluating the work of each nominee,” commented Prof. David Robson, the Head of the Technical Committee and judge of the award. “We are quite confident in saying that each of these nine architects has achieved excellence.”
In his critique of each design on the shortlist, Prof. Robson stated that Shyamika Silva’s work (Nalin Indrasena’s house) “stood out as one of the most refreshing experiences of architecture, and also the most daring.”
“The Boulder Garden Resort,” he said, “relates perfectly to a long Sri Lankan tradition of building amongst boulders, while offering something which is totally innovative.”
Begun with 53 entries, 42 of which were declined, the search for the winner was narrowed down to nine hopefuls. The Geoffrey Bawa Trust will present to the winners, a prize of Rs. 1 million. “It is heartening to see that most of the architects nominated are young; between the ages of 30 and 40,” said Architect C. Anjalendran, a close friend of Geoffrey Bawa, and one of the judges, enthusiastic that Sri Lanka has great potential for quality architecture, with lots of young talent.
The initial applications were shortlisted by the judges upon which a technical review of these projects took place. The final judging took place after this, the whole process culminating in a gala event held at the Galle Face Hotel on July 23, Geoffrey Bawa’s birth anniversary.
The Geoffrey Bawa Trust was established in 1982, with the aim of promoting, encouraging and developing architecture in
| Commended: Nela De Zoysa and Palinda Kannangara receiving their awards from Sunethra Bandaranaike, judge and trustee of the Bawa Trust | |
The award scheme has been consciously modelled on the scheme run by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in
The inspiration for the Award’s trophy came from an obelisk placed on top of a gatepost at Bawa’s Lunuganga Estate. The design emulated similar elements found in the great gardens of
Quoted -The refreshing and the innovative byTahnee Hopman, Sunday Times Plus,27/08/2008
Ok now to add my two pence...
First of all I’m not someone who criticizes designs, but there are some alarming facts regarding this awards ceremony. my initial reaction was how does a foreigner lead a jury panel to judge Sri Lankan architecture? he might be brilliant, he might even had lived in
Btw. I am a Buddhist.
If we cannot believe in out selves as a nation, we have failed. Do we need foreign accreditation? This brings us to the problem of CEPA [Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement], which itself is another story.
What’s the deal with nela? How many awards has she snatched using that very "Sri Lankan" building....there is an interesting article about nela and how she took the SLIA to court, its rather entertaining.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2006/12/29/news/14.asp
So at the end of the road what we must look at is, are we appreciating "Sri Lankan" architecture or are we appreciating something [not architecture] that we are made to appreciate by foreigners.
To conclude this humble post I ask the question where have all the Sri Lankan architects gone.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Sound Barrier
According to the newspaper, the court on Friday also ordered the cancellation of all the permits issued by the police to use loudspeakers. However, permits could be issued for special religious functions or events after 00:10 p.m. local time ascertaining the views of the residents in the vicinity. The court made these directions as interim orders until the new draft regulations with regard to the Community Noise Level Standards are approved by the parliament. The police was asked to submit a report to court by Dec. 12 on the implementation of the new order on noise pollution. Sri Lankan public have been complaining of the growing menace of noise pollution and have been urging the government for tight regulations.
What is sound pollution?
Noise Pollution or Sound Pollution is when the exposure of people or animals to levels of sound that are annoying, stressful, or damaging to the ears. Although loud and frightening sounds are part of nature, only in recent centuries has much of the world become urban, industrial, and chronically noisy.
A moronic overview
A simple situation with a simple solution. Three cheers to the minister of environment in
Standing on my usual economy based ideology (which may seem crap to many) I have been grappling with this issue for the past couple of weeks.
The need of
Let’s start this off in simple terms.
What is the local market anyway? Normal day to day people buying goods at the old “anupama” grocery at the junction. What exactly makes this market sway? Is the supply enough for the demand of the people? What do the people demand? How can we increase demand?
Going back to the basics again can we not agree that putting aside the quantitative aspect and qualitative aspects aside and taking the factor of “time” alone can make a dent in the market system? If you agree on this point read on or else go and put on some rock and roll baby.
How the marketing time affects the countries economy as well as the social system will be the main basis for this posting.
Normally shops open at around 9.00 am in the morning and they close around 7.45-8.00 pm (usually this is the case but there maybe some exceptions such as supermarkets, as always I will get to the supermarket issue on a later posting) that gives the shops roughly 10-11 hrs of business. What if the shops could be open 24/7? Wouldn’t that increase the business? Wouldn’t the revenue for the businessman increase? Not really.
Why do they close shops? Lack of infrastructure in the country. If the shops were open 24/7 the businessmen would have to provide the workers with transport since the public transportation system in
How does the sound pollution act come into this scenario? Since I’m an architect I will consider this issue with an urban design viewpoint. What makes a city live? Why do we need a live city? Is a live city better than a dead one? (
Imagine your daily “pola”=Sri Lankan Markets, without the hustle and bustle of people. Imagine it without the shouting fish mongers “labai labai” continuous babbling. Its rather frustrating isn’t it.
Now imagine a bustling night life filled with sound, music, people shouting, with lights, at the nugegoda junction around 11.45 pm!
Won’t that be gorgeous? To wonder around the night bazaars, eating freshly made “Iringu” and “Isso vadai” at 11.45 pm in the night. You would think I’m crazy. How are we supposed to get home without the bus service? Haven’t you ever traveled the bus at Vesak time? In the night? I have. If there is demand, there will be supply. This is a basic principal.
By imposing this sort of unnatural socio-unfriendly laws the government is trying to take the country backwards not forwards.
Take away the sound law off, and rather encourage sounds at night. People will get on to the streets. Organize festivals, night bazaars, more people will get on. After working all day they do need some leisure time. When people come infrastructure will automatically come. Revenues for the local business man will increase. Very simple. This is just an overview. I’m too tired to go on further. You figure the rest yourselves.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Fighting for Jaffna: The Economic Imperative
Let’s get the facts clear.
If you agree to this point read on. If not go to the kitchen make your self a sandwich or think about why you can’t afford to buy a loaf of bread.
We can without argument agree that
The truth behind Elara-Dutugamunu.
No they weren’t gay partners.
When a person wants power they want a banner to take in front of them. Hitler had his "No Jews" slogan. Chandrika had her Rs. 3.50 bread slogan, and Prabhakaran has his eelam dream. Dutugamunu similarly had Sinhala Sri Lanka concept. Where in Tamils remained a minority and Sinhala as the majority should indefinitely rule all of
The conclusion form above is that wars are fought for the sake of a sadistic power-hungry minority. It is nothing but political issues. It never was an ethnic conflict and it will never be one. Just a power struggle and we are the pawns.
The
Now let’s focus on the ongoing war in the north. What are we fighting for? Not to split
First let’s think about what would happen if we actually win the war. Even if the
After one year lets say we won the war.
Now lets go on to the "negative" aspect. Lets say that the GOSL lost the war and prabhakaran won.
I think I have elaborated enough on this topic. The rest is up to you to decide. As for me I have made my decision a long time ago. I’m not going to be a pawn. I want to live my life.
The Tsunami Mongers of Ceylon [Part 2]
To discuss about the first post in detail first one must get an idea as to how this sub culture of vultures exist. Architects are said to be an endangered species due to the fact that only about 20 architects pass out from university each year. Architects are better extinct than among the existing. Within this subculture of preposterous animosities there are yet divisions.
1.) The upper strata - who are the top notch/high class/pure bread/ nose in the air type etc. & etc. they are the manipulators and the ones who try to show that they know absolutely anything and everything about architecture but don’t actually know didly squat. In most instances these types are barfed into the society through either the private architecture schools or who go abroad to study and then come back to become hot shots over hear. It must be noted that in most instances most of these people don’t even bear any valid architectural qualifications.
2.) The middle strata - they are not from the top notch but are trying to be there. In most cases they have been educated through the university but actually not that much. In order to cover up their deficiencies they tend to compete against the 1st group.
3.) The worms- these are the guys who actually know something about architecture but are always tread upon by the above two categories. They aren’t concerned much about what goes in around the subculture but stay away from the lime light following their true passion: creating meaningful architecture.
This simple analogy amply concludes as to how the architectural subculture and the psyche behind it work.
Architectural tsunami aftermath
We were students when the tsunami tragedy occurred. When the initial calamity subsided we as a body of students contacted the head of the department in order to inquire what as architects we can do in this situation. He told us that as this stage we would not be able to do anything. I felt distraught, disembodied, dismayed and utterly utterly frustrated. Here was I, studying for 7 years, using up the money collected by the tax payers, and unable to help them when they did need our help. Is this what we have been studying for?? Words cannot even begin to express what I felt at that particular moment. while some of our comrades were organizing a so called "rescue trip" to go looking for the students who had been in the south, rather than doing something we are totally unaware of we resorted to collect donations amongst our self in order to collect rations to be sent via the government. We managed to collect a decent amount and then with that we bought the stuff that had been listed by the government. We handed that over to a place near independence square which had been recently set up to collect rations. We worked there for about 2-3 days organizing the collected items.
The first attempt of organizing some sort of architectural initiative was done by Architect Ranjith Alahakoon who I respect very much. He had organized a meeting with Dr. Deheragoda who was a leading authority at TAFREN. Unfortunately this turned out to be just a meeting without any valuable out come.
The second attempt was by the government. Here again Archt. Alahakoon was the key person in charge. SLIA had organized a competition in order to fulfill the government’s needs. Few architects were selected for their various proposals. Archt. Upendra Rajapakse with his eco houses, Archt. prasanna with his
For this project hunting campaign the architects were offered money as well. Thought most of them left empty handed. Isn’t it our duty as professionals to lend a helping hand when the country needs us? Can’t we neglect overheads for the sake of the country. Are we that monstrous? its like asking money for giving your parents something to eat when they are old. Its just disgusting. I mourn for my soul and hope that these sins will not affect my next birth.
After this the competition began among the architects for NGO sponsored tsunami projects. The whole profession except for a few became tsunami mongers. This is the sad truth about architects.
The days of the poetic profession, sons of vishwakarma, have all but faded into the folds of time. Now existing merely as a dog-eat-dog profession.
Friday, November 9, 2007
The Tsunami Mongers of Ceylon
The once golden sandy shores of Sri Lanka are nothing but poignant graveyards which in time will be washed away by the currents to be forgotten by time forever. The transcending somber ignited by the screams still haunt the battered beeches .
For the first time in centuries people united under one banner to help those who had suffered. Songs of pride were sung, artists painted a thousand pictures with their unending palette of hues, even actresses chipped their nails off. (The politics behind this scenario is another tale altogether) This story is about the professionals who sacrificed everything that that had and everything that they will ever have.
In Sri Lanka from the instance that a child is entered into the education system(maybe even before) he/she/it is pressurized into becoming a professional. The most popular choices amongst parents still remain Doctors and Engineers. If all the kids who had been pressurized to become a doctor or engineer did indeed succeed in fulfilling not theirs but their parents dreams the country would have enough doctors and engineers to send to Saturn and even some to distant galaxies.
(However there isn’t much enthusiasm amongst parent to push their child into the architecture cesspit. Maybe this is due to the fact that architecture is the one profession you really never learn anything out from. And also maybe the firkin seven years which demoralizes, depresses, and totally destroys everything you have and hold dear to your heart and creates the monstrosity which “MODERN” architects are today have something to do with it…just maybe.)
Getting back to the story at hand… So the professionals got together with their own comrades and decided to lend a helping hand in “RE-BUILDING” the nation.
Doctors rallied around their stethoscope, going to remote areas and providing medical assistance as well as medical care free of charge. They were hailed as earth bound gods by the people! They had to stay in the same tsunami camps and provide their professional guidance to these unfortunate souls. Without calling meeting and without making personal agendas they did this without haste. (These are facts have been presented through the media as well as from my personal experience.)
Engineers who had a stake hold in the tsunami issue were the civil engineers. They made a big impact in clearing up roads rebuilding bridges so that rations could be taken out to the populace who were stranded amongst the debris scattered land. The government owes them a debt of gratitude for their effort where the major role should have been played by the government whose ministers were still inside the Air conditioned rooms still undecided as to go out into the open. (This again is another story altogether)
In a broad physical point of view there were two casualties of the tsunami disaster (Now don’t give me some Freudian crap about the causalities of the tsunami because it doesn’t apply here)
Human Life
Property
People who can be saved were saved by doctors but what of all the property that they owned once they survived this tragedy what would they go home back to? Will there be a home? who would give their homes back? THE ARCHITECTS! Yeepeeeee for the Architects!!!! Maybe like the doctors who provided them with valuable medicine and their valuable medical guidance the architects also will provide them with their counseling. After all they just have to draw some houses and photo copy it. That doesn’t cost much does it???? Most of the houses they give are copied from magazines anyway.
To be continued (The eternal struggle continues)
First Post : The End
If one isn’t honest to oneself then that person has failed in life. At least that is my belief. I believe in a lot of things. I believe that I am not 100% correct. Not even close to perfection nor do I strive to. Basically perfection or being correct isn’t on my priority list. I am me and my opinions are my own. I have the right to have them, nurture them, fondle them, cuddle them, have twisted sexual fantasies on them (metaphorically of course) express them and maybe even commercialize them.
The following posts are my thoughts, my ideals and my aspirations rolled together with tarter sauce and vinegar. Add a little bit of lime and the essence of sarcasm if you must to get a tingly feeling down your belly button. If your not twisted [which I will get to on a later post.] and basically is a right winged one nosed uptight pain in the firkin what not’s you shouldn’t probably be reading this.
So good riddance.
And I ROCK.
