3. 3
Agenda
Our Country
Our School
Our country’s status in respect to the theme
– Food Miles
– Genetically Modified Organisms
– Human Water use
4. 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. 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. 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
SinhalaOfficial 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. 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. 8
It is also famous for …
Cricket and other international sports
9. 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
20. 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. 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.
30. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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
