Features
A Simple Introduction to Plant Quarantine
(“SHAAKA NIRODHAYANAYATA
SARALA HENDINWEEMAK”)
A BOOK IN SINHALA AUTHORED BY LIONEL RAJAPAKSE
REVIEWED BY A. BEDGAR PERERA, Retired Director/Agric.Development, Ministry of Agriculture
(Publisher- MaMa PUBLISHING, Colombo – Price Rs.950/-)
A few weeks ago when Lionel Rajapakse phoned me from Australia and asked me to review the above book, I had to oblige despite other work. Lionel and I became good friends over 50 years ago when I was working as a fledgling Agricultural Experimental Officer in the Botany Division of the then Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Gannoruwa, of the Department of Agriculture (DOA). This was during the period, 1970-73 when he was an Agricultural Instructor in the same Division.
I found him to be a devoted, studious and honest officer, with youthful vigour. Predictably, he made the best use of the facilities available at that time and completed his B.Sc (Ag.) degree at the University of Peradeniya. He went up the hierarchy of the DOA to be appointed in 1982 as an Agricultural Officer of the Sri Lanka Agricultural Service (SLAgS). He worked initially at the Plant Protection Service, Gannoruwa when he completed his M.Sc. in Entomology at Texas A & M University, USA in 1993, studying on a government scholarship.
Subsequently, from 1994, he worked at the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS), Katunayake, till 1997 when he migrated to Australia looking for a professional career in Plant Quarantine in Australia (the Land of Plenty). Given his qualifications and experience, he was able to join the Alligator Weed Control Project in Victoria as a Technical Officer not long after his arrival. Subsequently in 1998 he joined the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service as a Bio Security Officer and worked in various capacities till 2017 when he retired as acting Food Safety Manager for the North East Region in Queensland
Armed with his qualifications and years of wide professional experience in plant quarantine he took on the challenger of writing possibly the first Sinhala book on this subject. His objective was providing the reader a simple introduction to the subject from a practical point of view. He would have thought that this would be a way of repaying his motherland from which he had gained much from the free education system and professional experience at the DOA though part of his career was overseas.
Since plant quarantine is a scientific subject, it is not possible to write on it without using scientific terminology. But he has tried to minimize technical language and I believe succeeded in doing so, by effectively conveying what he intended through the use of simple words in an easily readable style, Hence even interested lay persons will surely benefit from reading this book.
To start with, the author has skillfully adapted a story titled “OODLES OF BOODLES” by Judy Braus, published in the children’s magazine “Ranger Rick“, in the USA in the 1990s to illustrate the risks and possible dangers of willfully shifting plants and animals to totally new environments through different means. This highlights the role plant quarantine plays in mitigating resulting adverse effects.
Other nuggets in the following chapter include the derivation of the word ‘quarantine,’ a breakaway from the Latin word ‘Quarantum’ meaning 40. This was actually the number of days that then migrants to Venice from countries where fatal bubonic and yellow fever raged were required to stay on board their ships pending disembarkation to prevent the spread of infection. This actually marked the beginning of the concept of quarantine.
In this chapter, the author cites the case of how in the 1840s, fungal diseases like, Powdery Mildew and Downey Mildew infected grapes cultivated in Europe, through import of planting material from the USA. When varieties resistant to the above fungi were imported again from the USA, the plant pest Phylloxera had been introduced. In turn when planting material and mother plants of varieties resistant to Phylloxera were introduced to Europe, fungal diseases like Black Rot had arrived and the total grape cultivation in France had been wiped out in the late 19th century.
The author cites that during the period 1880-85, 2.5 million acres of grape cultivation had been destroyed in France due to Phylloxera alone. Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) too has had a similar experience in the 1800s when coffee rust caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix destroyed the then well-established coffee cultivation in the highlands within 10 years. This disease was probably introduced from East Africa, the author says.
Episodes like these and many others cited by the author ultimately led to the enactment of legislation by different countries, initially to ban import of planting material and in 1873, Germany led the way by bringing in laws to ban import of seed potato tubers from the USA to prevent the introduction of Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemiliniata). In 1909, the British colonizers had introduced in then Ceylon, legislation to prevent the spread of the invasive Water Hyacinth (‘Japan Jabara’) plant. As early as 1924, the more comprehensive Plant Protection Ordinance followed.
Subsequently with the intention of implementing plant quarantine legislation on an international level, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) introduced the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the author highlights that Sri Lanka was among the first three countries that ratified this Convention. A number of international developments by way of conventions, applicable standards and legislation, subsequently brought in, have been dealt with in this book.
The author also discusses the natural spread of living organisms, means by which organisms could migrate from one country to another, and Regulations to prevent the introduction of pests. He also covers methods being adopted to prevent introduction of pests. viz. import ban, allowing conditional imports, liberalization of imports with proper certification etc.
As a good example effective plant quarantine, the author cites Australia which enjoys a high reputation worldwide regarding its Plant Quarantine Service. As agriculture plays an important role in the economy of Australia, the central and provincial governments together ensure the country wide implementation of internationally accepted plant protection/biosecurity services with strict adherence to the Bio Security Act of 2015. This succeeded the Quarantine Act of 1908. (As an example of Australia’s success in Biosecurity, the author cites the case of the Giant African Snail, which has not yet been established in Australia even though it is widely prevalent in Papua New Guinea, which is just 150 kilometers away from the coast.)
The author has illustrated with photographs and descriptions, a number of pests and weeds that had spread to Sri Lanka from ther contries through human intervention. These include Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) from East Africa, Coconut Leaf Mining Beetle (Promecotheca cumingii) originally reported from the Philippines, White Fly (Aleurodicus dispersus), Papaya Mealy Bug (Paracoccus marginatus), Japan Jabara (Eichhornia crassipes). The last was reportedly introduced to Sri Lanka in the early 1900s as an ornamental plant due to its beautiful flowers. Similarly, Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) originally reported from South America was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 1930s when it was brought in for studies at the then University of Ceylon. Lantana (Lantana camara), originally reported from South America, was introduced through the Royal Botanic Gardens and is now an invasive weed. Giant Mimosa (Mimosa pigra), reported in Sri Lanka in the 1980s on the banks of the Mahaweli river spreads out far and wide by floating in rivers/water ways and via animals.
The author rightly points out that the foregoing are only a few of the introduced pests that have established in Sri Lanka and that over and above these few, there are a larger number of pests (and diseases) that have entered the country and have got widely established here, damaging both agriculture and the environment significantly. Unfortunately the focus of Sri Lanka continues to be on studies and other measures on controlling these pests and diseases with much less attention towards preventing the entry of pests and diseases. In this context he emphasizes that Sri Lanka by nature is blessed to be an island surrounded right round by sea and should ideally make use of this advantage to protect the prevalent environment rich with bio diversity and the agriculture industry which is the country’s life blood, from foreign pests and diseases, through the effective implementation of strict plant quarantine regulations and measures.
The Plant Protection Act No. 35 of 1999, now in force and Gazette Extraordinary No. 165/2 of Nov. 2, 1981 listing Regulations under the then Plant Protection Ordinance are included as annexures to the book.
I strongly feel that this book will be of much use to undergraduates in Agriculture, practitioners of agriculture, exporters of fruits, vegetables, flowers and other agricultural products, importers of seed and planting material and any others with relevant interest as it will be an easy reference tool for information on plant quarantine.
In conclusion, let me congratulate my good friend Lionel for taking the challenge to author this first ever book on plant quarantine written in Sinhala. I am sure it will interest a wide readership here. I wish my friend a well earned retirement in the years ahead.
(For any information on the book, the author may be contacted through WhatsApp +61 403 448 707 or email < lrajapakse@hotmail.com>)
{Sent via email<bedgarperera@gmail.com>}
by Kaushalya Perera
Time has, by and large, stood still in the business of academic staff recruitment to state universities. Qualifications have proliferated and evolved to be more interdisciplinary, but our selection processes and evaluation criteria are unchanged since at least the late 1990s. But before I delve into the problems, I will describe the existing processes and schemes of recruitment. The discussion is limited to UGC-governed state universities (and does not include recruitment to medical and engineering sectors) though the problems may be relevant to other higher education institutions (HEIs).
How recruitment happens currently in SL state universities
Academic ranks in Sri Lankan state universities can be divided into three tiers (subdivisions are not discussed).
* Lecturer (Probationary)
– recruited with a four-year undergraduate degree. A tiny step higher is the Lecturer (Unconfirmed), recruited with a postgraduate degree but no teaching experience.
* A Senior Lecturer can be recruited with certain postgraduate qualifications and some number of years of teaching and research.
* Above this is the professor (of four types), which can be left out of this discussion since only one of those (Chair Professor) is by application.
State universities cannot hire permanent academic staff as and when they wish. Prior to advertising a vacancy, approval to recruit is obtained through a mind-numbing and time-consuming process (months!) ending at the Department of Management Services. The call for applications must list all ranks up to Senior Lecturer. All eligible candidates for Probationary to Senior Lecturer are interviewed, e.g., if a Department wants someone with a doctoral degree, they must still advertise for and interview candidates for all ranks, not only candidates with a doctoral degree. In the evaluation criteria, the first degree is more important than the doctoral degree (more on this strange phenomenon later). All of this is only possible when universities are not under a ‘hiring freeze’, which governments declare regularly and generally lasts several years.
Problem type 1
– Archaic processes and evaluation criteria
Twenty-five years ago, as a probationary lecturer with a first degree, I was a typical hire. We would be recruited, work some years and obtain postgraduate degrees (ideally using the privilege of paid study leave to attend a reputed university in the first world). State universities are primarily undergraduate teaching spaces, and when doctoral degrees were scarce, hiring probationary lecturers may have been a practical solution. The path to a higher degree was through the academic job. Now, due to availability of candidates with postgraduate qualifications and the problems of retaining academics who find foreign postgraduate opportunities, preference for candidates applying with a postgraduate qualification is growing. The evaluation scheme, however, prioritises the first degree over the candidate’s postgraduate education. Were I to apply to a Faculty of Education, despite a PhD on language teaching and research in education, I may not even be interviewed since my undergraduate degree is not in education. The ‘first degree first’ phenomenon shows that universities essentially ignore the intellectual development of a person beyond their early twenties. It also ignores the breadth of disciplines and their overlap with other fields.
This can be helped (not solved) by a simple fix, which can also reduce brain drain: give precedence to the doctoral degree in the required field, regardless of the candidate’s first degree, effected by a UGC circular. The suggestion is not fool-proof. It is a first step, and offered with the understanding that any selection process, however well the evaluation criteria are articulated, will be beset by multiple issues, including that of bias. Like other Sri Lankan institutions, universities, too, have tribal tendencies, surfacing in the form of a preference for one’s own alumni. Nevertheless, there are other problems that are, arguably, more pressing as I discuss next. In relation to the evaluation criteria, a problem is the narrow interpretation of any regulation, e.g., deciding the degree’s suitability based on the title rather than considering courses in the transcript. Despite rhetoric promoting internationalising and inter-disciplinarity, decision-making administrative and academic bodies have very literal expectations of candidates’ qualifications, e.g., a candidate with knowledge of digital literacy should show this through the title of the degree!
Problem type 2 – The mess of badly regulated higher education
A direct consequence of the contemporary expansion of higher education is a large number of applicants with myriad qualifications. The diversity of degree programmes cited makes the responsibility of selecting a suitable candidate for the job a challenging but very important one. After all, the job is for life – it is very difficult to fire a permanent employer in the state sector.
Widely varying undergraduate degree programmes.
At present, Sri Lankan undergraduates bring qualifications (at times more than one) from multiple types of higher education institutions: a degree from a UGC-affiliated state university, a state university external to the UGC, a state institution that is not a university, a foreign university, or a private HEI aka ‘private university’. It could be a degree received by attending on-site, in Sri Lanka or abroad. It could be from a private HEI’s affiliated foreign university or an external degree from a state university or an online only degree from a private HEI that is ‘UGC-approved’ or ‘Ministry of Education approved’, i.e., never studied in a university setting. Needless to say, the diversity (and their differences in quality) are dizzying. Unfortunately, under the evaluation scheme all degrees ‘recognised’ by the UGC are assigned the same marks. The same goes for the candidates’ merits or distinctions, first classes, etc., regardless of how difficult or easy the degree programme may be and even when capabilities, exposure, input, etc are obviously different.
Similar issues are faced when we consider postgraduate qualifications, though to a lesser degree. In my discipline(s), at least, a postgraduate degree obtained on-site from a first-world university is preferable to one from a local university (which usually have weekend or evening classes similar to part-time study) or online from a foreign university. Elitist this may be, but even the best local postgraduate degrees cannot provide the experience and intellectual growth gained by being in a university that gives you access to six million books and teaching and supervision by internationally-recognised scholars. Unfortunately, in the evaluation schemes for recruitment, the worst postgraduate qualification you know of will receive the same marks as one from NUS, Harvard or Leiden.
The problem is clear but what about a solution?
Recruitment to state universities needs to change to meet contemporary needs. We need evaluation criteria that allows us to get rid of the dross as well as a more sophisticated institutional understanding of using them. Recruitment is key if we want our institutions (and our country) to progress. I reiterate here the recommendations proposed in ‘Considerations for Higher Education Reform’ circulated previously by Kuppi Collective:
* Change bond regulations to be more just, in order to retain better qualified academics.
* Update the schemes of recruitment to reflect present-day realities of inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary training in order to recruit suitably qualified candidates.
* Ensure recruitment processes are made transparent by university administrations.
Kaushalya Perera is a senior lecturer at the University of Colombo.
(Kuppi is a politics and pedagogy happening on the margins of the lecture hall that parodies, subverts, and simultaneously reaffirms social hierarchies.)
This week, too, the spotlight is on an outfit that has gained popularity, mainly through social media.
Last week we had MISTER Band in our scene, and on 10th February, Yellow Beatz – both social media favourites.
Talento is a seven-piece band that plays all types of music, from the ‘60s to the modern tracks of today.
The band has reached many heights, since its inception in 2012, and has gained recognition as a leading wedding and dance band in the scene here.
The members that makeup the outfit have a solid musical background, which comes through years of hard work and dedication
Their portfolio of music contains a mix of both western and eastern songs and are carefully selected, they say, to match the requirements of the intended audience, occasion, or event.
Although the baila is a specialty, which is inherent to this group, that originates from Moratuwa, their repertoire is made up of a vast collection of love, classic, oldies and modern-day hits.
The musicians, who make up Talento, are:
Prabuddha Geetharuchi:
Geilee Fonseka: Dynamic and charismatic vocalist
Prabuddha Geetharuchi: The main man behind the band Talento
(Vocalist/ Frontman). He is an avid music enthusiast and was mentored by a lot of famous musicians, and trainers, since he was a child. Growing up with them influenced him to take on western songs, as well as other music styles. A Peterite, he is the main man behind the band Talento and is a versatile singer/entertainer who never fails to get the crowd going.
Geilee Fonseka (Vocals):
A dynamic and charismatic vocalist whose vibrant stage presence, and powerful voice, bring a fresh spark to every performance. Young, energetic, and musically refined, she is an artiste who effortlessly blends passion with precision – captivating audiences from the very first note. Blessed with an immense vocal range, Geilee is a truly versatile singer, confidently delivering Western and Eastern music across multiple languages and genres.
Chandana Perera (Drummer):
His expertise and exceptional skills have earned him recognition as one of the finest acoustic drummers in Sri Lanka. With over 40 tours under his belt, Chandana has demonstrated his dedication and passion for music, embodying the essential role of a drummer as the heartbeat of any band.
Harsha Soysa:
(Bassist/Vocalist). He a chorister of the western choir of St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, who began his musical education under famous voice trainers, as well as bass guitar trainers in Sri Lanka. He has also performed at events overseas. He acts as the second singer of the band
Udara Jayakody:
(Keyboardist). He is also a qualified pianist, adding technical flavour to Talento’s music. His singing and harmonising skills are an extra asset to the band. From his childhood he has been a part of a number of orchestras as a pianist. He has also previously performed with several famous western bands.
Aruna Madushanka:
(Saxophonist). His proficiciency in playing various instruments, including the saxophone, soprano saxophone, and western flute, showcases his versatility as a musician, and his musical repertoire is further enhanced by his remarkable singing ability.
Prashan Pramuditha:
(Lead guitar). He has the ability to play different styles, both oriental and western music, and he also creates unique tones and patterns with the guitar..
The JJ Twins, the Sri Lankan musical duo, performing in the Maldives, and known for blending R&B, Hip Hop, and Sri Lankan rhythms, thereby creating a unique sound, have come out with a brand-new single ‘Me Mawathe.’
In fact, it’s a very special milestone for the twin brothers, Julian and Jason Prins, as ‘Me Mawathe’ is their first ever Sinhala song!
‘Me Mawathe’ showcases a fresh new sound, while staying true to the signature harmony and emotion that their fans love.
This heartfelt track captures the beauty of love, journey, and connection, brought to life through powerful vocals and captivating melodies.
It marks an exciting new chapter for the JJ Twins as they expand their musical journey and connect with audiences in a whole new way.
Their recent album, ‘CONCLUDED,’ explores themes of love, heartbreak, and healing, and include hits like ‘Can’t Get You Off My Mind’ and ‘You Left Me Here to Die’ which showcase their emotional intensity.
Readers could stay connected and follow JJ Twins on social media for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming releases:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jjtwinsofficial
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jjtwinsmusic
Facebook: http://facebook.com/jjtwinssingers
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jjtwins
Six US soldiers killed in Iranian strike on Kuwait base
Israel attacks presidential office in Tehran as reported death toll in Iran rises to 787
Attorney At Law S K Sangakkara pasess away
SriLankan Airlines Update on Middle East Operations
Trump says Iran war projected to last 4 to 5 weeks, could go ‘far longer’
Qatar downs two Iranian fighter jets as conflict widens
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Opinion5 days agoJamming and re-setting the world: What is the role of Donald Trump?
-
Features5 days agoAn innocent bystander or a passive onlooker?
-
Features6 days agoRatmalana Airport: The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Nothing But The Truth
-
Features2 days agoBrilliant Navy officer no more
-
Business7 days agoDialog partners with Xiaomi to introduce Redmi Note 15 5G Series in Sri Lanka
-
Features7 days agoBuilding on Sand: The Indian market trap
-
Opinion7 days agoFuture must be won
-
Opinion2 days agoSri Lanka – world’s worst facilities for cricket fans