Features

Excellent librarian/information scientist; now skills enhancer

Published

4 years ago

2023/01/22

I joyfully write this Sunday on my favourite“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” Jorge Luis Borges

And “Librarians are tour guides to all knowledge.” Patrick Ness kind of professional with backdrop of an adored place. Yes, I write about a reference librarian cum information provider now progressed to be a developer of librarians: Dr Shrianjani de Alwis Jayasuriya whom I shall refer to by her better known abbreviated name – Gina. I intend also to use her own words as answers to the questions I ask.

I got to know Gina when she was young and I was in my middle years, moving over to part-time librarianship studies – a course offered by the Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA). Gina was a co-student and we gravitated to each other. The gravitation was further cemented by my joining the National Science Council, where Gina was already well established. My admiration of this young woman increased as the years went by.

My first question to her was: How did you get interested in librarianship? Her reply:

My father was an avid reader and one of my fond childhood recollections of him were the piles of books he would regularly bring home from libraries. So, yes, I grew up in an environment where books were a way of life and reading was second nature. At X’mas, Santa’s gifts were Enid Blyton’s The Secret Seven and Famous Five and later Nancy Drew.

I completed my schooling and, as I did not put in sufficient effort, could not enter university. It was around this time that my mum, a pillar of the YWCA, got me to volunteer to run the Children’s’ Library at the YWCA, Union Place. I loved it there because I got to not only spend time amidst books, but also organise fun events for the children.

And then one day my father showed me a Sri Lanka Library Association advertisement calling for applications for the First Year Course in Librarianship. I figured it was time to get serious about life and signed up for the programme. I won the Gold Medal for best student at the final exam.

Q: How did your work in libraries progress?

I gained work experience at the University of Peradeniya Library – yes, I had the privilege of interacting with Ian Goonetilleke, the University Librarian. He later totally discouraged me from getting a transfer to Kelaniya University, which my father had a hand in, so I could travel from home. I did take up the transfer much to Mr. Goonetilleke’s chagrin.

My next stint was with the National Science Council (now National Science Foundation) where I worked for over 10 years and had the opportunity to develop professionally with renowned librarians Vijitha de Silva and Upali Yapa – developing the UNDP funded Sri Lanka Scientific & Technical Information Centre. One other greatly respected librarian who influenced me career-wise was Clodagh Nethsinghe, former Chief Librarian of CISIR. During this period I also realised that if I was to progress in my career, I needed to go back to my studies, which I did, and acquired a bachelor’s degree. During these years I was also very active in the Sri Lanka Library Association holding office as well as teaching.

The next major change in my professional career was the six years with the USIS American Centre. Here I had the opportunity to use the reference skills I had acquired over the years as well as in public programming – a new portfolio that I got to experience.

(I, Nan, butt in here to say that Gina was the best reference librarian I had ever known, ferreting out required info and serving well the library clientele. In those pre-Internet times, the reference librarian did much searching or directed searching of published reference tools.)

Q: You went to Singapore

. Let’s hear about your years over there

Yes, in 1991 my life underwent a major change when I moved to Singapore and within three months succeeded in getting a job at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). I believe the timing of my move was opportune since there were not many qualified and experienced librarians in Singapore then. It was also around this time that libraries were beginning to deploy technology for more effective service delivery.

I spent the next 28 years with the Institute heading its libraries and believe me there was never a dull moment. I had to undertake many changed management ventures over the years from starting new branch libraries to closing others, harnessing many new technologies to enhance services and, driving the Library Vision 2020 project to facilitate the transformation of the library to meet information needs of a new generation of users.

As the head of the library, one responsibility I had to carry out annually was to conduct the staff performance appraisals (PA). This exercise included identifying the staff’s strengths and areas of improvement and preparing individual training and development plans. SIM is committed to people development and leads by example. As such a percentage of the HR budget is allocated for staff training and development, and staff are required to complete four training programnes per year – two in core competencies and two in functional skills. During the annual PA exercise, I found that many in my team did not complete the requisite programmes. Their excuse was being bogged down with work. I had to repeatedly remind them that they needed to prioritize and make time to attend these sessions: a benefit employees in many other libraries did not have the privilege to experience.

Personal highlights were obtaining the Masters and PhD in Information Studies from the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; being a founding member in the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Business School Librarians Group (APBSLG) and serving as its coordinator from 2008-2012 and 2017-18. The sister associations in the USA and Europe offered opportunities to attend their programs and establish connections with a wide network of professionals. I also visited libraries both in the West and the East to keep up with new trends and technological advancements in the field.

Q: How come you immersed yourself in librarians’ development?

It was during my travels in the Asian region to give presentations at conferences, .that I had the opportunity to engage with fellow librarians and gain valuable insights on the training gaps they faced and their general lack of awareness. The importance of continuing professional development (CPD) and access to it was evident. As a means of giving back to the profession, I decided to make a commitment to share my knowledge with fellow librarians who do not have opportunities for such exposure. Many a time I met my own expenses. I became very passionate about promoting continuing professional development to library professionals and advocating upskilling and reskilling to stay relevant.

In January 2019 I embarked on the third phase of my life. I figured one way to give back to my profession was by turning my passion for CPD into a project that would benefit new library professionals. I initiated a research project on “Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for LIS Professionals in selected Asian Countries.”

The focus was on countries that had conducted limited research in the Library & Information Science sector (LIS), specifically, on CPD for LIS professionals. Country studies completed so far include the Republic of Maldives (2020) and Cambodia (2021); both of which were the very first of such studies conducted in those countries.

My research interests include: continuing professional development (CPD); the evolving role of librarians and competencies for the 21^st century; international librarianship; information seeking behaviour; and emerging trends and technologies impacting libraries

Conclusion

Those listed interests reveal much about the person Gina is – intensely interested in her chosen field; and while moving forwards keeping in sync with changing times and technology development, helping others to keep pace too. Gina now spends her time between Singapore and Sri Lanka and of course on her project which includes visits to and virtual meetings with colleagues in South and SE Asian countries; organizing webinars and other CPD programmes for the benefit of information centres and personnel. She has also published in international journals.

Libraries have changed drastically and remarkably. From being store houses of knowledge they are now key partners supporting local development needs and community empowerment. The library itself has metamorphosed from a silent, almost sacrosanct place of bookshelves to a space with computers, consoles, and engaging spaces within an ambience of informal ease but imbued with serious seeking of information and knowledge. Gina fits in splendidly!

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Features

New US sanctions on ICC, a fillip to worldwide political repression

Published

23 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

The International Criminal Court in session. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s warning to the International Criminal Court (ICC) was stark: ‘Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC.’ It followed US central administration accusations that the court was unfairly targeting Americans on the basis of trumped-up war crimes charges.

However, a new plethora of sanctions has been clamped on the ICC by the US, which in turn has spurred accusations by sections of the world that the latter has unleashed an ‘assault’ on the international legal order.

What some of the sanctions would mean for the ICC was outlined by Rubio: ‘We will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling their ability to operate against us.’

The ICC has shown consistency of purpose over the years. Despite some operational constraints it has indicted a large number of political strongmen from around the world, accused of war crimes and other governance excesses that come under its purview. Two such recent figures are: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rather than enjoy a mere nominal presence in the world community, the ICC has proved its effectiveness by detaining and bringing to justice scores of VIP politicians and others of their ilk who have been found guilty of human rights abuses and kindred excesses that come within the terms of reference of the ICC.

Accordingly, the international justice system would be stymied considerably as a result of the ICC being dis-empowered, particularly financially. Needless to say, potential and real perpetrators of the species of crime coming under the jurisdiction of the ICC would stand to gain most from such anarchic tendencies. That is, political repression globally would be enabled to enjoy a new lease of life.

A detailing of the types of crime coming under the purview of the ICC provides an idea of what it would cost the international community if the ICC’s operations are gravely hampered. They are mainly: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

That is, the part of the world to be worst affected would be the global South, since the latter is awash with the mentioned crimes. Needless to say, a chronically-disaffected South will sooner rather than later undermine the well being of the world dangerously. The world is already being put through these paces.

At the time of writing, ‘illegal migrants’ from the South, for example, are aggravating many a Western economy’s woes, besides creating for them acute law and order issues. The fact that these migrants’ presence goes on to become a virtual test of the migrant receiving states’ ability to forge domestic social inclusion in the face of jingoistic protests by mainly white supremacist groups is evidence of the latter. As is known, the US, to take just one example, has been up against this crisis for quite a while.

Accordingly, it will be in the best interests of the West if ‘illegal’ migrant arrivals on their shores are stemmed. If the socio-political and economic problems assailing the South are effectively managed through North-South collaborative, ‘trouble-shooting’ efforts the causes leading to ‘illegal’ migration and connected issues could be resolved at source as it were. For, it is the aggravation of the South’s material questions that lays the basis for the emergence of repressive and anti-democratic regimes in the hemisphere.

Until such time that the aforementioned issues in North-South relations are visited afresh and addressed urgently, a vibrantly functioning ICC would be needed. For, the latter would prove a deterrent to Southern political and military strongmen, highly prone to power abuse and like excesses, from coming into being in the wake of the South’s chronic material woes and the wars and conflicts that result from them.

It stands to reason then that the US would be acting in its own interests by enabling the ICC to perpetuate its mandate without hindrance. For a crop of issues that impinges negatively on internal law and order would be defused.

Meanwhile, there needs to be a meeting of minds among the rest of the West to put back in place a North-South dialogue process aimed at reducing some of the economic pressures that are weighing on the South.

Since economics usually drives politics it will be in the interests of the world community to scrutinizingly re-visit North-South issues of the past and put in place economic relief packages for Southern publics that would enable them to tide over their material hardships rather than permit the latter to aggravate into social disaffection and eventually armed militancy. It is the latter juncture that paves the way for the emergence of authoritarian rulers in the South who then go on to be a blight on their publics.

Accordingly, the Southern-based global development thinking of the past that envisaged a more equitable world economic order needs to be seen as an urgent need. That is, NAM’s international development paradigms need to be resuscitated to the extent possible.

It is unlikely that rightist governments of the West, such as the current Republican administration in the US, would find these projects feasible, but democratic states of Europe, led by perhaps the UK, are likely to think otherwise. For it would not be beneficial for the democratic world to be having on their hands repressive governments in the South who would be gravitating towards the major military and economic actors of the South, such as Iran and North Korea, who tend to be in constant power struggles with the West.

However, until such time that the mentioned, pro-people initiatives are given serious thought the ICC would need to be enabled by the international community to be in place comfortably and carry on with its mandate of bringing repressive rulers to book. Besides the ICC should pave the way for the peoples of the developing world to enjoy some substantial respite from the political repression and even terror which tend to be their lot.

Meanwhile, the wars of West Asia are relentlessly aggravating the economic hardships of people everywhere, driving the point home to enlightened sections that there is no alternative to peacemaking. A challenge is to convert the US under President Trump to this line of thinking.

Features

Clear, soft and shine-free skin

Published

23 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

This week, I give you five simple, time-tested homemade remedies that help reduce the appearance of blemishes, control excess shine and leave your skin feeling softer and smoother.

The Honey and Lemon Brightening Dab:

For stubborn blemish marks, this is a classic. Mix one teaspoon of pure bee honey with three to four drops of fresh lemon juice. Apply gently, only on the affected spots, and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. While honey soothes and softens, lemon helps to brighten naturally. Use twice a week in the evening.

Besan and Rose Water Oil-Control Pack:

An ideal remedy to combat shine, especially on the T-zone. Take two teaspoons of besan (gram flour) and mix with sufficient rose water to form a smooth paste. Add a pinch of turmeric for its antiseptic goodness. Apply evenly, keep for 15 minutes and wash off. It absorbs excess oil without over-drying, leaving a beautiful matte finish.

Aloe Vera and Cucumber Ice Soother:

Blend fresh aloe vera gel with the juice of a grated cucumber and freeze the mixture in an ice tray. Each morning, wrap one cube in a soft muslin cloth and gently rub over a cleansed face for 30 seconds. It calms, tightens pores and imparts a baby-soft smoothness.

Oatmeal and Curd Gentle Polish:

Roughness and old blemish marks need gentle exfoliation. Combine one tablespoon of finely powdered oatmeal with one tablespoon of fresh curd (yoghurt). Massage very gently, in circular motions, for one minute, leave for five minutes and rinse. It removes dead cells and unveils softer, clearer skin.

Multani Mitti and Green Tea Magic Mask:

Brew some green tea and allow it to cool completely. Mix one and a half teaspoons of Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth) with the tea water to make a fine paste. Apply for 10 to 12 minutes – do not let it dry and crack completely – and wash off. It draws out impurities, fades blemishes and bestows a fresh, shine-free glow.

A Gentle Reminder:

As with any natural remedy, always do a patch test on your inner arm first. For those with oily or combination skin, avoid heavy coconut oil application and harsh scrubbing, as they tend to aggravate shine and blemishes.

Features

Compete, shine and be discovered at WCOPA 2027

Published

23 hours ago

2026/10/15

Thilina Walpola

Dream of performing on a world stage? Well, here is your unique, golden opportunity!

The World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) — the one and only official “Talent Olympics” — is the world’s premier global platform for aspiring singers, dancers, actors, models, instrumentalists, etc., to compete, shine and be discovered!

And, yes, this world stage is open to YOU, Sri Lankans living in Sri Lanka and overseas!

Held annually in glittering Las Vegas, WCOPA brings together over 70 countries, all competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals, just like the traditional Olympics.

Lakisha Bernard: Will represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA 2027

Outstanding performers vie for the coveted titles of Junior and Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World, with winners and standout participants awarded over $500,000 in scholarships, cash awards and prizes to catapult their education and careers!

Sri Lanka is already making waves! At WCOPA 2026, Natharie Wickramasinghe, representing Team Sri Lanka, made the nation proud by winning a Bronze Medal in the Ethnic/Folklore Dance category!

Lakisha: Accomplished freelance Model and Fashion Design graduate

Recruitment for this prestigious competition is handled through a system of scouts and licensed National Directors — and this is where our very own Chris Rajendra, now based in Las Vegas, and National Director for Team Sri Lanka, comes into the scene.

If you are a singer, dancer, actor, model, instrumentalist — if you have talent burning inside you — contact Chris Rajendra today for registration and, who knows, you may find yourself in Las Vegas, and proudly draped in the Sri Lankan flag, at WCOPA 2027!

The contact address is: Chris Rajendra, wcopa.nationaldirector.sl@gmail.com

or chris.rajendra@gmail.com

Meanwhile, a star is born for 2027, in the form of Lakisha Bernard who is all set to represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA 2027.

Originally hailing from the sun-drenched coastal city of Colombo and now carving out her creative career in Canada, 22-year-old Lakisha is stepping into the international spotlight.

This accomplished freelance Model and Fashion Design graduate has officially been appointed as the Team Sri Lanka Promoter for Canada as she prepares to represent Team Sri Lanka at WCOPA in Las Vegas.

Lakisha brings a unique blend of high-fashion sensibility, captivating camera presence and expert garment design to the Team.

Having built her career, from local college shoots to high-glamour concepts, Lakisha’s inspiring journey embodies the true spirit of cultural bridge-building and creative resilience, bringing immense pride and recognition to Sri Lanka on the global stage.

WCOPA 2027 will be held at the legendary Westgate Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, from 12th to 20th July – the very same iconic arena where the late, great Elvis Presley himself performed!

Your moment is now. Your stage is Las Vegas, so hurry and contact Chris Rajendra.