This is about the latest photography project in town for people who are eager to take their photography skills to the next level and explore their potential; for who have what it takes to be ‘The Ultimate Rotaract Shutterbug’ and WIN exciting prizes and for the ones who are ready to experience a rollercoaster ride with a full dose of photoantastic moments?

The Rotaract Club of Panadura proudly presents Rotaract Shutterbug – A story with every click! from July to October 2011, in partnership with National Photographic Art Society Sri Lanka, Photographic Society of Sri Lanka, Canon- Metropolitan, Ogilvy Action, Quantei, United Nations, IYV+10 Steering Committee, Maharaja Broadcasting Corporation, MTV and YFM.

This is a photography initiative for amateur and enthusiasts consisting of three main segments

- Rotaract Shutterbug Photography Training (Deadline for applications – 10 August 2011)

- Rotaract Shutterbug Photography Competition (Deadline for entries – 10 September 2011)

- Rotaract Shutterbug Photography Week (Await further details)

Please visit the website or call on 077 65 11 393 for further details or to find out how you can participate and get involved. Click here for the Facebook Fan page.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity! Apply today!

This year the Candlelight Memorial theme being “Touching Lives”, the International Candlelight Memorial wishes people to remember how HIV has touched the lives of so many of us; and how international solidarity has a positive impact on the lives of people living with HIV and affected by HIV worldwide.

Light a candle today (15th May) and remember everyone who died of AIDS.

It is a sad fact that in Sri Lanka, people are in the habit of swallowing corrosive acids accidently mistaking it for water as these acids are stored in bottles without a proper label. This is all the more common in the rubber growing areas of the country as they have acetic acid in their homes. Those in the jewellery trade may ingest nitric acid and those in the battery trade may ingest sulphuric acid. Corrosives such as Harpic may also be ingested with the aim of committing suicide.

These corrosives cause extensive damage to the oesophagus ( gullet ) & stomach. Scarring takes place with time leading to narrowing of the gullet. As a result these unfortunate individuals are unable to swallow their food and become malnourished and whither away while prevention of such acts should be our goal, once the damage is done major reconstructive surgery may be required in some individuals. Restoration of the act of swallowing requires the reconstruction of a new gullet using the stomach or a part of the large bowel. This is a major procedure which takes 4-6 hours. However successful surgery gives these patients a new lease of life.

A project to help these patients has been started at the Sri Jayewardenapura General Hospital. Nugegoda by Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke, Consultant Surgeon of this hospital. Each Operation costs around Rs 80,000 /= including in ward care, drugs, investigations, Intensive care, hospital charges for surgery, disposables and nutrition etc ( surgeon does the operation free of charge). Most of the victims of this tragedy are youth in the 10 – 30 age group. They are from the low income group and are not in a position to spend for this major surgical procedure.

Donations are kindly requested from friends & well wishers. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Cash donations could be sent to Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke or direct to a special Savings Account which has been opened for this purpose at the Hatton National Bank Ltd, 1424, Kotte Road, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka Account of Dr. G Goonetilleke / Savings Account No.036 020047158

Thank you

Yours sincerely

A patient who was helped by this fund was featured in the Sunday Times Plus of 21/2/2010 and 28/3/2010 (Titles -Deadly Drink & Suneetha all smiles again)

Earth Lanka in collaboration with The Rotaract Club of Colombo, Hon. Minister of Environment of the Western Province – Mr. Udaya Gammanpila, Voyage Motion Pictures, Evolution Film Productions, IMP, Jetwing, Natanda – Dance Theatre of Sri Lanka and Upali Newspapers Limited is calling for young, enthusiastic, dedicated activist in helping to save the mother earth to compose songs under the title of “Making it Green Again” to be aired as a music video at the United Nations Framework for Climate Change (UNFCC) Conference (UNFCCC Cop 17 summit) in South Africa this year as an initiative of this little island in contribution to the grater collation of appealing for change in preserving the mother earth.

The lyric writing & filming competition starting on Monday April 11, 2011 running through May 11, 2011 will accept entries sent to:

Winning lyrics will receive a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 along with a voucher for a weekend stay at a luxurious hotel of the Jetwing Group in Sri Lanka. Therefore don’t forget to include your contact details along with your submission.

You can find out more by simply emailing with the subject line: “Make it Green Again” to: diliupg@gmail.com

Please pass this on to all your friends, family and contacts and help to “Make it Green Again”

Sri Lanka’s “Standard Time” website went missing soon after it being launched by the President due to bad weather Read more here What a joke?