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An essay written on COW by a candidate appearing for the IAS (Indian administrative Services) exam.

This was published in the Marathi daily news paper - Loksatta

By Ravi Nagahawatte

In the good old days, when about the time my father lived, there were sensitive people who went to the extent of even having a strong bond with the vehicles they used. My father, now dead and gone, has told me a story of how a close friend of his washed, cleaned and polished his car but chose to commute to office by bus. His love for his vehicle was similar to the affection he had for his siblings. I once went to a press briefing which was conducted by motor car enthusiasts who were gearing up for a motor show in the cool climes of Central Province. I was amazed at how affectionately they planned the trip for the old crocks which were to make the trip. One official told the media, `These old vehicles will have to be given a rest half way through Kadugannawa to stop the engines from boiling,` he said. It made me wonder how brutal today`s drivers are when they use modern vehicles which boast of all options. How many snazzy vehicles do we see stalled on the road due to overheated engines, mainly due to lack of their drivers being sensitive to the needs of the vehicle rather than any fault in the engine.

Reverse Swing - by Revata S, Silva

Photo - Ranatunga with Councilor John Goddard, Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford, after delivering his speech at the Oxford Union. (Pic courtesy Bandula Manage of www.sesatha.co.uk)

`The address was made at the historic Debating Chamber (of the Oxford Union). James Dray (President Oxford Union) inaugurated proceedings by stating that it was indeed an honour to have Arjuna speak on this day. Delivering the Welcome Address, Dilan Fernando (President Oxford Sri Lanka Society), detailed Arjuna`s tremendous contribution to the game, starting from the inaugural Test match in 1982 to the World Cup final in 1996. He thanked the distinguished gathering, including diplomats and university dignitaries, who had come from far afield to listen to the great cricketer speak.

India v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Ahmedabad, 3rd day

Classy Mahela Jayawardene leaves India clueless

Cricinfo staff

November 18, 2009

[Picture]
Mahela Jayawardene was imperious today as India`s attack rapidly lost any semblance of potency AFP

It`s a bowler`s worst nightmare: A placid pitch and a master batsman seemingly incapable of playing a false stroke. It was Rahul Dravid on day one, lifting India out of a deep trench, and Mahela Jayawardene followed suit to give his team a vice-like grip on the game.

November 14, 2009 08:12 pm
Instead of falling into the traps of complacency, petty rivalry and divisive politics that have so often been our downfall, we must unite as a nation and build a better future together. It is only then that the true reward of our victory over terrorism will be fully realized, says Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Olcott Oration of Ananda College this evening.



I wish to invite all patriotic Sri Lankans to come together, to put their differences aside, and work towards this resurgence as one people. This is our duty to our motherland, and we must not let her down, added the Defence Secretary.

By Susitha R. Fernando



Chief Justice Asoka de Silva said that the public should have the right to information and be able to question ministers on what they do. The CJ made the statements at the launch of the `Justice` magazine by the Ministry of Justice, which was held at the Supreme Court complex at Hulftsdorp today.

Just attended a Musical Show by T.M. Jayarathne titled Sonduru Atheethaya in Doha. Excellent 4 hours of Music. It was very nice to listen to his songs and the stories, tales behind those songs.

By Claire Bates
Last updated at 4:31 PM on 03rd November 2009

This rare ghostly picture shows a full lunar rainbow arcing over the countryside in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Rainbows appear when sunlight is reflected from raindrops, but in this case the Sun had set hours before. Instead a particularly bright Moon created the impressive bow.

Photographer Chris Walker captured the picture as he was driving through a storm around 7pm last Sunday.

He said: `I noticed something odd in the sky as I was driving home.

LiveScience Staff
LiveScience.com livescience Staff

livescience.com Mon Nov 2, 5:43 pm ET

A 35-mile rift in the desert of Ethiopia will likely become a new ocean eventually, researchers now confirm.

The crack, 20 feet wide in spots, opened in 2005 and some geologists believed then that it would spawn a new ocean. But that view was controversial, and the rift had not been well studied.

A new study involving an international team of scientists and reported in the journal Geophysical Research Letters finds the processes creating the rift are nearly identical to what goes on at the bottom of oceans, further indication a sea is in the region`s future.

Before your sniffles morph into a nasty sinus, chest or ear infection, here`s how to fight back.
By Sari Harrar

Mugs of tea, a bottle of ibuprofen and a truckload of tissues won`t get you through every case of the sniffles. Too often, the common cold turns into something more serious, zeroing in on your personal weak point to become a sinus infection, a sore throat, a nonstop cough, an attack of bronchitis or an ear infection. And if you`re prone to a particular complication thanks, perhaps, to an anatomical quirk (such as sinus obstructions), an underlying medical problem (early asthma, for example), or a history of a particular illness (childhood ear infections) your odds of getting sicker, faster, can skyrocket.

One hundred and eighty seven years ago a collection of priceless jewellery and ornaments was sold by auction at 38, King Street, Covent Garden in London. The date was June 13th, 1820 and the jewels were described as `presented by his Majesty to his captors`.

In fact they were not presented by his Majesty (Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe) but seized by his captors the British. The jewellery and ornaments formed part of the regalia of the last King of Kandy. The full regalia comprised the crown, the throne and foot stool and the sword use by kings of the Kandyan Kingdom for 122 years.

By Richard Alleyne,
Science Correspondent

Playing a musical instrument makes you smarter, it has been claimed.

New research suggests that regularly playing an instrument changes the shape and power of the brain and may be used in therapy to improve cognitive skills.

It can even increase IQ by seven points in both children and adults, according to researchers

Experts said there is growing evidence that musicians have structurally and functionally different brains compared with non-musicians - in particular, the areas of the brain used in processing and playing music.

HANDS TO HEAVEN - Breathe
From the album All That Jazz 1988 A&M

As I watch you move across the moonlit room
There`s so much tenderness in your loving
Tomorrow I must leave, the dawn knows no reprieve
God give me strength when I am leaving

So raise your hands to heaven and pray
That we`ll be back together someday

Tonight I need your sweet caress
Hold me in the darkness
Tonight you calm my restlessness
You relieve my sadness

As we move to embrace, tears run down your face

Sri Lanka in India 2009-10
Sa`adi Thawfeeq
October 29, 2009

Picture
Sanath Jayasuriya`s recent batting form has the Sri Lankan selectors concerned AFP

Sanath Jayasuriya`s cricketing future has been put in the balance with Sri Lanka`s selectors saying today that his days as an opener are effectively over and that following the upcoming tour of India he will be picked on performance alone. Jayasuriya, 40, has been picked in the one-day squad as an allrounder who can bat down the order and bowl left-arm spin.

now this guy knows what he is talking about

Q: Doctor, I`ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Heart only good for so many beats, and that it... Don`t waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speed up heart not make live longer that like say you can extend life of car by driving faster. Want live longer? Take nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?