EDITORIAL

Election of Fellows

The procedure for the election of new Fellows to the NASSL is extraordinarily complicated and long-drawn out, rivalling the system followed in the American Presidential elections – perhaps rightly so in order to maintain certain standards and to keep out those who do not conform to the requirements of Fellowship in the Academy. On the other hand, once elected, it seems that Fellows would cease to belong to the Academy only if they were to die, fail to pay their subscriptions for two years, or behave absolutely disgracefully, like Vermin Silva for instance!  

Once elected, many Fellows just add the letters FNASSL (Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka) after their names on their visiting cards, or simply hold on to the title hoping that it would make their obituary look more impressive. They regard it like an honorary doctorate (Vermin Silva and some others come to mind again!) or a knighthood or a higher rank in the army which confers the privilege of using the title but no obligation to contribute anything afterwards.  

I would like to make a very controversial suggestion - that we set up a mechanism to de-list any Fellow who shows no sign of life over a period of say two years! This would be akin to the power of recall of office bearers or politicians that exists in many legislatures and institutions in other countries. It has been suggested that any Fellow who does not attend meetings or participate in the activities of the Academy over a two period, should be asked by a disciplinary subcommittee to show cause as to why he or she should not be struck off from membership roll of the Academy.  Let us know what you think.

LETTERS

Suggestion to de-list Fellows of the National Academy of Science

This is in response to the controversial suggestion made in the Editorial of the NASSL Newsletter Volume 2 (6) to establish a mechanism to de-list Fellows of the National Academy if they do not participate in its activities for a period of two years.

Before such a drastic decision is taken the NASSL should consider certain salient facts as to why there is poor participation not only in its routine activities but also at Council meetings (vide minutes of the 28^th AGM). Almost all activities of the Academy are held in Colombo and often after 4.30 p.m. perhaps to enable members from Colombo to attend after working hours. Is it fair for the Academy to expect regular participation of Fellows from out stations (Galle, Matara, Kandy Jaffna etc) for such events? Today a one way trip by public transport takes around 3 to 4 hours from all these out stations and perhaps more than 24 hours from Jaffna.

This means a person has to spend some 6 to 8 hours on the road to attend a one or two hour event. Furthermore the cost of such travel has to be borne by the participant. Even if the event terminates at 6.30 p.m. it would be around 10.30 or 11.00 p.m. by the time the participant reaches the bus stand or the railway station of his home town and he’ll have to find other means of transport to reach his home perhaps around 12 midnight. What is the support given by the Academy for out station Fellows to encourage their participation?

For a change, why doesn't the Academy organize some activities in the out stations and see how many from Colombo would participate? It has to be borne in mind that most of the Senior Fellows have retired from service and are eking out a frugal living on their retirement benefits and do not enjoy the luxury of having official transport. The comp-arison with politicians is absurd. They are paid a sitting allowance of Rs.1000/- for each meeting, a duty free official luxury vehicle and driver, a fuel allowance and hostel facilities in Colombo.  If the NASSL can provide even half of these incentives there will be enough participation.

Above all, it has to be borne in mind that a Fellow is elected by an extraordinarily complicated process (according to the Editorial) by the votes of the entire membership after a thorough peer review of his scientific contributions and  achieve-ments. A Fellow’s election is certainly in recognition of his/her achievements and not simply to attend meetings.  Therefore any system to de-list a Fellow should (if at all) be taken by the membership and not by a few temporary office bearers of the Academy. In fact it would be more prudent to evaluate a Fellow’s continued contribu-tions to his or her field of expertise if one wants to pass a judgment whether his membership should continue or not.

S. A. Kulasooriya

Fellow of the Academy since 1986         

Letter from Deshamnaya, VidyaJyothi Dr. Ray Wijewardene

 Colleagues… May I respond again to the editorial challenge in Vol.2 Issue 5, with a plea for a change in attitude of our fellow-scientists in S’Lanka, towards a clear identification of the client for whom we (are supposed to) serve. While very deeply involved in agricultural research for the tropical farmer… based then also in the Philippines , in Africa, and in India , I have become increasingly concerned with the ‘reasons’ for which the results of agricultural research are NOT taken up by the farmer.

I was very much taken up by the words of that fine Ag.Economist John Kenneth Galbraithe (also J.Kennedy’s Ambassador to India) who wrote, ‘Farmers rightly sense there is danger in the counsel of any-one who himself does not have to live by the results.’….

 In conversation with JKG one day thereafter, he explained to me that the objective of most scientists is towards the writing of a formal paper and getting it suitably ‘published’… whereas the objective of the farmer is to make a profit…. a living. This very apposite outlook has been further endorsed in many writings of Prof. Amartya Sen. The dichotomy of purpose and intention between that of the scientist and that of the farmer (- the eventual user of that research) is the reason why a great deal of research is wasted as it is not applicable to the persons for whom the research it should basically be intended.

 I take the liberty of attaching (to follow) a copy of a letter I have recently sent to the Chairman of the Coconut Research Board, and draw your attention, particularly, to the paragraphs under items C, D, and E. ….Too often we tend to ‘label’ research strictly into ‘disciplines’… (e.g. Agricultural… or Engineering… or Economcs etc., ) without an appreciation for their integration towards the objectives of for-whom-ever the research is intended. Sadly, much of the ‘so-called’ research of (for example) the agriculture-science-based organisations is ‘sponsored’ by the ag.-chemical vendors who will use the ‘doctored’ results thereby for commercial reasons. Sadly, again, we see this happening also in the field of medical-sciences. It also happens in the field of engineering (e.g. ‘energy’)

 Perhaps as ‘FELLOWS’ we need to ensure the supremacy of the science, and objectives of the end-user, versus the commercialism which we have all seen creep into our respective ‘disciplines’.

 Ray Wijewardene

<raywijewardene@yahoo.com>

4 Feb. 2008

The article referred to by Dr. Ray Wijewardene in this letter appears elsewhere on this page. Click HERE to go there.

A Case for Scrutiny by the NASSL

Dr U.Pethiyagoda   Fellow and Former President of NASSL.  

The "Daily Mirror" of March 5 carried the disturbing news that a Senior Professor attached to the Institute of Fundamental Studies (IFS) was detected attempting to smuggle what was described as "four samples of rare plant chromosomes endemic to Sri Lanka" It further adds that "a multi-million dollar gene smuggling racket has been carried on for over a decade by several local academics attached to the IFS".

This detection reportedly sparked off a raid on the IFS which uncovered "over 40 samples of such processed rare plant chromosomes endemic to the country". It is also implied that certain senior officials and academics evaded questioning by the raiding party. In keeping with a deplorable convention, no names are mentioned - and consequently all are suspect!  If the facts as stated are untrue and the alleged misdemeanors are explicable as  legitimate scientific actions, it is incumbent upon the IFS to say so, clear the air and absolve the scientists from blame.

The situation of science in Sri Lanka is bad enough without need for further erosion of credibility. If however, the allegations are substantially correct, the situation is incredibly serious. The activity would be highly unethical and immoral and even bordering on treachery and criminality. I believe that it is a duty cast on the Academy to seek to embark on a thorough and professional investigation into this incident and matters peripheral to it.

The IFS has always been a controversial establishment with many alleged and visible imperfections. The ambit of an investigation should rightly include consideration of the rationale for the IFS and the manner and relevance of its functions. If need be, the Academy should have the stature and courage to even call for the closure of the Institution with a re-deployment of its resources in a way to better serve the nation and the cause of science.

Science and Technology in National Development –       the Role of NASSL

Prof. Sunethra Atukorala

Presidential Address, National Academy of Sciences, Sri Lanka, March 2008

Immediate Past President, Prof. Aluwihare, Members of the Council and Fellows of the NASSL, I am indeed honoured and privileged to be elected the President of the Academy, specially after an eminent person of the calibre of Prof. Arjuna  Aluwihare.  I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Council & Fellows of the NASSL for electing me as their next President.  I pledge to uphold the honour and traditions of this position and do my utmost to serve the interests of the Academy. 

 In my brief presentation, I would like to discuss the role of the Academy in “The Application of Science and Technology in National Development”. As you are all aware, the objectives of the Academy are:

• Promoting the dissemination of scientific knowledge
• Recognizing outstanding contributions to the advancement of science
• Acting as a consultative body to the Government of Sri Lanka on all matters and activities related to the application of science and technology in national development.

• Reporting on the rational utilization of Sri Lanka’s natural resources consistent with the sustainable use of the biosphere.

 In the past, the Academy has advised the government on many issues and helped to preserve the Natural Resources of our country. The workshop on “Impediments to Science & Technology (S & T) Development in Sri Lanka” held in 2004 was another important activity.  I would like to recall some key issues highlighted at this workshop which are presented in a publication of the Academy (2004). According to criteria commonly used to rank S&T (WB, 2002), Sri Lanka lags behind its neighbours,  although Sri Lanka is ahead of some of these countries in the human capital needed for successful  S&T development. The reasons attributed for this low productivity include lack of demand, absence of an enabling environment and lack of a science policy.  The need for a science policy with clear, simple and coherent vision, increased financial support for          S& T and prioritization of research was recommended.  It was also considered desirable to have a separate Scientific Administrative Service which will be sensitive to the needs of a vibrant S& T culture.  The establishment of institutionalized linkages between apex S& T bodies and decision making legislative and administrative structures is necessary, so that there is continuing input of S&T into government policy.  The report of the above workshop which had a number of important recommendations was presented to the Minister of Science & Technology, who is also a Fellow of the Academy.  We need the commitment and co-operation of all Fellows, not merely the council, to ensure that at least some of these recommendations are implemented. Otherwise it would be another lost opportunity. 

 At the last Annual General Meeting and at several previous meetings of the Academy, concern was expressed regarding the inability of Scientists, specially those in administrative positions, to express their independent and impartial opinions without being victimized.  Similar views were expressed in a statement issued at the eighth biennial meeting of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies held in April 2007 in Sri Lanka.  The relevant extract of the statement reads “In the Sri Lankan context, special concern was expressed about the problems faced by academics and scientists (including assassination and abduction) between 1988 and the present. In particular, the sentiment was strongly expressed that basic human rights need to be respected and observed by all parties, even in the most difficult of situations, and that justice needs to be seen to be done.  The meeting also recognized that there may be a need to change legislation to ensure that dismissal without a valid reason and recourse to some form of open public enquiry does not occur. The proceedings of this meeting are being complied.  This issue was highlighted in a press statement issued by Prof. Arjuna Aluwihare, the President in 2007.

Many policies have been developed over the past thirty years including the National Health Policy, Agriculture Policy, Nutrition Policy.  A National Science and Technology Policy is currently  being developed by NASTEC and is in its final stages.   It is essential that these policies are translated into action plans which are ultimately implemented. In some instances the policy document which is produced at tremendous cost and effort remains merely a document and does not progress to development of an action plan and implementation.  It is necessary to provide resources to meet the cost of implementation.  National policies should not change with successive governments merely for the sake of change. It is the duty of scientists in the field to be impartial and consider the long term benefit to the country.  Fellows of the Academy who are a group of Senior Scientists in different fields, could ensure that policies are implemented.

In an editorial on “Deriving benefits from Science and Technology” published in the Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (Ratnasiri, 2006), it is stated that “a key issue is the necessity and strong political will to promote and utilize science and technology”.  The importance of having scientists and technologists involved in the planning, reviewing and monitoring of policies, strategies and action plans for national development at the highest levels has also been highlighted in this paper.  However, Scientists themselves must be independent and sufficiently motivated to ensure that strategies and action plans carried out can achieve long term sustainable gains rather than short term political gains. Further, the different policies should be interlinked as the ultimate goal is the well being of the people of our country.

Since independence, several welfare schemes have been introduced by successive governments, including free and equal access to education and health care, food rations, food stamps, Janasaviya, Samurdhi, mid-day meal and more recently a glass of milk and a Poshana Malla for pregnant women. Which of these programmes have had a positive impact? I would like to consider an example of a nutrition intervention to illustrate this. Thriposha has been distributed as a food supplement for over 30 years at tremendous cost to the country, although no evidence of significant benefit in terms of improvement in maternal weight gain, growth rates of young children or reduction in prevalence of anaemia has been demonstrated. Food supplementation programmes should be targeted to the most vulnerable groups eg. those affected by natural disasters or civil strife.   Also, scientists should study the feasibility of using indigenous foods commonly grown in Sri Lanka, as raw ingredients for Thriposha.  Food supplementation programmes should be linked to activities aimed at achieving household food security.  It is essential that research in food and agriculture be effectively disseminated to end users.

 We should reduce the dependence on handouts except for people exposed to natural disasters or civil strife. Giving anything “free of charge” may have short term political gains, but no significant impact in the long term. Isn’t it better to provide them with the knowledge and tools to become self sufficient rather than be dependent on the state?  The following Chinese quotation seems very appropriate.

“If you give a hungry man a fish, he is fed for one day

      but is dependent on you for continued sustenance

  If you teach a hungry man to fish he is independent for life”

The NASSL being a non-governmental body of eminent scientists should advice successive governments to desist from actions which are not cost effective.   It is imperative that sustainable long term benefits be considered in developing policies. 

 Natural disasters have become more frequent during the past decade. The Academy had two activities relating to this.  The workshop on: “Formation of an active seismogenic zone in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and effects of earth quakes on dams” was held in 2006 and the second activity was a seminar on “Landslides” held in 2007.  There was active participation of experts at both activities, although the participation of Fellows of the Academy was less than expected. Very important recommendations arose out of these activities and publications based on these two activities will be submitted in the near future for necessary action.  I wish to emphasize that it is upto Fellows of the Academy who are experts in these fields to initiate necessary action.   Recently a workshop on:  “Groundwater situation in Sri Lanka” was held in Anuradhapura in February 2008. An increase in the fluoride content of the water leads to crippling fluorosis and has been reported in certain areas of India. In Sri Lanka too there have been reports of cases of crippling fluorosis. The seminar on ground water is of special importance in view of the rapid increase in chronic kidney disease in north central and northwestern provinces. Prevention of renal failure in these areas requires an understanding of its aetiology. Multidisciplinary collaborative research is urgently needed to develop strategies for prevention.  A study is currently in progress to address this problem.

 Recently the Academy had a panel discussion on:  “Non-state sector higher education in Sri Lanka” at which several key issues, including the views of the IUSF were discussed.  It was pointed out that although higher education is considered to be free, only a minority of children attending larger schools enter the University. The Academy proposes to have further activities to discuss this issue.  At this discussion, it was noted that only 646 schools in the country provide science education and that only a small percent of students enter universities from schools in rural areas.  It is necessary to request government to increase the number of schools providing science education. It was also felt that students in rural areas are not interested in pursuing education in science. To address this issue the Academy proposes to initiate an activity together with some members of SLAAS to stimulate interest in science among children in the rural sector via ICT.  A programme based on the theme: “Science behind everyday life” has been proposed.  In order to carry out this activity, suggestions, ideas from all members, not only those in the council are required.

The proposed plan of activities of the National Academy of Sciences should be designed to have a greater impact on national development. This requires increased financial support and greater involvement of Fellows in the activities of the Academy. Nothing is insurmountable with a little courage, team work and determination.  

 “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1944 

To:  All Council Members - NASSL

Dear Sir / Madam 

It is with deep sorrow that I inform you the passing away of Professor George Dissanaike on 4^th July 2008.

He was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka in 1991.  He was Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Peradeniya.

 Mervyn Gunasekera

GENERAL SECRETARY

National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka

Sir Arthur C Clarke, 1917-2008: The Final Goodbye from Colombo

Both in my personal capacity and as President of the National Academy of Sciences I was very disturbed by some recent events,  and it would seem the Council shares my views. Please comment and if you  wish quote these remarks!

1.The way in which the very senior official of the  Bribery Commission was removed is appalling. It goes against what our Academy
 has publicly stated and also against the views of the International Network for Human Rights of
Academies and Scholarly Societies stated at there April 2007 meeting in Colombo. This erodes credibility in the governing  process and suggests underhand motives.

2. The way in which Ministry of Health policies on  drugs was changed, again very suddenly after a meeting supposedly between Representatives of the Pharmaceutical Industry and the President, with capitulation by Ministry officials, is very unsatisfactory. If there was an error it should have been discussed, and the Ministry allowed to change it’s decision. The lobbying power of the drug firms is so huge that with this kind of decision making process it is difficult to imagine that a science and  human rights based
decision was made. Cost effective and science based health delivery should be the criteria here.

3. The Kandy Society of Medicine sessions were
 threatened with a boycott by the local GMOA because one paper came with and was to be delivered by a staff member of the Allied Health Sciences Faculty of the University of
Peradeniya- which delivery would be consonant with the KSM constitution. An academic was thereby put under pressure to withdraw the paper, which was accepted by the scientific committee and scheduled. It is very unacceptable
that a leading Trade Union of Medical Professionals should do something like
this- and equally bad for a scientific society to capitulate to something
akin to medical terrorism.

4. The Rupavahini post Minister Mervyn Silva saga goes on unabated.

These matters suggest that the strengthening of good  governance in public and private sector are more urgent that ever. The lack of progress on the constitutional council seems to be a further symptom of a social and political malaise.