eXtremes of Truth

The Queqe to Hell

2007-07-23T16:18:00.000+05:30

Hello all,

Read this and guess what this is.

I see the old class room ceiling which was full of holes... as bright beams of sun light came through them.

I see the road besides the gate, which was fixed 3 months ago but now its worse than before.

I see a child crying as her mother struggles to be in the queue... who knows why the baby cries.

I can feel a cold wind in this fresh morning but no one seems to feel it's freshness.

I see a bus passing by as bunch of men jumped off because it didn't stop.

I see some army men petrolling with some smiles in there faces as if they were one only people who could feel.

I see some men, each of them wearing different colored dresses as the dishonest grins could hardly fade off their poverty.

I glanced at the sheet for one last time, and threw it to bin after tearing for pieces, as I let the queue to mark their way off to hell.

P.S
Well, I'm not good in grammar and I'm not a poet as well. Please bear with me for that and enjoy.

Dear Press People, Stop the Bloody Copying!

2007-07-23T16:16:00.000+05:30

I saw some posts listed on kottu regarding an issue of copying blog posts (gedi pitin) and publishing on so called national newspapers without adding proper references. I have seen this several times and also It's becoming an issue. Not only they copy from blogs but from several places such as Wikipedia as an example.

I wonder why these reporters or writers or whatever they call themselves cannot make something new? Why can't they be creative? At least when they copy something, can't they give a reference? Why Sri Lankan media is acting like this? Just because that you can find any damn thing from the Internet, you should not use this like toilet papers. By the way, we would rather like to surf the net, than reading newspapers with printed version of our own blogs.

It is not the first time this happened and it's not in the other countries too. Most foreign newspapers have there own newspaper blogs. There were incidents that some of these newspaper bloggers have done the same thing that SL media people have done.
Links :
1) Can newspapers do blogs right?
2) Washington Post Blogger Quits After Plagiarism Accusations

I suggest there should a separate editor or a censoring board for every newspapers who's responsible of getting the reference information right. The person would have good computer/internet media literacy.I'm not blaming all media people out there, but for one's who copy stuff and paste as if they created the whole thing. I bet now all bloggers would add a Copyright notice on there blogs.

One last thing to say with a warning! "Stop the Bloody Copying", if you aren't going to say from where you copied the stuff. It's good for both you and me.

Fire Sale - 3 way Systematic Attack

2007-07-23T16:14:00.000+05:30

A 3 way Systematic Attack on United States Government, Transportation and Economy in the basis of "Everything must go". John McClane is going to stop it this time. It's Die Hard 4.0. The best in the series so far as I see. Also in United States it's a PG-13 rated movie since Die Hard 1,2,3 were rated R or smiler as I remember. Good story, good action, good camera and special effects.

I don't want to put the plot outline here as you can find it from IMDB. Anyways as a summery it's a great action + techno thriller film for me. The film will attract groups of fans including good old Die Hard fans, Action fans and Tech / Science Fiction fans. It's a possible thing that could be happened to any country which heavily depends on Technology.

Why you are still waiting? Watch it, wait and try to compare with big hits; Transfomers and Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix.

Choise of Sri Lankans

2007-07-23T16:13:00.000+05:30

A propaganda is building up against current government of Sri Lanka. Some people are on Human Rights Violations and some people on Economy Downfall. Both are crucial for a country and not very well managed here in Sri Lanka as far as I feel.

Even all of us accept the fact that Politicians created and fertilized all these problems in Sri Lanka, we still hear their voice, we still accepts and believe what they say on media, we still applause and support them and after all, we go and vote for them. At the end of the day, same thing repeats and country towards dead pool.

In fact, Politicians are unable to;
- Control the economy
- Control Terrorism or Continue Peace process
- Do developments that truly helps people
- Work without any smuggling or underhand commissions
- Strengthen government work force to compete with private sector
- and so much said and unsaid issues...

Just think, Does a man working in a private sector company as an executive or smiler job, would ever be safe with his job, if he fails to do whatever he is appointed/assigned to do? The very next day, he will be fired. Thats the way it is happening. But, politicians can smuggle people's money, destroy what works well, encourage terrorists and violence, break their own promises and still be in the same position after the next damn election. Why people can't understand this. On the other hand, they can jump from/to any place. They have no permanent opposition. When they are attacked or when they see an opportunity, they Jump like the Monkeys and people accepts them like Hero's.

Statistics shows over 90% Literacy rate for Sri Lanka. Most of the countries in that range are well developed. Well we are not there yet. Why? because of people's bad decisions. It's a shame that we have to choose the best next to worst political parties now. We do have choises, but all are worst cases. We have to choose who is the best from a pool of idiotic parties.

Stop being bulls and think about the future. Erase all the politicians who you think is not up to the standard. Give the opportunity for anyone who is actually willing to do good to Sri Lanka. Only we can save Sri Lanka. Not politicians. So act accordingly and responsibly.

The relativity of an ultimate feeling

2007-07-23T16:10:00.000+05:30

Kings, Queens, Presidents, Ministers, High ranking officers, CEOs, Managers, Engineers, Executives Regular office workers, Clerks, Janitors, unemployed bachelors and simply, any animal that has a brain functioning correctly; have a diverse range of expectation(s) of there Lives.

Why I listed a bunch of designations, is to stress out the point that all of us are having the same kind of needs from our lives regardless of the status, wealth, prestige, or any other issue. Think of a President whose responsibility is to take decisions that would take a country to a better state. Think again, of a Gatekeeper who is doing his repetitive job everyday. Now can you think of a difference on these two human beings? Yes that’s simple. Both are in two different extremes where president is the top most civilian in a country and the gatekeeper is just a 1 in thousands of normal workers. But both have a common feeling. That is "Expectation”.

I have heard people say “Hey, see that guy. He is a millionaire. But he’s just useless and has no life. He doesn’t enjoy as much as we do. Because, you know? He’s not like us. We do know people, be with friends, party and spend time with all of the guys. But just look at him! He doesn’t know anyone, hasn’t got friends, no parties and no nothing men”. Well that would be what you see from outside. Maybe he would be enjoying his work, more than we do. Maybe he would be having fun with people that he’s dealing with, more than we do. Maybe he’s a happier man than any other.

All this is because he has achieved what he really need. His expectations are accomplished. It is impossible to judge a person by his external outfit or behavior. Never judge people for no reason, unless your profession is to recruit personnel to an organization.

The lesson of the day is to;

Have expectation in life

Plan how to fulfill them

Happy when you are successful

Never be jealous of people because of
- They have met their expectations
- For not being able to meets your expectations

Expectations cannot be compared. Don’t apply theory of relativity to this. So think again, without wasting your precious time of reviewing, commenting, and researching on other’s pros and cons. Remember that you are given two eyes to look at anything in multiple views. Because a thing that is good for you isn’t be the same for another.

Everyday Man and War in Sri Lanka

2007-06-06T09:10:00.000+05:30

A lot of things happen in a day of mans life. Some are for good and some are for bad. No one knows next one's kind. It's up to the Man to solve things out. Now, these things would sound just sense useless for someone. But believe me, most of them are very small things that people misses to understand which cause big problems.

Man always faces wars. Life itself is a one big war. Your Skills are your Weapons. Your experience is Your Intelligence. Your Friends are your Re-enforcements. Your loved ones are your commanders. The additional part here is that, you do some of work for your commanders and some for yourself. The decisions are on your hand.

Planning will make you win more easy. Neither your Commanders nor your Intelligence could win the war. It's only the right mixture of Weapon selection, Use of Intelligence, Right decisions and re-enforcements on correct time makes you win the battle.

Of course just like in wars, sometimes you need to take hard decisions. But you must help yourself out to make good decisions. Hard and Easy differs from Good and Bad. Think about that!

You must rule yourself if no proper commanding is there for you. Chances are there sometimes that re-enforcements units are not available. Can't help! you must survive somehow. Perhaps re-enforcements units needs some of themselves to hold on. Help out them in every way you can.

Do not think that your weaponry is enough forever. Add more everyday. Keep track of your intelligence. Never under/over estimate it. Always listen to your commanders. They would sound inappropriate. But remember, they have gone through the same war more than you have gone.

Anyway just to warm things up, we'll talk about something else.

War in Sri Lanka makes no sense. What? makes no sense? no! it does makes sense. But you know, if something is done over and over again, it gets normalized (Not the correct word though). So the war is just another part of every man. There are clashes everyday, people killed in double figures. Nobody cares. One could ask, what should we do? Yeah! true. There are only few things that we can do about that. The politicians have to do something. Because it's there JOB. Just like what every man/woman do in offices, politicians job is to manage, administrate and handle country's issues. I wonder how many of the cabinet do these.

Terrorism. Business. Politics. They are not inter-related. Huh! But yes it is, in Sri Lanka. It's all related. The so called ethnic problem is made up of these three ingredients. No need to mention how these are related here, as I do not won't to attack anyone. But truth hurts.

However, my last hope and kind request from all of the government/ non-government/ terrorist/ non-terrorist people out there is:

"Please do think of the future! Don't make our next generation blame us. We all die someday, So do good as long as you live! Because it will make the next day more beautiful! The only nationality is the human-kind."

Dear all my Friends in E-Solutions

2007-05-18T16:58:00.000+05:30

Dear all my Friends in E-Solutions,

I really do appreciate all the support that you all gave me during this time and for the present that is quite memorable!

Hope to keep in touch, even though we aren't work in the same place.

My special thank goes to the management of E-Solutions and E-Nitiative and more specially;

Nuwandika - Who supported me in the best way one can do (what else to say?).
Janesh - Who assisted me so well and being a very good friend :P.
Gert - Who is a good friend and assigned me great no. of new events :P, that gave me all the experience.
Fred - Who is a good friend and not much events but bigger ones. :D

I'm going to miss you all very much as this was one of the best times I've had ever.

Best regards and thank you all again!
Harshadewa Ariyasinghe

Entry to the Marvelous World of Photography

2007-04-12T11:30:00.000+05:30

It wasn't a thing that got my mind this much, before I've got the new camera 2 weeks back. Now I've realized it's a new world to explore. A new career. Photography is a great way to capture anything in a different way/view. Photos speak, making stories and creates a whole new sense. One can understand that by just visiting a popular photo sharing site and seeing how many images and photographers you see.

The revolution came with Digital Cameras. Now anybody can shoot anywhere, in any moment. Any person can be a great photographer or in my words, a moment capturer. An image shot by a 14 year old girl can win over a matured photographer's image. All because of this Digital Camera Era.

You don't need to visit Kandy or Down South to capture moments. It's all your imagination. I know still I'm not that imaginative with photographic eye. But one can just understand that by looking at some great pictures on internet.

I'm looking forward cheerfully to capture many many great moments through my camera.

Because moments go away with a flick of an eye
and never come back...

Check out my captured moments on flickr - http://flickr.com/photos/harshadewa/
Check this link if you find my camera interesting - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona710is/

Check out these sites if you would like to explore this Marvelous World of Photography

Mixed guide of success

2007-04-04T14:18:00.000+05:30

Here are some points that are helpful for one who needs to improve him/herself consistently. You could change the order of them since all they are equally important. Sticking to these will surely make everyday better.

Identify your skills
Identify your weaknesses
Find why you're weak and why you’re strong
Once you've found the reason, build a plan to strengthen your weaknesses
Always think that you’re becoming more powerful
Simplify your problems
Accelerate and use your skilled areas when ever possible
Learn what is "Out of box thinking"
Avoid the thought "Can't"
Make yourself the "Super Hero" of your world
Plan your future, make them work and cheer as hard as you can
Earn only for what you’ve served
Help out the people who need help
Never expect return for what you’ve given others
Learn to Love and to be loved

Reviewed: Performing Arts and Music of Sri Lanka

2007-03-13T09:26:00.000+05:30

Performing arts comprises Music, Dancing and Arts. If we take all of them into consideration individually, in Sri Lanka all of them are very well known and immensely grown. There are highly skilled artists. People love artists as they present their inventions/creations often.

Well... consider only Music with compared to other arts, these is a huge empty and vacant area. most of Sri Lankan’s do not see this. Not because they don’t but because they actually can’t. Do not blame the people. It’s the education and the culture which has done this.

We are proud of ourselves, as we have a great nation, a rich culture, had ancient kingdoms which are architecturally brilliant, have an exclusive and rich language (Sinhala) and etc. All of these are unarguably true and we should be proud of them. But there are some things that we haven’t been doing all the time. That is, Adoption of new things and Alterations to the ways of thinking. The thinking patterns haven’t been changed of many people.

Most people see things as it is and when something is done differently they think that you are Braking the Rules. This problem has affected almost everything in the country. Development of a country is based on the people’s thinking patterns; not the Economy that many think which affects.

Anyway, since the topic here is Music, Better try to stick with it.

There are many categorized music roots in Sri Lanka. To list some of major one’s down;

Eastern Classical Music
Light Music (POP music)
Western POP/Rock/Hip-hop Music
Band type music (Mostly 6/8 beat and Baila)

1. Eastern Classical Music

Mainly performed by artists who have mastered South Indian Classical Music. Unfortunately considerable numbers of people out of them are not much skilled in Music, though they have higher qualifications in Music. The dark side of this situation is that some of these low skilled artists are not even having actual qualifications of respective institutions (mostly Indian) that they say they do have. It’s a shame that this has happened to the Music industry as it’s already happening to most other industries.

2. Light Music (POP music)

You will hear this type almost 60% if you just listen to the radio or watch TV. Description of the categories would be as follows;

i) Some are made relative to so called (proudly presented) our own music (most of them are Mix of Sinhala Jana gee and Indian classical ragas)
ii) Some are made relative to classical music (Indian classical ragas)
iii) Some are made relative to Bollywood music (Indian film songs)
iv) Some are made relative to western (POP) music (recent Hip-hop style adaptation)

If you name any popular artist in the island, he/she has some hits of any/many of above kinds. If you take the category (i), there are relatively small numbers of artists and songs are produced. The reason is, these types of songs can only be produced and performed by a one who has a good knowledge and skill of both Indian Classical Music and the patterns Sinhala Jana Gee (Sinhala Music).

Category (ii) is also not so well produced. Time to time we see some songs which are so close to Indian film songs. There are some song albums that have Indian film songs sung by local artists in Sinhala (Sinhala lyrics to original melody).

Category (iv) is growing and has hit the urban industry (market). People in urban cities are working as if they were machines. They have become used to work like that and that has made them more westernize (in terms of Culture and Living Styles). The category (iv) fits with them without a problem.

3. Western POP/Rock/Hip-hop Music

There are 2 types of artists who try to do creation of this kind.

i) Those are Artists already famous
ii) Younger generation newbies.

i) Artists who have become stars and who want to be super stars try on this music. Most of the songs are played with the same orchestra which they use in “2. Light Music (POP music)”. It’s because they just trying to plug in more to the industry by identifying the market trend, but not my releasing any quality or good music.
ii) Newbies trying this as a weapon. Trying to hit the market like ka boom! Here we are. The thing you’ve been waiting for… Naah! It won’t last long son. Most new groups and individuals out there and were tried and failed (sadly). The reason is they do not have enough skills and qualifications to produce a quality production.

4. Band type music

(Mostly 6/8 beat and Baila) No need of describing. You might have heard these if you have ever gone on a bus. The worst profiled/ worst quality /mostly unacceptable songs that one can ever hear in a life time. Wonder how much people still loves these songs.

Music should be presented to people as a medicine, but not as a service for a demand or a business.

We occasionally see eastern classical music performances as stage performances. In public media (Television, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines and etc) we do not see any at all. This has mainly helped falling of music industry in Sri Lanka. National media is the drive of a nation. It shows the path that people should go.

When media becomes less in quality, the people certainty follows that without knowing that they actually going down. Humans have memory gaps in their amazing mind. They try to fill them in from different sources that they find. What most find as the main source is the so called public media. When main source injects rubbish, people’s heads get filled (injected) by wrong and inequality information.

Quality of a song mainly depends on the vocalists singing ability and skill. If this is not there, production is (should be) failed. The melody, lyrics carry the next equal importance in a song and the quality of instruments played in background music is always adds more and more plus points to a song.

In Sri Lanka there are skilled and unskilled artists are recognized equally as very good artists. This should be avoided. Otherwise people cannot identify who are the real talented artists.

This is a list of THINGS TO DO to DEVELOP MUSIC INDUSTRY in SRI LANKA

Education of music in Sri Lanka needs critical improvements.
Top personnel in higher studies institutes and body’s (all music/ dancing/ arts related) of government should be re-evaluated and should be expelled immediately if they fail to show their ability in their qualifications
New music schools/academies should be started which provides students a gateway to start off in music which leads to a successful career.
Island wide ranking of artists should be carried out by non-bias representatives or foreign personnel.
Music production and artists related/friendly laws should be introduced and strengthened, in order to clear off the current fishy industry.
Music production standards should be introduced and closely monitored.
Total music production solution facilities should be implemented and sponsored to help making international quality music productions.

The people’s skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and feelings on music cannot be controlled by any of these. But lack of these has been caused the current state and quality of music in Sri Lanka. It works as a cycle. When we correct the mistakes, the new generation always adopts the good things and start from there.

Finally, there’re some advises to all parties.

Hello popular artists, please try to deliver good quality productions and inventions without just answering to current demand.
Hi new comers, first of all identify your skills. study the subject well. Try to explore into new dimensions in music without just remixing old melodies with a groovy loopy beat.
Hi all Reviewers/ Writers and Media personnel, please try not to lift up big names in industry. Stop building false personalities. If they are actually superb, they don’t need any help from you. People will make them superb. Try to compare the industry with international scope. Do not trap people in the good old Frame. Out of the box thinking is what we need from you.

Being a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems

2007-03-05T13:25:00.000+05:30

Personally

Yesterday was a very special day. Many good and best friends of mine got B. Sc Degree. It was the convocation held at BMICH Colombo as it is normally schedules twice a year.

It’s an unexplainable feeling that you get when you wear that gorgeous Cloak in black and red and when you step on with your fellow batch mates who also are in cloaks. I know the feeling very well as I felt the same when I got the degree last year. It’s a perfect day that one can achieve in his/her life time. It’s just what you need after 3-4 years of hard work. Oh… boy what a day!

I have attended to more than 3 convocations and none of them were as good as the one which I got the degree. I surely know that it’s the same to everyone else. In IDM we (Me, Pradeep, Prasa, Ranukz, Shehan, Oshi, Ravisha, Kanch and Hosh) were/are a small but powerful gang. When we get-together, the largest army in the universe will be the smallest clique in front of us. It’s Friendship. Just the Rock hard Friendship! Anyway, we celebrate every event that we go together. Even none of us are actually participating, we just enjoy it. I don’t know why the hell is that? But it was our thing.

From our Gang; Shehan, Ravisha, Me, Pradeep, Prasa, Ranukz, Oshi and Hosh completed the degree and the one remaining chose degree of marriage life before ICT and went abroad nearly 2 years ago. She was one of the strongest members we had.

Anyway, I think it’s almost the last convocation which I should attend for a non-official matter. Because of all of our gang members have completed the degree now. Of course I will attend as a guest or as a member lecturer’s panel for IDM if any invitation would arise.

Technically (Industrial aspects)

Fine! If I look at the technical/industrial aspects of completing a degree, it’s almost the commencement of ones life. One should start looking for a job. Getting a job is not so easy these days as the competence is so high that most candidates are having degrees. So you must show your skills and abilities more to influence the company to hire you. You must be on top of all others.

People ask “what should be the university or institute to do the Degree or Masters Degree? After I get a degree, I can go to a good position in a company. Isn’t it?” What I always tell them is “don’t rely only on academic aspects! Please do update/ upgrade yourselves with the latest technologies and trends of the industry.”

Identiying the demand/trend and mastering an area of interest is a wise thing to do in this commercialized and ever challenging industry. Because this is the most dynamic industry of the world. You can’t service if you only do your degree and wait for a company to hire you. Of course there are companies who take fresh bachelors into there companies, but it’s a very low percentage that get the change. So be a star in the industry. Be unique by building a good knowledge base in you which heading for a good charisma. One’s personality can influence 50% (+-) in an interview. Being an all-rounder will take you to higher levels in the industry involuntarily.

Keep those on your mind. I think they will help you for at least one decision that your will take in your career.

“Anything is only hard to the extent, which you think it is. Not beyond that!”
Harshadewa

Great Friends

2006-09-18T08:49:00.000+05:30

Guys become friends... Well that's normal.. But being great friends is much harder.
Some Friends think that just meeting up, saying Hi machan! How's Life?,
Laughing at things together, saying bye when leaving... is The Friendship.

Well, I think that It's not the thing. I have felt the true friendship several times.
But the bad thing about that is... most of the times the feeling was not a happy one.

Because... Sometimes they reveal their true face... and most of the times they have to take their own paths and depart.

With time...,
Friends become
people you knew...
But ...
Great friends
become Legends...

Beginning

2006-09-14T12:39:00.000+05:30

It's a new beginning and a new Blog!
Have lot's of ideas and thoughts... but can't put all here now...
So I'll just add this as a Welcome Messege to all. Just refer below for more details

Aims

- To have a way to communicate with all my Friends.
- To get all's ideas to one place.
- To discuss about us! :)
- To maintain better Friendship amoung is

I got this idea to creat a Blog is mainly because one by one our friends are going abroad and being more busy...
So this would be a great new way to be friendly... (Keep in Touch)

Best Wishes and a Happy Blog,
Harsha