Both Personal and social development contribute to the development of the necessary qualities of a good citizen. Among the qualities that should be inculcated for this purpose, use of decent language and good behaviour are very important. We find both good and bad in our society. Good citizens always add qualities to lives. The responsibility of a good citizen is to protect the resources of the motherland and dedicate oneself to safeguard its dignity. 

Apart from the qualities mentioned above, being loyal and righteous are also considered virtuous. We should identify these qualities and add them to our lives. Then we are able to show the world that Sri Lanka is a country of virtuous citizens. 

3.1. Practicing polite language 

You get the opportunity to associate with friends in your class room as well as in your school. Similarly you have to associate with various types of people at home as well as in society. Think about the people you associate with. Remember how you got to know each other. You may have asked their name, village, age, siblings and many more details and vice versa. You may remember how you talked to them using very pleasant words. It is possible that the good relationship between you and them would have been based on those polite and pleasant words. If you had not used such words, there would not be such a good relationship. If it is so, you would have only a few friends. To be a good friend among friends and to win the hearts of your family members as a virtuous individual, you should practice polite language. 

Features of polite speech 

If you use language knowing the person whom you are going to speak to and what the situation and place is, you will be able to achieve successful communication. 

Language should be used to suit the individual and place 

• According to the situation. 

• According to the place 

• According to the individual. 

There are many advantages you derive get when you use polite language and also disadvantages. There are many occasions where you are not practicing it. Read the following table and think whether you have had the same experiences. 

Prepare dialogues for a role play which shows how to communicate politely using appropriate language patterns according to the situations given below. 

3.2. Let us come to conclusions through respecting the views of others. 

“We cannot live alone in this society”. Therefore we have to build up connections with others and communicate with them. When we communicate with each other we can have good understanding of the other party by listening carefully. It is very important to express one’s ideas clearly and let the others to express their own views. When you listen carefully, the speaker will have a pleasant feeling about you. It is possible to come out with opposing ideas when you communicate with each other. But you should have the strength to tolerate them. The other party may have a wider knowledge than you of a particular topic. Then you will be able to create new and useful knowledge through the new knowledge you received. Moreover, the exchange of ideas is very important to maintain good connections with others. Misunderstanding will lead to conflicts. However, the conclusions or agreements that come out of discussions lead to personal and social development. 

• Listening is merely paying attention to a sound.

• Active listening is listening attentively and comprehensively. 

A person who listens actively, will give one or more of the following responses;

E.g: Questioning, answering, suggesting, approving 

For active listening; 

01. Write down briefly the experiences you had to face due to the lack of active listening. 

02. List out the advantages you have had through practising the skill of active listening. 

03. Ask one of your elders the story of Kaluwa who went to Marapana (Kaluwa Marapana giya wage) and present your ideas on Kaluwa’s listening. 

3.3. Let us behave in a disciplined manner 

You have heard about traffic accidents in Sri Lanka most of the time. You may have seen or heard about these kinds of accidents daily through mass media. Some accidents happen due to the carelessness and indiscipline of people. The above accident in picture 3.1 occurred as a result of the unnecessary haste, indiscipline and ill-mannered nature of the driver. It was reported that the, only child of a particular family had lost his life due to this fatal accident. Many children became helpless with the death of their parents. People who lost their lives and became disabled are precious lives of our country. This shows how the minute act of one person affects the whole society in different ways. Good behaviour of every single person is needed very much for the well-being of the whole society. 

What is discipline and good-behavior? 

Discipline means acting according to social standards and following the rules and regulations of society. 

Well-behaviour is also all about the discipline of a person. It means behaving according to the rules and regulations, constitutions and customs. When there is discipline and good-behaviour one will respect others, love others, apologize and accept fault. 

Qualities to be improved to become a disciplined and well-behaved person : 

Disciplined behaviour in the family and society 

The importance of maintaining discipline and decorum 

01. List how to behave well in the school, on the road and at home. 

3.4. Let us distinguish between the good and the bad 

There is good and bad in society. There are good people as well as bad people among the people you associate with. You will gain good from the good people and that of bad from the bad people as long as they become your companions. Sometimes you may find both good and bad qualities in the same person. You can make your future a success through keen awareness of your surroundings. Let us see what are the good deeds which lead you to a successful future and what are the bad conducts you should avoid. 

Let us identify the bad conducts in our society 

Some possess both good and bad qualities. For example, the mobile phone can be used as an effective multi- functional equipment. If we use the same equipment in the wrong way, it will cause bad results. Likewise the computer, television, radio and cinema also can be used for both good and bad. Although you find very attractive types of food in the market, you should be very careful about their nutrition, qualities, sanitation and how they affect your life. Let us be aware of the bad in our society and keep in our minds that they will bring on bad results to our society. 

Complete the following chart mentioning the results of the good and bad in our society. 

3.5. Let us respect our traditions, rules and regulations 

There are traditions related to the various stages of our social life. Similarly, there are a number of rules and regulations which are necessary for good administration. These two aspects result in the well-being of the person and society. When hoisting the school flag, reciting the school anthem and the national anthem we should respect them. We do it because it has become one of our traditions and social 72 for free distribution standards. Here we all become a group of the followers of social traditions and rules and regulations. 

A quiz competition was held at the Navodya Maha Vidyalaya in the North Western province by the grade 6 students on the topic of “Let us respect social traditions, rules and regulations”. This program consisted of two groups called Hiru and Sandu. This was conducted by the teachers of Citizenship Education and History. 

Respecting as well as following social traditions, rules and regulations is our responsibility and then our society will become a better place to live in 

1. Prepare a booklet on traffic rules and pedestrian rules. 

2. Prepare a list of traditions you follow in your school and at home. 

3.6. Let us use resources economically 

Resources are what we blessed with, by the nature. The Following are examples of such resources we use; 

These natural resources help the existence of human beings as well as the environment around us. We use the resources in our environment Produce good leaders Produce a righteous society Produce a peaceful environment for free distribution 75 in order to satisfy our various needs. Air, water and sunlight are essential resources in our lives. 

We produce different kinds of things using natural resources such as land, forests and mineral resources. Think about various tools you use to fulfil your needs at the school and at home. All these tools are man - made, using the resources in our environment. 

Examples of man - made resources: 

Furniture 

Glassware 

Porcelain 

Roofing tiles 

Bricks 

Look at the following pictures. Think about the resources used to make them. 

Why should we economize on resources? 

Do you know that most of the resources we use are limited? 

Water is an essential natural resource. Water is essential and useful for drinking as well as for other daily needs. More than that, we essentially need water for food cultivation, industries and numerous other things. Although most parts of our earth have been covered by water, the amount of drinking water is very little. We always hear about incidents related to the pollution done to water by people. Therefore, we should use water economically and avoid water pollution. 

Land is also a limited resource. Apart from mountains, reservoirs and swamps, there is very little land for human habitats and food cultivation. 

Just as water and land, we have very limited resources of mineral oil, coal, iron, copper, tin, sand and mud also. These resources get depleted when we use them. You can understand this situation through a simple example. When you pump petrol or some other fuel into your vehicle it burns and the vehicle runs on the power generated. Fuel that is burnt cannot be recovered. Coal is also a very good example of this. Therefore, all of us are expected to use these resources economically.

The consumption of the resources has been increased as a result of the development of the industrial sector. As the population and the needs of the people increase, the consumption of resources increases day by day automatically. 

The resources are not equally distributed on earth. These days in Sri Lanka a mineral oil exploration is taking place. Coal has not been found in Sri Lanka yet. Hence, we have to import some of the resources from other countries and have to spend a large amount of money on imports. 

Therefore, we should use resources frugally in order to meet our needs. At the same time, we should preserve them for future generations. We should consider it as our duty and responsibility.  

How to prevent waste of resources 

The advantages to us of the prevention of waste of resources. 

(1) Complete the following chart 

3.7 Let us protect public property 

We have a number of needs to be accomplished in our daily life. Food, home and clothes are our basic needs. Education, getting treatment for diseases, travelling, enjoying leisure are also among our needs. Other than these needs there are many more needs to be fulfilled in our daily life. Think about the services provided to meet these needs. 

The school is for education. Hospitals are for getting treatment for diseases. Bus services are there for our needs in travelling. Similarly there are many facilities provided to spend our leisure. Think about different types of such institutions that have been established to meet your needs. 

The buildings, equipment, machines and many other materials that belong to these services are called public property. 

Buildings, desks, chairs, computers, library books, laboratory equipment, sport equipment etc. in your school are public property. They are provided to you by the government to filfill your educational needs. You have the right to use them in order to polish your skills and at the same time you are expected to preserve them for future generation. 

The buildings, tools and different types of equipment in a hospital are public property which help to provide health services. Every person who gets the service of these places should consider that it is their duty to protect them and keep the place clean. 

The government has taken steps to renew roads and construct high ways in Sri Lanka. The objectives of these projects are to facilitate fast and safe journeys and the transport of goods. Safety fences and traffic lights have been established, considering the safety of its users. It is our responsibility to protect them as citizens. 

Besides, we should not misuse roads or obstruct travelling. The pedestrians and the drivers who use the roads should care about their own safety and that of others. 

We use electricity to facilitate our daily activities. As such, every citizen should be concerned about protecting power stations and the equipment which generate electricity. 

Buses, bus stands, trains, railway stations, play grounds, children’s parks and libraries are also considered public property. We should contribute to protect and keep these places clean, as good citizens. 

There are common wells, tube wells, tanks and irrigation works in rural areas to fulfill citizens' common needs. Apart from the above mentioned public property, there are many other public utilities for common services which help meet common needs of our society. We as virtuous citizens should handle public property with care. 

The advantages of protecting public property. 

Measures to protect public property 

01. Read the following headings in column I, II, III, IV and complete the chart. 

02. Prepare a poster on the importance of protecting public property. 

03. Prepare a list of telephone numbers of the institutions that one should inform about the misuse and damage to public property. 

04. Identify water leaks on taps in your school and inform your teacher in charge of Citizenship Education.

 05. Identify a particular place where you can find damaged public property and suggest what you can do to minimize the damage. 

4.2 . Let us protect the environment

We are surrounded by the environment. The air, sea, waterfalls, rivers, animals, natural trees are considered the natural environment. They are the gifts of nature. Beside this, the most important thing is, all of them have been created without the intervention or influence of man. 

The environment created without the intervention of man is called the physical environment. 

Here are some photographs of beautiful scenery from the physical environment. 

Man is also a part of the same environment. You can find different types of man-made objects all around the environment. Parks, buildings, roads, pounds, tanks are examples for them. They can be called built environment. 

Man-made objects in the natural environment belong to built environment. 

The following are photographs of such creations. 

We use the environment and its resources in order to fufill our needs. As the population and the needs increase, our interference with the environment also increases. 

Therefore, damage caused to water, land and air has increased gradually. Here are some reasons for environmental pollution. 

We have heard about environmental pollution and pollution due to the immense damage caused by mankind to the environment. Now, we are facing the problem of drinking contaminated water which causes numerous diseases. Similarly fish and other aquatic resources have been destroyed as a result of water pollution. 

Air pollution also causes various diseases. Further, there is the danger of atmospheric warming due to the heat of the earth and destruction of the ozone layer. 

How to protect the environment as good citizens. 

Ex :computer equipment, CFL bulbs, mobile phone batteries 

Our responsibility and duty is to protect the environment and its partners. Hence, our dream of living in a beautiful environment will come true and it will be there for the future generation also. 

1. Select a place in your school that you should develop and give three suggestions on the regular maintenance of that place. 

2. Get your teacher's advice and the support of the other colleagues on the implementation of your suggestions and their proper maintenance. 

4.3. Let us preserve the local identity with pride. 

The following ideas are from the Television discussion held on the topic “Our motherland.” 

“Sri Lanka is a wonderful country. Our country has a range of climates that we can find all over the world except snow. The crops that grow in any cold country, can be cultivated in Nuwara Eliya. Areas like Jaffna and Mannar, have a warm climate. The other areas have an intermediate climate. There are rivers, water streams, tanks, ponds and also lots of waterfalls in our country.” 

“In America we cannot find a single green coloured tree until we move 30 kilometers out of New York City. The trees over there also remain green only for half a year. They do not have a sunny day time throughout the year. They cannot believe their eyes when they see our country full of green.” 

“In some other countries human beings and animals die due to the excessive heat and unbearable cold. But in our country we do not find such unbearable cold or heat. Our climate does not cause harm, but is conducive to life.” 

“We have banana, papaw, grapes and all the other fruits right throughout the year. Coconut and areca nut are abundant throughout the year. Every moment we hear sweet songs of birds. We cultivate cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, coconut, rubber, cocoa, pepper and betel right through the year. Every forest is a store of medicine. We have inherited a golden land of gems, graphite, ilmenite, phosphate and many other mineral resources. As such we can proudly say that we are born to a prosperous country.” Our ancestors have created many things. These creations have been admired as remarkable creations by the whole world, despite the development of modern technology. 

After the discussion a song composed by Mahagama Sekara and sung by Visharada W.D.Amaradeva was played and some visuals related to that song were telecast. 

This is the precious and prosperous land of ours. Our heroes have sacrified their life for our mother land and their blood is the precious treasures buried in the motherland. Even the wind sings the heroic song for the heros who sacrificed their life at the warfront. 

The standing Buddha statue of Aukana, situated near Kala Veva in Anuradhapura is 39 feet 10 inches high. It is an excellent piece of art. This wonderful creation proves that Sri Lanka had very skillful artists with excellent technical skills to engrave the natural quality to a huge rock, carving it gently with a sharp chissle.We have inherited a number of wonderful creations, such as the Smadhi statue and moonstone in MahameunaUyana in Anurahapura. Apart from the above mentioned Aukana statue, the world heritage site Sigiriya can be considered as a monument of our prestigious history. 

We have evidence to prove that the technical knowledge and skills Sri Lankans possessed of irrigation systems can compete even with modern technology. The tanks built for agricultural and other needs in the dry zone surpass the sea. Kala Veva, Parakrama Samudraya and MinneriyaVeva are the best examples of such massive creations. These wonderful creations are the results of our ancestors’ superb technical skills and labour. The Jaya Ganga is a miraculous creation of irrigation technology which carries water from Kala Veva to ThisaVeva. It is 17 miles in length and 40 feet wide and the slope is 6 inches per a mile. The inheritors of such miraculous creations are none other but we; Sri Lankans. Therefore, our responsibility is to create such national heritages as in the past and preserve them. 

We should know our own national identity and should be proud of it as Sri Lankans. Our culture, resources and products speak of our national identity. 

Local culture: 

● Religions and religious festivals 

● Special artistic creations based on religion Eg: sacred places, statues, dagobas, wall paintings, stone carvings etc. 

● Literary works and folklore 

● Indigenous medicine local customs 

● Irrigation culture, tanks and reservoirs 

National resources: 

Local products: 

Now we have identified what our national or local identity is, and through that knowledge we are able to understand the importance of our national identities. First we should identify our own products and appreciate them. Our responsibility is to give priority to our local products. 

We believe that you have identified the importance of appreciating local products in order to stand as one nation. We hope that you will give priority to the preservation of the national heritage we inherited from the past and safeguard it for future generation. This is the duty of every citizen. 

Summary

After studying of this chapter, you will be able to inculcate the following qualities as a good citizen.