Sri Lanka is an island blessed with beautiful gifts of nature. Its fertile land, valuable natural resources, conducive climate, decent people and its proud history generate immense pride in us. When thinking of the region you live in, you may have the good fortune to claim that it is gifted with one or more of the assets mentioned above. 

This chapter will guide you to study about where your area is situated and the institutions and the people that/who help you. 

The location of the region we live in and its administrative system 

Let us get to know the Grama Niladhari's Division 

According to the administrative divisions of our country, the smallest administrative unit is the Grama Niladhari’s division. By joining one or more villages the Grama Niladhari’s division is made. The officer in charge of this is the Grama Niladhari. He functions as the officer maintaining liaison between the people of the village and information. 

• Complete the table below 

Divisional Secretariat our region belongs to 

The administrative unit developed by joining several Grama Niladharis’ divisions is the Divisional Secretariat. Its head is the Divisional Secretary. He/She is the authority responsible for all the official activities of all the Grama Niladhari Divisions in his region of authority, with the government. 

• What is the name of the Divisional Secretary’s Division your region belongs to? 

District to which our region belongs 

The administrative unit developed by combining several Divisional Secretariat Divisions is called a District. Its head is the District Secretary. There are twenty five Administrative Districts in our country and the region you live in belongs to one such Administrative District. Figure 6.2 is a map of Sri Lanka showing the Administrative Districts. 

• Based on the map above, mark on a map of Sri Lanka the district to which the region you live in belongs. 

Province to which we belong 

Sri Lanka comprises of nine main provinces and each province is made up of several districts. Map No. 2.2 shows the province – wise division of Sri Lanka. Using it, identify correctly the province in which the region you live in, is located. 

• Based on the administrative units you learned about, describe correctly the location of your province. 

The physical resources in our province 

Physical resources are made up of two main parts. That is, as natural resources and resources that are not natural. The sunlight we receive, fresh air, clean water, soil, hills, valleys, plains, jungles, beaches, rivers, waterfalls, lagoons etc are among the natural resources. 

Resources created by man are resources that are not natural. Buildings, vehicles, equipment etc are examples of these. Figure No. 6.4 44 for free distribution shows a few of our physical resources. Since these are essential for man's existence, it is your greatest responsibility that they are safeguarded as life itself. 

A large number of resources can be seen in the region we live in. Sunlight, air, water, the earth, buildings are some of the resources common to all the areas. However, there are some resources which become unique to a particular area. For example, rivers, streams, forests, waterfalls, mountains, plains and minerals etc .

• Prepare a document on the main physical resources to be seen in your region. 

• Prepare a creative hand–out containing information on the resources identified by you. 

• Observe well the flora to be seen in your region and complete the table below 

• Observe the animals always seen in your region and prepare a document about them 

Let us use the resources in our region effectively. 

Several of the uses of physical resources are given below. 

Diagram 2.2 shows how physical resources are utilized for personal, social, socio-economic needs of the neighbouring region. 

Photographs under fig (2.5) shows that several physical resources in the region around us are employed for human needs. 

Recall instances where various physical resources are made use of in your region. Recall that they have to be made use of most effectively and frugally as a matter of extreme importance. Just as bees collect honey from the flower without harming it, it is the duty of man that he uses the resources gifted by nature so as to cause them no damage. In order to ensure the existence of a conducive environment, this is essential. 

Complete the table below based on the physical resources in your region that you make use of 

Let us conserve resources 

The physical resources in our region perform an immense service for the existence of man and to satisfy his needs. Therefore, it is our duty to safeguard them for the well-being of the environment and to hand it over to future generations. A number of problems have arisen due to the improper use of the land, air, water, rivers, streams, forests, wild life etc by man. These problems pose a threat not only to the existence of man as well as to the existence of the environment. Therefore, it is important that we think of the service physical resources render to man and inculcate positive attitudes to their conservation. 

Procedures that can be followed to conserve physical resources 

• Conservation of forests 

  • eg. Planting trees

• Making maximum use of resources 

  • eg. Reuse, recycling 

• Minimizing wastage of resources 

  • eg. Water, electricity, fuel 

• Soil conservation 

  • eg. Building bunds, drains for water to flow down 

• Refraining from adding non – bio degradable material to the soil. 

  • eg. Polythene 

• Avoiding burning of waste 

  • eg. Straw, plastic 

• Filling up of locations where minerals have been mined. 

  • eg. Filling in earth quarries, filling of gem mines. 

• Use of alternate materials 

  • eg. Concrete in place of timber, plastic 

• Select one physical resource in your region and suggest actions that can be taken to conserve it. 

• Present in the form of a poster or drawing the above activity implemented according to your suggestion. 

Our human resources 

People living in the area are a resource to us. Man becomes a human resource by developing his intellectual as well as his physical abilities. In our area a number of such resources can be identified. 

A multitude of resources like farmers, teachers, doctors, nurses, masons, carpenters, engineers including technicians and mechanics, government workers, researchers and scientists, aesthetes, media people, athletes etc help us. 

• Identify the human resources seen in these photographs and name them. 

• Identify the human resources living in your area and prepare a document. 

• Prepare and present a table containing the human resources in your area and their uses. 

How the value of the human resources can be increased 

From birth, man is endowed with certain abilities. They can be identified as intellectual abilities, physical abilities, social abilities etc. It is important that man’s inborn abilities are improved and that they are formally practised. For this purpose various courses and training programmes are implemented in the society around the area. Through these the individual can improve one’s abilities and develop the ability to build up the vocational world around him. 

The diagram below shows the uses obtained by training human resources systematically 

Country develops

↑

Derives economic advantages

↑

Improves professionally

↑

Can perform one’s profession well

↑

Can acquire professional qualifications

↑

Can improve abilities

↑

By training Human Resources 

Regional economic affairs 

The people in your area have different kinds of occupations' Most of them are based on the resources of your area. There are people who engage in agriculture basing it on the land. At the same time you may find some people who engage in many other industries based on the various resources in your area. These industries provide different types of products to the market. 

You may find the persons who engage in poultry, business and other occupations in your area. Think about the economic activities in your area. 

• Get to know about the institutes that conduct professional development courses in your area. 

• Prepare a document containing the training courses conducted by these institutes. 

• Prepare a poster containing the information above and display it in the classroom. 

• Complete the following table. 

2.2 Living co–operatively with the people of the area 

From the origin of human society, man did not have enough courage to face various challenges such as hunting animals. He neither had sharp vision, sense of smell, strong arms and jaws that are needed for hunting animals, nor sharp canine teeth or nails. He was not extremely capable of running, swimming, flying and climbing trees. Therefore, he needed the others, assistance in search of food and find protection. 

When people started living co-operatively, human society emerged, and their co-operative existence caused building up of a developed human civilization. 

You also have worked co-operatively with your neighbours and villagers. For instance, co-operativity can be seen at shramadana campaigns, religious festivals, funerals and at sudden disasters. The support of others eases the work at the workplace and the school. 

According to the diagram above, you would have understood that co-operation spreads across a wide range. 

• Write three situations where people in your area work in co-operation. 

• Out of them, select one and write a short play and produce it along with your friends. 

• All of you in the class get together and carry out a co–operative activity for the benefit of your school. Discuss your experience with the other students in the class. 

Uses of working in co-operation 

• Discuss in your class the qualities developed through working co–operatively, based on your experience. 

2.3 Those who help us 

When living in society we need the assistance of outside individuals and institutions in order to fulfill our needs. Several institutions and service providers are active in society for these purpose. 

• Prepare a document on the government officers who provide various services for the people of the area you live in. 

• Design a poster on the services provided by a selected few of these officers. 

Given below is a description and services of six government officers who help you. Understand it and name the relevant officer. 

Institutions that help us 

In the area you live in, you can notice a number of government and non-governmental institutions that assist in the satisfaction of public and official needs of the people. Let us study the services of a selected few of them. 

Divisional Secretariat 

All the services rendered by the government for the public living in the respective area can be obtained from this institution. Several examples of these are given below. 

• Issue of Birth Certificates 

• Approval of Grama Seva Certificates 

• Issue of licenses eg : felling of trees, transport, income licenses, state land licenses, environment permits 

• Provision of relief ² Implementation of relevant activities regarding payment of pensions 

• Issue of identity cards 

• Inquire from members of your family about the services they got from the Divisional Secretariat and note them. 

Local Government Institutions Municipal Councils 

An extremely complex urban region is known as the municipality. There are several such regions in our country. Examples of these are Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya, Dehiwala Mt. Lavinia. The head of a Municipal Council is the Mayor. Given below are a few services rendered by the Municipal Council. 

• Cleaning and maintenance of streets 

• Reconstruction of water–ways and removal of garbage 

• Maintenance of the markets and public health 

• Maintenance of playgrounds, libraries and parks 

• Construction and maintenance of public amenities 

• Maintenance of street lights 

• Write down the name of the Municipal Council close to you. 

• Out of the services below select the services provided by the Municipal Council and mark (✔️ ) in the box against it 

• Provision of transport facilities ⏹️

• Cleaning and maintenance of the streets of the city ⏹️

• Removal of garbage, protection of public health ⏹️

• Construction of buildings ⏹️

• Maintenance of public markets, city parks, libraries ⏹️

• Provision of lighting and water service to public places ⏹️

Urban Councils 

Urbanized regions which are less in population and complexity are called Urban councils. The head of each urban council is a chairman. Given below are a few of the services provided by the Urban Council. 

• Provision of public health services 

• Maintenance of libraries, sports grounds, parks, public toilets etc. 

• Systematization of water supply and drainage. 

• Control and maintenance of streets and public buildings. 

• Disposal of garbage, cleaning of the city. 

Village Councils 

Semi urban areas and rural areas that do not come under Urban Councils belong to Village Councils. Given below are a few of the numerous services rendered by the Village Councils: 

• Construction and maintenance of roadways in one's region of operations. 

• Improvement and implementation of bathing ferries, trade centers. 

• Disposal of garbage and cleaning of streets and roads in the area. 

• Approval of building construction. 

• Maintenance of social welfare activities. 

• Inquire about the services rendered by the Provincial Council situated close to your home or school and complete the information below 

• Name of the Provincial Council :........................................... 

• If the services below are provided by the Provincial Council to the public mark (✔️ ) if not mark (❌ ) in the box provided 

Cleaning and maintenance of roadways ⏹️

Proper disposal of garbage ⏹️

Collection of taxes ⏹️

Lighting of streets and public places ⏹️

Maintaining libraries and pre-schools ⏹️

Charging trade taxes ⏹️

Hospitals 

Services rendered by places of religious worship 

Services provided by places of religious worship 

• ³ Provide knowledge of the Dhamma. 

• Disciplining by teaching ethics. 

• Conduct religious rituals, services, offerings. 

• Blessing in order to make personal life successful. 

• Help cultivate spiritual values. 

• Provide leadership at weddings and bereavements 

• Provide leadership in public activities. 

• Take the lead regarding national needs. 

• Provide advice and blessings 

• Ensure inter-racial unity. 

³ Prepare a register of the various places of religious worship in your area. 

Services Provided by the Societies in the Region 

• All the students of your class get together and set up a Children’s Society. 

• Through the Children’s Society you set up, implement a program for the improvement of the abilities and talents of students in your class. 

Duties of the institutions that provide us with services 

• Proper provision of one’s services 

• Functioning efficiently 

• Provision of correct advice and guidance 

• Acting without being bias 

• Functions so as to be fair by everybody 

• Being friendly when working with the people 

• Avoiding wrong doing in what one does 

Duties of us who receive services 

• Payment of taxes correctly 

• Providing necessary participation, when rendering service 

• Following advice and guidance, correctly 

• Protecting institutions and the property of institutions providing service 

• Avoiding obtaining services through improper means 

• Maintaining friendly relations with service providers 

• Appreciating services provided by them and provide recognition for the service 

• Select an institution that provides services to your area and discuss the duties due from you for such service. 

Summary 

When contributing to the development of the country, it is very important to have good awareness of the area we live in, we identified the Grama Niladhri's division, Divisional Secretariat, district and the province we belong to. We were able to identify the physical resources and how they can be used in the social and economic needs and how to economize them. Human resource is the most precious resource and it can be divided as intellectual and physical abilities. We can develop its quality through training. 

The economic affairs in the region can be divided into agricultural affairs, industrial affairs and services. Most of the time, these affairs are based on the human and physical resources of the region. 

Co-operative living of the people in a particular area contribute to the advancement of both region and the family. There are many examples of such occasions, where the work becomes easy resulting in many advantages. 

There are many individual and group organizations which support the people. Religious institutions, public institutions and provincial councils are very important. Government officers and many others have been involved into that network. Many needs of the area are fulfilled by this. These institutions and people help the general public in the social and economic affairs and spiritual development. Apart from these institutions various associations and committees also help the people in their needs. The institutions and the individuals who receive the services should perform their duties. By studying this chapter you can understand that through inter relationship we can expect the development of individuals as well as society.