Software Issues in Sri Lanka Part 7


Posted on April 19, 2007  /  213 Comments

Please continue discussion from Software Issues in Sri Lanka Part 6, on this thread. This thread is devoted to diverse software issues discussed in the context of Sri Lanka. Please stick to the topic and keep the discussion civil.

Previous discussion is archived in the following threads:

213 Comments


  1. First birthday for this topic falls on the April 24th.

    new comers can visit
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/

    observe the images. See the text written in Sinhala.

    Sinhala Solution given by the ICTA is incorrect and incomplete

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  2. I really enjoyed with the length of this thread. I do not want to disturb the discussion. My idea is that DG and JC are trying to convince others that they have a acceptable solution for Sinhala computing, which is a myth. We had long conversations with both of them in LKLUG and Sinhala Unicode Group after which lot of people understood that there is no point of talking to a dumb. I just took time to type this because of the new people who do not know the history of the debate.

    All the time I was respecting to other’s views and I do so now. But I need to mention that it is not valid for Mr. Donald’s. I will share a story with you. During the time we were having discussions on this matter on LKLUG mailing list I got a mail from a person named Sulochana Paranagama. He/She (Cannot judge by the name) was asking some clarifications about Sinhala Unicode. I replied with gentle language. But the mail thread which was only 5 mails, ended with these wordings;

    “Baka pandithayas and kaalakannis like you only are the biggest enemies of the Sinhala language. PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY SINHALA LANGUAGE.”

    I have seen the same words in Mr.Donald’s mails in the list. So I got to know that it is him who is writing to me using a different identity. Accepting that fact Mr.Donald has put the content of those mails in his web site (http://www.akuru.org/comments received.htm) stating that they are the comments he received.

    I have several questions.

    1) Why he used a different identity to talk with me?
    2) How ethical is to publish mail conversations I had with him in public?
    3) By using a name like Sulochana which is most probably be guessed as a girl’s name, does he expect me to be soft on her?

    By looking at the comments he has made on Mr.Samaranayaka and the above case, anybody should be able to understand that this person is not somebody who can be called a gentlemen.

    Thanks,
    Sapumal.

  3. Today I had the privilege to visit the inland revenue department.
    I never saw any samsung computers at With holding tax division.

    Everything is done manually!!!!

    I did had the paid copies of the With holding tax certificates.(2006/2007) year ending 31 March 2007.

    The officers have no idea whether the funds have actually reached the Tax department. One officer will have to manually go through the piles of documents sent by various banks to locate my originals. I will have to wait one full week to find the answer.

    Also I found out none of these internal departments are inter connected via computer

    How many errors — could happen??? Piles and piles of documents bundled kept all over the floor. So many people around and sorting them into file numbers. A computer would have done all this work within in 10 to 15 minutes with a simple database.

    What a beautiful employment opportunity for university graduates.( sorting ,counting, filing , re bundling,)

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  4. SAMSUNG BOSS ADMITS PRICE FIXING

    Now Dino is in even bigger s**t.

    Look what Samsung is doing elsewhere. So they have done it here too in LGN obviously.

    SAMSUNG BOSS ADMITS PRICE FIXING
    Friday, 20 April 2007

    A sixth executive of South Korean firm Samsung Electronics has pleaded guilty in the US to charges of fixing the price of microchips.

    Il Ung Kim, vice president of marketing at Samsung’s memory division, has agreed to serve 14 months in a US jail, the US Justice Department said.

    The chip price fixing took place during the four years to 2004, and also involved Elpida, Infineon and Hynix.

    So far the four firms have paid fines totalling more than $730m (£364m).

    In all, 18 individuals have now been charged.

    Under his plea agreement, Mr Kim will also pay a $250,000 fine, and agree to help the Justice Department with its ongoing investigation.

    Washington has blamed the price fixing scheme for artificially driving up the cost of chips used in everything from computers to mobile phones and game consoles.

    “We are committed to prosecuting executives who violate US antitrust laws and harm consumers and competition in the United States,” said Justice Department lawyer Thomas Barnett.

    “Even when those executives conduct their cartel activity overseas.”

    A Samsung spokeswoman said the firm was “strongly committed to fair competition and ethical practices”.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6574581.stm

  5. According to the latest information available, ICTA has awarded the LGN tender to Samsung Networks Inc. even though that party had NOT COMPLIED WITH SOME OF THE MANDATORY AND PREFERABLE REQUIREMENT OF THE PROJECT.

    We request Prof. V. K. Samaranayake, Chairman ICTA and Chairman, LGN Tender Evaluation Committee (against the accepted procedures of GOSL which prohibits a Chairman or CEO of a government agency to represent tender evaluation Committees), a frequent reader of this site (as he had admitted to many) to come up and explain why this tender was awarded to a company that did not meet such critical requirements.

    Let me state some of the mandatory and other requirements that were not complied by Samsung Networks Inc.

    1. To provide backup power supplies for the servers, it was mandatory for the bidder to provide power cabling at his own cost. However, Samasung Networks Inc. has not complied with this requirement. It has replied government has to bear the cost for this backup power line.

    2. The scanners provided by Samsung were smaller ones which cannot scan paper of any sizes larger than A4. The other bidders on the other hand bid for scanner that can scan larger sizes such as legal etc.

    3. For locations where PABX is not available the router should have IP PABX capabilities. This was a mandatory requirement of the LGN tender. Samsung Networks Inc. had failed to meet this requirement. Once pointed out it has point blankly said no to ICTA.

    4. The existing analog/digital phones could have been used for the VOIP solution. If they were used the gains from not having to purchase new IP phone could have been used for some other purpose. However, Samsung Network Inc has failed to provide a solution that can use existing analog/digital phones.

    5. The LGN Hub solution was required to have a web hosting area to host existing government web sites and application hosting area to host common applications. However Samsung Networks Inc has failed to comply with this requirement. It has replied to ICTA if the latter likes it can move its web servers to the LGN hub but in addition to that Samsung Networks will not be able to provide any web space.

    So it is natural for any citizen to feel some sort of underhand transaction had worked in this particular tender. As the off springs of some of the senior members of the Technical Evaluation Committee are studying at foreign Universities with tuition costs cannot be practically borne by their poor retired academic fathers, it is the duty of Prof. V. K. Samaranayake, ICTA Chairman to explain why this deal was offered to Samsung Networks Inc., with these critical requirements Samsung Networks Inc failed to comply.

    We will wait for the reply of Prof. V. K. Samaranayake.

  6. The newly launched unp.lk Sinhala site is seen as rubbish

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  7. XYW lAk`@v| pLmR m`r~ggw pRr~N prQgNk jAgm b#AkO @s~v`v mhjn b#AkO@vn~

    qQvyQ@n~ pYmRKwm r`j& b#AkOvk~ vn mhjn b#AkOv @w`rwOr# w`k;N sAs~k^wQ@yhQ uprQm Pl @nlmQn~ XYW lAk`@v| pY}m vrt m`r~ggw pRr~N prQgNk jAgm b#AkO @s~v`vk~ a`rm|x kr a#w. o|n$m w#nk, o|n$m @v|l`vkqW o|n$m ayRrkQn~ b#AkO @s~v` s#lsWmt h#kQvWm @mm m`r~ggw pRr~N prQgNk jAgm b#AkO @s~v`@v| a#wQ sRvQ@X~;w~vy @v|. gnR@qnRk`r @s~v`vw~, nvWn w`k;Nyw~, ek~w#n~ krmQn~ nv& b#AkOkrNyk~ wOLQn~ gnR@qnRkr#vn~t uss~ @s~v`vk~ s#pyWm @mhQ armRN @v|.

    @my jAgm kvRn~tr @s~v`vk~ @lsQn~q h#[Qn~ @v|. s`m`n&@yn~ b#AkO X`K`vk sQqE krnR lbn s$m k`r~yyk~m @mhQqWq sQqE krnR lbyQ. e~ anRv gnR@qnRkr#vkOt avX& s$m b#AkO phsRkmk~m @mhQqW lb` gw h#kQ awr, b#AkO X`K`vk @mn~ gnR@qnR ktyRwO sWmQw k`lykt sWm` kr @n`wQbWmq @mhQ a#wQ vQ@X~;w~vyyQ. @mhQqW slsn @s~v`vn~ nm|, @tlr~ yn~wY sh “@ptQ” phsRkm| nv gQNRm| vQv^w kQrm, mRql~ w#n~pw~ kQrm h` a`psR g#nWm, iwQrQ kQr@m| gQNRm|, jAgm gQNRm| s~}`vr w#n~pw~ a`qW gQNRm| ktyRwO @mn~m Ny phsRkm|, @X~;yn~ prWk;` kQrWm, an~wr~ b#AkO ktyRwO (mRql~ hRvm`r# kQrm) vQvQ{ @w`rwOr# lb` g#nWm (vQnQmy anRp`w q#n g#nWm), p`s~ @p`w~vl @X~;yn~ y`vw~k`lWn kQrm, b#AkO pYk`Xn lb` g#nWm h` uks~ @s~v` a`qQy @v|.

    mhjn b#AkO@v| @w`rwOr# w`k;N @qp`r~w@m|n~wO@v| pY{`nW a`c`r~y dW.en~.dW. r`mn`yk mhw` @m| pQLQb[v aqhs~ qk~vmQn~ @mm m`r~ggw pRr~N prQgNk jAgm b#AkO @s~v`v wOLQn~ vQqElQ bly, qErkwn v#nQ phsRkm| @n`m#wQ gY`mWy jnw`vtq pY{`n ngrvlt sWm` vW wQbR b#AkO phsRkm| lb` qWmt h#kQvWm a`dm|bryt kr#Nk~ bv p#vsWy. dQjQtl~ w`k;Ny uprQmy @y`q` gnQmQn~ nQmv` a#wQ @mm jAgm b#AkOv @r`~q mwQn~ qEvn aAg sm|pRr~N b#AkOvk~ @ls e~ mhw` h[En~v` @qnR lbyQ.

    mhjn b#AkO@v| a@lvQkrN h` mhjn ktyRwO pY{`nW qWp`l~ a@b|@s~kr mhw` @mm jAgm b#AkO @s~v`v b#AkOkrNy gnR@qnRkr#vn~@g~ @q`rkdt rF@gn y`mk~ @ls h[En~vyQ. s#m vQtm jnw`v@g~ b#AkOvk~ @lsQn~ ovRn@g~ nQs#k a@p~k;`vn~ itR krlWmt k#p vW sQtQn mhjn b#AkO@v| wvw~ ek~ s#b$ vR sQhQnyk~ @ls @mm @s~v`v qkQyQ. XYW lAk`@v| pLmR m`r~ggw pRr~N prQgNk jAgm b#AkO @s~v`v @my bv e~ mhw` pvsyQ. b#AkO kr~m`n~w@y~ @prLQyk~ a#wQ krmQn~ @w`rwOr# w`k;Ny wOLQn~ gnR@qnRkr#vn~ smWpyt yn @mm b#AkO @s~v`v nQs` gnR@qnRkr#vn~@g~ k`lyw~ XYmyw~ iwQrQ vnR a#w. gnR@qnRkr#vn~@g~ v#dktyRwO phsRvWm wOL ovRnt alEw~ vtQn`kmk~q ek~ krnR lbyQ.

  8. Donald,

    A party that has a rubbish leader deserves a rubbish web site.

  9. Ranil Wickramasinghe

    Dear Donald,

    Not only the Sinhala, though they asked me to launch the web, most pages are “UNDER CONSTRUCTION.” Just like the reforms in my party. These pages will never be completed. Like the bunch of idiotic set of lawyers I have, I have the same set of idiots as web designers. Even a schoolboy would have created a better website than this. We have billions of rupees in the party donated by big businessmen but my foolish advisers found this Mee Haraka as the web designer. Now Wimal W will hammer me with his big mouth. (Luckily I have that guy under control due to sexual harassment issue.)

    Also see in one of the pages this Mee Haraka has mentioned it was UNP who brought Independence to the country. As you all know Independence was a result of collective effort of patriots.

    I don’t know anything about website designing though I take a laptop everywhere to browse you-know-what. This guy at the web launch asked me to click a button and with my shaky hands – you know how i clap with them for Ithin Hadapu Api Aluth Ratak – and I must have clicked the wrong button. I always do.

    I am sick of my advisers who made me a ridiculous Parakramabahu, made us lose CMC, gave false alarm saying that “Thou Wouldst Be King” before New Year. I am leaving for Croatia where I can be without these stupid advisers.

  10. For the last ten years or so web has been an effective medium in politics, than in any other field, but sadly only LTTE (TamilNet) and JVP (AsiannTribune, Lankatruth) have realised this. None of the other political parties, including the two bigger ones, do not even bother to maintain a web site continuously, let alone use it effectively in their election propaganda.

    During the last ten year UNP have had at least 6-7 web sites on its own and so many others related to its cause (Release SB). None of them were functional for more than 6 months. Only ‘soda bottle’ type work.

    A web presence is not something one starts few months before an election. (thinking all the voters will immediately reach it) It should be integrated with other channels, and it is essential that a web site is fully functional (with daily updates, space for comments etc) for at least 3-4 years before an election for it to be a critical force.

    If UNP cannot realise these simple fundamental truths, it is good for them to remain in the opposition forever.

  11. Dharshi Senadheera

    Dear Mr. Donald Gaminitillake,

    I can read the Sinhala pages in http://www.unp.lk without any problem.

    It might just be an issue with your computer.

  12. I will contradict with Dudley’s ghost as my personal website won an American award (Of course my Baappochchi is there) for http://www.milinda.org site. JVP & LTTE uses their websites for party gains whereas I use my website for personal gains. The whole world knows I am the number one crook and even SB is nowhere near me. But I look a very good, scholar, philanthropist on http://www.milinda.org. I fooled even America.

    I wanted Ranil W to use me but the poor bugger was listening to fair faced guys only. This is why we ended up in the Chinthana Brothers Company Limited.

    Only good thing I did was when I was in power chasing bad, ugly crook Dino away. I hope people will vote for me for that since I haven’t done anything good for the county rather than filling my Swiss bank accounts under the cover of money making sect of religion.

    I don’t bother to increase my vote bank with my website. This is to win awards and get more funding. When I want power, i either jump from one party to another or “buy” votes and fanatical catholics also vote for me. These are the catholics who voted to release Barabbas and demanded Jesus be hung. Amen.

  13. http://www.unp.lk/ is an empty website. Only few links work. Again some unprofessional writing and lot of Under Constructions pages. Ranil, may you be in the opposition for 100 billion years for showing you are this foolish. Ensure your designer was paid by Gota to sabotage your image. Grade 5 student can design a better website than your designer. Velu was right in ordering not to vote to a fool like you. How can you rule a country when you have an empty head?

    Mahinda R also will be better of this VK in ICTA so that someone else can do the necessary work. This Seeya is too impotent and has no working knowledge.

  14. Apart from politics, that Milinda Pinto’s (aka Moragoda) site is a big flop. One of the worst sites I have seen. The web masters have virtually no creativity.

    I am very surprised how such a poor quality site won awards.

  15. If anyone does not know how to make political web sites, learn from me.

    Have a look and count how many times my smiling photographs appear in the home page.

    http://www.mahindarajapaksa.com

    I also do not waste time in making Sinhala and Tamil pages, because I do not want Donald to say they look rubbish.

    In fact, I do not even mind them taking English out.

    I only want to have a space to publish my smiling photographs.

  16. Dear Mr Senadheera

    “It might just be an issue with your computer. ”

    Nothing wrong with any computer. You must be using the computer that created this site. If so only you can read the stuff but not others.

    The Text has to be compatible If one reads and other see rubbish there is a problem with the creation of the site. We are addressing that issue.

    Use a different computer environment and post the screen image and a comment.

    Donald Gaminitillake

  17. Donald uncle,

    Why don’t you take you computer to the top floor of the World Trade Centre, tie it around your neck (with the power cable) and jump?

    All the software problems in Sri Lanka will be solved.

  18. It hurt you and your group when I point out the truth.

    Donald Gaminitillake

  19. Milinda Pinto has always been a perennial loser. This can be largely attributed to the overly dominating character of his mother. His mother has always treated and still treats her son as a little kid. That had prevented him from building self-confidence and achieving anything on his own irrespective of the education he has received.

    Perhaps the only life achievement of Pinto jnr was his marriage to somebody who has close relatives at White House. These were the connections he had used to climb the political ladder.

    The e-Sri Lanka project launched when he was S&T Minister was a big mess from the day one. This guy was too stupid to replace a permanent government agency (CINTEC) with a sunset organisation. CINTEC employees fought the compensation plan and the government had to pay them salaries for more than three years which they did not do any work (and while most of them working at other places.) Pinto jnr should be responsible for wasting all this public money.

    The Pinto jnr appointed Manju H for the CEO post. Manju H. was the type of individual who should not be trusted to run even a ‘suruttu kade’ let alone a national agency. All he did was to waste public money even more earning a monthly package of Rs. 1.2 mil.

    One big mistake Pinto jnr did was to neglect the national level personalities who had already contributed to the development of ICT. These professionals were purposely prevented from being part of the e-Sri Lanka program. It could be because Pinto jnr could not control them the way he liked.

    Fortunately e-Sri Lanka is now on the right track. However Pinto jnr will ruin the tourism completely before long.

  20. Hey Dippy

    “Fortunately e-Sri Lanka is now on the right track. ”

    Above project was never on the right track.
    We cannot use the official languages in Sri Lanka across all platforms.

    Dealing with a company that has been fined in United States of America for price fixing. The case has been proved and the accused have been pleaded guilty.(See No 3 of this blog)

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6574581.stm

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  21. I think Milinda kept VKS at arms length for a good reason.

    When you offer a chair to VKS, he will apply a ton of super glue and then sit on it, so nobody could pull him out. Such selfish and egoistic behaviour is not favorable for anybody leading a national initiative.

    Now see, VKS will never leave ICTA, whatever happens and whoever rules. Even after his death his ghost will haunt ICTA.

  22. I was a member of government appointed selection committee that picked Manju Hattouwa, at that time COO at Millennium IT. The facts are given at: http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?newsID=2146526699&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=24

    It is noteworthy that the government advertised the CEO position after this column was published (I am not positing a causal relation). It is also noteworthy that the transparent selection process was aborted at the last minute for unannounced reasons.

  23. Sengaunu Amutta at ICTA

    Whatever said about Manju, even his worst enemies will agree that he gave his heart and soul to ICT. He was always there at ICTA and it was the only job he did.

    Compared to him the new CEO is like a ‘sengaunu amutta’ at a New Year festival. Not many people had ever seen him at ICTA. Nobody knows what he does for ICT. Always missing in action.

    Running the only international Airport in a country itself is a full time job, not a part time one. If one assumes a single person can look after both airport and ICTs, one should better check his psychiatrist.

  24. Let me reproduce two posts appeared in this blog on June 21, 2006. They may not be from the person who claimed to have posted them. They are self explanatory.

    62 C. Rasaputra on Jun 21st, 2006 at 1:47 pm

    Dear All,

    According to the latest information, I hear Mr. Manju Hattotuwa’s contract as the CEO of ICTA has not been extended.

    The vacancy had not yet been announced.

    Nobody has been called for interviews.

    But, you all can guess who will replace Manju in due time. (after a very transparent recruitment procedure, of course.)
    Sri Lanka is a country that believes in transparency.

    P.S: If you dont know me, I am a Information Security expert living in USA. (I have come to Sri Lanka on vacation.)

    67 C. Rasaputra on Jun 21st, 2006 at 4:50 pm

    Dear Concerned,

    How can I tell you who is the CEO of ICTA in a situation where the vacancy is not even announced or anybody has been called for interviews?

    Please wait ICTA Board will announce the vacancy in due course, and some idiots will apply. They will be called for interviews too and will be asked some stupid questions. Then the CEO will be recruited in a very TRANSPARENT manner. How can one tell this man is the CEO before completing this very TRANSPARENT process?

    This is a very TRANSPARENT country. In this country no appointements are given through backdoor. No deals are offered to companies ones political masters want them to be given. No bribes are taken from Samsung. Vert TRANSPARENT.

  25. I did applied not once but twice.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  26. Sumith Amerasinghe

    Donald,

    One definition of STUPIDITY is doing the same thing repeatedly expecting different results.

    If I have heard correctly, over hundred people applied for the first time and only eight applied for the second time.

  27. Prof. V. K. Samaranayake has been central to IT in Sri Lanka for the last four decades.

    Prof. Rohan too is a protégé of Prof. Samaranayake.

    When Prof. Rohan was badly looking for odd jobs in 1980-90 time, Prof. Samaranayake gave him his first assignment at CINTEC. That is how he started in IT.

    It is not good to talk as if one were born yesterday.

  28. Have I said anything about Professor Samaranayake in any posting?

    It’s news to me that I was his protege, but that is not relevant for anything is it?

  29. Dear Sumith

    If only 8 applied for the second time. There are seven others other than me.
    Why not the seven come forward and list their names.

    All 8 of us could voice for justice denied.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  30. Prof Samarajiva has never criticized VK in this blog. Nor has he criticized VK in other platforms as far as we know. VK may not be happy about this blog as this blog affected his God fatherly figure as the truth behind his mythical god fatherly figure was exposed in the blog. Prof Samarajiva wouldn’t have expected a VK bash even in his wildest dreams. It was Donald who opened the can of worms and the rest followed suit. This is a good opportunity for VK to stop his unethical intimidation and live rest of his life in a good manner. What VK got was as a result of Dhitta Dhamma Vedaneeya Karma.

    As a matter of interest, where is Helaya now?

  31. Donald Gaminitillake

    I have sent the following mail again to ICTA

    Donald

    ——————————–

    Dear Chairman and the CEO of ICTA

    As you are now aware that the ICTA solution for Sinhala is incorrect and incomplete.
    I have made public presentations to the SLSI in the presence of Prof Samaranayake.

    My voice was overturned by the SLSI and approved the incorrect Sinhala SLSI 1134.

    I am asking you for the second time within this month for a public presentation at ICTA in the presence of the CEO and The Chairman.

    I am the only person who has published a matrix for Sinhala characters (Character allocation table) which is registered as ISBN 955-98975-0-0. As per laws in Sri Lanka I have 100% copyrights over it.

    With best regards

    Donald Gaminitillake

  32. Prof Samarajiva has never criticized VK in this blog. Nor has he criticized VK in other platforms as far as we know. VK may not be happy about this blog as this blog affected his God fatherly figure as the truth behind his mythical god fatherly figure was exposed in the blog. Prof Samarajiva wouldn’t have expected a VK bash even in his wildest dreams. It was Donald who opened the can of worms and the rest followed suit. This is a good opportunity for VK to stop his unethical intimidation and live rest of his life in a good manner. What VK got was as a result of Dhitta Dhamma Vedaneeya Karma.

    As a matter of interest, where is Helaya now?

  33. Thank you, unbiased.

    As a matter of principle and pragmatism, we have a policy that we do not edit blog comments. We have repeatedly requested commenters to remain civil and to stick to the topics the threads.

    Beyond that, we do not interfere. That means that we are not responsible for what people write, disregarding our requests.

    I have never attacked anyone on this blog; and I would appreciate not being dragged into various personality-based discussions.

  34. I wrote the truth.
    Latin script can be used in all platforms.
    Sinhala is not. The reason is we have not registered the sinhala cractersin the SLSI or in the unicode. All these were done by Cintec and ICTA led by the prof.

    He and his group for 25 years were not aware of number of Sinhala akuru.
    All this have to be registered in the SLSI.

    This error has to be admitted and corrected for the betterment of the country.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  35. http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/04/26/news30.asp

    Quote from above ……..

    During the year 2006, the Government took certain steps to enforce the provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution exceeding any previous Government.

    Firstly in accordance with our recommendations, new recruits to the public service are now required to have competence in the second official language. (Second Official Languages means Tamil Language for those competent in Sinhala Language and Sinhala Language for those competent in the Tamil Language).

    The other is provision of some attractive incentives for persons already in public service to induce them to acquire proficiency in the second official language.

    We submit that these two steps taken by your Government are of a decisive nature. In fact those steps should have been taken soon after the adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Had it been done at that time there would not have remained a language problem at present.

    The recommendations of 2006 in our belief will help solve certain problems relating to language which will subsist until the present steps taken by your Government achieves the end results.

    The present recommendations envisage the creation of an institution for providing translations and interpretation on self-employment basis between Sinhala-Tamil. Tamil-Sinhala, Sinhala-English, English-Sinhala, Tamil-English and English-Tamil.

    As you may be aware, there is a dire shortage of competent translators and interpreters in these languages.
    As such there is need to obtain the maximum service of competent translators and interpreters serving in different institutions and elsewhere

    …… Unquote

    Today when we are not been able to use Sinhala and Tamil — Across all platforms (Computers) .
    How do we implement the above project in SriLanka?

    The SInhala and Tamil usage is a constitutional matter.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  36. I am sure it is VKS who has written the post No. 25 under the name ‘Thusitha’. Who else has that kind of information on what happened on CINTEC in 1980s?

    The biggest problem VKS has now is this blog. He is dead scared his contract will not be extended and will go to any length to stop this blog. I am not surprised if Donald had received any threats by now. Threatening people indirectly (he does not have the guts to do that directly) is the style of VKS.

    I assume Prof. Samarajiva has better things to do in his life than wasting his time this old and allied totally useless man.

    Only people like Donald who have nothing better to do, and enough time to kill are worried about this ‘jarajeerna mahalla’. Nobody else is bothered about him than they would worry about Dingiri Banda Wijetunage.

  37. I am not worried about this ‘jarajeerna mahalla’. .

    I am worried about the Sinhala language and its “akuru”

    Any “threats” better keep it for yourself.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  38. Dear ICTA Chairman,

    Donald has raised some points about the Sinhala solution.

    Few very relevant technical queries regarding the LGN Tender have been raised. (post 4)

    When we raise these issues very relevant to the ICT developments in the country, instead of answering them why do you want to drag matters to personal levels?

    If you have any concern for the ICT development issues in Sri Lanka please respond to questions raised by Donald and others.

  39. I fully agree with the sentiments in the above post.

    We live in an era of transparency and openness. Consider the ‘Right of Information act’ in India. Under this act the citizens can rightfully request information about anything that concerns them. That is the culture towards we are moving to. We no longer live in a world some government bureaucrat decides what we want and do the things the way he thinks right.

    Information and Communication Technology has always been a catalyst of creating this change. This is the mantra ICTA and its Chairman always preaches.

    So why not ICTA follows what ot preaches? Why not ICTA Chairman answers the specific questions posed to him?

    Donald might be a mad hatter, (That is how ICTA Chairman calls Donald) but even a mad hatter is a citizen of Sri Lanka. ICTA Chairman, as a government servant has an obligation to hear the grievances of a citizen of Sri Lanka. He cannot run away from it.

    Why cannot ICTA Chairman answer Donald’s mails? If he says he does not have time to do so himself why cannot he assign a junior officer to do so?

    Why cannot ICTA Chairman answer the questions posed to him in this blog?

    What is the use of chanting the mantra that ICT encourages transparency and democracy etc., without ICTA itself not following what it preaches?

    Over to you!

  40. Visit

    http://www.lakehouse.lk/budusarana/

    They have published the following comment

    Quote
    Due to limitations in publishing on the web in Sinhala, we are presenting the Budusarana in PDF (Portable Document Format). You will require an Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 installed. If you do not have an Acrobat Reader 4.0, download it……….
    unquote

    This clearly proves my point byeond reasonable doubt.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  41. Bilingual skills needed, says Commission

    By Chandani Kirinde

    The Official Languages Commission has recommended the recruitment to the public service of a sufficient number of persons competent in Tamil and make Sinhala and Tamil compulsory subjects in schools up to the O/L stage as priority measures to be taken to meet the language problem of the country.

    These recommendations are contained in the memorandum the chairman and members of the Commission presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week.

    Other recommendations include the training of translators and interpreters through the university system which has the necessary human resources and infrastructural facilities for such training and to convert the Official Languages Department, which already trains public servants in languages, to an independent institute capable of carrying out its functions more efficiently.

    The Government has already taken two major policy decisions this year to expedite implementation of the language policy adopted nearly 20 years ago but not properly implemented till date. In February, a public administration circular was issued offering attractive incentives to public servants to induce them to acquire proficiency in the second official language – Sinhala language for those competent in Tamil and Tamil language for those competent in Sinhala.

    Another circular is to be issued shortly under which new recruits to the public service will need to acquire proficiency in their second language within five years of entering the service.

    According to available statistics, of the nearly 900,000 strong public service, only around 9 per cent are proficient in Tamil. The Commission said that if around 38 per cent of the public servants obtain some level of proficiency in the second official language, it would go a long way to make the public administration bi-lingual.

    There is also a dire need for translators with only about 166 in the Translators Service according to available statistics. Of these only 44 are qualified in Sinhala/Tamil translation, 108 in Sinhala /English translation and only 14 in Tamil/English translation.

    There is an equally bad situation with regards to interpreters despite their requirement to serve in multi-lingual elected bodies such as Parliament, Provincial Councils and local bodies.

    The Commission has recommended the establishment of two separate professional services for them and that trainees should be drawn into the service from graduates who are qualified in at least one of the official languages. They should be taught the other official language for a duration of at least two years.

    The Commission had arrived at this conclusion taking into consideration the failed attempt to train those with only a secondary education background as translators.

  42. Regarding Prof Samarajiva’s answer on (25) Thusitha’s comment and Unbiased’s explaination…..

    What Donald (or others) who can do is starting a seperate Blog to bash VK. I recently found one about cricket commentator Ranjith Fernando. Visit http://ranjitfernandosucks.blogspot.com/ Why don’t you start something similar to bash VK. LIRNEASIA blog concentrates on more Asia-Pacific regional issues than bashing VK. I don’t think it would be a good idea to expose dirty issues regarding VK to the whole region at a time AI, Tigers, Human Rights Watch, etc. also are tarnishing the country’s image. So, the best thing is to start a dedicated Blog to bash VK as he seems to be the trouble and the curse in the ICT field in Sri Lanka. Let LIRNEASIA deal with more regional issues than a rotting Dino.

    Donald has his akuru.org and can easily start and manage another site for a dedicated blog. There are a lot of free blogging software and sties these days.

    Let LIRNEASIA concentrate on broader issues in telecom/IT industries.

  43. Dear Blogger

    The Language TEXT problem is an Asian issue. It is not only limited to Sinhala but to all indic languages. (40 or more)

    Sinhala area was covered by the prof.He and his group is responsible. They will have to account for 25 years of payments taken by them to develop SInhala. Now we see Sinhala rubbish in the computers.

    First we got to solve the Sinhala problem and then move the solution into other indiic languages.

    This is named as “Software Issues in Sri Lanka Part 7” Just one minor segment of Lirneasia

    Why worry. You can commence blogs on other topics in the Lirneasia.

    I talk of Software issues related to Sri Lanka. We got to use Sinhala and Tamil. Also need to use it across all platforms and on any Application.

    Also we have hardware issue (buying inferior hard ware) , Browser issue, Translation of Language issue, Domain lk issue etc etc

    All theses have to be exposed documented for the future generation.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  44. from
    http://globaltechforum.wordpress.com/2007/03/09/it-happens-in-mahavilachchiya/#comment-70

    Quote
    Also please understand that Divaina.com only uploads few selected articles from the printed version whereas lankadeepa.lk uploads the full version of the newspaper as a PDF file and a JPG image. This solves font downloading problem as well.
    Unquote

    If we have unicode SInhala fonts why should the news papers need to produce heavy pdf files and jpg files for Sinhala Language???

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombi

  45. Donald,

    Rather than jumping from blog to blog start your own blog. It’s free and you can play havoc as you like in your own blog. Get your akuru.wordpress.com or akuru.blogspot.com before someone else does.

  46. I think Blogger2 knows nothing about ICTA, Sinhala or LK Domian’s Monopoly

    Do you know that Akuru.lk taken by ICTA

    Donald

  47. Dear Gunathilake,
    Thank you for valuble advise.The difficulties at the Singhala web site
    would be rectified shortly.
    Thanking you,
    UNP Media Unit

    ********

    I received the above mail.

    First they have got my name wrong but lets see how they will rectify the site.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  48. Extremely interesting topic “Unicode compliant browser in Sinhala launched” has been launched

    Since the content is similar to this blog I will make more comments here.

    Quote from No 9 of that
    Quote from Harsha
    “”ANCL/Microimage/Dialog has an understanding in place to get the content in their own Text format””
    Unquote

    This clearly proves that Sinhala Unicode is incorrect and the topic of the blog ““Unicode compliant browser in Sinhala launched” mislead the general public.

    I always define Unicode and Sinhala Unicode as two different subjects. What Sri Lanka registered with this consortium is incomplete Set of Sinhala characters.

    These people misrepresent the meaning of UNICODE.

    The Sinhala TEXT is not compatible across all platforms.

    You could see many examples

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/

    Further Mr Harsha confirms in his reply

    quote
    We convert that using a converter to unicode format.
    Unquote

    If Sinhala unicode is correct and complete why do you need several converters?

    Do we convert unicode enable latin script or other language several times in order to read the text??

    You guys are just fooling the public?

    Give me the names of unicode fonts and how public identify a unicode sinhala font??
    Also the code points in Unicode for “TU” “GU” “DU”

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  49. Mr. Gaminitilake,

    Do I have to tell you zillion times!!! cant you understand english. ANCL is yet to move into Unicode that is not because it’s Incomplete or any other fantasy you have in your mind. ANCL is using it’s own font for sometime and will move into unicode in future. You check out with them why they are not moving to unicode yet!!! Maybe they are waiting for your Standard which is complete with DU, KU, GU and zillion code points.

    We use converter because ANCL is still using their own font for the moment. Are you so stupid that you cant understand what is repeated all over again. Also can’t you understand that, there are mlillions of documents/content around developed using different proprietary fonts for many years and you need converters to convert them into Sinhala Unicode? Even if your so called fantasy standard comes into place does all other stuff automatically converts? :-) Yes, you once said it does isnt’t it. You dont need to worry about Microsoft, Google to all other developers as your standard automatically aligns to it. That’s the day I will retire from this industry!!!

    Please go and make more quote’s and unquotes and sing your song as there will be few new faces to this blog who will dance to your tune!!!

    Your famous song “Sinhala Unicode is incomplete”, where is ” DU, KU, GU” how to “Identify a sinhala unicode font”, All people including google, microsoft, Linux and others who have adopted Sinhala Unicode is fooling the public except mr.gaminitilake!!!

    This is my last reply to your silly arguments as I have given up in earlier threads long time ago. I think you are right! people like us are fools to answer your stupid questions.

    I dont think there is a cure for your language illness!! It will be difficult than finding a cure for cancer.

    Harsha

  50. I do not talk about any font. I talk of a Character allocation Table for Sinhala /Tamil.

    I only talk what Sri Lanka registered with the Unicode or SLSI 1134.

    Font is a individual art of what has been registered with the unicode.

    irrespective to the font the simple text has to be readable across any platform OS or Application.

    Dear Harsha you are misguiding the public, IF one use a unicode compatible text it has to readable across platforms without any aid or filters or converters.

    You have clearly mentioned that microimage/dialog and ancl have a special format for TEXT.Also an added converter. If ANCL can accept your special format of TEXt why cant they go in for the So called Sinhala unicode.

    ANCL have clearly mentioned in web that there are limitations. I have published an image on the

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/

    You can visit their web site and check yourself. (budusarana.lk)

    Also on flicker I have posted the SLSI1134 the character set registered as Sinhala.

    I do not find “GU DU or TU” and many more.

    This is the issue I am addressing.A proper Sinhala character allocation table has to be registered with the SLSI and Unicode. If there is a correct allocation table all software developers will be able to develop software which will be compatible across all platforms and in all applications.
    One will not read as rubbish. Only I have published this set as registered in the ISBN 955-98975-0-0.(C). Before I published it I offered as an objection to the SLSI1134 but my table was over ruled by the SLSI. SLSI published the wrong and incomplete character set. Therefore legally I have the 100% copyrights on my one.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  51. Dear Harsha

    “different proprietary fonts”

    Yes even in English we do have different proprietary fonts. But if you do not want to purchase that font always it can be replaced by “Times” or any system default font. One can read the content not as rubbish as seen in Sinhala.

    Why these different proprietary fonts could read across all platforms is they have made according to a standard Character allocation table which has been registered in UNicode or ISO. Sri Lanka never tried to register all the characters in the unicode or SLSI or ISO. We did registered a typewriter table which is incorrect and incomplete Sinhala.

    Micorimage can have its own proprietary fonts. This is not a issue.
    The issue is it is not made according to a standard character allocation table. THE SLSI1134 is lacking almost all the Sinhala characters other than a few less than 124.

    This is the issue we are talking. If you have the courage why not publish the Micorimage character image like the SLSI 1134 or my allocation table what I have published as a jpg image.

    I know that you cannot publish it because then you are entering into my area and admitting the full character allocation table.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  52. How does this work if language problem is not solved?

    Shilpa Sayura goes live at 20 Nenasalas

    The Internet is a vast ocean of content, but special efforts are needed to translate and contextualize this content for consumption by rural communities. The lack of digital content in local languages is in fact a significant drawback that keeps a majority of Sri Lankans who cannot read and understand English from reaping the full benefits that Information Technology can bring.

    The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), functioning under the Presidential Secretariat recognizes this and has, through its e-Society Development Initiative (e-SDI) grants programme, sought to encourage the development of content in local languages.

    One of the projects to be funded by the Agency under this programme is Shilpa Sayura, a project by eFusion (Pvt) Ltd to create digital content related to the school curriculum in Sinhalese to help students in Grades 6 through 11. Computers and other basic IT infrastructure are not widely available in rural households, but are necessary in order to use this resource. The 380-strong Nenasala network provides a practical and efficient means of distributing the content. Therefore, Shilpa Sayura has now been deployed through 20 Nenasalas and will eventually be deployed across the entire network.

    Shilpa Sayura provides an interactive means of self-study and could be particularly helpful as a teaching resource to children in remote, rural areas who do not have access to teachers. Even children who do have access to teachers can refer to Shilpa Sayura for self- study and to better understand a subject that is being taught in school. The content includes text, supported by movie clips, photographs, animations and applet based interactive exercises, totalling over 4.7GB. It can therefore go far beyond a textbook’s ability to impart subject knowledge. Furthermore, Shilpa Sayura also provides a platform on which students can interact with one another, share and exchange knowledge.

    The content has been generated and reviewed by a panel of teachers from around the country and piloted with schoolchildren and teachers from 20 Nenasala communities. The feedback received has been used to further upgrade subject matter and improve its delivery.

    It has also been demonstrated to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the recently concluded Deyata Kirula exhibition at the BMICH quite apart from the National Institute of Education. The goal of the e-SDI programme is to pilot innovative ideas to spread the benefits of ICT to all members of Sri Lankan society.

    The Shilpa Sayura project is one of many projects funded by the e-SDI that fulfills this goal. Those interested in working with the e-SDI to help take the dividends of ICT “to every citizen and every village” are invited to visit http://www.icta.lk/esdi or email esdi@icta.lk for more information.

  53. Please visit the unicode site

    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    This would explain why we get funny rubbish Sinhala

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/

    Title “copied from unicode consortium”

    We got to correct the Sinhala character allocation table ASAP

    That is why we read “C” images in computers

    Donald Gaminitillake

  54. Have you seen this?

    Dino has started his own site.

    http://vksamaranayake.blogspot.com

  55. Similar topic is discussed at

    http://webalochana.blogspot.com/

    Going in circles.

    Donald Gaminitillake

  56. Hello! I’m the owner of the above mentioned site, not Donald Gaminitillake. And I do not discuss similar topic on my blog as the above commentator says. I request the admins of Lirneasia to remove the above link which gives a wrong impression about my site. For more see this comment
    http://webalochana.blogspot.com/2007/05/attention-people-who-know-both-sinhala.html#comment-5994697565889145705

  57. Anadawardena,

    I do not think you have to react this seriously, as all what Donald did was posting your link in Lirneasia site. He neither claimed ownership for the Web Alochana nor implied your support to him.

    Donald very much has a point because if Sinhala is not properly displayed at least in section of the computers that does not serve any purpose. Donald has given enough examples how Sinhala is not displayed in different computers.

    So what the Unicode advocators should do is to correct these (if they can) and not just explain why that happen.

    drac tell us only half the truth. It was not Unicode who decided how to represent Indic languages according to their standards.

    If you know the history of the standardising local languages what became Unicode was an already existing Devanagari standard. (That is from where we got the ZWJs and NZWJs)

    The rest of the Indic languages blindly followed what was done for Devanagari.

    For example, when it comes to Sinhala the research team did not even considered the idea of allocating a specific character for yansaya and repaya, because that was how things were done in Devanagari. The impact of this will be seen only when we try to do serious work with Sinhala rather than just desktop/web publishing.

  58. Not only in lirneasia I have given links through my Akruru.org

    I can give links to any URL. There is no law to ban giving a link to any URL from a site.

    I find that “http://vksamaranayake.blogspot.com” site has changed the contents

    You all are so scared of Dino.

    Donald Gaminitillake

  59. It has re appeared again. may be down for maintenance when I accessed it.
    Thanks

    Donald

  60. Unbiased is correct and Anandawardena too was so inquisitive to find out why Sinhala is correctly seen on one computer and not on another computer

    Unicode Consortium gave an answer how it happen and why it happen.

    It happens because of “joiners” get droped down the line
    This also poses a computer security system

    Quote from unicode — http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    it’s possible to misapply format characters such that users can create strings that look the same but actually contain different characters, which can create security problems
    Unquote

    What is the correction available? It is to follow the path of Donalds full characters theory.

    If you have another option list technically do not rant.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  61. the unicode.org link says that sinhala is allowed to use zwj and zwnj . so is mongolian, khmer, malayalam and farsi.

    why is donald publishing links that don’t support his akuru scheme? maybe because he did not read the whole document.

  62. Guys cool down,how about this,all you guys including unicode people develop your stuff,then release it to the public,let the public decide what to use.Its always better to have an alternative technology,like linux over windows.Both rivals but useful to the world,lets not behave like uneducated Sir Lank an politicians busy throwing mud at each other and nothing being done……….cheers

  63. Dear 56

    you got to answer why one can read and other read garbage
    “Zwj” get dropped and they have given examples (C)

    If you have full individual characters like the Latin script This problem will never arise

    Also they clearly say that there is a security problem.

    Please be on the topic

    Donald Gaminitillake

  64. I sent an email to the HE President with copies to Secretary , Wasantha, info Icta, VKS

    You can visit the flicker for the example images

    Donald Gaminitillake

    Your Excellency,

    The Sinhala SLSI 1134 is incorrect and incomplete.

    I have posted an image from your own web site displaying rubbish sinhala.

    We see Sinhala as garbage. (see image Sinhala1-3.jpg)

    Unicode consortium admits that this type of display is inevitable.

    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    I quote from unicode
    . To make matters worse, it’s possible to misapply format characters such that users can create strings that look the same but actually contain different characters, which can create security problems
    unquote

    I have been publishing this problem for the past 5 years and always falls into the deaf years.

    Hon Sir I have been asking time for a presentation at ICTA but the chairman refuses to give me a public hearing with media present (Rupavahini & private media)

    I have written to your secretary several times.

    I want the ICTA chairman and the CEO to be present when I give my presentation.

    If I can get it at your secretariat it will be more effective.

    Hon Sir Please correct the SLSI 1134 standard and save the Sinhala Language.

    Only I have done the research work and published the solution (character allocation table for Sinhala).

    With warm regads

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  65. මම වින්ෙඩා්සි Xp Service pack 2
    පරිගණක කිහිපයකට යුනිෙකාඩි
    සිංහල install කලා ඒ හැම
    පරිගණකයකම ෙකාමිබුව කැඩි
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    ෙයන්ම ෙමම ප්‍රශ්නය ටයිප්
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    ගන්ෙන් ෙකෙස්ද

  66. Dear Poosa

    Why it happens is explained in
    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    The solution is My Character allocation table.
    use individual character code points. I have done and published
    ICTA will have invite me to perform the task.(C)

    Donald Gaminitillake

  67. Q: Do you know why they close the Airport at night?

    A: Because Chandima lokka who dobles as the ICTA CEO, but never have time, can then have a look at the ICT needs of the country.

  68. To all those who wants to publish Flickr images.

    When you publish Flickr images next time, please tag them with the key word ‘Sri Lanka’. They will be then automatically captured by sites like kottu.org and available for a wider audience.

  69. Poosa,

    The reason is you have not used the keyboard driver to type the Kombuwa. If you use the keyboard driver then kombuwa will render properly. http://www.fonts.lk contains the free keyboard driver where you can type all this. So, there is nothing wrong with Sinhala Unicode.

    Also you can post your future issues in
    http://groups.google.com/group/Sinhala-Unicode

    You would be able to get assistance for any unicode related problems on any platform as this group consist of linux, windows users.

  70. Bohoo! Bohoooooooooooo!!!!!
    Nobody thrashes me in this thread now after Donald started http://www.vksamaranayake.wordpress.com …… I feel sorry. I prefer if you strip me furthur in this blog too. Because this where it all started. I need to worship LIRNEASIA for stripping me naked. Please continue. Don’t stop. My wife also shouts at me when there is nothing interesting for her to read here…….

  71. I have only one site
    It is http://www.akuru.org

    I do make comments or leave comments on other sites and do have given links from Akuru

    Also in some site they refer me to a Doctor or Dr.

    I hope they will correct this error

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  72. Quote
    Yes Anuradha, And why is McDonald so worried to take IT in SL to newer heights? crazy ha?
    Posted by: Manzi at February 1, 2005 10:32 AM
    Unquote

    The foreigners accept my concept. Except the local educated pundits incl Dino — why?

    They only talk to bridge the digital divide. In practice they want the divide!!!

    Donald Gaminitillake

    above quote is copied from
    http://manzi.weblogs.us/archives/024430.html

  73. http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2007/5/14853.html

    Quote
    Commissioner General of Examinations Anura Edirisinghe reveals that over 51 per cent of students have failed the GCE (O/L) this year. Over 5, 25, 000 candidates, including 2, 96, 358 school candidates, sat the examination and of them only 48. 7 per cent have qualified for the G. C. E. Advanced Level. ……….

    …………About 258,975 students had sat the English language paper and of them 63. 18 per cent had failed. About 259,263 faced the Mathematics paper and of them 57. 37 per cent had failed, while 258,948 students sat for the Science paper and of them 51. 65 per cent had failed secure even a simple pass. ……………..

    Unquote

    How come you make these students to learn IT in English? We need proper Sinhala in the computers. We need to correct the SLSI as soon as possible

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  74. Dear Dad,

    I am so happy. I saw you have started a new blog at http://vksamaranayake.blogspot.com.

    I also saw your name appearing in today’s Rawaya.

    I think this is a grand occasion for our whole family. We should celebrate tonight. I will join you online from USA.

    I am so proud of you, Dad. Keep it up.

  75. http://www.akuru.org/images/Rawaya_20_may_2007.jpg

    Please visit the site to read the contents

    Contents are copyright of Rawaya News Paper

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  76. Sandun Gunaratne

    I am a post graduate (masters) student in IT. I have carried out a small research study on “Software Issues blog in LIRNEasia site”. My initial findings are published at
    http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgmqz3c5_1dxh7m7

    This has some interesting finding such as
    “Only 47 bloggers (including Donald Gaminitilake, in all 6 threads) have used their given names* representing 752 blogs (58% of total 1296 blogs in 6 threads). Out of those 752 blogs, Donald Gaminitilake has written 413 blogs which is 55% form all blogs by bloggers with given names and 32% of total blogs.”

    In conclusion section…. “This proves that the LIRNEasia blog has not been able to provide a platform which can attract genuine contributors to the discussion. It has also lost the interactivity as people whose names are mentioned here are not presenting their sides. Therefore this forum has failed to become a platform for supporting the development of ICT in Sri Lanka”

    I would appreciate your views in order to finalize my report.

  77. Who should be responsible for this — Dino

    —————–

    Quote

    http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/05/21/ft/14.asp

    Lanka ICT literacy rate at a low of 10% – Prof. Vitharana

    By Dilrukshi Fernando
    For a country that boasts of a high literacy rate of 92%, its ICT or Information and Communication Technology literacy rate is as low as 10%, Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana emphasised.

    “This could be a factor which hampers development in our country”, said Vitharana, addressing the certificate awarding ceremony of e-Journalists trained under a programme initiated by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) held on Thursday.

    The keynote speech aptly titled ‘News Goes Digital’ was delivered by AFP Bureau chief for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Amal Jayasinghe, who emphasized the need for journalists to be technologically savvy if they are to be on par with the fast paced world of today.

    “Today with the advancement in technology and freedom of expression, we have to compete not only with rival media institutions but also with our readers”, said Jayasinghe adding that to overcome this competition, some international news networks include a place for the citizen journalist in their organization.

    “However credibility is the vital resource that journalists have which makes the public place their trust in us, which is both an honour and a challenge to live up to,” he concluded.

    The 30 new e-journalists who received certificates at the ceremony were the second such batch to be trained under the ICTA, which was conducted free of charge under the e-Sri Lanka initiative, mainly funded by the Government of Sri Lanka and World Bank.“This is a small step in our long journey toward achieving a fully fledged concept of e-Sri Lanka”, said Reshan Dewapura, the Chief Operating Officer of ICTA; adding that this national development is not merely about technology rather it is a tool for socio-economic development. These journalists will be the tool that can simplify this complex message and convey it to society.

    Commending the e-journalists who followed the course, Dewapura noted how most of them who were unaware of web based journalism prior to the training had managed to grasp basic ICT skills which will assist them in procuring news from websites, typeset their stories and even put a layout by themselves.

    Wimal Ruwanpathirana of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation who spoke on behalf of the new batch of e-journalists, suggested that more courses of this nature be conducted for the journalists by the ICTA and develop it to the qualification of a Diploma.

  78. http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/05/21/ft/15.asp

    Dissident eJournalists expose broken ePromises

    Moments before the awarding of certificates took place a dissident group of e-journalists, led by ‘Ravaya’ reporter Lasantha Ruhunage approached the head table and demanded to be allowed to voice the injustices faced by some of the participants at this program.

    “We are protesting for valid reasons”, said Ruhunage, explaining that their batch had initially been promised that, the journalists who successfully complete their course will receive computers.”

    Another cause for the dissidents to voice their opposition was the decision of the ICTA to hold their certificate warding ceremony at a five star hotel instead of using that money to purchase them computers. Yet the group had been informed that the funds utilized for the ceremony were not sufficient to buy PCs, and were told by the ICTA that the computers can be purchased with a discount of 50%, according to a letter distributed at the ceremony by Ruhunge and his allies. This course of action led to a state of disorder with several e-journalists refusing to receive their certificate and gift tokens from the Minster, despite being present at the ceremony.

  79. To day I called the Professor

    Prof: Hello

    Donald: May I speak to Professor Samaranayake

    Prof: Speaking

    Donald: I wish you a happy Birthday. I am Donald.

    Prof: Who is it?

    Donald: Donald

    Prof: Donald Who?

    Donald: Donald Gaminitillake, I have sent several E-mails When can I meet you?

    Prof: (said something not audible) I received…….. e-mails……..(said something not audible)

    Hung up!!!

    ——————

    He could have given me an appointment to discuss the SLSI.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  80. http://www.nation.lk/2007/05/06/busi6.htm

    Quote from Shilpa Sayura

    “”
    The lack of digital content in local languages is in fact a significant drawback that keeps a majority of Sri Lankans who cannot read and understand English from reaping the full benefits that Information Technology can bring.
    The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), functioning under the Presidential Secretariat recognizes this and has, through its e-Society Development Initiative (e-SDI) grants programme, sought to encourage the development of content in local languages.
    Unquote

    When Sinhala is not compatible across all platforms how can you do content development in Sinhala

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  81. What happen to JC Ahangama,
    I remember he was objecting to Unicode saying it may not transferable across networks freely and many people in here laughed at him too. Even I my self was little skeptic about it (Sorry JC). But we all high minded tech geeks should have given him little more consideration to his point. If any of the real geeks are still around here please go see , “Unicode Encoding Flaw Widespread”
    http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/05/22/0117203.shtml (If you are a gee you must already have seen this because slashdot is already in your RSS list)

    I just wanted point out that, that old gentleman had a point then.

  82. Thank you giving a credit to JC
    I emailed him about it

    Noam why don’t you give a comment on
    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  83. Thank you Donald for telling me about Naom’s late break from ignorance slumber.

    I can only say you guys just talk, talk, and sling mud at each other. Sri Lanka is a good place to produce ‘managers’ that sit and talk but do nothing (maybe go globetrotting) – grand govt. agencies, lots of investigative committees, lots of loan money from WB and IMF, foreign exchange from poor wretched mothers and sisters who stake their lives to work in the ME, bilinguals who actually use only English, rubber-stamp some American font maker’s chart and claim as you did it etc.

    Since six months, romanized Sinhala, now Dual-script Sinhala has been live and well. I announced it right here. (Everyone is waiting for someone’s lead – Isn’t it typical of Lankans?). It is being used by a small group that just need to use Sinhala and English together without mangling their computers or losing what they write to self destruction. Sinhala works like any Western European language. Then in Windows 2000 forward you can also use it in Sinhala-Sinhala script. You change font to Sinhala or Latin and you see it, type and edit in either. Technology has to catch up with Smart Fonts not Dual-script chasing technology.

    Sinhala is the only language in the world that is dual scripted (Latin and Sinhala). It has the distinction of having world’s first smart fonts and orthographic fonts too.

    Naom, if you have the courage, (but do you? – I’ll tell you, impersonate some one else), here’s my email address again: jc@LANandWAN.com. I will tell you where to pick up a CD in Colombo, or if you are in the US, just call me (817-473-9984, I am not hiding under a desk). That is, only if you really care about Sinhala on computers for all, not just for the prohibited e-word people, but those who cannot speak English that are a tad more indigenous than anyone here.

  84. I forgot to tell. Mozilla has proved to me that Sinhala could be displayed on Firefox (and Thunderbird too?) with NO DIFFICULTY but by making a simple adjustment. We hope V3 of Frefox would do it.

  85. Answer to Niranjan’s comment

    http://tinyurl.com/2y8jme

    Interesting. When I was in Japan Niranjan was the person who wanted his Akandy font to be place in apple. He had two font sets Akandy and a sub set and one had to move between this two fonts
    During this time we could specify the font sets in http coding therefore using two sets were possible — but what was created by windows akandy was not readable with Mac aKandy. I spend hours relocating the sinhala characters in fontographer.

    At this point I asked him why does the govt of Sri Lanka not publishing the character set etc. I had no answers. but he got awards for his creation of “akasakade” First internet shopping site in Sri Lanka.

    Then he left ccom and I lost track of him. I always given him credit for paving me to enter the world of Sinhala “Akuru”

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  86. Nenasala Operator

    We use Sinhala without any problem for email, ShilpaSayura and internet

  87. Why not send me a Sinhala E mail. I will show you what we receive.
    Sinhala is not compatible across all platforms like English. It works only on limited computer enviornment.

    Donald Gaminitillake

  88. I felt like writing a small blog post about Sinhala Unicode and Sinhala Hodiya:

    http://anuradha-ratnaweera.blogspot.com/2007/05/unicode-and-sinhala-alphabet.html

    About the Slashdot report on Unicode related bug report on Slashdot, it’s a software bug and this kind of bugs appear on systems from time to time on all sort of places, and then they get fixed. Subscribe to CERT advisory to see how frequent such reports are.

  89. Sorry, there is a few mistakes in the third paragraph of my last post (81). It should read:

    “About the Slashdot report on Unicode related bug, it’s a software bug and they get discovered on various systems from time to time on all sort of places, and then they get fixed. Subscribe to CERT advisory to see how frequent such reports are. “

  90. I can’t resist making this observation about a notable personality who take part in these “discussions”.

    Long time ago, I watched “Madai Tomiya Dubai Giya” – a drama by Indu Dharmasena. It describes the common situation where Sri Lankans who go abroad try to differentiate themselves, mostly by trying to loose their Sri Lankan identity, and also by looking at Sri Lanka / Sri Lankan things as an outsider.

    A common phrase used by such people is:

    “Typical Sri Lankan …”

    I feel very sorry about anyone who has this inferiority complex.

  91. see
    http://anuradha-ratnaweera.blogspot.com/2007/05/unicode-and-sinhala-alphabet.html

    There are three screen shots with Donald Duck

    What people see is A or B not C (only a limited number of people would see C)

    Now these guys are talking of a “shaper”
    There should be an author of the program and a specific character allocation table for this “shaper”
    Also “shaper” must be a software that could be used across all platforms

    You talk of (ZWJ).

    Uncode

    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    The use of format characters in identifiers is problematical because the formatting effects they represent are normally just stylistic or otherwise out of scope for identifiers. To make matters worse, it’s possible to misapply format characters such that users can create strings that look the same but actually contain different characters, which can create security problems (see UTR# 36: Unicode Security Considerations).

    Anuradha you guys are again fooling the public.

    You guys never ever wrote about a “Shaper” before. Now talking of a shaper.
    The SLSI 1134 is incorrect and now you are trying to use another software to fool the public

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  92. This is one of the funniest turns of the Sinhala Unicode debate.

    This proves Mr. Donald had been correct all the time.

    Sinhala Unicode is INCOMPLETE and it cannot stand on its own. Its needs the support of the ‘shapers’ to stand.

    Any Font, whether it is Unicode compliant or not, if properly installed in both the senders and recipients machines will display the characters properly. There is no doubt.

    The standard is something different. A standard means once established, the users do not have to bother installation issues like configuring ‘shaper’s etc. If compliant to a standard any font should display the characters correctly without any additional work.

    This entry proves either;

    (a) Anuradha does not know what he talks about or

    (b) Sinhala Unicode had always been incomplete and now the cover up plan has taken a new shape.

    Why all these trouble. If wrong why not accept it and correct the Sinhala Unicode?

  93. Thank you Sandeep for writing the truth.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  94. Donald said:
    > You guys never ever wrote about a “Shaper” before.

    Wrong. The word shaper has been used in our Sinhala GNU/Linux project discussions for years. Here are examples from 2003.

    http://www.lklug.pdn.ac.lk/lurker/message/20030921.114327.3a071301.en.html

    http://www.lklug.pdn.ac.lk/lurker/message/20030912.114410.e9c0a0aa.en.html

    Donald said:
    > What people see is A or B not C (only
    > a limited number of people would see C)

    What statistics do you have to say so?

    In Wikipedia, such statements are known as using weasel words (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_words). An example there is using phrases such as “some people say” without sources, just like you say “what people see is”.

    Donald said:
    > There should be an author of the
    > program and a specific character
    > allocation table for this “shaper”

    Here are the authors of present shapers and fonts (with allocation tables) I know of:

    Pango shaper (mostly used in GNOME/GTK): Harsha Senanayaka and myself created it independently, and Harshula Jayasuriya fixed some bugs.

    QT Shaper (mostly used in KDE): QT developers themselves created the Sinhala shaper and I fixed a notable bug.

    ICU Shaper (used in OpenOffice): this was ported from the Pango shaper by Owen Taylor of RedHat and Harshula Jayasuriya fixed some bugs in it.

    Uniscribe (used in MS Windows): created by Microsoft Corporation.

    Mac OS/X: there is only a third party shaper. Please see my first comment above.

    All shapers use the basic character allocation and Unicode. My blog post above explains how all the 1000 other shapes are generated from the basic set.

    I created the first Free and Open Source Unicode Sinhala font (lk-lug) using glyphs from the Sinhala LaTeX project which also has all the rules to generate most, if not all, glyphs.

  95. Sandeep said:
    > Sinhala Unicode is INCOMPLETE and it
    > cannot stand on its own. Its needs the
    > support of the ‘shapers’ to stand.

    Shaper is needed to properly display all Indic languages, and most other Asian languages.

    http://unicode.org/faq/indic.html#5

    Ok let’s leave aside my favourite GNU/Linux. Microsoft Windows, used by the majority of desktop users, has shaper to “support” these languages.

    http://www.microsoft.com/typography/developers/uniscribe/intro.htm

    So Sandeep, if you have an objection for a shaper, that applies for all languages that uses one, not only for Sinhala.

    Sandeep said:
    > Any Font, whether it is Unicode
    > compliant or not, if properly
    > installed in both the senders and
    > recipients machines will display the
    > characters properly. There is no
    > doubt.

    Then why did Microsoft spent so much effort to create Uniscribe if your claim is possible?

    Sandeep said:
    > The standard is something different.
    > A standard means once established,
    > users do not have to bother
    > installation issues like configuring
    > ‘shaper’s etc.

    Wrong. After a standard comes out, there is a significant time for it to get “implemented” and widespread use.

    For example, after the then-new C99 C language standard came out, it took several years before it actually was available for all users without installing anything additional.

    2-3 years ago, we had to do a lot to get Unicode working on GNU/Linux. But now it’s just a matter of installing a font most of the time, because shapers are already a part of the system. Unfortunately, Windows has been late in the game, so you have to install a “pack” for XP, but Sinhala support is likely to be inbuilt in Vista (I didn’t use Windows for almost a decade now, so can’t confirm).

    Only Mac OS has it as a third party. They have created shapers for other languages, but not Sinhala. Someone will have to convince Apple that Sri Lankan localized market is significant ;-)

    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107379

  96. Anuradha says:

    [quote]

    Shaper is needed to properly display all Indic languages, and most other Asian languages.

    [unquote]

    Well, Mr. Donald never said this problem is unique for Sinhala. His argument always has been the method used in case of every Indic language was wrong.

    Mr. Donald will first address the problem in Sinhala and then move to other Indic languages.

  97. I have explained how Sinhala Unicode works during my recent blog post, and in another one more than an year ago. There is little use in trying to convince those who pretend not to understand.

    Here is a summary of progress in terms of Sinhala Unicode as far as I can see:

    And for those who complain of “typical Sri Lankan” ways of talk-but-no-work, please note that all the following fall under “work” and not “talk”.

    SLS 1134 and Unicode is complete (just like the Hodiya is complete enough) and is official.

    Unicode support infrastructure (shapers, input method etc) is pretty much complete in the GNU/Linux platform.

    Unicode support is available for Windows XP, and will be available built in for Windows Vista.

    Unicode support for Mac OS/X is available as a third party module.

    We communicate in Sinhala Unicode in the Sinhala-Unicode group.

    Everyday, we see more new names among the users of Sinhala Unicode using different platforms and tools.

    More and more people are now writing blogs and web sites in Sinhala. We use different platforms to read and write blogs without problems. There is even a Sinhala blog aggregator:

    http://sinhalablogs.coconia.net/

    In short, WE CAN SEE IT WORKING!

    If Mr Donald also can implement his system, and to demonstrate it rather than just talking about it, perhaps there may be more acceptance for his ideas.

  98. Anuradha talks about Sinhala GNU/Linux .

    I talk Sinhala across all platforms

    http://www.unicode.org
    Quote
    Unicode talks
    Unicode provides a unique number for every character,
    no matter what the platform,
    no matter what the program,
    no matter what the language.
    Unicode provides a unique number for every character, no matter what the platform, no matter what the program, no matter what the language.
    unquote

    Unicode and Sandeep and I talk of the same issue.

    Unfortunately Sinhala unicode cannot stand alone. It is incomplete. You need “shapers’ “aerobics” “walkers’ you name it to stand.

    Linux cannot send a Sinhala mail to another user on a different platform which sees B or A.
    You talk of statistic of A and B the unicode it self has given gif image confirming the error on zwj

    Anuradha please admit one need another software to read Sinhala unicode.

    With my proposed method for Sinhala all Sinhala individual characters are represented by individual code points like the LATIN SCRIPT. one need not have “shapers’ “aerobics” or “walkers’

    All you need is a proper IME to input Sinhala either by using QWERTY or Wijesekera key board or any one of you also have to liberty to draw a new input method. Irrespective to the input method always the same character will be displayed.

    Once the Sinhala is solved I will publish all the data so that other indic languages can follow the same path.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  99. Donald said:
    >
    > Anuradha talks about Sinhala GNU/Linux .
    >
    > I talk Sinhala across all platforms

    Wrong as usual. ;-)

    I have given links to Windows, GNU/LInux and Mac OS/X. Have you got any visual deficiencies to read email? Try using some accessibility options made for visually handicapped. ;-)

    And I have more than once mentioned that we exchange mails, read each other’s web sites and blogs using DIVERSE platforms.

    Donald said:
    >
    > Linux cannot send a Sinhala mail to another user on
    > a different platform which sees B or A.

    I send mails from my GNU/Linux box every day to other users using same / different platforms. They all see C. When they see A or B, we get together and find out the problem and they all end up seeing C.

    Eventually, everybody will be able to see C. And I know that you can already see it as C, but you pretend that you aren’t. ;-)

  100. Ok Mr Donald – let me ask a question.

    You have listed 1660 characters in your site as the solution.

    http://www.akuru.org/images/batawala.jpg

    For a moment let’s assume that this is correct and Unicode is wrong.

    You have shown four forms of using Yansaya.

    So how about writing “vidyuth” in your system? You have missed “dyu” variant, haven’t you?

    Seems that you have missed something when detailing your ISBN, patent-pending creation. ;-)

  101. http://www.akuru.org/images/batawala.jpg

    This image gives a basic explanation of sinhala characters using the maharagama Sammatha Sinhala Akshara Malawa. How the Sinhala hodiya expand and reasoning.

    My version is given on ISBN 955-98975-0-0 (which includes almost all characters that I have come across and do have enough room to expand if I have missed any)

    a Part is shown on
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/
    If you go through all images you will find the basic solution.

    I know you have made reference to windows Linux and MAC OSX
    But you talk about a “Shapers” 3 types or more depending on OS.

    For your unicode Sinhala without a shaper it is no good.
    “Shaper” contains what?
    It contains a Character allocation table with full characters. List this up. This should be the SLSI not the present SLSI1134 which is incorrect and incomplete.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  102. Anuradha,

    Let me ask a question from you.

    (Donald will not understand me, but I assume being a techie you will do)

    All the issues Donald has raised (and many more he has not raised, because he does not know) can be fully addressed successfully by introducing few more characters and one control character (ZWJ) to present Unicode chart.

    Sinhala Unicode chart has 128 spaces, but only 79 are used. 49 are unused.

    Why not use just FOUR spaces out of this to accommodate yansaya, repaya, rakaransaya and ZWJ? (I can give examples where they have given codes for control characters) Since we have 40 left we can also allocate two more spaces for “ddha” (as in Buddha Varsha) and “ddhva” (as in “mahaddhveepika”.)

    I raised this issue with Dr. Ruwan Weerasinghe and he said clearly, although we cannot remove or modify any characters already allocated, we can ADD characters to Unicode chart anytime. (In fact this had been done in case of Bengali and Tamil)

    This will not affect any of the systems currently developed, you can handle yansaya, repaya etc in the way you are doing now, but anybody who develops anything new can follow the new system. (which will be easier)

    This is a very logical alternative I find to Donald’s 1660 Character allocation table.

    My question to you is why Sinhala Unicode community is so adamant that they do not even want to do a minor change to the present chart like including yansaya and repaya etc.? Why is this? Nothing is perfect. When somebody suggest a simple minor modification (which is very simple and practical, unlike Donald’s 1660 character solution) why don’t they even listen to it?

  103. Dear Techno

    Thank you for the comments.

    All the characters are inside the “shaper” – (Shaper needs all the individual characters to be inside to reproduce ) – Then what is the problem of registering them with the SLSI.

    SLSI is the legal entity in Sri Lanka.

    The present Sinhala SLSI 1134 cannot stand on its own without additional software to support.

    The Latin script falls into several pages in the unicode. They add as and if they wish.

    If this is the case — what is the problem or registering 1660 or more in the SLSI?

    Can Techno give me reason or reasons as to why we need not register 1660 in the SLSI when the same or more is residing inside the shaper????

    I give Techno one reason because I was the first person who made a public lecture in the university of Colombo made a recorded statement that we need all the individual characters to represent Sinhala.The present SLSI 1134 is incomplete- (this too has been recorded in the SLSI). The present type writer system is wrong. If they try to add even a single character I win the game. It will be my copyrights. (given to me by Law in Sri Lanka) . Dino loses his credits that is the reason they are not prepared to admit even a single character into SLSI1134.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  104. Dear Techno,

    Yes, your question is very valid. In fact, I have wrote about it an year ago in this blog post:

    http://anuradha-ratnaweera.blogspot.com/2006/03/is-sinhala-unicode-incomplete.html

    Quoted from the above page:
    > If Mr Donald’s claim is “yansaya, rakaaransaya and reepaya should be individual
    > code points”, that would be more valid. However, somebody has to eventually
    > decide what’s basic and what’s not, and it has already been done. Technically,
    > this is not an issue at all.

    There are two options:

    1. Encode all thousands of characters as basic code points (Mr Donald’s way)

    2. Encode a basic set of characters (somewhere around 100 of them) as code points and generate all the others from the basic set (Unicode way)

    Now I can see that both you and me agree that 2 is the way to go.

    Once we agree to 2, then comes the question what are basic characters and what are not.

    In the present Unicode and SLS 1134, repaya, rakaransaya and yansaya are not basic characters. ZWJ is a basic character, but it’s not defined in the Sinhala range, but in a common area for all languages.

    As far as I understand, you are suggesting is to make them also basic characters by assigning them code points, right? And also to introduce a new ZWJ-like character in the Sinhala range, and define its semantics our way.

    Personally, I would only like to get involved if it comes a discussion between 1 and 2, and leave the “what-are-basic-characters” question to be addressed by language experts. Technically, the present list is not a problem, so I haven’t objected to it.

    And more than yansaya and rakaransaya, the ZWJ-like character in the Sinhala Unicode range would have been useful at times, because the semantics of the general ZWJ is not defined by Sinhala, and there have been rare programs that filters it out!

    If someone decides to add repaya, yansaya, rakaransaya and ZWJ as seperate characters to the present Unicode Sinhala code-page, it’s perfectly fine by me (this is the answer to your last question, right?). Only I don’t have a need for it, so I won’t proactively ask for it.

    Also, these character handling is only needed at the infrastructure layer. For example, in Microsoft Windows, Uniscribe will look after the rendering of characters, and normal developers don’t have to worry above it in individual characters.

    But if someone can justify a real technical difficulty which needs these special characters as seperate code points and make a valid case, I’ll also like to be a part of any attempt to add them. As far as the GNU/Linux platform is concerned, I’m yet to find one.

    Anuradha

  105. Thanks Anuruddha for admitting the two ways.

    In one everything is listed – absolute code points-

    In two “X” number is listed and “Y” number is hidden.
    “X” number cannot stand alone without additional software to support “Y” number

    I do not talk about Linux but Since we know we need “X” and “Y” to represent Sinhala why dont we register the both in the SLSI.

    I talk of this registration. Therefore the present SLSI 1134 which consist of “X” number is incomplete. That is why it cannot stand alone.

    In “one’ we could develop an IME for respective operating systems. Since all address the same codepoints the image remains the same. IME could be done for qwerty or wijesekera or any one of you can develop any better input method. even voice to text could be developed.

    IF you visit the filcker

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/

    read the benefits that I have offered.(all across any platform)

    With my solution all the new young IT guys will be able to develop the Lanka better even better than me.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  106. Sory I wrote a wrong name in 98 to refer Anuradha

    Anuradha why does the Latin script registered several pages in the unicode
    They too can use few base characters to get at ¨ plus U gives Ü

    But for Ü do have a single code point.

    IT is not only writing but it is a very wide subject

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  107. “Sory I wrote a wrong name in 98 to refer Anuradha”

    this has to be read as

    “Sorry I wrote a wrong name in 98 to refer Anuradha”

    Donald

  108. Donald wrote:
    >
    > Thanks Anuruddha for admitting the two ways.

    And I also think that you also admit the POSSIBILITY of doing this both ways. If one method is possible and the other is impossible, there is no doubt which way to go. But if both are possible, then the question is which one is better and practical.

    Donald wrote:
    >
    > In one everything is listed – absolute code points-
    >
    > In two “X” number is listed and “Y” number is hidden.
    > “X” number cannot stand alone without additional
    > software to support “Y” number

    As a matter of fact, no!

    In both 1 and 2, X and Y are absolute code points.

    In 1, all characters (X and Y) are SINGLE absolute code points.

    In 2, some characters (X) are SINGLE absolute code points, while others (Y) are SEQUENCES of absolute code points.

    Modern fonts can have shapes (glyphs) with single code points AND shapes with sequences of code points.

    Donald wrote:
    >
    > In “one’ we could develop an IME for respective operating systems.

    So is for “two”. Unicode is about representing characters, and input is totally independent. Programmers can develop any sort of input methods, and some people already have.

    For example, in the “singlish” (or somewhat transliterated) SCIM keyboard input method (IME in your terms) I have developed (using a conversion by a Japanese programmer Kuzaki during an event here two years ago), when a user types “ko”, it automatically generates “ka” and “o” modifier, and when the user types another “o” (making it “koo”), it erases the “o” modifier and puts a “oo” modifier.

    For joint letters also I have created a couple of shortcuts. I’m using w for hal kireema, and W for hal kireema with the joiner.

    So when one types “rajpkwsH” , it generates “rajapaksha” without the bandi-akuru, but for “rajpkWsH” it generates the one with bandi akuru. Another example is “inwdiyav” (which is “indiyava”) which can be types with lower case or upper case “w” to get joint and non joint forms of “ndi” .

    Donald wrote:
    >
    > I do not talk about Linux but Since we know we need “X” and “Y” to
    > represent Sinhala why dont we register the both in the SLSI.

    Right now, I can generate both X and Y without problems in GNU/Linux and also communicate with people in other platforms.

    If there *is* a real technical difficulty – you’ll have to come up with a real example – then I’ll also be on your side to get Y into SLSI.

    Donald wrote:
    >
    > Anuradha why does the Latin script registered several pages in the unicode
    > They too can use few base characters to get at ¨ plus U gives Ü
    >
    > But for Ü do have a single code point.

    I don’t know the exact history of these characters, but I suppose these are shared by many languages and still don’t come to 2000 . As I noted earlier, there is more than 1660 character shapes in Sinhala (bandi akuru, touching letters etc).

    If you take a multi-byte system using two bytes (which is probably the next common encoding after utf-8), we have 65536 code points, and I don’t think we can accommodate all the languages if each one gets 3000 characters in their table.

    Then we’ll have to be in the “after-65536” range, along with traditional Chinese and can never be a part of two-byte systems.

    Right now my stance is this. There is a standard for encoding characters and I myself have been a part of implementing the standard and found it adequate, and I don’t foresee it becoming a problem in the future either.

    So I’m going with the good old saying in IT: “don’t fix something that is working well” ;-)

    Anuradha

  109. Anuradha,

    You have replied Donald, but not replied my question.

    You say: So I’m going with the good old saying in IT: “don’t fix something that is working well”

    This is not true when it comes to Sinhala Unicode. It is NOT 100% perfect and needs more improvement. And unlike what Donald suggests some modifications can be done easily and conveniently, without any impact to what you do now.

    I am just suggesting why not use just 6 spaces out of the empty 49 spaces of the Unicode chart, which CAN BE done just by few mails. This will NOT nullify anything you do now.

    Why don’t you guy not ready at least to listen? Are you that adamant?

  110. Techno said:
    >
    > You have replied Donald, but not replied my question.

    I replied to you. Please see the comment 97 above. Notably , here is the answer to your question quoted from that post:

    Anuradha said:
    >
    > If someone decides to add repaya, yansaya, rakaransaya and ZWJ
    > as seperate characters to the present Unicode Sinhala code-page,
    > it’s perfectly fine by me (this is the answer to your last question, right?).
    > Only I don’t have a need for it, so I won’t proactively ask for it.

    See, I’m not against adding anything to Unicode. If you are developing Unicode software and have a technical problem, please make a case and if I find it valid enough, I’ll be on your side in any attempt to add additional characters.

    Anuradha

  111. Dear Techno,

    Couple of more things:

    Techno said:
    >
    > You say: So I’m going with the good old saying in
    > IT: “don’t fix something that is working well”
    >
    > This is not true when it comes to Sinhala Unicode. It is
    > NOT 100% perfect and needs more improvement.

    Please give me an example. I may not be able to answer questions related to Microsoft Windows nor Apple Mac (you’ll have to work with Microsoft and Apple for that), but if you can give me an example in the GNU/Linux platform, I’m open to change my mind.

    Techno said:
    >
    > I am just suggesting why not use just 6 spaces out of the
    > empty 49 spaces of the Unicode chart, which CAN BE
    > done just by few mails.

    Yes, it CAN BE done, but as far as I know, it takes a great deal more than a few mails. But if it is needed, we must do it. But as I have said repeatedly said, we are yet to see a real example.

    Anuradha

  112. Dear Anuradha

    We have done one way and we all have faced problems

    quote
    all characters (X and Y) are SINGLE absolute code points.
    unquote

    But the Y SINGLE absolute code points are not listed any where in form of a standard.(Similar to the X set) That is why every developer keeps them at different places and we read “Garbage”.

    Other way we read as “rubbish” because the”shaper” is not functioning correctly. This is shown as an example in unicode

    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    Also according to unicode there is a security problem too
    “The use of format characters in identifiers is problematical because the formatting effects they represent are normally just stylistic or otherwise out of scope for identifiers. To make matters worse, it’s possible to misapply format characters such that users can create strings that look the same but actually contain different characters, which can create security problems”

    So we have to move into the No 1 (Donald’s ) unconditionally.

    First we got to correct the SLSI 1134 As soon as possible.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  113. Dear Anuradha

    Why dont we meet with the Chairman ICTA and discuss the next step.
    I am busy until 12 June

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  114. Donald said:
    >
    > We have done one way and we all have faced problems

    You use the word “all”? Wrong. You can’t use “all”, because we at the GNU/Linux project have not faced problems.

    And you use the word “done”.

    What have you “done” apart from repeating the same phrases. Have you written a single line of code trying to implement Unicode?

    Donald said:
    >
    > Why dont we meet with the Chairman ICTA and discuss the next step.

    Seems you have gone insane here. ;-)

    I have clearly indicated (both answering you and Techno above) that I do not have problems with the present Unicode, both in the GNU/Linux platform, nor communicating with people in other platforms.

    So there is no need for me to meet anyone at ICTA nor SLSI.

    Donald said:
    >
    > Also according to unicode there is a security problem too.

    Wrong. This type of security problems get found and fixed all the time. AFAIK, this has been fixed by now. See this page to see how common such security problem discoveries and fixes are:

    http://www.cert.org/advisories/

    Anuradha

  115. Anuradha said:
    >
    > See this page to see how common such security problem discoveries and fixes are:
    >
    > http://www.cert.org/advisories/

    After 2004, these advisories are coming from this page:

    http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/index.html

    Anuradha

  116. Anuradha,

    Thanks for the reply and at least paying lip service that you back adding more characters.

    For your kind information, the current Unicode chart has not been prepared after the consultation of many Sinhala scholars. Prof. J. B. Disanayake, more a linguist than an expert in Sinhala grammar was the only one in the committee who had at least some knowledge of the subject.

    No other Sinhala scholar was to ever take part in the process. Basically Unicode Sinhala chart was dictated by Disanayake Samaranayake duo.

    However, even that was not required, because what all these ‘experts’ did was to blindly copy what was done in case of devanagari and other languages. Perhaps they only contributed ‘kundaliniya’. (and of course ae and aee)

    As for the example that Unicode Sinhala is incomplete:

    As long as you use Unicode chart only to develop fonts sets (as you do now) fine. If both ends have the same system, no problems.

    The problem comes only when you want to have Unicode as the *standard*.

    I think Donald has given enough examples (some even Unicode has admitted) about the issues with the current chart.

    Even apart from that, yansaya and repaya are characters in Sinhala, as they are known as ‘sanyogaakshara’. J B Disanayake might not have known it, but had there been somebody with a proper knowledge about Sinhala grammar could have been pointed that out.

    With the current system, it is possible for somebody to design a fonts set without yansaya. repaya and joint characters and still be Unicode compliant. If you want these characters out, it is not an issue, but I think that decision should have been taken by Sinhala grammar experts and not Samaranayake-Disanayake duo.

    The day J. B. Disanayake dies, I will write an obituary titled ‘The man who eliminated yansaya, repaya and joint characters from Sinhala language’. I am serious. Disanayake has no right to cut characters in a language the way he likes.

  117. Dear Techno,

    Techno said:
    >
    > As long as you use Unicode chart only to develop fonts sets (as you do now) fine.

    No, I don’t use the Unicode chart alone to develop Unicode characters.

    My fonts have all possible shapes, with some of them having individual code points (e.g.: ka) and some of them having sequences (e.g.: “du” = “da” “papilla”), and some of them having longer sequences (e.g.: yansaya = “hal kireema” ZWJ ya, and “kra” = “ka” “hal kireema” ZWJ “ra”). IMHO, this goes well with the yansaya and rakaransaya being “sanyogaakshara”.

    So, Yansaya and rakaransaya are present in the LK-LUG font I created.

    I’m using a paper by Aruni and Gihan Dias as the source for “generating” yansaya and rakaransaya among other characters using the base characters in Unicode.

    In other words, yansaya and rakaransaya is present in Sinhala Unicode. I use them almost daily.

    Anuradha

  118. Ok, enough is enough. ;-)

    This is my last post on this “thread”, at least for this time.

    Here is my stance on the matter at hand:

    – Present Unicode standard is complete and includes all possible characters, either as individual code points (e.g.: “da”) or sequences of code points (e.g.: “du” or “yansaya”)

    E.g.: “ramya” in Unicode (name of Prince Siddhartha’s first palace) – “ra” “ma” “hal kireema” ZWJ “ya”. According to Unicode, the last three individual characters should be displayed as yansaya.

    – The famous 128 character code shows only the individual code points and not the sequences.

    – Therefore shouting that a character is missing by referring to this codepage is bullshit or pure ignorance.

    They should first start shouting “yansaya is missing in hodiya” ;-)

    – Comments made by those who never attempted to write a single of line of code should best be ignored. ;-)

    – I’m not bound to answer anyone in this thread, as I’m a volunteer and is not affiliated to ICTA nor SLSI nor Unicode Consortium.

    – Sinhala Unicode is already implemented on GNU/Linux and Windows and includes all sorts of input methods and people can type all characters – including yansaya, repaya, rakaransaya and joint letters.

    – We all use Unicode to communicate on a daily basis.

    – Having said all that, if anyone can point out a real technical example (not the familiar parrotish “yansaya is not in the Sinhala codepage chart in Unicode” ), not only I’m open to change my mind, but also like to get involved to change the standard.

    Thanks for everyone who read my posts / blog!

    Anuradha

  119. A Sri Lankan Citizen

    I have been referred to this blog from time to time and I have found the contents comical at best and distasteful at worst. I really need to ask, don’t you have something better to do for Sri Lanka than bash and discredit each other. Us, in the IT industry should be a bit more educated than that don’t you think? It really demonstrates degrading values and sorry but this blog only serves to aggravate the situation, irrespective of your aspirations on freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is certainly to be encouraged, but with some social responsibility.

    For example, irrespective of weather VKS has done, what he has done, no one should be treating someone of his age and condition like that. Where is you decency and cultural values? (respect for elders to start with). But I will also dispute your claim as it just does not make any sense. Why should a man who is almost at his deathbed be working so hard to do stuff? What does he have to gain? Money? What is the point at his age! He is better off retiring and enjoying the rest of his life rather than wasting his time on ICTA. No, I beg to differ, it is precisely because he cares that he still gets up in the morning and comes to UCSC or ICTA. You might not agree on VKS methods, but does it deserve this?! But I see some significant results from UCSC and ICTA (no I am not affiliated to either) and they not just superfluous research reports that come to nothing, but actual impact. At least they are trying, even when they fail.

    Sorry to get on a high horse as I also have my failings, but before we can move forward as a country we really have to start forgiving/believing in people a bit more. Sometimes just that faith in someone can turn them from taking a bad path. Otherwise it is a self-fulfilling prophecy as each and everyone who is saying “the country is going to the dogs” is actually contributing to that strengthen that notion. And those that genuinely want to do something for our country, get burned out, tired and eventually quit and leave our nation. There are very few people who genuinely care about Sri Lanka and we need to support them, when we find them! VKS to me at least has proven himself, so I will not keep quiet when someone discredits him. “All it takes is for good men to keep quiet for evil to spread”

    Also no disrespect to LireAsia, but are you sure you have got your aspirations right by allowing this blog to gain credit from your site. Sorry you cannot detach or disclaim involvement. It is no different to Napster allowing the hosting and sharing of illegal software.

  120. Anuradha,

    Very easy escape. Isn’t it? You run out of your arguments and you decide to run.

    Lets take issues one by one.

    ISSUE 1:

    [quote]

    I’m using a paper by Aruni and Gihan Dias as the source for “generating” yansaya and rakaransaya among other characters using the base characters in Unicode.

    [unquote]

    Exactly. Who are these Ghihan and Aruni? Two individuals. Whatever they say is not gospel and definitely not standard. It is their personal opinion. Nothing more.

    ISSUE 2:

    [quote]

    So, yansaya and rakaransaya are present in the LK-LUG font I created.

    [unquote]

    Yes. They can be in any font set. but we talk here about *standards* and not font sets. We do not argue that your *fonts* set does not have yansaya and repaya. We say Unicode does not have it.

    ISSUE 3:

    [quote]

    In other words, yansaya and rakaransaya is present in Sinhala Unicode. I use them almost daily.

    [unquote]

    Sinhala Unicode chart is available here: http://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U0D80.pdf

    Can you show me any place where they either refer to yansaya and repaya or at least show the standard sequence they should be represented? I will take back all what I said and apologise if you do.

    No. Yansaya and repaya are NOT there in Unicode and they are only in a paper written by two individuals which is hardly a standard.

    ISSUE 4:

    [quote]

    They should first start shouting “yansaya is missing in hodiya

    [unquote]

    It looks like you lack knowledge of Sinhala language as well.

    What you refer to ‘hodiya’ as the ones prepared by Gunasena bookshop etc just for the purpose of learning.

    You refer to Cumaratunage Munidasa’s writings and you will se he had included both yansatya and repaya in proper hodiya. You cannot eliminate them according to your will.

    I will tell you what is wrong with you.

    Disanayake-Samaranayake duo had made few visible mistakes in preparing the Unicode chart. This is because their sheer lack of knowledge about Sinhala language and how computers work.

    Now instead of admitting the mistakes and correcting them, which is the logical approach you try to further justify their mistakes because you worship these idols.

    Let me tell you these are two outdated dinosaurs who try to act as ‘pora’s in the society. They may know something, but that does not give them veto powers (nishedha balaya) to change the Sinhala language as they wish.

  121. Another Sri Lankan Citizen

    Dear Sri Lankan Citizen,

    Surely you do not know about the old man well. (or perhaps one of his close relatives trying to whitewash him)

    As far as I know, why he still stays in the position blocking everyone else doing anything without his approval is NOT necessarily for money but he enjoys power. He is not the only one of that type. Former Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike stayed at the position of PM till two days till her demise with serious health issues, not because she was doing anything for the country or she was interested in money but she was not ready to give up power. It is their mentality.

    I am not sure from where you write this but in Sri Lanka, most of the IT professionals agree VKS had overstayed his time and had to leave. He is currently now one of the biggest barriers to the ICT developments in Sri Lanka. There are no two words that he has to leave.

    LIRNEasia is an open platform which allows anyone to come and express their opinion.

    VKS has all the opportunities of this world to come and take the queries raised but he never came.

    If VKS has the opportunity to use tax payers’ money to promote himself, the way he does now, the other citizens too should have a platform to express their views. (Actually it is ICTA who should provide this facility)

  122. Sri Lankan Citizen,

    This is FYI.

    The post of ICTA Chairman was a honorary non executive one. Mr. Eran Wickremaratne, first Chairman of ICTA did not get paid even a cent for his work for more than a year.

    When VK Sam was appointed he argued this should be changed and he should be a paid executive Chairman. (In addition to the CEO)

    If VK Sam is not greedy for money why he insisted for it? Why could not he live on his pension and work for the country as you assume?

    Pray, tell us.

  123. I am in matara
    shall mke my comments once I get to colombo on wed

    Donald

    Matara polhena

  124. Sri Lankan Citizen

    Thank you for the reply “Another Sri Lankan Citizen”

    > Surely you do not know about the old man well.

    You are correct, I do not know him that well, but I just see results. In a country where there is significant corruption and results seem hard to come by, I rather give some support to the person who is generating them irrespective of his control tenancies. Not that we need to be complacent about corruption.

    > As far as I know, why he still stays in the position

    This is exactly the point. We are too quick to judge someone with the little we know and blogs like this serve to create ripple effects and blow things out of proportion. I know enough about SL government to know that it is not easy for people in ICTA to manage the surrounding politics. They will even get the blamed for what was decided over their heads. Thus I can imagine that those who are trying to make a difference, really get frustrated when they get hit from both sides. Even the people who are trying to do something good, really do not stand a chance in an environment of intolerant rumor and slander on one side and political moves on the other side.

    > approval is NOT necessarily for money but he enjoys
    > power. He is not the only one of that type. Former

    Possibly this is _our_ mentality. I wonder how many people here would not do the same if they were in the same post of power. Do you really think you would be so benevolent and willing to give up the post. The pressures are sometimes unknown. Please give people the benefit of the doubt if you are proud of your fellow Sri Lankans. Agreed that also seniors need to allow the youngsters to grow for they are the future for the country. But I am also saying amongst all of us who is the better devil? Again I rather support someone generating results.

    > LIRNEasia is an open platform which allows
    > anyone to come and express their opinion.

    This will not be a real open platform as long as you allow anonymous posts. I think you are missing an important component in freedom of speech. Anyone can say any rubbish without having to be accountable for it. That goes for me too I guess in this instance.

    > I am not sure from where you write this but in Sri Lanka,
    > most of the IT professionals agree VKS had overstayed
    > his time and had to leave.

    I don’t know about that, as I have been in this industry a very long time. And I know enough people to know that they do not share these views and find this whole blog rather distasteful. This blog rather represents the “tyranny of the minority”. You are creating perceptions and spreading rumor to the benefit of none.

    > VKS has all the opportunities of this world to come
    > and take the queries raised but he never came.

    Serious, what kind of decent person wants to stoop to this level of discussion. Who can take this blog seriously to consider responding? I certainly do not want to be identified and associated with this blog and the slanders on it, lest I become a target as well.

    So if there is any message I would like to impress upon you, it is that you should stop wasting time on this slander as it benefits no one. Instead promote and encourage the good deed and the benefit to Sri Lanka, irrespective of the person behind or the lack of personal gain. I believe I know enough to say that very few people do bad things for the sake of it (everyone believes they are doing the right thing given the circumstances). However a more positive environment (promoting each other as fellow Sri Lankans) can do wonders to encourage the good deed and transform those who live in shades of grey right now.

  125. Response to comment 112.

    I agree that personal vilification serves no good purpose.

    However, of the thousands of comments that are on this blog (recall that the software issues thread is only one among many), a microscopic minority fall into this category. However, for some reason we do not understand the emotional heat seems to get turned up when talking about language standards. But even on this thread, the substantive comments outweigh the attack comments (BTW, I have been attacked on this site; Milinda Moragoda has been; several others have been; we have not removed any of those either).

    We do not have the staff to monitor this website on a full time basis. If we start exerting editorial control, we will have to take responsibility for content (not only on this thread but on all). This will probably mean that we will have to shut down the comments feature or hire a full time person to do just the web, which we cannot/will not).

    On balance we think that the benefits of useful substantive discussion by self-policing individuals outweigh the costs of some immature comments.

    Best way to deal with this problem is to either ignore the stupid stuff or write a response. That’s how it works in the blogsphere or any public space.

  126. Second Sri Lankan citizen

    Dear Sri Lankan citizen,

    You say: I do not know him that well, but I just see results.

    What results you are talking about? What really VKS had achieved for more than two years as ICTA Chairman?

    The anticipated income of IT and ITES industry in 2007 was US$ 500 mil (from US$ 50 in 2003) In reality, it is mere US$ 100 mil. This is hardly an achievement. (Compare with the growth rates in India) ICTA has done nothing towards this ‘achievement’. It would have happened very much without ICTA and e-SL. ICTA has only paid lip services to the IT and ITES industry. Not done anything else.

    Nenasala centers work on 100% charity mode. Many are already closed because not enough users. None of them are self sufficient as planned earlier. None of them can be and the moment WB funds are over all of them will be closed down.

    So far not even a single e-gov application in operation. (for 4 years now.) What happened to all those e-Services they talk about? Can we apply for a passport or NIC online? Can we simply send a mail to our MP?

    RTN? What RTN? Does any one remembers RTN? (One of the major projects to be launched under e-SL)

    HR and Capacity Building? Never heard any.

    What happened to the pilot projects? Has any of these projects being replicated anywhere? Can we send money today by e-money orders?

    E-village programme? Rs. 100 million had been allocated from the national budget for this programme, but nothing happened till then.

    At least does ICTA even conduct exhibitions so that children can learn about ICT? No. After the first one in BMICH, they have not even conducted an exhibition.

    So what achievement you are talking about?

    We see only one old fat man is sitting there, doing nothing, blocking everyone else and only self promoting himself. Do you seriously call that achievement?

  127. When one says something anonymously it always carries a low credibility. If somebody wishes to be anonymous with that drawback, there should be a strong reason behind it.

    One key reason is not everyone is as economically independent as Donald or Prof. Samarajiva.

    Most of us work for others and we do not want to be targeted by people like VKS for freely expressing our ideas. (Believe me it happened to me more than once. When I questioned something VKS did, he was so vicious that instead of replying to me directly he approached my boss and complained.)

    Anonymous comments are accepted and ethical on the web, given that basic decency is maintained. It is the points that matter not the one who says them.

    If anonymity is bad why it is a secret vote in an election? Why not ask everybody to cast their vote in open?

    Anonymous

  128. At last I found a machine with lankabell connection

    quote from anuradha
    No, I don’t use the Unicode chart alone to develop Unicode characters
    unquote

    This is a very contradicting statement.
    Sinhala unicode equal to SLSI1134

    Above statement proves that slsi1134 is incomplete.You need additional charaacters apart from the slsi to represent Sinhala language.
    If I give you an example Anuradha has 1000 squarefeet of land. but in his deed he has registered only 100 squarefeet. But he groes is vegitable on 1000 sq feet. legally he can claim his outright ownership only for 100 sqfeet which is registered in thedeed.

    Likewise the SLSI 1134 is a legal entity. Sinhala is limited to these few sinhla characters registered in the slsi. any character which has no registration in the SLSI are not recognized as alegal entity.

    This is the problem that we address. IT industry is not only keyin Sinhala but we have to do more.

    All (the sinhala characters derived by the sammatha sinhala aksharamalawa ) Sinhala characters known to us and used by us have to be registered in the SLSI. No one has the right to delete any character. Any one can add to improve the language.

    Chairman ICTA do have the responsibility to face this error and must come forward to meet me.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Polhane Matara

  129. quote
    – Present Unicode standard is complete and includes all possible characters, either as individual code points (e.g.: “da”) or sequences of code points (e.g.: “du” or “yansaya”)
    unquote

    IF above is true why does the unicode consortium publish the following comment?
    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    This is not a bug report.They have pointed out the error and no solution is published.

    Only Donald have published the solution for Sinhala.

    Anuradha always talks of sequence end of the sequence is “shaper” Shaper do have the list of characters.

    Without the shaper the sequence reads as rubbish(listed in unicode)

    SLSI1134 or unicode sinhala cannot stand alone without ant shaper.

    Unconditionally we have nto correct the incomplete sinhala SLSI1134 or sinhala unicode

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Polhena matara

  130. Prof. Samarajiva,

    You say: I agree that personal vilification serves no good purpose.

    Yes, I fully agree with this principally, but let me make few points.

    1. I am sure we all agree that most of the comments in this thread (and preceding ones) were about the *professional conduct* of Prof. VKS and NOT about personal matters. (except one joker posting as his son – I will come into that) For example, nobody talked about his wife or his girl friends etc (if any).

    2. Prof. VKS is paid from tax payers’ money and he is answerable to taxpayers. It is a different question whether the questions come from mass media or blogs but he has an obligation to answer, which he had ignored so far.

    3. Prof. VKS is not the only person who gets critisised in mass media or blogs. Even the President of Sri Lanka gets critisised. It is fully acceptable because all these people are paid by public money. (Even people who are NOT get paid by public money like Dr. Kumar Rupasinghe have been critisised by media and blogs) Nobody had ever seen anything wrong with that.

    4. Brining VK’s son into picture is unethical. I think whoever does that should stop it. His son has nothing to do with his work at ICTA.

    5. Lirneasia blog is NOT the only place where Prof. VKS’s activities are questioned. That has been done by mass media and certainly NOT anonymously. Lirneasia blog gets only about 300-350 hits per day. In contrast Rawaya has a circulation of about 50,000 copies and Sunday Leader might be more. Sirasa TV is the most watched channel. Still Prof. VKS had failed to respond to any point raised by these mass media.

    6. We live in a democratic society. Not in Kim Jong’s North Korea. Differences in opinions are common in democratic societies. We are free to argue and select the best for us. So if Prof. VKS believes in the principals of democracy he can always come forward for a healthy decent debate. (In fact, Mr. Dilanthe Withanage and Mr. Donald Gaminitilake have already challenged him to that and Dr. Harsha De Silva has volunteered to provide air space for the same) Why Prof. VKS avoids the same is anyone’s guess.

    7. Prof. VKS is somebody who had been advocating e-society for decades. Web 2.0 is the culmination of this e-culture. So if he still advocates this e-culture there is no better way then Prof. VKS is to come into the blogspehere is to mark his presence. Why he does not do it?

    8. If Prof. VKS does not come forward and take on the issues it is inevitable that people will take all the allegations to be true.

  131. I appreciate Anuradhas initiatives on LK-LUG. But when people like him becomes reluctant to face the facts honestly, they are giving the same wrong example some of our seniors given to the young crowd. I can understand his dislike for our Donald duck. I have mentioned my idea about this person around one year back. But what I can’t understand is why Anuradha also want to be like him. Other point is why Anuradha is trying to avoid answering Techno too. (Again do not take this as a personnel attacks on you, this debate is not to devalue your efforts. I only personally attack VKS as usual)

    I came back to this blog after one year to point out one Unicode issue on Slashdot. Anuradha suddenly joins this thread to say that SlashDot thread is nothing more than about a simple software bug. And he does not want to dig in to it more than that.

    Then Thechno joins and raise core issue again in very technical terms. Again Anuradha does not want to dig deeper and simply says his implementation is yet to find any problem with current Unicode character allocation.

    Even in his blog example it is obvious the problem. Answer is that old saying KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. Current work around/solution is not simple. (As Anuradha says: [Q]When they see A or B, we get together and find out the problem and they all end up seeing C.[/Q] You are really kidding here, Anuradha in IT this “get together” is not that easy as you say. I know you know it) Current singhala unicode implementation needs complex software solution to represent some very basic language features. (Except for Ajith Thilakasena, Siri Gunasinghe followers who does not need yansaya rakaransaya etc.) But just to hide that fact he keep saying we are using intelligent computers not typewriters. Don’t try to fool people, because your computer can run in 4 Gig you don’t want to write a software that uses all those cycles. If you can get some thing done with one cycle do it that way. That is engineering. If you can do something without complex computations just do it that way. It will have less code and easy to implement in every other platform. Thats what Techno suggests.

    If people involved in these projects are not afraid of VKS, they will accept the short comings of the current standers, and pro actively seek for proper solutions. But the unfortunate reality is most of the IT people stuck in Sri Lanka have to lick VK Sam’s old shriveled scrotum (at least one point in their career) to keep there post.

    ==============================================================
    Prof. J.B. Disanayake and VKS did not want yansaya but they wanted JBs FUCKING Fayanna as a basic Unicode character. Oh wait! we need Fayanna so much these days. For example lot of those Sirasa singhala program scripts can’t be written without Fayanna, can ya.

    Fuck you VKS you wasted so much money on this simple project and spent 20 years, this is what you got! Fayanna …..

  132. Donald, Techno and Noam Chomsky has one more ‘unwilling’ backer now.

    Niranjan Meegammana in his site Kaputa accepts yansaya and rakaransaya are not part of Unicode. So basically even Niranjan Meegammana admits Unicode Sinhala is incomplete.

    I like to know what Anuradha has to say about it.

    Let me reproduce the relevant section. (Only those who have Sinhala Unicode fonts installed can read this. Sorry about others)

    හිතවත් මිතුරනි

    ත්‍ර අකුර යුනිකෝඩ් වල නිරූපනය කරන්නේ ත හල් නුපුලුල් යාකරණය ර
    නම් කේත එකතුවෙන්,

    දාසයදශම ක්‍රමයට 0DAD 0DCA 200D 0DBB
    එය එසේ පෙළ ගැසූවද,
    යුනිස්ක්‍රයිබ් ඩීඑල්එල් එකෙන් එය ත්‍ර ලෙස දර්ශනය
    කරනවා, මෙය සියළුම පද්ධති සඳහා එලෙසමයි
    යතුරු ධාවක මගින් එය ස්වයංක්‍රීය කරන්න පුළුවන්
    රකාරාංශය (ත්‍ර වලට යටින් දාන කෑල්ල :) සිංහල විශ්වකේත
    ප්‍රමිතියට අයත් නැහැ, එය දර්ශනය වන්නේ අකුරු වැල තුල
    ඇති රීතීන් වලින්, මෙම ක්‍රමය රකාරංශය භාවිතාවන
    ද්‍ර ත්‍ර ට්‍ර ප්‍ර ස්‍ර ඩ්‍ර ෆ්‍ර ග්‍ර ඦ්‍ර ක්‍ර භ්‍ර ච්‍ර බ්‍ර සැමටම පොදුයි

    ්‍ය යංශයද එවන් අකුරක් එයත් යුනිකේතයට කෙලින්ම
    නැහැ, නිරූපනය කරන්නේ හල් නුපුලුල් යාකරණය ය
    (0DCA 200D 0DBA) එකතුවෙන්

    Source: http://www.kaputa.com/kclub/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=18

    Let me emphasise the sentences

    (a) රකාරාංශය (ත්‍ර වලට යටින් දාන කෑල්ල :) සිංහල විශ්වකේත ප්‍රමිතියට අයත් නැහැ

    (b) යංශයද එවන් අකුරක් එයත් යුනිකේතයට කෙලින්ම නැහැ

    So even Niranjan Meegammana accepts Donald has been right all these days. SLS 1134 (Unicode Sinhala) is INCOMPLETE.

    (Not a surprise why Anuradha ran off so fast!)

  133. Now it has been proved that the SLSI 1134 or Sinhla unicode is incomplete we have to move into to the second stage.

    ICTA will have to call a meeting and make arrangements to correct the SLSI.
    They can go back to my objections and accept it.

    There were only two objections from the public.
    1. Donald
    2. Sri lanka association of printers (donald is a member)

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  134. To Techno,

    I thought of making a comment on Techno’s argument on repaya, rakranshaya and yansaya. Well, there is no question that these are not visible in the Sinhala Unicode chart and it’s quite clear. However, that does not mean that these cannot be represented technically. The repaya, rakranshaya and yansaya are generated through a sequence and it works well technically once it’s implemented as per the rules. This is what Niranjan has explained above in his post.

    As per what Techno mentioned earlier, I dont think there is an issue of revision of the chart, I mean am sure you can add to the chart. If you consider from a purely standard point of view and want to include these in the table, then this question should be raised to the people who originally design this chart.

    However I want to raise 2 questions where, we must know why we need to include this (repaya, rakaranshaya,yansaya) ? Is it because
    a) we need to show that these should be part of the Sinhala Unicode?
    b) Is there any real practical issue of technical implementation of these?

    Appreciate if Techno can answer above. If there is a real need for above, I dont see any reason why we cannot include it as a revison. But so far as Anuradha mentioned for Linux enviroment, we have not come across any issue technically in Windows/Mobile space with our Sinhala Unicode applications. The above renders well in our sinhala app’s, fonts, browsers and also we interoperates with other platforms as well.

    As mentioned earlier although they are not visible in the chart, through sequence rules you can generate them. In Unicode it’s not really necessary to show all the characters as it has rules based mechanism to generate charachters. One must understand how unicode works.

    However, I am glad that Techno at least in the agreement that rest is ok, as he understands how DU, KU, GU and others are generated from the Sinhala Unicode chart.

  135. Correction

    a) we need to show that these should be part of the Sinhala Unicode?

    should be,

    a) we need to show that these should be part of the Sinhala Unicode Chart?

  136. Dear Harsha,

    Thanks for your response. Before answering your question can I ask two simple questions from you?

    (a) According to you there is no need for the character ‘Aa’ (code: 0D86) because too can be easily generated through a sequence. (In fact, it is easier than creating Yansaya or repay as you only have to join character ‘A’ and elapilla 0D85 0DCF) So why waste a space for this character? Why not eliminate it? (Same true for all the vowels)

    (b) Anuradha argues that yansaya, repaya etc not there in Sinhaha Unicode because they are not part of ‘Hodiya’. If so, why ‘Kundaliniya’ (0DF4) there? Is Kunadaliniya a part of hodiya? Cannot we generated kundaliniya through a sequence?

    As we all can agree yansaya and repaya are ADOPTED children of Unicode Sinhala. Not real ones. Do you mean that there is no difference between adopted children and your own (biological) children?

    Why not do this simple change (nothing complicated as Donald or JCA suggest) and rectify the blunder Disanayake Samaranayake duo had done?

  137. Harsha,

    Third question.

    The two characters ‘ilu’, ‘iluu’ – which are never used in modern or old Sinhala literature had been given places in the Unicode chart. So is Sannaka Jayanna (0DA6) If you say these characters are used in Sinhala language you can give me examples.

    On the other hand, yansaya repaya and rakaransaya are still widely used in Sinhala.

    What is the logic behind reserving three spaces for never used characters while not doing so for three others which are widely used?

    Can you please explain?

    Thanks in advance.

  138. Quote
    Well, there is no question that these are not visible in the Sinhala Unicode chart and it’s quite clear.
    unquote

    If any character is not visible in the Sinhala SLSI 1134 it is not a legal entity.
    What ever the sequence the character is resided inside a “shaper” or whatever the name you call.
    By using sequences with zwj the unicode consortium prove that there is a security threat and errors.

    unconditionally we have to correct the sinhala SLSI 1134.

    I wish I could do a presentation on unicode Latin characters.
    As techno says why we need four ayanna’s? one ayanna would do rest could be represented in the invisible “shaper”

    I too have asked the same question several months ago.

    Nobody answer the unicode report
    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    There is no choice but to correct the SLSI

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  139. Objection to the Ad on Daily Mirror – Certification for Sinhala Unicode Compliant Products

    Dear SIr

    I have proved that the SLSI 1134 in incorrect and incomplete.

    Even unicode consortium has published the errors in the Sinhla unicode.

    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    Please go through the unicode site up to the Sinhala sample images.

    When unicode itself confirm of an error we are going to certify the products with an error as correct.

    If you do not understand the point please permit me to come over using your own internet I will show you the sites to read.

    Please note that if you issue any certificate I will hold you responsibility as an individual and also as an office in a legal court.

    The reason is you and your institute knowingly and intentionally issue a certificate for an inferior product which is not up to a correct standard.

    I quote from unicode consortium
    Public Review Issue #96

    The use of format characters in identifiers is problematical because the formatting effects they represent are normally just stylistic or otherwise out of scope for identifiers. To make matters worse, it’s possible to misapply format characters such that users can create strings that look the same but actually contain different characters, which can create security problems

    The goal for such a restriction of format characters to particular contexts is to

    1. allow the use of these characters where required in normal text
    2. exclude as many cases as possible where no visible distinction results
    3. be simple enough to be easily implemented with standard mechanisms such as regular expressions

    Normal usage, as meant here, does not include technical usage such as mathematical expressions or pedagogical use (eg, illustration of half-forms or joining forms in isolation).
    Unquote

    Please review the SLSI1134 as per objection filed by me when it was open for the discussion.

    Yours truly

    Donald Gaminitillake

    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    http://www.akuru.org

    http://www.vksamaranayake.blogspot.com/

    http://www.lirneasia.net/2007/04/software-issues-in-sri-lanka-part-7/

    http://planetapex.blogspot.com/2007/06/lamentable-state-of-sinhala-language-in.html

    http://kulendra.dyndns.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=9

  140. Cumaratunge Munidasa

    Techno,

    If you think V K Samaranayake or J B Dissanayake have created Sinhala Unicode you are badly mistake. All what these two have done is to waste Sri Lankan governments’ money to take foreign trips using it as a cover.

    The first Sinhala Unicode chart was designed by a European with the help of few locals like Bhikku Mettavihari. This is still available at http://www.egt.ie/standards/si/si.html

    You will see all what Samaranayake and Dissanayake had done was to remove the ‘lith akuru’ and change the places of other characters a bit. No big deal. A Grade 6 student could have done it.

    It is hilarious how these two old men now shamelessly take the credit for someone else has done.

  141. Hi All,
    It is obvious that looking at the current Singhala Unicode chart the letters DU, KU, GU can be generated. Except one person in these discussions, rest understands it(So Mr. Harsha Purasinghe, don’t get too high on it). But most of the people arguing here are trying to point out one thing and only one thing in a nutshell.

    There are some mistakes in the current current Singhala Unicode standard, and it introduces unnecessary complexities to implementations even to get the basic language features working. And it is so foolish to give answers like this can be done, that can be done, because in general in technology any thing can be done, yes really, some how anyway. But the question is it the most suitable way to do it. Are there any other alternatives to do it better, easier and cheaper. That is why we need some knowledgeable/experienced scientists/engineers, not mere “cowboy coders” (I don’t care whether they have Phd, Msc, AL/OL when you have mere coders perspective/mindset even if you have Phd, you do the blind implementations. Read: Edward Yourdon to know about “cowboy programmers”).

    On the other hand people who build there business on current standard, don’t want to have unnecessary burdens by accepting errors and they most likely like the way it is. And some are really cashing in those mistakes in the current Singhala Unicode standard too. Some times thats the most easiest way to make cheap money. (I am not naive to say that is unfair or wrong in this business, it is capitalism in IT and it is a fact. A word of wisdom though: if you are smart enough (like M$) you can still make money even by accepting the mistakes and again charging for the fix. May be you guys want to postpone it little bit, May be the initial harvesting is not over yet)

    But the problem is the institutions running on public funds, that are suppose to implement technological standards for the benefit of the general public, should be wise/mature enough to investigate on these avenues and propose standards that most effective and cheap to the general public. Otherwise there is no need to have those institutes like CINTEC, ICTA or what ever, just let corporate world to fight and come up with solutions of there own and fight for standards. Then there is no need of wasting public money on it. (Don’t worry VKS, you also still can make money by Tender Magadi, you know the drill)

    (If any one really want to understand how this kinds of IT tug wars rolled in other ares of IT fields, read about DeCOM and CORBA, CORBA and J2EE, and to some extent EJB and Spring/Hibernate.)

    And on a last note:
    What our country’s problem is that the people who involved in IT is not strong enough to go above VKS not because he is smart or any thing, it is easy and cheaper to go after him and lick the bones he throws. Many people who shout against him is either ones got kicked out of VKS corporation or not capable of grasping few basic things about IT. (Now I am burning all the bridges bridges :-) what the hell)
    VKS backers know it is already their game and don’t hesitate to publicly lick VKS’s scrotum.

    Others are totally out side the game and mere spectators (including me, but that does not take away my right to criticize this stuff. And most of the points I throw in here are with the genuine hope that some people in this game would take constructively.)

    So VKS can go on like for another 10/20 years like this.

    ===========================================================
    Tamil and other people will have some resolution only after Prabakarans death.
    IT industry in our country see the light only after V.K. Samaranaykes death.

  142. Hi All,
    It is obvious that looking at the current Singhala Unicode chart the letters DU, KU, GU can be generated. Except one person in these discussions, rest understands it(So Mr. Harsha Purasinghe, don’t get too high on it). But most of the people arguing here are trying to point out one thing and only one thing in a nutshell.

    There are some mistakes in the current current Singhala Unicode standard, and it introduces unnecessary complexities to implementations even to get the basic language features working. And it is so foolish to give answers like this can be done, that can be done, because in general in technology any thing can be done, yes really, some how anyway. But the question is it the most suitable way to do it. Are there any other alternatives to do it better, easier and cheaper. That is why we need some knowledgeable/experienced scientists/engineers, not mere “cowboy coders” (I don’t care whether they have Phd, Msc, AL/OL when you have mere coders perspective/mindset even if you have Phd, you do the blind implementations. Read: Edward Yourdon to know about “cowboy programmers”).

    On the other hand people who build there business on current standard, don’t want to have unnecessary burdens by accepting errors and they most likely like the way it is. And some are really cashing in those mistakes in the current Singhala Unicode standard too. Some times thats the most easiest way to make cheap money. (I am not naive to say that is unfair or wrong in this business, it is capitalism in IT and it is a fact. A word of wisdom though: if you are smart enough (like M$) you can still make money even by accepting the mistakes and again charging for the fix. May be you guys want to postpone it little bit, May be the initial harvesting is not over yet)

    But the problem is the institutions running on public funds, that are suppose to implement technological standards for the benefit of the general public, should be wise/mature enough to investigate on these avenues and propose standards that most effective and cheap to the general public. Otherwise there is no need to have those institutes like CINTEC, ICTA or what ever, just let corporate world to fight and come up with solutions of there own and fight for standards. Then there is no need of wasting public money on it. (Don’t worry VKS, you also still can make money by Tender Magadi, you know the drill)

    (If any one really want to understand how this kinds of IT tug wars rolled in other ares of IT fields, read about DeCOM and CORBA, CORBA and J2EE, and to some extent EJB and Spring/Hibernate.)

    And on a last note:
    What our country’s problem is that the people who involved in IT is not strong enough to go above VKS not because he is smart or any thing, it is easy and cheaper to go after him and lick the bones he throws. Many people who shout against him is either ones got kicked out of VKS corporation or not capable of grasping few basic things about IT. (Now I am burning all the bridges bridges :-) what the hell)
    VKS backers know it is already their game and don’t hesitate to publicly lick VKS’s scrotum.

    Others are totally out side the game and mere spectators (including me, but that does not take away my right to criticize this stuff. And most of the points I throw in here are with the genuine hope that some people in this game would take constructively.)

    So VKS can go on like for another 10/20 years like this.

    ===========================================================
    Tamils, Sinhalese and other people in our country will have some resolution only after Prabakarans death.
    IT industry in our country see the light only after V.K. Samaranaykes death.

  143. Please ignore above 134 here is the corrected version:

    Hi All,
    It is obvious that looking at the current Sinhala Unicode chart the letters DU, KU, GU can be generated. Except one person in these discussions, rest understands it(So Mr. Harsha Purasinghe, don’t get too high on it). But most of the people arguing here are trying to point out one thing and only one thing in a nutshell.

    There are some mistakes in the current Sinhala Unicode standard, and it introduces unnecessary complexities to implementations, even to get the basic language features working. And it is so foolish to give answers like this can be done, that can be done, because in general in technology any thing can be done, yes really, some how anyway. But the question is it the most suitable way to do it. Are there any other alternatives to do it better, easier and cheaper? That is why we need some knowledgeable/experienced scientists/engineers, not mere “cowboy coder” type people to come up with standards (I don’t care whether they have Phd, Msc, AL/OL when you have mere coders perspective/mindset even if you have Phd, you do the blind implementations. Read: Edward Yourdon to know about “cowboy programmers”).

    On the other hand people who build there business on current standard, don’t want to have unnecessary burdens by accepting errors and they most likely like the way it is. And some are really cashing in those mistakes in the current Sinhala Unicode standard too. Some times that’s the easiest way to make cheap money. (I am not naive to say that is unfair or wrong in this business, it is capitalism in IT and it is a fact. A word of wisdom though: if you are smart enough (like M$) you can still make money even by accepting the mistakes and again charging for the fix. May be you guys want to postpone it a little bit, May be the initial harvesting is not over yet)

    But the problem is the institutions running on public funds, that are suppose to implement technological standards for the benefit of the general public, should be wise/mature enough to investigate on these avenues and propose standards that most effective and cheap to the general public. Otherwise there is no need to have those institutes like CINTEC, ICTA or what ever, just let corporate world to fight and come up with solutions of there own and fight for standards. Then there is no need of wasting public money on it. (Don’t worry VKS, you also still can make money by Tender Magadi, you know the drill)

    (If any one really want to understand how this kinds of IT tug wars rolled in other areas of IT fields, read about DeCOM and CORBA, CORBA and J2EE, and to some extent EJB and Spring/Hibernate.)

    On the other hand the implementers like Anuradha, Purasinghe and Niranjan if you guys are really after real success in his business, you guys need to be little bit more humble and open minded about things. Other wise you guys are the private bus owners in Sri Lankan IT. (I am including Anuradha also intentionally because OSS has a business model and it is a business, even though for individual developers it is not a business)
    All those Sinhala Unicode organizations ect. to me they are like private bus owners union. And the responsibility of our IT NGOs like lirneasia is to bring this issue to the general public (so called civil society) little more proactively. Otherwise they are also inevitably going to become like our peacenik NGOs.

    And on a last note:
    What our country’s problem is that the people who involved in IT is not strong enough to go above VKS not because he is smart or any thing, it is easy and cheaper to go after him and lick the bones he throws. Many people who shout against him are either ones got kicked out of VKS Corporation or not capable of grasping few basic things about IT. (Now I am burning all the bridges :-) what the hell)
    VKS backers know it is already their game and don’t hesitate to publicly lick VKS’s scrotum.

    Others are totally out side the game and mere spectators (including me, but that does not take away my right to criticize this stuff. And most of the points I throw in here are with the genuine hope that some people in this game would take constructively.)

    So VKS can go on like for another 10/20 years like this if he lives that long (How old is he anyway).
    Dear Samaranayke, Please do the world a favor, kick the bucket soon. You don’t need this aggravation ;-).

    ========================================================
    Tamil and other people will have some resolution only after Prabakarans death.
    IT industry in our country will see the light only after V.K. Samaranaykes death.

  144. Prof Samaranayake had passed away last night in Sweden.

  145. Funeral - Prof. VKS

    Prof Samaranayake had passed away last night in Sweden.

  146. We offer our condolences to Professor Samaranayake’s family and friends. I understand that a major felicitation event was held just a few days ago, which would have given him a great sense of satisfaction.

    We are not removing the above comment (135) even though it is in extremely poor taste, in keeping with our standard non-editing policy. I am sure the writer is regretting his use of words. His substantive comments will not be remembered, only his ill-mannered closing attacks.

    One can have honest differences of opinion without wishing people ill in this crude and uncivilized form. The unfortunate timing of the above comment will perhaps serve as a lesson on how not to engage on policy debate.

  147. It was so sudden it’s hard to believe it’s true

    I sympathize with all of you in your grief, though I know there is nothing I can say to ease your sorrow.

    Let us now correct our errors and move the country forward

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  148. Sanjiva Weerawarana

    Rohan, this entire blog is full of disgusting, below the belt, uninformed attacks against Prof. Samaranayake. The stuff is so disgusting and vile that its not even worth dignifying with responses- but I will note one point: there are repeated assertions that Prof. Samaranayake didn’t let other young people come up. That is such utter crap and I’m one of the many many young people he helped (ok not so young any more).

    Prof. Samaranayake deserves better than to have anonymous cowards call for him to “do the world a favor, kick the bucket soon”. I am only sorry that I didn’t write this while he was still living.

    The same anonymous idiot says “IT industry in our country will see the light only after V.K. Samaranaykes death.” Is the author in the IT industry? I certainly am and know first hand (and second hand) tons of things Prof. Samaranayake has done to help the industry. My biggest personal one was when he helped create Lanka Software Foundation .. it simply wouldn’t exist if not for Prof. Samaranayake. His vision is what put Sri Lanka on the open source map in the world – we’re now generally considered to have the highest per-capita open source *contribution* in the world. All the Apache work, Sahana and my own company would not have been possible if not for his support to get it off the ground. Prof. Samaranayake has constantly helped the FOSS movement in Sri Lanka behind the scenes .. only I and a few others know what he did and how he did it.

    What light does this anonymous coward think we in the Sri Lankan IT industry need to see? Let me guess, this is yet another “diaspora expert” trying to tell us poor uneducated, uninformed folks who live in Sri Lanka how we’re missing the point. I will take on ANYONE that thinks we don’t know what we’re doing.

    I’m sure this Donald Gaminitillake (whoever he is) and some others involved with this blog have something to do with the other vile and disgusting blog that was started against Prof. Samaranayake (as many of the posts there are from him). I’m referring to http://www.vksamaranayake.blogspot.com. The anonymous coward(s) who ran that have suddenly cleared that blog of the content after Prof. Samaranayake’s death – why? Because you guys managed to kill him and now that is not needed? You amateurs- do you not know that Google and other search engines cache these pages? Here’s the latest cached page from Google: http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:oZN3FJQvLLkJ:www.vksamaranayake.blogspot.com/ http://www.vksamaranayake.blogspot.com/&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=lk The person behind that blog should remember that there’s no such thing as anonymity on the Internet. Many of us know how to get past such trivial levels of insulation; you’re not anonymous to me.

    Rohan, I urge you to remove anonymous postings from this blog because most of them are vile and disgusting and personal attacks about one person- hardly “policy reform.” I cannot imagine you would seriously claim that people who genuinely care about policy reform cannot use their real name to do it.

    Sanjiva.

  149. Dear Sanjiva

    quote
    “I’m sure this Donald Gaminitillake (whoever he is) ”
    unquote

    My comments were to correct the SLSI 1134 or Sinhala unicode which is incomplete and incorrect.
    This was proved several times but the people were scared to admit it.
    Until it is corrected I will keep posting my comments even with the post VKS group.

    This SLSI 1134 is not a personal problem but a National issue of our country Lanka.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  150. Firstly my deepest condolences to Prof. Samaranayake’s family! “may he attain nibbana” not the “Sathara Apaya” as some people in this blog posted in low manner.

    I am someone who got to know Prof. VKS due the language related innovations which we did within past years. He is someone who personally congratulated us and asked us to patent when we developed localized stuff for mobile. He never ever blocked our patents / innovative work and all he did was to praise them through some people used to criticize him saying he blocks young people doing innovative work which is not true as it never happened to us. I still remember his encouraging speech at one of our Sinhala Unicode related product release events. Further I am not from UCSC or any other Uni nor I knew or worked with Prof. for many years before. All this happened and we got to know him closely after our innovative work in the recent past.

    When I went to e-bit launch 2 weeks ago, I met prof. samaranayake briefly who discussed language related stuff. He was feeling sad and was sharing the abusive manner he’s been attacked on this site. Further he told me that DONALD called on his B’ Day as well with utter disappointment. Donald now you can try to register your patent as Prof. is no longer there to block you, so no excuses please! try to patent and come to real tehnical world and prove yourself.

    I knew Prof. so closely only during past 4-5 years that too due to unicode related language innovations which we did. All I saw during this period was his energy / passion / hard work to ensure success of Sinhala Unicode implementations not some fantasy theoretical stuff which others talk about without writing a single code. It was so great that he saw the results of successful technical implementations of Sinhala Unicode with many players, such as Google, Microsoft, Linux, Nokia and to local developers/universities and other content developers. I am glad that we manage to show him how it was implemented on mobiles, show him the sorting capabilities, contributing towards MS platform related technical implementations and also recently a translation engine itself.

    TECHNO who posted questions to me, I would simply suggest that you answer me 1st as I need a clear explanation on what I have raised. I am not willing to answer till you reply with a valid explanatio with technical reasoning. As Anuradha pointed out, people who have not written a single piece of code has the biggest worries about Sinhala Unicode chart but not the people who does all the technical implementations on it. Have all the players mentioned above raised any issue related to characters missing???

    Rest assured am sure the real technical implementers of Sinhala Unicode who are united and working on one side irrespective of platforms will not allow for some Stupid Theoretical tables to emerge. Also will not allow anyone alter the present chart without a valid reason for a revision. All I can suggest for the yansaya, repaya, rakaranshya is perhaps to include somewhere in the document with the sequence rules so anyone who goes through the document knows that these are part of Sinhala Unicode. And also will get an understanding to do the required development.

    I hope the disgusting side of this blog will come to an end after Profs. demise. I am sure more than the real Sinhala issue for most of the people Prof. was the issue and was using this blog to target him which is the most unfortunate thing. I am someone who associated lirneasia blogs for sometime now, but this blog was one of the most disgusting due to the low uncivilized set of people who don’t even show their real identities except Mr. Gaminitilake.

    Finally, when I write this blog I remember what he told me 2 weeks ago, the disgusting manner people attack him on the blogs, and donald’s phone call, I am sure he will have peace now from all these lunatics who have done nothing other than ranting on blog space. Further, it was great to see a felicitation done to him on 4th June where I was invited as well from the ICT industry which was timely to honor this personality.

  151. I am shocked. And before I say any thing as Dr. Samarajeewa assumed I deeply regret my use of words above post 135 closing statements.(I don’t say this just to show my mere politeness, if there is any thing like that in me) I posted above 135 not knowing that Prof. Samaranayake had passed away. I should have used different wording to express my idea if I had known the circumstances. BTW In many of my postings I was trying to do some cliché rhetoric by mixing good and bad -should I say G’nR or velvet-revolver (I know I am no good in writing this kind of stuff anyway). But with all that regrets, sympathies to late Prof Samaranayake, I do not mean the point of view I presented in 135 is changed/wrong.

    And if Dr. Samarajeewa desire to remove my comment, I do not object to it. But I hope he would do it across the board. There are so many more ill-mannered attacks on this board than mine (mine got attention only due to its coincidence). Even though this board has view points on policy matters the debate style and language was not in any way a formal, so-called civic or cooperate/board meeting type.

    I join every one here to offer our condolences to Prof. Samaranayake’s family and friends. It was not my intention to attack any ones personnel life. My only disagreement is with his official/professional conduct only. I hope in this emotional moment I should remain silent.

    ============================================================
    ***censored *** by emotional Noam
    (Does that ruthless Noam idiot really has any emotions)

  152. Harsha Thank you for confirming certain facts like my blocked patents.
    The objection file is thicker than the application. Remember by law I do have the copyrights of the whole thing. It will last 50 years after I leave this planet.
    You have not commented on my Domain “Akuru” which has been hijacked by the ICTA.

    Yes I spoke to the Professor. I have requested several appointments. Also I wrote to his brother in US. I wanted to have a dialog and at least enter the path to solve the Sinhala issue. I am happy that I spoke to him (confirmed by Harsha) and now no one can say that I have not even tried to talk to him.

    Re Anonymous posts. Some people do use “pen names” to write. Still these names are used in News Papers etc. Why do we have to worry about anonymous posts. Even though some people post using anonymous names yet the person was identified by the content he/she wrote.

    The interesting part of the internet is everything get documented and preserved for future reference.

    No one can attain nibbana after the death. It has to be achieved during the life time.
    If we can attain nibbana after death we need not do any merits (kusala karma) during the lifetime. So Harsha you got to learn more……

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  153. Correction

    ” you have be an Arahath or Pasebudu or Budhha to attain Nibbana after Death”

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  154. Sanjiva Weerawarna, a person I greatly respect, has made a specific request that I remove all anonymous comments because he finds some of the comments disgusting. I have responded to these types of requests many time before, but given Sanjiva’s stature, I will respond in greater detail again.

    1. This blog is an important part of the work of LIRNEasia, a regional research and capacity building organization that just happens to be headquartered in Colombo. We have no particular interest in Sri Lanka, which is a tiny market in relation to India, Indonesia, etc. where most of our work is. Our focus is on infrastructure, not on software issues. When specifically invited to get involved in language standardization issues in 2005, I declined, pointing to our mission and priorities. It is important to note that the blog has over 550 posts and over 3100 comments. Of the posts, Sri Lanka-related ones are few (even here, disaster-related ones make up the majority, I think). Because of the software issues in Sri Lanka threads, a significant number of comments are from/about Sri Lanka.

    2. For reasons we do not fully understand, a posting about a conference in Dhaka attended by one of our members in April 2006 attracted the attention of people interested in Sri Lanka ICT policy, with an emphasis on language standardization issues. Similarly, a posting on the undersea cable in the Maldives attracted a lot of attention by people who wanted to talk very broadly about ICT policy (and political issues) in the Maldives. While the Maldives discussion petered out, the Sri Lanka discussion kept going. Without question, the since renamed “software issues in Sri Lanka” thread has attracted the largest number of comments (over 1200). The only proactive thing we have done is to start another thread (with a routine admonition that people stay on topic and be civilized) because readers complained that loading is slow after a certain size. The current thread is Part 7. We could have refused to start these additional threads or closed comments, but we figured that the discussion, though problematic, was moving people closer to agreement on an important standardization issue and was obviously meeting some kind of need. It was not drawing our resources, so we decided to let it run. One of our internal objectives was to attract traffic from all over the world to our site. This thread was actually working against that objective by bringing in narrow-focus Sri Lankan readers, but we figured that was just part of the game of running a blog. Let them come, we thought, we will increase the international audience anyway.

    3. We had nasty comments from a long time back. In the early days, they were directed at me. I had no doubts about letting them be. We went beyond that and even posted certain negative articles and news reports about me on the website (along with some responses, so readers could reach their own conclusions). Any one who wants to check the veracity of these claims can go into archives from, say December 2004 or January 2005 and see. I mention these facts to illustrate the “free speech” approach that we adopted from the very beginning. When the Sri Lanka ICT policy discussion took hold (mid 2006), we had an internal discussion about the crude attacks being made through some of the comments. The conclusion was that we could not afford the people or the time to moderate the blog. Also, moderation of one thread was a slippery slope that would require moderation of all threads. We decided to stick with the “free speech” approach. Our position was stated in the thread itself, in response to people asking for moderation, deletion, etc. Periodically we reminded commenters of the need to stay civilized. When we received requests for deletions of certain comments, we said we don’t moderate but that the best response was to explain the problem and give the opposing position as quickly as possible. We have not deleted any comments. The one exception was when someone posted an announcement of a public hearing by ICTA, and it appeared that readers were taking it seriously. When informed that it was a fake, we deleted it.

    4. Many who are asking for moderation, do so in relation to the single “software issues” thread. From our perspective, this is just one thread. Are we going to moderate the other threads as well? Do we have the resources and the knowledge to do so?

    5. Then comes the question of anonymity. I do not know how one actually makes sure that the commenters use their real names. Another website that I am associated with, LBO.LK, tried a version where they asked commenters to register. The procedure was so clunky that comments almost stopped and they reinstated the open system.

    6. The question of civilized discourse on the web is a big one, that we at LIRNEasia cannot solve. From the early days of bulletin boards, flaming was a problem. Sanjiva will recall that the SL net lists were afflicted by massive flame wars. I recall some discussion of this on some local blogs, but as far as I know, there is no satisfactory remedy that balances the openness required in public discourse and the norms of civilized conversation. I have been attacked on this, and other websites (and state media), in my view, unfairly. Milinda Moragoda has been attacked on this website. So was Professor Samaranayake. The fact that these attacks occurred on this website does not constitute any kind of endorsement by LIRNEasia.

    7. We cannot hire additional staff to monitor the website and we will harm our work by instituting complicated registration procedures (which will link commenters to real e-mail addresses, but not necessarily to real people). In the end, we have only two choices. We can close off certain threads. Or we can continue as at present, appealing to commenters to exercise self-discipline. I welcome views on whether we should shut down the “software issues in Sri Lanka” thread. It is not central to LIRNEasia’s mission and we can do it without too much of a problem.

  155. Sanjiva Weerawarana

    I have no intention of entering into a debate with you Donald (I can see from prior history in this forum how futile that is) but I wanted to point out an inconsistency in your logic. You claim your objective is to help “do Sinhala right” in Unicode. If so why are you trying to patent something? Patenting is a way for the inventor to “cash in” on it and prevent others from using the patented approach without a license from the inventor (for money obviously). Patents and standards don’t go well together. If you don’t understand that look around the Internet and you’ll see the issues around software patents and standards, especially when it comes to FOSS. So if you really care about improving the standard, you will not file patents but you’ll help improve the standard.

    As to your claim that Sinhala Unicode is busted and that you’re the only one who can fix it- I have trust in people like (late) Prof. Samaranayake, Dr. Gihan Dias, Dr. Ruvan Weerasinghe, Anuradha Ratnaweera and the host of others who have been working on this issue for years. I don’t know squat about Sinhala Unicode, but if all of those people think that something is right then that’s good enough for me. They have worked on things and delivered results; not just fired blanks and complained.

    Sanjiva.

  156. Dear Sanjiva

    When I wanted to present a paper late Professor declined it BUT I was given a place in the university by Dimuth for a public Lecture. To protect my idea and thoughts I applied for a patent.

    History begins when SLSI requesting a public opinion for SLSI1134

    I offered it on a platter free of charge but it was declined by the group let by the late Professor.

    According to the Sri Lanka LAW Solution to a problem is a copyright and also a patent.

    What ever happens the SLSI 1134 is incorrect and incomplete. It has to be corrected.

    See Business Times June issue.
    http://www.akuru.org/images/BT1.jpg
    http://www.akuru.org/images/BT2.jpg

    Also read
    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    I am the person who has given the solution for Sinhala

    If you are free Please come I will show what is wrong and what is correct.
    Then you could decide

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  157. It is
    “Business TODAY”” published by BT options

    Mr Sanjiva the product given by them (the names are listed in your 148) is inferior and this error have been accepted by unicode (http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html) and images are shown in

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/

    You will have to read through all this to find the accuracy of the present Sinhala unicode or SLSI 1134.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  158. I stopped arguing and directly commenting on Donalds posts around year back. But may be I need to change that for once again.
    Donald,
    First of all shame on you!!
    This is about the Business Times article in 149
    Why are you are fooling people this much. I pity that poor “un-informed” reporter Harin Farnando (if he believed you). I can honestly understand that why all young tech gang hate you so much (but it is not wise for them to do similar tactic to counter that). Any one who has knowledge of single thing about computers will start to hate you, just looking at your way of promoting your idea. This is the way cheap politicians follow. I really doubt the success of that magazine. No more comments about it.

    In one side the late IT dictator VKS, on the other side total idiots like Donald. Both do little personal favors to few young guys in IT and try to build their own front line.
    One guy help young guy coming back to country after his Phd, to get his kid in to reputed school in Colombo. Other guy help another ambitious young guy trying to make a small community IT project a reality. (This two can not be considered in equal wait due to various reasons, but that is not my point) Then both try to push forward their own ego boosted agendas forward. One is little smarter(should I say cunning) and have access to power/money than the other.
    The young talent rally around the winning side never was humble enough to look back and analyze weather they they are doing the most suitable thing at the point. They just come to conclusions like “but if all of those people think that something is right then that’s good enough for me.”. Ironic isn’t it!
    As I have always mentioned, the problem in our country is that no body can see a middle path (write from wrong), they see only camps, look what is close/accessible/advantages to them, and they get easily polarized to camps and get into the battle. Thats how those CHAMPIONS get created.

    I’ll stop here, scheme on you Donald.

    PS:
    I’ll continue on my earlier posts next time. I’ll try to emphasis on some thing like “should/can policy makers help anyone”.

    ==========================================================
    If any one want to respect Prof. Samaranayake the best he can do is identify what
    his mistakes are and try to correct them as soon as possible instead of continue the
    same mistakes he did.

  159. Dear Noam

    I have clearly published what is unicode and its responsibility

    Why have you not comment on the product that is available in the market?
    The Sinhala unicode or SLSI cannot stand by itself without additional characters inside a “Shaper”

    Therefore the SLSI 1134 is incomplete product.

    Come and answer these technical questions.

    Now the young IT guys will be able to talk freely and media can publish without any fear.
    I invite all the young IT engineers to place their comments on SLSI 1134.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  160. Harsha,

    You ask two questions. Here are the responses.

    a) we need to show that these should be part of the Sinhala Unicode?

    Yes.

    b) Is there any real practical issue of technical implementation of these?

    Yes. Already pointed out.

    Now will you please answer my questions without evading?

  161. Prof. Samarajiva,

    My personal opinion is it is time to shut down the thread.

    It does not serve any purpose now.

  162. Harsha Purasinghe

    Techno,

    If it’s A) – YES, I suggest you discuss this matter for a revision with the respective working committee (We are not in that group).

    I don’t quite agree with you on b) as there is no issue in technical implementation.

    Overall, I suggest you write to the working commitee asking for a meeting and discuss about the revisions by proving your point on A)! If it’s logical, I dont see any reason why it cannot be revised. However, as I mentioned many times there is no issue in technical implementation of yansaya/repaya/rakaranshaya.

    Prof. Samarajiva – I too in agreement with Sandhya that this thread is not necessary further, as it’s proven by many that Sinhala Unicode works! Even people like Techno have disagreement on one matter (yansaya, repaya, rakaranshaya) and he too understands the rest can be generated without any issue. I am sure if he does a open discussion with people concerned for the standardization, they will revise if they find it logical.

    Thanks,

    Harsha

  163. Harsha,

    I have few *technical* questions and you not only reply to any of them but suggest the thread be closed. Are they so difficult for you to answer? Since I have answered your questions ( I am also ready to do any additional clarifications you seek) I think it is fair if you answer them at least in your personal capacity.

    Let me reproduce them for your convenience.

    (a) According to you there is no need for the character ‘Aa’ (code: 0D86) because too can be easily generated through a sequence. (In fact, it is easier than creating Yansaya or repay as you only have to join character ‘A’ and elapilla 0D85 0DCF) So why waste a space for this character? Why not eliminate it? (Same true for all the vowels)

    (b) Anuradha argues that yansaya, repaya etc not there in Sinhaha Unicode because they are not part of ‘Hodiya’. If so, why ‘Kundaliniya’ (0DF4) there? Is Kunadaliniya a part of hodiya? Cannot we generated kundaliniya through a sequence?

    (c) The two characters ‘ilu’, ‘iluu’ – which are never used in modern or old Sinhala literature had been given places in the Unicode chart. So is Sannaka Jayanna (0DA6) If you say these characters are used in Sinhala language you can give me examples.

    Thanks in advance for replies.

  164. Dear readers,

    Harsha conveniently misinterprets my statement by saying ‘Even people like Techno have disagreement on one matter (yansaya, repaya, rakaranshaya) and he too understands the rest can be generated without any issue.’

    Well, if the question is to generate characters through sequences all what we need is 12 spaces in the Unicode chart because 12 x 12 x 12 = 1728 and we will be able to represent all 1660 odd characters using sequences of three codes.

    So if that is the case why not have a very simple 3 x 4 matrix?

    The whole issue is representing all characters in the *easiest and most straightforward manner* .

    By introducing few additional characters and ZWJ to the chart every character in the chart will be represented *maximum of three codes* and *without any issues which are being highlighted by Donald*.

    This is not something impossible to do. It is just a matter of sending few e-mails to Unicode consortium. It will not prevent any on going developments and will only improve the Unicode chart.

    This is also the best tribute to be paid to late Prof. V. K. Samaranayake, because unless this is done now, for so many years to come people will be talking about the blunder he did. Why not correct that asap and let him rest in peace?

  165. Please do not worry about the unicode consortium

    First we got to do it in Sri Lanka with the SLSI
    SLSI is the sole authority on standard.

    Once we do it with the SLSI all others including unicode and ISO will have to accept it.
    That is the International protocol
    No worries Techno we have to do it in Lanka

    Once we solve the characters there are many more things to do for young software engineers.
    There will be at least over 100,000 new jobs on Sinhala alone. It will be a chain reaction Techno.

    Dear Harsha

    quote
    it’s proven by many that Sinhala Unicode works!
    Unquote

    When unicode consortium
    http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html

    Unicode clearly confirm that there is a problem and also the sinhala text is not compatible across all platform like the latin script or any other scripts ( other than indic )registered with unicode.

    How came you say it works!! Yes it works on a limited environment with additional software like “SHAPER”

    Unicode Sinhala cannot stand alone therefor it is incomplete.

    Until this is corrected I voice

    I have given the solution for Sinhala and only I have told this fact few years ago even before you guys spent millions for an inferior product.

    I think you guys will have to take the responsibility for spending public funds on a inferior product

    Why are you so worried about this blog? This will be there until the software problems for Sinhala being solved.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  166. In keeping with our policy of exerting no editorial control, we have never shut down threads. Discussion simply dies down. I personally have achieved a higher understanding of the policy tradeoffs involved in language standardization.

    When people stop responding to Donald it will stop. People who don’t want to read it, don’t have to. I have gone for weeks without looking at this blog; it can be done.

  167. on 3 may 2006 i wrote the following “Let us please have a decent debate without slinging mud at people. Let us focus on the important problems that need solutions instead of wasting energy on personal attacks.”

    that was comment no. 7, in the first segment of this thread “questioning ICT myths”. that was over a year ago! but obviously, some people just cant have a debate without going down to the gutter… some just went on and on going from bad to worse. honestly, some of the comments were just despicable.

    i am a firm believer of free speech. i know rohan is. there have been many occasions we have been in trouble for speaking openly and pointing out bad policy from good. we have been attacked personally. i was threatened twice in the last week by high ups of the state. it is ugly and is not fun. but that does not mean we shut up. the objective is to make things better, not run and hide. after all we are discussing public policy, not some private matter…

    in a civilized society we must live like civilized people. as rohan has appealed, let us please exercise self-discipline at least from now on. that should apply not just to this thread or this blog, but in general. i would also like to request from the various anonymous ‘people’ not to use our site for your various personal issues. do comment if you can add something to the discussion. if it is purely some vilification, then don’t.

    thank you.

  168. Dear Harsha

    Hope you had the time to read Business Today — my interview (links are given on 149)

    Some people say SLSI Sinhala is working I say no

    Why don t you give me Air time to show the public that it is not working

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  169. Kudos THCHNO,
    Out of thousands of posts here if some one want to understand this whole issues technical aspect, it is there in just two simple posts. Read post 156 and 157. thats it.
    Thats the technical summery of this whole mess. That has the ultimate compromised practical solution with all the qualities of real smart technical solution.
    0. simple to the core
    1. No reinventing the wheel
    2. Can coexist with existing solutions and backward compatible
    3. simplifies existing complexities.
    4. will not annoy most if they don’t really want to for some other reason(may be ego).
    list can go on ..

    THCHNO I don’t know what so called academic qualifications you may have. But I pity so many top notch skilled/educated/experts/well-informed people not being able to understand that few simple facts you have pointed out. I also assume that THCHNO is not a “Diaspora expert” so it may not unnecessarily repel some of our “Indigenous Experts”. But to be honest, the truth is most(all most all) of our “Indigenous Experts” wont agree with any advices not only “Diaspora expert”, “Local whizkids” but only agree to advises from real “Western white boys”. That is some kind of inferiority complex they suffer from inherently. I take these stuff in to this discussion not as a personnel attack to any body. Because most of the technical issues are most of the time interlinked with the mindset/attitude of the people involved with those problem/solution in various different ways. (Read Ed Yourdon “Death March Project”) So even the smartest will have a long way to go before they see the light.

    One of the biggest mistakes our IT fathers/Champions did was, not being able to comprehend the big picture, see the issues around and come up with certain polices and process (working mechanism) to solve the issues at hand and will come in future. (there is a big difference between a solution and the process to find solution ) Instead what they tried to do is be the mere “Tech Lead” of certain (rather silly) projects (should I say cricket scoring system, election, result reporting system, singhala font … etc.. :) ). That may be the real reason those champion to have worry about sites like this even in their death bed. They are emotionally and pathetically attached to those small projects. (yes frankly I did not believe until the post 142 these champions are so low, thanks Mr. Harsha Purasinghe, it gives us some kick, with some bitter taste of cause – I have mentioned many times that I am not here to heal all the wounds and bring peace to the world my friends!-)

    To the people who want to shutdown this thread:
    Look at your self, get a life go some where else if it hurts you to read this stuff.
    But I know there is some GANDHBBHAYA haunting you guys and asking you to come here and finish off the contract given. (Yes! I am sick man you know, but you are sicker than me)

    ============================================================
    Hey, I am here to provide you some HARDCORE entertainment with TOUGH LOVE, just ignore my technical stuff (anyway there are not interest to many).
    “Sexual Harassment In The Workplace” -Frank Zappa

  170. Dear Prof. Samarajiva / Harsha,

    Thanks for your comments.

    If you have time, please count how many posts of this thread are meant for mud slinging/vilification. I have counted. It is less than 10% (And the most unfortunate victim is Milinda Moragoda not anyone else.)

    Rest of the 90% plus posts are either technical or policy related.

    It is interesting how people pinpoint that 10% completely neglecting the 90%.

    This 90% of the posts suggest a practical solution to one of the most important issues. Nobody wants to listen.

    I do not agree with Donald. But I know he has been asking for an appointment for years from ICTA. He never got one.

    Donald was ready to engage in a public debate (and Harsha promised to provide air time) Nobody came forward.

    So what else can Donald do than ranting here?

    And Unicode advocators continue to pin point the 10% of the posts and use it as a tool to ignore the rest of the content.

    An excellent technique to avoid facing real issues, I would say.

  171. Thank you Techno for not agreeing with me.

    Like you said we got to discuss the technical issues that all have raised.

    Now I have asked TV time to show that SLSI 1134 is an inferior product since no one could come forward for a debate.

    I talk of Matrix and Techno talk of matrix. There are certain areas which is common.

    Techno if you have time why not meet.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  172. Harsha Purasinghe

    Let me share my views and perhaps for one last time as I am sick of repeating the same thing,

    I am not avoiding any or running away as we have done enough technical implementations on Sinhala Unicode and proven. Perhaps others who has done simmilar must have felt it’s waste of time trying to prove the same thing over and over again hence not commenting any further. As I mentioned in one of my post earlier day by day more and more unicode compliant stuff are emerging so very soon all of you will run out of arguments. As this is somethign that will not eveolve overnight.

    Techno,
    Again, all I can say is you should take this issue with the working committee with a logical explanation. I disagree with you on the matter of inability to technically implement which is not true as there are enough and many implementations on Sinhala Unicode now on many platforms. However, if you think a revision is necessary relating to certain character inclusions & elminations, please voice your opinion directly to working commitees.

    If you are genuinely interested in the Sinhala Unicode Standard and most importantly Sinhala Unicode technical implementations, I welcome you to visit us anytime for a discussion, so we can understand you better and perhaps help to reason out logically. We invited Donald sometime ago, but he used his time to market his Patent Pending work. When we gave some appreciateion in good faith, he went public with my comment and said Harsha Purasinghe said this and that on his akuru web site. So do you think anyone will give more appointments to such an individual? If am not mistaken Donalad has been given enough appointments by many including ICTA. However, he was not listening to the technical reasoning of people who tried to make him understand, but was rather blindly pushing his Patent Pending CAT.

    Prof. Samaranayake – I don’t know about various issues with Prof. and his era. All I know is during the short period (5 years or so), which I knew him he was working hard on the Sinhala Unicode as that’s the area which we got associated with him. Even in some occassions we(MI) too had differences with some of the policies where we voiced out on those directly/competed rather than hiding and ranting and sligging mud as it doesnt serve any purprose.

    Thread Shutdown – I made a personal remark based on the question raised by Prof. Samarajiva. However, as others wish this thread can exist for the next decades or so. When people with real identities withdraw, this site will be filled with people without identities who will keep on ranting on blog space and sling mud. The best way to solve issues are not by hiding and attacking personalities but coming forward and talking directly with the people who created such policies/standards with technical/logical reasoning. I admire Donald for appearing with real identity and talking straight, unfortunately his language related arguments are full of rubbish. So nobody wants to take him seriousy.

  173. Harsha,

    (a) You still smartly evade my questions. Does not matter. I know you do not have answers, or even if you do you do not want to admit SLS1134 is incomplete.

    (b) Either you do not understand what I say or pretend not to for your convenience. I do not suggest reinventing the wheel and what I suggest will not affect any on going developments.

    (c) If you people are not ready to listen to even a minor suggestion why should I meet you. Whatever, I tell you consider present Unicode chart is the gospel and do not want to change. Sick attitude.

    I think before anything else you people should realise the incompleteness of the present SLS 1134 standard. If you do not realise it, there would not be any use of further discussions. You will repeat the same story.

    This is the time for you people to face the reality and admit that there are still more room for developments.

    One more time. Will you answer my three questions or not? (At least please give your personal opinion. I will not quote you anywhere. Why are you so scared to answer them?)

  174. Can somebody tell me why people insist on revealing identities of those who comment, when we talk purely on technical points?

    What matters most? Is it the content or the individual who says it? If what we say is correct why anybody bothers with the identities?

    Ok. Let me answer. These are the reasons why they want identities.

    (a) To isolate that person from their ICT mafia. (eg. “Donald says rubbish. So no point replying”) So that person will lose the voice.

    (b) Personal vendetta. (eg. “This person criticized ICTA so why should we consider his application for an e-society project?”)

    (c) To brand people negative. (eg. “This guy is always a trouble maker. Better avoid him”)

    The ICT mafia in Sri Lanka was so strong few years back, believe me they could even block people getting jobs in the private sector.

    So no surprise that many want to remain anonymous.

  175. I have written a column on LBO that is possibly of relevance to the questions of anonymity, pseudonymity and editorial control of blog discussions that may be of interest: http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?newsID=538826416&no_view=1&SEARCH_TERM=24#

    It is entitled “Choices: Onymous or anonymous?; Perils of economic discourse in Sri Lanka” and appears under my name (of course) and as one of the Choices columns that I started writing after the tsunami.

  176. Quote
    Donalad has been given enough appointments by many including ICTA.
    Unquote

    Other than Mr Manju no one has requested me to come. I have met Mr Manju and comments were recorded. Some people ran away from the meeting too. If you read the past blogs everything has been proved and recorded.

    I did ask several appointments to meet the CEO and Late Chairman Prof VKS
    I did ask them to come for a public debate on SLSI 1134 or Sinhala unicode

    Now I have asked Harsha de Silva (there are two Harshas) TV time to show the inferior products made from SLSI 1134. All these products were made after my legally recorded objections at SLSI. Now you guys have more to answer.

    Purasinghe always avoid to answer http://www.unicode.org/review/pr-96.html and whether one can cut and paste raw sinhala text from his Helawadane to any other published software application? (example ::: you can cut and paste this text to any application of your choice the latin text remains the same)

    Only I have publlished the solution for SInhala.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  177. The thread has taken a different turn.

    Here is my three cents. (adjusted for inflation)

    From its inception ICTA remained a ‘we-know-all’ type bossy organization which was good at dictating than anything else.

    Its vision was supposed to be taking the dividends of ICT to every village and every citizen. Its clients were supposed to be the citizens of this country.

    Lets see how ICTA treated the general public and specially the rural poor.

    Did ICTA ever have a representative from a village on its board? (or at least someone representing general public/community?)

    Was anybody from village level or general public ever being consulted while designing any ICT4D programme at ICTA?

    How many surveys did ICTA conducted among rural poor to understand their needs? Did they ever engage a constructive discussion with the people of this country through any medium? (Face to face, Radio, TV, blogs)

    Before launching the ‘Nenasala’ model did ICTA ever asked ‘Is this what you want?’ or ‘Do you need something else?’

    Did ICTA provide any platform where a citizen of this country can go and write his opinion about what he expects from e-Sri Lanka? How many citizens ever visited ICTA/ How many villages ICTA officials have visited? How many people they have talked to? Have the ideas of these simple simon’s were taken in to consideration while designing their programmes?

    Why couldn’t ICTA have a simple forum like this for people to discuss ICT related issues?

    In short, did ICTA ever listen to the people of the country they were supposed to serve? Or it listened only to World Bank and politicians?

    We all know the answers. ICTA designed what ‘they thought good’ for the public and then force the solution on the community, irrespective of the real needs. It has never been a participatory model. It was a very authoritative model where the real clients of ICTA were not given any place.

    (The only time ICTA deviated from this approach was at Mahavilachchiya, where Wanni objected ICTA dictating terms to him.)

    ICTA forums became nothing but talk shops people gather to eat Chinese rolls. Never a serious discussion.

    ICTA officials were seen traveling out of the country to all obscure destinations rather than to the remote villages here.

    So the obvious happened. When ICTA was not receptive people start shouting, angrily. (and anonymously!) They shouted at every place available for them. (short of doing protests at Lipton Circus)

    Let me tell you, if ICTA remain the bossy authoritative organization things will not change. People will not be kind on you. There is no use demanding the ban of anonymous bloggers etc. No use of shutting threads. If they cant use one medium, they will use another.

    So it is time for ICTA to change its attitude. Please come down from your ivory towers. Please talk to people. Please let them participate in the planning and implementation process. Please treat them with respect. After all they are the ones whom you are supposed to serve and you are paying your salaries.

    I tell you for the good of the country.

  178. I didn’t want to get involved in this discussion anymore, but I notice that there are some who have genuine concerns, unlike those who just want to make some money out of their patents.

    I had similar concerns. Here is an example communication from our LUG list seven years ago:

    http://www.lug.lk/lurker/message/20001031.090905.9a0deb29.en.html

    And here is my logic whenever I proposed why yansaya and rakaransaya should be individual code points (and I can bet billion to one that Mr Donald is going to quote me here as proof for his words ;-)) :

    Yansaya and rakaransaya are not independent characters (hence they are not in Hodiya – I don’t mean those pre-school hodiya books – but hodiya in authoritative texts starting from Sidath Sangarawa), but are “short-forms” (or whatever you like to call it) for virama ya and virama ra respectively.

    Having said that, here is a counter argument, good one to strengthen some of Techno’s points:

    There is a difference between Yansaya / Rakaransaya and repaya / joint letters. The former is mandatory. You ran write “rajapaksha” without joint “ksha” , and “dharma” without repaya and still get valid Sinhala, but if you have a word that requires Yansaya or Rakaransaya (kaavya or chakra), it’s a must.

    Here is an example from both:

    1. Dharma – with repaya: dha, ra, hal kireema, ZWJ, ma
    2. Krama – with rakaransaya: ka, hal kirieema, ZWJ, ra, ma

    Now what will happen if ZWJ is taken away from both. The first one will loose repaya, but it will read valid Sinhala, but the second one will end up with *invalid* Sinhala. Of course even in the first one, it’s not what the author intended, but still it didn’t make invalid Sinhala.

    In other words, presently we use ZWJ for both mandatory short forms (yansaya and rakaransaya) and non-mandatory short forms (joint letters and repaya). A purist author will consider the latter also as mandatory, though.

    There has been places where software filters out ZWJ entirely. Here is an example which Harshula fixed (in OpenOFfice):

    http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=68047

    There is a similar issue in Gmail and other Google apps.

    That’s what the PR-96 which Mr Donald quotes is all about.

    As implementers we have managed to fix most of these ZWJ issues, but some are still due.

    And if anyone want to make a case to promote alternatives, please go ahead. As Harsha Purasingha also pointed out, there is a procedure for it.

    Now I have given a plus point for Techno, here is a minus point. ;-)

    As far as implementation is concerned, longer sequences are not any difficult to handle than shorter ones (and vice versa). In other words, da papilla = du is not much simpler than ka hal kireema zwj ra. Both requires replacing the proper glyph.

    But on the other hand, debugging some of the ZWJ related bugs is difficult, but the complexity is due to ZWJ being a special character and not because of the length of the sequence (e.g.: the OOo bug Harshula fixed).

    So dear Techno (and others), if you want to push Yansaya and Rakaransaya into the present chart (and as you pointed out at the beginning, there is space in our code page left, and it’s not like adding 1600 characters), simplicity may not be the best line of argument. ZWJ dependency would be a better one IMHO.

    And again, I’m a standard implementer and personally I don’t like to get involved in standards forming. A good example is HTML, XHTML and CSS we use every day, but I’m not a part of the HTML standard creation group. And if they go ahead and add rakaransaya et al to Sinhala Unicode page, I’m perfectly alright with it, and I’ll probably work with our GNU/Linux team to get the software changed accordingly (if needed).

    And one reason why I don’t like to get involved in forming these standards is to avoid answering some questions that have arguments to both sides. That’ll end up making one side unhappy. This may be a very selfish way to keep out of trouble, but it’s my freedom to choose what I do and don’t. I’m more than happy contributing to the Sinhala Unicode implementation project.

  179. Quote
    You ran write “rajapaksha” without joint “ksha”
    Unquote

    Why not tell our HE President to write his name the way you want without joint “ksha” .

    Even you are talking of Hodiya and only few characters have been registered in the SLSI.
    Sinhala Hodiya consist over 1660 characters plus other characters required to represent Sinhala Language.

    Quote
    As implementers we have managed to fix most of these ZWJ issues, but some are still due.
    Unquote

    All this is because the SLSI 1134 is incomplete.

    Why you guys does not understand the registration at the SLSI. When Latin script fall into several pages with over 600plus characters why are we worried about the 1660 characters in Sinhala.

    Sequence method is a input method but the final character which is hidden inside the “shaper” need to be registered in the SLSI with a proper code point.

    Since the hidden characters are not listed in the SLSI we get “rubbish” and “garbage” Sinhala.

    When all other major languages have moved out of zwj we are still hanging over it

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  180. Quote
    unlike those who just want to make some money out of their patents.
    unqoute

    Is it me or are you talking to all those who have applied for IT related patent in Sri Lanka?

    If you talk about all please point your finger at Microsoft , Adobe , Apple , intel , Microimage etc etc and their reps in Lanka first.

    Also change the Intellectual Property Act in Sri Lanka.

    One make money out of a patent or a copyright is from the commercial aspect of that product. If the industry accept and sell it why can’t the authors of the product get a fraction as a royalty.

    Best example is “Sunil Shantha’s songs are not being played in public broadcasting. There is a copyright order. If some one uses these songs they will have to pay a royalty. So our parsimonious broadcasters avoid public broadcasting of these songs!!!!!!

    What have you guys were doing for 25 years? Did you work without any pay? Millions of $ were spent by ICTA & Cintec on IT related inferior products.

    Now you are justifies by saying
    quote
    “dharma” without repaya and still get valid Sinhala, ”
    Unquote

    The public have the right to choose the characters to write Sinhala. NO ONE has the right to tell them what character should be used. We have no right to dictate terms to public writers. As engineers in IT we have the responsibility to provide all the available Sinhala characters to the public and any character they request in future to enhance the Language Sinhala.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  181. HeWhoMustNotBeNamed

    Sorry, I was bit late commenting.

    I have remained an atheist in most of my adult life, but the events during the last few weeks have rekindled my faith in God. Now I know when everything else fails God will take things into his hands. Thank God.

    Dr. Sanjiva Weerawanrna says he has never been blocked in his career. Very True.

    Why should one Royalist block another? Same class.

    Those who were blocked from Galahitiyawa Central, not Royal.

  182. Techno,

    My absence for past 24 hours from this thread seems to have done good as Anuradha has given a quite a good response to your query. As I said earlier, and Anuradha too says above there is no issue in revisioning the present standard. You need to submit/talk this matter with the respective standardization committees. We too are just a technical implementer of the standard. As pointed out by you, if they revise it, we will do the required modifications accordingly to stuff we have developed.

    Sandhya on ICTA

    Interesting comments. On the subject of “ICT4D” and including someone from village to focus group, I was having the same opinion and urge ICTA to include someone from village. A ICTA/ICT4D focus group which I saw recently was filled with all the NGO’s and Private sector organizations who mostly operate from Colombo and does not have real roots to village. Even I was surprised to see that why someone like Wanni (MV) was not included. So I voiced out and urge them to include someone who has brilliant ideas who represent village and aspirations of communities in villages. The good thing is atleast they took the suggestion positively and am sure they will include someone like him representing rural villages.

    Overall to take ICT benefits to villages you need to understand and work with grassroot level. I am not saying to ignore NGO’s and other, but together with them, you need to hear the voice/ideas of people from villages as well. Also it’s not a bad idea at all to include someone from village to ICTA board, not bad at all! I suggest at least 2, not one person perhaps repesenting both Sinhala & Tamil villages.

  183. Quote from 175
    there is no issue in revisioning the present standard.
    Unquote

    All these days or years the present SLSI 1134 was correct. wow now you all talk about a revision!!!!

    Also talk about reps from villagers in ICTA incl Tamil.When we are unable to work across all platforms in tri lingual.(which is possible under my technique) ICTA is incapable of doing that job because ICTA do not even thought of a standard for TAMIL language in Sri Lanka. only I have made remarks that we need to use SInhala and Tamil. Only I have the solution.

    Good within a week you change like this.
    How many faces and hearts you guys have?

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  184. This is interesting! ;-)

    Mr Donald quoted a part of a sentence from my post:

    Quote
    You ran write “rajapaksha” without joint “ksha”
    Unquote

    But my full sentence was this:

    Quote
    You ran write “rajapaksha” without joint “ksha” , and “dharma” without repaya and still get valid Sinhala,
    Unquote

    You have edited out the “and still get valid Sinhala”. May I ask why?

    When you write a paragraph, or several paragraphs together, they collectively convey a message. A sentence alone gives a part of the story, and a part of the sentence alone doesn’t mean anything correct without the context. Evey one (except those who are SDIQ) knows this – see PS below ;-).

    And later in the post I also said:

    Quote
    A purist author will consider the latter also as mandatory, though.
    Unquote

    Which is exactly the point you are trying to show that I missed.

    Can I suggest something for you?

    How about applying for another patent for “selectively quoting people to prove ones point”?

    PS: SDIQ = Single Digit IQ ;-)

  185. Donald says:
    >
    > Now you are justifies by saying
    > quote
    > “dharma” without repaya and still get valid Sinhala, ”
    > Unquote

    Ok – this definitely shows that Mr Donald can apply for “selectively quoting people to prove ones point” patent ;-)

    I used the above example to show a linguistic difference between yansaya / rakaaransaya duo vs repaya / joint letters, to add a point to one of Techno’s proposals.

    Did I ever say that users don’t get to choose what they want to write? No.

    Writing with repaya or without repaya is possible with the present Unicode / SLS 1134. The standards are complete as it is.

    My post (not one sentence or a part of it, the whole post) was about possible consequences IF we remove the ZWJs from a sequence! Hope your SQID brain knows what “IF” means. ;-)

    And if we don’t – which is how it is now – everything is working fine.

  186. I used a phrase of your sentence same way you have few registered code points others are sequence of code points but the result is “HIDDEN INSIDE A SHAPER”

    Now open up the shaper to the public say that SLSI 1134 cannot stand alone without the shaper

    If SLSI 1134 cannot stand alone it is incomplete.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  187. Dear Anuradha / Harsha,

    Both of guys continue to beat around the bush mincing lots of words without giving any direct replies to my three *technical* questions. I do not think this will lead us to anywhere.

    Yes, I will take this with Dr. Ruwan Weerasinghe and others who are flexible and open to ideas unlike we know who. Now the barrier had been removed I do not think taking this ahead will not be an issue. Only thing, unlike Donald I have no time running after lazy bureaucrats.

    All what I tried to propose is a solution, which is simple, practical and will solve all the issues Donald had brought up without his totally impractical CAT. All I wanted was to *close the file*.

    If you guys, do not want to support, even for a minute modification of the current chart, it is fine with me.

    You continue fighting Donald. I have no reason to think he will ever give up.

    All the best.

    P.S. This is my last mail.

  188. Techno said:
    >
    > Both of guys continue to beat around the bush mincing lots of
    > words without giving any direct replies to my three *technical*
    > questions. I do not think this will lead us to anywhere.

    Please see the comment 171 above. I have even added a point to *strengthen* one of your points. Talk about flexibility. ;-)

    I’m not trying to judge if your questions (or rather points) because they are linguistic / grammar rather than technical.

    If you have a case to add these characters need to go into the standard, please work with SLSI / Unicode Consortium. Just bashing individuals like myself or Harsha Purashingha won’t do. We are not authorities who set standards.

  189. Dear Anuradha,

    Read carefully. I never bashed you or Harsha.

    Only wished you the best for your continuing debate with Donald.

    Bye.

  190. Techno,

    As you can see above, I came to this thread after a long time to address your post as I felt you have genuine suggestions. Another instance in May when Donald replicated a post addressing me and my quotes giving a wrong message to readers. I have given up with Donald long time ago and do not waste any more time.

    I am glad that you are going to take up this matter with people like Dr. Ruvan and them who will definitely look at this positively. As I said, me/anuradha are not part of standardization so we can’t help to modify the chart. Your ideas should be positioned through them, and we are technical implementers and we will ensure it’s implemented technically once you prove your points and get it revised.

    I continously engaged with you since you had genuine revision ideas without re-inventing hence my posts. I beleive till another really technical/logical debate takes place, I can quit. Thanks!

  191. Dear Techno,

    There is no point wasting time to “debate” with Donald. The only reason I did want to add few more posts to this thread was to answer others who *seem* to have a genuine interest in the matter. And since Donald miss-quote me when I did that, I had to point that out.

    All the best with your future work with the SLSI!

    Anuradha

  192. Why are you running away. Some of you were there at the SLSI when I raised the objections!!
    You were in the committee who over rule me. Remember everything was documented.

    First we have to re register it with the SLSI even one character.
    The authority is ICTA to raise the revision not public.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  193. HeWhoMustNotBeNamed

    I have heard people saying after Manju’s departure ICTA has converted itself in to a typical inefficient Sri Lankan government department.

    I too partially believed this myth, till yesterday. Only yesterday I realised how efficient ICTA still is.

    It was a grand show guys. You people really know how to organise funerals and get the best out of it. That advertising supplement in the Daily News too was great. Now I know now my tax money is used for the most deserving purposes. Congratulations!

    Perhaps you are in the wrong business. If you ever change your line of business I am sure both A F Raymonds and Jayaratne will be out of business soon.

  194. A relevant article to this discussion appears here. Sorry I cannot cut and paste because of the limitations in using Sinhala in comouter environment.

    http://www.lankaenews.com/Sinhala/news.php?id=2526

  195. Please use windows OS to get into above 187 link.

    This gives some interesting facts about Sinhla Fonts development

    I talk more than fonts the basic of Sinhala IT. unfortunately nobody seems to understand nor try to understand.

    By reading the 187 one can understand how much public funds have been wasted for an inferior product. Still these people defend it.

    If we does not correct it at this junction Sinhala will be a language of past

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  196. 186 must add the cost of shipping the remains to Sri Lanka from Sweden

  197. Gentlemen,

    Let us not get into petty politics once again. It is becoming too ugly. Have not we learnt our lessons yet?

    Donald Gaminitilake has aspirations to be the next Chairman of ICTA. Don’t we all know that? Do we have to be a part of that political game?

    Please use this space only to discuss technical issues. Not to sling mud at each other or for self promotion.

    Donald, you can have your personal agenda but operate somewhere else. Do not make this another mud site with no controls.

    I use a pen name because I do not want to be at the tail end of another unpleasant attack.

  198. සිංහලයා/sinhalaya

    Start on this
    ‍ඩොනඩ් මහත්මයානෙනි
    ඔබට සිංහල යුනි කේත පිළිබඳ පැහැදිලි උවමනාවක් ඇත‍. එනිසා ඔබේ ලියවිලි සිංහලෙන් ලියන්න.
    To view this document plz install sinhala unicode. http://www.fonts,lk
    This is to Donald Gaminithilaka

  199. Dear Mihisara

    Read 163 of Techno
    Quote
    I have counted. It is less than 10% (And the most unfortunate victim is Milinda Moragoda not anyone else.)
    Rest of the 90% plus posts are either technical or policy related.
    Unquote

    Most of the technical question posted by me goes unanswered instead they talk of an event unrelated to the post.

    The post of the Chairman ICTA was published during the life time of the Professor. Not only me but several others have applied for. It is up to the selecting committee to decide.

    Who ever comes have to correct the SLSI 1134 to safe guard the Language Sinhala.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  200. සිංහලයා/Sinhalaya

    Mr. Donald
    Why don’t you use sinhala language to express your ideas? Don’t be a hollow Man. Use the language and debate on it

    ඩොනඩ් මහත්මයානෙනි
    හිස් මිනිසකු නොවී සිංහල බාවිත කරමින් විවාද කරන්න. උපදෙස් දෙන්න. ඔබ නිවැරදි මිනිසකු නම් පමනක් ඔබ අනුනට මඩ ගසන්න. (to view this document plz install sinhala Unicode,) http://www.fonts,lk

  201. Please read http://wanni.wordpress.com/2007/06/14/wannis-story-part-i

    Mr. Nandasiri Wanninayake, pioneer of Horizon Lanka, describes how Mr. Donald Gaminitilake had helped and inspired him.

    Mr. Donald Gaminitilake is a senior IT professional.

    Mr. Donald Gaminitilake has a touch with the ground level.

    Mr. Donald Gaminitilake is concerned about the development of the country and the Sinhala language.

    We are very fortunate if we can have a senior qualified person as Mr. Donald Gaminitilake as ICT Agency Chairman.

    Sarath Fernando
    Colombo 5

  202. Sinhala is not compatible across all platforms Sinhalaya.
    This fact is also confirm by 187

    Do not expect all the people to use XP.
    Also even when it has been installed we still read rubbish.

    see from picture one
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7528191@N04/

    after that you can add your comments on rubbish Sinhala

    Please correct the SLSI so that everyone will be able to use Sinhala with a proper IME.

    Sarath thanks for your comments
    also visit
    http://lakaruna.org/events/2004/visitors/index.html

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  203. Donald,

    Don’t you have any shame man?

    If you want to be ICTA Chairman start a self promotion campaign somewhere else. Not here.

    Don’t waste this space by posting self promotional material under pseudo names.

  204. I use my name for any promotion.

    Mihisara why don’t you talk about the problems of SLSI 1134 and answer them.

    When the truth is exposed it is very hurting

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  205. සිංහලයා/Sinhalaya

    Dear Donald

    Congratulations

    Why don’t you start an advertising company? You are promoting your self in good manner. Go ahead we wonna see your promotion programme. How many names you use for this? Shameless guy. Now people know who you are!

    He he! Please add your CV to this page. We will send to them to consider.

  206. If you want to know about me search the google.
    Cv is sent to proper authority.

    Talk more about the SLSI 1134 , rubbish Sinhala and who was responsible for this mess.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  207. සිංහලයා/sinhalaya

    ඩොනඩ් මහත්මයානෙනි

    ඔබ ඔබ‍ගේ ප්‍රවර්ධන ව්‍යාපාරය සාර්ථක අයුරින් කරනු දැක ඉමහත් සතුටට පත් වීමු. ඔබට යාමට ඇත්තේ ඉතා කෙටි දුරකි. තවත් නම් රැසක් බාව්ත කරමින් ඔබ ගැන තොරතුරු එක් කරන්න. ඔබට නිසැකවම එම තනතුර ලැබෙනු ඇත ( to view this content plz download the sinhala unicode) http://www.fonts.lk

  208. Candidates for ICTA Chairman post:

    1. Donald Gaminitilake
    2. P Thamilselvan
    3. Sreepathy Suriyarachchi
    4. Dr. Mervin De Silva
    5. Potta Naufer

    Please make your pick.

  209. සිංහලයා / Sinhalaya

    ඩොනඩ් මහත්මයානෙනි

    ඔබේ වෙබ් අඩවියත් එහි ඇති හරයත් වටහා ගත් මට වැටහුනේ සිංහල යුනිකේත වල වැරද්දක් නැති බවයි. නවතම සිංහල යුනිකේත බාවිතා කර බලන්න http://www.fonts.lk

    ‍ඔබගේ somagiri බංගලාවට මේ දවස් වල වැඩ තියේද? ඔබ‍ගේ ප්‍රවර්ධන ව්‍යාපාරය සාර්ථක අයුරින් කෙරෙනවාද. මේ පිළිබඳවත් ලියන්න‍. මොකද මීට පෙරද ඔබ ලියු දේ ඔබට මෙහිදී දැක ගත හැක. මම ඔබට මිය මන්නට නොපතන්නෙමි

  210. Dear Sinhalaya

    What I read is “”rubbish Sinhala””

    You can see a screen shot at
    http://www.akuru.org/images/Sinhalalaya – 3.jpg

    else follow the following links

    http://www.akuru.org/newspaper.htm

    Sinhalaya comment from Lirneasia this is “rubbish sinhala”

    Also I reply to 193 — I have been telling that SLSI 1134 is incomplete and incorrect for the past several years. Pls visit akuru web site and read all comments posted in this blog

    Also go to http://www.nic.lk and see who hold my Akuru Domian. all these are unethical acts by IT mafia in Lanka.

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  211. Now this thread is also exceeding 200 posts. Time to start new one!!!
    This blog is not only about software issues. It covers so many IT issues, including IT policy. So please name the next thread some ting like “IT issues in Sri Lanka” or some thing with little more broad scope than geeky software word in the thread name. It will attract may be more people(if that is what you guys wanted, [ha ha I cant stop this bad habit])

  212. Interesting quote from Sunday times

    http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070617/Plus/pls12.html

    “Professor Samaranayake had a kind of righteous anger. He just could not stand people who obstructed the path to progress, whether it is in the University or in industry or in the country as a whole. . . . ”

    Donald Gaminitillake
    Colombo

  213. This thread is too long, please continue discussion here:
    http://www.lirneasia.net/2007/06/software-issues-in-sri-lanka-part-8/