Thuppahi's Blog

Lorenz Pereira

The Vietnamese-American Venerable Pannakara Thero, who is on a world peace walk, returned to America today. The words he spoke at a special press conference there drew the attention of the entire world to Sri Lanka.  The Venerable said that although he had travelled to many countries in the world, he had never found a country as full of humanity as Sri Lanka.  Describing his experiences, he said that the most unforgettable sight he saw on his journey from Dambulla to Colombo was the banana leaf path.

“I have seen red carpets rolled out for kings and diplomats all over the world. But ordinary Sri Lankans had spread banana leaves for miles to cool our feet as we walked barefoot on the scorching sun. I saw them sprinkle cold water on those banana leaves. I see it as a cloak of respect that is a thousand times more valuable than a red carpet”

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Lionel Bopage, … in GROUNDVIEWS, where the title is “Suriya Wickremasinghe: A Life in Service of Justice, Rights and Human Dignity” … while the highlights  are my  intervention

Sri Lanka has lost one of its most courageous and enduring voices for human rights and social justice. Suriya Wickramasinghe, secretary of the Civil Rights Movement of Sri Lanka (CRM), former chair of the International Executive Committee of Amnesty International, a courageous activist who stood up for political prisoners and a silent but unwavering advocate for the disenfranchised, has left a void across the country with her passing. She brought to her work a rare combination of legal precision, moral clarity and personal courage, sustained over more than five decades of public life.

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Sunil Bastian, … with highlighting emphasis added by the  Editor of Thuppahi

Foreign aid is always a part of the foreign policy of donor countries. This is irrespective of the source and purpose for which foreign aid is given. It is a part of economic statecraft, where economic means are used by donor countries to pursue foreign policy objectives. This is called ‘soft power’ in international relations literature. States play a role in managing multilateral aid agencies. In this process their foreign policy interests become important. In studying foreign aid, it is always necessary to keep the foreign policy objectives of donor countries in mind. Often the use of the term ‘aid’ masks this agenda.

In order to understand the politics of foreign aid it is necessary to focus on its ideological impact as well. In other words, along with the transfer of funds foreign aid also transfer ideas. The availability of donor funding makes it possible to spread these ideas. Pretty soon they become hegemonic.

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Riyaz Aluher

For many Sri Lankans, the tragic events of May 1, 1993, remain a searing memory. The assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa, a leader known for his deep connection with the grassroots, marked one of the darkest days in our nation’s post-independence history. For me, however, it was more than just a historical tragedy—it was a deeply personal experience, witnessed from just across the road.

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Riyaz Aluher in  An Email Circular To Friends  posted by  Lorenz Pereira of Melbourne

On this sacred day of Vesak, we remember the peaceful teachings of the Gautama Buddha and reflect on how we can bring more calm and understanding into our lives. There is a simple and beautiful story.

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Michael Roberts

In yesterday’s high-scoring and enthralling match between the Mumbai Indians and .Sunriser Hyderabad…. ESHAN MALINGA did not secure the Man of the Match award, but stood out among all the bowlers with figures of 4-0-29-1.

While these stats do not stand out as remarkable at facevalue, they are outstanding in comparison with the other bowlers on both sides. The batsmen had had a field day with sixes and fours galore, so tha the  MAN of the MATCH  went to Heinrich Klaasen. MALINGA stood out among the bowlers for his economy rate.

It is not surprising that Hiran Hewavisenti …. ardent cricket follower and Facebook stalwart …. has highlighted Malinga’s performance. Hodi Heleyi! Heliyyaaaah! As he stresses this effort was/is not a one off result – Malinga is a leading bowler.

HIRAN’s FB post: 

#EshanMalinga you beauty

#IPL #PurpleCap #SriLanka

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Desert Wanderer

SEE https://youtu.be/iUeics0Au2E?si=BIHHyRTYhJFA8DyT

This program is described as a ‘rational thinker,’ but it is irrational, bad thinking that wouldn’t pass a stage 1 critical thinking course.  Abbott reveals himself here for the clown he truly is. He forcefully declared Donald Trump is “doing some very important things that absolutely need to be done,” such as starting an unnecessary, illegal war that shut down the Strait of Hormuz,  and destroying the global economy.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 25:

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Professor GL Peiris  … at https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/opinion/S-J-V-Chelvanayakam-Visionary-and-statesman/172-338795 …. with this title: “S.J.V. Chelvanayakam: Visionary and Statesman”

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Lanka Reefcomber, …. with highlights subect to the Editor’s iinterventions ….

Watching PALKI SHARMA’s You Tube Presentation was of absorbing interest. I remember this journalist from her time at WION, primarily for her long-standing promotion of the ‘China debt trap’ narrative in Sri Lanka—claims that have since been debunked. This history suggests a clear bias against China. Furthermore, while she is described here as ‘calm,’ calmness is not a virtue in itself; even figures like Donald Trump can appear calm, but look at what that calm demeanour has produced. It is the underlying intention and content of character that truly matter.

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From FACEBOOK …. reference disappeared in FB F…g mnner

On April 27, 1963, Professor Gunapala Piyasena Malalasekara/මහාචාර්‍ය ගුණපාල පියසේන මලලසේකර (1899-1973), who was then Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, delivered a speech to approximately 200 invited guests gathered at the LBJ Ranch—the private residence of then-Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson.⁣⁣

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