Thuppahi's Blog

Michael Roberts

Philip Sansoni’s paperback book of some 154 pages on the history of the Kingdom of Sihale known generally today as “Kandy” is a striking addition to our stock of knowledge about Sri Lanka’s history. Not the least of its assets are the striking photographic illustrations. Indeed, I commence, here, with four selections from the host within the book.

 The division of Ceylon after the Treat of Batticaloa, 1766 …

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Hiran Hewavisenti, in https://www.facebook.com/

Not one but TWO Sri Lankans – recently appointed vice captain Kamindu Mendis and former skipper Dinesh Chandimal – feature in the top 10 of the latest test batters’ rankings released by the ICC

Bodes well for Sri Lanka as both will pad up to play the two test series against the Windies in a couple of weeks, and with Sri Lanka in third place in the 2025-27 World Test Championship table and a chance to move up to second place and vie for an appearance in the final next year

#SriLanka #Cricket #Batting #Rankings #WorldTestChampionship #ICCRankings

#KaminduMendis #DineshChandimal

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https://www.elanka.com.au/last-stand-in-kandy-kindle-edition-by-miliani-philip-sansoni/

“Last Stand in Kandy” discusses the annexation by the British of the Kingdom of Kandy, after centuries of its’ stubborn resistance to foreign powers. It also covers the period before annexation, full of negotiations, intrigue and finally open warfare. The book also deals with the advent of Western colonisation and discusses the rivalry between the Dutch, the British and the French, insofar as it affected Sri Lanka.
While the British, after their success in 1796, sought to establish an efficient administration in Sri Lanka, they faced an almost impossible task in reconciling the inhabitants of the Kingdom to their rule. When faced with disturbances and uprisings, their usual reaction was to call in their army. The severity of the measures taken were frequently excessive.

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Avishka Mario Seneviratne, at medium.com … where the title reads thus “Of Turbans, Ties and Statesmen: Inaugural Session of the State Council of Ceylon and the election of its first Speaker

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   Matt Roller in ESPNcricinfo !0 June 2026, where the title reads thus “Stokes, Atkinson omitted from second Test as Root steps up as interim captain”

Joe Root will captain England at The Oval in place of Ben Stokes  •  Getty Images

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A News Item circulated by Victor Melder, one entiled “An enduring commitment to patient care”

Also recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours, is NSW Health Pathology immunologist, Professor Suran Fernando, who has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to medicine in the field of immunology.

As the inaugural Head of Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Royal North Shore Hospital, Professor Fernando has helped build and shape services that directly improve patient care for people living with complex immune conditions including autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and drug allergies.

Professor Suran Fernando, Immunologist at the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Royal North Shore Hospital.

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Uditha H. Palihakkara, whose original title in the Colombo Telegraph item runs thus:“The Flame That Shook A Nation: When Conscience Challenged Power”

Uditha H. Palihakkara

On 11 June 1963, an elderly Buddhist monk sat quietly at a busy intersection in Saigon and altered the course of history. More than six decades later, the anniversary of that event invites reflection on a question that extends far beyond Vietnam: “What happens when political power loses moral legitimacy?”

Vietnam on the Brink

History is often shaped by presidents, generals, armies, and revolutions. Occasionally, however, a single individual alters the course of events in a manner that no military campaign or political strategy could achieve. Such a moment occurred in Saigon on 11 June 1963.

The original inspiration by Thích Quang Duc in Saigon in June 1963 …. Imported from  https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/the-burning-monk-1963/

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Capt Gihan A Fernando …. an  article entitled “Mattala Airport: Wildlife and Posssible Solution” … with the highlighting here being the work of the author Gihan Fernando.

The Island of 20 May 2026 revealed the possible Indian investment in the ‘loneliest Airport In the world’.  Will the proverbial camel put its head inside the tent? This effort could be compared to flogging a dead horse!

That front page article by S Venkat Narayen mentions Mattala Airport being an ideal place for a flying school. The sad fact is that no wind pattern and turbulence studies have been carried out in the area. The turbulence is so great that even large passenger aircraft find the approach to land extremely turbulent.

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YES, Shehan … not Sanath ! … to be more precise I am referring to  Gampalage Shehan Naveendra De Fonseka Gunawarna Jayasuriya, a left-hand batsmen from Prince of Wales moratuwa wgo also bowls right arm off spin,…Michael Roberts

A Facebook Item …. ……………….source reference misplaced …maybe https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c802e7jk458o …. with highlighting being the hand of The Editor, Thuppahi

French Villagers just called Pete Hegseth “persona non grata” and demanded he stay home from D-Day ceremonies.

Pete Hegseth made the trip to Normandy, France for the D-Day anniversary — but residents of Langrune-sur-Mer made clear he was not welcome. Locals and civic groups in the small coastal town publicly declared him unwanted before he even landed, releasing a pointed statement demanding his visit be canceled outright.

http://www.rarehistoricalphotos.com

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