The Foundation for the Study of Political Pathology brings together in a single place significant papers and essays—and distributes these works of scholarship widely.
Unlike typical journals, to which authors are required to “submit” papers, articles and essays, the Foundation selects publications by the most prominent and influential scholars.
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Royston Ellis, article in The ISLAND, 13 February 2025, …entitled therein as “Vinodh Wickremeratne’s Jottings as Memoirs on the Past”
Vinodh L. J. Wickremeratne describes himself as a Colombologist, a word he has invented to explain his fascination not just with Colombo’s recent history, but also with the prominent people who have contributed so much to the development of Colombo and Sri Lanka. He is not a historian, although he conducts research for people into Ceylon’s colonial past under the apt heading “Colonial Cousins.”
This self-published book of 173 (A4-size) pages and 93,000 words in large type is not so much a memoir as notes for a memoir. It seems Vinodh is pioneering a new form of reminiscences since there is no narrative, few anecdotes but hundreds of fascinating snippets of information about Sri Lanka’s recent past. It is amazing what Vinodh remembers or has discovered through research. As such, this volume is a huge source of accurate detail for anyone interested in “yesteryears” – either to refresh memories or to use the material for biographies or historical novels.
Although I and many others know Vinodh as a model railway and steam train enthusiast and co-author of Ceylon Railway Heritage, readers will learn from this book that he wears many hats. He mentions his work as a vintage car restorer, designer of precision working models of aircraft, boats, cars, bikes and doll’s houses, and consultant on the development of railways, tramways, motor roads, canals, aerodromes, mercantile , industrial and social lifestyles, telegraphs, gas lighting, rest houses and genealogy.
We learn also that while he was awaiting A- Level results, he gained tea plantation experience before becoming a junior auditor learning about accountancy, bookkeeping, taxation, incorporations, shareholders’ reports and investigations. Born in 1958, he describes himself as a “born again bachelor” after his divorce in 1995.
In his introduction, Vinodh writes that his memoirs are “more suitable for Ceylonese gents over the age of 50” before pointing out that “the recent past gets easily forgotten” as the reason for compiling this collection of details of remembered events, people, shops, products, companies, motor vehicles, popular cafés, club life, religious and sporting personalities, banks, patent medicines, fashions, music and musicians, horse racing, hoteliers and more, in preparation for a narrative. As can be expected, there is a lot of information about railways.
He states as his reason for writing: “No one will have such information which will ‘go down’ with him, never ever to be recovered.” He records such forgotten detail as “Before 1971 it was usual to go to a good hardware shop to buy shotgun cartridges for a ‘shoot’ as hunting trips were known.” He remembers that, in contrast to today, [in the 1960s and 1970s] children were kept occupied with Snakes & Ladders, jigsaw puzzles or Ludo, toys and kites were home-made and ballroom dancing was popular.
Vinodh experienced at first hand the transformation of colonial Ceylon into modern Sri Lanka, because of a privileged start to life. His father (Mahee L.J. Wickremeratne) was a government civil servant becoming in 1962, Government Agent for Ampara (said to be the youngest at the time). He retired prematurely in 1976 from Government Service as Chairman of the Ceylon Sugar Corporation, to become a leading figure in private sector companies.
His father’s career and Vinodh’s childhood (one of curiosity about everything happening around him) gives authority to this memoir. What could be a boring collection of names, events and places becomes an entertaining read due to Vinodh’s amusing asides and startling puns.
The result is a wonderful cornucopia of arcane titbits adding unexpected footnotes to the history of Sri Lanka’s recent past.
(thuppahis.com)
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https://www.elanka.com.au/vintage-vignettes-by-vinodh-wickremeratne/
Ceylon Railway Heritage by K A D Nandasena & Vinodh Wickremeratne
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Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake, whose prefered title reads thus: “Relevance of the ENMOD Treaty to Climate Shocks and other Hybrid Economic Warfare” …. IN A Letter to Ms Kobutu
Dear Ms. Kobuta,
It was good to meet you at the Open University CEPA meeting yesterday.
Given yesterday’s discussion on disasters and environmentalism, I’d like to share a recent piece at the link below that may be of interest to you and your colleagues: From the 2004 Christmas Tsunami to Twister Ditwah: Weather Warfare Escalates in the Indian Ocean as Russia Enters?
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Riyaz Aluher, whose chosen title at the Eddie Gray Memorial Oration 2025 at the Royal College Old Boys’ Association – Australia (Victoria) was more Sri Lankan and runs thus:“A Royal tribute to a true Royalist – Lorenz Pereira”
The recently held Eddie Gray Memorial Oration 2025 in Australia was graced by one of Royal College’s most charismatic and beloved old boys — Mr. Lorenz Pereira, who delivered a profoundly moving speech titled “My Royal.”
Lorenz, who represented Royal in many sporting arenas, once again reflected the true essence of what it means to be a Royalist — spirited, humble, humorous, yet deeply loyal to his alma mater. His oration was not merely a speech, but a journey through memories that celebrated the discipline, camaraderie, and human values that define generations of Royalists.
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Michael Roberts
The digital system sustaining my THUPPAHI WEBSITE provides daily reports on the items that receive a viewing. Looking over the LIST for 2 February 2026 and focusing on items that had just ONE VIEWING I have chosen items that focused on individuals — biographical sketches in other words.
Needless to say a few of these relate to famous personnel but not all selections are within this frame. Readers may find the selections –and they are, I stress, selections, interesting
GC Mendis
Chandra Schaffter
Duncan White
Sunil Wettimuny
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Madushka Balasuriya, in ESPNcricinfo, 2 February 2026
[Rathour] called Sri Lanka’s batting a “work in progress” that is “moving in the right direction” despite the 0-2 scoreline against England in the pre-World Cup T20I serie
Pavan Rathnayake’s positive approach on Sunday lifted the hosts’ batting innings • Associated Press
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Professor Sandagomi Coperahewa, in Daily News, 2 February 2026, where the title runs thus: “The Thomian legacy in the promotion of Sinhala ….. In connection with the 175th anniversary celebrations of S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, which takes place on February 3″ *&*
Hela Havula teachers 1950s
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Michael Roberts
SUGATH KULATUNGA was at Peradeniya University a few years before I became an undergrad so we never met there. But I and the readers in TPS have benefited recently from his discerning accounts of his experiences in district administration. If my memory is on the ball, these included fascinating tales of his early upbrining in the Panadura-Kalutara locality.
What all these reviews indicate is a good mind, observant eyes and discerning description. His passing away recently therefore demands a MONUMENT listing his publications. THIS, then, is that EPITAPH.
Well Done, SUGATH. Fare thee well in thy future lives.
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ITEM IN 7 NEWS, 22 January 2026, ….https://7news.com.au/news/death-of-teenager-piper-james-on-kgari-still-a-mystery-as-father-receives-heartbreaking-news-c-21384658
The father of a Canadian backpacker found dead on a Queensland beach surrounded by dingoes has been advised against having an open casket at her funeral due to the condition of the 19-year-old’s body. The disturbing news comes as an autopsy has been unable to determine how Piper James died.
A coroner has said more testing would be required before Piper’s cause of death could be determined, after her body was found on K’gari earlier this week…………Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Piper was found dead near the surf at the Maheno Wreck about 6am on Monday. It is understood Piper left for a swim at 5am, with passers-by discovering her body about an hour later. A small group of dingoes was found around her body, with police confirming the animals had come into contact with her.
More testing is now required to determine if Piper drowned, was attacked by dingoes, or died from another cause.
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thuppahi
