Thuppahi's Blog

Jeremy De Lima

Last Friday 24^th July 2026, an innovative chapter began for Sri Lankan literature. This was initiated by an enterprising group of private Sri Lankan book publishers who banded together to launch a trilingual literary festival – https://colombolitfest.lk/

The following five directors created this concept.

1. Janaka Inimankada – Vidarshana Publishers
2. Chandu Haputhanthri – Sarasavi Publishers 
3. Dinushi Weeraman Abeywickrama – Samayawardana Publishers
4. Pradeep Samaranayake – Expographic Books (Pvt) Ltd
5. Darshana Ralapanawa – Darshana Publishers

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The 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL) features five competing franchises: the Colombo Kaps, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Titans (previously known as the Gallants), Jaffna Kings, and Kandy Royals. [1, 2, 3, 4]

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Richard Simon

Anura Saparamadu’s extraordinary two-volume portfolio, Where Every Prospect Pleases: Sri Lanka through the Eyes of Foreign Artists, features a finely detailed panoramic view of the city of Kandy from the famous lookout point on the opposite side of the lake (Vol. I, pp. 178–79). Unfortunately, there is no information available in the book as to who painted the scene or when; the editor has attributed it to that well-known if elusive master, ‘Unknown Artist’, and the image is undated – although, judging by the buildings visible and the large expanses of unbuilt land between them it was probably done in the late coffee era. The presence of St Paul’s Church in the foreground tells us the scene was painted after about 1850.

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Michael Roberts

Over the centuries powerful european nations reached out and established colonial empires all over the world …at considerable cost to the peoples conquered. Nationalist movements in recent centruies succeded in evicting/displacing foreign rule. A few colonial outposts still remain. One spot is the enclave in Morocco’s north western coastal belt known as CEUTA.  During the  past few days SPAIN had to cope with thousands of Moroccan personnel (all males it sems0 streaming into Ceuta.  CHEERS !

Chad de Guzman, Tiago Ventura and Olivia-Anne Cleary

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News Item From MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY, entitled “Australian and Japanese designers of Yokohama War Cemetery revealed in new exhibition” … and subjected hee to highlights from the hand of  TheEditor, Thuppahi

A new exhibition led by University of Melbourne researchers will shed light on a little‑known chapter of post‑war reconciliation when it opens on Anzac Day (25 April) at the Yokohama Archives of History Museum, Japan.

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Dhananath Fernando

In 2022, Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt for the first time in our history. For ordinary people, this was not just a financial headline. It meant higher prices, lost jobs, business uncertainty and a weaker economy.  Four years later, there is an encouraging sign of progress. The Institute of International Finance’s latest report has ranked Sri Lanka fourth among the world’s largest improvers in debt transparency.

SEE ITEM Entitled “From Default to Renewed Investor Confidence : Advocata Championing Reforms That Transcend Generations”

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Michael Roberts

Playing at home in Dambulla the Sri Lankan Women’s cricket team reached the considerable Pakisan total of 177 runs in the T20 match. Though Chamari Athapathu contributed 31 runs in quick time she was outmatched by the other opening batswoman IMESHA DULANI, who compiled 101 n/o. in 64 balls. 

So, take a bow, IMESHA

Imesha Dulani

INTL CAREER: 2021 – 2026

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Devika Brendon, in GROUNDVIEWS, ….https://groundviews.org/2026/07/26/a-short-march-and-a-long-conflict/

Screenshot

Photo courtesy of Daily FT

A few days ago, Black July was commemorated by people in Sri Lanka. It was the day that the 26 year civil war began.

To find the roots of this conflict, we go back most often to the Sinhala Only legislation that was made into laTw in 1956. The Sinhala Only Act empowered Sinhala Buddhist nationalism and attempted to decolonise the country from England by making Sinhala the national language and decentring the other two recognised languages, English and Tamil. The debasement of English has had long lasting detrimental effects in cutting off the country from the wider world but the marginalisation of Tamil has created longstanding conflict and lost some of its greatest citizens, who were forced to leave the country to seek survival and safety overseas.

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Dirk Tissera, whose prefered title for this article is  “Sir Christopher Ondaatje (1933-2026): A Story-teller Par Excellence–  Memories don’t Leave like People do” …. NB: the highlights are an editorial imposition

From being wealthy to poor and back to wealthy again, Sir Philip Christopher Ondaatje (93), the Sri Lankan-born-English Knight and Canadian businessman, philanthropist, adventurer, writer and bob-sledding Olympian for Canada, passed away on July 20, 2026.

Contributing Editor and Patron of The Sri Lankan Anchorman in Toronto, a monthly English tabloid established in 2002, Sir Christopher contributed his fascinating stories to every issue since the paper’s inception.

DIRK with Christopher Continue reading →

Riyaz Aluher

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