Author Archives: thuppahi

About thuppahi

Sri Lankan and Australian nationality; student of Sri Lankan society and politics; sociology of cricket;
February 6, 2025 · 5:40 pm

“Paraya” & “Parayo” as Vicious Epithets in the Sri Lankan ‘Circuit’

Michael Roberts

I came across an old article of mine entitled “Confronting Charlie Ponnadurai: Clarifying The Context Of Disparaging Ethnic Epithets In Sri Lanka Over The Last 180 Years.” Charlie happens to be a batchmate at Ramanathan Hall in Peradeniya University in 1957, but we had not encountered each other for decades before this verbal contretemps occurred in the year  2013.  SEE ………………………………………………… https://thuppahis.com/2013/08/18/confronting-charlie-ponnadurai-clarifying-the-context-of-disparaging-ethnic-epithets-in-sri-lanka-over-the-last-180-years/. 

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February 5, 2025 · 3:45 pm

The Parsi’s of Sri Lanka: A Small but Vibrant Community

Item in Daily Financial Times circulated by Keith Bennett

Very few people today have heard of the Parsi community in Sri Lanka, because there are only about 60 in all including men, women and children.Although small in number, the contributions to our nation by this intriguing community throughout the years, have left an indelible mark in the history of Sri Lanka. They have produced eminent citizens, including a Government Minister, a Judge of the Supreme Court, barons of business and industry, high ranking military officials, media and educational personalities and philanthropists, among others.

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February 5, 2025 · 1:12 pm

A Place for Puppetry in the World Today

Sulochana for PUPPETRY !  …. Sulo now resides in Adelaide and is therefore a resource within reach for All Australians …

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February 5, 2025 · 12:36 pm

Offensive Racist Place-Names face Offensive

A News Item in Australia, Today, February 2025

Black Gin Creek and Little Uncle Tom mountain are among the 43 place names in Queensland containing racial slurs with a traumatic history.

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February 5, 2025 · 12:07 pm

George Frederick van der Hoeven: A Turbulent Career … Ceylon & Australia

Nick van der Hoeven

I wanted to write about a very complex man, one of my grandfathers …. George Frederick van der Hoeven. The main reason for doing so is because history has not been kind to him, especially the unwritten verbal history within our family. Born in 1901 in Colombo Ceylon — then under British rule — Grandpa (as we called him) died here in Melbourne in 1978. I was 6 years old.

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February 4, 2025 · 11:46 pm

Responsibility … “Duty of Care” on the Cricket Field: Senake’s Thoughtful Essay

Michael Roberts 

In THIS MEMO inspired by Senaka Weeraratne’s article below, I present two striking photographs to illustrate the amateurish and rudimentary nature of treatment for those subject to serious injury on the cricket field in the 20th century in contrast with the jeep-ambulances and medical staff attending matches in recent decades. Howeer, these facilities did not prevent PHIL HUGHES from succumbing to “death-by-bouncer”  during a Sheffield Shield match.

Duleep Mendis bing carried off the field by Mevan Pieris & Dennis chanmugam (two teammates) after he was felled by paceman Jeff Thomson at the ODI match at Kennington Oval in London during the World Cup Prelims in summer 1975

When Phil Hughes wes felled in Sydney in 2014, there was a jeep with a stretcher available to carry him off …. Alas, he died in hospital; whereas Duleep suvived, played on and is still in the cricket circuit as a coach. C’est la vie.

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February 4, 2025 · 7:46 pm

Nihal Fernando: Cameraman Extraordinary

Michael Roberts

During my years at Peradeniya University campus in the late 1950s, one of my bosom pals was LJM Cooray aka Mark Cooray. Our engagements in the Student Christian Movement deepened our association and was further strengthened by his marriage to another SCM-er viz. Noreen – a gentle and inspiring soul. Let me stress that Mark’s home in Colpetty was one of the several spots where I could stay overnight during my undergraduate days.

 

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February 4, 2025 · 6:55 pm

CR De Silva: Basic Sources on the Advent of the Karava & Salagama Castes in Sri Lanka

CR De Silva in Memo responding to a Query from Shihan De Silva in UK

The evidence as to from what parts of India the KSD (Karava, Salagama, Durawa) castes arrived in Sri Lanka is not totally clear, but there are some indications in Portuguese sources. I have no data on the origins of the Durava.

However, here is what I have traced on the Salagamas. It suggests that the Salagamas came from the South Indian Malabar or Kerala coast and that the Karavas migrated from the eastern shores of the South Indian coast (currently Tamilnadu). Given that caste identity was connected to occupation, we should note that changes in occupation could have enabled some individuals to move from their caste identities especially during migration.

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February 3, 2025 · 8:53 pm

Stalwarts Three from Yesteryear: Sri Lankans of Distinction

Upali Obeyesekere, whose chosen title reads thus: “Tribute to ‘Sons of the Soil’ who made a huge contribution towards the Economy and Socio-cultural Aspects of Sri Lanka.”

Summa   

 Jackson Anthony

 

 

Lalith Kotelawela

Sri Lanka lost a few stars of yesteryear recently and it is our bounden duty to recognise these individuals in our popular monthly tabloid – The Sri Lankan Anchorman. They came from diverse backgrounds in terms of birth, schooling, and upbringing. But they all had one mission in life – to excel at what they do to exude a commitment of excellence in their chosen field and bring pride to our motherland – Sri Lanka.

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January 30, 2025 · 11:45 am

Semi-Finalists in Women’s U19 World Cup

ITEM in ESPNcricinfo

The Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, hosted by Malaysia, has reached its penultimate stage as India, Australia, South Africa and England emerge to be the semi-finalists. After weeks of intense league matches, and the thrilling super six stage where the 12 teams clashed, the top two teams from each group advanced to the final four.

Which 4 teams have advanced to the Semi-Final of U19 Women’s World Cup 2025?
Which 4 teams have advanced to the Semi-Final of U19 Women’s World Cup 2025?

While India and Australia dominated Group 1, South Africa and England emerged victorious from Group-2. The semi-finals are set to take place on 31st January at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur one after another.

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