Category Archives: historical interpretation

September 25, 2025 · 8:04 pm

A Searching Review of Hoole’s Book PALMYRA FALLEN

Sachi Sri Kantha, in Ilankai Tamil Sangam, September 15, 2025 in an article entitled….A Critique on Rajani Thiranagama’s Assassin- Suspect ‘Bosco’ presented at https://sangam.org/a-critique-on-rajani-thiranagamas-assassin-suspect-bosco/  & addressing central aspects of the book. Palmyra Fallen (2015) by Rajan Hoole 

Introduction

Sept 21st marks the 36th death anniversary of human rights activist Dr. Rajani Thiranagama (1954-1989). At the time of her death, she was affiliated to the University of Jaffna. Last July 26th, Prof. Michael Roberts re-posted chapter 3 of Dr. Rajan Hoole’s 2015 book ‘Palmyra Fallen, from Rajani to War’s End’. Having been a long-time critic on the activities of Rajan Hoole and his University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) coterie, I forwarded my comments to the ‘Tuppahi’s blog’, and Prof Roberts had kindly posted it, with his own interpretation……[https://thuppahis.com/2025/07/20/political-complexities-in-jaffna-the-killing-of-rajani-thiranagama/].

 

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September 25, 2025 · 12:45 pm

World Political Propaganda TODAY: Revelation vs Deception at the Heights

Matt Gable, in an  email communication ….where The Editor has  taken  the  liberty of inserting his  own  highlights

It is worth watching the first 16 minutes of a presentation  by Rick Sanchez – a Cuban-born US citizen currently living in Moscow and hosting a TV show for RT.  He is a good journalist.  Here, Rick looks briefly at common elements in three recent protests in different regions of the world – Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines.
We are told all three protests involved students, Gen Z, were social media driven,  and used the same manga pirate flag depicting the Jolly Roger wearing Luffy’s straw hat.

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September 23, 2025 · 1:44 am

Professor JB Disanayake: A Multi-Faceted Career of Achievement, Dedication & Service

Sandagomi Coperahewa, in The  Sunday Times, 8 June 2025, where the title  reads thus: “Felicitating  Lanka’s Foremost Linguist”

I am writing this brief essay in connection with the felicitation ceremony for Emeritus Professor Deshamanya J.B. Disanayaka, the most senior academic and a distinguished figure among contemporary Sinhala scholars in Sri Lanka. The ceremony will be held on 13th June 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the New Arts Theatre, University of Colombo, with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka presiding as the Chief Guest. I take this opportunity to reflect on Professor Disanayaka’s contributions to the advancement of Sinhala studies and on my association with him as a teacher, mentor, and scholar.

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September 22, 2025 · 10:40 pm

Anura Kumara Dissanayake: His Life & Career Thus Far

Sunil  Thenabadu, in Brisbane, in CEYLON TODAY, 22 September 2025, where  the title  runs thus: “Reflecting  on One Year of Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Presidency” … presented here with  highlighting imposed by The  Editor. Thuppahi

“The JVP totally declines violence/aggression.” Twice the JVP took up arms; however, in the future, we assure the people of Sri Lanka that this will never, ever recur. We guarantee the people that the only way we will come into power is by winning their trust. We assure the people of Sri Lanka that we will never, ever take up arms again. During the last 25 years, the JVP has been subjected to violence on numerous occasions; however, we never wish to resort to violence again. AKD has assured the public, so they need not have any fear—the JVP has ‘rejected violence forever’! This is the assurance given by the JVP’s leader, Dissanayaka Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara Dissanayake, one of the most charismatic and extraordinary politicians ever to enter the local political arena. Dissanayake was unanimously named the leader of the JVP at the 7th National Convention of the Party, held on 2 February 2014.

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September 22, 2025 · 1:35 pm

Huge Flaws in Sri Lanka’s Tax System …. Apoyi!…. Apoyi!

Sanjeewa Jayaweera in the Sunday Island, 21 September 2025, where the title reads “Sri Lanka’s Tax Conundrum–2025“

The eagerly awaited Performance Report of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for 2024 has recently been published. It offers some context regarding the IRD’s tax collections. There is room for wider disclosure that would improve transparency. The timeliness of the report’s release could also be considerably enhanced. After all, most large corporations listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange publish their Annual Reports within two months of the financial year’s end.

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September 22, 2025 · 2:51 am

USA vs Ceasefire in Gaza !!

‘Archie  S’

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Gaza no longer exists.   The UN is a zombie – an impotent bunch of misfits, like a limp dick. One can only feel sorry for the Palestinians. They’ll be turned into cutlets for the “Free World’s” dinner in “the great feast of celebration of democracy, freedom and prosperity” on the blood and bones of Palestinians. It reveals democracies are parasitic that feeds of the bones and blood of others.

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September 22, 2025 · 2:14 am

The Western Newspapers Vicious ‘Images’ of India’s Foreign Policy

“Archie  S‘… responding to  Items in THE AUSTRALIAN newspaper on the 17th Sepember 2025 entitled “Dangerous Optics for the Quad” and “India crosses the Red Line” — with  the highlighting below [other than the blackened words] being impositions by The Editor, Thuppahi

The AUSTRALIAN newspaper is desperate to try and bring India under Western control. They hate the idea of neutrality. They hate countries being non-aligned. The assumption of this editorial, as with all articles published in the Australian, is that these conservatives possess a total intolerance of all other political and social systems outside of the West, and they believe that all countries can only exist and must exist in the image of the West, conform to its political systems and doctrines or be deemed a threat. The assumption here is that the West is superior to all other civilizations – the same idea that has existed for 500 years. It is this attitude that turns many leaders in the global south away from the West to organisations such as the SCO and BRICS, not to be anti-Western, but to pursue alternative pathways that offer fairer and better outcomes for their peoples, without threats of sanctions and tariffs.

PRESENTING HERE the original TIMES article ….

 

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September 19, 2025 · 7:38 pm

Sri Lanka’s Economy Now: After A Honeymoon….

Item in THE ECONOMIST, 6 Sep 2025, entitled “The Sri Lankan government’s honeymoon is nearly over” … & sent to me by  Jayantha Somasundaram of Canberra; while the highlights are my imposition

Initial popularity:  OPENED IN AUGUST with the stated ambition of making Sri Lanka “India’s Macau”, the City of Dreams development in downtown Colombo houses a casino, luxury hotels, high-end shops and a champagne-and-cocktail bar “floating amid the clouds”. The gleaming but for now largely deserted halls of the vast complex seem a symbol of renewal: a far cry from the mass civil unrest of just three years ago and the accompanying economic collapse—rampant inflation, fuel shortages, mass poverty and foreign-debt default.

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September 18, 2025 · 4:01 pm

Trincomalee: An Incentive for Western Imperial Intrusions

Francis P Welangoda, presenting  an article entitled  “Ceylon Then / Sri Lanka Now!”

HISTORY OF TRINCOMALEE.:   Trincomalee had derived its name from the anglicized version of the old Tamil word,‘ Thiru- kona-malai ‘ meaning ‘Lord of the Sacred Hill’. it is apparent that over the ages Trincomalee had been closely associated with the historic Kovil of Koneswaram built around 1,580 BC.

Shape of Trincomalee, district of Sri Lanka, with its capital isolated on white background. Bilevel elevation map. 3D rendering Stock Photo – Alamy

During the Portuguese era in Sri Lanka, which saw them gain influence on the eastern coast by the late 16th century, the Portuguese estsblished Fort Fedrick in 1624, using the stone from the demolished Koneshwaram temple. The city was later occupied by other European powers, but the fort remained a crucial strategic point, changing hands between the Danish, Dutch, French, and finally the British by 1795.

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September 18, 2025 · 3:04 am

Lankan Tamil Migration in Wintry Norway: “Working For Our Sisters”

Oivund Fugleruud in  ???? where the the title runs  thus: ‘ “Working for  Sisters”  — Tamil Life on the 71st Parallel’

The article discusses the phenomenon of migration of Sri Lankan Tamils to Finnmark, the northemmost part of Nonvay. While most other groups of immigrants in Nonvay tend to settle in the larger Cities, this particular group has a tradition of settlement in the fishing villages in Finnmark, facing the Barents Sem.

[t is argued fhat there is a continuity in this pattem from the early migration workers in the 1970s ro present•day asylum-seekers. The “imicrohistory” of Tamil migration to one particular village is presented and discussed. It shows an overlap from one type of  migration to another.

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