Category Archives: life stories

March 18, 2023 · 4:35 am

Sri Lankan Armed Forces vs the Tamil Tigers: The Last Phase

Serge De Silva Ranasinghe, in The Diplomat, 20 May 2010,*** where the title runs thus “Reflections on the Tigers”

A year after the LTTE’s defeat, evidence shows criticism of Sri Lanka’s army is misplaced, says Sergei DeSilva-Ranasinghe.

Tamil civilians reach safety across Nandhikadal Lagoon —Pix by SL army

 

 

A year ago this week, the Sri Lankan government officially declared victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in one of the most extraordinary counter-insurgency campaigns in recent times.

Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under accountability, atrocities, authoritarian regimes, counter-insurgency, Eelam, ethnicity, historical interpretation, human rights, landscape wondrous, law of armed conflict, life stories, LTTE, martyrdom, military strategy, nationalism, politIcal discourse, propaganda, Rajapaksa regime, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, Tamil Tiger fighters, the imaginary and the real, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, war crimes, war reportage, world events & processes

March 18, 2023 · 2:40 am

India beat Australia in Hard-Fought 50-over ODI Match

Hemant Brar in Cricinfo, 17 March 2022 ... where the title reads  “Rahul, Jadeja stay cool to seal tough chase of 189”

India 191 for 5 in 39.5 overs (Rahul 75*, Jadeja 45*, Starc 3-49) beat Australia 188 (Marsh 81, Shami 3-17, Siraj 3-29) by five wickets

KL Rahul might have had trouble in Test cricket of late, but he once again proved his worth as an ace No. 5 batter in ODIs with a high-quality half-century in tough batting conditions to give India the series lead in Mumbai.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under cricket for amity, life stories, nationalism, performance, photography

March 17, 2023 · 3:04 am

Surviving the Tsunami at Arugam Bay

Ani Naqvi, in The Telegraph, 26 December 2022, where the title runs as “I was almost killed in the Boxing Day tsunami – and it gave me a reason to live” …. After being swept up in the tsunami of 2004, I battled survivor’s guilt and flashbacks to find new purpose” 

In 2004, my world was literally turned upside down. I was working as a journalist, had left a job at the BBC several years earlier, and was struggling with depression. The end of the year was looming, England was cold and dark, and I felt more than ever that I needed to get away.

So I booked myself a flight and headed for Sri Lanka, touching down – in a summer dress and peacock-blue flip-flops – on Christmas Eve, the warm air of the island enveloping me as I stepped out into a cacophony of taxi drivers jostling for my attention. Hot, busy and full of life, Sri Lanka is a place that overwhelms your senses. It was just what I needed.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under accountability, charitable outreach, landscape wondrous, life stories, meditations, nature's wonders, NGOs, self-reflexivity, sri lankan society, trauma, unusual people, world events & processes

March 17, 2023 · 2:18 am

Contrasting Cricketing Tours Abroad: UK in 1975 vs Australia in 2022

IN Response to the News Item by Callistus Davy on the Profligate Tamasha enjoyed by SL’s cricketing officials during the recent World Cup in Australia ………… EMAIL NOTE: Mevan Pieris of [S. Thomas’ College] to Prabodh Kariyawasam [Richmond College], 19 January 2023

Dear Kari,

I read your mail and thought of the past when cricketers were amateurs. We went to the Oval in our own vehicles at our own cost and remember getting Rs 15/= per day during a 4 day test match, which was probably enough to clean the boots. I also remember how we went to England to play in the first World Cup in 1975, carrying with us just 3 pounds of foreign exchange, and how we had to  lodge in the Student Centre in difficult conditions. Yet for all no one grumbled and derived happiness from our love for the game which exceeded love for money. It was nice reading the long list of VIPs who seem to have made merry down under [in 2022]. Socrates is said to have told Hercules that God helps those who help themselves. We certainly have a damn good lot of believers in Socrates.
Good night Kari, ……………….. Mevan

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under accountability, cricket selections, cultural transmission, education, governance, landscape wondrous, life stories, performance, politIcal discourse, self-reflexivity, Sri Lankan cricket, sri lankan society, trauma, travelogue, world events & processes

March 16, 2023 · 12:26 pm

Cartooned! Western Leaders Skewered by Cartoon!

 

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under accountability, art & allure bewitching, centre-periphery relations, citizen journalism, cultural transmission, education, foreign policy, governance, historical interpretation, landscape wondrous, life stories, military strategy, Pacific Ocean politics, performance, politIcal discourse, press freedom, security, self-reflexivity, slanted reportage, taking the piss, the imaginary and the real, truth as casualty of war, Ukraine & Its Ramifications, vengeance, war reportage, world events & processes

March 15, 2023 · 11:30 pm

Danger! Danger! Read All About IT !!! Ye Australians

A good friend of Malaysia and Indonesia currently on the Black Sea … with a title and highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

A:  Paul Keating released this statement today saying the AUKUS arrangements represent “the worst international decision by a Labor government” since Billy Hughes introduced conscription.  Very strong words here, highly critical of his own party – a betrayal in fact.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, american imperialism, Australian culture, australian media, centre-periphery relations, China and Chinese influences, doctoring evidence, economic processes, foreign policy, governance, historical interpretation, life stories, military strategy, nationalism, Pacific Ocean issues, Pacific Ocean politics, patriotism, politIcal discourse, power politics, sea warfare, security, self-reflexivity, taking the piss, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, world events & processes

March 15, 2023 · 9:11 pm

Paul Keating Eviscerates AUKUS Pact and Aussie Warmongers

36,151 views Streamed live 9 hours ago #ABCNews #ABCNewsAustralia #breakingnews

Former prime minister Paul Keating examines the merits of the AUKUS submarine deal and its implications for China-Australia relations and regional stability.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, american imperialism, Australian culture, australian media, centre-periphery relations, China and Chinese influences, disparagement, governance, historical interpretation, life stories, patriotism, politIcal discourse, power politics, sea warfare, security, self-reflexivity, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, world events & processes, World War Three?

March 15, 2023 · 3:32 am

In Appreciation of Dr Carlyle Perera’s University Cricket Career

Merrill Gunaratne, in The Sunay Island, 9 October 2022, where the title reads  “Carlyle Perera : Doyen of University Cricket”

 Dr.Carlyle Perera of St Joseph’s College and University of Ceylon who died a few days ago was a gifted cricketer, well known in cricket circles in the 1950’s and 60’s. He left his imprint on University cricket by winning the Saravanamuttu cricket trophy in 1962-63. It was a unique achievement, for not only did he wrest the trophy from the monopolistic control of established clubs, but also created a record by achieving a feat unrivaled before or after by the University.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under cricket for amity, cricket selections, education, heritage, life stories, performance, Sri Lankan cricket, unusual people

March 15, 2023 · 2:17 am

Extra! Extra! Victor Melder’s Offer of First Day Covers

Excellent collection of Sri Lanka First Day Covers

Main collection is from 1966 to 2019 with only 2 covers missing. Some covers prior to 1966 are also available.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under art & allure bewitching, cultural transmission, heritage, landscape wondrous, life stories

March 14, 2023 · 5:32 pm

Resisting the British Imperial Forces: Tales Today in Uva Wellassa

Chandani Kirinde, in Sunday Times, March 2023. where the title runs thus: “Pride and tears of Uva Wellassa”

200 years after what is considered one of the bloodiest chapters in the history of colonial rule here, Chandani Kirinde visits the area that saw an uprising by its people that was brutally crushed by the British

A British cannon recovered from Wellassa. Pix by Indika Handuwala

The awe-inspiring cloud covered mountains, lush forests, formidable waterfalls and clear streams of Uva Wellassa bear little testimony today to the darkest and bloodiest chapter in the country’s history under British rule.  There is little sign of the burnt hamlets, scorched paddy fields, broken tank bunds, felled trees and the skeletons of the thousands of men, women and children killed or starved to death when the military might of the coloniser was turned on the population of the Kandyan provinces to put down a rebellion against British rule.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under accountability, atrocities, authoritarian regimes, British imperialism, centre-periphery relations, cultural transmission, disparagement, ethnicity, heritage, historical interpretation, Kandyan kingdom, landscape wondrous, law of armed conflict, life stories, martyrdom, military strategy, patriotism, politIcal discourse, power politics, sri lankan society, trauma, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, vengeance