Category Archives: literary achievements

March 29, 2025 · 11:28 am

Launching the Book THOMIA … in Colombo

IN  PICTURES   

     the author speaking ….. and signing books

… with Suresh Navaratnam in this  picture

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March 23, 2025 · 12:06 pm

Simon’s THOMIA sways Sri Lanka

Rohan Pethiyagoda, reviewing the new book THOMIA written by Richard Simon, in The Island, 16 March 2025

As schools go, St Thomas’s College Mt Lavinia has, since its inception in 1851, had a disproportionate influence on the affairs of Sri Lanka. In ways both good and bad, it created the modern incarnation of this country. After all, four of our first five prime ministers were Thomians (‘Thomian’, by the way, is a Latin diminutive of Thomas, like Tom in English).

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March 21, 2025 · 4:45 pm

The THOMIA is Flying ….

A Note from Richard Simon, 21 March 2025

It’s taken longer than I expected – just like everything about this project has – but I’m happy to say the first batch of overseas orders was posted via Expedited Mail Service yesterday. We have to do them in batches for reasons of practical logistics: (a) there’s just Lionel the Cat Herder and me to carry these 3.3kg bubble-wrapped and manila-swathed bricks about, and (b) only so much room on the post office parcels desk to accommodate them; not to mention (c) other customers in the place staring daggers at us and our time-consuming transactions. But we got them off anyway, after sacrificing one to the nice lady behind the counter who wanted it opened so that she could see what was inside. Obviously that one did not go off yesterday, so my apologies to Mr T.A. of Castle Hill, NSW, whose nude and blue-bushing copy we brought back home for rewrapping. It will go off in the next batch, sir, I promise.

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March 15, 2025 · 9:04 pm

In Memory of Mark Cooray, Sri Lankan Scholar & Patriot

Michael Roberts 

One of my batchmates at Peradeniya University when I entered in 1957 was Mark Cooray. He resided at Arunachalam Hall and not at Ramanathan Hall where I was. But both of us were churchgoers and attended the Anglican Chapel where Fr Lakshman Wickremasinghe led the flock in charismatic manner.

The various modes of Christian fellowship and the activities organised by the Student Christian Movement – both within Pera-Uni and in island wide conferences – brought Mark and me into frequent interaction. On occasions I even lodged at his parental residence in Kollupitiya [aka Colpetty] within Colombo during visits there for this or that [even though I had two sisters living in the city]. His mother was as sweet and supportive a figure one could ask for.

In brief, we were buddies – a friendship made all the stronger when he and Noreen Fernando fell in love and tied the nuptial know at some point. Noreen had been part of the Peradeniya SCM and was one of the sweetest women one could ask for.

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March 9, 2025 · 9:54 am

Lindy Warrell’s Forays in Poem

Submitted via Email by Lindy Warrell, former postgrad at Anthropology Department Adelaide University ….. Author …. & …  Researcher in Aboriginal and Sri Lankan Terrain

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March 1, 2025 · 2:03 am

Biographical Inspirations in Life: Examples within This Site

An EDITORIAL NOTE, 27 February 2025

Items within this site have drawn over 780 hits each day of this week, ranging from 986  on Wednesday 26th February to 000 on the Monday 24th……  A fair sprinkling of visitors looked at biographical tales honing in on individuals — in some cases on what we call “Vales”. Readers may derive insights from a listing of these items: …. after all, friends matter and many famous personalities evoke tales of achievement that inspire.

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February 25, 2025 · 9:25 am

Some Biographical Items in TPS Visited Yesterday

Michael Roberts

The THUPPAHI Web-Site has a wide range of biographical tales presented over the years. The items listed below are among those that attracted a few hits yesterday. In marking this result, I seek to remind readers of personnel who have contibuted towards our island’s varied history.

https://thuppahis.com/2020/09/30/the-joseph-family-of-british-ceylon-service-to-mankind

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February 22, 2025 · 9:04 am

Richard Simon’s THOMIA …. On The Launching Pod Now

THOMIA …. with the world and the moon in its sights and landing sites

RICHARD’s NOTE, 20 February 2024

Two important Thomia-related things happened yesterday. First, I had a call from Softwave to confirm that the first completed copies of the book would be delivered today, 20 February, as promised. Second, I made a call of my own, to confirm with the proprietors of the Barefoot Gallery Cafe that I shall be holding the official launch of Thomia there on the fourth of March.

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February 10, 2025 · 6:26 pm

Dr Hilali Noordeen’s Lessons From Life

Thuppahi introduces the Amazon.com FLIER for the book by Dr. Hilali Noodeen entitled Letters to a Young Doctor, 2021 whitefox …

https://www.amazon.com.au/Letters-Young-Doctor-Exploring-Surviving-ebook/dp/B08VWVTVLB

 

Letters to a Young Doctor: Exploring and Surviving a Career in Medicine,  …….. by Dr Hilali Noordeen, 2021, Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars    8 ratings

Part manual and part manifesto, Letters to a Young Doctor is a timely and passionate book to help future medical students and young doctors navigate and survive medical education and practice, presenting an unvarnished depiction of the profession as it is today and the challenges it faces.
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February 10, 2025 · 6:12 pm

Galle Literary Festival Looms Bright & …..

Tickets for the Galle Literary Festival’s events are now available, offering guests the chance to join a vibrant four-day celebration of creativity, culture, and engaging conversation. From Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 February, the south coast of Sri Lanka will host over 100 events featuring famed local and international writers and speakers. This year’s Festival promises a diverse programme, including complimentary performances, insightful panel discussions, and culinary delights, with something to captivate every attendee.

CONTACT  = Melanie Senanayake <press@galleliteraryfestival.com

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