Category Archives: photography

Facing A Corpse: Asia vs The West …. A Fundamental Difference & Its Political Implications

  Michael Roberts    

The sharp warring conflict in Syria today amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine and that in Gaza underlines stories and ‘pictures’ of battlefield dead (both civilians and soldiers). These in their turn highlight the fundamental differences in the manner in which some Asian countries conduct funerals and face the issue of death embodied in a corpse (in some cases that of a loved one or kinsperson).

This fundamental difference has equally fundamental political consequences. For this reason, I take my Thuppahi-readers (no offence meant) to a segment in one of my past presentations when I presented thoughts relating to the official display of Velupillai Pirapaharan as a corpse in May 2009.

THIS from https://thuppahis.com/2011/06/29/death-and-eternal-life-contrasting-sensibilities-in-the-face-of-corpses/ Continue reading

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That Beggar of an Elephant in Sri lanka

Watch …. Enjoy …..

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Tamil Tiger Maaveerar Rallies Crop Up Again in Australia

A Circular Memo that reached the Thuppahiyaa, 25 November 2024

Big Tiger Event this week in every major city in Australia – share with Sri Lankans Aussies. ………….Please see the attached document and once you have read the contents, consider these actions:

  1. Download the pdf attachment. Starting a new email (instead of forwarding this), send the pdf version via email to your local federal MP and Senators of your state. Their email addresses can be found here (some have not given their emails so you will have to use the online form or call the office and get an email address): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members Maaveer celebration ….

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Brig. Halangode’s Random Thoughts on the Eelam Wars

AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE by Michael Roberts, 11 November 2024

Brig Retd Hiran Halangode sent me the Memorandum presented below as a RESPONSE to one of my reprinted articles on ‘’Religious Strands in the SL Tamil Rebellions of the 1970s to 2009.’’[1] As indicated by him, the memo presents a series of desultory thoughts and do not amount to a thorough-going academic essay. However, they serve as an incentive towards reflection. I have taken the liberty of inserting highlights to spotlight especially significant or controversial thoughts.

SL Army troops in defensive positions in the Vanni circa 2008

 

BRIG. HIRAN HALANGODE (retd) in Response to MR On Fri, Nov 8, 2024 …… presenting …… https://thuppahis.com/2022/10/02/religion-within-tamil-militancy-and-the-ltte/

Hi Michael,

An excellent effort. I have a few points which may be of interest to you. Random thoughts in fact.

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A Golden Tourist Destination Today …. Sri Lanka

Item in Daily Mirror, 7 November 2024

Sri Lanka awarded ’’Most Desirable Island in the World

7 November 2024            Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka has been voted as the “Most Desirable Island in the World” according to the results for the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 

According to the travel magazine ‘Wanderlust’, Sri Lanka has risen from last year’s eighth place to take Gold in one of the Awards’ most thrilling turnarounds. 

Destinations, tour operators and travel brands have been recognized across 22 categories, including the Most Desirable Countries and Cities in Europe and around the world at the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards.

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An Ingenious Engineering Prank: A Prosh ‘Hanging’ in 1971

From THE LUMEN, October 2024

Visit online = lumen@adelaide.edu.au

Email = lumen@adelaide.edu.au

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Kiwis ‘massacre’ Indian Batsmen at Bengalaru

Michael Roberts 

The Indians chose to bat in the Test match at Bengalaru today. THEN …  succumbed to the pace bowlers O’Rourke and Henry. “O’Rourke” …. “Who is he?” some will ask.

O’Rourke — all of 6ft 4 inches

ALL OUT  ….. for a paltry 46 runs in 15.2 overs. … AND ….. AND … the Kiwi warriors have already passed that score without losing a wicket. It is likely that this event in the heartland of India will end with a hearty fearsome Maori haka!

 

 

 

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Sigiriya: A Stupendous Citadel …..

Mahil Wijesinghe in the Sunday Observer, 13 October 2024 where the title runs “The Stupendous Citadel of Sigiriya”

After visiting the Dambulla rock cave temple, our next destination was Sigiriya, the 5th Century rock citadel, containing ruins of palace complex built by King Kasyapa (4774-4795 CE), has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sight is stupendous even today: a massive monolith of red stone rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle to accentuate the lucid blue of the sky. How overpowering, then, this rock fortress of Sigiriya must have been. When it was crowned as a palace 15 centuries ago!

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Tekwani’s Analysis of “Transnational Security and Postinsurgency Issues” in Sri Lanka

Shyam Tekwani ... taken from …Alas the date of pubn is not indicated clearly… it is probably circa 2010 

  • Sri Lanka’s quarter-century civil war may be over, but many of the underlying causes of the war continue to linger.
  • The international network of the defeated Tamil Tigers continues to control immense financial and logistical resources and is supported by the nearly one million Tamil diaspora. Meanwhile, the victorious Rajapaksa government has been slow in implementing its promise of political settlement and integrating the minorities into the political and socioeconomic life of the country. These realities may contribute to the radicalization of a new generation of Tamils, both on the island and in the diaspora in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Continue reading

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Nilaveli Beach Hotel celebrated Its 50th Anniversary …. With Bernard

Bernard Van Cuylenburg, whose essay is entitled 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS of the Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka”  AT https://www.elanka.com.au/nilaveli-beach-hotel-celebrated-its-50th-anniversary-with-bernard-by-michael-roberts-2/

Bernard VanCuylenburg arrived in Colombo on the 1st October and have been at the Nilaveli Beach Hotel, his former employer for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Hotel which took place from the 4th – 6th October.

 

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