Randima Atytgalle, in The Sunday Island, 28 July 2024 where the title reads “A monument to all things Dutch,” … while the photos are his work or that of Prof KD Paranavitana.
The Dutch Museum in Colombo, located at Prince Street, Pettah, was closed for several years for renovation. It was reopened to the public early this month. The conservation project which is nearing completion hopes to restore this archaeologically protected monument to its former glory.
Filed under architects & architecture, architectural innovation, art & allure bewitching, centre-periphery relations, Colombo and Its Spaces, cultural transmission, Dutch colonialism, economic processes, ethnicity, heritage, historical interpretation, landscape wondrous, life stories, patriotism, performance, photography, politIcal discourse, rehabilitation, sri lankan society, travelogue, unusual people, world events & processes
ONE: Preamble by Michael Roberts
I was in Colombo from mid-April 2009 to early June and observed the local coverage of Eelam War IV at its bitter end. I was invited by Muralidhar Reddy[i] to write articles for Frontline on aspects of the politics surrounding the war. Though Frontline is a magazine produced by The Hindu consortium, I was not a regular follower of that newspaper on web — even though I had once been introduced to its owner and chief executive, N. Ram, way back in time by Chandra Schafter and had also had an extended chat with him in Delhi in 1995.[ii]
Thus, the receipt of a Hindu report on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s thoughts in mid-2009, expressed in an extended session with him conducted by N. Ram serves up new material from my position. In step with my policy of raising significant episodes in the course of Eelam War IV to public notice,[iii] I hasten to present this exchange in the public domain.
Filed under accountability, authoritarian regimes, centre-periphery relations, communal relations, counter-insurgency, disparagement, Eelam, ethnicity, governance, heritage, historical interpretation, human rights, IDP camps, Indian Ocean politics, insurrections, law of armed conflict, life stories, LTTE, military strategy, nationalism, patriotism, politIcal discourse, power politics, prabhakaran, press freedom & censorship, Rajapaksa regime, rehabilitation, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, tamil refugees, Tamil Tiger fighters, terrorism, truth as casualty of war, unusual people, war reportage, world events & processes
Thuppahi has consitently supported the charitable outreach that has been pursued by Ranjan Sivagnanasundaram and his VANNI HOPE projects and has no hesitation in backing this line of charitable aid.
“Enhancing Access to Digital Education for Disadvantaged Students/Children in the Rural Area of Sri Lanka”
Introduction: The role of technology in teaching and learning is rapidly becoming a crucial and widely discussed topic in the modern education system. Most education experts agree that, when used effectively, information and communication technology have the potential to enhance teaching and learning while shaping job opportunities. Computer illiteracy is now seen as a new form of illiteracy, sparking a strong desire to provide schools in remote villages with the necessary computer facilities and trained personnel to develop technologically skilled students. It is undeniable that computers can assist in the instructional process and support students’ learning.
Filed under accountability, centre-periphery relations, charitable outreach, cultural transmission, debt restructuring, economic processes, education, ethnicity, governance, island economy, landscape wondrous, language policies, life stories, modernity & modernization, patriotism, reconciliation, rehabilitation, self-reflexivity, social justice, sri lankan society, teaching profession, unusual people, voluntary workers, welfare & philanthophy, working class conditions
A Cinnamon Bey & John Keells Initiative reported in The Island, 15 June 2020, with this titlë “Cinnamon Bey Beruwala pioneers installation of first-ever Ocean Strainer in Kalutara District
Beruwala Canal Ocean Strainer
Cinnamon Bey Beruwala proudly announces the launch of a significant environmental initiative as part of the Clean Water Project by John Keells Holdings (JKH). Coinciding with the World Environment Day and World Ocean Day celebrations, the first ever ocean strainer was installed in the Beruwala canal, marking a pivotal step towards improving water quality and marine conservation in the Kalutara district.
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Kumar Kirinde & Co, 18 May 2024
Dear RAFOA Member, Tomorrow, 18th May marks the 15th anniversary of the end of the armed conflict between the GOSL and the LTTE. In remembrance of the efforts made by the SL armed forces and sacrifices made by tri-services personnel in bringing this conflict to an end, attached is a one page brief and an article done by two retired SLAF officers based overseas and a copy of an article written by a Sri Lankan defence analyst to an Australian defence journal (shared by a military history enthusiast also based overseas for the benefit of our RAFOA membership).
Filed under accountability, asylum-seekers, atrocities, authoritarian regimes, communal relations, counter-insurgency, ethnicity, governance, heritage, historical interpretation, insurrections, landscape wondrous, life stories, LTTE, military strategy, patriotism, politIcal discourse, power politics, Rajapaksa regime, refugees, rehabilitation, security, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, tamil refugees, Tamil Tiger fighters, trauma, truth as casualty of war, vengeance, world events & processes, zealotry
Jehan Perera, in The Island, 18 April 2024 ….. https://island.lk/dr-a-t-ariyaratne-the-most-important-person-for-all-time/ … with emphasis inserted by The Editor, Thuppahi
The government’s decision to conduct the funeral of Dr A T Ariyaratne with state honours is a recognition of the contribution that the founder of the Sarvodaya Movement made to the country over the past 65 years when he set up the organization. Today, the concepts he pioneered, such as Shramadana (donation-of-labour), Gramodaya (village-awakening) and Sarvodaya (the wellbeing of all) are now part and parcel of the mainstream of Sri Lanka’s civil and political life. His creative use of traditional practices and belief systems enabled the Sarvodaya Movement to become an organic part of the country’s development process. The great contribution that Dr Ariyaratne made was to mainstream not only traditional community-oriented practices like Shramadana, but also to infuse liberal values such as pluralism and equality into civil society that enabled its spread to the four corners of the country.
Filed under accountability, architects & architecture, art & allure bewitching, Buddhism, charitable outreach, cultural transmission, education, governance, heritage, life stories, patriotism, performance, politIcal discourse, rehabilitation, religiosity, self-reflexivity, social justice, sri lankan society, teaching profession, tolerance, unusual people
Shenali D. Waduge, in Lankaweb, 9 May 2024, ….where the title reads “UN/UNHRC/US & Allies hypocrisy – comparison of Sri Lanka & the Gaza Conflict” ….
[My title and this article does not seek] to present a notion that Israel is right or wrong, or that Sri Lanka is right or wrong, but [seeks] to question UN’s treatment of Member states & the applicability of the UN Charter & the principles of equality & non-discrimination to Member states. UNGA has condemned Israel over 120 times. UNHRC has condemned Israel over 40 times. US has vetoed over 40 Resolutions against Israel but is spearheading resolutions against Sri Lanka in connivance with the UN. How fair is this to Sri Lanka?
Filed under accountability, arab regimes, authoritarian regimes, centre-periphery relations, chauvinism, communal relations, disparagement, Eelam, foreign policy, historical interpretation, IDP camps, insurrections, law of armed conflict, legal issues, life stories, LTTE, martyrdom, military strategy, nationalism, patriotism, power politics, refugees, rehabilitation, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, slanted reportage, sri lankan society, Tamil migration, Tamil Tiger fighters, terrorism, the imaginary and the real, war crimes, war reportage, world events & processes, zealotry
Alex Malcolm, in ESPNcricinfo … where the title of the essay runs thus …. ” ‘It gives me flexibility’ – Agar opts for freelance life while still committing to Australia”
Ashton Agar has become the latest Australian player to make the bold decision to become a freelance global gun-for-hire, and he couldn’t be more excited about it. 
Ashton Agar in his delivery stride•Getty Images and Cricket Australia
But the 30-year-old says he remains committed to trying to play for Australia in all three formats, including Test cricket, and playing domestic cricket for Western Australia when he’s available despite opting not to sign a state contract for 2024-25.
A Circular of Thanks from Ranjan Sivagnanasundaram
Dear Friends, Family, & Well-Wishers,
As we turn the page on another remarkable year at Vanni Hope, we are delighted to share with you the highlights of our journey through 2023. Last year was a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and compassion as we’ve continued to make strides or progress across Sri Lanka.
Enclosed within this email, and also accessible via our website, is our 2023 Annual Newsletter. This document provides a comprehensive overview of the projects, achievements, and financial milestones we’ve reached together. From the inauguration of Smart Classrooms that bridge the digital divide, to initiatives that provide clean water and safe housing, our efforts have been geared towards creating a sustainable and inclusive future for all in Sri Lanka.
The one & only Ranjan
Andreas Szechowycz … detailing his father’s dedicated work in the Gal Oya Project in the 1950s and in communication with Michael Roberts in ways that mark his deep attachment to the island
Group Photo – Dr. Roman Szechowycz in middle.
L-R: Mr. (not legible), Mr. P. W. Richards, Mr. Coel Menai North Wales UK, Dr. Roman Szechowycz, Dr. A. J. Kostreamaks Bongor, Mr.. Anwari Dilmy Indonesia, Mr. B. A. Abeyvickram Colombo, Mr. R. A. DeRosaryro Colombo
Filed under architects & architecture, centre-periphery relations, colonisation schemes, cultural transmission, demography, economic processes, ethnicity, governance, heritage, historical interpretation, island economy, land policies, landscape wondrous, life stories, modernity & modernization, patriotism, performance, photography, politIcal discourse, population, rehabilitation, sri lankan society, transport and communications, unusual people, welfare & philanthophy, working class conditions, world events & processes
thuppahi
