Category Archives: sri lankan society

Marshal Tito in Colombo in 1976

Courtesy of Kumar Kirinde

Kumar’s Note: “I am sure those who were born in the early 60s and before will remember the late Yugoslav leader Marshal Tito who came to Sri Lanka for the NAM Conference at BMICH in 1976 . If I am right, he was considered a great friend of our country during that era.”

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Hambantota Port in Expansive Paths

News Item in The Island, 11 February 2022, with this title “Hambantota International Port broke new ground in 2021”

2021 was a watershed year for HIP with the port’s activities spreading in several new directions, which has created a unique ecosystem for economic prosperity for Sri Lanka.  The port worked to provide opportunities for maritime trade and investment on the East-West routes of the Indian ocean. HIP which is slated to become a topnotch multipurpose port is uniquely positioned to be a catalyst for the industrial development of the south of Sri Lanka through its industrial park situated within the port and adjacent development activities earmarked by the government of Sri Lanka.

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In Appreciation of Stanley Jayaweera: A Son’s Thoughts

Sanjeewa Jayaweera, in The Island, 6 February 2022, where the title runs thus “Remembering my father – Stanley Jayaweera” …. with highlighting imposed by the Editor, Thuppahi

My parents in conversation with Kurt Waldheim, President of Austria and former Secretary General of United Nations.

My father passed away five years ago, just a few months short of his 90th birthday. Since his demise, my late brother Rajeewa and several others have written extensively about his accomplishments. However, I felt at a time when our country is facing an unprecedented social and economic crisis, it would be useful once again to share with readers the qualities of a man whose life was built on pillars of honesty, integrity, ethics, the rule of law and a deep love of Sri Lanka. The country desperately needs loads of such men to state the obvious if we are to reverse the decline.

My parents in conversation with Kurt Waldheim, President of Austria and former Secretary General of United Nations. Continue reading

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Yoga: From Servanthood to Millionaire Restauranteur

Lorenz Pereira, in The Island, 6 February 2022, where the title reads “An Epic and Inspirational Journey” …. presented here with highlighting imposed 

I have always felt deeply about the dire plight of the plantation workers and the hopelessness of their lives. I have been concerned and somewhat saddened as to how hard they have to work under the most inhospitable of external conditions for paltry earnings and a life destined to very little hope of betterment. There is little doubt that their lot has been exploited for greater profits of owners.

 Yoga in recent times in UK Continue reading

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Sri Lanka’s T20 Squad Touring Australia in February 2022

Media Release from Sri Lanka Cricket. 26th January, 2022

Sri Lanka Tour of Australia 2022: Sri Lanka Cricket’s Selection Committee selected the following squad to take part in the ‘Sri Lanka Tour of Australia 2022.’ The Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa approved the squad [listed below]

Sri Lanka National Team will play 05 T20Is during the tour. The matches will be played across three venues, the SCG, Manuka Oval, and MCG, starting from 11th February 2022.

Sri Lanka’s cricket team player Dasun Shanaka (C) is seen after a Buddhist ceremony in Colombo on September 11, 2018, prior to the team’s departure for Dubai to participate in the Asia Cup Tournament from September 15 till September 28. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

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Facing the ‘Music’ at Cricket with David Ponniah …. for S. Thomas’ College

Ajit Jayasekera, …. in a post from Sydney: https://www.stcobasydney.org/articles/ajit-jayasekeras-fond-recollection-of-david-ponniah

Dr. David Arijunan Ponniah, Warden S.Thomas’ College, my friend, colleague and partner. I have been inundated with requests for speeches, articles and insights into my association with this magnificent cricketer and scholar, from the day he took over as the Warden of our great school. At least now, when some young Thomian stops me on the street and asks “hey, old man, what did you do at S.Thomas’?” I can proudly say, “I batted with David Ponniah”!

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Addressing Sri Lanka’s Future in June 2009

Michael Roberts, reprinting here an article that appeared in FRONTLINE vol. 26/12, 19 June 2009 … with this title “Some Pillars for Lanka’s Future”

“One can win the War, but lose the Peace” — A cliche this may be, but it is also a hoary truism that looms over the post-war scenario in Sri Lanka. The triumphant Sri Lankan government now [must] address the human terrain rather than the fields of battle.

 

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Cricketing Stalwarts farewell Vijaya Malalasekera

Item in The Island, 8 February 2022 …. https://island.lk/crickets-greats-bid-farewell-to-vijaya-malalasekara/

A large gathering was present yesterday at Kanatta to bid farewell to former Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Vijaya Malalasekara. Malalasekara represented Royal College and then Cambridge in cricket. He opened batting in the varsity match of 1967 against Oxford. Incidentally, Malalasekara and Mano Ponniah became the first Asian pair to open batting in a varsity match. Ponniah was one of the pallbearers at the funeral.

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A Crunch Situation at Nandhikadal, April-May 2009: The Stark Realities of War

Michael Roberts, reprinting an article entitled “Realties of War” and drafted in late April or early May 2009  following an invitation from Muralidhar Reddy (the Frontline correspondent in Colombo). and now retrieved for me by my old schoolmate KK De Silva *** 

WITH the LTTE cornered and restricted to a tiny patch of isthmus beside Nanthi Kadal Lagoon ever since April 6 [2009], the world has witnessed a menagerie of world leaders playing the game throw egg on my face.

Tamil civilians who succeeded in fleeing their trapped situation at night are seen assembled by the SL Navy in safe territory Continue reading

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Remembering DS Senanayake on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day

Senanayake Foundation, Item in Daily Mirror, 4 Feb 2022

The first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) D.S. Senanayake entered the National Legislature in 1924. He was relatively unknown in the country and was pushed into prominence by his elder brother F.R. Senanayake, who was a very popular and active figure in the social and political arena. Many were surprised and taken aback to see D.S. entering the political field, as they were expecting his brother F.R. to fit the role. Perhaps the only person who had faith in D.S’s capability at that time was none other but F.R. Senanayake himself. 

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