Category Archives: tolerance

February 5, 2025 · 3:45 pm

The Parsi’s of Sri Lanka: A Small but Vibrant Community

Item in Daily Financial Times circulated by Keith Bennett

Very few people today have heard of the Parsi community in Sri Lanka, because there are only about 60 in all including men, women and children.Although small in number, the contributions to our nation by this intriguing community throughout the years, have left an indelible mark in the history of Sri Lanka. They have produced eminent citizens, including a Government Minister, a Judge of the Supreme Court, barons of business and industry, high ranking military officials, media and educational personalities and philanthropists, among others.

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January 16, 2025 · 12:22 pm

A Drumbeat For The Geriatric Elderly in Sri Lanka

KKS Perera, in Daily News,  16 January 2025, where the chosen title is “Aging With Dignity” … with highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

It was Hubert H. Humphrey who said, “The moral test of a State is how it treats the elderly; those who are in the dimness of life; the sick, the deprived and the handicapped.”

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January 14, 2025 · 8:19 pm

An Elephantine Blockage in Sri Lanka! … & An Elephantine Problem!

Wasantha Chandrapala, in Daily Mirror, 12 January 2025

The Tempitiya-Mahaoya road in Ampara has been closed for traffic and pedestrian movement for the past three days due to an injured wild elephant frequenting the road. Residents of the area said the closure of the road had disrupted civilian life.

HEADLINE in DAILY MIRROR, 12 January 2025 = “Elephant closes Tempitiya-Mahaoya road for three days”

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December 30, 2024 · 12:42 pm

Nostalgia: Memories of X’mas Fellowship among the Colombo Chetties of Colombo in the 1950s

Dr. Remy Perumal in Sunday Times 22 December 2024 …. with this title “Dreaming of a joyous Colombo Chetty Christmas of yesteryear ” ………… The writer is a retired Consultant Physician living in the UK

In the early and mid-1950s, Sri Lanka was a united, harmonious nation. They were Christmases before politicians inflamed nationalist fervour, for political gain and drove a wedge between communities. With Christmas this year coming at a time of political change, we hope it will be a turning point fostering a new era of unity.

Ours was an average Colombo Chetty family of five. We lived within walking distance of St. Lucia’s Cathedral and St. Benedict’s College.  Family traditions and religious convictions moulded our views and our approach to the celebrations.  Our Christmases were celebrated within our means.

 Mater Dolorosa Church: Where Colombo Chetties congregated for Christmas

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December 26, 2024 · 3:59 pm

A Poignant Tale … “I Am Not Lighting A Candle Today”

Buddhika Dassanayake, …. reflections presented on 26th December 2006

Its been two years since a friend called one morning, as we were studying for exams, to ask why lamp-posts were shaking. Two years since another friend called from Galle Hospital; tired, depressed, fiercely determined to see things through, utterly helpless. Two years since we heard that Tharini was missing; that the place we stayed at the last time we visited Unawatuna had disappeared along with the occupants.

 

Murali , Mahela & Kumar at a refugee camp on the east coast …having taken emergency supplies

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December 19, 2024 · 3:37 pm

Beyond Imagination – Chandra Schaffter’s Life of Service

Ravi RUDRA has composed an extensive web-item describing Chandra Schaffter’s services to Sri Lanka,  S. Thomas College, cricket, hockey, the Tamil Union CC’, insurance services in the island and humakind in general. The account includes photographs and is so extensive that it is best presented in segments. THIS is the first instalment. As this segment includes heaps of photographs, it will take me time to insert all of them…. so the present version is incomplete .…. Editor, TPS 

Compilation by Ravi RUDRA …. with this title ‘The Phenomenal Journey of Mr. CHANDRA SCHAFFTER 94* Story of Vision, Resilience, Disappointments and Success” …. 1 December 2024 

Mr. Chandra Thomas Adolphus Schaffter (born 3 April 1930) ‘The Father of Sri Lanka Insurance & Much, Much More’

“If you cannot do something for those who work for you, but you seek to get the best out of them and not worry about them, then, I don’t think life is worth living. What I am today, I owe it first to God and then to my School”– Chandra Schaffter

 Legendary Thomian (Jan 1937–March 1950)

“I was very fortunate to attend S. Thomas’ College because I had a good education and a good foundation. I lost my mother when I was only 3 and my father when I was 11, so I never had real parental guidance in that sense.But my school masters, especially in my early years, and some of my relatives were very helpful in making me find my way around.

S. Thomas’ was a great place to be in, as you learnt a lot of good values which you don’t see in the outside world. This up-bringing has stood me and many Thomians in good stead.”– Chandra Schaffter

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December 13, 2024 · 1:03 am

Three Promising Young Tamils in Present Sri Lankan U19 Squad

Information from Prakash Schaffter of Janashakthi Insurance in response to my Request, December 2020 ….. Editor, Thuppahi

Sharujan Shanmuganathan, born on April 25, 2006, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a promising left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman representing the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team. He gained early recognition for his elegant stroke play, drawing comparisons to former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara. At just five years old, during a 2011 Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia, Shanmuganathan was spotted playing a graceful cover drive, earning him the nickname “Little Sanga” from commentator Tony Greig.

Shanmuganathan honed his cricket skills at St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, and further developed his talent under the guidance of coach Nelson Mendis at the CCC School of Cricket. He showcased his potential by scoring 1,000 runs in the U19 Division One Interschools Two-Day Cricket Tournament for the 2022/23 season.

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December 4, 2024 · 1:02 am

James Taylor Memorabilia: A Historical ‘Nugget’

Michael Roberts

 Those with some knowledge of island Lanka’s history over the last two centuries know that one of the most significant figures in its history was the Scottish plantation manager James Taylor (1835-92) because he was the entrepreneur who pioneered the cultivation of tea in the hill-country during the mid-19th century when coffee was the reigning plantation crop. This initial work bore full fruit –literally and figuratively–when the coffee leaf disease decimated the coffee plantation industry in the 1870s and 80s.

Buddhika Dassanayake in Lanka has now added a ‘gold nugget‘ in the world of historical memorabilia: by securing a scrap of a letter by James Taylor recommending one of his working class aides—a kangany (in effect ‘sergeants’ within the plantation coolie labour force).

 

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November 30, 2024 · 9:32 am

That Beggar of an Elephant in Sri lanka

Watch …. Enjoy …..

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November 17, 2024 · 12:32 pm

Joachim’s Letter to AKD in Sri Lanka: An Earnest Appeal

Your chance to re-write history Mr. President! A second letter to AKD……. – by Aubrey Joachim**

Dear Mr. President,

Your victories have been stunning to say the least. Winning the top job was good enough. Your virtual clean sweep of the legislative chamber is more than impressive. However, unprecedented is your victory in the North where for the first time in modern political history a Sinhalese Buddhist has been given a mandate by the Tamil Hindu populace. Let this be the last time that Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans have to be referred to by race or religion. You have ensured that our great country is but one nation of people who can achieve greatness.

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