Category Archives: welfare & philanthophy

Horrendous Situation, Stark Choices ….at Looming Sri Lankan Elections

Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda, in Polity.lk, 7 July 2024 … where the title reads “Uncertainty or Turmoil? Sri Lanka’s Pre-Presidential Election Politics”

The coming few months have the potential to produce major political changes in Sri Lanka. The presidential election is constitutionally due to be held on a date decided by the Election Commission between 17 September and 16 October. It will certainly mark a crucial moment that will decide who governs the country and in what direction, amidst a continuing economic and social crisis of massive proportions.

Photo by Sena Vidanagama

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Vale: An Appreciation of Malathi De Alwis … Researcher & Writer

Geethika Dharmasinghe, in Colombo Telegraph, 23 January 2021, where the title reads as “Our Malathi”… presented here with emphasis imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

She was the first woman in Sri Lankan politics after Kumari Jayawardena to build an awareness on the role of woman and of her ‘traditional’ position, uniting academic work and politics. She is an anthropologist, and a feminist activist. Her activism and scholarly interests were in understanding militarization, motherhood, and the role of memories in the context of nationalist histories.

 Dr. Malathi de Alwis

Dr. Kumari Jayawardena

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Appreciating Kumari Jayawardena’s Scholarship

Uditha Devapriya … in The Island, 28 June 2024, where the title reads:  “A Tribute to Kumari Jayawardena” … while the presentation here includes highlights imposed by The Editor

Last month the Collective for Historical Dialogue & Memory (CHDM) organised a screening of Conversations with Kumari, a documentary on Kumari Jayawardena. Last week Jayawardena turned 93. Yesterday I reflected on her and the generation she represented. That generation is leaving us, but it remains as influential as ever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Work of Anthropologists from Sri Lanka: Reviewing the World Scenario in 1987

Presenting an academic article published in Contributions to  Indian Sociology , n.s, Vol 21, 1-25 also reproduced subsequently in Sri Lanka in 1989 as No, 10 within the SSC Pamphlet Series marshalled by the late Ana Chittambalam, Willa Wickremasinghe , Hari hulugalle and Michael Roberts

Elizabeth Nissan: “The work of Sri Lankan anthropologists: A bibliographic survey”

 Introduction: Although many of the studies included in this essay are concerned with Sri Lanka, this is not a bibliographic essay on the anthropology of that country. It is, instead, a survey of the work of Sri Lankan anthropologists, wherever they may have carried out their research.

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Reaching Out with Digital Education–Vanni Hope in Sri Lanka

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.

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Innovation: Draining Beruwela Canal to Protect Ocean & Marine Life

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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Dr Siri Kannangara in Sydney: A Man for All Seasons

Pauline Gunewardene has led and marshalled the Ceylon Society of Australia in its Sydney base and HQ for several years with verve and determination. When she presents a TRIBUTE,  as she does on this occasion for Dr Siri Kannangara, it is a Vale of A Tribute indeed.

Vale Dr Siri Kannangara, AM. Truly a giant among men in his life of service. Truly a man to be mourned by all, as we do as an entire community, joined together in grieving for the passing of this man of boundless compassion for everyone, giving so generously of his services without limits, in the true spirit of helping his fellow humans on this path of life.  May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana. ………… “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Dr Siri Kannangara: A Life of Service in Australia

Michael Roberts

The volume of sighs and messages that erupted when news of Dr siri Kannangara’s demise reahced the air waves speaks volumes for the regard with which he was held. I haad occasion to interact with him way way back when writing about our Sri Lankan cricketers and  athletes. Alas, my memory has not retained the details. But there is plenty of meaningful detail in the items that are referred to below ….. and we can be certain that there will be a volume of Vales that tell the world about Siri’s outreach.

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The Schaffters: Ceylonese serving Sri Lanka down the Generations

Michael Roberts

A major error by a Sri Lankan lady re Tamil representatives in Ceylon/Sri Lankan cricket in the exchanges in LINKED IN drives me to compose an item in TPS on the Tamil cricketers who played cricket for the island at the highest level in the 20th and 21st centuries (this is in process and will take time).

The Janashakthi Book on cricket sponsored by the Schaffters, which places SS Perera’s wonderful archive of work on the bookshelves, is an example of Sinhala Tamil cooperation that places  all manner of information on the island’s rich cricket history within our reach. While I will be scouring this work for data, I reach out here to aficionado seeking data (and photographs) displaying information on Tamils who represented Ceylon/Sri Lanka at the highest level in the years stretching from 1901 to 2024.

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Ranasinghe Premadasa: As Pragmatic as Visionary in Political Method

Dr. Mahim Mendis, in Daily FT, 26 April 2024 …. where the title runs thus: “Revivial of Premadasism the Way Forward for Sri Lanka,”

…in DailyFT, 26 April Truly cultured men and women have the capacity to be thankful for the progressive measures taken by Ranasinghe Premadasa. He was a true embodiment of Social Democracy, governing the entire social, political, cultural, and moral order. He was not a mere propagator of a Social Market Economy, when he took over leadership from a right wing, J.R. Jayewardene led UNP that tried to dislodge Deputy Leader Premadasa from his well-earned Presidential candidature in 1989. The same right-wing forces in the UNP, tried to impeach him together with Feudalist sympathisers, who lost all their social status due to Premadasaism

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