Category Archives: world affairs

July 30, 2020 · 8:21 am

The Cannonball Tree … How a Mistaken Identification jinxed the 2002 Peace Talks?

 Malaka Rodrigo, in Mongabay.com, 27 July 2020, with this title “In Sri Lanka, a South American flower usurps a tree sacred to Buddhists and Hindus”

The cannonball tree, with its red, pink and yellow flowers with a soft fragrance, is native to South America and gets its name from its large, round fruit. The British introduced the plant to Sri Lanka, India and other parts of Asia in the 19 century, and its flower has since been imbued with religious significance by many Hindus and Buddhists, who believe it comes from the sacred sal tree. Continue reading →

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June 13, 2020 · 3:31 pm

Pablo Neruda and Thangamma … His Work in Ceylon

Dr. Kumar Gunawardane. in Island, 13 June 2020, where the title runs “Neruda and his daughter”

“It’s night time ,
I’m alone and sad,
Thinking in the light of a flickering candle,
about joy and pain,
about tired old age,
and handsome arrogant youth”
Pablo Neruda

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February 21, 2020 · 4:29 pm

Shane Warne as Worldly fat Bastard

David Runciman reviewing NO SPIN by Shane Warne in the London Review of Books … and deploying the title Fat Bastard

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December 16, 2019 · 3:39 pm

An Incidental Cameraman …. Over the Years

Michael Roberts in Snap-Action

Casting a Net at Twilight at Waikkal, Sri Lanka, 1990s …. truly a shot snapped on a whim as our little boat dropped us on the shore from an inland canal – with my spot in the prow giving direct access

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December 3, 2019 · 2:16 am

Jehan Perera’s Appraisal of President Gotabaya’s First Steps

Jehan Perera, in Island, 3 December 2019, with this title: “President’s early parameters may require revision”

One of the weaknesses of the previous government was its failure to have cohesive policies that it implemented with determination. Instead there was a sense of free space and license to do as one pleased. It gave people a welcome sense of freedom, but it also led to strikes and pickets on an almost daily basis and frustration among the general population who did not see government at work. Along with the change of government that took place after the November 16 presidential election there is a sense of strong government and an uncertainty about what the parameters of free space will be. Recent pronouncements by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa are providing an initial indication of what some of the parameters will be. The President’s visit to India and the speeches and interviews he gave there provide a first indication of what some of the parameters might be.

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September 29, 2019 · 3:59 pm

Juliet Coombe joins Sanga in showcasing Sri Lanka to the Brits

As Kumar Sangakkara takes on the majestic chair of President MCC. Juliet Coombe will showcase Sri Lanka’s special delights and demand sustainable paths in a hard-hitting critique of past policies at a leading venue in London on 15th October 2019

Juliet Coombe:  “Sustainable Sri Lanka: An Island Dream?”

at  The Linnean Society (Meeting Room, at The Royal Academy, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J OBF………………… From 2pm – 3.30pm, Tuesday 15th October 2019

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July 20, 2019 · 5:03 am

John Lukacs Looks to the Past in “The Future of History”

Richard Simon in his site where the title is “Looking Forward to the Past”…. http://notesfromceylon.blogspot.com/2019/07/96-normal-0-false-false-false-en-gb-x.html

  The Future of History,  by John Lukacs

A maverick but respected historian, John Lukacs had a lot to say about his own profession, and in the sunset of his life he gathered together his thoughts on the subject in this small but far from easy book. His theme is the role of history and the historian at the end of a historical era, the Modern Age. Continue reading →

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March 3, 2019 · 2:24 pm

Admiral Karannagoda in the Line of Fire

ONE: Manoj Colombage, in Sunday Observer, 3 March 2019, where the title reads “Former Navy Chief faces deadly tides”

Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda inched closer to arrest last Thursday, with the Supreme Court delaying the consideration of a petition filed by the former Navy Commander seeking to prevent his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the murder of 11 young men alleged to have been abducted for ransom by the Navy in late 2008.

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February 21, 2019 · 10:19 am

Celebrating Anne Abayasekara’s Mighty Pen and Lifetime

Uvin Dassanayake in Daily News, 14 February 2019, where the title is “The pen PROVED MIGHTY INDEED!”

On Saturday February 9, Cinnamon Gardens Baptist Church was host to a celebration of the work of the late Anne Abayasekara, Sri Lanka’s first woman to become a staff journalist and a much beloved writer over her career of nearly 70 years. The evening proceeded with each of her seven children speaking about their mother, recounting fond memories of the sounds of her typewriter in the family home and sharing poetry she had written for her grandchildren; all to an audience of family, friends and people who had been, in some way, affected by Abayasekara’s work.

Anne with her husband Earle

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February 18, 2019 · 2:31 am

Remembering Adiel Anghie, 1941-2015

Upali Obeyesekere, President, JPAA Canada, in a testimonial in 2015, entitled  “Adiel Anghie, the Peterite superstar”

Adiel Anghie was a phenomenal product of St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. He was a brilliant all-round student who excelled in studies and sports. He entered the medical faculty of the University of Ceylon from his alma mater after a colourful sports career that saw him lead the St. Peter’s College Rugby Team in addition to the Cricket Team. This is a rare combination for any sportsman at school level. To top it all, Adiel scored a brilliant century (101) in the 1961 JosephianPeterite Encounter that was drawn.

Adiel Anghie captained St. Peters College Cricket Team in 1961. Team picture annexed herewith
Standing L to R: Tissa Jayaweera, David Heyn, Travice Fernando, Rohan Abeysundera, Sam Rajah, Adithiya de Silva, Maurice Deckker
Seated L to R: Tyrone Le Mercier, Richard Alles, Adiel Anghie, Richard Heyn, Didacus de Almeida

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