Category Archives: world events & processes

Ranil Wickremasinghe’s Arrest placed in Broad Context

Brigadier Ranjan de Silva, whose preferred title is “The Arrest of Ranil Wickremasinghe, Democracy and the Rule of Law ” … with highlights at end in black being those of the Author; while the other colours are impositions by Te Editor, Thuppahi

 Upholding accountability: Democracy is often hailed as a system of government where the rule of law prevails over the rule of individuals. One of its most defining features is the principle that no one is above the law – not even the highest executive authority.
In recent decades, several democratic countries  have  demonstrated this commitment by arresting or prosecuting former heads of state for crimes ranging from corruption to abuse of power. These cases, while politically charged, underscore the resilience of democratic institutions and the importance of legal accountability.

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Vale: Lareef Idroos

Errol Fernando in Melbourne

I am deeply saddened to hear of my very old friend Lareef’s death. He was my neighbour in Kollupitiya, Colombo 3. From the time I was 6 or 7 years old I played cricket with him under the coconut trees. The railway line and the sea were just behind the batsman!  Lareef loved to bowl, and I loved to bat and so we were both happy! I spent hours, days, weeks, months and years facing his bowling. He came up with new tricks all the time and used the sea breeze very effectively!  I have no memory of him batting and me bowling !

 

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AI Looms Over Our Future …. Look-Out!

ITEM in LUMEN, Adelaide University Magazine, September 2025 or sono date specified clearly & bearing this title: “The  Future and  AI” …. Authorship unclear: maybe Carolyn Semmler, maybe Isaac Freeman

Whether we like it, or not, artificial intelligence is here to stay. The genie is out of the bottle. Its rapid evolution has been embraced by some, and met with raised eyebrows by others.

  In our earlier issue of Lumen this year, we asked readers to describe their hopes and fears for the future. AI was an overwhelmingly present theme.

We shared some of these letters with academics from both the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia to help clarify and respond to concerns on four broad themes: impact on jobs; global security; wellbeing; and the potential for cognitive decline.

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Transforming Gaza …… “The Great Trust”

Outback Aussie

The Great Trust is a 38-page document setting out plans to turn Gaza into a grand American Riveria by constructing over the bones and bodies of Palestinians — hotels, casinos, bordellos, condominiums, golf courses, and million-dollar seaside properties.  America has no legal basis for taking control of Gaza but they want to do it anyway which is why the US and the West support the genocide in Gaza, ethnic cleansing, and if need be the extermination of all Palestinians in Gaza.

VISIT https://www.madamasr.com/en/2025/09/01/news/u/the-38-page-displacement-framework-for-a-tourist-hub-atop-the-rubble-of-gaza/

Palestine and Israel news today on map – Jerusalem today – Israel News today – Palestine News today – israelpalestine.liveuamap.com

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Fascist Aussies on the March in Melbourne & ….

An Observer, 31 August 2025

The Fascists in Australia have risen up and taken to the streets in capital cities across Australia demanding migrants (meaning coloured people, especially Indians and like folk) be kicked out of Australia, and no more let in, in the name of freedom and democracy.

This movement seeks to “reclaim Australia” for White Australians. Meanwhile, pro Palestinian marches take place every Sunday, so naturally the two protests clashed today showing the diversity of Australian society.

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A Candle for GAZA in Colombo……Supporting the SUMUD Flotilla

Message from  Manel  Fonseka 

Join us to light a candle and say a prayer for the success of the Sumud Flotilla as they set sail to break the siege on Gaza.

Starting on August 31st, 150 ships will set sail with crew from more than 40 counties, in the biggest global effort to break Israel’s 18year siege of Gaza. As famine spreads in Gaza and Israel continues with complete impunity to murder, rape and starve the population of 2 million people living there, the people of the world are banding together to step up where international law has failed.

Join us this Sunday, 31st of August, at 4.30pm under the Nuga tree at the Chapel of Christ the Living Saviour on Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, to light a candle and say a prayer for the success of the fleet, the safety of its crew, and the salvation of the people of Gaza from Israel’s unrelenting genocide.

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Sri Lanka Snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat

First 50-Over ODI in Harare  is a Nailbiter

…  followed  by this Thuppahiyaaa on ball-by-ball script in ESPN ………………  With one MADUSHANKA producing  a hat trick in  Over no 50 to complement Asitha  Fernando’s superb over no 49

RESULT
1st ODI, Harare, August 29, 2025, Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe
298/6
(50 ov, T:299) 291/8

Sri Lanka won by 7 runs

end of over 502 runs • 3 wickets
ZIM: 291/8CRR: 5.82 
Tony Munyonga43 (52b 1×4)
Blessing Muzarabani1 (1b)
Dilshan Madushanka10-0-62-4
Asitha Fernando10-0-50-3
49.6

1
Madushanka to Munyonga, 1 run  …… length ball outside off, swung away high and over mid-off running back. The ball falls safe but it’s Sri Lanka that celebrate – they have snuck through by 7 runs!

PK: “This is the danger of not giving it some serious welly in the 45-49 overs.

49.5

Madushanka to Munyonga, no run

Wide yorker, misses and Sri Lanka are home free!

Boundary needed here, and nothing else.

Odinlass : “Hahahaha! My word! This is outrageous!”

49.4

Madushanka to Muzarabani, 1 run  ….. full outside off, swings this and connects well. Down to long-on. Munyonga of course not coming back for the second
49.3

W
Madushanka to Ngarava, OUT

Hattrick for Madushanka! Talk about your redemption arcs, a forgettable day is fast becoming one to be etched in stone! This was quick and straight and Ngarava had no choice but to swing at it. Too good for him though, far too good

Richard Ngarava b Madushanka 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
Ashraf: “what have u done @Hayes???”
Akindu: “Madushanka YOU BEAUTY!!! clutch play to move the odds toward SL. “
Nuur: “…And that is the problem with one man shows. When that one man is gone, show is over”
49.2

W
Madushanka to Evans, OUT

Two in two! Full outside off, looks for the scoop but it can’t clear short fine who peddles back and holds on smartly! Harare is silenced.

Brad Evans c AM Fernando b Madushanka 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
Alan: “Finally a jinx worked”

abhi : “Had to jinx him Hayes”

49.1

W
Madushanka to Raza, OUT

Oh my word, he’s crushed middle stump! Big gaps on the onside and Raza moves across looking to sweep this for four. But this a yorker on the base of middle stump. And quick. Raza has to trudge of desolately

Sikandar Raza b Madushanka 92 (87b 8×4 0x6) SR: 105.74

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YEMEN: Yesterday & Today

Compilation by Group Captain Kumar Kirinde,  SLAF retd … with some illustrationsin the  original missing

A historical nation that was divided between two empires in the 19th century that became two independent nations in the 20th century which united as one nation in the  21st century.

Intoduction

Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in West Asia. Owing to its geographic location, Yemen has been at the crossroads of many civilisations for over 7,000 years. In 1200 BCE, the Sabaeans formed a thriving commercial kingdom that colonized parts of modern Ethiopia and Eritrea. In 275 CE, it was succeeded by the Himyarite Kingdom, which spanned much of Yemen’s present-day territory and was heavily influenced by Judaism. Christianity arrived in the fourth century AD, followed by the rapid spread of Islam in the seventh century. From its conversion to Islam, Yemen became a center of Islamic learning, and Yemenite troops played a crucial role in early Islamic conquests. During the 19th century, the country was divided between the Ottoman and British empires. After World War I, the part controlled by the Ottoman Turks became the Kingdom of Yemen which in 1962 became the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) following a coup. In 1967, the part controlled by the British, the British Aden Protectorate became the independent People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen). In 1990, the two Yemeni states united to form the modern Republic of Yemen.  Sana’a is its constitutional capital and largest city.

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China and Lanka Today

Item in The Island, 22 August 2025,  with this title: “China, SL promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation-Ambassador Zhenhong” .… with highlights  imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi

Declaring that China and Sri Lanka share a time-honoured friendship, and the ancient Silk Road has long bound the two countries together, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong has said they are now working hand in hand to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

 The Chinese envoy said so at a reception held in Colombo to mark the 80th anniversary of their victory over Japan in WW Two..

Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said: “From the progress of the Hambantota Port to the rise of the Colombo Port City, and from infrastructure connectivity to the deepening of cultural exchanges, we are jointly writing a vivid chapter in the building of a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future through concrete actions. This epic new chapter of cooperation is the most vibrant tribute to history, the most solid foundation for peace, and will surely paint an even brighter picture for the future of Sri Lanka.”

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Sri Lanka’s Maritime Legacy: A Discerning Study … Many Revelations

Avishka Mario  Senewiratne in The Island, 24 August 2025, where the title is “A Mirror to the Sea: Revisiting Sri Lanka’s Forgotten Maritime Legacy” …. Review of “Sri Lanka, Serendib & the Silk Road of the Sea” by Dr. Sanjiva Wijesinha …. with the highlighting here being impositions  by The Editor, Thuppahi

It is not often that a slim volume quietly arrives on the literary shore, only to awaken something dormant and forgotten within the national consciousness. Sri Lanka, Serendib & the Silk Road of the Sea, the latest work by Dr. Sanjiva Wijesinha, is just such a book—a timely voyage through history’s less-traversed sea lanes, executed with scholarly rigour, personal charm, and a deep-rooted love for this resplendent isle.

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