Michael Roberts
I have a large stock of books and an even larger stock of typed up paper material in my messy study. Looking over some of the books I came across some that I had not read or even glanced at. I present a selection of a half-dozen that aroused my interest …. arranged in chronological order.
I invite commentary on any of these books by personnel who happen to have read them or had some friendship with the authors.
Filed under accountability, cultural transmission, economic processes, education, ethnicity, heritage, historical interpretation, island economy, landscape wondrous, life stories, meditations, patriotism, politIcal discourse, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, the imaginary and the real, travelogue
Michael Roberts
In re-establishing communication with two old Mertonians of the early 1960s generation at my College in Oxford, viz, Tony Roberton and Keith Shuttleworth, I have been induced to reflect upon my unusual circumstances as a postgraduate at Merton and Oxford. Apart from being one of the few Sri Lankans in that University,[i] I happened to be (A) engaged in postgraduate work which demanded research at the Public Record Office in Chancery Lane in London, and (B) a colonial visitor with the asset of two sisters domiciled in London.[ii]
Tony is kneeling on the left upfront; while Keith is on my rght– Merton rugger team c. 1964/65
Filed under British colonialism, centre-periphery relations, Colombo and Its Spaces, communal relations, cultural transmission, economic processes, education, ethnicity, governance, historical interpretation, land policies, language policies, Left politics, life stories, modernity & modernization, nationalism, parliamentary elections, patriotism, performance, plural society, politIcal discourse, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, social justice, sri lankan society, teaching profession, world events & processes
The History of the Middle Finger
Well, now ….. here’s something I never knew before, and now that I know it, I feel compelled to send it on to my more intelligent friends in the hope that they, too, will feel edified. Isn’t history more fun when you know something about it? Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore they would be incapable of fighting in the future.
Battle of Agincourt
Sugath Kulatunga, … whose preferred title was “The Choice”
The President RW and the leader of the opposition in their political manifestos are making extravagant promises to the people in the process of seeking a path to come into power. So do the other Presidential candidates who have not so far tasted power. We cannot judge them on performance, while RW and Sajith could be judged on their past performance. Sajith was the Deputy of the ruling party and a senior Cabinet Minister of past UNP governments. RW held key Cabinet posts of Prime Minister, Minister of Education and also Industries. They are responsible for the present crisis in the economy as they did not address the balance of payments arena, particularly the balance of trade problem which has been the chronic issues.
Filed under accountability, authoritarian regimes, centre-periphery relations, debt restructuring, democratic measures, economic processes, electoral structures, export issues, governance, historical interpretation, island economy, life stories, parliamentary elections, performance, politIcal discourse, power politics, sri lankan society, world events & processes
Dr. Damayanthi Herath, in DailyFT, …. https://www.ft.lk/news/In-retrospect-Pera-EFac-pays-tribute-to-Prof-E-O-E-Pereira-celebrating-legacy-of-75-years/56-766595 …. with highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi
As the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Peradeniya (affectionately known as Pera EFac) proudly celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, a series of events is being organised to mark this milestone, culminating in 2025 with emphasis on its rich history and its vision for the future. Among the planned events, a significant one was the commemoration of its founder, Vidya Jyothi Eng. Prof. E.O.E. Pereira (13 September 1907–22 May 1988), a visionary leader who not only established the faculty, but also laid the foundation for engineering education in Sri Lanka. This commemorative event took place on 21 August 2024 at the faculty premises.
Filed under accountability, architects & architecture, cultural transmission, economic processes, education, education policy, female empowerment, heritage, historical interpretation, island economy, landscape wondrous, life stories, patriotism, performance, sri lankan society, teaching profession, unusual people
“In the Line of Duty: The Life and Times of a Surgeon in War and Peace” a memoir published in 2008. …………………. now sold out.
Filed under accountability, charitable outreach, counter-insurgency, education, ethnicity, historical interpretation, insurrections, landscape wondrous, life stories, LTTE, patriotism, performance, rehabilitation, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, the imaginary and the real, trauma, unusual people, world events & processes
The issue of the OTHERS with Charlie Chaplin at the Dalada MalIgawa in Kandy in 1932 has raised a modicum of interest among some Sri Lankans. So, I present some of the information and conjectures that have been presented in Email exchanges or Facebook commentary…. Editor, Thuppahi
Watch Alastair Crooke & Judge Napolitano in Serious Dialogue ….. on World Poltics & the Anti Democratic strands in Present Western States = https://www.youtube.com/live/mnm9Vzrpkrg
Filed under accountability, american imperialism, authoritarian regimes, British imperialism, centre-periphery relations, economic processes, foreign policy, governance, historical interpretation, law of armed conflict, Middle Eastern Politics, military expenditure, military strategy, nationalism, politIcal discourse, power politics, security, self-reflexivity, truth as casualty of war, Ukraine & Its Ramifications, world events & processes
Michael Roberts
Ashan de Alwis’s article in The Ceylon Journal Volume 1/1 published in mid-2024 is as readable and excellent an essay as anyone can wish for.[i] It focuses on the 50-over one-day cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka played at Adelaide Oval on the 23rd January 1999 and specifically on the no-balling of Muralitharan for throwing by umpire Ross Emerson and captain Arjuna Ranatunga’s unprecedented actions in challenging the umpire.[1] This account is supported by a graphic picture – as iconic as world-famous unusual. It does not fail to note that the Sri Lankan batsmen, batting second, did not let Murali or the fans down: led by a Mahela Jayawardene century, they reached the massive England total of 303 in the last over with the last man Murali at the crease.
Filed under accountability, australian media, centre-periphery relations, conspiracies, disparagement, ethnicity, historical interpretation, landscape wondrous, legal issues, life stories, martyrdom, patriotism, performance, photography, politIcal discourse, self-reflexivity, Sri Lankan cricket, taking the piss, trauma, world events & processes
Dear Nishani, Manoj & ASLA Committee,***
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for organising the ASLA, 50th Golden Jubilee dinner dance on August 31st. The event was a truly memorable night filled with music, friendship, and celebration.
The performance by Corinne and the Ashra band was absolutely exceptional. Corrine’s talent and experience are legendary, and her contribution to the evening made it truly special.
thuppahi
