Madushka Balasuriya in ESPNcricinfo, 18 September 2024, with this title “Sri Lanka pull ahead with Kamindu hundred, Kusal fifty”
Kamindu notched up his fourth Test ton and New Zealand fought back with late wickets.
Kamindu Mendis’ hundred lifted Sri Lanka • Associated Press
Ever since he addressed the failed coup of 1962 in a book-length stud,y Donald L. Horowitz has kept an eye on Sri Lankan affairs and has now unveiled a new book tackling central issues in the democratic process on a worldwide scale –with one chapter devoted to the problems TODAY in Sri Lanka ….. Editor, Thuppahi
Donald L. Horowitz, James B. Duke Professor of Law and Political Science Emeritus, Duke University
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Nick Brookes, in his MURALI END site with this title “English Summer gives Sri Lanka Something to Build Upon”…… reproduced here with highlights imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi
The scene couldn’t have been any less Sri Lankan. The skies were ashen and the clouds heavy; the harsh gusts of wind warned that winter was on its way. Sri Lanka’s support staff wore hoodies and woolly hats; even the English fielders clung to handwarmers. Yet, the awful weather couldn’t keep Sri Lanka’s fans away. Nor could it keep Pathum Nissanka quiet. As he nudged the ball past backward point – declaring Sri Lanka emphatic winners of the third Test – smiles lit up South London and lion flags fluttered all around The Oval. Sri Lanka had their fourth victory on English soil.
Item presented in FACEBOOK by Peradeniya University Friends with this title: 160th Birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala**
Anagarika Dharmapala a noble son of Sri Lanka who made immense sacrifices towards Buddhist revival and national upliftment in the 19th century was born at Matara on 17 Sept 1864.
He worked and campaigned with unswerving loyalty to the nationalist cause in an era when Buddhism and the national culture had reached their lowest ebb.
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Matt Goodwin, in The Sunday Times, 1 September 2024 where the title reads “Left-wing groupthink is strangling universities, so count me out”
Having watched free speech being marginalised by a narrow monoculture over two decades, Matt Goodwin is stepping down from teaching students
This summer, after more than 20 years of teaching and researching in Britain’s universities, I decided to quit my full professorship. While I remain an honorary professor I will no longer teach students or carry out my usual academic duties. This is the first September in two decades that I will not be welcoming first-year students on to campus.
Why?
Universities are weighed down by financial problems, an ideological monoculture and a shift in focus to “student satisfaction”
ILLUSTRATION BY RUSSEL HERNEMAN
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Rajan Hoole, being Chapter 3 of his book “Sri Lanka”s Easter Tragedy: When the Deep State Gets Out of Its Depth”
Mohamed Zahran Cassim, whose fate made headlines in Wahabi terror, was born in Kattankudy in 1986. In understanding his rise and death in a suicide blast of Easter, 21st April 2019, it is useful to keep in mind Velupillai Prabhakaran and how his terror machine subdued an entire people. Zahran’s zeal and ire were initially directed towards subduing the Sufi population of Kattankudy. We shall see that the patronage and protection afforded to him by a section of the Sri Lankan security establishment, changed course because of unexpected mishaps after he led an attack on Sufis on 10th March 2017. Despite efforts by his handlers, an independent magistrate issued an arrest warrant for him, making him a wanted person. Forced to leave Kattankudy, he was manoeuvred, as circumstances suggest, into becoming an instrument of suicide terror.
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Rajeswary Balasubramaniam, reviewing Odyssey of War by Noel Nadesan **
The ‘Odyssey of War’, a novel by Dr. Noel Nadesan published by Sarasavi Publishers, reflects the struggle for the liberation of Tamils in Sri Lanka (1977-2009) and the failure of interwoven world politics. The novel illustrates how upper-class Tamils overcame caste, religion, and regions and united for the liberation of Tamils, but went beyond the spirit of liberation, migrated, and eventually made the liberation struggle of Tamils a profitable business.
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Michael Roberts
Playing a five-day match away from home in unfamiliar territory is no joke and Sri Lanka A’s emphatic triumph over their SAF counerparts at Kimberley this month of September augurs well for the future. The scores suggest that medium-pacer Isitha Wijesundara‘s haul of seven wkts for 34 runs in the second Saf innings was one of the main factors behind this win. As a result South Africa only made 134 runs all told.
Led by opener Oshada Fernando’s 80 runs the Lankans reached the target of 179 for the loss of four wkts. It was Oshada who received the Man of the Match Award …. because he had also mustered a century in Lanka’s first innings total of 334.
Oshada Fernando
Isitha Wijesundara
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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.
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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
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