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
The “Deep State”– Threats to Democracy within Today’s Western States’its
Alastair Crooke : Afraid of Free Speech
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
Judge Napolitano …. & …. Alastair Crooke
Reflections from “Observer in a Black Sea Port”
Why are democracies suddenly opposed to free speech and against democracy?
Very interesting argument about how Western democracies are attacking democracy, shutting down free speech, attacking the first amendment of the US Constitution because the deep structures of the deep state are being challenged.
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
Face-to-Face in Admonishment: Drama at the Adelaide Oval, 23rd January 1998
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
Geeth’s ENCORE for the Adelaide Sri Lanka Association’s 50th Year Tamasha
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.
Age-old Themes Imbricated within the Palestine-Israel Conflict
Simon Sebag Montefiore, in The TIMES, 6 September 2024, where the title reads: “A conflict built on centuries of myth-making” … with highlighting imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi **
‘Forever wars’ do not exist but bringing peace to the Holy Land is complicated by so much of its history being wilfully misunderstood.
There was a moment during the last significant negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, in May 2008, that is relevant today. Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian minister of negotiations, told the Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni: “It’s no secret we’re offering you the biggest Yerushalayim in history. But we must talk about the concept of al-Quds. We’ve taken your interests and concerns into account … ”
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A History of the Middle Finger Phallic Insult
Daniel Nasaw, BBC News Magazine, Washington, on the 6th February 2012 with this title “When did the middle finger become offensive? …. an item which quickly generated 138 comments [thus ‘gestures’ of sorts]
“Up Yours”– gestures MIA
Whether or not M.I.A. was aware, the gesture originally referred to a phallus ….. [is in question]
An American television network has apologised after pop star M.I.A. extended her middle finger during Sunday night’s Super Bowl halftime show. What does the gesture mean, and when did it become offensive?
A public intellectual, expressing his contempt for a gas-bag politician, reaches for a familiar gesture. He extends his middle finger and declares: “This is the great demagogue.”
That Middle Finger Gesture: “Up Yours”….
The Wikipedia Reading
The middle finger, long finger, second finger,[1][2] third finger,[3] toll finger or tall man is the third digit of the human hand, located between the index finger and the ring finger. It is typically the longest digit. In anatomy, it is also called the third finger, digitus medius, digitus tertius or digitus III.
Bangladesh Bury Pakistan: Two-Nil Win in Tests
Michael Roberts
In what is a RED-LETTER DAY in the history of cricket Bangladesh beat Pakistan twice in Test Matches played away. In the Second Test held at Rawalpindi in Pakistan, they secured a convincing win by six wickets.
What is more, they unveiled a new speedster, Rana -who claimed in the second innings and …. in the first innings of the second Test match. Rana’s bowling carries extra punch because he is tall—looming over his team-mates when they cluster.
Fellowship via Sport: A Gathering of Golden Sri Lankan Oldies from Yesteryear
This photograph was sent to me by one of those present with the following Caption: “Super array of the truly professional role model gentlemen of yester year at a Capri dinner hosted on 21st August by Selva Kanagasabai”
Machiavelli on The Vicious ‘Skeletons’ Inherent Within Politics
A CIRCULAR from Kumar Kirinde ... … with highlighting emphasis imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi
Dear RAFOA member,
Now that another presidential election is due in a few weeks’ time in our beloved country … Sri Lanka. I thought that the attached document will be of interest to you. The finer points with my take on the matter is given below mainly for the benefit of those who cannot spend much time reading documents running into a few pages.
A statue Niccol
The brief is on Machiavelli’s thinking on political power and ruling a nation.
Machiavelli was a diplomat, author, philosopher, and historian who lived over 500 years ago in Florentine, a part of present day Italy. He served as a senior official in the Florentine Republic with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs.
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