March 26, 2024 · 9:35 pm
For Colombo … the DALI shatters the Bridge at Baltimore: Dramatic Scenario
March 26, 2024 · 8:55 pm
Ancestral Genealogy and the DBU’s Marvellous Service
Nick Van Der Hoeven, whose choice of title was “The Dutch Burgher Union “……………… while highlights have been imposed by The Editor, Thuppahi …………………………………………………………………………… snSpedtoorh3fi1c80a115m1h307g3u8i82016f0i28a6c396l64390307fi ·
I have been reflecting on how lucky we are (as a group) to have such incredible access to the history of our ancestors. Yes, its very interesting: the diverse biological backgrounds (Dutch, British, Prussian, French, Portuguese, local etc). I am, however, a second generation Australian-born Burgher on my father’s side (plus Hungarian on mothers) and no doubt have a different reading history than those who ‘lived it’ back in Ceylon for those 500 years of colonisation.
For me the
greatest gift is knowing the names and some of the stories of ancestors dating back 22 generations — regardless of where they are from. This is unique and is in my opinion one of the greatest legacies of the DBU. The shipping manifests, the Dutch churches, the British churches, the various journals and off course the DBU records themselves. Continue reading →
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Filed under accountability, architects & architecture, centre-periphery relations, Colombo and Its Spaces, cultural transmission, Dutch colonialism, economic processes, education, ethnicity, European history, heritage, historical interpretation, landscape wondrous, life stories, patriotism, politIcal discourse, self-reflexivity, sri lankan society, travelogue, unusual people
March 26, 2024 · 12:40 pm
An Essential Service …. By Women …. For Women
Editorial in DAILY NEWS, 26 March 2024, where the title reads “A Commendable Step”
No one can go against Mother Nature. Women have been created with a womb in order to perpetuate the human race. Women can prevent child birth if they wish but they cannot prevent menstruation. Menstruation can only be delayed for a short time for medical reasons and some other essential reasons with Consultants’ guidance and prescribed medications.
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March 24, 2024 · 11:57 pm
Two Twin Hundreds by Dhananjaya & Kamindu create history for Lanka
LASATH DE SILVA in FB 24 March 2024
Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis become the first ever duo to stitch 170+ runs in both innings of a Test match & 3rd ever pair of batsmen to score Centuries in both innings of a Test match!
#DhananjayaDeSilva #KaminduMendis #SriLankaCricket #BANvsSL
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March 24, 2024 · 7:50 pm
C. A. Lorenz of “Karlsruhe” as Propertied Gentleman in British Ceylon
Avishka Mario Seneviratne, in The Sunday Island, 24 March 2024, where the title reads “Karlsruhe and the properties of Lorenz” …. with highlighting being impositions by The Editor, Thuppahi
The history of this abode is both historic and tragic concerning the life of Lorenz. The origins of this abode are unknown. Its structure is essentially Dutch, but its occupants of various eras have made their additions to its architectural setting. Lorenz had been eyeing this property for some time. Previously, it was owned by Governor Charles McCarthy’s brother. Just like Elie House, this property opposite the Welikada Prison was situated at a higher elevation in comparison with its surroundings. Originally this property was in two blocks of land covering 11.5 acres. After purchasing this property from Dr. Dickman and Dr. Wambeek, Charles Lorenz, who was mortally ill arrived here in early 1871. Sadly, this would be his final abode as Lorenz passed away in August 1871.
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Filed under accountability, architects & architecture, art & allure bewitching, British colonialism, Colombo and Its Spaces, communal relations, cultural transmission, economic processes, education, Empire loyalism, ethnicity, heritage, historical interpretation, island economy, landscape wondrous, legal issues, life stories, literary achievements, politIcal discourse, self-reflexivity, sri lankan society, travelogue, unusual people, world events & processes
March 21, 2024 · 6:14 pm
Experiences: Working on the Gal Oya Project in Ceylon, 1950-61
Andreas Szechowycz, presenting a Memoir-cum-Report entitled “Gal Oya Project (1950-1960): Dr. Roman W. Szechowycz & the Gal Oya Development Board”
Dr. Roman W. Szechowycz was employed by the Gal Oya Development Board from 18 July 1950 to 1961. He arrived in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) with his wife Sabina (nee Czekan) Szechowycz and their 3-year-old daughter Maria. I was born in October 1951 in Colombo. During the time in Sri Lanka, we lived in Inginiyagala next to the post office.
My parents were displaced people who after World War II ended were in Hanover Germany in the British Sector. My father’s home was in northwest Ukraine and my mother’s home was in southwest Poland. These areas were occupied by Russians after the conclusion of World War II.
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Filed under accountability, anti-racism, architects & architecture, centre-periphery relations, colonisation schemes, cultural transmission, economic processes, education, elephant tales, ethnicity, heritage, historical interpretation, land policies, landscape wondrous, life stories, modernity & modernization, patriotism, performance, plural society, refugees, rehabilitation, self-reflexivity, sri lankan society, travelogue, unusual people, world events & processes
March 20, 2024 · 8:01 pm
Colombo Ladies serving Hindu Ladies College in Jaffna
Goolbai Gunasekara in The ISLAND Newspaper, 17 March 2024 … entitled “My time at Hindu Ladies College”
Following in her mother, Clara Gunaskara nee Motwani’s footsteps, principal and teacher Goolbai Gunasekara revolutionised the sphere of English education in Sri Lanka …. & this account is her trip down memory lane.
Mrs. Visaladhy Sivagurunathan, a philanthropic Hindu lady, had gifted the property of Hindu Ladies’ College to the school in 1943. [My] Mother […. of the Motwani lineage] …. was the school’s fifth Principal. Under her, the first Past Pupils’ Association was formed, with Mrs. Jeevaratnam Rasiah as its first President. Miss Thambu (Mother’s long suffering Tamil tutor) was its Secretary. Just recently, I was invited to speak to the Colombo branch of the HLC alumni.
I met a former HLC teacher there — Mrs Navaratna, formerly Leela Ponniah — along with many old friends. The reverence in which Mother was held was very heartwarming, and it was a moving experience to hear the stories they related of instances in which Mother had touched — and sometimes directed — their lives.
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Filed under Aboriginality, anti-racism, centre-periphery relations, charitable outreach, cultural transmission, education, education policy, ethnicity, female empowerment, heritage, historical interpretation, island economy, language policies, life stories, patriotism, performance, politIcal discourse, self-reflexivity, Sinhala-Tamil Relations, sri lankan society, Tamil civilians, teaching profession, travelogue, unusual people, welfare & philanthophy, women in ethnic conflcits
March 20, 2024 · 7:08 pm
Mareeba: An Albanian Muslim Community in Outback Queensland
VISIT … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_ZvzG1WtlM
756,306 views Mar 13, 2024
OnePath Network travelled all the way over to North Queensland to meet with the Muslim Community of Mareeba. They are a small rural community of Albanian farmers that have been here for over 100 years. Their story is nothing short of inspirational for Muslims around the world. We uncovered how they not only were able to blend in so flawlessly into Australian culture but also the secret behind their ability to survive for so many generations. Enjoy their story! Read more real stories from right here in Australia of how local Zakat has transformed peoples lives, empowering generations to come:
Continue reading →
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Filed under Australian culture, australian media, centre-periphery relations, cultural transmission, economic processes, ethnicity, heritage, historical interpretation, landscape wondrous, life stories, patriotism, religiosity, tolerance, transport and communications, travelogue, unusual people, world events & processes
March 19, 2024 · 1:06 am
“Elie House” in Mutwal & Its Illustrious Occupants in the 19th Century
Avishka Mario Senewiratne, in The Island, March 2024 with this title: “Old Mutwal, Elie House and Lorenz”
Elie House, water colour by Andrew Nicholl
The history of this most historic and valuable abode Elie House dates back to the days of Philip Anstruther, the Colonial Secretary of Ceylon from 1833 to 1845. Anstruther was a capable Civil Servant, who won the popularity of both the home Government and the inhabitants of Ceylon. Capt. James MacDonald Henderson states in his book The Rebellion in Ceylon, “Had this gentleman [Anstruther] but retained his appointment of Colonial Secretary, there is every reason to believe that the rebellion of 1848, with its long train of miseries and misfortunes, would never have occurred”.
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Filed under architects & architecture, art & allure bewitching, British colonialism, centre-periphery relations, Colombo and Its Spaces, cultural transmission, economic processes, ethnicity, governance, heritage, historical interpretation, landscape wondrous, life stories, modernity & modernization, paintings, politIcal discourse, sri lankan society, travelogue, unusual people, world events & processes
March 18, 2024 · 8:24 pm
New Hand & Old Hands Spearhead Afghan Victory Over Ireland
Michael Roberts, using ESPNcricinfo report on T2o Encounter at Sharjah on 17 March 2024
Nangeyalia Kharote, b. 25 April 2004 …... slow left-hand orthodox bowler and left hand bat ….. secured these bowling figures:
| 4 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 5.75 |
while 39-year oldie Mohammad Nabi, supported him with
| 3 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 4.66 |
…. after scoring 59 tuns in 38 balls
and, last but not least, the ever-reliable Rashid Khan (now captaining the side) slammed 25 in 13 balls … and then took 4 wkts for 14 runs … so that he was named MAN OF THE MATCH.
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Filed under cricket for amity, cricket selections, performance, travelogue












