Thuppahi's Blog

Judy Pietersz  

Dear Prof. Roberts,   It was indeed a great pleasure talking to you this morning.   Your kind gesture in offering to assist by circulating this information among your network of academics in Australia is greatly appreciated. I’ve attached here the information about the books available for sale.

Best regards,  Judy Pietersz  …….. Mobile : +94773814008

Albert Dharmasiri at an art exhibition

Hi everyone, …..The available titles are as follows:

* Paynter: Eve Darling & Albert Dharmasiri – 1st Edition….. Price: LKR 250,000 + postage
* A Voyage in Sri Lankan Design –   Tilak Samarawickrema: Art, Craft, Architecture ….. Price: LKR 25,000

• *The World of Stanley Kirinde – Sinharaja Tammita-Delgoda ….. Price: LKR 340,000

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Michael Roberts

Left to right – Standing: Messrs R. W. E. de Vos, Vyvil Loudowyk, Fred Bastiansz, E. F. C. Ludowyk Jnr., R. A. de Vos, Bubsy Austin, E. F. C. Ludowyk Snr, W. Colin-Thomé, Dudley de Kretser, Arthur Arndt, Bertie Toussaint

Seated: Miss Mina de Vos, Miss E. Koch, Mrs Glen Altendorf, Mrs Bertie Joseph, Mrs R. A. de Vos, Mrs Bertie Toussaint, Miss Rita Kale, Mrs E. F. C. Ludowyk, Mrs W. Colin-Thomé, Mrs Dudley de Kretser, Mrs Bessie Bartholomeusz,

Seated on ground: Earnleigh de Krester, Miss Owen Ludowyk, Miss Ina de Zilwa, Miss Mabel Arndt, Miss Mavis Ludowyk, Miss Dagmar Toussaint, Francis Toussaint.

SEE https://thuppahis.com/2017/06/29/burgher-tennis-club-in-galle-circa-1928/ …. for the original presentation of this  photo

The club, I believe,*** was located along Lighthouse Street about 100 yards  from the modern entrance to the  fort and just after one passed the Galle Gymkhana  Club on the left and  Cargills shop on the right.

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An Item in Facebook, 11 December  2025

Nitesh Samuel, a boy with a Sri Lankan heritage has been  selected to play for Australia in the Under 19 Cricket World Cup to be played in Zimbabwe Nitesh is an elegant batsman who scored heavily in National Competition to become the Man of the Series this year Nitesh studied in James Ruse which is an elite academic school and has entered medicine last year and gave up and took a year off to pursue his cricket!  ….    He is now entered at Actuarial in prestigious University of NSW It is a great determination and commitment to the cricket took him where he is Nitesh’s father Lal Samuel is a good friend of mine, was nationsl champion in Badminton in Sri Lanka and handy cricketer himself! Lal’s and mum Sharon’s sacrifices and efforts have paid off It is a very proud moment for every Sri Lankans living anywhere in the world Nitesh, you have done the hard yards and way to go son! Keep rocking boy

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Counterterrorism in Africa: A Workshop

Inviting government & civil society leaders, policymakers, security practitioners, and students!

“Counter-Terrorism in Africa” is a 2-day workshop to be held this December 15-16, 2025.

Presented by Prof Rohan Gunaratna (Professor of Security Studies at RSIS, NTU in Singapore) and Prof C. Nna-Emeka Okereke (Fellow at Defence College, Nigeria), this workshop is organized by Horn of Africa Institute of Peace and Security (HoAIPS). .

Date: 15-16^th (Mon-Tues) December 2025

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (East Africa Time)

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Dr B. J. C. Perera ✍️…  in The Island, 10  December 2025

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Anurabha Sengupta: “Ashes 1936-37 – Don Bradman and the best innings of the century“ …. February 2, 2015  … an Item sent to TPS by  Eardley Lieversz of Royal College and Sydney

January 5, 1937. Don Bradman was under enormous pressure after losing his first two Tests as captain. He was plagued by a rare loss of form, discontent among players, press and public and a devastating personal tragedy. Yet, at Melbourne, he turned the series around with a blemish-less innings of 270.

Arunabha Sengupta recalls the innings that had been ranked by Wisden as the best of all time.

Michael Roberts

There are a few surprising names in this list in my view, but let me encourage readers and aficianado to ‘slash and burn’ the presence of some names and/or comment  on ABSENCES!

Hasaranga… Pathirana …. Theekshana…Nissanka … Shanaka .… Kusal Mendis …. Kusal Perera …. Asalanka …. Vijayasanth …. Wellallage …. Traveen Mathew …. Binura Fernando

I have  coloured the names that surprise me in orange and green. Viyaskanth Vijayakanth’s  entry is both surprising and welcome. He is one of the few Tamils to enter the pool of Sri Lankan cricketers in recent years.  

I have no knowledge of Traveen Mathew’s ethnic roots, but know that he is a product of  St Anthony’s College Kandy; and am pleased to see the stocks of Sri Lankan cricket receiving inputs from upcountry areas amidst the streams flowing from the Southern  Province, Moratuwa and  Colombo.

Michael  Roberts …..“Exotic” in My EYES that is ….

Rohan Kunnumal from India  ………….  Daniel Lategan from UK …………….Roshan  Wagshan from India …………. Jikku Bright from India ………… Sandeep Warrier from India ………….  Prince Balwant  Raj from India

Daniel Lategan, a promising young cricketer from the UK, has made a significant impact in Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s professional cricket. Born on May 25, 2006, in Cape Town, Lategan has been a standout performer in the Worcestershire Second XI, showcasing his talent and potential. He joined the Worcestershire County Cricket Club academy at the under-15 level and has since signed a three-year professional contract with the club. Lategan’s debut for Worcestershire in the One  Day  Cup against Derbyshire on August 15, 2025, was a notable achievement, as he scored an unbeaten 42 off 39 balls. His performance in the One Day  Cup against Surrey on August 26, 2025, saw him score his maiden half-century, contributing to Worcestershire’s semi-final appearance. Lategan’s top-score in the One-Day Cup semifinal    against Somerset on August 31, 2025, was 78 runs, further solidifying his place in the club’s future. Lategan’s signing by Worcestershire County Cricket Club is a testament to the club’s commitment to developing homegrown talent and his potential to succeed in the professional game. 

Also Note this item https://thuppahi.wordpress.com/2017/03/21/where-music-transcends-ethnic-divisions-sinhala-nona/#more-24614

Michael Roberts

The IPL Auction details display fascinating fare for cricket lovers. But they also reveal some fascinating NAMES ….. unknown players with  rather  unique parental and/or country origins. Take  this example: “Eden Apple Tom” from Kerala !@#!!!

Pursuing my fascination I discovered this information in digital sources.. that  is the Hindustani Times …https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/who-is-eden-apple-tom-the-bowler-who-dismissed-ruturaj-gaikwad-debuted-in-ranji-trophy-at-16-story-behind-his-name-101760684958585.html

Eden Apple Tom — Professional cricketer…………Eden Apple Tom is a promising young cricketer from Kerala, known for his unique name and impressive bowling skills. At just 20 years old, he has already made a name for himself in the Indian domestic cricket scene. Tom’s career began with a debut in the 2022 Ranji Trophy, where he took four wickets in his first innings. Despite facing a back injury that sidelined him for two seasons, he returned to the cricketing world and played a crucial role in Kerala’s Ranji Trophy final victory. His performance in the final against Vidarbha showcased his ability to deliver line and length, making him a player to watch in the future of Indian cricket.

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Michael Roberts

There were several ‘Moments’ of outstanding cricket taking place around the world this week. Aficianados will find it difficult to assign an order of ONE -TWO- THREE to the events I mark below ….in arbitrary order A, B, ….. C ……….

A: In their  Test Match  at Christchurch in NZ which began on the  2nd December, the Windies began the 4th innings 530 runs in deficit …530 man !@#!! …. and were six down for 222 when Justin Greaves and  Kemar Roach combined in a stand of 180 runs to salvage a remarkable draw. See … https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/west-indies-in-new-zealand-2025-26-1491681/new-zealand-vs-west-indies-1st-test-1491732/match-report …

B: Australia made the running during much of the pink-ball Test Match at Brisbane between Australia and England. However their victory in 3/4 days was assisted by some truly remarkable catching: B1: with  Alex Carey moving up to the stumps to the Aussie pacemen and not only restraining forward movement by the batsmen but also snaffling a snick to dismiss the English captian Stokes.** … and …B2: Steve Smith snaffling two diving catches of a different sort  –one to his lef t at wide lone slip; and the other running back from slip position fora skier to non-existent fine-leg ….. and ….and … diving full length to  snatch  the ball inches from the ground. ( there is soemthing asperges in Smith’s mannerisms .. … and this dimension could ‘explain’ his extraorinary skills and mannerisms.

** 71.5 that’s the breakthrough! Neser hammers his length again, Stokes can’t mitigate the movement, just a fraction more nip and away movement, it’s a slender nick into Carey’s safe-as-houses gloves, right up to the stumps. He turns on his heel and marches away, with England’s Ashes hopes trailing behind him! 227/8