Anura Tennakoon pulls
Upmarket Bungalows as Tourist Lodges
An Item in MENAFN – Colombo Gazette
Wilde and Co. has expanded its boutique hotel collection with the addition of The Planters House; a colonial estate ‘bungalow’, which enjoys a secluded position on the original Lipton Estate, just below the famous Lipton’s Seat. The company operates with owners to develop, manage and promote a handful of beautiful hotels and lodges across Sri Lanka. Founders Tim Edwards and Max Duddy share a twin passion for heritage and conservation and those themes inform the makeup of their portfolio.
The Planters House: A colonial estate bungalow
The Presidency Stakes: Assessing Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Rajeewa Jayaweera, in Sunday Island, 18 August 2019, where the title reads “The Gotabaya Rajapaksa quandary”
On August 11, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) or Pohottuwa held its inaugural convention at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Former President and current Leader of Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR), who minutes earlier had been declared leader of the SLPP formally announced its Presidential candidate. As expected, it was MR’s younger brother, a former soldier and onetime Defense Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR). Amidst thunderous applause and fireworks, GR declared, “I love my country, I am proud of my country.” Outlining his vision for the country, he pledged; “I will not allow anyone to interfere with the sovereignty of Sri Lanka” and “I will protect you and your children.”
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A Frigate Bird lands in the Chilaw Area
Malaka Rodrigo in Sunday Times, 18 August 2019, where the title runs “Out of the blue, a visitor is blown in by the monsoon”
An unusually large bird found this week on Muthu Panthiya island in Chilaw drew crowds as it had never been observed on land. Stricken by curiosity, the villagers caught the bird and handed over to the Anawilndawa wildlife office. The bird, blackish with white underparts, had a very long, hooked beak and a wide wingspan and looked clumsy on the land, unable to perch properly. It was later identified as a frigatebird – a large seabird inhabiting tropical and subtropical ocean regions.
Surprise visitor: The Frigatebird. Pic by Hiran Priyankara
Terrorist Suspects Arrested … Three Items of Interest
ONE: Item in Daily News, 17 August 2017, entitled “CID Director: 12 hard core terrorists, 63 suspects detained”
CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekara yesterday disclosed that 63 suspects are currently held in custody over their links to Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, including 12 hard core terrorists. He said among them are about 4 to 5 suicide attackers who had not detonated their bombs on the Easter Sunday.
Army Chief Mahesh Senanayake cannot claim he had no knowledge about the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), the CID Director argued yesterday. Abeysekara told the media at a press briefing held at the CID yesterday that Army Intelligence officials had attended the initial investigations when CID sleuths initially discovered a haul of explosives of the NTJ in Wanathawilluwa on January 17, 2019.
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The Caño Cristales River in Colombia
The Caño Cristales River in Colombia:
From July through November, visitors to the Serranía de la Macarena National Natural Park are likely to see the riverweed bloom in the rushing waters of the Caño Cristales. When the water level is just right, the normally dull green plant that grows on the riverbed blooms in a fantastic burst of red, purple, orange, and gold. The park is an unusual meeting of three distinct ecosystems: the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Eastern Llanos. Recently, the Colombian government has limited access to the river, and now visitors must book guided tours—it’s an effort to preserve this strange scene for generations to come.
“Bonfire of the Vanities” in Screeching Crescendo in Sri Lanka Today
Elmo Jayawardena, in Island, 15 August 2019, … http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=209019
The phrase BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES took life more than 500 years ago, 1497 to be precise, in the Italian city of Florence. The unusual practice was started by the followers of Franciscan priest Girolamo Savonarola. He denounced corruption, despotic rule and the exploitation of the poor. These were un-abated traits of Florentine rule, which were evenly spread among the rich and the powerful. Friar Savonarola waged war on vanity and preached to his followers to discard anything that was vain for a simple life of a man or woman who sought lasting contentment and happiness. To this end, he encouraged people to bring all their items of vanity and burn them. The bonfires of the vanities became a rallying call of the followers of Padre Savanarola so much so the Pope excommunicated the rebel priest and imprisoned him. He was later hanged along with two of his assistants and their bodies were burned. So ended the Bonfires of the Vanities, and Florence went back to abusing power.
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A Populist Strongman in the Wings in Sri Lanka
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa (L) and SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa (R) wave at supporters during the party’s National Convention, Colombo, Aug 11, 2019
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Nish Duraiappah appointed Police Chief in Peel Region, Canada
News Item in
Mainstream print media in Toronto including News Agencies and television broadcasting stations were quick to break the story that Halton Region police deputy chief Nish Duraiappah has been named Chief of Police of the Peel Region. Duraiappah, who has been a member of the force for 25 years, will take over from interim chief Chris McCord in October.
American SOFA Proposals generates Sharp Debate
Marwaan Macan-Markar, Asia regional correspondent, Daily FT, 14 August 2019, with this title “US-Sri Lanka military negotiations hit a roadblock”
A Sri Lankan marine stands guard in front of Japanese helicopter carrier Kaga docked at Colombo port. Japan, along with India and China, have many ships going into the port – Reuters
The US government’s new military blueprint in the Indian Ocean is facing headwinds in Sri Lanka, a strategically located South Asian island also being courted by India, China and Japan in a scramble for geopolitical influence. In the crosshairs is a Status of Forces Agreement initially signed by the countries in 1995, paving the way for the US military to access Sri Lanka for logistics.. But Washington’s push to negotiate a new military cooperation deal under the SOFA, which lays out a raft of protections and privileges for visiting US troops, has come under intense scrutiny.
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