September 23, 2025 · 1:44 am

Professor JB Disanayake: A Multi-Faceted Career of Achievement, Dedication & Service

Sandagomi Coperahewa, in The  Sunday Times, 8 June 2025, where the title  reads thus: “Felicitating  Lanka’s Foremost Linguist”

I am writing this brief essay in connection with the felicitation ceremony for Emeritus Professor Deshamanya J.B. Disanayaka, the most senior academic and a distinguished figure among contemporary Sinhala scholars in Sri Lanka. The ceremony will be held on 13th June 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the New Arts Theatre, University of Colombo, with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka presiding as the Chief Guest. I take this opportunity to reflect on Professor Disanayaka’s contributions to the advancement of Sinhala studies and on my association with him as a teacher, mentor, and scholar.

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September 22, 2025 · 10:40 pm

Anura Kumara Dissanayake: His Life & Career Thus Far

Sunil  Thenabadu, in Brisbane, in CEYLON TODAY, 22 September 2025, where  the title  runs thus: “Reflecting  on One Year of Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Presidency” … presented here with  highlighting imposed by The  Editor. Thuppahi

“The JVP totally declines violence/aggression.” Twice the JVP took up arms; however, in the future, we assure the people of Sri Lanka that this will never, ever recur. We guarantee the people that the only way we will come into power is by winning their trust. We assure the people of Sri Lanka that we will never, ever take up arms again. During the last 25 years, the JVP has been subjected to violence on numerous occasions; however, we never wish to resort to violence again. AKD has assured the public, so they need not have any fear—the JVP has ‘rejected violence forever’! This is the assurance given by the JVP’s leader, Dissanayaka Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara Dissanayake, one of the most charismatic and extraordinary politicians ever to enter the local political arena. Dissanayake was unanimously named the leader of the JVP at the 7th National Convention of the Party, held on 2 February 2014.

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September 22, 2025 · 1:35 pm

Huge Flaws in Sri Lanka’s Tax System …. Apoyi!…. Apoyi!

Sanjeewa Jayaweera in the Sunday Island, 21 September 2025, where the title reads “Sri Lanka’s Tax Conundrum–2025“

The eagerly awaited Performance Report of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for 2024 has recently been published. It offers some context regarding the IRD’s tax collections. There is room for wider disclosure that would improve transparency. The timeliness of the report’s release could also be considerably enhanced. After all, most large corporations listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange publish their Annual Reports within two months of the financial year’s end.

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September 22, 2025 · 2:51 am

USA vs Ceasefire in Gaza !!

‘Archie  S’

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Gaza no longer exists.   The UN is a zombie – an impotent bunch of misfits, like a limp dick. One can only feel sorry for the Palestinians. They’ll be turned into cutlets for the “Free World’s” dinner in “the great feast of celebration of democracy, freedom and prosperity” on the blood and bones of Palestinians. It reveals democracies are parasitic that feeds of the bones and blood of others.

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September 22, 2025 · 2:14 am

The Western Newspapers Vicious ‘Images’ of India’s Foreign Policy

“Archie  S‘… responding to  Items in THE AUSTRALIAN newspaper on the 17th Sepember 2025 entitled “Dangerous Optics for the Quad” and “India crosses the Red Line” — with  the highlighting below [other than the blackened words] being impositions by The Editor, Thuppahi

The AUSTRALIAN newspaper is desperate to try and bring India under Western control. They hate the idea of neutrality. They hate countries being non-aligned. The assumption of this editorial, as with all articles published in the Australian, is that these conservatives possess a total intolerance of all other political and social systems outside of the West, and they believe that all countries can only exist and must exist in the image of the West, conform to its political systems and doctrines or be deemed a threat. The assumption here is that the West is superior to all other civilizations – the same idea that has existed for 500 years. It is this attitude that turns many leaders in the global south away from the West to organisations such as the SCO and BRICS, not to be anti-Western, but to pursue alternative pathways that offer fairer and better outcomes for their peoples, without threats of sanctions and tariffs.

PRESENTING HERE the original TIMES article ….

 

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September 19, 2025 · 9:20 pm

A Ripping & Gripping Cricketing Fight: Lanka vs Afghanistan

Michael Roberts

The 20-Over Contest between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi was a rip-roaring and thrilling contest that generated several marvellous performances (which I did not watch live because of time differences & other demands).

Let me outlines some noteworthy features.

  1. The everlasting senior Mohammed Naby’s launch of five sixes in the final over from Dunith Wellalage!   ,,, Mohammad Nabi Profile – Cricket Player Afghanistan _ Stats, Records, Video
  2. Dusmantha Chameera’s failure in this match – conceding 50 runs four overs in what was a striking contrast from his super figures in two previous matches.
  3. Nuwan Thushara’s bowling figures of 4 for18…. quite outstanding.
  4. Wanindu Hasaranga’s 0 wkts for 18 runs at 4.50….what economy!
  5. Pathum Nissanka’s failure…unusual for this anchor-man!
  6. Kusal Mendis’s noteworthy 74 runs n.o.in 52 balls at a rate of 142.30
  7. Kamindu Mendis’s 26 runs in 13 balls at the end of the SL innings

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September 19, 2025 · 8:21 pm

Penetrating Sri Lanka: Foreign Enclaves & Global Powers

Dr Asoka Bandarage, inThe Island, 5 September  2025  where  the title reads: “Lanka: The beautiful, besieged island” ++ with highlights and “A NOTE to ASOKA”  being The Editor’s Interventions

“Israelis are coming to Sri Lanka, and they’ve done what they do best — taking over the place. They’ve occupied it and made it feel like Tel Aviv. They host parties advertised as ‘no locals allowed.’ The Israelis have come to Arugam Bay, throwing raves and refusing to let Sri Lankan people attend.”

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a major tourist attraction

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September 19, 2025 · 7:38 pm

Sri Lanka’s Economy Now: After A Honeymoon….

Item in THE ECONOMIST, 6 Sep 2025, entitled “The Sri Lankan government’s honeymoon is nearly over” … & sent to me by  Jayantha Somasundaram of Canberra; while the highlights are my imposition

Initial popularity:  OPENED IN AUGUST with the stated ambition of making Sri Lanka “India’s Macau”, the City of Dreams development in downtown Colombo houses a casino, luxury hotels, high-end shops and a champagne-and-cocktail bar “floating amid the clouds”. The gleaming but for now largely deserted halls of the vast complex seem a symbol of renewal: a far cry from the mass civil unrest of just three years ago and the accompanying economic collapse—rampant inflation, fuel shortages, mass poverty and foreign-debt default.

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September 18, 2025 · 4:01 pm

Trincomalee: An Incentive for Western Imperial Intrusions

Francis P Welangoda, presenting  an article entitled  “Ceylon Then / Sri Lanka Now!”

HISTORY OF TRINCOMALEE.:   Trincomalee had derived its name from the anglicized version of the old Tamil word,‘ Thiru- kona-malai ‘ meaning ‘Lord of the Sacred Hill’. it is apparent that over the ages Trincomalee had been closely associated with the historic Kovil of Koneswaram built around 1,580 BC.

Shape of Trincomalee, district of Sri Lanka, with its capital isolated on white background. Bilevel elevation map. 3D rendering Stock Photo – Alamy

During the Portuguese era in Sri Lanka, which saw them gain influence on the eastern coast by the late 16th century, the Portuguese estsblished Fort Fedrick in 1624, using the stone from the demolished Koneshwaram temple. The city was later occupied by other European powers, but the fort remained a crucial strategic point, changing hands between the Danish, Dutch, French, and finally the British by 1795.

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September 18, 2025 · 2:00 pm

The ManyTourist Attractions along Sri Lanka’s Coast

ITEM sent by Keith Bennett, entitled “SRI LANKA’S BEACHES – The Ultimate Insider’s Guide”

Here’s what makes Sri Lankan beaches absolutely unique – and why timing is everything. The seasonal secret,

 West/South Coast (Nov-Apr): Unawatuna, Mirissa, Bentota East  Coast (May-Sep): Arugam Bay, Pasikuda, Nilaveli …………. tip: Most tourists get this wrong and end up with monsoon rains

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