Stefan d’Silva’s Isle of Mystique- Isle of Legend – Glimpsing Eclipsed Sri Lanka is an apt title for a publication that illustrates, in vivid colour images and informative text, the wonder of Sri Lanka. The book explores places far from the routine travel agenda of most people. Mysterious rock paintings only recently discovered, cave inscriptions, rock art, old British military fortifications, remote lifestyles of nautical communities, the lost wealth of the Mannar Pearl Banks, the theft of the last Sinhala King’s crown and legends of lost races – and more, are all a part of this 247 page publication with revealing historical facts.
Rugby Maul ends with Indrajit holding the Central Bank Governorship Aloft
DBS Jeyaraj, courtesy of the Daily Mirror, 10 July 2016, where the title is “Inside story about Indrajit Coomaraswamy becoming Central Bank Governor”
“All changed, changed utterly” – The memorable lines from Irish poet Yeats came true on the morning of July 2, 2016 for Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy after he received a telephone call at 6. 30 am. The early caller was none other than Malik Samarawickrama, the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade. The former was functioning as a senior adviser to the ministry. However it was not a ministry-related matter that the minister was calling about. It was a far more serious and important issue affecting the welfare of the nation. Samarawickrama, the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade then officially informed President Sirisena that he was releasing Indrajit as his senior adviser. President Sirisena then stunned everyone by tweeting that he had appointed top economist Indrajit Coomaraswamy as the new Central Bank Governor
Pictorial Blasts from the Past
A Landscape Wondrous … and forms of “Heritage”
Factories that moved out of Britain — Clue to Brexit Vote?
Exiting the EU: Why Brits did it!! …. Author unknown … believed to be from Spectator
If you are wondering why many in Great Britain voted OUT here are some examples from a Brit friend:
· Cadbury moved factory to Poland 2011 with EU grant.
· Ford Transit moved to Turkey 2013 with EU grant.
· Jaguar Land Rover has recently agreed to build a new plant in Slovakia with EU grant, owned by Tata, the same company who have trashed our steel works and emptied the workers’ pension funds.
· Peugeot closed its Ryton (was Rootes Group) plant and moved production to Slovakia with EU grant. Continue reading
Peregrinations and Hallucinations in the Kumana Wild
David Graham … a Comment which the Editor considers worthy of Individuated Airing
Interesting post — [that by Stefan d’Silva on “Legend and Mystery in Kumana National Park” ]. Didn’t hear about the nittaewo until one of the wildlife trackers told me about them on a trip in Kumana in 2014. My dad took my brother and me on big game hunts for wild boar in Okande in August 1963 and April 1964. Dad’s friend Dr. Guy Paranavitharne and his three sons were among the hunting party. Also along were my dad’s childhood friend Dr. Rajah Beddewela and Dr. Guy’s cousin Claude Abeywardena and his two sons.
editors’ addition from www.thedailybeast.com
Friday Forum questions the Present Government’s Record on Good Governance
Friday Forum, courtesy of The Island, 9 July 2016
In January 2015 the majority of voters responded to the call for a return to good governance, accountability and integrity in the public sphere that we had been denied for a good part of a decade, and voted for a President who promised to achieve these goals and remedy mistakes of the past. The public expectations of the regime that was voted into office in January, received further endorsement at the general election of August the same year. Despite disappointment on the slow progress on many solemn promises, the public was prepared to accept the need for measured and responsible action towards fulfilling them. However this trust has gradually given way to a growing concern that the promised action is being held back for reasons based on the all too familiar ground of political opportunism and that the country is slowly but surely moving towards the mal-governance of the past.
Continue reading
Family, Friends and Food in the Sri Lankan Eid
Adilah Ismail, courtesy of The Sunday Times and http://scroll.in/article/811296/a-sri-lankan-eid-time-to-connect-with-ones-spirituality-family-and-friends
The Lankan Eid table is a confluence of the historical and cultural elements that have influenced the island’s palate.
Every year unfailingly during Ramadan, I remember an incident which occurred a few years ago in Delhi. It was my first Ramadan away from family and the comforts of home and the experience of a new country and fasting alone brought with it a heavy sense of solitude.Suhur, the meal eaten in the morning to fortify yourself before a full day’s fast, was often leftovers from dinner or a bowl of Maggi. By the time classes at university were over and the sun set, I was too tired to have anything other than dates and water to break fast. Sometimes, few of us would meet to break fast together – but this was peak summer, our class schedule was a heavy one laden with assignments and these meetings were rare.
Re-evaluating the So-Called ‘Transfer of Power’ in 1948
Hugh Karunanayake, in The Island, 9 July 2016
The recent interesting discussion in your columns relating to the impact of the Sinhala Only Act has since evoked some comments on the so called “transfer of power” which “Independence” granted on 4 February 1948, is supposed to have made. I wish to make some observations on this so called transfer of power.
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Malik Samarawickrama on ETCA and Blossoming Developments
Malik Samarawickrama ………….Text of address by Malik Samarawickrama M.P., Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade at the interaction with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Indian companies, June 5 in New Delhi
The multifaceted relationship between Sri Lanka and India is rooted in deep civilizational links, which stretch back many millennia. Today, India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner; ranked first in terms of the source of imports and the third largest export market. It is also ranked fifth in terms of FDI, which averaged only USD 54 Million in 2013-15. For India, Sri Lanka is the largest trading partner in SAARC, as well as, the largest export market in the South Asian region.
I believe we can do far better in terms of attracting investment from India. In my view, I am confident we are creating conditions, which will be conducive for leveraging the trade – investment nexus in a positive way. This is also the best way to address our large bilateral trade deficit with India. It is my firm conviction that the time is very opportune to explore very aggressively the ways and means of elevating bilateral economic relations between our two countries to a much higher level. There have been a number of developments, which have improved the overall landscape for strengthening bilateral economic links. Continue reading
Filed under accountability, economic processes, foreign policy, governance, Indian Ocean politics, island economy, modernity & modernization, performance, politIcal discourse, sri lankan society, the imaginary and the real, transport and communications, welfare & philanthophy, world events & processes
