Thuppahi's Blog

John Rogers to Michael Roberts, date uncertain, maybe circa 2018 … responding to items in this website, maybe circa 2018, which retailed debates in the early 1970s  within Peradeniya University and Lanka in circles associated with  — and against — the activities of the CEYLON STUDIES SEMINAR. 

Some lecturers aligned with the United Front government of Mrs Bandaranaike voiced strong protests against some seminars organised by the CSS cabal — including a conference on the “Sinhala-Tamil problem” held in Colombo.

John’s reflections on the challenges and the work of the CSS provide us with stimulating ideas on the character of political contestation in general. His academic background and items pertinent to the CSS will be listed at the end of this item.

“Where have all the flowers gone,

Long time passing,

….

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Rex Clementine in The Sunday Island, July 2025

Sri Lanka’s Ruchira Palliyaguruge entered an elite club on Saturday when he stood in his 100th One-Day International, joining only Asoka de Silva and Kumar Dharmasena as the island’s umpires to have reached the three-figure mark in the 50-over format.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 20: Umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge of Sri Lanka during the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and England at Eden Park on March 20, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

The landmark game took place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Ruchira has risen through the ranks with quiet determination and an unwavering commitment to the game’s highest standards.

A proud product of St. Servatius College in Matara, Ruchira was once a fiery right-arm quick and a solid top-order bat. He shared the new ball — and the opening stand — with none other than Sanath Jayasuriya, who in his school days bowled brisk seam-up before later turning to his trademark left-arm spin.

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S. Skandakumar in GOOGLE

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) administration was in chaos when President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga appointed Rienzie Wijetilleke who passed away yesterday at the age of 85, as Chairman of the first interim committee to administer Sri Lanka Cricket in June 1999.

PIX proved obstinate ..…. Rienzie Wijetilleke as Interim Committee Chairman in a thoughtful mood with England and Wales Cricket Board CEO Tim Lamb, at a lunch hosted at Steuart House by Secretary S. Skandakumar

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Chaturanga P Samarasinghe, in Daily Mirror Online, 1 July 2025, where the title reads thus: “Kandy’s dirty pretty things”

Rex Clementine in The Island, 4 July 2025, where the title runs thus:

If there was one glaring chink in Sri Lanka’s armour during their disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign, it was their fielding. Sloppy, uninspired and error-strewn, the islanders dropped more catches than any other team, earning the unenviable tag of the worst fielding side in the tournament.

Upul Chandana when  he was Under 19

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