A Batsman’s Paradise in Darwin for Australia A vs Lanka A

THE HEADLINES OVER THE DAYS

Four bowlers struck for the home side, but it was tough going on the opening day in Darwin
Nuwanidu century secures draw for Sri Lanka A

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A Pathway to History: Biographical ‘Hits’ in Thuppahi, 22 July 2025

Michael Roberts

Biographical tales and investigations serve as one pathway to historical enquiry.  Because they resonate with readers interest in their own personal journeys this fascination seems to evoke continuous appeal. The WORD PRESS record of readers hits on items in THUPPAHI confirm this fact. Let me, therefore, provide TPS readers with a list of some of the items that drew at least one reader …. that is one HIT …. today/yesterday.

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Political Complexities in Jaffna & the Killing of Rajani Thiranagama

BEING Chapter 3 of Palmyra Fallen, from Rajani to War’s End, by Rajan Hoole ….. Published 2015 …. a book printed and bound by Global Printing Works, 5 Stork Place, Colombo 10 …. a chapter entitled Some Crucial Pieces of the Jigsaw” … [with the highlights here –– except for those in black — being impositions by The Editor, Thuppahi]

 “To everything there is a season…A time to be born and a time to die…A time to weep and a time to laugh: a time to mourn and a time to dance…I know that whatsoever God doeth it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it”- The Book of Ecclesiastes

Dayapala & Rajani Thiranagama in 1984 .. . well before her assassination in late 1989

Dayapala in later years

 

3.1 The Sands Run Out

More recently, we have been able to put together more detailed information about Rajani’s killing. Given that much water has since flowed under the bridge, we felt that while placing the truth about her murder on a record that adequately traces its manner, purpose and the parties involved, it would also be appropriate to bring out a publication that allows today’s reader to see her relevance to the present. As is evident from our account, Rajani’s killing was well planned, mobilising a network of LTTE contacts and agents. Here in Chapter 3, we detail the cold-blooded murder and cover-up by the LTTE and the names of those who were involved at the time. In Chapter 4, we discuss who within the LTTE was involved.

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Confronting the Algae Bloom in South Australian Coastal Waters

Louise Miller-Frost

The coastline and waters are a great asset to Boothby residents, and many of us very much value the time we spend there walking on the beach, swimming in the ocean, fishing off the jetties or small boats, or just sitting contemplating the spectacular views.

And so the Algal Bloom currently affecting much of the SA coastline is of great concern. The impact on the local environment and ecosystems, the widespread marine species deaths, the impact on recreational and commercial fishing, the impact on tourism and local businesses is all of great concern to locals and to all levels of government.
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Wind Power in Lanka: India’s Imperial Grab

Chris Dharmakirti n Facebook, July 2025

India has overstepped its ambition by grabbing Sri Lanka’s 50 giga watt wind power asset valued at over 40 billion dollars and then for having obstructed Sri Lanka’s Bay of Bengal extended continental shelf claim that is estimated to possess 200 billion dollars of resources. India has weaponized her 4 billion debt assistance in 2022 to ride rough shod over a weak Sri Lankan political and civil service administration that bent over backwards to appease Modi.

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The Killing of Fr. Saverimuttu Selvarajah in 1990

Ruki Fernando in Groundviews,  11 July 2025, where the title reads “Getting Rid of A Troublesome Priest” ... with the highlighting emphasis being the workd of The Editor, Thuppahi

 

July 11, 2025 marks 35 years since the disappearance of Fr. Saverimuttu Selvarajah, a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Batticaloa. Known as Fr. Selva, he was 30 years at that time and serving as the parish priest and administrator of Holy Cross Shrine in the remote village of Sorikalmunai in the Ampara district.

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How the ICES – the International Centre of Ethnic Studies – Arose

A Note by the Late SWR de Samarasinghe penned in 2021 and presented now in his Honour, albeit against his wishes then.

 Dear Michael:

I will have a look at the document when you place it on Thuppahi.

BTW, I noticed that you mention the names of KM, Neelan and Radhika as the three people responsible for the establishment of ICES. Factually, Neelan got the initial grant from the Ford Foundation, KM got permission from JR to set it up. JR also instructed the then Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel to facilitate the process. Neelan invited Radhika [Coomaraswamy] to join as Associate Director and KM invited me to join as the Associate Director.  

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That Magic Moment at Lords: India’s Last Wicket

Lam Seneviratne … in Colombo, July 2025… Was Siraj blameless”

The last ball of the Lords Cricket Test match was not just Siraj getting bowled and England winning the match, it was a prolonged gripping drama stranger than fiction. Siraj was not required to score runs, but just defend his wicket which he had done assuredly for 12 overs. 

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Topsy-Turvy Cricket ….. Lords …. Bridgetown

Michael Roberts 

It was a privilege to witness (on TV) much of the coruscating contest between England and India in their Third Test, held at Lord’s, with both sides displaying admirable determination and high levels of skill.

And then we read that the West Indies collapsed for no less than 27 runs in the face of devastating pace-bowling from Starc and Boland. The West Indian cricket fans must be deeply dismayed.

YES! …. just 27 runs ….. a shipwreck of an innings ….. one that will haunt the Caribbean peoples for a long-time. The fact that the Aussies struggled in their second innings and were all out for 12 runs, however, indicates how treacherous the pitch had become.

We will never know how the Aussies would have fared on that treacherous pitch; but that is an issue we must keep in mind.

&&&&&&&

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Extra! Extra! Aussie Cricket Headlines Today 16 July

HOT HOT Cricket NEWS –Australian

Fraser-McGurk dropped, Owen earns maiden T20I call-up

Maxwell retires from ODI cricket, available for T20 World Cup

 Smith retires from ODI cricket, remains committed to Tests

 Stoinis makes shock decision to retire from ODIs

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