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OBITUARY – GEOFF GARNIER (PRE-SEVENTIES) It is with sadness, we share the news of the passing away of former St. Peter’s College 1st XV Ruggerite and Captain of 1952 1st XV College (he was the oldest living Peterite Rugby Captain) Geoff Garnier.  Geoff was residing in Colombo and used to come to watch matches at Bambalapitiya or attend OBU events at College, but after his wife Veera’s demise in 2010 he shunned away from public life. He played for the Combined University team (1952-1954) that toured Malaysia and later played for the start-studded Ceylon XV (in 1959) under Ashey Cader’s captaincy which took part in the All India Tournament. Geoff, after joining the plantation (George Steuart & Co, and later JEDB) continued playing Rugby for Uva Club (the Merry Men) until 1964 and he went on to become the President of the Club too.  He also rose in the ranks ...

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Graceful Glide: Unraveling the Secrets of the Sri Lankan Flying Snake – By Nadeeka – eLanka In the lush rainforests of Sri Lanka, an extraordinary creature defies gravity and captures the imagination of all who encounter it – the Sri Lankan Flying Snake. With its remarkable ability to glide through the air, this enigmatic serpent has intrigued scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of the Sri Lankan Flying Snake, uncovering the mysteries of its unique adaptation, its ecological role, and the ongoing efforts to conserve its habitat. Aerial Mastery: The Science Behind the Glide The Sri Lankan Flying Snake, scientifically known as “Chrysopelea taprobanica,” possesses an astonishing ability to glide distances of up to 30 meters from tree to tree. Explore the biomechanics behind this incredible feat, including the snake’s specialized body structure, movement techniques, and the physics that govern its mid-air ...

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 Media What’s On Liverpool City Council August and September 2023 Dear Colleagues We have a bug few months ahead with lots of activities for everyone, including: CHECK OUT THE CODE CLUB AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY Check out the What’s On with Chess Club at Liverpool Library; the Casula Code Club; Microbits and Robotics; and Learn to Program with Python; and Green Valley Code Club. COMMUNITY INFORMATION LIVERPOOL LIBRARY Thinking of becoming an Australian Citizen? Come along in preparation for Australian Citizenship Test Friday, 4 August 2023 – Friday, 6 October 2023 | 10am – 12pm | Liverpool General Free course at Liverpool City Library facilitated by Navitas Skilled Futures. Arabic bilingual support is available. Preparation for the Citizenship test includes learning about Australia and its people, understanding what it means to become an Australian citizen, gaining knowledge about the government and law in Australia, and practising taking the test. Navitas ...

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Political Parties should genuinely address sovereign voter proposals at the APC – By Bernard Fernando The ‘All Party Conference’ (APC) aimed at resolving our National issue has come to a grinding halt due to the stubbornness and ‘one -upmanship’ embedded in the DNA of our traditional Political parties. However, the country loving sovereign voters are confident that the reconciliation proceedings can be catalysed by addressing the following Electoral Reforms/System changes with a ‘win-win’ outlook. 1)Allocate seats to People’s Representatives using simple Proportionate arithmetic  thereby ensuring ‘Equality of Vote’  as per UN Human Rights Declaration of 1948 and fostering ‘Sri lankan ness’ in the process. 2) Ensure Quality of Peoples’ Representatives by applying a mandatory methodology based on Meritocracy using minimum eligibility criteria and a structured interview marking system applicable to all parties across the board. 3) Abolish existing Preference Voting (‘Manape’) and Mixed Member Voting (MMV) systems together with ‘Cross-over’ ...

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GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY  – Remember your ageing friends and relatives – by Charles Schokman I’m still here     My looks are nothing special, My face reveals my age, My body shows some wear and tear, And my energy’s not the same.   Too often my memory fails me, And I lose things all the time. One minute I know what I plan to do, And the next it may just slip my mind.   I try hard to avoid my mirror. There are things I would rather not see, And even those times when I just catch a glimpse, I can no longer recognize me.     The things I used to do with ease Can now cause aches and pains, And the quality of the things I do Will never be quite the same. I always compare my older self To those younger versions of me, And I know I’m wasting ...

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TRAINING AIRCRAFT OF SLAF CRASHES KILLING TWO – By Sunil Thenabadu Source : info-rain A training aircraft that took off from the China Bay Airport in Trincomalee has crashed, killing both the Sri Lanka Air Force personnel onboard. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) confirmed that the crashed plane is a PT6 aircraft used to train pilots at the No 1 Flying Training Wing in SLAF Academy China Bay, that had taken off from the China Bay airstrip this morning (07) for an air test. However, the aircraft had crashed in the vicinity of the SLAF Camp in China Bay around 11.27 am. The SLAF Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa has appointed a special investigation committee for further investigations into the accident. ...

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Madu River Safari- We enjoyed the lush mangrove forest.- By Dr harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com We broke the journey in Wadduwa Oak Ray Beach hotel, driving 6 hours from Kandy, via the Southern expressway from Kadawata. The next morning, we decided to drive down to Balapitiya along the Western coast, just one hour drive along the Colombo-Galle Road, to discover the secrets of the Madu River and explore the sounds and the sights of the lush mangrove forest, with many of my family members. The Madu River is in Balapitiya on the road to Galle, and we were told that this mangrove forest is a paradise for nature lovers. It is home to over 300 species of fauna from colorful birds like woodpeckers and kingfishers among others, and has over 22 small islands or you may call them the islets. We drove to the Nilwala Boatshed through a narrow-tarred road ...

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Unveiling the Wonders of Cinnamon-By Kalani – eLanka Cinnamon, the fragrant spice that has enchanted our taste buds and senses for generations, holds a special place in the world of culinary delights. Beyond its delightful taste and aroma, cinnamon boasts a rich history and a plethora of health benefits. From ancient times to modern culinary creations, this spice has proven itself to be more than just a delightful addition to dishes. Join us as we embark on a journey through the world of cinnamon, exploring its origins, its use in traditional medicine, and its place in contemporary cuisine. Cinnamon has a fascinating history that spans thousands of years. Its usage dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was utilized in embalming rituals and as a precious gift fit for kings and gods. Traders from the Arab world introduced cinnamon to Europe, creating a demand for this exotic spice that led ...

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