Cultivating Self-Sufficiency: The Home Garden Movement in Sri Lanka – Written by Dr Harold Gunatillake (Order of Australia) Sri Lanka is heading for difficult times socioeconomically and will be worse off when we must pay back our debts from 2028 onwards. The sooner we cultivate our neglected land for food, the sooner we recover from food shortages. Let’s start today. This article will motivate you. Growing your food is profoundly satisfying in a world where supermarket shelves are laden with produce from distant lands. Sri Lanka, with its lush landscapes and fertile soil, has the potential to transform small spaces— backyards, balconies, and even windowsills—into thriving mini-farms. This article explores the “Grow More” campaign, which urges Sri Lankans to embrace home gardening and reconnect with the earth. The need for self-reliance is imminent due to rising food prices, supply chain disruptions, and environmental concerns. Home gardening can reduce dependence on imported veggies ...
Triglycerides: Unravelling the Fats in Your Body Compiled by Dr Harold Gunatillake -Order of Australia FRCS, FICS, FIACS, AM(Sing), MBBS(Cey) Triglycerides—a term often heard but not always understood. While you may be more accustomed to checking your blood cholesterol, understanding and monitoring your triglycerides is equally, if not more, critical for your health. Triglycerides and cholesterol are different lipids circulating in your blood. Triglycerides store unused calories and provide your body with energy. Cholesterol is used to build cells and certain hormones. It is the type of stored fat called lipid that circulates in your blood and is also stored in fat cells in the body. Triglycerides come from foods, especially butter, oils, and other fats you eat. Triglycerides also come from extra calories your body does not need right away, including sugar. Triglycerides are a common fat that accounts for about 95 per cent of all dietary fats. Both ...
Health & Views September 1st issue 2024 – By Dr. Harold Gunatillake Download the PDF file . Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox! ...
Mechanisms of Action of Drugs for High Blood Pressure – By Dr Harold Gunatillake-Order of Australia FRCS, FICS, FIACS, AM(Sing), MBBS(Cey) The Mechanism of Action of Drugs for High Blood Pressure is a crucial topic that empowers individuals to take control of their health. By understanding how these drugs work, you can make informed decisions that positively impact your well-being. High blood pressure often develops as people age, particularly after age 60. It is mainly caused by artery thickening, referred to as arteriosclerosis. This condition, not to be confused with atherosclerosis, which involves plaque formation within the arteries, is influenced by factors such as age, lifestyle, diet, physical inactivity, uncontrolled diabetes, and stress. This underscores the crucial role of healthy living in preventing high blood pressure. As a result of these detrimental changes, the heart is forced to work harder throughout a lifetime, leading to increased pressure for the distribution ...
The Role of Buddhism in Sri Lankan Politics: A Double-Edged Sword – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Sri Lankans in Singapore refer to themselves as “Singaporeans,” and Sri Lankans in Australia proudly call themselves “Aussies.” However, when they are in Sri Lanka, they identify as “Sinhala Buddhists” and do not proudly identify as Sri Lankans. This raises the question of why this anomaly exists. “Buddhism in Sri Lanka is not just a religion; it also holds significant cultural and political influence. Throughout the years, numerous politicians have used Buddhism to gain political leverage, sometimes contributing to the detriment of national unity. This article delves into the impact of the close relationship between Buddhism and politics on social harmony and the national identity of Sri Lankans.” Since gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has witnessed the active involvement of Buddhist monks in politics. The majority of the Sinhalese population, who follow Theravāda ...
We explore “another life,” in this dreamy paradise with unbounded adventure. YALA-Sri Lanka – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Hello viewers, I am now talking to you from Yala, at the southern end of Sri Lanka. Yala’s varying habitats, which consist of dry monsoon forest, scrub jungle and plains, rocky outcrops, freshwater lakes, rivers, and beaches, provide home to many species of animals, including Sloth Bears, herds of Asian Elephants, Buffalo, Monkeys, Mongooses, Deer, Toque Macaque, golden palm civet, and Red Slenders, marsh crocodiles, chital. That is where I am now. It is a land of untamed beauty with serene landscapes, and you will never find this calm and serenity anywhere else on the island. Nestled in the heart of this wilderness is a hidden gem, perfect for those seeking tranquillity and adventure alike – Leopard Reach Chalets where I am, ” by the Seven Angels- affiliated to Oak ...
World-Class Sri Lankans – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Hello everyone, While browsing Facebook, I stumbled upon an old description of me titled “World-Class Sri Lankans.” I thought sharing it with the 40,000 or more Sri Lankans I communicate bi-weekly through various channels was fitting, so I wanted to share it with you all. A professor of surgery, he developed a unique and successful surgical technique for operative procedures in abdominoplasty. This technique was named the “Gunatillake technique of abdominoplasty” after Sri Lankan Dr. Harold Gunatillake invented it. Since then, he has been able to describe the procedure at conferences in Paris, Rome, Florida, Los Angeles, Japan, Peru, and Bangkok. Recognised as the first surgeon to start liposuction in Australia in 1981, Dr Gunatillake pioneered cosmetic surgery, a relatively new field branching off from plastic surgery in Australia. In May 2022, #SriLankan Dr. Harold Gunatillake received an ‘Order of Australia’ Medal ...
Sri Lanka still has not reached the heights of becoming a tourist paradise – Observations written by Dr.Harold Gunatillake OAM Holiday as a Leisure- destination The current status of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is not just optimistic, but also promising. With continued promotional efforts and significant improvements in infrastructure and services, the country is poised not only to sustain but also to experience substantial growth in its tourism sector in the coming years. This growth potential makes Sri Lanka an attractive destination for prospective investors in the tourism industry. Sri Lanka, a small tropical island, has shown remarkable resilience in the face of its long history, from prehistoric times to foreign invasions, colonisation, uprisings, and natural disasters. These challenges have not hindered its progress but have contributed to its unique character. Today, it stands as a nation with a promising future, offering many facilities and attractions for tourists. This paper ...
“Sri Lanka Today: An Overview of the Current Situation” – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Explore the pearl of the Indian Ocean. Swathed in lush rainforest, rice paddies and tea plantations, Sri Lanka is a tropical island gem that captivates visitors with its idyllic beaches, abundant wildlife, verdant hill countries and wealth of ancient Buddhist and Hindu architecture. Is this the comeback of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry? $1.5 Billion Revenue Suggests So Through targeted promotions, improved airline services, and strategic visa policies, Sri Lanka is inching closer to its goal of attracting 2.5 million tourists this year. Introduction Peden Doma Bhutia Hello everyone! Welcome back to our channel. Today, we are deviating from health talks and looking closer at the current situation in Sri Lanka. From the economy and politics to social issues and recent events, we’ll cover everything you need to know about what’s happening in this beautiful island nation. ...
Visit to the Natha Devale-Kandy- In preparation for the Esala Perahera – By Dr. Harold Gunatillake Website www.doctorharold.com The term ‘Natha’ literally means ‘no form’ and ‘no shape,’ which is closely associated with the concept of Maitreya, the next Buddha. This reflects the philosophical underpinnings of Natha worship that emphasises the transcendence of form and the unity of all existence. Hello everyone! Welcome back to our channel. Today, we’re taking you on a journey to one of the oldest and most revered shrines in Kandy, Sri Lanka—the Natha Devale. We’ll explore its historical significance, architectural beauty, and the fascinating story of the Natha God. Let’s get started! Let me touch on the historical background. Ancient Origins: Natha Devale is one of the oldest surviving structures in Kandy believed to have been built by King Vikramabahu III in the 14th century. This shrine predates the arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Now, the Architectural Marvel showcases Dravidian ...
