Articles

Month Of August – By Malsha – eLanka August is the eighth month of the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar used by most of the world today. It has 31 days and is known for being a summer month in the Northern Hemisphere and a winter month in the Southern Hemisphere. The name “August” was derived from the Latin word “Augustus,” which means “majestic” or “venerable,” and it was named after the first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar. Various holidays and observances are celebrated during August in different countries, but some well-known ones include: International Youth Day (August 12) Independence Day in several countries, such as India (August 15) and Indonesia (August 17). Assumption of Mary (August 15) – a Christian feast day. World Humanitarian Day (August 19) National Dog Day (August 26) August is also associated with summer vacations and back-to-school preparations in many parts of the world. Keep ...

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Hanthana Mountain: A Natural Marvel of Sri Lanka–By Kalani – eLanka Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka, Hanthana Mountain stands tall and proud, representing the grandeur of nature in the island nation. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and historical significance, Hanthana Mountain has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike. In this article, we will explore the wonders and significance of this natural marvel. Hanthana Mountain is located just a few kilometers away from the picturesque city of Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Rising to an elevation of approximately 1,275 meters (4,183 feet) above sea level, the mountain forms a prominent part of the Central Highlands, a region blessed with lush greenery and cool climate. The formation of Hanthana Mountain is the result of geological processes that have taken place over millions of years. It is part of the Sri Lankan central massif, which ...

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SONGS OF PRAISE – Jesus Loves Me – By Charles Schokman “Jesus loves me – this I know, For the Bible tells me so: If you have been a Christian for very long, then you have probably heard the famous children’s song, “Jesus Loves Me.” It is played in most churches and Christian homes across the world. Have you ever wondered about its origin or the author’s story?  Two sisters, Anna and Susan Warner, became writers after their father passed away. They were left with very little and needed the means to survive. Both women became quite the writers, with Susan publishing several well-known novels and Anna publishing collections of hymns. They lived together on the Hudson River in New York. Their house was next to a military academy for young boys, so they soon began to teach the Bible at the Academy. They spent many years teaching the boys ...

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Let’s try to make Kurakkan Kada ( කුරක්කන් කැඳ )- Sri Lankan Finger Millet Porridge – By Malsha – eLanka Kurakkan Kada is a traditional Sri Lankan dish, known for its delightful taste and nourishing qualities. This wholesome finger millet porridge, enriched with coconut milk and garlic, offers a comforting and nutritious culinary experience. Follow this simple recipe to create a delicious batch of Kurakkan Kada at home. Ingredients: 3 cups of Water 4 tbsp Kurakkan flour (Finger Millet flour) 4 cups of Coconut milk 4 to 5 cloves of Garlic – Chopped Salt to taste Instructions: In a saucepan, combine the water, chopped garlic, and Kurakkan flour, stirring well to avoid lumps. Place the saucepan on low heat. Continuously stir the mixture until it thickens, maintaining a gentle heat throughout the process. Once the mixture has thickened, pour in the coconut milk and add salt to taste. Keep stirring ...

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LEST! YOU DID NOT KNOW? – By Charles Schokman Have you ever wondered where the month of August got its name from? August, the eighth month of our calendar year, was named in honor of the Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar. The original Roman calendar, which consisted of ten months, began with March and ended with December. However, during the reign of Julius Caesar, changes were made to the Roman calendar in order to align it with the solar year. These changes included the introduction of two new months, July and August. After Julius Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, his adopted son and heir, Gaius Octavius, came to power. Octavius later changed his name to Augustus Caesar, officially becoming the first Roman emperor. To commemorate his numerous accomplishments and to maintain harmony with the naming of the previous month (July, named after Julius Caesar), Augustus Caesar requested that the month then known ...

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Anuradhapura Dalada Perahara today-by Nimal Wijesinghe   Source:Dailynews Anuradhapura historic Dalada Perahera will be held today (1) for the 27th occasion. It was decided to limit the procession for one day instead of two traditional days’ duration in view of the economic situation of the country. This was decided by the Dalada Perahara Steering Committee meeting chaired by Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana Nayaka Thera, the Late North Central Chief Minister Berty Premalal Disanayake revived the then dysfunctional Anuradhapura historic Dalada Perahera in 1996 which has been continuing as a splendid religious and cultural pageant in Rajarata. On the instructions of North Central Governor Maheepala Herath and Anusasana of Maha Sangha headed by Atamasthanadhipathi Nayaka Thera, the North Central Chief Secretary Chandrasiri Bandara Organises the Dalada Perahera. After the North Central Provincial Governor has placed the casket of Relics on the caparisoned tusker, the Dalada Perahera will proceed from the Jaya ...

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Will The Agreement Between France and Sri Lanka be signed after the French President visits Sri Lanka-By Dr Tilak S. Fernando Following a meeting former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama had with his counterpart Bernard Brice Kouchner in Paris, in 2009, with other senior French officials, on a three-day tour to Paris, it was agreed to accommodate job opportunities for migrants from Sri Lanka in France. It mainly dealt with professionals, skilled workers, and IT and natural science students. It was also proposed that a protocol be signed between the Governments of Sri Lanka and France in this connection, as per Dhamith de Silva in Paris, attached to IMO (the International Organisation for Migration and part of the United Nations), the IMO has connections with 175 member states at in over 100 countries. ...

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Kandy Esala Perahera Festival 2023 Source :  Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – August 2023 Kandy Esala Perahera is a historical procession held annually to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which is housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. A unique symbol of Sri Lanka, the procession consists of traditional local dances such as fire dances and performances in whip-dance garments. The festival ends with the traditional Diya-kepeema ritual, a water cutting ceremony which is held at the Mahaweli River at Getambe, Kandy   ...

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Where Does Sri Lankan Food Come From? – By Randika Jayakody & Jerome Perera Source :  Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – August 2023 The Sri Lankan diaspora is famous for its food. We often congregate around food and it is an important part of the Sri Lankan identity. So, this month we decided to briefly summarise the origins of some Lankan foods we all cherish. According to academics and chefs, the community whose culinary impact on Sri Lanka was most pronounced were the Portuguese community of Sri Lanka. Portuguese nuns immensely contributed to cooking by introducing the holy trinity of oil, onions and garlic and the “themperaadu” technique, which precedes the cooking of many dishes. Cutlets, empanadas, viticulture, the use of vinegar for cooking and preservation (Vinagre became the Sinhala word Vinaakiri). Buns, breads, baked goods such as seenakku, wiskirinja, puhul dosi, custard and cheese (still called Keju ...

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Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka ‘ANAMADUWA ‘ – By Dr. Nimal Sedera Source :  Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – August 2023 Anamaduwa is in the District of Puttlam in Sri Lanka. It is now famous as a place of tourist interest too. But let’s focus on as to how the name Anamaduwa came into being. At the time this area was nothing but a jungle and it became a popular place for hunting. People believe that there are jungles in Sri Lanka where hunters get lost and struggle for days to get out of the forest.  Such stories are common even today. The reason for getting lost is attributed to a certain creeper found in the forest. The belief is that, if the hunters or anyone entering the jungle trample these creepers, they become confused and loose their way. Therefore, these creepers are named “මුලා ...

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