Articles

Trekking to Heeloya Village via Rangala – Exploring typical Sri Lankan Village lifestyle – By Dhanushka Liyanage Source : Dhanushka Liyanage Linkedin Trekking to Heeloya Village via Rangala – Heeloya is a rural, remote agricultural village in the Kandy district with a unique attraction of understanding how justice was meted out in the good old days. The proceedings of hearing a case by the village-headman and the location are still intact. The main livelihood of the village community is paddy cultivation, home gardening, livestock and spices. Villagers engage in toddy tapping, handicrafts, bee-keeping, traditional dances etc., as supplementary income sources. A very traditional village, it is unique in that it identifies itself with practicing even to this day some of the local customs in daily life. Tourists are encouraged to work and become part of the village life by engaging in plucking fruits and vegetables for a meal to be prepared according ...

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St Stephen’s Church Negombo – By Prashanth Sentilkumar Source : Prashanth Sentilkumar Linkedin After ascending to the top of the Negombo Fort, I saw a church which was about 500m towards the north, quite an old structure but beautifully painted in white. So I headed down from the mound and walked on to a carpeted road towards an open gate , walking past the gate, I came towards the garden of the Church, beautifully maintained and well pruned. The church was quite a big flat beautifully constructed gothic designed church. For some reason, it reminded me of Zimbabwean Architecture although I have never been to Zimbabwe in my life. However, when I watch cricket matches I always witness the grandstand at the Harare cricket grounds and I have a weird habit of doing internet searches of the particular country that I find interesting to check on their architecture, food and prominent places. ...

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Dushyanthi Thangiah awarded OAM for service to the community – By AMIT SARWAL Image: Dushyanthi Thangiah (Source: LinkedIn) Source : theaustraliatoday Dushy was born to Sri Lankan parents with strong ties to India – both grandmothers are Indians! The Governor-General of Australia, the Hon. David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), has announced Honours and Awards for 1,191 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.  Well-known Sri Lankan-Australian community worker Dushyanthi Thangiah has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through social welfare organisations.  Image: Dushyanthi Thangiah (Source: LinkedIn) Dushy was born to Sri Lankan parents with strong ties to India – both grandmothers are Indians! In December 1988, Dushy and her husband Ranjit migrated to Australia after spending several years in Singapore. “Community work runs in my blood. My mother and sisters are all ...

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Why is it difficult to control emotions – By Jayadeva De Silva Source : Jayadeva De Silva Linkedin Emotions, the vibrant threads woven into the fabric of human existence, can at times elude our control, leaving us pondering the reasons behind this enigmatic phenomenon. In this article, we will delve into the 7 most common reasons why controlling emotions can be an arduous endeavor. 1 . Biological Wiring : Our emotional responses are deeply rooted in our biology, making them instinctual and often resistant to conscious regulation. 2 . Cognitive Influence : The intricate interplay between our thoughts and emotions can create a powerful feedback loop, where irrational beliefs or distorted thinking patterns hinder our ability to control emotional reactions. 3. Past Trauma : Emotional wounds from past experiences can linger, triggering intense emotional responses and making regulation challenging without addressing and healing the underlying trauma. 4 . Social Conditioning : ...

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Easy and Delicious Banana Cake Recipe – By Nadeeka – eLanka Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 3 ripe bananas, mashed 1/2 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Stir in the ...

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NSW Govt leaders hail multilingualism Minister mingles with a group of language teachers 18.06.23 Premier Chris Minns has told the annual dinner of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools that one third of the state’s school students have family ties to a language other than English.  “It is a tremendous asset for our economy in a globalised world. “We want to make it easier and more affordable for every child who wants to learn a language to do so. He told his audience of several hundred language teachers: “Community language Schools are the bridge that connects children with their heritage and with the culture of their families”. Meanwhile, congratulating the Federation on the 45th anniversary of co-ordinating the teaching of community languages in the state, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car, said: “For generations, they have helped build social cohesion in one of the most culturally ...

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The Sri Lanka Cricket Museum – By Prashanth Sentilkumar Source : Prashanth Sentilkumar Linkedin The Sri Lanka Cricket Museum is one of a kind Museum which beautifully takes you through a journey in history of the sport in Srilanka which showcases important milestones embodied In the walls of the museum and also memorable trophies that have been won by Srilanka Cricket in terms of both the Mens and Womens sports. It was a beautiful sight to see some wonderful trophies won over the years, I saw trophies that were won in the 1950s Gopalan trophy till the Asia Cup victory last year.And also it reminded me of some of the memories I had over the years of Sri lanka teams that lifted some beautiful silverware which you watch on TV and crave to also lift it with the team since they are beautifully crafted. My Favourite of them of all is ...

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“THE AGE OF INNOCENCE & THENCE-FORTH”. – By Noor Rahim As is my routine, in retired life; I sit relaxed on the porch and watch the clouds roll by. For want of something better to do, my mind as usual, wanders into the “reminiscing mode”. Reversing right back into the past; and thence-forth back again into the “comparison mode”, to that of the present day experiences. I feel lucky and very fortunate indeed that I was born 8 and a half decades ago; when the “Age of Innocence” was a fact and ruled the roost. In comparison I find and lament, that this is hardly so in the present days. I now wonder in amazement if the “Age of Innocence” is almost fictional or just one of those periods that has phased away with time. The only exception I believe is in the “eyes of the Law” where it is ...

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Australians to be charged a fee to enter the UK-by Michael Gebicki   Australians will need to apply and pay for an Electronic Travel Authorisation under upcoming changes to the UK’s entry rules.  Source:Theage While you can still arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport, flash your Aussie passport and head off to the nearest pub for a pint, those days are going to end. We’re soon going to need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. This is not a visa. The ETA is a visa waiver, available to citizens of around 50 countries. The new rules Every incoming eligible traveller, regardless of age, will require an ETA (unless they already hold a separate visa to enter). Even those transiting through the UK and not passing through border control will also need an ETA. To apply, applicants need a valid biometric passport and an email address. Applications must be ...

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Popular tourist destination located in Galle District Sri Lanka ‘ Bentota ‘ – By Malsha – eLanka Kande Vihara Temple benthota Bentota is a popular tourist destination located in the southwestern coastal region of Sri Lanka. It is a coastal town situated in the Galle District of the Southern Province. Bentota is known for its stunning beaches, water sports activities, and scenic beauty. The main attraction of Bentota is its pristine golden sandy beach, which stretches for several kilometers along the coastline. The beach offers opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxation. The calm waters of the Bentota River, which flows into the sea, also provide options for various water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and boat rides. One of the key attractions in Bentota is the Bentota River safari. Travelers can take a boat ride along the river, passing through mangrove forests, and explore the rich biodiversity of ...

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