Articles

The long and steady journey of St. Joseph’s College-by Dr.Mario Gomez Source:Dailymirror An Early History of St. Joseph’s College by Avishka Mario Senewiratne and Dr. Srilal Fernando In this book, Avishka Senewiratne and Srilal Fernando explore the early history of St Joseph’s College. The book locates the beginnings of the College in the social and political milieu of late 19th and early 20th Century Ceylon, and discusses some key events and personalities associated with St Joseph’s from 1892 to 1936. What started initially as an article on the principal benefactors of the school has now evolved into a book with text and pictures that look in detail at some of the events leading to the establishment of what is now a leading Catholic educational institution. Following the release of Archbishop Bonjean’s pastoral letter on education a group of wealthy Catholics gathered in Colombo on April 2, 1892 and pledged contributions for ...

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Requiem for the lady luminary Sumitra Peries-by Sachitra Mahendra Source:Dailynews The film industry mourns the loss of a true visionary, Sumitra Peries, the octogenarian female filmmaker who devoted her life to the art of cinema. From her groundbreaking debut film that introduced new talent to the world, to her numerous award-winning films, Sumitra’s impact on Sri Lanka’s film industry is undeniable. In an interview with Ruwini Jayawardana done seven years ago, Sumitra Peries said what she would do if she were 21: she would pursue exactly what she had chosen in life at present. A life dedicated to cinema. “Making movies is no walk in the park. However that is my passion and I would have taken the same career path even in the modern world,” said the ‘poetess of Sinhala cinema’. Sumitra Peries, born on March 24, 1934, is recognized as the first female filmmaker from Sri Lanka. Widely ...

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Will set up fund to collect Rs. 100Mn, my only source of income is mango cultivation: Maithripala Source:Dailymirror Former President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he will set up a fund to collect money from the people who are near and dear to him to pay the Rs. 100 million compensation to the Easter Sunday suicide attack victims as ordered by the Supreme Court. Addressing a media briefing, the former president said he was planning to collect money from the people, since he doesn’t have the capacity to pay such a colossal amount as compensation. ...

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Hold General and Local Govt. Elections on the same day after legalising critical system changes – by Bernard Fernando  It is very heartening to learn that one of the rare ‘Country –first’ Political Professionals in the current Parliament has suggested to hold both Parliamentary and LG Elections on the same day. May be as an economist he wanted to make the budgetary provision of Rs.10 Bln. more meaningful, productive and cost-effective in the face of the dire human and Financial/economic catastrophe that the country is facing as a ‘Bankrupt Nation’. Further, it may to some extent, justify the estimated Rs.72Bln. earmarked to be spent by contesting political parties for Election campaigning while enabling saving of Millions of man hours lost when conducting a laborious country –wide, complex and unrefined Election process that we are saddled with, at present.  Nevertheless, as Sovereign voters we exhort that it is more fundamental to make critical system ...

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The Economy During The Anuradhapura Epoch – By Dr Tilak S. Fernando Every part of the central city of Anuradhapura belonged to the King during the Anuradhapura epoch. There was a standard procedure for kings to follow, known (in Sinhala) as Dasaraja Dharmaya – meaning Charitability, Generosity, Straightforwardness, Humility, Innocence, Peacefulness, Anger, Calmness and Independence. The King was also known as the mahapathy. Once a king was crowned, the new King had to continue with the previous king’s (undertakings, such as repairs to industries and lakes, lochs etc.) It was a standard gesture for the King to maintain peace and tranquillity in the society. The etiquette laid down the Royal family’s rights, which meant that if a king died (without children), the crown was entitled to the dead king’s paternal side. The throne went to his young brothers. During the crowning, the King was made to sit on a throne made out of  ...

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Reminiscing  lady celebrity in Sri Lankan films Sumithra Peries’ who bid adieu at 88 years – by Sunil Thenabadu The film industry mourns the loss of a true imaginative, Kala Keerthi Dr Sumithra Peries, the octogenarian 88 years old  female filmmaker who devoted her life to the art of cinema. She had expired at a private nursing home in Colomobo on the 19th January 2023. From her ground breaking debut film that pioneered new talent to the world, to her numerous award-winning films, Sumithra’s bearing on Sri Lanka’s film industry is indisputable. Kala Keerthi Dr Sumithra known as the ‘Poetess”( kividiya) of the Sinhala Cinema ,first female film director in Sri Lanka, was Born on 24rh March 1934 to parents ‘ in a Marxist family’ at their ancestral house” Boralugoda Walauwwa” in Talduwa, Avissawela.Her father Henry better known as Harry  was a proctor at the Avissawella courts mother Harriete Wickremasinghe. Her ...

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The Brad and Kiara Show Podcast – 2023-1-21 Source : omny A lifestyle radio show that connects with your community and focuses on topics that you can relate to, a little bit of this and a little bit of that with a real  Sri Lankan touch – Anything and everything goes on The Brad & Kiara Show – Tune in Saturday Mornings 7-8 right here on Triple H 100.1 FM ...

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MAGGOT-MEMORIES” – by Des Kelly To begin with the customary Congratulations to the Australian of the year for 2023, Ms.Olympia  Yarger, who, among other creditable efforts, now adds the management of maggots, in a bid to the final effect of Climate-change, that our World is seeking at this very moment. Who would have thought that maggots would be necessary for this ultra-important task, and Australian maggots at that !!.  Anyway, if there is ANY Country that could boast accomplishnents of this calibre, believe me, AUSTRALIA CAN!!. Talking about Aussie-Mags., my memories of these little insects come from one of my MANY experiences as an Ordinary Australian Man or O.A.M., (call me what you will), & I have been called other ‘names’ as well, being the ultimate “No problem” type of volunteer, willing to take on ANY type of job for the purpose of earning this little bit of extra money, ...

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