Articles

The wistful musings of a reluctant émigré-By Dr Nihal D Amerasekera   Source:Island It has been a cold and wet winter in London. As I snuggle-up in my rocking chair to write my thoughts I can hear the wind howling outside. The raindrops are carried horizontally by the strong south-westerly wind battering the window panes and dripping down in torrents. I still have grateful memories of a happy 12 years at Wesley College. The school on Karlsruhe Hill was established with missionary zeal and some colonial vigour but it catered for all Ceylonese. The school became the cradle of multiculturalism. Protected from the polarised world outside, it remained secular and was driven by merit. Since the very beginning Wesley has strived hard to become a modern, forward-thinking school. The school has a strong record of academic achievements and a full programme of wider life activities, including the arts and sports. ...

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Karlsruhe and the properties of Lorenz-By Avishka Mario Senewiratne Modern-day photograph of Karlsruhe Bungalow in Wesley College Premises Source:Island avishkamario@gmail.com The history of this abode is both historic and tragic concerning the life of Lorenz. The origins of this abode are unknown. Its structure is essentially Dutch but its occupants of various eras have made their additions to its architectural setting. Lorenz had been eyeing this property for some time. Previously, it was owned by Governor Charles McCarthy’s brother. Just like Elie House, this property opposite the Welikada Prison was situated at a higher elevation in comparison with its surroundings. Originally this property was in two blocks of land covering 11.5 acres. After purchasing this property from Dr. Dickman and Dr. Wambeek, Charles Lorenz, who was mortally ill arrived here in early 1871. Sadly, this would be his final abode as Lorenz passed away in August 1871. In the maps of Colombo ...

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Two Twin Hundreds by Dhananjaya & Kamindu create history for Lanka – By Michael Roberts Source : thuppahis Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis become the first ever duo to stitch 170+ runs in both innings of a Test match & 3rd ever pair of batsmen to score Centuries in both innings of a Test match! BRIAN THOMAS and HIRAN HEWAVISENTI also had high praise for the two ….. with the latter having this to say: …. Ha ha …. FB denies copying rights. What a bugger THE REPORTS in espncricinfo …. thus far = bugger all …. Nought yet on the innings within easy access. SL 280 & 418 BAN (13 ov, T:511) 188 & 47/5 Day 3 – Bangladesh need 464 runs. Current RR: 3.61  • Last 10 ov (RR): 37/3 (3.70) ...

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VACD Australia & Sri Lanka March 2024 Newsletter Source:Vacd Dear friends, colleagues, supporters, and collaborative partners, Greetings to you, your families, loved ones, and colleagues from all of us at VACD. Senura Engineering staff visit to our Bandarawela Centre:  Staff from Senura Civil Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd, (https://www.facebook.com/SenuraCE/) stationed in Bandarawela paid our Bandarawela centre a most welcome and delightful visit on Thursday, 222nd February to provide our children with food, school bags and stationery that was most gratefully received by the children. “Thank you – Senura Civil Engineering”. Ongoing local community support is critical for the long-term sustainability and success of our mission.  A Big “Thank you” to the Sellahewa Family from Bandarawela: Our sincere thanks to Mr. Rohitha, Mrs. Renuka and Ms. Malmee Sellahewa from Bandarawela who donated lunch to our Bandarawela centre children. The Sellahewa family have been and continue to be strong advocates and supporters of our mission. Inspiring ...

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Dear X (name withheld for privacy) THE ROYAL COLLEGE THAT NURTURED ME Many thanks for sharing and giving me an opportunity to express my views on a few issues currently concerning my old school. Firstly, I applaud the ex-Principal of RC, Mr. R M M Rathnayake for his subject article https://island.lk/a-former-royal-college-principal-defends-maintenance-of-secular-values-in-the-school/ that partly contributes to us old Royalists becoming aware of current “happenings” at Royal. I believe that I can confidently assume that Mr. Rathnayake is a devout and respected Buddhist and an educationist and Principal par excellence. As such he has the credentials to be seriously considered. On the other hand, you and I being so remote from the scene are really not in a position to be ultra judgemental. I strongly believe that these issues of concern must be brought to the notice of old Royalists. It is then up to each one of us to make our ...

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Exercise (walking) is a powerful medicine for daily life. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Transcript: As Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician often referred to as the “Father of Western Medicine”, wisely stated, “Walking is man’s best medicine.” His timeless advice still holds today. Walking is a simple yet powerful activity that can significantly impact our health and longevity. Let us explore today how simple daily brisk walking contributes to a longer, healthier life. Daily physical activity can be the most effective remedy for leading healthy and fulfilling lives without relying on medications or supplements. It is a potent medicine that helps our physical and mental well-being. Let’s delve into why it is frequently regarded as the best prescription. How does walking reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke? When you exercise like a daily walk, your heart rate increases significantly. This causes your heart to work harder ...

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There are more than 1,000 varieties of banana, and we eat one of them. Here’s why that’s absurd-by Dan Saladino Source:Theguardian The meeting of the World Banana Forum last week in Rome didn’t make many headlines. But what was under discussion there has serious implications for everyone. The ubiquitous yellow fruit is the proverbial canary in the mine of our modern food system, showing just how fragile it is. And the current plight of the banana should serve as an invitation to us all to become champions of food diversity. When you peel a banana, you’re on the receiving end of a near-miraculous $10bn supply chain. One that sends seemingly endless quantities of a tropical fruit halfway across the world to be among the cheapest, most readily available products in supermarket aisles (on average, around 12p a banana). But, incredibly, there’s no inbuilt backup plan or safety net if the one ...

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Memories of a school girl in Ceylon, 1960 125th year celebrations of SACRED HEART CONVENT, Galle (1896 – 2020) Source:Dailymirror The echo of frenzied cheering ebbing and flowing like a wave from the open pavilion of the Galle Esplanade fill my ears as if it were only yesterday. I can hear Rev. Sister Rosina, Mistress of Queens Own House spurring me on fitfully on the loudspeaker in the open event cycle race. My spindly legs peddle furiously and perfectly navigate the tracks and breeze through the touch line to victory on an old rackety Men’s Raleigh bicycle, borrowed on the spot for the race from the school Watcher! Indeed, not many girls cycled then nearly fifty years ago, with the exception of tomboys and the posh girls from Colombo who were sent to our Boarding School; which functioned under firm but kind Irish and Belgian nuns. Yet oddly we were ...

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