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Cricket legend Shane Warne dead at 52 of suspected heart attack in Thailand By Upali Obeyesekere Cricket world in shock at sudden death of one of the sport’s greatest ever players after a suspected heart attack on a Thai island. By: Upali Obeyesekere – With files from International Media SHANE WARNE, widely regarded as the greatest leg-spinner of all time, has died aged 52. Warne died after a suspected heart attack, according to a statement from his management team and initially reported by Fox Cricket. Cricket fans from all nations have been left heartbroken by the news, with many calling him the greatest of all time. “It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday 4 March,” a statement from his management company MPC Entertainment read. “Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the ...

Mar 5, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged Brian Lara, Michael Vaughan, Piers Morgan, Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne, Shikhar Dhawan

RIP – BENITO DE SILVA (1935-2022) – CO-FOUNDER, JPAA CANADA – by Upali Obeyesekere It is with profound sadness we report that Benito de Silva, popular community leader in Toronto who was a beacon of light in the Sri Lankan community for over four decades passed away last Wednesday (9th February) at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto. By: Upali Obeyesekere – Josephian-Peterite Global NEWS NETWORK Benito de Silva was the Josephian arm of the Josephian-Peterite Alumni Association of Canada (JPAA Canada). The two co-founders of JPAA Canada in 1984 were Benito de Silva (SJC) and Upali Obeyesekere (SPC). JPAA Canada prides itself as the first Sri Lankan Schools’ Alumni Association to be formed in Canada. JPAA launched the Canadian Series of the “Battle of the Saints” in 1985, that drew large crowds since its inception. Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Stanley Abeysekara, Rector of St. Joseph’s College Colombo was Chief ...

Feb 19, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged Alumni Association, BENITO DE SILVA, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Stanley Abeysekara, St Joseph’s College Colombo, Upali Obeyesekere

MINIMUM ROOM RATES NEED REVISION IN ORDER TO INCREASE FIVE-STAR HOTEL OCCUPANCY IN COLOMBO SRI LANKAN EXPATRIATES FORM THE ‘BREAD AND BUTTER’ OF TOURISM INDUSTRY BY UPALI OBEYESEKERE Believe it or not, Sri Lankan expatriates living round the world form the “bread and butter” of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. This is a bold statement but in this writer’s humble opinion it is a true statement. Looking at the big picture it is a proven fact statistically that Sri Lankan expatriates who live overseas form the largest group of tourists coming to Sri Lanka regularly. This is true specially after the security situation improved in 2009. It is true that a few Sri Lankan expatriates have family and friends with whom they could ‘rough it out’ during their visits to Sri Lanka. The new trend is that a few get-together and rent a condominium (apartment) in Colombo and share ...

Jan 31, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged hotel, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism, tourism industry

POPULAR ENTERTAINER DESMOND DE SILVA NO MORE! (13 JULY 1944 – 09 JAN. 2022) – Iconic entertainer bids farewell – by Upali Obeyesekere It is with profound sadness we learn that popular entertainer Desmond de Silva succumbed to a heart attack whilst in Melbourne today. A living legend he was born in Matara but bred in Colombo. His versatility was limitless – singing in both English and Sinhala with relative ease and sometimes even in Tamil. Des was 77 at the time of his sudden demise. He was one of the greatest Sri Lankan entertainers of our time with a super stage presence. A resident of Sydney, Australia, Des was in Melbourne to perform at the New Year’s Eve dance on December 31st. Desmond Anaclitus Rajiva de Silva launched his music career in 1963 or 1964, as lead vocalist of FIREFLIES band led by Milroy de Silva with Darrell de ...

Jan 14, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged A E Manoharan, and Radika Rajavelu (Vocalist), Clarence Wijewardena, Derrick Hepponstall (Base guitar), Desmond Anaclitus Rajiva de Silva, DESMOND DE SILVA NO MORE, Dushan Jayatileka (Keyboards), Niresh Perera (Drums), Sunil & Piyal Perera, SUNIL PERERA

JOSEPHIANS WIN LIMITED-OVERS ENCOUNTER BY 85 RUNS – By: Upali Obeyesekere 47th Encounter – Battle of the Saints Series at SSC Grounds It was during Rev. Fr. Claver Perera’s tenure as Rector, St. Peter’s College that the limited overs cricket match between the Big Match rivals – St. Peter’s College and St. Joseph’s College was launched. Played on the 16th of March in 1975 it was the first such limited overs ‘Big Match’ among schools in Sri Lanka. St. Peter’s led by Bernard Wijetunga Jr. beat the Josephians led by Dushan Soza, in this short format of cricket between the two schools. The Josephian-Peterite limited overs encounter earns the right to be called the ‘longest running Limited Over encounter in Sri Lanka among schools’ and played for the Rev. Fr. Peter A. Pillai trophy. The 47th edition of this memorable encounter was played at the SSC grounds in Colombo on Wednesday, ...

Dec 17, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged Chamelka De Silva, Danal Hemananda, Deshan Seneviratne, Dinal Anuradha, Hiran Jayasundara, Hirun Kapurubandara, Kenneth Liyanage, Lahiru Amarasekara, Lahiru Dewatage, Mithira Thenura, Monil Silva, Niman Umesh, Nimuthu Gunawardena, Nipunaka Fonseka (Capt), Rev. Fr. Claver Perera, Shelon Rodrigo, Shenal Boteju, Shenuka De Silva, Sheran Fonseka (Capt), St Joseph’s College, t. Peter’s College, Vinuda Liyanage, Vishen Halambage, Yenula Dewthusa, Yesith Rupasinghe

BATTLE OF THE SAINTS AT SSC GROUNDS DECEMBER 13TH & 14TH, 2021 Josephians take honours in drawn 87th Encounter of the “Battle of the Saints”By: Upali Obeyesekere – Josephian-Peterite News Network Due to national commitments, St. Joseph’s missed the services of their star skipper Dunith Wellalage, batsman Shevon Daniel and wicket-keeper batsman Sadeesh Jayawardene, while the Peterites did not receive permission from Sri Lanka Cricket to field all-rounder Wanuja Sahan. Rain also marred play on both days. The 87th Battle of the Saints ended in a tame draw, in favour of St. Joseph’s College. The rain delayed big match was played at SSC grounds on Monday, December 13th & Tuesday, December 14th sans spectators due to Covid-19 protocols. The first innings is restricted to 60 overs which is standard procedure. BRIEF SCORES SJC 261.7 in 60 Overs (Sheran Fonseka 52, Yesith Rupasinghe 57, Hiran Jayasundera 53 not out, Mithira Thenura ...

Dec 15, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged BATTLE OF THE SAINTS, Chamelkar De Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Hiran Jayasundara, Keneth Sasmina Liyanage, Mithira Thenura, Niman Umesh, Sadeesh Jayawardene, Shenal Boteju, Shenuka De Silva, Sheran Fonseka, Shevon Daniel, Wanuja Sahan, Yesith Rupasinghe

SRI LANKA’S FIRST TEST CAPTAIN BANDULA WARNAPURA NO MORE! By: Upali Obeyesekere Bandula Warnapura, who captained Sri Lanka in their first ever Test match against England in 1982, has died at the age of 68, the country’s cricket board (SLC) said in a statement. Warnapura leaves behind his beloved wife, daughter, two sons and grandchildren. He breathed his last while receiving treatment for a brief illness in a private hospital. Earlier this month, he was diagnosed with a high blood sugar level and was hospitalized. Sri Lanka Cricket informed about the development “Sri Lanka Cricket is deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Bandula Warnapura, Sri Lanka’s first Test captain. We wish to express our condolences to the family at this challenging time on behalf of Sri Lanka’s cricketing fraternity,” an SLC release stated. Bandula Warnapura, who played in two World Cups and led Sri Lanka in ...

Oct 18, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged Bandula Warnapura, SLC, Sri Lanka cricket matches, Sri Lanka in Test cricket, Sri Lanka's first Test captain, World Cup

Johns Hopkins Cancer Researcher Ashani Weeraratna Appointed To National Cancer Advisory Board By President Biden – by Upali Obeyesekere (sources: files from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) Johns Hopkins scientist Ashani Weeraratna, PhD, a leading cancer researcher who specializes in melanoma and the effects of aging on cancer, has been appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board. The White House announced the appointment on September 15. The National Cancer Advisory Board advises and assists the director of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health on the activities of the national cancer program. Individuals are selected from among leading representatives in health and science, along with leaders in public policy, law, health policy, economics, management, and the environment. Among its activities, the National Cancer Advisory Board reviews grant applications for research, training, health care information, and programs ...

Sep 19, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged Ashani Weeraratna, Johns Hopkins, National Cancer Advisory Board, President Biden, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Upali Obeyesekere

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at 80 – by Upali Obeyesekere Charlie Watts, widely regarded as one of the coolest men in rock during his nearly 60 years as a drummer with the Rolling Stones, has died peacefully, surrounded by his family in a London hospital at the age of 80, his spokesperson said on Tuesday (Aug.24) A member of one of the first British bands to properly break into the American market and a symbol of 1960s London, Watts and his fellow band members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman broke records with multi-million-pound grossing global tours that continue to this day. “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family,” the spokesperson said. “Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as ...

Aug 27, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, London, Mick Jagger

DEMISE OF MANGALA SAMARAWEERA – OUTSPOKEN MATARA DISTRICT MAVERICK POLITICIAN & FORMER MINISTER By: Upali Obeyesekere – With files from International Media Mangala samaraweera News has reached us that Mangala Samaraweera has passed away today. Sri Lanka’s former finance minister Mangala Samaraweera passed away Tuesday in hospital where he was being treated for Coronavirus. According to hospital sources, he was receiving care in the intensive care unit for several days and was responding well. However, he suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday night and suffered another cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning. He was put on the ventilator but succumbed to the virus. The 65-year-old Samaraweera contracted the virus earlier this month and was receiving intensive care unit (ICU) treatment at the Lanka Hospital, despite being fully vaccinated. He was the second highest ranking Sri Lankan politician to succumb to coronavirus after the death of former parliamentary Speaker WJM Lokubandara. An ...

Aug 24, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Upali Obeyesekere Tagged Chandrika Banadaranaike, Coronavirus, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mangala Samaraweera, Sri Lanka Telecom