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GEORGE WALL – THE LION THAT ROARED – By Bernard VanCuylenburg A few months ago I wrote an article titled “David and Goliath” which featured a young English tea planter Mark Anthony Bracegirdle, who rocked the colonial establishment when he sided with the workers and the unions, by demanding better living conditions for the estate labourers on the plantations. His colonial masters were dumbfounded and furious to find that it was “one of their own” who by the courage of his convictions, proved to be the proverbial thorn in their side. This story is about another hero George Wall – an Englishman – a philanthropist who fought for the rights of the Ceylonese in the days of colonial rule almost a hundred years before Bracegirdle. I wonder how many will remember the Town Hall end of the De Soysa Circus in Slave Island, Colombo. There was an ornate fountain here ...

TO SIR WITH LOVE – Bernard VanCuylenburg PROLOGUE The history of any business enterprise will reveal that success was possible due to the will of the entrepreneur, tenacity of purpose, and defiance in the face of any challenges or adversity. Sri Lanka recently lost a doyen of entrepreneurship who strode the business world like the proverbial colossus. His passing leaves a void in the business ranks of the nation, and an even bigger void in the hearts of his family and all who knew and love him. On my shoulders fell the task of writing and delivering a tribute at the memorial Mass held for George Ondaatjie on the 4th February at St.Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya. He was a man who believed in the phrase “From little things big things grow” and brought it to fruition with a lifetime of achievement. The world is a poorer place for his passing. P.S. ...

Feb 26, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged George Ondaatjie, Nilaveli Beach Hotels Comments 0

THE SPIRIT OF ONE – MR GEORGE MACKY – By Bernard VanCuylenburg Rather late on the road of an Anthonian journey, I take my place in line, pen in hand as I endeavour to pay tribute to a gentleman whose name now dwells in the realms of legend in the Anthonian community and beyond. I am at a distinct disadvantage because, although I was a student of that venerable institution St. Anthony’s College Kandy, I did not study under the great man and in my entire eleven years of life as an Anthonian, never had any conversations with him particularly about the things that matter in life. We crossed each other many times and apart from the customary greeting, went our separate ways. One of the disadvantages of being an ‘Arts’ student !! However, his second son Louis and I were classmates from the 2nd Standard in 1951 right up to ...

Jan 10, 2019 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged GEORGE MACKY, Mrs. Reece Laughs Comments 0

Kumaradhatusena – the great unknown – By Bernard VanCuylenburg PROLOGUE “Cometh the hour cometh the man” from John Chapter 4 Verse 23 in the Holy Bible, signifies that the right man will arrive at the right time. However, I may stand corrected on this, as there are varying interpretations of this saying. But it is an appropriate introduction to a great unknown in Lanka’s ancient history who is seldom spoken about, unlike some of the better known heroes of Sinhala royalty. Prince Kumara Dhatusena in his brief reign of nine years ruled the island with a firm but just hand and won the loyalty of his subjects by his meritorious deeds. Sadly, after his death there followed a period of violence, greed, treachery and murder, so often a feature in ancient Lanka’s history and in the history of many lands. His name in the chronicles is recorded as one ...

Dec 8, 2018 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged Bernard VanCuylenburg, King Dhatusena, Kumaradhatusena Comments 0

THE LAND OF MY FOREFATHERS – (Part 2) THE BENELUX BONANZA – By Bernard VanCuylenburg My memories of Luxembourg and Belgium will forever remain etched in memory as two jewels in the crown of any travel odyssey I have undertaken………..Pristine in their natural beauty, these countries have a rich history and vibrant culture, both of which are evident at every step of the road less travelled as I discovered. Recent history however has been bloody and I cannot avoid mentioning some incidents relating to World War 2. THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE OR THE ARDENNES OFFENSIVE. The Germans called their offensive the “Wacht Am Rhine” (The watch on the river Rhine) and the allied forces termed it “The Ardennes Offensive”. Due to the natural terrain on which this battle was fought in the Ardennes forest, history recorded it as “The Battle of the Bulge”. The Ardennes is ...

Oct 30, 2018 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged THE LAND OF MY FOREFATHERS - (Part 2) THE BENELUX BONANZA - By Bernard VanCuylenburg, Wacht Am Rhine Comments 0

THE LAND OF MY FOREFATHERS (Part 1) – By Bernard VanCuylenburg The journey I was about to undertake would not only in geographical terms span vast distances over land and sea……it was an odyssey which would cover a period of over four hundred years and one in which I would try to establish a “connection” with my ancestors. Navigating the paper chase of history and ancestry is never easy, but I was armed with a copy of the family tree which was sent to me by The Hague in Holland in 1987, packed in my hand luggage, and one which I had perused times without number. The records I had obtained set the dates from 1625, but a cousin of mine who travelled to Holland a few years ago had ...

Oct 30, 2018 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged Helen Keller, Magere Bruge Comments 0

ANCIENT GRANDEUR – By Bernard VanCuylenburg Present day Xian in China is more famous today for the Terra Cotta Warriors. But in ancient times this grand city was once the capital of China and was known as Chang An. This is the city which saw the genesis of the Silk Road which ultimately led to ancient Rome. The Muslim Quarter in Xian deserves special mention due to its cultural diversity. As the name indicates, the Muslim Quarter has been home to the cities Hui community (Chinese Muslims) for centuries. Although Muslims have lived here since the 7th century, the community today did not take root until the time of the Ming dynasty. It is a fascinating place – full of shops of every description – books shops with copies of ancient maps and other historical trivia, coffee shops, tea shops, spice shops, shops with the best silks and items ...

Sep 15, 2018 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged ANCIENT GRANDEUR - By Bernard VanCuylenburg Comments 0

THE SILK ROAD – By Bernard VanCuylenburg This is the ‘Travelogue’ which I wrote, following my tour along the Silk Road. . I returned from China after what must surely rank as one of the best trips I ever made to this empire within empires, of which the travels along the old Silk Road and all the historical sites along its route are what enriched and nourished my spirit. Although I returned extremely tired and somewhat battered after the intense travel involved, what I saw in terms of a rich cultural heritage will forever live in memory, and a rich memory at that. Bernard. 1. ...

Sep 11, 2018 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged THE SILK ROAD, THE SILK ROAD - By Bernard VanCuylenburg Comments 0

PORTRAIT OF A KING (Parts 1 & 2) – By Bernard VanCuylenburg Introduction to the article by Des Kelly……. He is just a little tardy, on this subject, but peruse, as I might, I could not find a song dedicated to King Dhatusena, the “Warrior King” of ancient Lanka. Instead, I have chosen a song by Keerthi Pasquel, about the “Portugeesi-karaya”, who invaded Sri Lanka long after Dhatusena had achieved Nirvana (hopefully). Keerthi Pasquel would have to be one of the finest Sinhalese Vocalists in Sri Lanka right now. He sounds superb, no matter what he sings, writes his own songs, also plays bass, lead & rhythm, probably has some Royal blood in his veins, and as far as I am concerned, might even be a direct “Descendant of Dhatusena” Who knows ?, but read Bernard’s article folks. As usual, it is superbly written. Bernard’s ancestors, the Dutch, took over ...

Aug 30, 2018 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg Tagged King Dhatusena, kings of sri lanka Comments 1

Aug 19, 2018 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Bernard VanCuylenburg, DESMOND KELLY Tagged PORTRAIT OF A KING Comments 0