“The Cockroaches Are Back”! – By Des Kelly A most interesting “return” of a story that has been aired before. Too little, and too late, as regards to a resurgence of Lansi-Eelam, I am afraid, but for those of you who missed the 1st Edition, do try and read this fascinating story about the Burghers of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), brought back to life, by a good friend, Dayal Cooray, who incidentally, was the only Son of a fine Supply Officer of the Royal Ceylon Navy, my immediate boss, Captain Dennis Peiris Cooray, yet another superb example of a Sinhalese Gentleman/Philanthropist, who did a heap of worthwhile charity work, even after he retired from the Navy. Amazing as it seems, Dayal is now in touch with me at present, after his Dad & Mum both passed away, (bless their dear Souls), and where he resurrected this post from, I ...
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“SILVER & GOLD” – by Des Kelly Silver & gold,& treasures of old, bracelets, bangles, and chains, but a shirt made of gold, is too much to behold, though sometimes it pours, when it rains. This story is true, it’s come out of the blue, and he loved to be known as gold-man, but it got him in strife, & he lost his life, and I would not want that now, would you ?. ...
True Story – Pfizer – by Des Kelly Image Source: Business Round Table His name is Albert Bourla, the C.E.O. of Pfizer, not in the habit of sleeping late, he was an early riser. That said, another true story is that, from the conception of the idea of a vaccination for Covid 19, I had this strange notion that “Pfizer” was the only jab that I would be prepared to commit to, and even advised relations and close friends that, given the choice, they should choose this particular brand. ...
“NUWARA ELIYA” – by Des Kelly The Town I would have chosen to live in, had I been born again in Ceylon, which is also the “name” I have always preferred, for the tiny teardrop of an Island that was to be my home, for all of twenty six hectic, yet glorious years that I enjoyed enormously, before having to leave, very reluctantly in order to migrate to Australia. I still vividly remember my very first visit to this Town in the verdant hills of home. My Uncle Fred de Kretser was an engine-driver with the Ceylon Government Railway. It was around the year of 1944 and I was very nearly eight years old, when Uncle Fred spoke to my mum asking for her permission to take me on-board his steam-engine for a trip to “New-Raliya”, as we used to pronounce the name ...
A forgotten tragedy – By Des Kelly Captain Elmo Jayawardena, a Gentleman, Scholar, and Author, has titled this piece very adequately indeed. It was forwarded to me via two other great gentlemen and friends of mine, Victor Melder and Charles Schokman, to be, in turn, passed onto the many thousands of eLanka members, all around the World now, it seems. Our thanks to Captain Elmo, Victor and Charles, for this interesting, yet sad story of who were referred to, as Boi-Kollo (Boy-domestics). Personally, I have always hated the word “servant”, EXCEPT when this word is preceded by “Government, or Public” . In my opinion, every one of us is a Servant of GOD, only, and quite definitely not otherwise. As I have always said, English is a very strange language and certain WORDS could be identical, with completely different meanings attached to them. ...
“THE QUEEN OF ARTS” – By Des Kelly “JUST GRAB YOURSELF A DECK OF CARDS, YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF AN ACE, BUT THE PRETTIEST CARD, OF THE WHOLE DAMN LOT, YOU’LL FIND AT MAXIE’S PLACE”. The “QUEEN” of arts is magnificent, Max. This Cartoon will undoubtedly be admired all around the World, via eLanka, for a start. Thank you for sending it in, to me. Sri Lanka should be very proud of you. Desmond Kelly. (Editor-in-Chief) eLanka. Acrylic on canvas….121 x 91 cms…FYI…..They are…Freddy – Brian – John – Roger- ...
“TYPEWRITERS’ ALL” – by Des Kelly Who can forget them ?, not me. I still hang on to one that I have owned for years. I am sure that Charles Schokman will never forget them either, nor will the thousands who no longer use them. I also boast an Uncle who was the Chief Stenographer of the Law Courts in Ceylon, of his era (1950s), visiting my good friend David Swan, the only son of Judge St.Clair Swan to watch one of his younger sisters “do her thing” on the typewriter ...
Mar 22, 2021
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Tagged Charles Schokman, The old ribbon typewriter
“LAUGH-IN” – by Des Kelly When things suddenly go beserk, in Australia, and “beserk-plus” in so many other parts of our World, we must remember that most of it has been caused by man himself. We cannot turn around, looking for someone else to blame. Grumbling, or whinging, as they call it in Australia, is of no bloody use whatsoever. So, when these things happen, Maxwell Gerreyn, my friend in Western Australia, turns to Comedy, part of which is displayed here. Thank you, Maxie. You are always good for a laugh-in. Desmond Kelly, Editor-in-Chief) eLanka. Even I – an old grump and up-himself critic – thought these were …..QUITE GOOOOOOD!…So there… ...
“MEMORIES OF WELLAWATTE” – By Des Kelly Heading down from Bambalapitiya to Wellawatte, where I personally knew so many guys & dolls, it was almost impossible to keep track of everyone, especially after the mass-exodus of our Burgher folk, from the Island. This magnificent “memorial” sent to me, from Maxie Gerreyn is truly a great read, and once again, I thank him so very much for keeping these precious memories going. Desmond Kelly (Editor-in-Chief) eLanka. A TRIBUTE TO THE FAMILIES OF ARETHUSA LANE, MADANGAHAWATTE LANE AND THE CANAL END OF HAMPDEN LANE sent in to the blog by Jennifer de Silva What wonderful memories of those carefree days in Arethusa Lane – the boys playing cricket on the weekends and school holidays, the whistle of the Borakakul Karaya (man on stilts dressed as a woman) as he made his rounds, the Sakkili Band waking everyone up from ...
Mar 17, 2021
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Tagged Ceylon, Desmond Kelly, Dr Sanath Nallainathan, Jennifer de Silva, MEMORIES OF WELLAWATTE, University of Colombo, WA Silva Mawatha
“DEPENDABLE-DEFENCE” – By Des Kelly This extremely interesting TRUE STORY was sent out by a good friend and ex Royal Ceylon Navy Officer, Chris. Lawton-O.A.M., relating to the recent “Racist-Rantings” going on in England, in relation to “The Royal Family” versus a slightly less Royal Family, involving Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, and the entire Social-Media Corporation of America, it seems, intent on discovering the “Culprit of the Colour” controversy now rampant in both old Blighty and the new Land of the free America, under it’s new President, Joe Biden. With Covid 19 still causing havoc in both England & America, vaccinations being “rolled-out” everywhere, Wars, still being fought all over the place, Climate-change, in full swing, Icebergs melting in the Arctic, floods, bushfires, Volcanoes spitting out red-hot lava, etc., etc., the COLOUR(English), COLOR (American) of a baby’s skin, takes pride of place in this ...
Mar 16, 2021
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Tagged amelia hill, Ceylon, Des Kelly, Son of Queen
