Good News From Jayam – By Jayam Rutnam

Good News From Jayam June 1, 2026 Pls Scroll Down 35 items

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Sri Lankan Rupee becomes Asia’s best performing currency

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has surged against the US Dollar (USD), snapping a nine-day losing streak to become Asia’s best-performing currency on Friday, Bloomberg reported. The LKR strengthened as much as 2.7 percent, its biggest gain since March 2023, reversing losses from Thursday when it slid to a three-year of 342 against the USD. The strengthening of the LKR may have been due to some market players deciding to sell dollars before upcoming inflows from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando told reporters in Colombo. The IMF will decide on the seventh tranche of its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program possibly on May 27.

T & S Productions 46th Production “A Grand Musical Concert” Saturday, June 27th, 2026

“Feel the Magic” – A FINN TV Production (Please click on arrow)

American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Honors Rupa Purasinghe of Los Angeles with a National Award

Rupa Purasinghe, Professor of Engineering at California State University, Los Angeles, is the recipient of the 2026 Jeffrey Ray Memorial Award, a national award presented by the American Society for Engineering Education. The award is presented annually to one of the nation’s most influential educators in applied engineering and engineering technology education. Purasinghe has worked with unwavering commitment to advance educational pathways that expand opportunities for economically disadvantaged students to achieve upward mobility through engineering and engineering technology education.

Ursula Aruma of Sri Lanka at Gift of Life Ceremony in Suva, Fiji

Ursula Aruma from Springvale South, Melbourne, Australia and a number of Australians, along with other dignitaries and supporters from several parts of the world, visited Fiji on 23rd April for a week. The occasion was to celebrate 4 years of the Gift of Life ceremony, and the opening of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva, Fiji. Lata Lodhiya, Margot Hudson and Ursula Aruma from Melbourne, Australia, arrive at Novatel, Suva.

As at 20th April 2026, 50,045 free heart screenings, 445 free heart surgeries, and 75,687 free specialist medical consultations have been performed. This hospital has no billing counters and all treatments and procedures are provided FREE of charge to children from Fiji and across the South Pacific. Formerly dedicated exclusively to children, this hospital has plans to now extend its free cardiac services to children, women and men across Fiji and the Pacific, offering free life – saving cardiac surgeries and interventions.

Tribute was also paid to the Foundation Director and Hospital Chairman Sumeet Tappoo, the Director

Dr Krupali Tapoo, and the trustees of the Sai Prema Foundation. The Paediatric Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) project was made possible by the generous support of the Gift of Life USA Team from the United States of America and thru donations from the local supporters and Fijian families living in the USA, plus support from international partners who helped deliver and install the equipment, despite local shipping challenges. The Cath Lab will improve patient outcomes. 4th anniversary celebrations

utravel.com

“Royal Charity Gala” Presented by Royal College Old Boys’ Association in North America Hilton Glendale California Saturday September 19th, 2026

Embassy in Colombo Operating Under Interim Leadership – Jayne Howell Charge d’ Affaires – Eric Meyer nominated as US Ambassador is awaiting confirmation

Jayam’s Choice Pat Boone – Love Letters In The Sand (Please click on arrow)

“Welcome to My World” – by Fahmy Nazick – (Fahmy will be singing at the ANCHORMAN Dinner Dance in Markham, Ont, Canada on June 12th) (Please click on arrow)

Pathma Ranasinghe’s 85th Birthday Party and Buddhist Blessing in La Canada, Ca.

(photos by the one and only Moran Moran)

 

 

Envoy to Vatican Dassanayake presents credentials to Pope Leo XIV

The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva Sumith Dassanayake presented Credentials to Pope Leo XIV as Sri Lanka’s next Ambassador to the Holy See with Residence in Geneva at the Apostolic Palace, in Vatican City on May 21, 2026. Addressing the audience, Pope Leo said: “In a time when peace is sought through weapons as a condition for asserting one’s own dominion, there is an urgent need for a return to a diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus on all levels: bilateral, regional, and multilateral”. 

Anjana Wijesena of West Hills, Ca. Celebrates his 40th Birthday

“Massachussets” Bee Gees Piano Cover By Thaminie Perera (Please click on arrow)

Kaleidoscope May 28th, 2026 (Please click on arrow)

Tasha Marikkar | Wasantha Namaskara | Oil & Gold | Vesak Lights| Exports | Policy Rates | Dialog@1 | Cannes | Alcohol Cloud and more

Obituaries – Sad News

Christine (de Souza) Wanigasekera (80) passed away in Las Vegas Nevada on May 21st, 2026. Wife of the late Oriel Wanigasekera of Kandy. Sister of Johnny de Souza of Canada, the late Norma, and sister-in-law of Azeema. Mother of Serena Bell, Oriel Junior, Dilki Toulette, and Ryan. Mother-in-law to the late Greg Bell, James Toulette (Jimbo), and Mendy Wanigasekera.

She leaves behind many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom brought immense joy to her life.

Christine was crowned Miss Ceylon in 1965 and later traveled to California to participate in the Miss Universe pageant. She was admired not only for her beauty, but also for her warmth, kindness, and grace. Truly, she was a beauty both inside and out.

 May God grant her eternal rest and may her soul rest in peace.

DBS Jeyaraj (72) Famous Sri Lankan journalist passed away on May 17th, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. Son of Ernest. E. J. Sabapathy (Attorney at law – Kurunegala) and Grace Packialuckumi Sabapathy (Teacher), and the beloved husband of Darshani Arumugarajah. He was the grandson of J. S. Arlvarpillai, Ellen Luckumi, Ramalingam (James) Sabapathy, and Lily Buell. He was eldest brother to Ellen (Jayagar), Sam (Deepthi), and Jemima (Ravindran), uncle of their children, Angelus, David, Jonathan, and Grace, who will forever remember his warmth, wisdom, humour, and affectionate guidance.

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Dr. Douglas (SDG) Fernando – Passed away in Sri Lanka. Husband of Chitrangani,​ father of Vishani,​ Iloka and Rushika and father-in-law of Sumedha and Saliya, grandfather of Chethana and Anishaa. . Cremation was at Mt. Lavinia Cemetery on May 23rd, 2026.

 

Recipes From Roma’s Kitchen

Sweet and Spicy Mango Sauced Ribs with Smoked Slaw

 

Ingredients

• 2 racks pork pork loin ribs (2½ -3lbs each)
• 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp sweet paprika
• 2 tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 4 ripe fresh mangoes
• 1 cup plus 3 Tbsp. cider vinegar
• 1 small fresh serrano pepper, halved, seeded and finely chopped
• ¼ tsp ground coriander
• 2 cups shredded red cabbage
• ½ cup loosely packed mint leaves coarsely chopped
• ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
• Lime wedges (optional)

 

Method

1. Slip the tip of a knife under the edge of each membrane covering rib backs to loosen it. Use a paper towel to prick and pull it away from bones; discard.

2.For rub: In a small bowl combine 1 Tbsp. of the brown sugar, the cumin, paprika, onion powder, 1 ½ tsp of the cinnamon, 1 tsp kosher salt and the cayenne. Set aside 1 Tbsp. of the rub. Sprinkle remaining rub over both sides of ribs; rub in.

3. Prepare grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill place ribs over drip pan. Grill, covered over medium low 2 hours. 

4. Meanwhile, for sauce chop 2 of the mangoes. In a medium saucepan combine chopped mangoes, 1 cup vinegar, serrano pepper, coriander, the remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar and ½ tsp cinnamon, and an additional ½ tsp kosher salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered about 30 minutes or until thickened and reduced to about 1 ½ cups stirring occasionally. Let cool slightly. Place in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Set half of the sauce aside for serving. Brush ribs with some of the remaining sauce. Grill 1-2 hours more or until tender, brushing occasionally with sauce.

5. Meanwhile, for slaw; In a medium bowl combine the remaining 3 Tbsp. vinegar, 2 Tbsp. olive oil and the reserve 1 Tbsp. rub. Add cabbage toss to coat. Set aside at least 20 mins or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

6. Cut along side to remove flesh from remaining 2 mangoes (do not peel). Brush flesh with an additional 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Grill mango pieces flesh side down over direct heat 2-4 minutes or until charred. Using a paring knife to remove peel, then slice mango, add to cabbage mixture along with mint and red onions. Toss to combine.

7. Serve ribs with reserved sauce, the mango slaw and if desired, the lime wedges.

Serves 6 

*Tip: for quicker grilling, after rubbing the spice mixture on ribs, place ribs into a shallow baking pan. Bake in a 325°F oven for 1 ¾ hours. Grill ribs covered, directly over medium heat, about 8 minutes or until sauce is bubbling and ribs are slightly charred, turning once half way and brushing with half of the sauce.

Ruwan Wickremesinghe’s Humor !

Jayam2424@yahoo.com