Good News From Jayam – By Jayam Rutnam

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

Happy Fourth of July “O Beautiful For Spacious Skies”

Eric Meyer Appointed Ambassador to Sri Lanka

“I congratulate Eric Meyer on his appointment to serve as the next ambassador to Sri Lanka,” said Scott Straus, a professor and chair of the Department of Political Science. “Ambassador Meyer’s exceptional career in public service is an inspiration for UC Berkeley students of political science. As faculty, we hope to train future leaders, and we are so pleased to see an alum play such an important role in American foreign policy.” U.S. President Donald Trump nominated him for the diplomatic post. Sri Lanka is a mostly rural nation of approximately 22 million people. It encompasses an island the size of West Virginia off the southeastern coast of India. The strategic location abuts some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. An estimated 85,000 U.S. residents also identify as Sri Lankan. Eric Meyer replaces Julie Chung whose term ended in January 2026..

Very Sad News – Professor Asgi Fazleabas of Michigan State University passed away

Professor Asgi Fazleabas being presented with the Sri Lanka Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 by Jayam Rutnam Founder of the Sri Lanka America Association of Southern California, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California. (See article in the Obituary section below)

Best Hospital in Sri Lanka St Joseph Hospital, Negombo (Please click on arrow)

Patsy Rutnam – Cooling off under Marilyn Monroe’s Famous Statue in Palm Springs, Ca.

Zori Dassanayake Graduates from El Camino Real Charter High School (Here with Mom – famous actress and model Morina Dass)

Lower Malwathu Oya Project brings new life to Sri Lanka’s Dry Zone

Massive irrigation scheme promises water, livelihoods and renewed prosperity for thousands across Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Mannar

In one of the most ambitious irrigation and regional transformation initiatives ever undertaken in the country, the Lower Malwathu Oya Multi-Sector Development Project in the Northern and North Central Provinces is steadily progressing under the direct guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, turning a decades-long aspiration into a landmark development reality. Originally conceptualised in the 1950s, with a technical feasibility study supported by the former Soviet Union, the project emerged from a national need to address chronic water scarcity, underdeveloped agriculture, and recurring drought conditions in the Dry Zone. After decades of delays, construction finally commenced in 2021.

Warsha Karasinghe Graduates from UCLA

“One of the First Ceylonese Migrant Families to the USA Rosy Weerasinghe and her family” Roger Weerasinghe Writes a Book (Cover photo: Rosy, Roger, Romany and Savithri)

British-Sri Lankan engineer gains spotlight after Mercedes’ Austrian GP win

A British‑Sri Lankan engineer has become an unexpected face of celebration after Mercedes’ triumph at the Austrian Grand Prix, lifting the Constructors’ Trophy on the podium and gaining viral fame worldwide. Arun Rajkumar, born into a Sri Lankan Tamil family, is a trackside power unit engineer for Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains. 

He plays a key role in monitoring and optimising the performance and reliability of the team’s power units during race weekends, making him an integral part of the Mercedes‑AMG Formula 1 setup.

Youth must be at the centre of Sri Lanka’s transformation

Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinindu Saman Hennayake discusses national unity, employment, entrepreneurship, sports, digital transformation and empowering a new generation. Sri Lanka’s youth have played a decisive role in shaping the country’s recent social and political transformation and are expected to be central to its future development. Recognising this, the Government has placed youth empowerment at the heart of its national agenda through initiatives that promote opportunity, social cohesion and preparedness for a rapidly changing world.

Vice Admiral Damian Fernando appointed new Navy Commander

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Rear Admiral Damian Fernando as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy. Concurrently elevated to the rank of Vice Admiral, he will take charge as the 27th Commander of the country’s naval forces. The formal letter of appointment was handed over to Vice Admiral Fernando by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, on Tuesday (June 30) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat.

 The new appointment is scheduled to take effect from July 1, 2026. He succeeds the incumbent Navy Commander, Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, who is slated to retire from active military service on the same day.

‘Podi Menike’ railway service resumes

Passenger train ‘Podi Menike’, operating between Nanu Oya and Badulla on the Upcountry Railway Line, resumed service yesterday (20) after being temporarily suspended for seven months due to extensive damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Train operations had previously been restricted following a landslide that damaged the railway track in the Parakum-

pura area between Ambewela and Nanu Oya. During the disruption, train services operated only between Ambewela and Badulla. The affected section has now been fully rehabilitated through a joint effort involving railway engineers, railway employees, the National Building Research Organisation, and a private company, enabling authorities to restore train operations along the route.

Awarding of Black Belt in Karate to Nevin Malaviarachchi

Congratulations Wicks!!! You’ve got a fine-looking Grandson and I know you and his parents & family must be very proud of him. Black Belt is a tremendous achievement and he is to be congratulated for his focus and dedication to the martial arts. It will give him tremendous confidence all through life that he’ll know he can achieve whatever he puts his mind to. Again, KUDOS to Nevin & his parents for raising such a dedicated and determined young man! All my very best to him, you and his parents and uncle.

VR, Vaughn.

“I had the pleasure to inform Commander (Ret) Vaughn Martin, U.S. Navy, about your obtaining the Black Belt in Karate. Commander Vaughn was my supervisor 1990-1994, when I was working as Manager of the U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) for Sri Lanka Armed Forces and Maldives National Security Service (NSS) in the Defense Attache’ Office for 18 years from 1981. Vaughn is my good friend from then onwards. He had also followed a Karate Class but had not got the Black Belt for personal reasons.” Wicks Malaviarachchi – Las Vegas, Nevada

Jayam’s Choice “The Hits of the Sixties” (Please click on arrow)

www.utravel.com

T & S Productions USA 46th Production “Gee Tharu Yamaya” in Baldwin Park, Ca. (Photos by Moran Moran)

T & S Producer Thusitha de Silva, Thusitha and Dr Lakshman Makandura, Dr Nandasiri Jasentuliyana and Buddhika Ekanayake

Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo June 25th. 2026 (Please click on arrow)

Today – Dr Asha de Vos | Prof. Dileni Gunewardena | Markets & Inflation | Female Labour Force | Whale Sharks | Ascot Hats & more!

Obituaries – Sad News

Vijaii Kanthi Edirisinghe (74) of Santa Clarita, Ca. passed away on June 13th.2026. Remembered by Gamini, Dulnari, Supun, Yanaal and Amaan. Joseph (late) and Winfred. Kalyani and Ananda. Kusum and Nelupa. Shiranthini and Tony. Lakmaal and Mereeka. Indu and Yasantha and family members. Burial was at Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall California on July 1st, 2026.

Douglas Cyrus – It is with sadness we announce the peaceful passing of DOUGLAS CYRUS on June 16th. Husband of late Esther (nee Buultjens),​​ father of Sandra and Jacqueline. Brother of late Herbie and Allan. Funeral service was on June 21st 2026, followed by cremation at the Old Crematorium,​​ General Cemetery Borella.

In Memoriam: Professor Asgerally (Asgi) T. Fazleabas, PhD (1955–2026)

Professor Asgerally Fazleabas, Sri Lanka Foundation Lifetime Achievement Awardee in 2022, passed away peacefully with family at his bedside on Friday, May 28, 2026 after a long battle to defeat cancer.  

Asgi, as he liked to be called, had a charmed life. He was born in Colombo and educated at St. Thomas’ College. After moving to the US, he earned his B.S. at California State University, Fresno, and his Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1980. Following postdoctoral training at the University of Florida, he joined the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1985, where he rose to full Professor in 1995. Asgi was recruited to Michigan State University in 2009. At the time of his passing, he was University Distinguished Professor, University Foundation Professor and Director, Center for Women’s Health Research at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.  

Asgi’s contributions to reproductive biology are monumental. The Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), the society most relevant to Asgi’s research, said that Asgi “was internationally recognized as a pioneer in uterine biology. His work has had a lasting impact on reproductive medicine, particularly in improving pregnancy outcomes for infertile women and deepening understanding of endometriosis, a condition affecting more than 200 million women worldwide. His extraordinary scientific accomplishments were recognized through numerous prestigious honors, including the National Institutes of Health Beacon Award, the Distinguished Research Award and Carl G. Hartman Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction, election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, designation as a World Class University Professor at Seoul National University, and Distinguished Service recognition from SSR. His contributions to science will be long remembered.” 

Another endearing characteristic was Asgi’s deep commitment to expanding educational and research opportunities in Sri Lanka. He played a pivotal role in supporting early-career Sri Lankan scientists through training opportunities in reproductive and stem cell biology in the United States and by organizing several workshops in Sri Lanka to foster scientific development and collaboration. 

On a personal note, Asgi was a gem of a human being. His friends and colleagues will long remember him for his warm smile and incredibly positive attitude. His smile drew everyone in, but he backed it up with kind words and a heart as big as the outdoors. His good cheer and positive attitude in his battle with cancer will long be an inspiration to all who knew Asgi. Asgi is survived by his wife, Sherebanu, son Adnan, daughter Insiyah, his brother and 2 sisters. As one of his friends said, to know Asgi was to love him. We, his friends, colleagues and family, are devastated by his loss.

 

Primal de Lanerolle, PhD

Professor Emeritus

Department of Physiology and Biophysics

College of Medicine

University of Illinois at Chicago

Recipes From Roma’s Kitchen

Tangy Crab Salad Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 8oz (250g) cooked or canned crabmeat
• 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 4 fresh tofu buns or poppy seed bread
• or all grain bread rolls
• 1 teaspoon finely sliced Thai basil leaves,
•   to serve

 

Chilli Dressing

• 1 to 2 tablespoons minced red finger-length
• chilli
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 6 shallots or 1 small onion, minced
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) water
• 1 1/2tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce

 

1.Make the Chilli Dressing by combining all   the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over high heat for about 6 minutes,stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened. Remove and set aside to cool.

2.Peel the cucumbers, then slice very thinly. If using larger cucumbers, cut in half length- wise first, scrape out the the seeds with a spoon before slicing the cucumbers. Rub the salt into the cucumber slices and mix well, then strain or squeeze the cucumber to remove the liquid. Add all but 1 tablespoon of the Chilli Dressing, crabmeat, lemon or lime juice and pepper to the cucumber slices and toss to combine.

3.Make a slit in the bread rolls and stuff each roll with  the cucumber salad mixture and, top with the reserved Chilli Dressing basil leaves.

NOTE: Japanese cucumbers are very small and crunchy, and almost seed less. Baby cucumbers or fresh pickling  gherkins make a good substitute.

Makes 4 pieces. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 6 minutes.

Can Sri Lanka’s Leopards Survive? by Thivanka Perera – Aegle Creations (Please click on arrow)

Jayam2424@yahoo.com