“STORIES OF “OLD-CEYLON”

by Desmond Kelly ‘the Star of eLanka’

Photo source: Wikipedia

There is nothing wrong with the name SRI LANKA. Any true lover of the little Island will tell you that. Of course, like anywhere else in the World, Sri Lanka too has had her “ups & downs”, her “good times & bad” her “smiles & her frowns”, she’s been happy & sad, but before I plunge headlong into another SONG about her, let me assure my readers of “ELANKA”, THE WEBSITE OF SRI LANKA (see how THIS rolls off the tongue), that it is indeed the COUNTRY I love. Her Politicians &, for that matter, any Politicians who USE their Country for their own gain, I am not too keen about.

Ceylon had many names given to her by former “rulers” like the Portugese & the Dutch, BUT there is something MUSICAL in a name like CEYLON. This is why so many of us still prefer that particular name.  Also, “Lanka Tea” just doesn’t sound as musical as “Ceylon Tea”, making this “Tea” the very best in the World. However, to reiterate, “eLanka” sounds better than “eCeylon”, don’t you think? .

Once again, “OLD-CEYLON” sounds much better than “OLD-LANKA”, hence, the “title” of this “Series”

“STORIES OF OLD-CEYLON”

Immediately after the Portugese made themselves the “Rulers” of the Jaffna Peninsula in the 16th Century “Missionary work” began there and has continued ever since. Churches, Schools, Orphanages, Hospitals Dispensaries & other Institutions were built and Christians multiplied until they were numerically second only to the Hindus at the time.

The Church of “Our Lady of Madhu” then lay about six miles from Madhu Road “Station”on the Indo-Ceylon Railway route which was most picturesquely situated in the heart of the jungle, along a tree-sided “water-hole”, from which the place derived it’s name. A tradition has grown up around the Church, that whoever reverently makes a wish at the Altar would have it granted, and even non-Catholics paid regular visits to it to make a “vow”and pray for the fulfilment of their “hearts’ desire”

Many miraculous “cures” have been claimed since then, as a result of petitions addressed to the Patron Saint, Mary, Our Lady of Madhu (who was also the Holy Mother of Jesus Christ). In old Ceylon, the principal “feast” occured each July and literally thousands of Roman Catholics as well as persons of other religous persuations made an annual pilgrimage to this spot, using special trains, other vehicles, and even “trudging” on foot to be part of the religous ceremonies carried out, there. At the time, a special “Village” was created in Madhu but when all accommodation ran out, people simply stretched bedsheets around the trees of the jungle and spent a few days “camping-out” & after everyone left, the jungle reverted back to what it was & remained so until the following July, when the procedure began again.

This was in “Old Ceylon”. Things have changed since then, and although people still go to Madhu, they now find a more “commercialised – retreat” with plenty of ” knick-knacks” available to the believers. However, the miracles still occur & Madhu of old-Ceylon is still a highly respected Venue for Catholics & non-Catholics alike.

Desmond Kelly.
“Star of e’ Lanka”.