The Southwest Monsoon in Sri Lanka: A Vital Climate Phenomenon-by Kalani-eLanka The Southwest Monsoon, known locally as the “Yala” season, is a significant climatic event in Sri Lanka, influencing the weather, agriculture, and daily life across the island. Typically active from May to September, the Southwest Monsoon brings substantial rainfall, particularly to the southwestern and central regions of the country. This seasonal wind pattern is driven by the complex interplay of atmospheric pressures, ocean temperatures, and geographical features. The Southwest Monsoon originates from the Indian Ocean, where the intense summer heat causes air over the land to rise, creating a low-pressure area. Meanwhile, the high-pressure area over the cooler ocean drives moist air from the southwest towards the land. As this moisture-laden air encounters the island’s topography, particularly the central highlands, it cools and condenses, resulting in heavy rainfall. Sri Lanka’s diverse topography plays a crucial role in determining the ...

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Aurganica Beverage targets Euro 90,000 forex from king coconut water exports Source:-dailynews Aurganica Beverage Company targets over Euro 90,000 annual forex income from king coconut water exports, Nihal Perera, Managing Director, Aurganica Beverages Company (Private) Limited said. “Since 2013 we have been exporting our value-added products to Germany, USA, Australia and other Middle Eastern countries with remarkable appreciation from foreign buyers.” “By now our regular export value is Rs 85 million and with the opening of the new Piliyandala factory this year we are targeting to increase this by 150 %. The new factory can process 20,000 king coconuts a day,” he said. A mechanical engineer by profession Perera served top companies before forming his own company.  In 1990 he joined Nihal Perera Renuka Group of Companies and worked with Dr. S. R.Rajiah then Managing Director of Coco Lanka, Jaela. “As the first factory manager, general manager along with the ...

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A lake located in Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka “ Parakrama Samudraya ” – By Malsha – eLanka Parakrama Samudraya is a man-made lake located in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It was built by King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century by constructing a dam across the Amban River. The lake has a surface area of approximately 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) and a capacity of over 134 million cubic meters of water. The lake was built as part of a massive irrigation system that aimed to provide water to the surrounding areas for agriculture. It is considered one of the largest ancient man-made lakes in Sri Lanka and is an impressive feat of engineering. Today, the Parakrama Samudraya remains an important source of water for agriculture and is also a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka, with many visitors enjoying the scenic views and tranquil atmosphere. history of Parakrama Samudraya ...

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A city located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka ” Jaffna ” – By Malsha – eLanka Jaffna is a city located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the Jaffna district and is situated on the Jaffna peninsula. The city has a rich cultural and historical heritage, with a number of ancient temples and forts, and is known for its unique Tamil cuisine, music, and dance. Jaffna is predominantly populated by Tamil people and has been a site of conflict during the Sri Lankan Civil War. Since the end of the war in 2009, the city has been undergoing a process of reconstruction and development. Some of the notable attractions in Jaffna include the Jaffna Fort, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, Jaffna Public Library, and Jaffna Market. The city is also known for its delicious seafood, particularly crab and prawns, and its famous ice ...

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Seventh Edition of International Conference on Climate Change 2023 (ICCC 2023) brings over 100 climate change experts from 25+ countries onto one platform 10th February 2023 – Colombo: The 7th International Conference on Climate Change 2023 (ICCC 2023), the latest edition of the event brings together leading global experts on climate-related topics on to one platform, successfully concluded recently. The event was held under the theme “Climate Action and Emerging Challenges: Land- and Ocean-based Solutions”. ICCC 2023 was organized by The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) in collaboration with universities from Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand, Nigeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, South Africa and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Sri Lanka. ...

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Rice morning, noon, and night in Sri Lanka – By Zinara Rathnayake In Sri Lanka, rice is more than a sustaining staple. It is an undeniable main character in its history and identity. Source : aljazeera My mother is a good cook. My father is just slightly better. That’s how my younger sister would always describe my parents’ food. She’s right. My mother cooked delicious curries. But my father cooked the food we hold dear. My father grew up in Nabiriththawewa, a small village in Kurunegala, about 120km (75 miles) from Colombo. Unlike his two older brothers who were more interested in going out with their friends, my father accompanied my grandfather to every village wedding. From what I could gather, my grandfather was the chef at every function in the village. He had cooked to feed hundreds. “I followed him like a thread follows the needle. That’s how I learned ...

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International Day of Forests tomorrow Healthy forests mean healthy people – by NIMAL WIJESINGHE Source:sundayobserver.lk The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 International Day of forests in 2012 and since then, the world communities have been celebrating and raising awareness of the importance of forest. United Nations initiatives have encouraged countries to undertake local, national and international efforts and endeavors to organize activities involving forests and trees such as tree planting campaigns. Last year, International Day of Forests was marked under the theme “Forest Restoration: A path to recovery and wellbeing”. Forest conservation and restoration are priority areas for mitigating the effects of climate change. The country is endowed with a diverse range of forests. Mountain forests, riverine dry forests, Savana and mangrove forests are among the major types of forests in Sri Lanka. Conservation of environment is enshrined in the Constitution of Sri Lanka. The State has pledged ...

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Thai Pongal celebrating a bountiful harvest Source:dailynews.lk The vibrant and sacred festival of Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry in India. It is a major Tamil festival in Sri Lanka as well. It is observed by the Tamil community worldwide. It is a magnificent festival of thanksgiving and appreciation for a bountiful harvest. It is celebrated most gloriously in the farming communities across Sri Lanka and India. The ancient rituals and cooking preparations appreciate every positive element associated with agriculture. The pongal dish and the process of its preparation is part of the symbolism, both conceptually and materially. It celebrates the joy of a rewarding harvest. The cooking transforms the gift of agriculture into nourishment for the gods and the community on a day that Tamil’s traditionally believe marks the end of the Winter Solstice ...

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Contours for a new Constitution with a difference, for the future, not for the past By Raj Gonsalkorale But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain – that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist- Lysander Spooner By Raj Gonsalkorale Lysander Spooner is the well-known author of the book “No Treason” thought by some to be the most subversive thing ever written in the United States. However, as a reader had commented “the premise of “No Treason” is that the United State is not a legally constituted government because people can only be governed by consent and no one consented to the “social contract” we call the Constitution. Spooner writes, “The constitution not only binds nobody now, but never did bind anybody. It never bound ...

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