Migration out of Ceylon & Sri Lanka – by Michael Roberts in ADELAIDE To those CEYLONESE – term used advisedly to mark time-emphasis – who migrated from the island in the period 1948 to 1970 ….and even in the next two decades … do take the trouble to respond to these questions at whatever length you consider suitable. DEAR I am now 85 years old. I left Sri Lanka with my family in 1977 and was therefore aware of the socio-political currents that prevailed from the 1950s onwards. Some of these developments and currents motivated several Western-educated personnel of middle-class status to migrate. Some of my relatives were among those who moved out to UK, Canada and Australia. That was THEN. But these personnel are presently in the Now …unless they have departed from life on earth. All the survivors will have grey hair …. or none at all. These features ...

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Let Not Canada Lose Its Global Identity – By N.S.Venkataraman Source : srilankaguardian It appears that the present Canadian government does not have the wisdom or foresight to realize the shape of things to come in Canada if such conditions were to continue. Those who live in Canada as Canadian citizens by birth or as immigrants (permanent residents), as well as non-permanent residents, those who have been visitors to Canada, and those who have heard about Canada from media reports and those who have studied Canada’s history, have all identified Canada as a peaceful country with a high level of personal freedom and liberty and goodwill towards all, as espoused by the liberal migration policy of the Government of Canada. The recent controversy between India and Canada, created by the Canadian Prime Minister who accused India of murdering a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, and the strong refutation of this accusation ...

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Alumex Awarded as an Integrated Reporting Leader in Asia Sri Lanka’s largest aluminium extrusion manufacturer Alumex PLC was recently recognized for its strong commitment towards transparency and governance at the Asia Integrated Reporting Awards. Alumex was honoured with a Bronze award in the Integrated Report (SME) category for clearly and concisely communicating its value creation to stakeholders via integrated reporting. Value creation is at the heart of integrated reporting, which helps companies to embed long-term sustainability into their business model. Integrated reporting goes beyond the conventional approach to communicating value creation and encompasses other forms of value created within the organization through the change or transformation of its capital. Alumex, for example, engages in value creation beyond the purely financial, encompassing both social and natural capital. Thus, the purpose of an integrated report is to provide the kind of information that enables the reader to more accurately assess the organization’s ...

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‘We’re Canadians and we contribute to the building of this country’ — Reflections on 20 years of Asian Heritage Month – by Thomas Desormeaux This year’s theme is “Continuing a legacy of greatness.” Source:ottawacitizen.com May marks Asian Heritage Month, a celebration of the contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage throughout the country’s history as well as a time to recognize the challenges and barriers they’ve faced. This year’s theme — “Continuing a legacy of greatness” — focuses on reminding all Canadians of the need to unite and fight anti-Asian racism and discrimination in all its forms, which many say has become worse since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this spirit, this newspaper reached out to a few Ottawans of Asian heritage — or those with connections to the city — to find out what this month meant to them. Senator Vivienne Poy Vivienne Poy is a former Canadian ...

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A migrant’s story – By Ron Pieris I was preparing to migrate to Sydney from Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in 1974. I was invited to a home in Moratuwa for a meal. I remember it was a sunny day in the summer of ‘74. I took a bus from Bambalapitiya to Moratuwa and walked down to my friend’s home. I was greeted at the entrance by his wife and children who warmly welcomed me. After a bit of small talk, I was requested to move to the dining room. This was a Sinhalese family from the provinces. I noticed that on the dining table was placed a bowl of rice with a saucer for serving and three vegetable curries, and on the centre of the table was placed a single egg. We all served food onto our plates. And all of those present were staring at the egg! I was ...

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Canada – Land of Milk & Maple Syrup (Honey) in relation to the Biblical Stories of yore.- by Noor Rahim     It was almost 3 ½ decades ago that we decided to emigrate from our beloved Motherland. By no means was this meant to seek financial gains or for the seeking of fresh pasture. Having given ones best to the Land of our Birth we realised that being members of a “minority” of “minorities in our country was indeed one of being a “second class citizen” in their own native country. It is a known fact that the majority of the population wants their own “cliques” to head all key position. All things being equal we have to give some leeway; provided that the person is more qualified; and or is equally capable. No further explanation requires to be said on this, except to state the old saying – ...

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THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC –  By – Algi Wijewickrema When you have an email address like “noproblemperera” I’m sure you readers would expect an out of the ordinary person. Out of the ordinary is an understatement really for arguably Sri Lanka’s most versatile and entertaining musician. He is the leader of a band that is not only popular among Sri Lankans living here but also popular with Sri Lankans abroad. He is none other than the leader of the “Gypsies”, Sunil Perera. When I visited Sunil at his studio in Ratmalana where their family business has existed for decades, he was ready to accommodate us but the interview was inevitably disturbed by many telephone calls that kept coming which to me proves how busy this man can still be and how the popularity of Gypsies has not diminished. Beginning with his school days at St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, Sunil ...

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