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Did Birchall really save Ceylon? – Capt Elmo Jayawardena Or was it another story like charge of the Light Brigade? I wrote few days back about the Japanese bombing of Ceylon in 1942. Many who read emailed me asking for more details. Some expressed nostalgic sentiments, remembering what their parents conveyed to them about the Easter Sunday bombing. Some gave additional information, such as the rare photo that is published here. All these made me write somewhat a sequel to the story, perhaps little bit more information for those who are interested in the bygone days and what may have taken place. There was a Japanese young man who came to learn to fly in Ratmalana as a ‘fun flier” in the late 1930s. It was said among the instructors and fellow ‘fun fliers’ that the said Japanese knew to fly and may have pretended he came to learn. It ...

Apr 6, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Capt Elmo Jayawardena Tagged Ceylon, Colombo, Mr Graham De Jong, Ratmalana, Saviour of Ceylon

Fort Macdowall – outpost during Kandyan Wars – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Constructed by British Colonials in 1803 as a garrison during battles against Kandy and located en route to one of the most significant roads, Kandy to *Trincomalee, Fort Macdowall was an outpost during Kandyan Wars. Named after General Macdowall (Lieutenant General Hay MacDowall who led the missions against Kandy), 6th Commander of British Troops in *Ceylon, the Fort came under siege during the *Matale Rebellion as it is located in Matale. On 28 July 1848, during the Matale rebellion, Fort Macdowall came under siege by approximately 400 rebels led by Weera Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda (renowned as national heroes, at present). Rebels had set fire to a coffee storehouse in the vicinity and ransacked Matale *Kachcheri. Hence, on July 29, Lord Torrington, Governor of Ceylon has declared martial law to bring the situation under control and the British ...

Mar 30, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Ceylon, Fort MacDowall Cemetery, Gongalegoda Banda, Kandyan Wars, Kingdom of Kandy, Matale, Matale Rebellion, Weera Puran Appu

The Dutch Burgher Union, (DBU) Colombo, Sri Lanka – by Joe Paiva The DBU has undergone significant renovation, since I last visited a decade or more ago. In other words, a renaissance. May I say, a not so elegant duckling has evolved into a beautiful graceful swan. The present architecture and the ambiance truely reflects the period reminscent of the colonial Dutch period in Ceylon. The local architect and the project manager deserve to be applauded for their outstanding work. From my observations of the DBU it is a thriving, well patronised boutique hospitality venue in Colombo and growing in popularity. Lunch times are particularly busy. The complex consists of two floors. The ground floor where a small a cafe serves love, chocolate, jaggery cakes, and typical Burgher short eats. Customary beverages are available. My pièce de résistance is the tall, glass of cold, home made Ginger Beer and the authentic Dutch ...

Mar 29, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged architecture, Ceylon, colonial Dutch, Dutch Burgher Union

Remembering DS Senanayake on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day – By Michael Roberts Source : thuppahis The first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) D.S. Senanayake entered the National Legislature in 1924. He was relatively unknown in the country and was pushed into prominence by his elder brother F.R. Senanayake, who was a very popular and active figure in the social and political arena. Many were surprised and taken aback to see D.S. entering the political field, as they were expecting his brother F.R. to fit the role. Perhaps the only person who had faith in D.S’s capability at that time was none other but F.R. Senanayake himself. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) as it was then known was under foreign domination from 1505 to 1948. Three Colonial Powers namely the Portuguese, Dutch and the British ruled parts of the island till 1815 when the entire country was subjugated to the British Government. ...

Feb 5, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Michael Roberts Tagged C.W.W. Kannagara, Ceylon, D.S. Senanayake, F.R. Senanayake, first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Lanka’s Independence, Sri Lankan leaders

Sri Lanka– What have they done? It is a paradise misplaced – By Captain Elmo Jayawardena Our island was called Lanka in pre-King Vijaya times. Valmiki’s immortal Ramayanaya had King Ravana ruling the land from the city of Lankapura. That was almost four thousand years ago. The Arab traders termed it Jaziratul-Yaqut, island of rubies. Some called it Serendib, some Ceilan, from which the Portuguese picked Ceilao and the European mapmakers coined Ceylon. Many were the names from the many that came. Bar none, everyone agreed and noted in their chronicles that this Island was indeed the complete Paradise. We never created it. Let’s be honest about that part. We simply inherited. The gods from their celestial dome, in their infinite kindness, gifted this Paradise to us, the beautiful island of Lanka, to the people of Sri Lanka. The privilege of being born to such a serendipitous place can only be ...

Jan 25, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Capt Elmo Jayawardena Tagged Ceylon, Diyawanna Oya, King Vijaya, Sri Lanka

AN ANNIVERSARY TO REMEMBER” – by Des Kelly Any Anniversary is akin to my title of introduction. As we humans grow older, with each passing day, we tend to sometimes forget various Anniversaries, often to the annoyance of Partners and friends. Mostly, these important Anniversaries are those of Birthdays & Weddings which have ‘come & gone’ sadly, as the years pass by. NOT SO, IS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF A LITTLE ISLAND, FORMERLY CALLED CEYLON, NOW, SRI LANKA. Not only is this one unforgettable because of it’s past colourful history, but NOW, because of a really BRILLIANT piece of WRITING by 103 year old D.L.SIRIMANNE from KOHUWALA, a little Suburb of Sri Lanka. To think of ANYONE who is OVER a Century in age, who can even remember to get out of bed each morning, is most difficult, then along comes Mr.Sirimanne, who not only arises, he sits down to ...

Jan 22, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, DESMOND KELLY Tagged Anuradhapura, Britain colonised, Ceylon, D.L Sirimanne, King Dutugemunu, North-Central Province, Polonnaruwa, Portuguese, Ruwanweli Maha Seya

The dam that nurtures Uda Walawe – By MAHIL WIJESINGHE Source : sundayobserver The sprawling Uda Walawe reservoir of Embilipitiya is one of the largest irrigation schemes in the South-Central area of the island. The Walawe basin nestling in parts of the Ratnapura, Hambantota and Moneragala districts is adorned with many tourist attractions. Among them, the most popular attractions are the Uda Walawe reservoir and its adjoining Udawalawe National Park. Having crossed over this reservoir embankment on many occasions during my visits to Southern and Eastern destinations, I take a peek into this magnificent work of irrigation engineers of years gone by. It was a great moment in the history of the irrigation sector in then Ceylon in the latter part of 1950, when former Prime Minister, the late Sir John Kotelawala inaugurated work on the Walawe Ganga reservoir scheme, the second multi-purpose project undertaken in Ceylon after the country ...

Jan 9, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Ceylon, Sir John Kotelawala, Uda Walawe, Udawalawe National Park, Walawe Ganga

My memories of the BURGHER RECREATION CLUB – The Number 1 Hockey Club from 1932 to Date – By Dennis de Rosayro Perhaps inspired by the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, the 1st Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. The very same year on 26th December 1896 in tiny Ceylon, the Bambalapitiya Hockey & Football Club was founded by the Burgher community from Bambalapitiya, Colombo South, at a meeting held at the residence of Mr. F.J. Foenander, who was elected as Patron. Mr. A.W. Raffel and Mr. O.H. Poppenbeck were elected as President and Hony Secretary, respectively. On 31st May 1915, the Club changed its name to Burgher Recreation Club and its colours changed from “Black-red-Gold” to “Black-Red-Champagne”. Thus, the B.R.C. completed 125 years on 26 December 2021. My visit to my beloved club on that evening, with my wife and extended family gave me immense joy and ...

Jan 7, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles Tagged Burgher Recreation Club, Ceylon, Hockey, Olympic Games

The Power of Privilege: Illegitimate Progeny in the Plantations of Ceylon and Beyond – By Michael Roberts An EMAIL MEMO from RICHARD HERMON to His Good Friend ERROL FERNANDO, Circa 9 December 2022*++* Dear Errol, As a Eurasian myself on both sides, since both my Grandfathers were Brits and both my Grandmothers were Sinhalese: one Kandyan from Welimada, and one Low-Country from Baddegama to whom both my grandfathers were married. I also take exception to some “Burghers” looking down upon us with disdain. specially very dark skinned “Burghers” who claim to be of “pure “Dutch extraction when queried as to the reason for their dark skin colour, The explanation is invariably that they have spent a long time in the tropics and have been under the sun!!!.. What a load of codswallop!!!! Now however the Burghers consider Eurasians to also be Burghers!! Actually, many Burghers could more accurately be termed ...

Jan 3, 2023 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Michael Roberts Tagged Baddegama, Ceylon, Power of Privilege, RICHARD HERMON, Sri Lankan

10 Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka – By Malsha – eLanka Sri Lanka is a small island . Its in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon. Sri Lanka have Lot of beautiful places to visit . These Are the some of them. visit in Sri Lanka and Spend Your vacation meaningfully. 10 .Hikkaduwa .Hikkaduwa is a town on the south coast of Sri Lanka .Hikkaduwa is Famous for its long sandy beach. 9 . Ella Ella is a town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka . Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. Ella is one of most beautiful areas in sri lanka Attraction places in Ella Dhowa temple Bambaragala Peak Little Adam’s Peak Ravana Ella Falls Nine Arches Bridge Demodara Diyaluma Falls Yahalamadiththa temple Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery Ravana cave Nildiya pokuna 8 . Anuradhapura Anuradhapura is ...

Dec 11, 2022 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Malsha Madhuhansi Tagged Anuradhapura, beautiful places, Ceylon, Colombo, Ella, Galle Fort, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka