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Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka AHANGAMA – By Dr. Nimal Sedera Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – November 2023 Ahangama is a famous place in southern Sri Lanka in Galle on the boundary of Matara District. Habaraduwa, Koggala and Weligama are places around Ahangama. Today, it is a key tourist destination. Ahangama was significantly affected by the Tsunami in 2004. As it is situated by the sea, the naming is linked to an incident faced by travellers who were coming to Sri Lanka by boat in the olden days. For example, Galle and Dondra and many places in the south were natural harbours for arrivals. The story is linked to a certain clan of traders coming from India called “Lamba Karna”. Lamba Karna meant “Long ears”. Even the Lord Buddha is from that clan. So, they were travellers from India and known to have come ...

Nov 1, 2023 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , , , ,
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eLanka Newsletter – 2nd August 2023 – 1st Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter Lanka Premier League 2023 Opening Ceremony – By Dr Sagara Lakmal de Mel ජීවමාන සංස්කෘතියක උරුමය සුරැකි පුරවරය. – By ආචාර්ය ගාමිණී කාරියවසම්. Anton Swan’s Exemplary Service As Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul Feted at FSOQ’s Gala Dinner – By Lawrence Heyn Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – August 2023 Kotmale Dam and Reservoir. Renamed: Kothmale Gamini Dissanayake Reservoir – By Dr Harold Gunatillake SONGS OF PRAISE – Jesus Loves Me – By Charles Schokman Will The Agreement Between France and Sri Lanka be signed after the French President visits Sri Lanka-By Dr Tilak S. Fernando Let’s try to make Kurakkan Kada ( කුරක්කන් කැඳ )- Sri Lankan Finger Millet Porridge – By Malsha – eLanka LEST! YOU DID NOT KNOW? – By Charles ...

Aug 2, 2023 Posted by In Articles, eLanka Newsletters Tagged , , , , ,
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Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka ‘ANAMADUWA ‘ – By Dr. Nimal Sedera Source :  Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – August 2023 Anamaduwa is in the District of Puttlam in Sri Lanka. It is now famous as a place of tourist interest too. But let’s focus on as to how the name Anamaduwa came into being. At the time this area was nothing but a jungle and it became a popular place for hunting. People believe that there are jungles in Sri Lanka where hunters get lost and struggle for days to get out of the forest.  Such stories are common even today. The reason for getting lost is attributed to a certain creeper found in the forest. The belief is that, if the hunters or anyone entering the jungle trample these creepers, they become confused and loose their way. Therefore, these creepers are named “මුලා ...

Jul 31, 2023 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , ,
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eLanka Newsletter – 4th June 2023 – 1st Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter S.Thomas’ College Old Boys Association NSW / ACT – A Night With Misty – Sydney Thomian Ball – 26 May 2023 – Photos thanks to RoyGrafix St Paul’s Milagiriya PPA – NSW Presents – Member’s family and friends New year Celebrations – Photos The History and Significance of Poson Poya – by Mrs. Shanti Senadeera Stephen De Neise is no more – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE YEVIN SAMARARATNE Sri Lanka born young Golf prodigy from Brisbane – well placed at the Sri Lanka Golf Open Championships 2023 – By Sunil Thenabadu A important full moon poya day of Buddhists – ‘ Poson ‘ – By Malsha – eLanka A humble goodbye to loyal traders Joe and Jacinta Fernandez from Joe’s Fish – Dandenong ...

Jun 5, 2023 Posted by In Articles, eLanka Newsletters Tagged , , , , ,
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eLanka Newsletter – 5th April 2023 – 2nd Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter KELLY KLASSICS – Jerry Lee Lewis – Pick Me Up On Your way down Sri Lanka Para Athletics Team – Thanks to the Sri Lankan community in Brisbane Charith Asalanka and Kusal Janith Perera steer Sri Lanka to a nail biting win – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports editor) How I made good in Australia, some reminiscences – By Dr. Harold Gunatillake GOOD FRIDAY – What Does the Cross Represent in the Christian Faith? – by Charles Schokman Sinhala and Tamil New Year – By Donald Gunatillake Cricket & Galle in Rothman’s ‘Potted’ History of Sri Lanka-by Michael Roberts victor melder lecture Sunday 30 April, 3pm-4pm – Clayton Hall, 264 Clayton Road OBITUARY: CHRISTAL JEUNE MERLYN LA-BROOY (12-06-39 – 19-03-23) Puthandu AN ...

Apr 5, 2023 Posted by In Articles, eLanka Newsletters Tagged , , , , , ,
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Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka: HALAWATHA – By Dr. Nimal Sedera Source : Dæhæna – Monthly e-Newsletter October 2022 “Halawatha” is a famous city in the North -Western province of Sri Lanka. This is one of the few cities that received a different name in English due to the pronouncing difficulties of the white rulers that invaded Sri Lanka. They called this city CHILAW, like calling the city “kanda” KANDY and Megamuwa” NEGAMBO. HALAWATHA the coastal city is well known for fishing. The birth of the name to this place is linked to the time the country was under the Sri Lankan Kings. There had been a provincial ruler appointed by the King who happened to be born to a Muslim mistress of the King. Understandably, the Sinhala people did not like to be ruled by a leader with a different cultural background. To overcome this situation astrologers ...

Oct 1, 2022 Posted by In Articles Tagged , ,
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Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka: NEBODA – By Dr. Nimal Sedera Source : Brisbane Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – September 2022 Neboda is a growing village in the Western Province between Horana and Kalutara. The story behind this village is surprisingly not connected to a King or a ruler but to an incident linked to Ayurveda medicine. People lived healthy lives and only the native medication system known as Ayurveda prevailed in the country. There lived a village chief closer to the area where we now call Neboda. He was suffering from gastritis and the native doctor, the vedamahaththaya, prescribed him to drink “Kithul piti kenda” every morning. Kithul is a common palm tree in Sri Lanka and its flower is tapped to make toddy and treacle for making of sweets. The Kithul timber is extremely strong and lasts for generations. Making Kithul piti (Kithul flour) was ...

Sep 1, 2022 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , , ,
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eLanka Newsletter – 3rd April 2022 – 1st Edition – Sri Lankans In Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter “THE CEYLON I KNEW” – by Des Kelly https://www.elanka.com.au/2022-queensland-parliament-flood-appeal-reception-on-30th-march-2022-2/ Sinhala Avuruddu and Tamil New year celebration at Sweeney Reserve in Berwick (Melbourne) – write up & photos thanks to Trevine Rodrigo (Melbourne) Goodbye legend, an incredible short but memorable innings – by Trevine Rodrigo (eLanka Sports editor) Anecdotal Tit Bits: Making “The Bridge on the River Kwai”-by Dr Michael Roberts Brisbane Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – March 2022 CROWN OF GLORY – by Lakshman Navaratne MADHAVEE POSSESSES ALL TRAITS OF A VOCAL SINGER AND ACTRESS ON ROUTE TO PINNACLE OF FAME – by Sunil Thenabadu Reminiscing Memories -Celebrating Shane Warne’s Life by Dr Harold Gunatillake Sinhala and Tamil New Year – From an Australian born Sri Lankan youth – by Darshana Munasinghe ...

Apr 3, 2022 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , , ,
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Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka: How “Nivithigala” got its Name – by Dr. Nimal Sedera Source:Brisbane 4EB Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – february 2022 Nivithigala is a well-known place in Sri Lanka. A voting electorate is known by this name in Sri Lanka. It is in the district of Ratnapura and a short drive from the Gem City: Ratnapura. It is also famous for its gem pits. Further, Nivithigala is an important centre in the Mid Country tea growing map, a place I have travelled often visiting some  of my dear friends in the Lions Movement. May I look at the word “Nimithi” in a few directions. “Nivithi” is the Sinhala word for the vegetable Spinach. But, “Nivithigala” is not named after that vegetable. “Nimithi” is a Sinhala word for features. There are good omens and bad omens in our culture. I quote from “Salalihini Sandesaya” ...

Jan 31, 2022 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , ,
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Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka: How “Parakaduwa” got its Name By Dr. Nimal Sedera Source:Brisbane 4EB Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – January 2022 Parakaduwa is a small village in the district of Sabaragamuwa. The word “Kaduwa” (sword) itself reveals that it is a name based on a war situation. Sword was the commonly used weapon at war all over the world before the invention of the gun. The sword was the symbol of power. Even today, the sword is a symbol of power, displayed in the ceremonial dress of heads of forces. “Para” is a word used to give the meaning “foreign”.”Paraya” means an outsider. “Athveda”, “Para veda” means your work and the work of others ..”Para” is also used in the context of mean action or, low qualities. “para balla”. Biggest threat to the King of Seethawaka, the Sinhala King, was from the Portuguese. They ...

Dec 31, 2021 Posted by In Articles Tagged , ,
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