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It all happened in Colombo – a generation ago – By Upali Salgado The changing face of Colombo, and the lifestyles of her people exposed to Western culture are always fascinating.  Two writers, Herbert Hulugalle, a former Editor of the Ceylon Daily News, and Dr. R.L. Brohier, OBE, have in print recorded many facets of the History of Colombo, which was once a Moor trading centre and later a Portuguese and Dutch cittadel. During British times, it was known as the ‘Garden City’. This story is to rekindle the interest of readers about what life in Colombo once was.  The prominent landmarks that beautify the landscape of Colombo are Slave Island with the picturesque Beira Lake encircling the human settlement, and the Galle Face walk (‘Green’ as it is known today). Moors and Malays have lived in Slave Island for over 800 years, and also ‘Kaffir’ soldiers, brought from Mozambique and the ...

Feb 23, 2024 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , , , , ,
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“Galle Face: Sri Lanka’s Iconic Coastal Promenade”-by Kalani-eLanka Galle Face, situated in the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka, stands as a testament to the nation’s rich history and vibrant culture. This iconic coastal promenade has been a beloved gathering place for locals and tourists alike, offering a unique blend of breathtaking ocean views, recreational spaces, and a glimpse into the country’s colonial past. Originally constructed by the Dutch in the 17th century as a defensive structure against maritime invaders, Galle Face underwent several transformations over the years. During the British colonial era, it was used as a promenade for the elite, hosting grand events and social gatherings. Today, Galle Face represents a harmonious fusion of historical architecture and modern urban development. One of the main attractions of Galle Face is undoubtedly the mesmerizing view of the Indian Ocean. Locals and visitors alike flock to the promenade during the evenings to ...

Jan 1, 2024 Posted by In Articles, Kalani Prabodha Tagged , ,
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Why you should visit this undersold, teardrop-shaped island right now – By Lee Tulloch Source : smh If there’s a country that could do with a lot of love right now, it’s Sri Lanka. Over the past three decades, the island nation has been ravaged by conflict and disaster, beginning with the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed 30,000 lives, and the 26-year-long civil war, which ended in 2009. It had just re-emerged as a popular tourist destination when, on Easter Sunday 2019, an Islamic group, in retaliation for the Christchurch attacks thousands of kilometres away, bombed three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo, unnerving the tourists who had returned in record numbers. And then in 2020 there was COVID-19. Even though Sri Lanka managed it well, the world shut down. Shopkeepers in Galle Fort, the beautiful, fortified 17th-century village on the south-west coast, say they closed their stalls ...

Jun 11, 2023 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
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A fitting memorial Suren Ratwatte traces the history of Colombo’s War Cenotaph built a hundred years ago The War Cenotaph: Now at Viharamahadevi Park and (bottom right), a section of the names engraved. Pix courtesy Quintus Andrade Source:Sundaytimes In 1923 Ceylon was a different place to the Sri Lanka of today. The land was ruled by the Empire’s masters, ensconced in their ‘Britishers Only’ Colombo Club near Galle Face Green. The Ceylonese had, however, formed their own rival Orient Club located near the racecourse. ‘Divide and Rule’ was the unwritten law. ‘Natives’ were not permitted to play in the Colombo Club’s cricket and rugby teams. Instead, they congregated in the Singhalese Sports Club, Tamil Union, Burgher Recreation Club, Moors Sports Club, Colombo Malay Cricket Club, etc, also constituted along ethno-religious lines. But just next to the exclusive Colombo Club, a memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (the famous architect who ...

May 28, 2023 Posted by In Articles Tagged ,
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The commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka ” Colombo ” – By Malsha – eLanka Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka, located on the west coast of the island. It has a population of over 750,000 people and is the center of economic and political activity in the country. Colombo is a bustling city with a mix of modern and colonial architecture, and is known for its vibrant street markets, historic temples and mosques, and scenic oceanfront promenade. It is also home to many government institutions, educational institutions, and cultural attractions such as the National Museum and the Viharamahadevi Park. The city’s international airport, Bandaranaike International Airport, is located approximately 35 kilometers north of the city center. History of colombo The history of Colombo dates back to ancient times. The city was a trading port and a center of commerce for many centuries, ...

Apr 21, 2023 Posted by In Articles, Malsha Madhuhansi Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Good News From Jayam January 15, 2023 Pls Scroll Down 35 items Thousands Gather at Galle Face Green to Celebrate the New Year 2023 Lucion Pushparaj of Sri Lanka is “the Black Lion of Asia” Sri Lankan Bodybuilding Champion Lucion Pushparaj was born in Ja Ela in Sri Lanka. Only 40 years old and already a champion in his field. He has won many body building titles in Sri Lanka and the U.S. He is in training in Los Angeles and will be competing at the World Championships in Ohio in 2023. We will keep our readers posted to keep an eye out for this competition and to cheer him along while as a Sri Lankan, he will make Sri Lanka proud. He is the first Sri Lankan to make it this far in this field. “Such a nice man!” Friends of Dr. Lakshman Makandura Hosted Special VIP Event at ...

Jan 12, 2023 Posted by In Articles, Jayam Rutnam Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Christmas in Sri Lanka – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Magical and sensational Affair Transcript: Though 70% of the inhabitants in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese Buddhists and minority Christians, and Hindus, Christmas in Sri Lanka is celebrated with much passion and enthusiasm by everyone. It is a time when families living far apart, some across the seas, meet in their ancestral family home in Sri Lanka and rejoice the season most joyfully. Preparations and arrangements begin a month before Christmas. It is a time to share love, kindness, compassion, and, most importantly, gifts with family and friends. People in Sri Lanka are known to host lavish parties during Christmas. History states that European Colonies influenced Sri Lankan customs and traditions from the 16th century to the 20th century. This is how Christmas became vital to Sri Lankan customs and traditions. It is traditional for Sri Lankans, especially the Burgher ...

Jan 1, 2023 Posted by In Articles, Dr harold Gunatillake Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
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‘A’ (Aragalaya) Day in Sri Lanka. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Transcript: 9th July 2022 becomes an epoch-making day in the history of Sri Lanka since getting Independence in 1948 from the British. This video should be preserved in your archives for posterity, as this sort of unique organized event may not be visible in the future in a developing world. Even despite shortages of essential items such as petrol, gas, and food, on the brink of starvation, the youth joined to protest against the governing body, mainly focusing on President Gotabaya and prime minister Ranil Wickremasinghe who had no mandate from the people, and was successful through protestation to get rid of them, who brought this country to bankruptcy, over months climaxing success on this day the 9th July. This video reveals a glimpse of the struggle the ‘Aragala’ or struggle group shows to achieve that end. Please ...

Jul 12, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Dr harold Gunatillake Tagged , , , , ,
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Taking a closer look at ‘aragalaya’ – By Dr. Tilak S. Fernando   The ‘Aragalaya’ or the protest by peaceful demonstrators in front of the Presidential Secretariat has exceeded fifty days and continues. The protesters claim the 6.9 million who voted for a change and for Gotabaya Rajapaksa failed to deliver what was promised on election platforms.  Fuel prices have gone up several times to unprecedented levels. Consequently, people stand in long queues mainly for petrol, gas and milk-food, while consumer prices are sky high. The scarcity of medicines in hospitals is also flashing red lights. People complain they have to spend their time in queues constantly. The poor cannot afford the wave of fuel and consumer price hikes. Yet, it is the fault of all Governments since Ceylon became independent in 1948 for not implementing robust economic policies. Still, everyone blames the present President in a matter of three ...

Jun 1, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Tilak S Fernando Tagged , , , , , , , ,
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Sri Lanka Is a Small Preview of a Global Default Crisis – By Ruth Pollard The country is already wracked with shortages. The social order may shatter if the economy isn’t infused with cash soon.   Source:bloomberg.com High school teacher S. Jeeva has spent two days in the baking sun lining up for cooking gas in the north of Sri Lanka’s capital. He’s been standing with thousands of others waiting for a delivery that, so far, hasn’t come. Meanwhile, many of his students, who will sit for important national exams Monday, have joined protests against the government at the waterfront along Colombo’s iconic Galle Face Green. Both are symbols of the economic and political crisis gripping the nation — the result of decades of corruption and financial mismanagement that pushed the country to default on May 19. It is, Jeeva says, his students’ democratic right to protest and demand a better government. Daily life has become ...

May 23, 2022 Posted by In Articles Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
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